Three days after the confrontation—
A mission list was posted at the outer disciple hall.
Outer disciples gathered around the board, scanning the assignments.
Low-rank herb gathering.
Escort tasks.
Spirit beast extermination.
Normal work.
Until—
Lin Xuan's eyes stopped at one line.
Emergency Task – Blackwind Ravine
Eliminate corrupted Iron-Tusk Boar.
Reward: 40 Contribution Points.
Assigned: Lin Xuan.
Murmurs rose instantly.
"Blackwind Ravine?"
"That's not outer disciple level…"
"Isn't that area unstable?"
Lin Xuan remained silent.
Dragon Sense flickered.
A faint thread of killing intent clung to the mission scroll.
Manufactured.
Artificial.
Xuánlóng's voice echoed calmly.
"This is bait."
Lin Xuan's lips curved faintly.
"I know."
The Real Author
High above, in the inner disciple pavilion—
Zhao Chen stood beside a window overlooking the mountains.
A subordinate knelt behind him.
"It's arranged, Senior Brother."
"The Iron-Tusk Boar is only the surface threat."
Zhao Chen nodded.
"And the rest?"
"Three men are waiting near the ravine's lower ridge. Accidents happen often there."
Silence.
Wind brushed against Zhao Chen's robe.
He spoke softly.
"I don't like variables."
"Especially ones I can't read."
His eyes turned slightly cold.
"If he survives… then he deserves my attention."
Blackwind Ravine
The mountain path grew darker as Lin Xuan descended.
Mist clung to the trees.
The air smelled metallic.
Corrupted Qi.
This was no ordinary hunting ground.
He stopped halfway down the slope.
🐉 Dragon Sense – Active
Three hidden presences.
Breathing controlled.
Weapons drawn.
Waiting.
Lin Xuan pretended not to notice.
He continued walking.
The First Strike
The attack came fast.
A blade flashed from the left.
Another from behind.
A spear thrust from above.
Perfect timing.
Coordinated ambush.
Lin Xuan stepped forward instead of back.
The spear missed his heart by an inch.
He grabbed the shaft.
Pulled hard.
The attacker lost balance instantly.
Lin Xuan twisted—
Crack.
The sound of bone breaking echoed through the ravine.
The other two attackers hesitated.
That hesitation cost them.
🔥 Dragon Breath (Incomplete)
A compressed blast detonated between them.
Stone shattered.
Dust exploded outward.
When the smoke cleared—
Both attackers were on the ground, coughing blood.
Lin Xuan's aura remained steady.
Not wild.
Not unstable.
Controlled.
One of the attackers glared at him.
"You… you're not Qi Refinement…"
Lin Xuan walked closer.
"I never said I was."
He knocked them unconscious instead of killing them.
He understood something important now.
This wasn't just about survival.
This was political.
If he killed them—
It would escalate too quickly.
The Real Monster
Suddenly—
The ground trembled.
A roar split the ravine.
From the mist emerged a massive Iron-Tusk Boar.
Its body was twice normal size.
Black veins pulsed beneath its skin.
Corrupted Qi overflowed.
But Lin Xuan narrowed his eyes.
That corruption—
Was unnatural.
Injected.
Manufactured.
Someone had force-fed the beast corrupted essence to increase its strength.
"This wasn't a random mission."
The boar charged.
The impact shattered trees.
Lin Xuan didn't dodge this time.
He inhaled deeply.
Inside his spiritual sea—
The Dragon Vein flared.
Synchronization climbed.
17% → 21%
Red energy surged into his limbs.
His bones hummed.
His muscles tightened.
As the boar's tusk approached—
Lin Xuan punched forward.
🔥💥
The collision exploded like thunder.
Shockwaves rippled through the ravine.
The boar staggered back.
Its skull cracked.
It tried to roar again—
But Lin Xuan moved instantly.
He appeared above it.
His palm descended.
🔥 Dragon Breath – Direct Core Impact
The beast collapsed.
Silence followed.
Above the Ravine
Far above—
Hidden on a cliff edge—
Zhao Chen watched everything.
His expression did not change.
But his eyes sharpened.
"He held back."
He noticed it clearly.
Lin Xuan had power beyond what he displayed.
And he had chosen restraint.
That made him more dangerous.
Zhao Chen turned away.
"Interesting."
"For now… let him grow."
"But prepare something larger."
Aftermath
Lin Xuan stood alone in the ravine.
The mist slowly thinned.
Inside his spiritual sea—
Xuánlóng's voice was quieter than usual.
"He is watching you."
"I know."
"You cannot stay hidden much longer."
Lin Xuan looked toward the inner sect peak.
"I don't plan to."
The Dragon Vein pulsed once more.
Stronger.
Steadier.
The hunters had set a trap.
But the dragon had walked through it unharmed.
And now—
The game had truly begun.