Zhou Jing steadied his breath as the rider charged, the blade cutting through the night air with a faint hum. The villagers screamed, scattering into the shadows, but Zhou Yuan remained still, muscles coiled like a spring. Zhou Jing allowed partial control, letting Kael's instincts guide his limbs while his mind calculated angles, distances, and timing.
The rider's first strike came fast—a horizontal slash aimed at Zhou Yuan's chest. Zhou Jing countered, pivoting the Apostle's body, feeling the blade graze past, sending a shock of wind against his face. The system highlighted weak points in the attacker's stance in a faint, translucent overlay.
[SYSTEM MESSAGE]
Threat Assessment: Low-Tier Body Tempering Practitioner
Combat Potential: Moderate
Suggested Counter: Feint and Reposition
Zhou Jing adjusted immediately, stepping aside and sweeping his leg, knocking the rider off balance. The rider recovered quickly, landing lightly on the ground, and smirked under the faint glow of his energy-lined armor.
The night seemed to stretch as they circled each other, the distant torchlight flickering across the uneven terrain. Zhou Jing could sense the rhythm of the battlefield—the subtle shifts in weight, the tiny adjustments in posture. Each movement generated data. Each pause, a potential opportunity.
[SYSTEM MESSAGE]
Astral Points obtained: 3
Information State Particles obtained: 0
The rider lunged again, faster this time. Zhou Yuan blocked, feeling the sharp impact vibrate up the arm. Zhou Jing allowed a small pulse of energy through the Apostle, reinforcing the muscles, tightening the tendons.
[SYSTEM MESSAGE]
Skill Activation: Strength Overlay Level 1
Temporary Increase: +3 Strength
The rider staggered slightly under the enhanced impact, eyes narrowing as he realized Zhou Yuan was no ordinary human. The villagers huddled further back, whispers like shadows in the wind. Zhou Jing knew the key: avoid overcommitting, bait the opponent, and gather information about the realm's energy flow.
[SYSTEM MESSAGE]
Map Function: Level 1 Scan
Resource Nodes Detected: 2
Energy Flow Lines Detected: 1
Kael's gaze flicked toward the faint glimmers of the energy lines. They pulsed subtly, almost imperceptibly, like threads connecting the land to some hidden source. Zhou Jing made a mental note. Understanding these could be crucial for long-term growth—not just for Kael, but for all Apostles to come.
The rider attacked again, faster, sharper. Zhou Yuan countered with a sidestep and elbow strike, connecting solidly. The system highlighted the rider's weak point once more, and Zhou Jing pushed further. Each blow now flowed with precision, guided by tactical probability overlays from the system.
[SYSTEM MESSAGE]
Astral Points obtained: 5
Information State Particles obtained: 1
The first signs of exhaustion flickered across the rider's features. He was skilled, yes, but predictable in rhythm. Zhou Jing allowed Kael to capitalize, spinning low to sweep the rider's legs from under him. The impact sent a shockwave through the dirt, leaving faint grooves in the ground.
[SYSTEM MESSAGE]
Threat Neutralized: Partial
Continue Monitoring
The rider leapt back, chest heaving, armor faintly glowing from his internal energy. Zhou Jing paused, analyzing. The energy lining his blade was foreign, a low-tier system he had not encountered. A power system different from the main world's norms. Fascinating. Zhou Jing stored the data in memory, ready to extract later if possible.
[SYSTEM MESSAGE]
Information Logged: Low-Tier Body Tempering Energy — Blueprint Captured
Potential Skill Transfer: Pending
The rider hesitated for a brief second, then launched a desperate strike. Zhou Yuan met it with a swift uppercut, sending him sprawling across the field. The system pinged automatically, calculating rewards.
[SYSTEM MESSAGE]
Astral Points obtained: 12
Information State Particles obtained: 3
Minor Power Insight Captured
Zhou Jing withdrew full control, letting Kael land softly and scan the surroundings. The rider was beaten but alive, groaning in the dirt. Zhou Jing made a quick decision: no kill. Not yet. Let the system record, let the Apostle grow. This first trial was about learning, about establishing presence.
[SYSTEM MESSAGE]
First Combat Trial Completed
Apostle Growth: +2 Experience Levels
Status: Stable
The villagers cautiously approached, eyes wide. Fear was tempered by awe as Zhou Yuan stood, unwavering, chest heaving lightly. Zhou Jing allowed a small, reassuring smile to cross the Apostle's face. Even in victory, subtlety was key.
Beyond the battlefield, the faint energy threads pulsed stronger, like the astral realm acknowledged his presence. Zhou Jing felt it—the first true sign that this world, small though it was, could yield both power and opportunity. Kael had survived his first test. And Zhou Jing knew, the real journey was only just beginning.
[SYSTEM MESSAGE]
Mission Update: Initial Descent Successful
Exploration Points Available: 3
Potential Skill Acquisition: Pending
Recommended Next Actions: Investigate Energy Nodes and Hidden Structures
The night stretched on, stars overhead shimmering faintly, but Zhou Jing's mind was already racing. Many more trials awaited. Many more apostles to deploy. Infinite realms to explore. And he would grow, step by step, world by world.