Part 1: The Outbreak
The Azure Cloud Sect declared total war on the Demonic Sect. The front lines stretched across the Forbidden Mists, turning valleys into slaughterhouses. As the "sole survivor" of the Lightning Disciple's murder, Arthur (Lian) was appointed commander of the Forward Reconnaissance Unit—the most dangerous mission, and the most perfect for his schemes.
"Go, Lian! Avenge your brother Ray!" Elder Moa said, handing him the "Black Bolt Dagger," a high-grade spirit tool.
Arthur smiled with manufactured bitterness. "I will, Elder. I shall turn their corpses into fuel for my fire."
Part 2: The Shadow Hunter
Once inside the forest, Arthur didn't hunt demons. He used his stolen [Lightning Speed] to vanish from his team's sight. He began stalking "elites" from both sides who had strayed from their groups.
He found a demonic disciple with the "Steel Body Bloodline" slaughtering Azure Cloud students. Instead of saving his peers, Arthur waited until the demon was exhausted. Then, he struck like black lightning.
"Who are you?!" the demon shrieked, trying to block Arthur's strike.
"I am your end," Arthur whispered, plunging his palm into the demon's chest.
He used [Bloodline Devour] to siphon the "Steel Body" power. He felt his bones hardening like diamond. To cover his tracks, he placed the demon's badge next to the fallen sect members, making it look like a mutual massacre.
Part 3: The Bloody Promotion
Within a week of war, Arthur's cultivation jumped from Foundation Establishment Level 5 to Level 8. He had devoured a buffet of talents: Fire, Lightning, Allure, and Steel Body.
Arthur now possessed an arsenal of abilities, yet he continued to play the role of the struggling, wounded disciple. In one major skirmish, he "assassinated" a platoon leader from his own sect (who had a grudge against the real Lian) and blamed it on a demon commander—whom Arthur then "killed" while the commander was weakened. He returned to the sect as a national hero carrying enemy heads.
"Lian... you are a miracle!" the elders exclaimed, watching him return covered in (fake) wounds and real trophies.
Deep down, Arthur was laughing. The war was paying off. His next target was a Nascent Soul... Elder Moa himself.