Inside the sealed cultivation room, Ren Wei's eyes snapped open, glowing faintly with surging Qi.
Without wasting a breath, he raised his hand and summoned the system window.
---
Name: Ren Wei
Race: Human (Mortal)
Bloodline: Immortal Emperor Bloodline
Age: 17
Cultivation Realm: Foundation Establishment Realm Level 3 (Early Grandmaster)
Dao: ??? (2/10 fragments gathered — gather all 10 to unlock Dao)
Techniques:
• Heaven-Flaying Vein Scripture
• Iron Blood Meditation
• Ash Vein Fang – Saber Technique
↳ Form 1: Ember Slash
↳ Form 2: Hollow Cinder Spiral
↳ Form 3: Unlocked – Crimson Void Severance
• Boundless Swordsman (Passive)
↳ Resistance to sword-based attacks
↳ Learn all sword techniques 30% faster
Physique:
• Immortal Emperor Psychic
↳ Guarantees eventual breakthrough to Immortal Emperor Realm
↳ Resistance to all elements, including Light and Dark
↳ Cannot be harmed by anyone less than one realm above
Weapon:
• Echo Fang – High Earth Grade Saber
↳ Devours elemental Qi, evolves in battle
---
With a mental flick, he tapped on the Ash Vein Fang line.
> Ash Vein Fang – Saber Technique (Mastery: 67%)
↳ Form 1: Ember Slash
↳ Form 2: Hollow Cinder Spiral
↳ Form 3: Crimson Void Severance
His fingertip hovered over the third form.
> Crimson Void Severance (Mastery: 0%)
A saber strike that burns spiritual essence; ignores defense below Nascent Soul realm and causes Qi disintegration if used with killing intent. High stamina consumption.
Ren Wei exhaled sharply, then grinned.
> "Forget the representative of the Four Families… even Wei Wuxian won't stand a chance."
But the arrogance faded quickly.
He clenched his fist.
> "No… not yet. I'm still an ant before Nascent Soul experts. Time to crush this arrogance with effort."
He stood, turned toward the pill shelf in the corner of the cultivation chamber, and took out one of his self-crafted Foundation Establishment pills.
> "Three days to the Four Families' challenge… Four days to the system quest."
He sat back down, legs folded, and swallowed the pill.
---
Dusk – Day 4
A low hum filled the room. The air twisted and thickened as another wave of spiritual energy surged into his dantian.
> Ding!
Foundation Establishment Realm – Level 4 achieved
Ren Wei opened his eyes slowly, and the familiar golden panel bloomed before him once more.
---
Name: Ren Wei
Race: Human (Mortal)
Bloodline: Immortal Emperor Bloodline
Age: 17
Cultivation Realm: Foundation Establishment Realm Level 4 (Early Stage Grandmaster)
Dao: ??? (2/10 fragments gathered)
Techniques:
• Heaven-Flaying Vein Scripture
• Iron Blood Meditation
• Ash Vein Fang – Saber Technique
↳ Form 1: Ember Slash
↳ Form 2: Hollow Cinder Spiral
↳ Form 3: Crimson Void Severance
• Boundless Swordsman (Passive)
Physique:
• Immortal Emperor Psychic
↳ Guarantees breakthrough to Immortal Emperor Realm
↳ Resistance to all elements
↳ Immune to harm from anyone less than one realm above
Weapon:
• Echo Fang – High Earth Grade Saber
---
He stared at the panel for a moment in silence.
> "Four years in my past life… and now four days."
Ren Wei stood up and went to the courtyard then reached into his system inventory.
The hilt of Echo Fang appeared in his grip, its blade gleaming with a faint scarlet glow. As soon as it touched his hand, memories — no, movements — surged into his mind.
His body reacted on instinct. He moved. Slashed.
Again.
And again.
Each motion burned his meridians. Each slash demanded more. But that was what made it real.
He was beginning to learn Crimson Void Severance.
> "This is the blade that will silence heaven itself…"
And he did not stop.
---
The pale hue of dawn painted the courtyard with gold, yet Ren Wei was still immersed in motion.
His saber carved through the air in fluid, precise arcs—each slash drawn from the marrow of Crimson Void Severance. Sweat glistened across his brow, and the ghost of a breath escaped his lips each time his saber cleaved forward.
He had practiced without pause since midnight.
Finally, a familiar ding echoed in his mind.
> Ding!
Crimson Void Severance — Mastery: 26%
Ren Wei stilled, lowering his saber with a faint smirk.
"Not bad," he muttered. "I don't need full mastery now. I still have two weeks before I face Wei Wuxian…"
He exhaled—but his breath caught as he noticed something. Faint wisps of black grime had seeped through the pores of his skin, collecting beneath his robes like soot. His muscles felt lighter, his breath smoother.
Ren Wei's eyes narrowed, and he muttered, "The first body cleansing… completed."
He turned toward the villa and called, "Su Yao."
The maid appeared swiftly and bowed deeply.
"Yes, young master?"
"I need to bathe. Bring me a towel."
"At once."
She vanished like mist, leaving Ren Wei to gaze once more at his hands—clean, but not yet pure. This is just the beginning…
---
Steam rose faintly from his shoulders as Ren Wei exited the bath chamber, his robe loosely tied at the waist. The clinging weight of impurities was gone; his stride felt buoyant, his veins thrumming with power.
Returning to his cultivation room, he gathered the maids with a single wave.
"Today marks the final push," he said calmly. "Until dusk… do not disturb me."
Mei Rou and Su Yao bowed in unison and retreated, the door falling shut behind them.
Ren Wei whispered, "One more step to reach Level Five."
He retrieved the second pill granted by Han Crest—its amber glow pulsing in his palm. Without hesitation, he consumed it and sank into lotus posture.
The cultivation chamber pulsed with rising qi. Hours passed like grains of sand slipping through an hourglass.
Then—at midnight—his eyes snapped open.
> Ding!
Foundation Establishment Realm — Level 5 Achieved.
Host has entered Middle Stage of the Grandmaster Realm.
Ren Wei's gaze gleamed with renewed sharpness.