The ruins outside Yunlai Village were older than anyone dared remember. Crumbling stone walls, twisted iron gates, and creeping ivy covered structures that had once housed a sect long forgotten. For the villagers, the place was cursed. For Liang Ze, it was an opportunity.
The system's voice pulsed in his mind.
"Recommended action: Locate training grounds or quest sites to maximize XP gain. Suggested target: Whispering Shadow Ruins. Estimated danger: high. Potential reward: rare artifact, skill points, experience."
Liang Ze's eyes gleamed. "High danger? Perfect. I'm ready."
He moved quickly, shadows swirling at his feet. The ruins loomed ahead, dark and oppressive. A chill ran down his spine, but it wasn't fear. It was anticipation. The system hummed, guiding him to a hidden entrance behind a toppled pillar.
"Entrance detected. Initializing stealth mode."
Liang Ze vanished into shadows. The ruins were silent… too silent. Every instinct screamed danger.
---
A faint rustling echoed. Liang Ze stopped, crouching low. From the darkness, two glowing eyes emerged, followed by a low growl. Wolves—but not ordinary wolves. Their fur shimmered with black-blue energy, and their eyes glowed like coals.
"System?" Liang Ze whispered.
"High-level beast detected: Shadow Wolf. Threat level: Moderate. Recommended action: combat or evasion. Skill check: Shadow Step/Shadow Strike advised."
Liang Ze's hands curled into fists. "I don't run."
The wolves lunged, and shadows wrapped around him like armor. He vanished, reappearing behind one of the creatures. Shadow blades extended from his hands, slicing clean through the beast.
XP +18.
The second wolf attacked from above. Liang Ze dodged, teleported, and struck, feeling the system guide his every movement.
XP +20. Level 5 achieved. Attribute points available: 5.
Liang Ze gasped, adrenaline surging. "Level 5… finally."
The wolves lay motionless, but their eerie glow remained, a warning that the ruins themselves were alive with shadow energy.
---
He pressed deeper into the ruins, walls narrowing into a corridor. Ancient carvings depicted battles between men and shadow beasts, warriors wielding strange weapons against monstrous figures. Liang Ze traced his fingers over the carvings. "So… this place really is a training ground… for what?"
Before he could ponder further, the system chimed.
"Hidden chest detected. Security seal: moderate. Recommended skill: Shadow Strike or Shadow Manipulation to unlock."
Liang Ze grinned. "Time to test you again."
Shadow blades extended, wrapping around the chest. He struck with precision. A soft click and a faint shimmer indicated success. The chest opened to reveal a small, black gemstone pulsing with energy.
System notification: Artifact acquired – Shadow Core. Skill unlocked: Shadow Manipulation. XP +50.
Liang Ze held the gem, feeling power surge into him. Shadows around him responded, writhing eagerly.
"Shadow Manipulation allows user to control shadows for offense, defense, and mobility. Skill can be upgraded through combat and experience."
He laughed softly. "Finally… something that makes me dangerous."
---
Suddenly, a distant rumble shook the ruins. Dust fell from the ceiling, and the shadows around Liang Ze thickened, moving unnaturally. He froze.
From the darkness emerged figures, cloaked in tattered black robes. Their eyes glowed faint red.
"Intruder," one hissed. "The Shadow Core belongs to us."
Liang Ze's heart skipped. Cultivators… and clearly powerful ones. He raised his fists, shadows coiling. "It's mine now. Leave or fight."
The cultists moved as one, attacking in unison. Lightning and dark energy clashed against Liang Ze's shadows. He teleported, struck, evaded, and countered.
XP +30 per attack. Level 6 achieved. Attribute points available: 5.
The battle raged like a storm. Liang Ze felt the Shadow Core amplifying his abilities, enhancing his speed, his strikes, his awareness. For every blow the cultists landed, he countered with precision.
"Warning: High-level threat detected. Multiple enemy combatants. Suggested combination attack: Shadow Step + Shadow Manipulation."
Liang Ze smirked. "Combination it is."
He vanished into shadows, reappearing above the cultists. Shadows erupted from the ground, wrapping around their legs, pulling them into the air. Shadow blades struck from multiple angles simultaneously.
The cultists screamed, struggling, but Liang Ze moved like a phantom, striking relentlessly. Within minutes, the combatants lay defeated, groaning, but alive.
Liang Ze's chest heaved. "Level 7 achieved. XP +120. Skill points available: 5. Shadow Manipulation upgraded to Level 2."
He wiped sweat from his brow. The system's glow pulsed warmly, approving.
"Quest progress: 25%. First artifact secured. Combat efficiency improving."
Liang Ze grinned. "Not bad for day two outside my village."
---
He continued through the ruins, deeper into shadowed corridors. The air grew thick with magic and decay. Whispers echoed from the walls—voices that promised power, secrets, and death.
Liang Ze stopped. "System… analyze."
"Unknown vocal phenomenon detected: Whispering Shadows. Risk: High. Recommended action: stealth and sensory manipulation."
Liang Ze inhaled deeply. "Then let's do this carefully." Shadows extended around him like a cloak, dampening sound and movement. Every step was silent. Every motion precise.
Ahead, a massive stone door loomed. Symbols pulsed faintly along its surface. He approached cautiously, feeling the air thrum with latent energy.
"Security check: Ancient Seal. User skill requirement: Level 5 Shadow Manipulation. Suggested action: combine Shadow Step + Shadow Manipulation to bypass."
Liang Ze's hands glowed with shadow energy. He leapt, shadows wrapping around the door. The seals glowed and resisted—but he pressed on.
Finally, with a deep breath, he struck the door with a pulse of shadow energy. A rumble echoed as the seals broke. The door slid open, revealing a chamber lit by an eerie, purple glow.
Inside, a figure sat cross-legged, hooded, surrounded by shadow beasts. Its presence radiated immense power.
"You've come for the Shadow Core," the figure said, voice like silk wrapped around steel. "Few survive the ruins. Fewer still leave with power. Do you… truly seek strength, young one?"
Liang Ze stepped forward, shadow blades ready. "I don't seek strength… I demand it. And I will take it if I have to fight you."
The hooded figure laughed softly. "Bold. Very well. Show me."
The chamber erupted. Shadow beasts lunged, teleporting and striking with unnatural speed. Liang Ze dodged, countered, and adapted. The system guided his every move, pulsing through his veins, whispering strategy.
XP +200. Level 8 achieved. Attribute points available: 5. Shadow Manipulation Level 3 unlocked.
He weaved through the battlefield like a ghost. Shadows lashed out, cutting down beasts with precision. The hooded figure observed, occasionally sending subtle attacks, testing his skill.
Finally, Liang Ze faced the figure directly. Shadows coiled around them both, energy crackling like a storm.
"You… have potential," the figure said. "But potential alone is worthless without discipline, without control."
"I have control," Liang Ze spat, "and I have determination. I will grow stronger every day. And one day, I will make all of you pay for what you did to my village."
The figure tilted its head, as if amused. "Perhaps… you are not like the others. Very well, young one. Take the Shadow Core. But know this—every step you take, enemies will watch, rivals will challenge, and the world itself will test you. Do not falter."
The Shadow Core floated into Liang Ze's hands. Energy surged through him, shadows writhing eagerly, responding to his command. He felt invincible—almost.
"Artifact acquired: Shadow Core confirmed. Shadow Manipulation Level 3 unlocked. Main quest progress: 50%."
Liang Ze exhaled. The chamber was silent now, save for the fading whispers of the ruins. He knew this was only the beginning. Many enemies, many sects, and many battles lay ahead. But for the first time, he felt… ready.
---
As Liang Ze exited the ruins under the setting sun, the system pulsed in his mind.
"User progress: significant. Training successful. Threat assessment: moderate. Recommended next action: locate allies, expand combat experience, explore mystical regions beyond the village."
Liang Ze clenched the Shadow Core. "I'll find allies… I'll grow stronger… and I'll make everyone who destroyed my life pay."
The wind swept across the ruined fields, carrying the scent of smoke and shadow. The orphan who had once been weak was gone. In his place stood a hunter, a shadow manipulator, a rising storm that would shake Yunlai Continent.
And the journey was only beginning.