The Sword Hall was quiet as Lin Yuan returned from the Verdant Labyrinth. The wind carried the faint scent of mist and damp earth, remnants of the beasts he had slain earlier. Though it was morning, the disciples were already gathered on the training platform, their eyes scanning the horizon as though expecting something.
Lin Yuan walked among them, careful to appear calm. His body hummed with residual lightning from the Mist-Horned Elder. Every step felt lighter, every movement sharper. The system pulsed softly in his mind.
[Level: 9]
[Attribute Points Available: 5]
[Status: Qi Condensation – Lv 9]
The scarred disciple, Gu Shan, noticed him first. "You were gone longer than usual," he said flatly. "And yet… your aura feels different."
Lu Yan's dark eyes narrowed as she studied him. "I thought you were only a mid-tier thunder root. You've… improved?"
Shen Rui chuckled softly. "Seems like someone's been busy hunting."
Mo Yu leaned against a stone railing, smirking. "Not bad. I'll admit, I didn't think you'd survive the Labyrinth unscathed."
Lin Yuan smiled faintly. "It was… instructive."
The Sword Hall Elder appeared quietly, descending atop a cloud of spiritual qi. His robe fluttered as he landed on the stone platform, wine gourd in hand. "Interesting," he murmured, his sharp eyes briefly glinting as they passed over Lin Yuan. "Your growth is… accelerated. Keep this pace, and you may even surpass your peers."
The disciples exchanged glances. Whispers of surprise ran through them—Lin Yuan had only been in Sword Hall a few days, yet his aura now radiated in a way that was almost impossible for his apparent level.
The system chimed quietly.
[New Feature Unlocked: Skill Fusion – Combine Skills to Increase Effectiveness]
[Recommendation: Thunder Strike Lv 1 + Lightning Body Lv 1 → Thunder Slash Lv 1]
Lin Yuan focused, the faint blue glow of lightning dancing along his arms. He could already feel the energy of his existing skills intertwining. With careful concentration, he executed a swift motion, fusing the two techniques.
[Skill Unlocked: Thunder Slash Lv 1]
Combines sword strike with body-enhanced lightning movement
Cooldown: 20 seconds
Damage: Scales with Spirit and Strength
He swung experimentally, and the air itself seemed to crackle. Sparks traced the path of his blade.
Gu Shan's jaw tightened. "That… wasn't normal."
Lu Yan's eyes widened slightly. "Hmph. Not bad for someone you claimed was average."
Shen Rui leaned forward, smiling faintly. "I like this."
Later that afternoon, Lin Yuan ventured into a less-explored valley near the Sword Hall. His plan was simple: hunt a few medium-tier spiritual beasts, gain EXP, and test his new skill.
Mist hung low over the forest floor, and the faint rustle of leaves hinted at unseen movement. He moved silently, his senses heightened by Lightning Body.
From the underbrush, a pack of Mist-Horned Alphas emerged—three creatures, larger than the ones he had faced before, their horns glowing faintly with spiritual energy.
[Targets Detected: Level 6–7 Spiritual Beasts]
The system prompted:
[Warning: Multi-Target Combat Recommended – Use Skill Fusion]
Lin Yuan's lips curved into a faint smile. Finally, a proper challenge.
The first alpha lunged, but Lin Yuan was ready. He sidestepped and activated Thunder Slash Lv 1, a combination of Thunder Strike and Lightning Body. His movement was fluid, enhanced by lightning coursing through him. The first strike hit cleanly, electricity arcing across the beast's hide.
The second alpha attacked from behind, claws raking the misty ground. Lin Yuan rolled and struck again, chaining a second Thunder Slash in rapid succession. Sparks flared, and the beasts recoiled.
The third alpha hesitated, sensing the sudden surge of power from Lin Yuan. He seized the opportunity, moving like a blur, each strike precise, each step guided by the system. Within moments, all three beasts were incapacitated, leaving Lin Yuan standing in the silent forest, his sword humming faintly.
[EXP +350]
[Level Up! Lv 10 – Qi Condensation Complete]
He breathed deeply, feeling a new surge of energy as his body adjusted to Level 10. His spirit root hummed in resonance with the system. Lightning traced across his limbs, not enough to harm him, but enough to let him feel the raw power he had acquired.
The system's interface appeared with a quiet chime:
[New Feature Unlocked: Attribute Reset Available – Reallocate Points at Will]
[Skill Fusion Lv 2 Available]
Lin Yuan smiled faintly. Every kill, every test, every hunt was bringing him closer to something greater. Sword Hall disciples might have recognized him now, but few truly understood the path he was walking.
And somewhere atop the Sword Hall peak, the elder with the wine gourd watched silently, eyes narrowed, lips curved in a faint smile.
"This one… will change everything."