Chapter 4: Strength Is Earned, Not Given
The weight of the Hidden Blade of the Night felt perfect in my grasp. Its polished black steel absorbed the faint moonlight, blending seamlessly into the shadows. The slight hum of power running through its edge told me everything I needed to know—this was a weapon designed for assassins.
I sheathed it at my waist and turned to Han Min. "We're leaving."
His gaze flickered between me and the fallen combat puppet, clear disbelief in his eyes. "Brother Ye… you took that thing down with nothing but your fists."
"Would you rather I lost?" I smirked, stepping past him.
"That's not what I meant!" Han Min shook his head. "But… something is different about you. The way you move, the way you fight. It's as if—"
"I've been reborn?" I finished for him.
Han Min froze. The words hung between us, heavier than I intended.
I placed a hand on his shoulder, grip firm but reassuring. "Han Min, listen carefully. Someone inside the cult wants me dead. We don't know who, but I will find out."
His expression hardened. "You think it's an internal betrayal?"
I nodded. "Who else would have the ability to send the Silent Blades Sect after me? Outsiders don't move that easily in the Demonic Cult's territory."
His fists clenched. "What do we do next?"
I exhaled slowly. "We prepare. We train. And when the next attack comes, we welcome them."
Back to the Training Grounds
Returning to my quarters in the Sixth Division, I found my personal training area exactly as I had left it—isolated, barely used, and covered in dust. The previous Ye Qing had neglected his personal growth in favor of intelligence work, relying on cunning and strategy over brute force.
That ended today.
I shrugged off my robe, leaving only my training garments. The cold night air bit into my skin, but I welcomed it.
Ding!
[Would you like to activate the Daily Growth Challenge?]
Training Reward: Increased Qi absorption rate for 24 hours
Requirement: Train for at least 6 hours without Qi assistance
I accepted without hesitation. The easiest way to improve in this world was through relentless training, and if the system rewarded it, then I'd push myself harder than ever.
I assumed a low stance, fists clenched, and began a rigorous shadow combat sequence.
Punch. Step. Dodge. Counter.
The movements of my Adaptive Footwork merged with the Basic Sword Arts, creating a hybrid style that felt uniquely my own.
Every strike felt sharper. Every dodge smoother.
But it wasn't enough.
The Struggle for Strength
After two hours, my muscles burned like fire. Sweat dripped from my forehead, my breath coming in short bursts.
Han Min sat nearby, watching in silence. He had tried to keep up, but after just an hour, he had collapsed in exhaustion.
I wasn't stopping.
"System," I muttered. "Increase difficulty."
Ding!
[Training difficulty increased. Body strain limit adjusted.]
A sudden weight pressed onto my shoulders—invisible, yet crushing. It was as if my own body had suddenly doubled in mass, forcing my muscles to compensate with every movement.
I grit my teeth. This was the test.
For the next four hours, I continued, every motion a battle against my own exhaustion.
And then—
Ding!
[Training Challenge Completed!]
Qi Absorption Boost Activated (+30% for 24 hours)
Physical Conditioning Improved
Combat Reflexes Enhanced
I collapsed onto the ground, arms outstretched, body shaking.
Han Min crawled over, offering me a flask of water. "Brother Ye… what kind of training is this?"
"The kind that makes you stronger," I said between deep breaths. "The kind that ensures you don't die."
He swallowed hard but nodded. "I'll train harder too. I won't fall behind."
Good. I would need allies I could trust.
But as I lay there, staring up at the moonlit sky, I realized something.
If I truly wanted to survive, I needed more than just training. I needed a path to real power.
The Path of Qi Cultivation
Back inside my chamber, I sat cross-legged, allowing my breathing to slow. It was time to push my Qi cultivation to the next level.
I activated my Nano Essence Enhancement and immediately felt the surrounding Qi flood toward me. Unlike before, it didn't come in sluggish trickles—it poured into my meridians like a raging river.
My veins pulsed as my body absorbed and refined the energy, muscles tightening, bones strengthening.
Ding!
[Qi Absorption Rate: 230% Efficiency]
Breakthrough Approaching!
A surge of warmth spread through my body as the energy coiled in my dantian.
Then—a flash of warning struck me.
Something was off.
A disturbance in the Qi flow. An outside force pressing against my cultivation.
I opened my eyes sharply, senses on high alert.
Someone was watching me.
An Uninvited Guest
A shadow flickered near the window, barely visible in the dim candlelight. Whoever it was, they were highly trained—silent, patient, waiting.
I didn't move. Didn't let them know I had noticed.
Instead, I extended my senses, allowing my Qi to spread outward subtly.
One presence. Not weak. Possibly Mid-Level Earth Realm.
Definitely an assassin.
I tensed my fingers around the hilt of my Hidden Blade. If they were here to kill me, I would make sure they regretted it.
Ding!
[New Quest Activated: Eliminate the Silent Threat]
Objective: Neutralize or interrogate the intruder
Reward: Shadow Cloak Upgrade
The room remained eerily quiet. The air itself felt thicker, heavy with the tension of an unspoken confrontation.
Then—
The figure moved.
I reacted instantly.
My Hidden Blade flashed out as I spun, slashing toward their throat.
Metal clashed against metal—a dagger met my blade mid-air, deflecting it at the last second.
We locked eyes.
For the first time, I saw my enemy clearly.
A masked assassin dressed in the black robes of the Silent Blades Sect—but what caught my attention wasn't the uniform.
It was her eyes.
Familiar. Sharp. Not filled with killing intent—but curiosity.
Who was she?
And why had she come without the intention to kill?