Wang Jie's body trembled. A scorching heat surged from his core, flooding his meridians like a raging tide. His muscles tightened, veins bulging as raw energy pulsed through him.
[Boom!]
A violent shockwave burst from within, shattering something. His breath hitched, his chest tightening. But the energy didn't stop—it climbed, roaring like an untamed beast.
His meridians stretched, struggling to contain the flood of Qi rushing through him. His bones cracked, reforging themselves under the strain. Every inch of his body burned.
Wang Jie clenched his fists as his body shook. His veins pulsed with golden light, flickering across his skin like molten fire. His heartbeat pounded like a war drum, echoing in his ears.
[Boom!]
A final explosion of energy tore through him.
"9th stage of Qi Gathering!" His body jerked as the overwhelming force settled into his meridians, steady and refined. The heat faded, leaving behind something new—something powerful.
For a long moment, Wang Jie sat there, drenched in sweat. His breath was ragged, his mind racing.
Realization struck, "How... is this even possible?" he muttered, his voice hoarse.
....
He flexed his fingers, feeling the raw strength coursing through him. The impossible had happened yet it was real. Finally a breakthrough. His lips curled. A shudder ran through his chest.
"....."
"....."
"Hahahahaha...!"
Laughter erupted from him, deep and wild. He threw his head back, letting it ring through the night. The sheer madness of it all—the sheer power—was intoxicating.
After a while, His laughter faded. His chest rose and fell as he steadied his breathing. The breakthrough had been insane, but it wasn't just luck. That technique—that Dual cultivation technique is only thing he had practiced. He could never imagine a technique from ordinary Pavilion can be this powerful.
"Heavenly Dragon Yin Harmony"
"Uff... amazing" A smirk tugged at his lips. Oh! I almost forgot about that technique!"
He straightened, eyes gleaming. Without hesitation, Wang Jie reached for the storage ring on his finger. A faint ripple of light flickered then a worn, yellowed scroll appeared in his palm.
------
[Technique: Low Void Eye]
------
Carefully, he unrolled the scroll, his fingers steady as his eyes traced the screen prompt. His gaze sharpened.
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[Low Void Eye] — Condenses spiritual energy into the eyes, allowing the user to see through illusions, detect weak points, and sense hidden energy fluctuations. At higher mastery, it enhances perception and reaction speed.
[Additional Effect]: It has three layers. Upon forming the first layer of mastery, the user will gain the ability to discern the age of any living being with a single glance.
-----
Wang Jie's eyes narrowed. To see through illusions was one thing—but to expose hidden age? Against shape-shifters or cultivators concealing their strength, this could be deadly. A slow, dangerous smile spread across his lips "Let's see how far this can go"
His gaze shifted toward the dark forest stretching below the cliffside. The night was still, but his senses stretched further than ever. The chill night breeze stirred his hair, but his focus was elsewhere on the strange sensation burning behind his eyes.
He shut them, Qi surged within him, flowing toward his pupils. A golden shimmer flickered beneath his eyelids. His vision sharpened, the darkness of night peeling away like thin silk. Suddenly—
[Click]
Something clicked in his mind. A strange pressure settled in his eyes, almost… natural. His pupils narrowed, golden light swirling in their depths. And then—
[Whoosh!]
Wang Jie's eyes snapped open, The world was different. Crisper, Sharper. He could see the faint glimmers of energy drifting in the night air. The shifting flow of spiritual energy, invisible to most, was now as clear as daylight.
'Movement'
His gaze shifted toward the forest below. A flicker of motion—barely a shadow among the trees. He focused.
A small creature crept through the underbrush—a low-level spirit beast. It was roughly the size of a hound, its fur a dull gray beneath the moonlight. Its energy signature pulsed faintly weak, but clear.
"Level 1 Beast," Wang Jie murmured, a slow smile tugging at his lips "I can see it?"
His eyes narrowed further. A strange layer of detail peeled away the beast's muscle structure, the way its Qi circulated through its veins
-----
[Beast: Shadowfang Wolf]
[Realm: 1st]
[Age: 6 years, 4 months]
[Weak Point: Base of the neck—fracture the third vertebra to instantly disable]
------
"…Fuck"
Wang Jie's lips twitched "What the hell just happened?"
The details had been so… clear. The Qi flow, the age, even the fragile point along its spine where a single strike could end it he had seen it all. But how?
He stared at his hands. They trembled slightly, the lingering remnants of that strange power thrumming beneath his skin.
"I… know nothing about spiritual energy" he muttered. His brow furrowed "And I already mastered the first layer?"
This technique has Three layers. And yet, he had just reached the first layer without even understanding how Qi vision functioned. Just first layer could be this impressive. It clearly shows that this technique is really powerful.
"…Hah"
Wang Jie's gaze returned to the normal, his golden pupils shimmering faintly and then faded completely.
"Its been long... night..." he stretched his shoulder
A soft glow brushed against the horizon. The deep blue of the night began to lighten, hints of gray and pale orange seeping into the sky "Morning?"
Wang Jie blinked, realization settling in
"…I didn't even sleep?"
A yawn tugged at his jaw. He stretched, feeling the satisfying ache of muscles pushed to their limits. His body still pulsed faintly with the remnants of Qi surging through his meridians "Guess that's enough for today"
He stood, brushing the dirt from his robes. His gaze dropped downward. The little guy had finally calmed.
Shaking his head, Wang Jie descended the cliff path. His steps were light despite the fatigue coiling beneath his skin. The mansion was quiet when he arrived, the faint glow of dawn touching the rooftops with soft gold.
He pushed open the door to his room. Inside, the air was warm, carrying the faint scent of herbal incense. His gaze settled on the bed.
Ruyan lay curled beneath the Fur blanket, her bare shoulder peeking out from beneath the thin fabric. The steady rise and fall of her chest matched the gentle rhythm of her breathing. A few strands of dark hair clung to her flushed cheek. Wang Jie's gaze softened.
Quietly, he approached the bed. He reached down, carefully pulling the blanket higher to cover her bare skin. Sliding onto the bed beside her, Wang Jie let out a slow breath. The warmth of her body drifted toward him, mingling with the lingering chill of the night air. He closed his eyes falling into a peaceful sleep.