When the final chain shattered, silence fell upon their vicinity.
No explosion. No triumphant surge of light. Just a quiet hum beneath their feet, and the slow crumbling of the Chain-Breaker's body as it dissolved into grey motes.
Shang Di stood there, motionless, his breathing steady. Wei Lin let out a soft groan from where he sat slumped against a pillar.
"Is it finally over?" he asked.
"Looks like it."
Shang Di took a slow step toward the center of the crumbled platform, where something under the floor faintly pulsed in a deep purple resulting in eerie lighting.
...
[System Notification – Trial Complete]
Dungeon: Vein Hollow
Status: Dungeon Cleared
Completion: 100%
SP Gained: +400
Bonus SP: +100
Core Acquired: Formation Vein – Vein Hollow (Portable)
Classification: Mid-Grade Formation Core
Use: Sect Base Foundation (1-Star Max, Expandable)
Note: No territory established. Core must be placed manually at a chosen site.
Temporary Spiritual Binding applied – 72 hours safe claim window.
Trait Opportunity: Shadow's Favor – Progress 7/7 (Final)
Trait Fusion Available
— Echo Bind
— Gloom Brand
— Veilstep Instinct
...
Shang Di stopped over the flickering array at the center. The chains had vanished, but the formation lines remained — glowing gently.
He crouched and touched the glyphs.
The light pulsed slightly.
Then the ground below shimmered — a single, crystalline node rose from the platform like a floating seed.
Wei Lin watched, tilting his head. "That… looks important. You planning to sell it?"
"No," Shang Di said calmly. "I'm taking it for myself."
The formation node dissolved into Qi light and entered his ring without resistance.
[System Update]
Formation Vein Acquired
Status: Unbound
Stored in Inventory
Use to found sect base at chosen location.
Wei Lin blinked. "You just picked it up like that?"
Shang Di stood. "Nothing else to do here."
"…You are way too calm for someone who just punched a dungeon boss to death."
...
Later, they rested at the rim of the trial chamber. The oppressive pressure had finally faded. Lucky curled near Shang Di's boot, dozing again now that danger was gone.
Wei Lin was poking a cracked wall with the end of his sword.
"You think people knew this dungeon had a core like that?"
"Probably not," Shang Di replied.
He sat cross-legged, activating the system interface again.
[Trait Merge Available]
Choose one:
— Echo Bind (Passive: trap delay)
— Veilstep Instinct (Active: blur dash)
— Gloom Brand (Aura: weaken enemy Qi recovery)
Merging will finalize Shadow's Favor line.
Shang Di exhaled. After a beat, he selected:
→ Veilstep Instinct
Trait Acquired: Shadowline Veil (Upgraded)
– Allows brief phasing through physical objects during movement
– Afterimage delay trail (1.5 seconds)
– Reduces spiritual lock-on effects
Status: Active
He flexed his fingers, feeling his pulse align with the movement of nearby shadows. Light didn't bend—but it listened.
He stood again, brushing off the dust.
"Let's get out of here."
"With pleasure," Wei Lin muttered, stretching his back. "This place gives me itches in my spirit roots."
...
As they walked, Shang Di pulled up the updated Quest Panel silently.
[Main Quest: Path to Sect Mastery]
Cultivation Progress: Qi Condensation – Mid
Sect Base: Vein Hollow Core – Acquired (Not placed)
Recruit Disciples: 0 / 5
Power Requirement: Reach Core Forming Realm (5th Stage)
Time Remaining: 2 months, 3 weeks
Reward: +4000 SP, System Upgrade (Stage 2), Sect System Functions
He closed the panel.
They weren't done yet.
Not even close to done.
...
They climbed through the fractured stairwell, emerging into the broken courtyard beneath a sky, now tinged in shades of beautiful orange from the sun setting.
Wei Lin covered his eyes, while they were struggling to adjust to the sudden increase in brightness.
"Feels weird to see real sky again."
Shang Di nodded absently.
The dungeon hadn't just been a trial.
It had been the first step toward foundation — but the real path had yet to be chosen.
Where to plant it.
Who to trust.
Who to lead.
Wei Lin stretched his arms and turned. "So where to now, sect master?"
Shang Di's brow twitched slightly. "Don't call me that yet."
"Why not? You've got a core, a name, and a dungeon under your belt."
"I don't have land," Shang Di replied. "No disciples. No reputation."
Wei Lin smirked. "Well… one out of three's still better than most."
They walked down the slope as the ruins behind them began to seal again — formation light flickering once before dimming fully.
And somewhere far ahead, across mountains, rivers, and factions—
Their next trial was already awaiting them.
...
To be continued..