The entrance to Ghost Valley was sealed by nine ancient talismans—each pulsing with the cold essence of death and time.
It wasn't part of the sect's training grounds. No disciples entered willingly.
Even the Elders avoided it.
But to Jinhyuk, it was a clear path.
The system's notification burned in his vision:
> [Hidden Quest Accepted: Trial of the Eclipse Blade]
[Objective: Reach the Heart of Ghost Valley]
[Warning: All cultivators below Foundation Stage will face Soul Suppression]
Perfect.
He stepped forward, peeling off one of the talismans. The barrier shuddered, and an icy wind surged out, whispering screams from another era.
He entered without hesitation.
---
Inside the valley, everything was… wrong.
Colors bled into each other. The sky was too still. The trees were frozen mid-sway.
Even his breath didn't fog.
> [System Alert: Entered Domain of Ancient Weapon Spirit – Eclipse Blade]
[Soul Weight: Applied – Mental Pressure Increased by 300%]
Jinhyuk felt the crushing sensation instantly. His knees buckled—but he grit his teeth and stood.
Memories from his past life tried to force themselves into his head. Shame. Regret. Helplessness. His father's broken body. The jeering hunters. The betrayal.
He burned them all away.
"I didn't come to cry."
He pressed on.
---
Hours passed.
He fought through Soul Shades, shadows of long-dead cultivators—each using ancient techniques.
He copied every one.
> [Skill Copied: Soul Chain Technique – Yin Affinity Binding]
[Skill Copied: Blade Phantom Waltz – Ghost Step Sword Style]
[Progress: 10/100 Techniques Copied]
By the time he reached the valley's heart, blood ran down his hands. His robes were torn, but his gaze was sharper than ever.
In the center of a black altar floated the blade.
Eclipse.
Forged from void stone and lunar essence. Said to drink the soul of gods.
It whispered.
> You are unworthy.
You are broken.
You are a shadow, not a flame.
Jinhyuk stepped forward anyway.
"I've been broken."
"I've been nothing."
"But I climb. Every time."
He reached out—and the sword screamed.
> [Trial Activated – Eclipse Blade Soul Combat Initiated]
[Opponent: "Yun of the Black Moon" – Ancient Sword Saint Soul Fragment]
[Restriction Lifted: Full Spiritual Domain Allowed]
The world split in two.
---
Jinhyuk stood in a grey void, across from a ghostly figure dressed in jet-black robes. Yun's sword was already drawn.
"Draw," Yun said. "Or die without dignity."
Jinhyuk pulled the replica sword he'd formed from copied techniques—and the duel began.
One hundred strikes in one breath.
Blade clashes echoed like thunder.
Yun was merciless—each strike backed by centuries of experience. Jinhyuk's blade broke once, twice, again.
But each time—he reformed it. Copied Yun's style, reshaped it, evolved it.
> [Skill Fusion: Blade Phantom Waltz + Eclipse Edge]
[New Skill Created: Void Crescent Waltz – Incomplete Form]
He stepped into Yun's blind spot—and ended it.
One slash.
Clean. Silent. Final.
The ghost faded.
> [Trial Complete]
[You are now the Wielder of the Eclipse Blade]
[Bond Level: 1/10 – The Blade Acknowledges You]
---
Back in the real world, Jinhyuk stepped out of Ghost Valley, the Eclipse Blade now sheathed behind his back.
The disciples who had mocked him stared in silence.
The Core Elders watched from afar.
And Mu Yuelin?
She appeared beside him with narrowed eyes. "You're not just rising. You're ascending."
He smirked. "About time they noticed."
---