The rain fell in cold sheets as Jinhyuk stood before his father's grave.
His mother and sister were there too—silent, mourning, unaware of the storm gathering beneath their feet.
He stared at the name etched into the stone: Lee Sangjoon.
The man who taught him to never kneel.
The only person who ever looked at him without disgust in his chubby, ugly form.
Gone—killed by enemies hiding in shadows.
> [Side Quest Complete: Traced the Red Lotus Syndicate]
[Main Quest Updated: Blood Debt – Vengeance Path Unlocked]
He turned away from the grave with fire in his eyes.
It was time to disappear—for now.
---
That night, Jinhyuk returned to his father's private house.
To the hidden chamber beneath the floor.
To the ancient portal.
> [Teleport Initiated – Target: Cultivation World]
[System Calibration Complete – Transferring Host]
A flash of light.
And he was gone.
---
Chapter 11: Dragonfire Continent – Crimson Sky
When he opened his eyes again, he was standing in the middle of a dense jade forest. The air was thick with spiritual energy. Everything buzzed with raw power.
He was no longer in a world of buildings and technology.
Here, the strong ruled like gods.
A few hours of travel—and he saw it.
A mountain range floating in the sky.
Dozens of palace-like structures built on the peaks.
Immense spiritual pressure rolled down like crashing waves.
The Immortal Flame Sect.
One of the Three Heavenly Powers of this realm.
It radiated power, beauty, and ruthlessness.
Jinhyuk's lips curled into a smirk.
"That's the one."
---
At the sect's entrance, dozens of outer disciples were being tested.
Jinhyuk wore a mask, hiding his face.
An elder eyed him with disdain. "You? No cultivation? No family? You don't belong here."
"Let me try the trial," Jinhyuk said calmly.
The elder scoffed. "You'll die."
A young woman standing nearby turned her head.
She was stunning—silver hair, blood-red eyes, with a sword strapped to her back.
A divine aura surrounded her like a moonlit storm.
Name: Mu Yuelin.
Status: Core Disciple.
Known Title: Crimson Moon Sword Saint
Rank: Peak Nascent Soul
She looked at him curiously. "He's interesting. Let him try."
The elder grumbled but stepped aside.
---
The trial began.
A spiritual beast appeared—Golden Fang Tiger, Qi Refinement 9th layer.
A death sentence for someone without cultivation.
The crowd watched, half-smirking.
Then Jinhyuk moved.
And everything changed.
He dodged the tiger's strike—not with power, but with terrifying precision.
A single palm strike landed on its pressure point.
Crack. Boom.
It fell instantly.
The crowd erupted in shock.
The elder froze. Yuelin's eyes gleamed with surprise.
> [Skill Copied: Tiger Bone Fist – Qi Compression Style]
[Compatibility: 85% – Skill successfully absorbed into Martial Path Database]
[Current Rank: Mid-Qi Refinement]
"I want to join the sect," Jinhyuk said flatly.
Mu Yuelin smirked. "You've got guts. Follow me."
---
Later that night, as he was led through the grand halls of the sect, Jinhyuk stared at the endless sea of talent.
Qi in the air. Strong cultivators everywhere. Countless techniques to learn, copy, and master.
He wasn't here to make friends.
He was here to steal their strength.
> [Main Objective: Infiltrate Immortal Flame Sect
Sub Objective: Copy 100 Cultivation Techniques
Bonus Objective: Earn Mu Yuelin's Trust]
And when he returned to Earth next time…
He wouldn't just be a shadow anymore.
He'd be a god walking in disguise.