Location: Azure Flame Sect – Moonview Pavilion
The garden was silent, except for the faint breeze brushing through the frozen cherry blossoms.
Xuan Yulian stood beneath a white tree, her sword in hand, replaying the fight again and again.
> "How did he dodge that?"
"How did he mirror my movement… with only outer court techniques?"
She clenched her fist.
"Jinhyuk…"
---
Elsewhere – The Inner Court Elders' Hall
Six robed figures gathered in a hidden chamber, each wearing golden talismans of authority.
Elder Shen sneered. "That boy defeated two core disciples and humiliated the Crimson Lightning."
Elder Wu's son, now crippled, remained silent.
"He's dangerous," another said. "Worse—he's popular."
"Too fast, too much. He might challenge the Sect Leader's authority in time."
A decision was made.
---
Assassination Order: Silent Rain Protocol
Target: Jinhyuk
Location: During next core disciple trial
Objective: Disappear without trace
---
Back to Jinhyuk – Training Chambers
Jinhyuk opened his palm, revealing a cold blue lotus petal.
A remnant of Xuan Yulian's qi.
> [System Alert: Qi Analysis in Progress...]
[Technique Copy Probability: 43% – Incomplete sample]
[New Passive Obtained: Frost Adaptation]
"Not bad," he muttered.
But his instincts screamed.
He turned.
And the shadows moved.
---
An Assassin Appears
A blade coated in poison flew straight at his throat.
But Jinhyuk didn't flinch.
> [Passive Triggered: Danger Sense – Rank B]
[Counter Activated: Serpent Step – Variant Slipform]
He ducked, caught the assassin's wrist midair, and slammed them into the wall.
The masked figure coughed blood.
"You… were supposed to die…"
"Wrong target," Jinhyuk whispered, eyes glowing cold.
---
Yulian's Dilemma
That night, Xuan Yulian stared at her sword, troubled.
> "He moved like a sect heir... no, like something more dangerous."
She remembered the tiny smirk he wore as blood trickled from his cheek.
Her heart beat once, harder than she liked.
---
System Update
> [Hidden Route Unlocked: Sect Conspiracy – "They fear your rise"]
[New Threat Discovered: Elders' Silent Rain Protocol – Status: Active]
[Affection Update: Xuan Yulian – +8 (Curiosity turning to obsession)]
[Future Sect Leader Route – 41%]
[Hidden Title Gained: Snake Among Dragons]
---