The crimson-robed disciples of the Immortal Flame Sect moved like fire dancing across silk. Each one radiated pride, strength, and an overwhelming sense of superiority.
Jinhyuk stood at the edge of a vast training courtyard, his presence like a shadow in daylight.
Mu Yuelin approached with calm, predatory grace. Her red eyes glinted with quiet contempt.
"You want to be part of my group?" she asked, voice cool as winter steel. "Then show me you're worth my time."
She tossed a flame-inscribed token at his chest.
"Hold on to that while the others try to take it from you."
Jinhyuk caught it without blinking. "Rules?"
"No killing. No techniques beyond Qi Condensation. You lose it, you're out."
She turned to the dozen disciples behind her. "Go."
---
They didn't hesitate.
The first came at him with a sweeping staff strike, enhanced by Qi flow. He was fast.
Too slow.
Jinhyuk ducked, twisted, and slammed his elbow into the boy's ribs. The staff wielder crumpled.
The second came with twin sabers—one targeting his throat, the other his legs.
He stepped into the blind spot, grabbed her wrist, and disarmed both blades in a breath.
> [Skill Copied: Wind Sabre Art – Low-Grade Sword Technique]
[Compatibility: 72% – Skill Stored]
[Style Insight: Weak against direct palm counters]
The third, fourth, and fifth came together—a coordinated group assault.
Perfect.
Jinhyuk smirked and let them surround him.
Then exploded into motion.
> [System Technique: Ghost Flow Footwork – Enhanced Movement Activated]
[Skill Copied: Fire Lotus Palm – Mid-Tier Qi Technique]
His strikes weren't flashy—but they were clean. Precise. Brutal.
Five seconds later, all attackers were on the ground groaning, gasping, or unconscious.
Silence.
Mu Yuelin raised one eyebrow, slightly amused.
"Still standing," she said. "That's rare."
He tossed the token into the air and caught it. "So, am I in?"
She nodded slowly. "You're not trash. But I still don't trust you."
"I'd be worried if you did."
Her lips twitched—almost a smile.
Almost.
"Fine. You're in. But if you slow us down, I'll burn you alive."
---
That night, in a secluded stone room lit by a single spirit lantern, Jinhyuk sat cross-legged with the copied techniques playing in his mind like a movie.
Dozens of patterns. Hundreds of movements. Thousands of variables.
> [Martial Path Expansion: 3/100 Techniques Copied]
[Breakthrough Threshold: 78% Qi Saturation]
[Body Refinement Level Up Available]
He clenched his fists—and felt the surge.
> [Ding! You have reached Late Qi Refinement Stage]
[Body Transformation Triggered – Form Reconstructing…]
His bones cracked. His muscles stretched. Fat melted like wax. His skin shimmered under the glow.
When the light faded, the mirror revealed a completely different person.
Sharp jawline. Piercing black eyes. Snow-pale skin laced with power.
No longer the ugly, fat, mocked boy from Korea.
Now a monster in human skin.