Location: Azure Flame Sect – Midnight Mountains
Yue Qingxue moved like a shadow. Concealed by her cultivation art, she tailed Jinhyuk through the dense mountain trails far beyond where outer disciples were allowed.
She had to know the truth.
How did he defeat a Viper Queen alone? How does someone with no background carry such composure… and secrets?
And then—she saw it.
---
The Forbidden Technique
Jinhyuk stopped near a cliffside.
He removed the weighted training robes he wore daily, revealing a body honed to terrifying sharpness beneath his disguise.
He took a stance… unfamiliar to anything in the Azure Flame Sect.
Suddenly—
He vanished.
Not teleported.
Erased.
When he reappeared, it was thirty meters away, silent as a breath.
> [Skill Activated: Ghostflash Step – Origin: Modern World System]
[Trait: Dimensional Step Integration – Qi Efficiency: 94%]
[Effect: Undetectable Movement]
Qingxue's heart dropped.
"This… This movement technique isn't from any sect I know. It breaks core flow rules. It shouldn't even exist!"
She gripped the tree beside her, stunned.
And then Jinhyuk looked directly at her.
---
Caught
"You've been following me since the reward hall," he said calmly.
Qingxue stepped out, defensive. "How did you sense me?! Even inner court elders can't—"
"I didn't. I set a spirit-mark hours ago in case someone tailed me."
Her eyes narrowed. "You expected this?"
"Of course. You think I didn't know your pride wouldn't let it go?"
"…Who are you really?"
Jinhyuk stepped closer, eyes gleaming with power no outer disciple should possess.
"I'm just someone climbing from the bottom. Don't get in my way, and I won't crush you."
Her breathing quickened. Not from fear—but from something else she couldn't name.
---
A Line Crossed
"I should report you," she said.
"You won't."
"Why not?"
Jinhyuk smirked. "Because you're curious. And you want to see how far I'll go."
She stared at him. Silent.
Then turned and vanished into the night, heart racing for reasons she didn't understand.
> [Yue Qingxue's Affection: +5 (Intrigued)]
[Suspicion: +20 (Cautious but Hooked)]
[Path Branching: Potential Ally or Rival]
[System Notice: Azure Flame Sect Crisis Timeline Accelerated – Your presence is destabilizing fate]
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