Wu Zheng stared at the screen as words flickered into view, appearing one by one in an otherworldly glow.
[Host has broken through to the Golden Core Realm.]
[Host is rewarded with 20 Golden Core Pills, a new system function, and a 5th-grade sword.]
A timer ticked at the bottom of the message:
Time remaining: 47 hours, 51 minutes.
Wu Zheng wasted no time, mentally accepting the rewards. As soon as he confirmed, the familiar melodic chime echoed through his mind. In front of him, a series of small jade bottles materialized, their pale green surfaces gleaming softly in the dim light of the cave. He counted twenty in total, each containing a Golden Core Pill—a rare treasure designed to help cultivators stabilize and push forward in the Golden Core Realm.
But his eyes were drawn to something else: the Sunfire Blade. It floated in midair for a moment before gently settling on the ground.
[New system function: Storage]
A new line of text appeared, detailing his new ability to store non-living objects within an independent space. It was a useful feature, ensuring that he could carry important items without physically needing to lug them around. Though it had a limit, Wu Zheng knew he'd likely never reach it.
Shifting his attention back to the Sunfire Blade, Wu Zheng's gaze sharpened. The sword was striking. The blade glowed a molten orange, as if fire was trapped inside the metal, and its surface emitted a low, constant heat. The air around the sword shimmered slightly, distorting the light.
He extended his hand, and the moment his fingers wrapped around the hilt, warmth surged up his arm, spreading through his entire body like a current of fire. The blade hummed faintly, as though recognizing its new owner.
He couldn't help but smile.
He read the description that the system provided for the sword:
"This radiant sword is crafted from rare fire-attribute materials and enhances fire-based techniques. Each swing leaves a trail of fire, amplifying fire Qi and making it a weapon of unrivaled destructive power."
It was perfect. His Song of Inferno technique would synergize with this blade like nothing else. Already a powerful skill, Song of Inferno would become even deadlier with the added fire Qi from the Sunfire Blade.
Wu Zheng gave the sword a testing swing. As the blade sliced through the air, a trail of fire followed its path, lingering for a brief moment before dissipating. The whoosh of the blade echoed through the cave, and the faint crackling of flames filled the space. It was as if the sword itself was alive, breathing with each movement he made.
With a nod of satisfaction, he sheathed the sword, the metallic clink resonating in the stillness of the cave. He then stored it in the newly unlocked system storage space, knowing it was secure there.
Returning to the center of his cave, Wu Zheng sat back down on his meditation mat, folding his legs and letting his mind relax. His journey to the Golden Core Realm had been a long one, but it was far from the end. In truth, this was just another step—a small one in grand scheme.
His next step was clear: mastering the fourth stage of Song of Inferno and the final step of Moon Steps. Mastering these techniques would maximize his combat potential, and now, with the power of the Sunfire Blade, he would be more formidable than ever.
Seclusion was his answer once again. Though he had already spent years in isolation, he knew that his breakthroughs would only become more challenging as he progressed. Convincing his parents to allow an extension of his seclusion wouldn't be difficult, especially given the looming threat of war. The clan would need him at full strength.
With a deep breath, he let his mind drift back into a state of meditation. His breathing slowed, each exhale echoing softly in the cave as his heartbeat synced with the rhythm of his Qi. His senses dulled, and once again, the familiar calm of cultivation embraced him.
The flicker of fire from the distant blade seemed to fade, leaving only silence in the cave.