The Void Temple was silent, its ancient runes pulber faint glow. Xiao Tian sat cross-legged at the center of the grand chamber, the faint silver light of his Void Core flickering as he meditated. Elder Taixu, his spectral form barely solid, observed with his usual calm.
"You've made progress," Taixu said, breaking the silence. "Your mastery of Void Qi and spatial techniques has stabilized, but you still lack subtlety. In the higher realms, brute strength alone will not save you. Today, you will learn the foundation of your mother's craft—Shadow Veil."
Xiao Tian opened his silver eyes, their glow piercing. "What is it?"
Taixu's form flickered as the chamber dimmed. "Shadow Veil is the art of becoming one with the shadows, disappearing from sight, and erasing your presence from the senses of others. It is more than a stealth technique—it is a way to manipulate the very essence of perception. Your mother mastered it, and it was one of the reasons the gods feared her."
Xiao Tian nodded, his expression serious. "Teach me."
---
The Lesson Begins
Taixu raised his hand, and the light in the chamber dimmed further, shadows pooling around him like living entities. "To master Shadow Veil, you must first understand the nature of shadows. They are not merely the absence of light; they are the byproduct of space and form. They are everywhere—waiting to be used."
The shadows around Taixu's form shimmered, and in an instant, he vanished. His voice echoed through the chamber. "When you master Shadow Veil, you don't simply hide—you cease to exist in the awareness of others."
Xiao Tian turned his head sharply, trying to locate his master. A faint ripple appeared to his left, and before he could react, Taixu's voice came from directly behind him. "Invisibility is not enough. True stealth requires complete control over your presence."
Xiao Tian exhaled slowly, his hands tightening into fists. "How do I start?"
---
Step 1: Becoming the Shadow
Taixu reappeared, his spectral form hovering before Xiao Tian. "Close your eyes," he commanded. "Feel the energy around you. Shadows are not separate from the Void—they are part of it, just as you are."
Xiao Tian obeyed, his silver eyes closing as he focused on the sensations around him. The faint hum of the Void, the cool touch of the shadows, the gentle pulsing of his Void Core—it all blended into a single rhythm.
"Now," Taixu continued, "imagine yourself dissolving. Let your energy blend with the shadows. Forget the boundaries of your form and become one with the darkness."
Xiao Tian's breathing slowed, his body growing still. He concentrated on the swirling shadows around him, willing his energy to flow into them. At first, nothing happened. But then, slowly, the faint silver glow of his Void Core began to dim.
The shadows around Xiao Tian shifted, their edges blurring as they wrapped around his form. His presence grew faint, his body blending into the darkness.
---
Step 2: Eliminating Presence
Taixu's spectral eyes narrowed. "Good, but you're not finished. The true test of Shadow Veil is erasing your presence entirely. You must suppress not just your physical form, but your intent. Even the faintest trace of hostility or fear will betray you."
Xiao Tian furrowed his brow, his concentration wavering. The shadows flickered around him, and his presence became detectable once more.
"Again," Taixu said sharply. "Breathe. Empty your mind. Shadows do not hesitate—they simply exist."
Taking a deep breath, Xiao Tian steadied himself. He focused on the rhythm of his Void Core, aligning it with the energy of the shadows. Slowly, the flickering stopped. The air around him grew still, and his presence vanished entirely.
Taixu nodded in approval. "Now, we test it."
---
The Trial
With a wave of his hand, Taixu summoned shadow constructs into the chamber. These figures, humanoid in shape with glowing red eyes, moved with eerie precision.
"These constructs are designed to hunt by sensing energy fluctuations. They will attack the moment they detect you. Use Shadow Veil to stay hidden and eliminate them before they find you."
Xiao Tian stood, his form still cloaked in shadows. The constructs began to spread out, their movements deliberate and calculated.
He moved silently, his steps light and precise. Activating Void Steps, he flickered behind one of the constructs. Channeling Void Qi into his hand, he formed a blade of pure energy and struck. The construct dissolved into smoke, its red eyes fading into darkness.
One down.
---
A Test of Patience
The remaining constructs froze, their glowing eyes scanning the room. Xiao Tian crouched low, his breathing controlled. The constructs moved in unison, closing in on his position.
Taixu's voice echoed faintly. "Stealth is not just about hiding—it's about waiting for the perfect moment. Patience is the assassin's greatest weapon."
Xiao Tian waited, his body motionless as the constructs passed by. When one strayed too far from the others, he struck. His Void Qi blade sliced through its core, and it vanished without a sound.
Two down.
---
The Final Encounter
The last two constructs moved faster, their red eyes glowing brighter as they adapted to Xiao Tian's tactics. He activated Shadow Veil, disappearing into the darkness once more. The constructs hesitated, their movements growing erratic.
Xiao Tian used Void Steps to reposition himself, appearing behind one of the constructs and striking it down. The final construct lunged at him, its claws slicing through the air.
Anticipating the attack, Xiao Tian activated Void Chains, binding the construct in place. With a swift motion, he drove his blade into its core, dissolving it into smoke.
The room fell silent.
---
Master's Approval
Taixu reappeared, his expression unreadable. "You've done well," he said after a moment. "Shadow Veil is not an easy technique to learn, yet you've demonstrated remarkable control. Few could adapt so quickly."
Xiao Tian wiped the sweat from his brow, his silver eyes meeting Taixu's. "What's next?"
Taixu chuckled softly. "Always eager. Rest for now. The path of the assassin is one of precision and patience. Reflect on what you've learned today. Your next trial will demand even more."
Xiao Tian nodded, his resolve unshaken. He had taken another step closer to mastering the path of the shadows—a path that would one day make him unstoppable.