The silver-haired woman stood in the darkness of the city, her golden eyes gleaming like twin moons.
A cold wind swept through the streets, carrying the scent of blood and excitement. The Awakening had thrown humanity into chaos, and yet, amidst it all, one anomaly had slipped through her fingers.
Jin Xiao.
She licked her lips, feeling a thrill she hadn't experienced in a long time.
"It's been years since a mortal intrigued me."
Her fingers traced the air, and a golden rune appeared before her, spinning gently.
[Scan: Missing Humans – Unregistered System Activation]
The rune flickered, then displayed its results.
Tens of thousands of people had died that day. But only one case stood out.
[Name: Jin Xiao]
[Status: Confirmed Dead – Killed in Battle]
[Body Condition: Unrecoverable]
Her smile widened.
"So… you faked your death."
She had seen countless people grovel, beg, or mindlessly accept the system. Jin Xiao did none of these.
"What are you hiding, little rat?"
She tapped the rune again, and a faint energy pulse swept through the city, like an invisible net feeling for disturbances.
Nothing.
No trace. No lingering aura.
"Impressive. But you made one mistake."
She turned, her golden eyes narrowing.
"The more you run… the more I want to find you."
Jin Xiao's Buried Sanctuary
Deep beneath the ruined industrial district, Jin Xiao crouched in the damp underground tunnels. The air was thick with the stench of rust and stagnant water.
His fake death had worked—for now.
"But she's watching. I can feel it."
The silver-haired woman wasn't just some random cultivator. She was dangerous. Smart. Persistent.
Jin Xiao clenched his fists. He needed power.
But he refused to use the system.
That left him with one choice—steal power another way.
And he had a plan.