Time had no meaning in cultivation.
When Lu Yuan opened his eyes, dawn had already broken. His body was drenched in sweat, clothes torn, but the light in his eyes burned brighter than ever.
*"System, status report."*
[Host: Lu Yuan][Bloodline: F-Rank (Sealed)][Realm: Body Tempering Stage Four][Experience Points: 35][Skills: Basic Swordsmanship (Mastered), Body Technique (Mastered), Combat Instinct (Fragmented), Energy Manipulation (Novice)]
*"Stage Four."* Lu Yuan smiled faintly. From Three to Four in one night—decent speed. But nowhere near enough.
Three days remained until the assessment. He needed more cards to play.
*"System, claim daily rewards."*
*"Daily task complete. +10 Experience Points."*
*"Current balance: 45 Experience Points."*
*"Notice: Store function unlocked. Access?"*
A virtual storefront materialized before him.
[Store][Beginner Bloodline Potion: 500 gold][Energy Pill: 200 gold][Shadow Step Manual: 300 XP][Gale Sword Manual: 350 XP][Bloodline Seal Removal: 1000 XP][Temporary S-Rank Access (3 min): 2000 XP]
*"No gold?"*
*"Gold acquired through beast slaying, missions, or trading. No beasts within city walls."*
No gold, no purchases.
*"Use Experience Points, then. Shadow Step."*
*"Purchased. -350 XP."*
*"Current balance: -305 XP."*
*"Negative balance?"*
*"Warning: Below -500 XP triggers Forced Missions with permanent stat penalties."*
Forced Missions—forcing him to push forward or lose ground.
Fine. He hadn't planned on taking it easy anyway.
*"Learn Shadow Step."*
*"Skill acquired: Shadow Step (Novice)."*
Information flooded his mind. His body felt lighter, more responsive. He tested it—his body left a fading afterimage.
Shadow Step, Novice level.
Worth every Experience Point.
A stomach growl interrupted his thoughts. Twenty-four hours without food or water would do that.
He stood, preparing to return to his quarters, when voices drifted from outside.
*"Clear the way!"*
*"Second Prince's carriage!"*
*"Make way!"*
Second Prince.
Lu Ming.
Perfect timing.
Lu Yuan vanished into the trees, Shadow Step carrying him silently. Through the branches, he watched an ornate carriage pass. Jade curtains, dragon emblems, twenty elite guards—his "dear brother" traveled in style.
*"Your Highness, the Third Prince!"* A guard shouted. *"The Second Prince comes to visit!"*
Visit. Right.
Lu Yuan emerged from hiding, deliberately hunching his shoulders, lowering his gaze—the picture of timidity.
*"Younger brother!"* Lu Ming descended from the carriage, smiling warmly. *"I've been worried. You haven't left your room."*
*"Just... training, Brother."*
*"Training?"* Lu Ming's eyes flickered. *"Don't push too hard. We're family, after all."*
Family.
Lu Yuan stifled a cold laugh. Would family arrange public humiliation in three days?
*"Thank you, Brother."*
*"Three days until your assessment. I'll ensure you're presentable."* Lu Ming's smile never wavered. *"Family looks out for each other."*
Family, indeed.
Lu Yuan watched him depart, cold fire in his veins.
*"Three days, Brother."* he whispered. *"Three days, and you'll learn the meaning of regret."*
---
After Lu Ming's departure, Lu Yuan returned to his crumbling palace. Three rooms, a courtyard, one ancient well, three servants—this was the Third Prince's domain.
He drew well water, drank deeply, washed away the blood and grime. The kitchen held nothing but cold rice and salted vegetables. He ate mechanically, mind racing.
*"System, mission list."*
[Morning Training: Complete (10 XP)][Socialize: Complete (10 XP)][Investigation - Lu Ming's Secrets: Incomplete][Special Mission - Clean House]
*"Clean House?"*
*Mission: Assassins detected on premises. Eliminate. Reward: 200 XP, Assassin Possessions.*
Assassins.
Lu Yuan's smile was thin and cold.
*"Location."*
*"Eastern wall. Approaching."*
He moved.
Through the window, he saw it—a black-clad figure scaling the wall, blade gleaming in moonlight.
This wasn't an amateur. The fluid movement spoke of training, of kills made before.
*"Found you,废物 Prince."* The assassin's voice was silk over steel.
*"Someone paid well for your head."*
Lu Yuan didn't answer. He simply *moved*.
Shadow Step carried him behind the assassin in a breath's time. His hand closed around the assassin's wrist, twisting with cold precision.
*CRACK.*
The wrist broke.
*"AAAAH!"*
The scream was cut short as Lu Yuan's grip moved to the assassin's throat.
*"Who paid?"*
The assassin's eyes bulged. His free hand moved—a hidden blade, a desperate strike.
Lu Yuan caught the wrist too. *Snap.*
*"I..."* the assassin gasped. *"It... was..."*
Black blood bubbled from his lips. Foam at his mouth.
Poison capsule.
Dead before he could talk.
*"System?"*
*"Shadow Guild protocol. Assassins carry suicide capsules. Employer identity protected."*
*"Shadow Guild?"*
*"Assassin organization. Operates through tokens and coded messages. Tracking leads to branches throughout the kingdom."*
Lu Yuan searched the corpse. A token, carved with a coiled serpent. He didn't need to guess who had sent the assassin.
*Lu Ming.*
His own brother had sent the assassin.
*"Brother..."* Lu Yuan's voice was barely a whisper. *"You truly want me dead."*
He looked up at the moon, cold light washing over his face.
*"Then let's play your game."*
---
[End of Chapter 2]