Moonlight filtered through drifting clouds, casting a pale glow over the rugged cliffs outside the outer sect. Lin Yuan moved through the trees like a shadow, his steps light and silent. He had waited until midnight, ensuring all curious eyes had shut behind their courtyard walls.
He didn't need anyone to know what he was about to do.
The forest thickened. A narrow ravine opened before him, half-swallowed by wild vines and gnarled roots. Tucked beneath it was a narrow fissure in the rock—just wide enough for a man to slip through. Lin Yuan ducked inside.
A natural cave greeted him: damp, quiet, and undisturbed. No inscriptions, no formations. Just cool air, still stone, and total silence.
Perfect.
He lit a small talisman, bathing the space in a faint amber glow, and sat cross-legged on a flat stone. From his sleeve, he retrieved the black metal shard—the same mysterious item he had salvaged during the last herb-gathering mission. Though inert to most, the Orb in his dantian stirred the moment it drew near.
He inhaled slowly.
Let's begin.
> [Orb Interface Activated]
Target Identified: Ancient Black Metal Fragment
— Residual Origin Detected: 17%
— Attribute Signature: Unknown (Classified)
Initiating Absorption...
1%...20%...50%...80%...90%... 97%... 100%
Absorption Complete.
A deep warmth spread through his chest as the Orb channeled the absorbed Origin into his body. It was unlike the gentle Qi of herbs or spirit stones. This energy was ancient—metallic, sharp, heavy with conflict. His veins sank with pressure. The marrow in his bones thrummed like molten ore.
The Orb glowed within him.
> [Body Tempering: Peak → Perfect Body Tempering]
Threshold Met: Initiating Realm Advancement
— Qi Flow Efficiency: 100%
— Dantian Core Activation: Stable
— Breakthrough Path: Qi Condensation – First Layer
Lin Yuan's body locked in place as if the air had thickened around him. The spiritual core inside his dantian compressed under immense force, then blossomed with condensed energy. His breathing slowed. His spirit expanded outward, connecting to the greater flow of Qi in the world—but the Orb immediately intervened, cloaking the ripple with seamless precision.
No spiritual pulse. No cultivator would detect a thing.
> [Realm Breakthrough Achieved]
New Realm: Qi Condensation – First Layer
— Spiritual Awareness Expanded
Residual Energy: Absorbed for Storage
— Orb Memory Engraving Progress: 2%
Lin Yuan opened his eyes, the metal shard in his hand crumbling to powder. His hands looked unchanged, but he could feel the difference—Qi coursed smoothly through his meridians, responding instantly to his will.
The cavern remained silent, untouched by the transformation that had occurred. Not a single trace of energy remained.
> [Orb Concealment Mode: Active]
— Spiritual Signature: Suppressed
— Energy Fluctuation: Nullified
— Detection Risk: 0% (Below Core Formation)
Lin Yuan rose. He left no footprints. The Orb even drew in the Qi his body would've naturally exhaled, sealing it within.
By the time he emerged into the cool night air, the moon was dipping below the western peaks. Dawn was hours away.
He made his way back toward the outer sect.
Not a single disciple stirred as he passed the sleeping quarters. A few early risers walked by him near the courtyard and barely glanced his way.
To them, he was still the quiet, polite Lin Yuan.
A face they had begun to forget.
But within his body, power pulsed quietly—stable, hidden.
> [Cultivation Log Updated]
Name: Lin Yuan
Realm: Qi Condensation – First Layer
Orb Synchronization: Stable
Stealth Protocol: Active
Status: Advancement Concealed Successfully
Next Objective: Awaiting New Source of Origin...