Silken sheets rustled softly as Ren Wei stirred from unconsciousness.
The first thing he noticed was not pain — but clarity.
The world felt… different. His senses were razor-sharp. He could hear the distant crackle of a torch down the hall, smell the faint lavender oil lingering in the bedding, and even feel the subtle warmth radiating from someone close.
He turned his head.
There, seated beside the bed with arms folded across her knees, was Sheng Lian. Her long lashes trembled faintly in sleep, but her expression was one of vigil — she had clearly been watching over him for hours.
Ren Wei's gaze lingered for a moment. She stayed…
But there was no time for sentiment. His breakthrough was still unstable — and he needed to see the changes within.
"System," he whispered.
> Ding!
Accessing Status Interface...
---
Name: Ren Wei
Race: Human (Mortal)
Bloodline: Immortal Emperor Bloodline
Age: 17
Cultivation Realm: Foundation Establishment Realm – Level 1 (Early Grandmaster)
---
Dao: ???
Fragments: 2/10
(Gather all 10 Dao Fragments to unlock a personal Dao.)
---
Techniques: • Heaven-Flaying Vein Scripture
• Iron Blood Meditation
• Ash Vein Fang – Saber Technique
↳ Form 1: Ember Slash – Converts kinetic Qi into a searing arc.
↳ Form 2: Hollow Cinder Spiral – A spiraling slash that draws in enemy Qi, weakening their next attack and amplifying the next blow.
↳ Form 3: ??? – Unlocks at Foundation Establishment Realm Level 3
• Boundless Swordsman (Passive)
↳ Resistance to all sword types.
↳ Learn sword techniques 30% faster.
---
Physique: Immortal Emperor Physique
↳ Guaranteed to reach the Immortal Emperor Realm.
↳ Elemental Resistance — Includes Light and Dark.
↳ Invulnerability Clause: Until one full realm above you, you cannot be fatally harmed.
(Ex: As a Foundation Establishment cultivator, Golden Core attacks cannot kill you. Nascent Soul or above can.)
---
Weapon:
• Echo Fang – High Earth Grade Saber
↳ Adaptive Weapon — Devours elemental Qi and evolves in battle.
Pills:
• Foundation Pulse Stone - Stabilizes Early Breakthrough
---
Ren Wei narrowed his eyes. "...So, this is the power of a true bloodline."
He slowly moved his arm — but even that slight movement caused a shift in the bedding.
Sheng Lian stirred, eyes fluttering open. The moment she saw him upright, her composure cracked for the briefest moment.
"You're awake," she whispered, her voice thick with relief. "Finally…"
Ren Wei tried to sit upright, but she gently placed a hand on his chest. "Easy. You've been unconscious for three days."
"I'm fine," he said calmly. "But I need to do one last thing."
The Foundation Pulse Stone. It was still stored in the system — a reward he hadn't yet used.
His foundation was strong… but if he wanted it to be perfect, stable as stone before the next battle, this was the final step.
His eyes flickered with purpose.
---
Excellent structure, Sadig-sama. Here's Chapter 22: "Bloodline Awakened, Dao Beckons" – Part 2, written in novel format with your updated scenes, optional layer, and flavor. No canvas, just clean prose:
---
The morning sun filtered through the silk curtains, casting a warm golden hue over the villa. The air felt oddly gentle—as if the world itself acknowledged a new power's birth.
In the courtyard, the leaves swayed unnaturally. It wasn't wind—it was pressure.
Even insects had grown quiet.
Sheng Lian stood alone in the garden, gazing toward Ren Wei's room.
"His aura feels... heavier now," she thought. "No—sharper."
At her side, even the spiritual beasts tethered to the Han Crest estate lowered their heads. Some cultivators from neighboring courtyards paused their techniques—startled by a wave of raw Qi that passed like a tremor.
Sheng Lian narrowed her eyes.
"That brat really changed. Four days..."
She smirked.
"At this rate, I might not even need to wait a year."
Inside the bedroom, Ren Wei sat cross-legged once more. The foundation of his power was stabilizing now—energy coursed through him like molten light. He could feel it, sense it.
> System Notification:
Foundation Establishment Realm stabilized.
He slowly exhaled and opened his eyes.
"I've stepped through... but it's still the bottom of the mountain."
The system interface appeared at his mental command.
---
Name: Ren Wei
Race: Human (Mortal)
Bloodline: Immortal Emperor Bloodline
Age: 17
Cultivation Realm: Foundation Establishment Realm Level 1 (Early Grandmaster)
Dao: ??? (2/10 fragments gathered – gather all 10 to unlock Dao)
Techniques:
• Heaven-Flaying Vein Scripture
• Iron Blood Meditation
• Ash Vein Fang – Saber Technique
↳ Form 1: Ember Slash
↳ Form 2: Hollow Cinder Spiral
↳ Form 3: ??? (Unlocks at Level 3)
• Boundless Swordsman (Passive)
↳ Resistance to sword-based attacks
↳ Learn all sword techniques 30% faster
Physique:
• Immortal Emperor Psychic (Upgraded from Ash-Wrought Core)
↳ Guarantees eventual breakthrough to Immortal Emperor Realm
↳ Resistance to all elements, including Light and Dark
↳ Cannot be harmed by anyone less than one realm above
Weapon:
• Echo Fang – High Earth Grade Saber
↳ Devours elemental Qi, evolves in battle
---
Ren Wei's expression remained calm.
"Foundation Pulse Stone..." he recalled.
As he stood, adjusting his robe, the door creaked open slightly.
---
In the courtyard, Sheng Lian sat calmly, sipping her tea. Beside her, Han Suiren arrived with light steps.
"Bring one more cup," he ordered the maid, and soon settled beside her under the blooming plum tree.
"You've been guarding that boy like a spirit beast guarding its cub," Han Suiren teased, his eyes half-lidded but observant.
"He's more than a cub," Sheng Lian replied, tone distant. "And perhaps more than a spirit beast too."
Han Suiren's gaze turned sharp. "Still... Wei Wuxian is already a Perfect Grandmaster. The boy has only three weeks left."
"He doesn't need all three," Sheng Lian answered with no hesitation.
For a moment, silence stretched between them, filled only by the distant chirping of spiritual birds. Han Suiren chuckled dryly.
"You really think he'll win?"
"I think," Sheng Lian said, "you're about to witness something people will talk about for decades."
---
Back in his chamber, Ren Wei focused again, now summoning the Main Quest panel.
> Main Quest: "Rise Without Shadow" – Stage 4
Reach Golden Core Realm
Rewards:
• Hidden Dao Fragment
• Dharma Weapon: ???
• Golden Core Pill ×3 (Stabilizes early breakthrough or pushes one realm instantly)
His breath caught for a second.
"It's accelerating. Everything's accelerating..."
He stepped out of the chamber, robes trailing behind him like dark mist in the morning light.
Sheng Lian looked up as he arrived, a faint smile tugging at her lips.
Han Suiren stood and offered a respectful nod. "Congratulations, Ren Wei. You've done what many only dream of."
At that moment—
> Ding!
Side Quest Detected.
Ren Wei narrowed his eyes.
"Again?"