One Breath, Perfect Mastery

Su Qingyue refused to release Ji Wuchen’s sleeve as they descended Black Heaven Peak.

Whenever the stone path narrowed, she naturally moved closer and held his hand instead. Her actions were modest, but her determination to remain beside him was unshakable.

Disciples along the road froze when they saw Ji Wuchen’s transformed appearance.

Some dropped weapons. Others forgot to breathe. The female disciples were affected most strongly, though the Karmic Destiny Aura prevented them from surrounding him chaotically. They simply watched with bright eyes, quietly wishing to follow.

Ji Wuchen maintained the cold expression expected from the Holy Son.

“My physique awakened,” he announced. “The face you knew was a disguise used to temper my state of mind.”

No one dared question him.

The explanation spread faster than a flying sword.

By the time he reached the Hall of Ten Thousand Shadows, half the sect believed Ji Wuchen had hidden his true appearance since childhood to avoid disturbing the hearts of cultivators.

Inside the hall, Elder Mo waited beside a black stone pillar.

“The Palace Master is in seclusion,” the elder said. “Before she receives you, I was ordered to examine the condition of your cultivation.”

Ji Wuchen’s heart tightened. The original body’s techniques existed only as fragmented memories. A proper inspection could expose him.

The golden interface appeared.

[Host may begin any remembered technique. The Primordial Chaos Dao Physique will complete and perfect it.]

Elder Mo threw him a wooden practice sword.

“Demonstrate the first movement of the Netherworld Seven Calamities Sword.”

Ji Wuchen gripped the hilt.

The instant he recalled the opening posture, countless insights flooded his mind. Every flaw in the sect technique became visible. Breathing rhythm, foot placement, spiritual circulation, killing angle—everything was understood and reconstructed in less than a heartbeat.

He swung once.

A thin black sword light crossed the hall.

The distant training wall split silently from top to bottom.

Elder Mo’s eyes widened. “That was not the first movement.”

“It was,” Ji Wuchen replied calmly. “I corrected several unnecessary flaws.”

The elder rushed to the wall, then stared at the perfectly smooth cut.

Su Qingyue hugged Ji Wuchen’s arm with obvious pride. “Senior Brother has always been unmatched.”

[Skill comprehension complete.]

[Netherworld Seven Calamities Sword advanced to transcendent perfection.]

[Derived superior art: Primordial Seven Calamities Sword.]

Ji Wuchen nearly sighed.

He had intended to perform the weakest movement possible. Instead, one casual swing had improved the sacred technique of an Apex sect.

Elder Mo suddenly cupped his fists.

“Holy Son, this matter must be reported to the Palace Master. Your comprehension may have surpassed every founder in our history.”

“No need to exaggerate,” Ji Wuchen said.

At that exact moment, the cracked training wall collapsed with a thunderous boom.

Every elder outside turned toward the hall.

Ji Wuchen closed his eyes briefly.

Even his attempts at restraint now looked like heaven-shaking accomplishments.

News of Ji Wuchen’s “true appearance” and perfected sword art spread throughout the Netherworld Sacred Palace before sunset.

He returned to his residence hoping for one quiet hour.

Su Qingyue followed him inside, poured tea, and sat close enough that her shoulder touched his arm. When he moved to examine an old cultivation manual, she gently held his hand, as though confirming he was still there.

Ji Wuchen did not push her away. Her closeness was warm rather than disruptive, and the Karmic Destiny Aura kept the atmosphere peaceful.

He opened the manual.

[Low-grade movement technique detected: Ghost Shadow Step.]

The Primordial Chaos Dao Physique activated.

In one breath, the technique reached perfection. In the next, it evolved into the higher art, Voidless Heavenly Step.

Ji Wuchen immediately closed the book.

“Even reading is dangerous now.”

A faint killing intent suddenly appeared beyond the window.

The original Ji Wuchen’s instincts warned him a moment too late, but the System had already reacted.

[Hostile target detected.]

[Identity: Chen Kuang, hidden disciple of the Blood Blade Pavilion.]

[Objective: assassinate the host while his cultivation is believed unstable.]

The window shattered.

A masked figure rushed through the wooden frame, blade aimed at Ji Wuchen’s throat.

Su Qingyue tightened her grip on his arm but did not panic. Her other hand moved toward her sword.

Ji Wuchen acted first.

He had never fought in this world. However, the instant he decided to use Ghost Shadow Step, his body moved according to perfect comprehension.

The assassin’s blade passed through an afterimage.

Ji Wuchen appeared behind him and tapped the attacker’s wrist with two fingers.

Crack.

The weapon fell.

Chen Kuang spun around in horror and released a cloud of poisonous needles. Ji Wuchen casually lifted the wooden cultivation manual. Every needle struck the book’s narrow edge and stopped.

[Martial comprehension has analyzed the enemy’s complete technique.]

[Weakness identified: unstable spiritual node beneath the left shoulder.]

Ji Wuchen struck once.

The assassin crashed to the floor, conscious but unable to move.

Su Qingyue stepped forward, anger flashing across her face, yet she remained controlled. “Senior Brother, allow me to summon the punishment elders.”

Ji Wuchen nodded.

Chen Kuang stared at him. “Impossible. Our information said your cultivation had collapsed.”

“That information was outdated,” Ji Wuchen said.

The System chimed.

[The Karmic Destiny Aura has activated.]

[The assassin carries a map fragment connected to the upcoming Azure Emperor Secret Realm.]

Ji Wuchen searched the man’s storage pouch and found a bronze fragment engraved with ancient mountains.

He wanted a quiet life.

Instead, supreme luck had delivered an assassin, an inheritance clue, and another reason for the entire sect to watch him.

Su Qingyue returned and wrapped both hands around his arm.

“Senior Brother, I was frightened.”

Ji Wuchen gently patted her hand.

“I am fine.”

Her expression immediately brightened.

Outside, alarm bells began ringing across the palace.

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