The path twisted deeper into the cave until it opened into a wide chamber carved from ancient stone. At its center stood an altar, glowing faintly with wind energy. Floating inches above it was a sword—sleek, silver, and humming with a wild aura that made the air ripple around it.
My eyes lit up.
"The Third Sword… the Sword of Wind."
Drawn to it, I stepped forward. The moment my fingers brushed its hilt, the sword trembled and lifted itself from the altar. At the same time, my current sword shot into the air on its own.
The two blades hovered, spinning, whirling around one another, then began to merge—silver and steel coiling together like twin dragons.
Ding!
Scenario Mission Completed.
Reward Granted:
• 4000 XP Points
• 1 Unknown Token
Current XP: 30210
Then came another chime.
Ding!
Host, Sword of Wind has a built-in skill: Wind Steps. Do you wish to learn it? Y/N
"Yes," I said immediately.
4000 XP deducted.
Ding!
Host has successfully learned: Wind Steps
Current XP: 26210
I grinned. "A new movement skill… Hehe, perfect!"
But my attention shifted to something else—the mysterious reward.
"What is this Unknown Token anyway?" I asked. "System, open it."
Unknown Token opened.
---
Item Name: System-Issued Annihilation Token
Quantity: 2
Type: One-Time Use Consumable
Rarity: Mythic
Effect: Instantly kills a single target up to the Nascent Soul stage.
Description:
Generated directly by the System, the Annihilation Token carries an irreversible command embedded in the very laws of reality. Once activated, it severs the soul-thread of any being at or below the Nascent Soul level—regardless of defense, status, or location. It bypasses all protections, body reinforcements, and formation arrays.
System Note: This token is single-use and vanishes after use. Targets above Nascent Soul are immune.
Available in System Store – Cost: 15,000 XP (price increases +5,000 per purchase)
---
My jaw nearly dropped. "W-What? This… this is overpowered! But the price increase every time… tsk, figures the System wouldn't make it easy."
I carefully stored the tokens away. No way was I wasting something like that.
"Alright, time to get out of here."
As I turned, I noticed a glowing green pillar pulsing in the corner. Curious, I approached and laid a hand on its surface.
Suddenly, light burst from the pillar, engulfing everything. I shut my eyes against the brilliance.
When I opened them—I was back in the original cavern, where three doors once stood.
Now, all three doors were open. From the two formerly sealed chambers emerged Feng Xuan, his silver robes disheveled, and Mu Lingyao, her icy gaze sharper than ever.
"Zhen Huan," Feng Xuan called. "Did the wind aura in your room disappear too?"
I kept my voice steady. "Y-Yeah. Mine vanished as well."
Must've happened when I took the Sword of Wind… I thought.
"This isn't right," Mu Lingyao muttered. "I still had time left to cultivate—there's a full hour before the phase ends."
I nodded. "Same here. Something's off."
Feng Xuan eyed me suspiciously. "Wait… how the hell did you break through three times in five days? Are you even human?"
I scratched the back of my head. "Guess I'm just naturally talented?"
We talked for a bit longer, puzzling over the strange disappearance of the aura. But soon, the final bell rang, signaling the end of the cultivation trial.
A blinding light wrapped around us.
In a flash, we were back—standing once again at the gates of Wind Cloud City, the wind howling softly in greeting.