Victor raised his hands defensively. "Hey, no meddling here! I'm just—uh—studying your incredible techniques! You're both really… uh… impressive!"
The older man snorted and was about to attack Victor when another explosion rocked the clearing, causing their battle to resume. Victor didn't wait for a second chance. He activated Wind Dash and bolted back into the forest with his heart pounding.
As he ran, he couldn't help but grin. "Alright, note to self: avoid angry cultivators. But man, that was awesome."
Victor's legs were a blur as he dashed through the dense forest.
Behind him, the battle between the two cultivators had reached a fever pitch. Each strike sent tremors rippling through the ground, and Victor could feel the raw energy of their conflict prickling his skin like needles.
"Why am I always in the wrong place at the wrong time?" Victor muttered while dodging low-hanging branches.
Suddenly, an explosion more massive than earlier rocked the surroundings, resulting in Victor skidding to a halt as he instinctively turned back.
He peeked through the foliage and saw the older cultivator, Elder Huang, clutching his chest. Blood seeped through his robes, staining the white garment a deep crimson.
The younger cultivator, Ji Yun, had taken advantage of Victor's brief distraction to launch a devastating sneak attack. A blade of sword qi had pierced Elder Huang's defences, and the old man staggered with a pale face.
"You… treacherous brat!" Elder Huang spat with rage.
Ji Yun sneered as his glowing sword dripped with qi. "The path to ascension belongs to the bold, old man. You're nothing more than an obstacle!"
Victor's eyes widened as Elder Huang staggered backwards. It was clear the injury was severe, and the old man knew it. Summoning the last of his strength, he made a series of rapid hand seals. The air around him darkened as a sinister energy enveloped his body.
Ji Yun's smirk faltered. "A forbidden technique? You'll pay for this, you coward!"
"Next time you won't be so lucky!" With a deafening roar, Elder Huang vanished in a flash of dark light, leaving behind only the faint scent of burnt qi.
"Get back here!" Ji Yun's voice echoed through the valley as he bellowed. He shot into the air, chasing after the fading trail of dark energy, but it quickly dissipated. Elder Huang was gone.
Ji Yun hovered midair as his face twisted into one of fury. "He escaped because of that meddling fool!" His gaze snapped toward the direction Victor had fled. "I'll make him pay for this!"
Oblivious to the cultivator's intent, Victor slowed to a jog as his chest heaved. He wiped the sweat from his brow and leaned against a tree. "Okay, I think I'm safe. No crazy old guys throwing lightning bolts, no overpowered juniors swinging glowing swords. Just me and the forest."
The familiar chime of the system interface broke the silence, and Victor's tired eyes brightened.
<[ Objective Complete: Explore the Hidden Valley ]>
<[ Enlightenment Gained: Partial Understanding of High-Level Combat Techniques ]>
<[ Bloodline Update: Awakening Progress at 25% ]>
Victor blinked at the notifications. "Enlightenment? Bloodline awakening? Man, I didn't even fight, and I'm still getting free upgrades. This is the best game ever!"
He tapped on the notification about enlightenment, and a brief description appeared:
<[ Enlightenment: Observing high-level cultivators in combat has granted you insights into advanced techniques. Your comprehension of qi manipulation and battle tactics has increased significantly ]>
"Well, I guess watching two lunatics try to kill each other has its perks," Victor stated with a grin. He swiped to the next notification and his heart skipped a beat as he read about his bloodline.
<[ Bloodline Awakening: The Void Emperor Bloodline is nearing activation. Awakening this bloodline will significantly enhance your qi reserves, affinity, physical capabilities and grant space and time-related abilities. Continue cultivating to trigger full activation. ]>
Victor pumped his fist in excitement. "Void Emperor Bloodline, here I come! I'll be unstoppable!"
His celebration was cut short by a sudden shift in the air. The forest grew unnaturally still, and an oppressive pressure descended, pressing down on him like a physical weight. Victor's grin vanished, replaced by a look of pure dread.
"Uh-oh," he muttered while glancing upward. The trees swayed violently as a figure descended from the sky with billowing robes. Ji Yun's eyes burned with anger as his sword glowed ominously at his side.
Victor's jaw dropped. "Oh, come on! How did you even find me?"
Ji Yun pointed his sword at Victor as his voice boomed like thunder. "You dare meddle in the affairs of cultivators? Because of you, Elder Huang escaped! I'll make sure you regret it."
Victor took a cautious step back, raising his hands in mock surrender. "Whoa, whoa, hold on! Let's be real here. I didn't 'meddle.' I was just… existing! How is it my fault you couldn't finish the job?"
Ji Yun's expression darkened. "Your existence disrupted my attack, giving that old fool the chance to escape. You'll pay with your life!"
Victor's legs moved on instinct as he turned and bolted without another word.
Ji Yun's laugh echoed behind him, and a wave of qi lashed out, slicing through the trees.
Trees that were over a hundred feet in height, toppled like they were merely twigs.
Victor barely dodged, tumbling to the ground and scrambling back to his feet.
"Okay, I get it!" Victor yelled over his shoulder. "You're angry! But blaming me? That's just lazy! Maybe you should blame your own aim, huh?"
Ji Yun roared as his anger increased.
His sword glowed brighter as he closed the distance between them. Victor pushed his body to its limits, activating Wind Dash repeatedly, but Ji Yun's speed was overwhelming.
"This isn't fair!" Victor shouted while weaving between trees. "You're a cultivator, and I'm… I'm just a guy with cool wind powers! Pick on someone your own size!"
Ji Yun's attacks grew more ferocious, sending shockwaves through the forest. Victor dodged and ducked but was always getting swept away by the residual energy.
"Why does every cultivator in this world have anger issues?" Victor muttered before leaping over a fallen log. "Seriously, do they hand out trauma as part of the initiation process?"
Ji Yun's voice boomed behind him. "Enough games! Accept your fate, worm!"
Victor's heart sank as he felt Ji Yun's energy closing in. He risked a glance over his shoulder and spotted the cultivator merely five feet away.
His sword was raised for a killing blow.
Just as Victor braced himself for the inevitable, a familiar voice pierced the air.
The sound made him stumble as his head snapped up in confusion. "Mom?"
In the next instant, the world around him dissolved. The trees faded into mist and the oppressive pressure lifted. Ji Yun's furious expression blurred into nothingness as everything vanished.
Victor blinked as the bright glow of the system vanished, replaced by the light of his bedroom. He gasped while instinctively clutching at his chest. The helmet on his head had been yanked off, and he found himself staring into the exasperated face of his mother.
"You're going to be late for school!" she scolded with the helmet in one hand.