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Location: Iron Veil Territory — Shadowed Cliff Border
The Iron Veil Fortress stood like a rusted titan carved from blood and steel, looming over the ash-soaked cliffs. Behind its jagged walls were war factories, cultivation prisons, and spirit-suppression towers.
No banners. No mercy. Just raw, oppressive power.
And somewhere inside…
Ling Xue — Ling Feng's sister.
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Two shadows moved under a broken transport convoy.
Cloaked by illusion talismans and frost mist arrays, they slipped unseen beneath spirit detectors.
> SYSTEM NOTICE:
Host has entered enemy base perimeter.
Mission: Assassinate Elder Yao
Target Power Level: Peak Iron Grade Cultivator
Personal Guards: 6 Elite Iron Bodyguards
Risk Factor: ★★★★☆
Ling Feng whispered, "We go quiet. Disable outer guards. You take the left, I'll bait the right."
Xia Lan, her breath forming icy ribbons in the cold air, didn't respond — just nodded once and vanished.
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[Phase One: Entry]
The first two guards stood near a collapsed bridge, spiritual staffs in hand, unaware of the death circling them.
Xia Lan reappeared behind one — her blade kissing the man's spine.
He didn't even scream.
The second turned—only to have a throwing needle pierce his throat.
Blood steamed in the cold.
> 2 Targets Eliminated. Security Disruption: 14%
Ling activated the Silent Field, muffling sound around him, and tossed a coded disc onto a nearby tower.
> System Override: Qi Detector Jammed.
"Three minutes before the fortress detects us," he murmured. "Move."
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[Phase Two: Infiltration – Elder Yao's Manor]
Inside the central complex, Elder Yao lounged on a golden chair, sipping spiritual wine as he reviewed reports on rebel activities.
A young servant girl entered, trembling.
Yao didn't look up. "Speak."
"Th-the east sector guards… their life tokens shattered."
His eyes narrowed. "Again?"
He turned toward the wall where dozens of collars hung like trophies.
Among them — a silver one, faintly glowing.
Ling Xue's Yin Lotus Collar.
Yao smirked. "Looks like someone's come for her."
He stood, summoning a red-bladed halberd crackling with Iron Qi.
"Let them."
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[Phase Three: The Storm Breaks]
Ling Feng burst through the manor's back corridor, flinging a smoke talisman that erupted into golden mist — blinding and corroding spiritual vision.
Six guards charged from the front hall.
Xia Lan dropped from the ceiling, twin blades dancing in a deadly whirl.
Blood sprayed. Limbs shattered.
Ling struck the rear line with precision — glowing golden threads shot from his fingers, slicing through Qi pathways like razors.
> Enemy Cultivators Disabled: 4/6
> Triggering Skill: Sovereign's Gaze – Qi Disruption Mode
The fifth guard screamed as his spiritual core shattered.
The sixth tried to escape — until Xia Lan's frost dagger pinned him to the pillar through his throat.
Silence fell.
Then — a slow clap echoed.
Elder Yao stepped into the room, eyes glowing like molten iron.
"Impressive. A mere rat returns to kill the hawk."
He hurled his halberd.
Ling rolled sideways — just as the weapon exploded, sending shockwaves through the room.
Xia Lan moved like a ghost, her daggers flickering.
Yao roared — deflecting one, dodging another — then struck her with a palm imbued with Iron Flame Qi.
She slammed into a wall, groaning.
Ling activated a system thread — wrapping Yao's ankle, pulling him off-balance.
The Elder staggered.
"Now!" Ling shouted.
> System Skill: Shadow Brand – Tiger Fang Strike
A phantom tiger head surged from his palm, roaring silently.
It slammed into Yao's chest — cracking his spiritual shield.
CRUNCH!
Yao screamed.
Xia Lan launched one final dagger — glowing icy blue — and it embedded straight into Yao's throat.
He dropped, twitching, choking on his own blood.
> Target Eliminated: Elder Yao
Reward Unlocked: Shadow Command System
Xia Lan Promoted: Shadow Commander – Ice Fang Unit
New Feature: Equipment Forge Available
Base Influence: +32%
System Ping:
Yin Lotus Collar ownership reverted. Identity confirmed: Ling Xue (sister).
Location updated: South Sector Prison – Cell #19
Ling walked toward the collar.
Gently, he picked it up, brushing away the dust.
"I'm coming, Xue."
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[Post-Battle: Rooftop of the Iron Fortress]
The night wind blew harsh, cold.
Xia Lan stood beside him, staring out over the quiet battlefield.
"You're not like the others," she said finally.
"Because I don't enjoy killing?"
"No. Because you kill for the right reasons."
Ling didn't answer.
She added, "I'm not loyal yet. But I'm interested."
> Xia Lan Loyalty Increased: 57%
He turned to her. "Help me free my sister. Help me burn this system."
"I'll think about it."
But she was already smiling.
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BACK AT ECHO BUNKER – SYSTEM INTERFACE
> Faction: Silent Sovereigns
Grade: PRIME GRADE
Commander Roles: 1/3 Active
> Xia Lan – Ice Fang
Recruits: 4/5 Needed for Next Upgrade
Next Mission:
> Operation Breakchain – Rescue Ling Xue
Faction Guard Response Expected
Time Limit: 48 Hours
Ling Feng stood before the system terminal, the tiger-lion emblem glowing brightly.
One more step.
Then the war truly begins.
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