《Limitless Leveling [LitRPG, Wuxia to System Multiverse, Hype, Competent MC]》 The End of Blood Age The stench of blood and rot was suffocating¡ªa thick, cloying miasma that clung to the boy¡¯s lungs. Yun Jin crouched low, his small body trembling as he pressed himself deeper into the pile of corpses. His arms wrapped tightly around his knees, his breath muffled against his sleeve. All around him, chaos raged. Shouts, screams, and the sickening clang of steel on steel filled the air. The once-green fields of Yunhe Valley had been turned into a sea of red, the ground slick with blood and littered with the fallen. Soldiers, villagers, and the twisted forms of demonic cultists lay where they had fallen, their faces frozen in terror and agony. This valley had been meant to herald a new future. Yun Jin and his parents had been traveling to a secret assembly¡ªthe founding of a new Warrior Federation that would unite the martial world and bring an end to the chaos of the Blood Age. But they had been ambushed by the entirety of the demonic cult. ¡°It¡¯s the demonic cult! Alert the Sword Saint!¡± The desperate cry had rung out moments before the battle began, but now even the memory of that voice had been drowned beneath the ceaseless clash of steel and the anguished wails of the dying. ¡°Hide here, and don¡¯t make a sound,¡± his mother had whispered, pressing him into the pile of bodies. ¡°Mother, please!¡± Yun Jin stared up at her, his wide eyes brimming with tears. ¡°I love you, Yun Jin,¡± she kissed his forehead. Then she was gone, vanishing into the fray alongside his father. He hadn¡¯t understood it then¡ªnot fully¡ªbut he had known enough to realize they had no chance. They weren¡¯t fighting to win. They were buying time. Even a single second longer to ensure their son¡¯s survival. His life. Yun Jin peeked through the tangled limbs of the dead, his smalleyes trembling as he searched for them. He saw flashes of steel, sprays of blood, and then¡ªfinally¡ªa burst of crimson light against the pale sky. His father¡¯s sword met the blade of a towering figure cloaked in black. The man¡¯s face was sharp and striking, unnervingly clean amidst the carnage, but his eyes burned with malice. His wild hair framed his expression like a storm, and his presence radiated an oppressive aura. Choenma, the Heavenly Demon. His father fought with everything he had, each movement a testament to decades of training in the Wudang Sect. But it wasn¡¯t enough. Against the Heavenly Demon, one of the three absolute powers of the martial world, it was like hurling pebbles into the ocean. Choenma¡¯s blade swung with the weight of a mountain. With a single, devastating strike, his father¡¯s sword shattered into glittering shards. Blood sprayed into the air as the blade continued its deadly arc, slicing him in half like a slab of soft meat. ¡°Is this all the so-called Warrior Federation has to offer?¡± Choenma said, his voice smooth and mocking. Yun Jin¡¯s mother, desperate to avenge her husband, charged forward with a dagger clutched tightly in her hands. She didn¡¯t make it far. ¡°Foolishness.¡± Without sparing her a glance, Choenma flicked his wrist. His qi rippled through the air in an invisible wave, a force so overwhelming that it hurled her like a rag doll into the dirt. She hit the ground with a sickening crack, her body crumpling unnaturally, her limbs twisted from the sheer destructive power. Both his parents were warriors of renown. His father, an elder of the Wudang Sect, and his mother, a descendant of a prestigious martial family. Yet, before Choenma, they were nothing. Yun Jin bit down on his sleeve to stop himself from screaming, every fiber of his being torn between fleeing and leaping out to help, knowing both would be futile. The Heavenly Demon stood as the pinnacle of unorthodox martial power, his name whispered in fear even among the demonic sects he ruled. Together with the Demon King of the Evil Sect and the Sword Saint of the Righteous, he was one of the three absolutes of the martial world. The Demon King was already dead¡ªslain by his hand. And now, Choenma sought to destroy the last bastion of hope¡ªthe Sword Saint himself. ¡°Choenma!¡± The voice rang out, cutting through the chaos like a blade slicing sky.If you find this story on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the infringement. The battlefield stilled. Even the demonic cultists paused. A gust of wind swept across the valley, scattering the smoke and ash. Amid the haze, a lone figure emerged. His white robes were unblemished, glowing faintly in the light. At his side, a simple looking green sword hung loosely, its edge gleaming like a sliver of stardust. Baek Tianjun, the Sword Saint. Choenma¡¯s lips curled into a grin, his teeth gleaming like fangs. ¡°Finally,¡± he said, spreading his arms wide in mock welcome. ¡°The so-called savior of the martial world graces us with his presence.¡± Baek Tianjun¡¯s gaze swept across the battlefield. His eyes burned with fury, his fists clenched tightly at his sides. He had arrived minutes too late, and now the bodies of the innocent lay scattered before him. Baek Tianjun was no hypocrite, no self-serving fraud cloaked in righteousness. He truly walked the path of virtue¡ªand that was why the anger swelling within him now was so consuming. He stepped forward. ¡°Your reign of blood ends today!¡± Choenma laughed, the sound low and guttural. ¡°Bold words, Baek Tianjun,¡± he sneered. Crimson light flared around his blade as he raised it. ¡°Come, then. Let us see whose sword holds the truth of this world.¡± Baek Tianjun stepped forward, his hand rested on the hilt of the Heaven Ruling Blade, bestowed upon him by the emperor himself. Choenma grinned, unfazed, his fingers tightening around the hilt of the Divine Blood Sword. The blade pulsed with a sinister red glow, each heartbeat sending ripples of dark energy through the air. The two masters surged forward, their swords colliding in a dazzling flash of light and fury. The battle raged on, relentless and unforgiving, for three consecutive days. By the end of the third day, both warriors had pushed themselves to their absolute limits. Their strikes slowed, their steps grew heavier, yet neither wavered, neither surrendered. Everything around them lay in ruin¡ªgrass and trees reduced to splinters, human bodies scattered like broken dolls, even the once-proud mountains bore deep scars from their unyielding clash. Baek Tianjun swung the Heaven Ruling Blade in a sweeping arc, its radiant light cutting through Choenma¡¯s defenses and grazing his shoulder. Blood sprayed into the air like crimson mist. Choenma retaliated immediately, driving the Divine Blood Sword into Baek Tianjun¡¯s side. The blade tore through flesh, its dark energy rippling outward with a sinister hum. Both men stumbled back, their breathing heavy and ragged. Yet, despite their battered bodies, the fire in their eyes refused to dim. Baek Tianjun¡¯s blade darted forward like lightning, aiming for Choenma¡¯s chest, but the Heavenly Demon deflected it with a twist of his wrist, countering with a horizontal slash that sent sparks flying. Baek Tianjun''s legs gave way, and he stumbled, falling forward onto his hands. For a brief moment, his vision darkened, the edges of his world fading to black. Seeing his enemy falter, Choenma¡¯s hoarse laughter broke the heavy silence, tinged with bitter triumph. He wiped the blood from his lips, his crimson aura flickering faintly. ¡°You¡¯re old, Baek Tianjun, or should I say, Master,¡± Choenma said, his voice rasping but steady. ¡°Ten years younger, and perhaps...¡± He paused, his grin fading as he straightened. For a moment, his expression flickered with grudging acknowledgment. ¡°Perhaps you could have killed me.¡± Baek Tianjun tightened his grip on the Heaven Ruling Blade. His body screamed with exhaustion, but his resolve remained unshaken. ¡°You talk too much,¡± he said. Choenma smirked. ¡°Take solace in this, Master: Your greatest failure has become the pinnacle of the martial world. The world doesn¡¯t need your dreams¡ªit needs men like me.¡± Baek Tianjun¡¯s reply came cold and firm. ¡°The world needs neither of us. My dream was to make you kind, Choenma. But you turned into a nightmare.¡± Choenma sneered. ¡°Your dream? A world where the weak smile while the strong stand idle? A world without evil and demonic way? It¡¯s a fantasy! Power is the only law of this world. You taught me that better than anyone!!¡± ¡°No,¡± Baek Tianjun said, his voice steady. ¡°I failed to teach you what true strength is.¡± "You... after all these years, you became soft, master. Now. Get out of my sight!" The Divine Blood Sword pulsed with malevolent energy as Choenma raised it high, the crimson blade crackling with destructive qi. The air around it twisted and screamed, resonating with the finality of the killing blow about to be delivered. But before he could strike, a small shadow darted from behind. Yun Jin, face streaked with dirt and blood, rose from the corpses like a ghost. From behind, the boy leapt and drove the dagger into Choenma¡¯s back, straight into his dantian. The blade sank deep, piercing the core of the Heavenly Demon¡¯s power. Choenma staggered, his qi flaring wildly as a guttural roar escaped his throat. He twisted around, his face contorted with shock and fury. ¡°You little insect!¡± Choenma bellowed. His hand shot out, crackling with crimson energy, ready to swat the boy into oblivion. Baek Tianjun¡¯s eyes widened as the moment he¡¯d been waiting for arrived. With a burst of speed that defied his battered body, the Sword Saint surged forward. The Heaven Ruling Blade ignited with a blinding light as it cleaved through the air. In one smooth, decisive motion, Baek Tianjun¡¯s blade severed Choenma¡¯s head, cutting through flesh and bone as though the heavens themselves had guided his strike. The red aura surrounding the Heavenly Demon flickered, then vanished entirely as his head hit the ground with a dull thud. Yun Jin collapsed onto the ground, his small hands trembling as the dagger slipped from his grasp. For days, he had hidden among the corpses, crawling through the sea of blood. Every step, every breath, had been agony. Yet he endured, driven by one singular purpose: to avenge his family. Now that it was over, his soul felt at peace. And with it, so did his life. ¡°No,¡± Baek Tianjun murmured, his voice hoarse but firm. ¡°Not yet.¡± He knelt down, placing a steady hand on Yun Jin¡¯s head. The boy¡¯s body was cold, his breathing faint, but his eyes fluttered open as the warmth of Baek Tianjun¡¯s qi began to flow into him. The Sword Saint¡¯s energy enveloped the boy¡¯s fragile frame, stabilizing his flickering life force. Rising slowly, Baek Tianjun sheathed the Heaven Ruling Blade and gripped it tightly, using it as a cane to steady himself. With his free arm, he lifted Yun Jin, cradling the boy¡¯s fragile body against his chest. And then, he walked. Above, the faint light of dawn began to break through the smoke-filled sky, casting pale rays over the ruined valley. Choenma was dead. His reign of terror had ended. And with it, the Blood Age. Tale of The Limitless Blade Unauthorized duplication: this narrative has been taken without consent. Report sightings. The Invitation The story has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the violation. First Encounter: Cleared [Goblin Shaman LV.5] The fireball roared toward Yun Jin. His eyes widened as he twisted to dodge it. It¡¯s real. Even the strongest sorcerers in the martial world couldn¡¯t conjure flames like this. Only those possessed of the mystical Krillin Beast¡¯s bloodline could wield fire so freely. His pulse quickened. The last known wielder of such power had fallen by Baek Tianjun¡¯s hand years ago. Finally, he thought, his lips curling into a grin. I¡¯ve always wanted to fight one. But the shaman didn¡¯t wait for Yun Jin to recover. Fire arrows burst from its crooked staff, flying toward him with blistering speed. Yun Jin¡¯s qi sense flared. He sidestepped each shot, his movements fluid and precise, but the searing heat still licked at his skin. He pushed forward, cutting through the goblins in his path with quick, lethal strikes. Their bodies crumpled before they could react. When Yun Jin was finally within range, he unleashed the First Form. Light Blade Sovereign Style: Arc Lightning. A crackling thunderclap shook the air as he zipped through the goblin ranks, cutting them all down in one electrifying strike. In a flash, he closed the gap between himself and the shaman. He swung his blade, aiming for the shaman¡¯s neck. Clang! The strike halted mid-air, blocked by an invisible barrier. Before Yun Jin could react, a firestorm erupted before him. The blast hurled him backward, slamming him against the ground. He coughed violently, blood splattering onto the stone. His robes were scorched, half his body burned a deep, angry red. The pain tore through him, but his qi armor had saved him from being reduced to ashes. Still, it felt like taking a direct blow from a Shaolin master. Yun Jin dragged himself to his feet, flames reflected in his eyes as a grin spread across his face. ¡°You¡¯re making me too happy!¡± he snarled. Bloodlust poured from him like a storm, so intense that the shaman trembled. Yun Jin vanished, his body moving like a thunderclap. First Form: Arc Lightning. He appeared before the shaman in an instant and struck again. The invisible shield flared once more, deflecting his blade. The shaman raised its staff, readying another fireball. But Yun Jin was already gone. He attacked from all sides, each blow raining down like pack of vultures. This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere. Third Form: Dance of the Firefly. Luminous arcs traced through the air as Yun Jin¡¯s blade danced around the shaman. Each strike lit the darkened battlefield, battering the barrier. The shaman howled, its glowing eyes flickering with fear. It thrust its staff forward, releasing a wave of fire that scorched the ground where Yun Jin had stood. He darted back, the searing heat grazing his skin. His chest rose and fell steadily as his sharp gaze focused on the shaman. Why didn¡¯t it stop me during Dance of the Firefly? The thought clicked. The barrier blocks all attacks but it can¡¯t retaliate while defending? Maybe It had to took a gamble everytime it counter? A smirk tugged at his lips. ¡°Let¡¯s test it!¡± He charged forward, his blade flashing. The barrier flared again and again, holding under the storm of attacks. Each strike came faster, the shaman¡¯s face twisting with panic. ¡°What¡¯s the matter?¡± Yun Jin taunted, his tone sharp. ¡°Getting tired?¡± He slowed his strikes deliberately, baiting the shaman into action. The shaman raised its staff and unleashed another blast of fire. Yun Jin twisted, dodging the flames with ease. His blade shot forward, cutting through the heat. This time, his sword pierced its chest. The shaman let out a guttural cry, its staff clattering to the ground as it collapsed. Yun Jin flicked the blood from his blade and smirked. ¡°You can block, or you can attack, but you can¡¯t do both.¡± The flames flared once more as the shaman made a final desperate move, swinging its staff wildly. A massive blast erupted, sending ash and smoke into the air. ¡°Too slow,¡± Yun Jin muttered, leaping into the sky. Using the explosion¡¯s force, he propelled himself upward, then descended like thunder, his blade arcing downward in one final, decisive strike. The shaman¡¯s body split cleanly in half, its barrier shattering in the process. ¡°So the barrier was already weakened after all,¡± Yun Jin murmured to himself. ¡°No matter.¡± Straightening, he brushed ash from his sleeve and glanced at the lifeless shaman. ¡°I understand it now,¡± he said calmly. -- Yun Jin flicked the ash from his blade and straightened. The shaman lay in two lifeless halves at his feet, the air still thick with the stench of smoke and burning. Then, without warning, glowing text appeared before him, floating in the air like before. [You finished your first encounter. Assessing completion.] Yun Jin¡¯s brow furrowed as he read the text, the words shifting with an unnatural grace. [Completion Level: Perfection.] A faint hum resonated in the air. [You have been awarded 100 Completion Points.] [The starter shop is now available.] [Calculating a curated shop to the user¡¯s style and traits.] Yun Jin tilted his head slightly, curiosity sparking in his sharp eyes. Points? What could they possibly be for? Before he could ponder further, the system shifted again. [Completion Points can be exchanged for skills, items, upgrades, and classes. Access the Shop to view available options.] The text faded briefly, replaced by a glowing list: [Shop] [Classes:] [Skills:] -- ¡°Wait, wait,¡± Yun Jin said, holding up a hand, halting the system before it continue. ¡°What do you mean, a shop? You¡¯re saying I can just... buy power?¡± Tutorial Rewards [Yes.] ¡°Oh no, no!¡± Yun Jin replied, shaking his head firmly. ¡°I decline. Power isn¡¯t free, and I¡¯ve seen what happens when people take shortcuts. I don¡¯t trust you that much, mysterious floating text.¡± The system flickered briefly, unperturbed, before displaying a new message. [It is not power in the direct sense, but knowledge, unique traits, or tools. Skills, items, and classes purchased provide potential, but mastery and effectiveness depend entirely on the user.] Yun Jin¡¯s lips pressed into a thin line. He tapped a finger against the hilt of his blade as he considered the response. The explanation didn¡¯t seem dishonest¡ªbut he¡¯d seen enough demonic martial artists fall into ruin to remain cautious. ¡°So, you¡¯re saying you¡¯re just... teaching me?¡± Yun Jin asked, his voice skeptical. ¡°That¡¯s it?¡± The system responded promptly: [Correct. Skills and items are based on rank rarity. Knowledge is provided, but usage, discipline, and growth are the user¡¯s responsibility. The Shop offers no shortcuts¡ªonly possibilities.] Yun Jin stared at the screen for a moment longer, then let out a short, sharp laugh. ¡°Why didn¡¯t you just say so earlier?¡± he said, grinning. ¡°Knowledge, huh? That¡¯s a different story. Knowledge is always welcome.¡± He crossed his arms, his expression growing thoughtful. ¡°But still, you say there are no shortcuts.¡± His tone sharpened. ¡°Then what¡¯s the catch?¡± The screen flickered briefly before displaying: [The system¡¯s primary purpose is to nurture challengers for harder challenges.] Yun Jin raised an eyebrow. ¡°It does give me real battles,¡± he murmured, his lips twitching into a faint smile. ¡°I suppose it checks out.¡± The list of available options unfurled before him, glowing faintly in the dim air. Yun Jin¡¯s eyes scanned the classes, lingering briefly on Arcane Blade Master before moving on. ¡°Blade Master?¡± he said, his tone thoughtful. ¡°I¡¯m already walking that path. I don¡¯t need to buy some title I haven¡¯t earned myself. What¡¯s the point if I didn¡¯t fight for it?¡± His gaze shifted to Mage instead, curiosity sparking in his expression. ¡°But this... magic?¡± Yun Jin tilted his head slightly. ¡°I¡¯ve never dabbled in anything like that before.¡± He tapped on the Mage class. The system responded instantly, presenting a description: [Mage (Rank C): Focuses on elemental spellcraft and manipulation. Unlocks basic mana control and introduces magical principles.] Yun Jin nodded, his curiosity outweighing his caution. ¡°Alright, let¡¯s see what this magic business is all about.¡± The system flickered once. [Mage (Rank C) purchased.] [Initializing mana circuits. Synchronizing with user¡¯s qi reserves...] Yun Jin tensed as a strange sensation coursed through his body. It was unfamiliar yet not unpleasant¡ªlike unlocking a door he¡¯d never known existed. A faint hum resonated deep within, followed by a steady pulse. [Mana Circuit Initialized (Rank E-): The foundation of magic. Allows the user to channel mana for spells and techniques. Efficiency and reserve size depend on circuit rank.] The system expanded: [Qi and mana are two expressions of aura, the universal energy. Qi is tempered and internalized within the body, while mana flows outward, shaped and directed by the magic circuit. Strength depends on reserve size, circuit quality, and control.] This book is hosted on another platform. Read the official version and support the author''s work. [Elemental Affinity: Light (Rank E-). You are attuned to the element of light, granting potential access to its magical properties.] ¡°Interesting¡­¡± Yun Jin''s gaze flickering. What can I do with it? he wondered. Curiosity compelled him to test it. Guiding the wild flow of mana through his circuit, Yun Jin focused on his palm. At first, it resisted, erratic and unwieldy. But as he steadied his breathing and applied his precision, the energy condensed. With a sudden pulse, a bright flash of light erupted from his hand, flooding the darkened battlefield with brilliance. He shielded his eyes, blinded by it intensity. As the light faded, Yun Jin¡¯s lips twitched into a faint grin. ¡°Let¡¯s see what else you got,¡± he mused, his eyes gleaming with curiosity. -- [Skills:] [Items:] --- His gaze next landed on Weapon Mind under the skill section. ¡°Communicate with weapons? Unlock hidden capabilities?¡± Yun Jin¡¯s lips twitched into a faint smile. ¡°I¡¯ve always treated my blade like a companion, an extension of myself. This¡­ could be interesting.¡± He tapped the selection without hesitation. [Weapon Mind (Rank B) purchased. 50 Points deducted.] A ripple in his consciousness settled over him. The presence of his sword at his side felt sharper, more tangible, as though it acknowledged him for the first time. Yun Jin flexed his fingers, testing the connection, and the faintest whisper of understanding seemed to echo back. ¡°A good choice,¡± he murmured, feeling a quiet satisfaction in his chest. With 25 points remaining, his sharp eyes swept over the items section. His gaze lingered on the Iron-forged Shortsword. ¡°Simple. Reliable." He didn¡¯t need an elaborate weapon¡ªat least, not yet. Power wasn¡¯t in the tool but the hand that wielded it. [Iron-forged Shortsword (Rank E) purchased. 10 Points deducted.] The weapon materialized before him in a flash of light. Yun Jin reached out, grasping the hilt. It was simple, sturdy, and perfectly balanced. This will do nicely. [15 Completion Points remaining.] Yun Jin glanced back at the shop list, noting the remaining points. He felt no urgency to spend them all¡ªbetter to hold onto what he had and save them for something that truly intrigued him later. --- "Hmm... With all these skills, I wonder if I..." Yun Jin closed his eyes. In the silence, he turned his senses inward, focusing on the two distinct flows of energy within him. Qi and mana¡ªtwo expressions of aura, the universal energy. Qi was tempered and internalized within the body, cultivated by absorbing aura from the outside and refining it into one¡¯s own. Mana, on the other hand, flowed freely, drawing energy in and releasing it outward. He furrowed his brow slightly, delving deeper into the concept. The strength of mana depended on three key factors: the reservoir available to the user, the efficiency of their magic circuit, and their control over its flow. The magic circuit itself acted as a conduit¡ªa measure of how much energy could pass through and how precisely it could be directed. "Channeling Qi into the blade to connect with it¡ªthat¡¯s the basic principle of martial arts." He began channeling Qi as he had done countless times before, allowing it to flow into the weapon¡¯s structure. The blade hummed faintly, its weight subtly shifting as the energy became one with its core. But this time, it felt different. With Weapon Mind, he could sense every inch of the sword, as if it had truly become an extension of his body. It no longer felt like a tool¡ªit was his arm itself, moving in perfect harmony with his will. "Qi flows inward," he muttered. "Then mana flows outward." Now for the unknown. Focusing on his newly-formed circuits, Yun Jin guided mana outward, layering it over the blade like a translucent film. The process was delicate. Slowly, the mana merged with the Qi inside the blade, and it began to pulse outward in steady ripples. A faint glow emanated from the weapon, white and pure, as if the light of the moon had been captured within the steel. The light pulsed gently¡ªsteady and serene. Yun Jin opened his eyes, observing the weapon with a rare flicker of satisfaction. [You have unlocked a skill: Aura Blade (Rank D-)]