Ten Years Without a Trace

Ten years had passed since an unknown aura shook the Forbidden Zone deep within the Eternal Heaven Sect.

Rie Ruoshui, the guardian of the sect's restricted area and secret grounds for over two centuries, had tried everything to unravel the mystery. From high-tier formation deductions, spiritual trace readings based on aura ripples, manipulation of natural energy fields, to summoning renowned experts from outside the continent—known as the Grand Constructors—all attempts were in vain.

The area in question, a valley at the heart of the mountains once teeming with beasts and spirit creatures, now seemed erased from existence. Even when approached directly, the mountain could not be perceived by sight, spiritual sense, or elemental laws. As if it stood beyond the reach of reality itself.

On the fifth year, even Elder Yi Yaozhi descended personally from the Sky Divination Pavilion.

Yet the result remained the same:

No way in.

No trace of qi.

No abnormal energy fluctuations.

Only eternal silence cloaked the place.

At last, in the tenth year, driven by frustration and quiet despair, Rie Ruoshui and Yi Yaozhi decided to do what they had long avoided—seek an audience with Grand Elder Xue Canglan.

The Heavenly Mist Pavilion, a floating summit suspended in the skies of Eternal Heaven Sect, was off-limits to all but the highest echelons of the sect. Purple clouds rolled beneath the structure like a sea of divine mist, cradling the domain of the heavens. Anti-introspection formations and soul-shielding barriers were so powerful that even mid-tier elders could suffer permanent damage simply by approaching.

Within the grand crystal-lit hall sat a woman whose very presence commanded space itself.

Xue Canglan.

Her face was porcelain sculpted from eternal snow. Her long white hair was tied halfway back with a spiritual ribbon laced with starlight dust. She wore a flowing robe of silver-crystal, soft as morning mist, reflecting the light with a subtle sheen. Far from the illusory image the disciples usually saw, this was her true form—a white-haired goddess whose gaze pierced through the layers of time.

"So… for ten years, not even the two of you could touch the mountain?" Xue Canglan spoke in a flat tone, but the air immediately grew heavy.

Yi Yaozhi bowed. "Correct, Grand Elder. We've tried every known method. Even space-time energy around the valley… bounces back."

Rie Ruoshui added, her face tense, "That place… it no longer exists under the laws of this world. We suspect there's an entity or force that has completely isolated it. But we don't know how—or who."

Xue Canglan closed her eyes briefly, then slowly stood. Each step she took silenced the very air.

"There are things far beyond our comprehension," she whispered. "And if something has managed to hide from my awareness for ten years… then it deserves to remain untouched."

The two elders fell silent. It was a formal declaration of surrender from the Grand Elder herself.

"But… shouldn't we report this to the Sect Founder?" Yi Yaozhi asked hesitantly.

Xue Canglan glanced at him. "The Founder would not act over something so trivial. If whatever dwells in that valley meant to destroy us, we would've perished ten years ago."

She turned back and gracefully sat upon her throne, ending the conversation with a single line:

"Let the mountain remain silent."

Within the mist-covered mountain...

Shen Liang slowly opened his eyes.

A faint light slipped through a crack in the rocks—odd, considering it was the first light to reach him in a decade—illuminating a body that had remained unchanged, resting in the same position for ten full years.

No sound. No qi ripple. No movement.

Yet the world outside had changed.

Ding!

[Path of Stillness] has recorded: 10 Years of Absolute Immobility.

You have gained:

+20,000 Qi

+8,000 Spiritual Defense

+4,000 Spiritual Attack

+1,000 Spiritual Root Purity

Passive Skills Unlocked:

• [Silent Domain] – All detection attempts fail unless the target is at least one major realm higher.

• [Undisturbed Soul] – Immune to spiritual probing or mental influence from same realm or lower.

Passive Skill Enhanced:

• [Unbothered Posture] – Host may now lie down, float, or even sleep—stillness remains uninterrupted.

+5% Resistance to Heavenly Tribulation

Unique Reward for 10 Years of Stillness:

• [Gift of Eternal Repose] – Increases longevity by +50 years, doubles natural energy recovery during rest.

• [Stillness Insight Bead] – Can be consumed for instant Enlightenment (one-time use).

Shen Liang gave a faint smile. "Ten years… and I'm not insane. System, I'm proud of me."

[Status Update]

[Name]: Shen Liang

[Lifespan]: 30 / 115

[Race]: Mortal (Mutating...)

[Cultivation]: Foundation Establishment (Early)

[Technique]: Path of Stillness (Heaven-Tier)

[Magic]: None

[Mystical Power]: None

[Passive Skills]:

• [Unmoving Like the Mountain] (Max)

• [Calm Core]

• [Unbothered Posture]

• [Still Soul]

• [Undisturbed Soul]

• [Silent Domain]

• [Hidden Title: The Invisible Menace]

• [Hidden Title: Still Sovereign (Locked)]

• [Gift of Eternal Repose]

"System, after ten years of lying still… I'm hungry. I want something that's not bloody, not violent, and not exhausting. Any suggestions?"

Ding!

📍 [Nearest Location: Silent Moon Lake – 37 km northeast]

[Fish Population]: 8 low-grade spiritual fish species, 2 mutant predator types

[Threat Level]: Low. No killing intent detected.

[Weather]: Scorching sun. Not suitable for loungers unused to light.

"Hot weather?"

[Recommendation: Purchase sunglasses.]

Shen Liang stepped out of the cave, body healthy and refined despite the decade of stillness—thanks to spiritual point conversion. In a mountain village near the lake, the locals nearly offered incense upon seeing the robed man buying a fishing rod, a wooden bucket, and… a pair of sunglasses.

"How much for this?"

"Uhh… this? Just one spirit stone, Master!"

"That cheap? But I don't have a spirit stone."

"N-no problem! It's… a donation!"

Moments later, Shen Liang strolled casually toward the lake, sunglasses on, bucket in hand, looking more like someone on vacation than a cultivator who just ended ten years of seclusion.

Silent Moon Lake stretched before him—calm, clear, with gentle wind brushing across its surface.

He sat on a large rock. Cast a bamboo rod. No qi, no technique. Just… a plain hook and a faint smile.

A spiritual fish approached. Stared at the hook. Stared at Shen Liang. Stared again. Then… fled in panic.

Ding!

[You have scared away a Low-Grade Spirit Fish without releasing any aura.]

[Passive Title Progress: "The Still Soul" +1]

[Progress toward next title: 20 / 100]

"Hehe…"

A few minutes later, Shen Liang dipped his hand and casually pulled out a fish that swam too close—no resistance.

A small fire crackled. Fish grilled on a hot rock.

A spiritual hawk flew by, drawn by the aroma.

It spotted the man in sunglasses… whose presence could not be sensed.

It froze mid-air. Sweating. Then fled.

Ding!

[Beast Detection Triggered]

[Spiritual Beast (Mid Rank) sensed Host's presence. Mental resistance failed. Beast fled.]

[Jade Points Earned: +1]

"...."

"Jackpot today."

Shen Liang lifted a bite of grilled fish to his lips, chewing slowly.

"System… this is the life I dreamed of."

The lake was quiet. The wind, gentle. The world, busy with killing and chaos.

But Shen Liang?

He was just fishing.