Location: Lotus Sun Sect, Inner Disciple Courtyard
Time: The Morning After the Cult Fight
Mood: Suspiciously quiet… which is never a good sign
---
I woke up to two things:
1. A weird taste in my mouth, like spicy tofu mixed with regret.
2. Blue hair.
Like, bright sapphire blue. Glowing slightly.
---
> [System Alert:]
Unauthorized Item Absorbed During Sleep:
Name: Twilight Soul Awakening Pill
Origin: Cult of Twilight Claw
Effect: Unknown
Warning: You were not supposed to consume this.
Tampering Detected.
---
I stared at my reflection.
"Why am I a walking shampoo commercial now?!"
> [System Suggestion:]
Style it.
Profit.
"I hate you."
---
Suddenly, Lin Yumei kicked my door open.
She stared.
Paused.
Then said: "You… look like a cursed jellyfish."
"Thanks."
Yura peeked in. "Oooo~ pretty! Can I braid it?"
Yue Lan arrived last, saw my glowing hair, and just said: "I'll call the elders."
---
One (forced) trip to the elders later…
Elder Bai Hanyue raised an eyebrow. "Twilight Soul Awakening Pill?"
Elder Lianhua's lips tightened. "It was planted. A spiritual virus designed to alter inner qi."
"W-wait, am I going to explode?!"
Elder Ruo Fei chuckled. "Unlikely. But if your spirit vein bursts into song, do let me know."
---
> [System Analysis:]
The pill fused with your trash-tier qi and created a rare condition:
Twilight Misalignment
+10% energy regeneration at night
-10% elemental control in sunlight
May attract ghost-type entities
Side Effect: Glowing hair during emotional spikes
"Great," I muttered. "I'm a nightlight with abandonment issues."
---
That night, Lin Xue (yes, the ghost girl) phased through my wall.
She floated beside my bed, eyes narrowed at my hair.
"…You smell like cult magic now," she said.
"Not my fault."
"You glow in the dark."
"I'm aware."
"You're gonna attract things."
"…Define things?"
---
She leaned closer. "There's something beneath the sect. Something watching. It saw you glow last night."
"What do I do?"
She floated upside down. "Don't glow."
"Helpful."
---
> [Secret Thread Unlocked!]
Name: Forgotten Depths of the Lotus Sun Sect
Status: Dormant
Trigger Event: Spiritual Misalignment + Ghost Affinity
Warning: Proceeding may unlock things the sect sealed for a reason.
---
Meanwhile, elsewhere…
The Cult of Twilight Claw leader stared at an orb.
"The boy absorbed it. Interesting."
A subordinate asked, "Do we eliminate him?"
The leader shook their head.
"No. Let him evolve. Let the system break him slowly. That… is far more satisfying."
---
Back in my room—
I stared at the ceiling.
My hair glowed faintly blue.
The system beeped again.
> [System Reminder:]
Tomorrow: Tournament Round Three
Opponent: "Sect Heir with Bloodline Spirit Beast"
Odds of survival: 18%
Tip: Try dodging.
---
I closed my eyes.
"Just once, I'd like a normal day."
Outside, thunder rolled.
Lightning struck the peak behind the sect.
Something had awakened.
And it was… laughing.