Qin Yu knelt in the center of the ruined Spire, surrounded by broken circuitry, glowing embers, and warped gravity pockets. The battle against the Rift Watcher had left his muscles torn, his internal organs strained, and his nerves on fire.
Every breath felt like inhaling knives.
And yet—
**\[Mission Complete: The Fallen Spire]**
**Reward Distributed: Core Upgrade + Skill Evolution Node**
**System Bonus Triggered — Survival Adaptation Recognized**
**New Passive Unlocked: *Void Regeneration (MAX)*.**
---
> **Void Regeneration (MAX):**
> • *Passive Ability*
> • Host continuously regenerates injuries at an accelerated rate by absorbing ambient kinetic and gravitational energy.
> • Broken bones repair in seconds.
> • Vital organs regenerate rapidly.
> • Limb regrowth possible over time.
> • Regeneration speed increases in combat zones or high-gravity fields.
---
**Why now?** Because the system had *judged him worthy*.
Qin Yu had survived a singularity overload, endured an S-Class Observer, and crushed a Rift-tier construct — all before even reaching Level 10.
He was no longer just a host.
He was a **candidate for evolution**.
---
As the system embedded the ability into his Core Tree, he felt the pain vanish — not slowly, but in a **wave**. Torn muscle fibers wove back together. Cracked ribs straightened with a satisfying click. Even the blood on his skin evaporated into motes of light as microfractures in his bones stitched shut.
His body was **new**.
Better.
And still evolving.
---
He stood, surrounded by floating debris and half-melted steel.
"Now I heal as fast as I fight," he said, flexing his hand. "They'll have to do more than kill me to stop me."
From above, a burning drone passed overhead — one of Blue Star's remaining automated scouts. Its eye flickered when it scanned him.
**Ding!**
**\[Public Emergency Notice: The Spire Zone Has Stabilized. One Human Source Detected. Uploading Heroic Combat Signature to Blue Star Network.]**
**Title Gained: Shadowborn Vanguard (Temporary)**
> *Your actions have been recorded by Blue Star's fragmented network.*
> *You are now a known entity across surviving resistance zones.*
---
Great.
Now he had eyes on him — allies *and* enemies alike.
Before he could move, his system pulsed again.
**\[Authority Point Available: 1]**
**Would you like to allocate it toward a Core Evolution Branch?**
A new path unfurled within the **Gravitational Core Tree**. Three glowing options:
1. **Black Hole Sovereign** – Increase destructive gravitational power.
2. **Gravity Architect** – Gain precise control over terrain and battlefield shaping.
3. **Void Warden** – Amplify defensive and healing properties of spatial collapse.
Qin Yu's eyes narrowed. Healing was already maxed… and he had the offense to kill.
But the third path whispered something deeper — the power to *endure everything*. To protect those who couldn't.
He selected:
> **Void Warden.**
The panel shimmered.
**New Skill Preview (Locked Until Level 15):** *Event Horizon Field – Create a temporary spatial barrier that absorbs damage and heals all allies within.*
---
He turned his eyes toward the north, where columns of smoke rose.
There was another rift opening. Another city falling. Another fight calling his name.
And now, he wouldn't just survive it.
He would **erase** the threat — and **walk away whole**.
---
End of Chapter 6