As the first rays of dawn painted the sky in hues of gold and crimson, Uttar stood at the edge of the dense forest, his sharp gaze locked onto the towering cave ahead. Today was the day—he had finally ascended to the 5th Chakra, and now it was time to test his newfound strength against the Deadfire Lion.
But recklessness could lead to death.
Even with his breakthrough, he knew that facing a 7th Chakra beast head-on was still too risky. Charging in blindly would be foolish. Instead, he moved with caution, stepping silently through the undergrowth, his body blending into the shadows of the towering trees. He positioned himself behind a thick tree trunk, his breath steady as he scanned the clearing.
Then—movement.
A shift in the air. The faint rustling of leaves.
Uttar's sharp senses picked up the presence of multiple figures approaching the cave from the opposite direction. One by one, they emerged from the misty dawn, stepping into the clearing like ghosts.
Eight in total.
They were dressed in matching silver robes, their faces hidden beneath metallic masks that gleamed under the morning sun. There was something ominous about them, something cold and calculated in their movements.
Uttar narrowed his eyes. "Who are they?"
Then it clicked.
"Silver robes… covered faces… no doubt about it. They're the Silver Gang!"
The infamous bandit group that terrorized Gunj Pradesh. Ruthless, cunning, and feared by many, they were known for their ability to plunder rare artifacts, slay powerful magical beasts, and leave behind nothing but destruction. Their leader—Silver King—was a name spoken in hushed whispers, a warrior of unparalleled cruelty and overwhelming strength.
"But why are they here?" Uttar thought, his heartbeat quickening.
The answer was obvious.
The treasure.
The same reason that had drawn him here had lured them as well. The Deadfire Lion wasn't just protecting its home—it was guarding something immensely valuable. And the Silver Gang had come to steal it.
Uttar quickly analyzed their strength. Five of them stood at the 5th Chakra level, exuding the sharp aura of trained warriors. Two were even stronger, their energy refined to the 6th Chakra, making them formidable opponents. But the real threat stood at the center of the group—their leader, Silver King, whose very presence sent a chill through the air. His 7th Chakra aura weighed heavily on the surroundings, a clear sign of the immense power he wielded.
Uttar clenched his fists. This wasn't just an ordinary group of bandits. These were elite fighters—dangerous, disciplined, and prepared. If they clashed with the Deadfire Lion, the battle would be catastrophic.
"What should I do?"
Uttar remained still, hidden within the foliage. If he made a single wrong move, he could end up facing enemies far beyond his current capabilities. Right now, he needed to be patient.
For now, I would observe, and when the time was right, I would act.
One of the warriors, a 6th Chakra cultivator, stepped forward, his posture rigid with deference. "Leader, we are here. The lion is guarding the herb." His voice, though steady, carried an undertone of unease.
The Silver King stood at the front, his silver cloak shifting with the morning breeze. His presence alone was suffocating, his aura thick with an overwhelming pressure that kept his subordinates in line. The silver mask covering his face revealed nothing, yet his cold, piercing gaze bore into the warrior like a blade.
"Are you sure?" the Silver King asked, his voice low but laced with menace.
The warrior swallowed hard before nodding. "Yes, Leader. I am absolutely certain. The Ancient Void Vine is inside the cave."
A tense silence followed. The Silver Gang stood still, their breathing shallow as they awaited their leader's verdict. Then, the Silver King took a slow step forward, his fingers brushing over the hilt of the blade strapped to his waist.
"If you are lying to me…" he murmured, his tone carrying a promise of cruelty, "I will personally rip you apart."
The warrior flinched. His skin turned cold, and a bead of sweat trickled down his temple. "Leader, I would never lie to you!" he said hastily, his voice barely concealing his fear.
The Silver King studied him for a moment before letting out a slow, measured breath. "Good," he said finally. "Because if that vine is truly there, then today marks the beginning of my ascension." His hand curled into a fist, his aura flaring slightly.
The Ancient Void Vine—a legendary herb known for its unparalleled properties. It was the dream of every cultivator who had reached the 7th Chakra. Consuming it would allow them to break through to Sadhak Rank effortlessly, bypassing the years of grueling cultivation that others had to endure. With that power in his grasp, the Silver King would no longer be just a feared bandit leader—he would become something far greater.
He turned to his men. "We move. The Ancient Void Vine will soon belong to us. Kill the lion."
The group responded in unison, their voices steady despite the thrill of the upcoming battle. "Yes, Leader!"
Without hesitation, the Silver Gang advanced toward the cave, their silver robes rustling as they disappeared into the darkness.
Watching from the shadows, Uttar stepped out from his hiding spot. His golden eyes gleamed with intrigue as he listened to their fading footsteps.
"Ancient Void Vine…?" he murmured, the name rolling off his tongue like a revelation.
He had read about it before, buried deep within the pages of old cultivation texts. The Ancient Void Vine was one of the rarest natural treasures in existence, its power unimaginable. Any cultivator at the 7th Chakra who consumed it would be able to ascend to the Sadhak Rank effortlessly—a shortcut that defied nature itself.
Uttar's lips curled into a smirk.
"Interesting."
Right now, the vine had no use for me. I had only just stepped into the 5th Chakra, still far from the threshold needed to harness its power. But one day, when the time was right, it would have great use for me.
His gaze flickered toward the cave's entrance. The Silver Gang was about to engage in a brutal fight against the Deadfire Lion, a beast known for its incredible strength and fiery attacks. The battle would be intense, and when they were fully occupied…
"That's when I'll strike," Uttar thought, his smirk deepening.
He took a deep breath, steadying his aura as his mind sharpened.
The battle was about to begin.
And he would be watching—waiting for the perfect moment to seize his prize.