The first light of dawn barely pierced the dense canopy of the Star Dou Forest. Mist clung to the ground like a second skin, cold and damp against their boots. Trees loomed like silent sentinels, their trunks twisted by age and soul energy. Every now and then, the eerie cries of spirit beasts echoed in the distance, a constant reminder of the danger cloaked beneath the beauty.
Li Wei inhaled deeply, the air heavy with moisture and the musk of ancient trees. His eyes swept across his group. Zhu Zhuqing walked at the front, her footsteps soundless as she move among the tree acting as the scout. Behind her, Ning Rongrong kept close to Xiao Wu, who was bouncing on her heels despite the gloom. Zhao Wuji lumbered near the rear like a mountain disguised in robes. Meng Yiran, her brows knit with cautious determination, flanked the group along with her grandparents.
"The target for Zhuqing is the Netherworld Panther," Li Wei said quietly. "We will go together. The forest is too dangerous to split up."
Meng Shu raised an eyebrow. "That panther species is extremely rare in this region. How do you know it will be here?"
Li Wei hesitated, gaze flickering. "...A hunch. Something I read... a long time ago."
He didn't elaborate. How could he? He couldn't tell them he had read it on a spirit master forum in a past life.
The party moved deeper into the forest, the canopy thickening until even the morning sun was lost above their heads. The silence grew heavier. A pressure pressed on their minds, like a predator circling just out of sight.
Suddenly, Zhao Wuji raised his arm. Everyone stopped.
A low growl, barely audible, rumbled across the clearing ahead.
Li Wei breath caught. He turned. "It's here."
From the shadows between the trees, something moved.
Then, in a blur of motion, the Netherworld Panther struck.
Its body was massive, longer than a carriage and rippling with jet-black muscle. Its form seemed to melt in and out of the shadows, eyes glowing with violet flame. It let out a roar that didn't echo—sound died in its wake.
Zhao Wuji stepped forward, spirit rings rising. "Stay back!"
The panther vanished again, appearing behind them in a flash of shadow. Zhu Zhuqing was already in motion, her Hell Civet spirit flaring as she struck with Hell Hundred Claw—but the beast deflected her effortlessly with a swat of its paw. She tumbled back, landing on her feet.
"Too fast!" Xiao Wu shouted. "Its aura—it's masking everything!"
"Time to reveal it," Li Wei muttered.
He drew the Diendriver and slid a silver-red card into the slot.
[KamenRide: Tsukuyomi!]
A silver burst of energy shimmered in the air. The summoned figure appeared in a gleam of moonlight: Kamen Rider Tsukuyomi, a crescent shape helmet, her armor glowing faintly under the forest's shade. Her presence dispelled the unnatural darkness.
"Luna Vision!" Tsukuyomi called, activating one of her abilities while raising her hand using Luminous Fractor.
A wave of yellow energy pulsed outward, revealing the hidden form of the panther as it darted to Zhu Zhuqing flank. The cloak of shadows fell from it like peeled silk.
Zhao Wuji roared, bringing down a palm of pure force. The panther twisted, hissing as the shockwave sent it skidding sideways. But Tsukuyomi was already on it, blades flashing in a dance of crescent arcs.
"Now!" Li Wei shouted.
Chao Tianxiang threw a net infused with spirit energy, tangling the panther for a split second. That was all Zhu Zhuqing needed to launch back into the fight, her claws aiming for the beast's flank.
But then, the air changed.
The panther shimmered—and split into four.
"Clones!?" Xiao Wu shouted.
The shadows burst outward, each clone just as fast and deadly.
Tsukuyomi fell, blades locked against two of them. One clone slipped past, aiming straight for Ning Rongrong.
Li Wei didn't hesitate.
[KamenRide: Dark Kabuto!]
The forest trembled.
Out from the lightless rift stepped a figure clad in gleaming black armor, horns curling like a demonic beetle. Kamen Rider Dark Kabuto raised a single hand.
"Clock Up."
In an instant, his body vanished. Only flickers of light marked his path. Then, like thunder breaking through glass, he reappeared in front of Ning Rongrong's attacker—and drove his fist straight through the clone. Shadow exploded around them.
Dark Kabuto spun forward, obliterating another clone mid-charge. The pressure from his movements flattened the underbrush. As the last clone turned to flee, he press the button and it called out:
[1] [2] [3]
"Rider Kick"
[Rider Kick!]
The final strike cleaved the air in half. The remaining clone burst like mist.
Zhu Zhuqing didn't wait.
Using the opening, she blurred forward, her claws trailing shadows of her own.
"Hell Hundred Claw!"
She struck the real panther, blow after blow raking through its shadow-clad hide. The beast let out a distorted shriek before collapsing, its form beginning to fade into death. It was over.
Silence returned, thick and trembling.
Li Wei exhaled.
Zhao Wuji gave a low nod. "Good coordination. Everyone alright?"
Ning Rongrong's cheeks were pale, but she nodded. "Thanks to Li Wei and... those Riders."
Dark Kabuto stepped back into shadows and vanished into data. Tsukuyomi gave a quiet nod before fading as well into data.
"Let us set up a barrier formation," Chao Tianxiang said. "She needs to absorb the ring."
The panther's spirit ring—deep purple with violet-black fringes—hovered in the air.
Zhu Zhuqing sat cross-legged before it. Her breathing was calm, though a fine layer of sweat coated her skin.
Li Wei walked up behind her.
He inserted a new card.
[BuffRide: Hibiki.]
The shot was silent. A soft ring of orange pulsed around Zhu Zhuqing. Sound dampened. External interference was sealed.
He watched as the ring slowly descended onto her body, winding itself like a chain of light.
She stronger than I thought, Li Wei mused. With that skill, her battlefield presence will change completely.
"What kind of ability will she get?" Xiao Wu whispered.
Li Wei glanced at her. "Phantom Civet Clone. Seven clones with 90% power. They explode on death. Shadow damage."
Xiao Wu stared. "That's broken."
Li Wei smiled faintly. "I know. That's why I suggested it."
The absorption took nearly half an hour. When Zhu Zhuqing opened her eyes, her pupils shimmered slightly with a purplish hue. She stood, aura pulsing.
"Thank you," she said, her voice softer than usual. "I can feel it... they're a part of me now. It is a two thousand years old spirit beast." She able to absorb this Spirit ring easily. She still remember that Tang San also absorb a two thousand spirit ring and he has to struggle too much for it but she able to absorb it easily. 3rd Ring: Phantom Civet Legion – Summons 10 clones with 100% of her power. On dead the clone explode and deal shadow damage. Clones can inherit my spirit bone abilities. It is really overpowered.
Before Li Wei could reply, a deep rumble rippled through the earth.
Everyone turned.
A roar unlike any before shook the trees.
Leaves trembled. Small beasts scattered in every direction. The roar echoed like a mountain shifting.
Meng Yiran's face turned pale. "That roar... the Titan Stone Ape."
Zhao Wuji's brow furrowed. "It's close. Too close."
Li Wei stepped forward, eyes narrowing.
"Then we'd better move. Now."
They didn't need to be told twice.
As the group regrouped and moved into formation, the forest around them seemed to tighten. The scent of earth and energy mixed thick in the air.
The next battle would be harder.
Much harder.