The forest became a blur of shadows and flashing claws.
Ling Tian and Xiao Ning'er sprinted through the dense undergrowth, branches tearing at their clothes, demon beasts thundering behind them.
"They're faster than I thought!" Ling Tian growled, glancing back as a giant Shadow Panther leapt toward them.
Xiao Ning'er spun mid-run, her spear flashing in a perfect arc—slash!—the beast crumpled with a shriek, but more replaced it, relentless.
"Keep moving!" she shouted.
They broke through the treeline into a rocky ravine—only to skid to a halt.
A squad of Dark Guild assassins blocked the path, blades gleaming wickedly.
"We're surrounded," Xiao Ning'er said, her breath tight but eyes sharp.
Ling Tian's lips curled into a grim smile. "Good. Then we don't have to chase them."
With a roar, he launched forward—soul force crackling as his fists struck like thunderbolts. Two assassins flew back, shattered bones echoing in the air.
Xiao Ning'er moved with him, spear dancing in deadly precision. Every movement was fluid, every strike lethal. Their synchronisation was flawless—back to back, fighting like one.
But the enemy kept coming.
Above, the masked figure appeared on a cliff, watching with cold, unblinking eyes.
Ling Tian felt its presence—dark, suffocating, ancient.
"That's no ordinary Dark Guild leader," he muttered, dodging a blade. "It's something... older."
Xiao Ning'er's eyes flashed. "We need to get out of here now."
Ling Tian glanced up—spotted a narrow passage snaking through the rocks.
"There!" he pointed. "Cover me!"
He slammed his hands to the ground—boom!—shattering the earth, sending dust and stones flying, blinding the assassins.
"Move!" Xiao Ning'er cried, grabbing his arm.
They darted into the passage, breath ragged, heartbeats thundering.
For a moment, silence.
Then—a voice echoed through the canyon, cold and low.
"You can't run forever, Ling Tian…"
Ling Tian froze, eyes narrowing. That voice—it knew him.
He exchanged a sharp glance with Xiao Ning'er, both realizing the same terrifying truth.
This wasn't just a battle for Glory City.
This was personal.