The black jade fragment pulsed faintly in Wang Kuang's palm, its aura echoing like a heartbeat through the still forest. He crouched beside Yan Qingshui, her body sprawled, robes torn and bloodied after their ferocious clash. Her chest rose with shallow, uneven breaths. Blood laced her lips, but her eyes still burned with defiance.
"Still alive," Wang muttered. "Stubborn woman."
Her clothes clung to her like wet silk, torn at the thigh and shoulder, revealing pale, sweat-glistening skin beneath. He eyed her for a moment—not with desire, but with a predator's disdain. "You tempted fate too far, viper."
Turning away, he approached his son, Wang Tianhu, who stood tall at the edge of the clearing. His crimson robe fluttered in the breeze, stained with drying blood. A sharp, cruel grin played across his lips.
"Take this," Wang Kuang said, pressing the fragment into his son's hand. "Return to the Blood Devil Sect. Alert the elders. I'll remain here—to deal with trash like her."
Wang Tianhu accepted the relic with reverence, his fingers trembling with excitement. "What if someone tries to stop me?"
"Then bury them," Wang said flatly.
Without another word, Tianhu vanished into the forest's depths. But he wasn't alone.
Chu Xiao, masked under a shadow-cloak talisman, moved like smoke, emerald eyes gleaming. From the treetops, he followed Tianhu, hunger burning behind his calm gaze.
"Run, little devil," Chu whispered. "I'll be right behind you."
Further away, atop a silent ridge, Lin Feng stood with his guardian, the old man half-merged into the mountain's mist.
"He's passed the treasure," Lin murmured. "The real hunt begins."
....
Hours later…
Wang Tianhu sprinted across rocky terrain, blood-soaked boots crushing dead leaves. The fragment pulsed hot against his chest. Then he stopped. Voices echoed ahead.
Five cultivators moved along a narrow path—a pair of sword brothers, an armored guard, a robed scholar, and a woman bearing a large sealed container.
Wang's eyes narrowed. He could sense it. The box contained a Beast Soul Egg—a treasure rivaling the one he carried.
"Another gift," Tianhu smirked. "The gods are generous tonight." He didn't hesitate. "Blood Wolf Spear!" he roared.
A hellish spear materialized in his grip, forged of bone and inscribed with writhing demonic glyphs. He hurled it forward—it pierced the front guard's chest in an instant.
Boom!
Blood exploded like a geyser. Panic erupted. The group scrambled to form a defensive stance.
"Fire Net Formation!" one yelled.
Too slow.
Tianhu blurred into their midst with Shadow Flash Step, his fingers forming rapid seals.
"Crimson Tear Slash!" His blade cleaved through the second warrior's defense. Blood sprayed the trees like crimson paint.
He caught the woman by the throat. Her robe slipped, revealing soft curves and a terrified gasp.
"No need to waste beauty on screams," he whispered, dragging a finger down her cheek before slamming her into a boulder.
She crumpled. The soul egg box thudded to the ground. He reached for it—then cursed.
His two guards were dead. One had lost his head, the other lay convulsing, impaled by a cursed arrow. Too much energy spent. He gritted his teeth.
Suddenly, the air shimmered. A trap rune lit beneath his feet.
"Wha—?"
A bolt of flame surged toward him.
Chu Xiao emerged, casting off his cloak. "Even dogs bleed when kicked hard enough."
"You dare ambush a Blood Sect heir?" Tianhu roared.
"I'm not alone." From the trees stepped Master Han, with his ghost body but a peak Spirit Transformation cultivator, robes rippling with quiet menace.
Han raised his hand. "Heaven-Swallowing Seal."
A beam of golden energy descended, locking Tianhu's spirit core, crippling his defense. Tianhu snarled and activated his bloodline technique. "Blood Armor: Soul Husk Bind!"
A crimson skeleton wrapped around him like armor. Its eyes glowed, shrieking.
Clang! Clang!
He clashed with Master Han, blood blades clashing with celestial strikes. The forest quaked. Trees burst into splinters.
Tianhu screamed, "Blood Devil Claw!" Clawed hands made of condensed demon Qi lunged.
Han's counter came swift—"Moonlight Palm Cascade!" A flurry of silver palms shot forward, each hit tearing through Tianhu's armor.
Chu activated his Flame Talisman – Ignition Pulse. A fire serpent burst from his palm, wrapping Tianhu's injured arm and exploding.
BOOM! Tianhu's shoulder twisted unnaturally. "Bastards…!" he gasped.
Han charged in again. "Spirit Disruption Palm!" His hand glowed white as he drove it into Tianhu's chest, cracking ribs.
The young heir crashed into a tree, coughing blood. He tried to rise.
"I… I am… Blood Devil Sect—"
Crack! Chu's boot pinned him down.
"You're just another stepping stone." He ripped the jade fragment from Tianhu's chest.
"Got it," Chu said, turning to Han.
The elder nodded. "What now?"
"Let him crawl home," Chu said. He crouched by Tianhu's ear. "Tell your father we're not afraid of devils." Then they vanished into shadow.
High above, Lin Feng exhaled slowly, viewing orb glowing in his palm.
"Let the young lions fight," he whispered. "I'll take the crown while they bleed."
Down below, Tianhu spat blood and rage. The pain coursing through his veins wasn't just physical. It was shame. He, a son of Blood Devil Sect, defeated. Stripped.
The trees rustled. He sensed no one now, but paranoia crept in like a shadow lover, whispering dark things into his wounded pride. He would remember the fire in Chu Xiao's eyes. And he would answer it—in blood.