Boom!
The earth shook as spirit beasts descended from the ridges in waves—horned wolves, stone-fanged leopards, even a few low-tier Flame Howlers with ember trails flickering behind them.
Feng Clan disciples scrambled.
"Formation Three! Guard the flanks!"
"Spear squad to the north wall! Hurry!"
Cries rang out. Blood sprayed. The defensive lines were barely holding.
Atop the southern rampart, Elder Mo barked orders. His robe fluttered in the storm of spiritual energy.
And there, among chaos, stood Liu Shen—calm, unmoving.
He watched the battlefield below, golden eyes gleaming as he studied the flow of violence.
> So much weakness. Their formations are scattered, their resolve brittle. These beasts are low-tier, yet panic spreads like wildfire…
Beside him, a young disciple clutched a trembling spear.
"A-Aren't you going to help?" he asked Liu Shen, voice barely audible over the roars.
"I am helping," Liu Shen replied without looking at him. "By watching. By learning."
"But—!"
Crash!
A massive Flame Howler burst through the southern defense, crushing three outer court disciples beneath its claw. Flames exploded from its mane.
The beast roared, eyes burning with primal fury.
The disciples panicked.
Even Mo looked caught off guard.
Then—
Liu Shen moved.
---
In the Heart of the Battle
The Flame Howler lunged toward a group of fallen disciples, its maw open wide.
But a black blur flashed across the air.
Crack!
A single fist struck the beast under its chin—sending it flying backward into a stone wall.
Gasps echoed.
"That boy again…!"
"Who is he?!"
Liu Shen stood in the center of the crater, black mist rising from his form. His robes were half-burned, yet he didn't bleed.
The Flame Howler growled and rose, its spiritual energy surging.
But Liu Shen didn't give it the chance.
He dashed forward, steps flowing like shadow on water.
Thirteen Pulse Shattering Strikes—a forgotten demonic martial art—activated in his bones.
Bam! Bam! Bam!
Every blow struck a key joint, disabling a limb, severing a flow of beastly Qi.
With the final strike, he landed on the beast's back and drove his palm into its spine.
Black Qi surged in reverse.
Crack.
The beast collapsed, unmoving.
Dead silence.
Then cheers erupted.
"Who is that?!"
"He just killed a Flame Howler solo!"
"Wasn't he a servant a week ago?!"
Liu Shen ignored it all.
---
Later – Inner Hall Recovery Chambers
Liu Shen sat quietly, wrapped in a thin robe as a healer attempted to examine him.
But her spiritual sense trembled as it touched his meridians.
"Th-This… this isn't right. Your meridians are… wrong."
"Wrong?" Liu Shen asked, sipping tea.
"They're… cold. Dark. Like they were reforged in demonic fire…"
Liu Shen smiled. "Then I must be cursed."
The healer backed away, clearly spooked.
Just then, Elder Mo entered, expression unreadable.
"You saved dozens," he said. "Even the Flame Howler would've taken the southern line with it. We are… grateful."
Liu Shen set down his cup. "Then what?"
"We wish to offer you a promotion—to outer court disciple. With training resources."
The offer was generous—especially to a former servant.
But Liu Shen merely raised an eyebrow. "And?"
Mo hesitated. "And… we want you watched. For your own protection."
> There it is, Liu Shen thought. They fear me. Good.
"I'll accept your offer," Liu Shen said slowly. "But if your shadows interfere with my path…"
He stood, eyes burning like suns beneath dusk.
"I'll burn them away."
Mo stiffened.
But he said nothing.
---
Later That Night – Within Liu Shen's Room
The black Codex pulsed within Liu Shen's mind.
> "The body has stabilized. Shall we begin the second unsealing?"
> Yes, Liu Shen whispered.
The next layer of power cracked open—his soul quaked.
And within him, ancient seals split like glass.
> Second Layer: Demon King's Blood Vein — Awakened.