The Alpha's corpse still steamed in the gorge, its black blood pooling across the rocks. Disciples leaned on their weapons, trembling. Wu Ming wiped sweat from his brow, puffing out his chest as if he'd slain the beast himself.
But Lin Xuan stood apart. His sleeve was torn, blood seeping down his arm, qi circulation sluggish from the forced fusion strike. His spear was steady in hand, but his breathing ran deeper than he liked.
Too much exposed. Too much spent.
Still, his eyes never wavered.
From the ledge above, a sharp whistle cut the air. The disciples glanced up just as Qiu Ran dropped down, talisman glowing in his palm.
"Impressive," Qiu Ran said, voice smooth as silk, eyes gleaming with cruelty. "Truly impressive, Lin Xuan. To think the sect's cripple could bring down an Alpha."
Lin Xuan's gaze narrowed. "So you watched."
"Watched," Qiu Ran said, smile curving. "And waited."
The talisman flared, runes igniting crimson. A wave of qi surged outward, sharp and suffocating. It was not the strength of an ordinary disciple—this was borrowed might, enough to tear through the wounded.
Gasps erupted. "That's a Core talisman!" one disciple cried. "He—he means to kill him!"
Wu Ming's eyes bulged. "Senior Brother, move!"
Qiu Ran struck, talisman blazing, a torrent of fire qi exploding toward Lin Xuan. The gorge lit in crimson, heat scorching the air.
Lin Xuan raised his spear, teeth clenched. His qi faltered—too drained, too raw. The strike slammed against him, the shockwave hurling him across the rocks. He struck stone hard, blood splattering from his lips.
The timid girl screamed. Zhao Kun staggered back, eyes wide, torn between horror and grim satisfaction.
Wu Ming rushed forward, wild-eyed. "You bastard! He saved you! He saved all of us!"
Qiu Ran's smirk deepened, talisman glowing brighter. "Which is why he cannot be allowed to live. Geniuses like him make shadows too deep. And shadows hide threats."
Pain lanced through Lin Xuan's chest. His vision blurred, qi sluggish as tar. Yet even as blood dripped from his lips, his hand tightened on the spear.
[System Alert: Host injury critical. Qi reserves low. Recommend tactical withdrawal.]
Lin Xuan's eyes flickered cold. No. Retreat here is death. To live, I strike forward.
He forced his body upright, spear trembling but steady.
Qiu Ran sneered. "Still standing? Good. It makes crushing you sweeter."
The talisman flared again. Fire roared down the gorge, searing toward Lin Xuan.
But this time, others moved.
The timid girl leapt forward, her chipped sword raised though her arms shook.
The lanky boy stumbled into the path, shouting wordlessly.
Even Zhao Kun hesitated, jaw clenched, before slashing at the fire to deflect its edge.
Wu Ming threw himself in front of Lin Xuan, arms wide, screaming, "Over my handsome corpse!"
The firewave blasted against their combined resistance, sparks flying, air charring. They staggered back, singed but alive.
Lin Xuan exhaled, eyes sharp despite the blood on his lips. So even sheep can bare fangs when the wolf grows too large.
Qiu Ran's smile vanished, rage twisting his face. He tore another talisman free, its runes pulsing like a beating heart.
"This ends now, Lin Xuan. Alpha or no Alpha, miracle or no miracle—you die here."
The gorge trembled under the talisman's glow, firelight painting the disciples' pale faces.
Lin Xuan steadied his spear, blood dripping steadily from his arm, his chest, but his eyes burned steady as the mountain.
The gorge had claimed many lives.It would not claim his.