Early morning light passed through the thick leaves and illuminating the wet ground with golden traces. The sounds of faraway beast roars and rustling leaves filled the forest.
A young boy in a bright red robe with black hair sticking to his face from sweating stood upright in front of the beast in a remote forest. His dark eyes shined with focus on that beast and he held a long spear engraved with runes.
A horned beast with dark scales covering its body and steaming breath in the cool morning air floated before him. Growling with murderous intent, the ground shook as it stamped its clawed foot.
Before beast start to attack on him, boy was make his first attack on beast, his crimson robe floated behind him. The spear's tip was pointed at the beast's throat then he threw that spear and the rushed forward with incredible speed.
Clang!
The spear was thrown aside as the monster swung its massive claw. The boy stepped backward, boots making marks in the ground as sparks burst from the impact.
He tightened his grip and muttered himself "Too tough." He take countless deep breathing but he maintained his posture.
The horn of the beast glowed dimly with spiritual energy as it roared. The ground trembled beneath its weight as it charged.
The boy's gaze grew piercing. He sidestepped swiftly allowing the beast to pass him on its momentum. He take out his spear struck into the armored hide of the beast then it's creating a shallow wound as it lashed out like a serpent.
Blood sprayed, and the monster shrieked in pain, whipping its tail toward him.
Boom!
Just in time the boy blocked that attack by raising his spear horizontally. The force threw him backward a few steps and smashed him into a tree. He stumbled forward and spitting a small amount of blood from the corner of his mouth as his voice cracked and came down.
He was still smiling after got hit. "Good… this will push me further my limits."
The monster pawed the ground its killing intent flaring stronger than before. The boy turned his spear ready to attack, crimson robe billowing in the wind and lowered his stance, ready to fight again.
As man and beast confronted one another and none of them refused to give up, the whole forest atmosphere become tense.
With a last roar of the beast fell on the ground its enormous body trembling the earth before becoming motionless. With his black hair sticking to his blood-stained face and his red robe ripped at the edges, Shen Ji stood tall. With a steady yet unflinching exhale, he wiped his weapon against a corpse and then sheathed it.
From behind the trees, a group of young girls in light sect uniforms rushed out.
"Senior Brother Shen Ji!" one of them gasped, her eyes wide with admiration. "You were so brave!"
Another girl held out a cloth timidly. "Your face… let us help you clean."
Shen Ji turned to them, his expression softening. He accepted the cloth, letting one of them dab away the monster's blood. His lips curled into an easy smile. "Thank you. You'll spoil me with so much care."
The girls were blushed and giggling amongst themselves they're clearly enchanted by his charm.
Later, the group's conversation became lively and full of compliments for Shen Ji as they made their way back toward the Sky Sword Sect's tall gates. He exuded grace, as if the fight had been merely a game.
Shen Ji removed his blood-stained robe and changed into new clothes after he entered his private room. Even in casual grace, his figure looked attractive as the red silk slid smoothly over his skin.
Then—
A ripple stirred in the air. A figure cloaked in shadow emerged silently, kneeling before him.
"Second Young Master," the shadowman spoke, voice low and urgent. "All the assassins we sent… have perished. Every single one of them was slain by the First Prince—Shen Yun."
For a moment, silence. Shen Ji's movements stilled. He tied the last knot on his sash, his back still facing the messenger.
Then, slowly, he lifted his head. In the mirror, his reflection smiled—calm, amused, almost playful.
"I see," Shen Ji murmured. "As expected, it won't be that easy to kill him."
The shadowman bowed lower, trembling at the young master's composure.
Shen Ji's dark-red color robe settled around him like liquid fire as he leaned back in his private chamber's high-backed chair. With his hands folded tightly and the shadowman knelt before him.
"Shadowman," Shen Ji's voice was calm, but his black eyes gleamed with curiosity, "what level of cultivation were the killers you sent after Shen Yun?"
The shadowman swallowed, lowering his gaze. "Golden Core cultivators, Second Young Master."
Shen Ji's chest shook suddenly, and a low, loud laugh echoed through the room. It was not joyous—it carried both disbelief and amusement.
"Golden Core…" he said between chuckles. "So, it seems he has regained his cultivation after the sect leader destroyed it. Interesting… very interesting indeed."
The shadowman's throat tightened. "But… Second Young Master, his cultivation was completely destroyed by the sect leader! How is it possible?"
Shen Ji's smile widened, sharp as a blade. "Well… it is possible," he said slowly, almost savoring each word. "His mother's family is one of the Five Great Families of the Azure Empire. Blood like that does not break easily. He regains strength… and yet, he is still dangerous."
Meanwhile far away in the imperial gardens of the Azure Empire. Shen Yun was setting on chair under tree and drinking tea from a delicate porcelain cup. The air semelled faintly of blossoms as the sunlight passed softly though the trees leave.
As he spoke softly to the empty courtyard in the soft voice with playful smile on his lips. "Your game is pretty funny, my dear second brother," he whispered, his voice low but mixed with mockery. "You have a great time playing with girls while sending killers don't you?"