The System of Desires
Chapter 8 — Into the Ash Woods
The duel had made Kai a hero in the Shen compound. Servants bowed deeper, elders spoke more respectfully, and even the patriarch treated him as a rising pillar of the clan.
But Kai didn't have time to bask in glory.
The System had given him a new quest — one far more dangerous than a public duel.
[Global Quest: Investigate the Source of Demonic Qi in the Valley.]
Time Limit: 10 days
Failure Consequence: Spiritual corruption spreads to Shen clan's fields.
Kai grimaced. No pressure, huh?
Lian's Worry
Lian found him preparing his pack at dawn.
"You're leaving again?" she asked, frowning.
"Not for long," Kai said gently. "There's something I have to check near the Ash Woods."
She crossed her arms. "Something… or someone?"
Kai chuckled softly. "It's not Yue, if that's what you're thinking."
Her cheeks flushed. "I wasn't—"
"You were," Kai said with a grin.
Lian scowled, then sighed. "Just come back safe. I don't like this."
Kai brushed her hair back from her face, his tone softer. "I will. And when I come back, maybe we can talk… properly."
Her expression softened, and she nodded.
[Affinity with Lian: +5. Affinity Level: 80% — Romantic Tension Building.]
Meeting Yue
Kai found Yue waiting for him at the edge of the forest, leaning casually against a tree.
"I knew you'd come," she said with a grin.
Kai raised a brow. "Did you follow me, or do you just have really good timing?"
"Both," she said, falling into step beside him. "You and I have the same problem, Kai Shen. The Chen weren't the true enemy. Something deeper is rotting this valley."
"You've been investigating too?"
Yue's smile turned sharp. "Longer than you think. The demonic Qi isn't natural. It's being cultivated — deliberately."
Kai frowned. "By who?"
"That's what we're about to find out."
Journey Through the Forest
The Ash Woods were thick with mist, the air heavy with spiritual energy. Spirit beasts lurked in the shadows, their eyes glinting.
Kai and Yue fought side by side, dispatching lesser beasts with quick, efficient strikes.
"You're getting faster," Yue noted as Kai skewered a horned boar with a single thrust.
Kai smirked. "Guess I had a good teacher."
Yue arched a brow. "Was that a compliment?"
"Don't get used to it," he said, grinning.
[Affinity with Yue: +6. Affinity Level: 35% — Mutual Respect Forming.]
Discovery
By nightfall, they reached a clearing deep within the woods.
In the center stood a black altar, carved with writhing runes. Dark Qi pulsed from it, corrupting the ground in a wide circle.
"Demonic altar," Yue said grimly. "And not a small one."
Kai approached cautiously, spear ready.
[Warning: Unknown Presence Detected.]
Before he could react, shadows shifted — and three figures stepped out of the darkness.
They wore black robes, faces hidden by bone masks.
"Intruders," one hissed. "You dare defile the altar of the Black Fang Sect?"
Kai's grip tightened on his spear. "Guess we found our answer."
Battle in the Clearing
The cultists attacked at once, their Qi techniques sharp and vicious.
Kai and Yue moved like a single unit — he struck low, she struck high, their blows complementing one another.
Flames from Kai's spear lit the clearing, illuminating the twisted symbols on the altar.
One cultist went down, then another, but the third unleashed a wave of black Qi that sent Kai flying back.
[Vitality at 40%.]
"Kai!" Yue's voice was sharp.
He staggered to his feet, blood in his mouth. "I'm fine."
He charged, spear blazing with the Blazing Serpent Art. The serpent struck true, devouring the cultist in fire.
The clearing fell silent except for the crackle of burning leaves.
Aftermath
Yue knelt by the altar, examining the runes.
"This is bad," she said softly. "The altar wasn't built by mortals. It's a conduit — someone's feeding demonic Qi into the valley from beyond."
Kai frowned. "Then we destroy it."
Together, they channeled their Qi into the altar. The black stone cracked, shattered, and dissolved into ash.
[Quest Progress: 1/3 Altars Destroyed.]
Kai blinked. "One of three?"
Yue stood, dusting her hands. "Looks like we're going hunting."
Tension Under the Moon
That night, they camped under the stars.
Kai sat by the fire, tending his wounds. Yue sat across from him, watching him with a curious expression.
"You really are reckless," she said finally. "But… I like that."
Kai glanced up. "That supposed to be a compliment?"
She smirked. "Maybe."
The fire crackled between them. The air was warmer than it should have been.
[Affinity with Yue: +8. Affinity Level: 43% — Subtle Attraction Growing.]
Kai looked away, suppressing a small smile. This is going to get complicated…
Chapter End — The Hunt Continues
As dawn broke, the System chimed again:
[Quest Update: Two Altars Remaining.]
New Objective: Travel to the Ruins of Scarlet Hollow. Danger Level — High.
Kai shouldered his spear. "Looks like we're not done yet."
Yue grinned, her eyes alight with excitement.
"Good," she said. "I was starting to get bored."