The night split open with a shriek.
A black fissure tore across the sky, bleeding red light. From the wound stepped a figure wreathed in smoke and shadow, armor black as scorched bone, horns curved like blades. Each breath shook the air itself.
The Demon General had come.
He hovered over the shattered clearing, crimson eyes burning with cruel amusement."So… it's you, Lu Wu Ren."
Captain Lu lifted his head, lightning crawling over his shoulders and his eye glow white from the lighting qi. His sword thrummed in its scabbard."What wind blows a carrion beast like you into my forest?"
The demon's grin flashed serrated teeth."Does it matter? Since you're here, tonight it time to settle the old score, Lu Wu Ren you die."
Han Xing felt Xiao Yueli stiffen in his arms. The aura pressed down like a mountain, crushing the breath from his lungs."Han…" she whispered, trembling.
He tightened his grip on his halberd. He use his aura to protect Xiao Yueli from the pressure.
Lu Wu Ren didn't turn. His voice cut through the suffocating air."Take her and run. Now."
Han clenched his jaw. "And you?"
"There's no time. GO!"
The air snapped—The Demon General vanished.
Han spun, instincts screaming—too slow.
A clawed hand lunged for Yueli's throat.
CRACK!
Lightning split the clearing. Captain Lu caught the demon's wrist, sparks hissing as their auras clashed."I said," his eyes burning white, "Run."
Han didn't hesitate again. He scooped Yueli close and tore into the trees. Branches whipped past, every muscle screaming. Behind them, the sky exploded.
Back in the clearing, titans clashed.
The Demon General rose higher, red energy boiling from his body. Captain Lu answered, his aura spiraling into storm and lightning. Behind him, a colossal phantom dragon shimmered with electric scales.
The ground cracked beneath their power.
The demon sneered. "Now show me the all almighty Azure Dragon of the East's strength."
Captain Lu drew his sword. Lightning flared violently, forming an ethereal blade vast as a mountain behind him."Azure Dragon Sword Art—First Draw: Heavenly Sword Descent!"
The heavens split. A sword of pure lightning fell like the wrath of the gods. The ground shook, mountains trembled, and clouds boiled with energy.
The Demon General only laughed, his aura a roiling storm of blood-red fire. Flames twisted into a monstrous axe of tortured demons, each jagged edge screaming with hatred."Demonic Axe Art—Infernal Axe Manifest!"
Sword and axe collided with a cataclysmic roar.
The blast birthed a sun of blinding light. Trees exploded into splinters. Rocks vaporized, hurled like missiles. A shockwave flattened cliffs, sending earth tumbling down like rivers of rock and ash.
The ground cracked in deep fissures, rivers boiling, lightning tearing the sky as the two titans slammed into each other with brutal force. Every swing was a gale, every strike a concussive hammer.
The Demon General's axe carved through air, leaving trails of fire and screams of tortured spirits. Captain Lu's sword cleaved lightning storms, smashing fiery shadows into ash.
Each blow echoed like a mountain collapsing. The forest itself seemed to recoil, twisting under the weight of their battle.
Yet neither faltered. Neither yielded.
Far below, Han staggered under the force, shielding Yueli with his body. His teeth rattled, blood leaking down his chin.
Captain Lu… "don't you dare fall before me!"
He forced his legs forward, lightning qi sparking weakly at his heels. Exhaustion dragged like chains. Then—cold dread.
Something followed.
Through the smoke darted a shadow: a needle-bodied assassin, eyes glowing coal-red, movements sharp as blades. Each step left claw marks in the bark; each breath reeked of blood.
Han's gut sank. Injured, carrying her… I can't win like this. I'm… still too weak.
This hopelessness… again. I can't let her depend on me like this. I have to be stronger. Stronger than myself… now.
Xiao… she needs time to recover. I can't....can't let her fell with me like this. No not again. I'm supposed to protect her, I will protect no matter what.
He blinked, spotting the assassin fully. Shadow Clan… masters of assassination, shadow and dark martial arts. Ten of them. Foundation-building realm… this is trouble.
The assassin struck.
Han twisted; his halberd clashed with obsidian claws. Pain flared as a knee cracked his ribs. What kind of weapon… can pierce me like this?
He slammed his forehead into the assassin. It staggered. Only a breath.
Damn it… not here.
He veered into a narrow gorge, lungs burning raw. Planting Yueli behind a boulder, he forced a bloody smile."We need a place to hide first."
Thunder roared from his qi. Three storm-born clones burst outward, each radiating killing intent, scattering the assassins in chaos. Sparks danced across his body as he carried Yueli deeper, masking their trail.
In a small cavern, Yueli began to heal. Will look like we Lost them for now. Han's gaze lingered—pale white face, long black hair, delicate form like a fairy from heaven. His heart skipped a beat.
What… what is this feeling?
Not hopelessness. Not sadness. Strange, warm, piercing. His face burned.
A faint sound outside. Both reacted instantly."Focus on healing first," Han muttered, voice low. "I'll handle the rest."
He stepped out, standing at the cavern mouth. Lightning qi surged, forming a halberd with two crimson moon blades and a spear tip. Sparks crackled across his body, aura blazing.
They're here… this is going to be a hard battle.
Outside, the shadows stirred. Ten assassins, foundation-building realm, expert Shadow Clan disciples, melted into the darkness, silent and deadly.
Han tightened his grip. Clones flickered around him, aura flaring. A cold smile touched his lips seems like tonight's going to be a long night.
The fight was far from over. And this time… he wouldn't be weak.
The forest held its breath. The storm was coming.