Wei Ji didn't waste a single second. His hands moved in smooth, practiced motions, fingers weaving through the air as he whispered an ancient chant.
The ground responded like a living thing — crack!
Vines burst out, thick and green, coiling around the corpse of the fallen cultivator. They slithered like snakes, dragging the body into the dirt.
He watched in silence as the vines swallowed the corpse whole. Then, from the corner of his eye, he noticed something strange. The massive black wolf, which moments ago was barely breathing, suddenly moved.
Its eyes snapped open, burning like dying embers. It let out a low growl, deep and sharp, echoing through the forest around them. Wei Ji tilted his head, lips curling. "Oh? You're finally waking up?"
The wolf rose slowly, shaking off blood and dirt from its fur. The air around it twisted and shimmered as if reality itself resisted its presence. Then came the sound — crackle... hiss... whoosh! — dark energy began leaking from its body, thick as smoke.
Wei Ji's expression darkened. "That energy…"
The black haze twisted, condensed, and suddenly burst into flames. But not ordinary ones — the fire burned darker than shadow, with faint streaks of purple dancing at its core. The trees around the beast began to wither just from the heat.
Wei Ji's eyes gleamed. "Black flame? Tch." He raised one hand, pressing two fingers together. "Let's see how your hellfire handles this."
A circle of green light formed beneath his feet. From it, a tree shot upward, growing in seconds — slender, silver-barked, and covered in tiny, glimmering leaves. The air around it shimmered with moisture.
"This is an imitation of Spirit Dew Tree," Wei Ji said, tapping the bark. "I didn't think I'd summon one this early." He smirked and looked at the wolf. "You're lucky, beast. You'll get to see one of heaven's rarest plants before you die. Even though it's an imitation, your soul would be turned to dust!"
The leaves began to drip a faint silver liquid — pure spiritual dew. But before it even touched the ground, Wei Ji clapped his hands together and whispered, "Bloom."
Boom!
The air exploded into steam. The drops burst into countless specks of light that floated around the battlefield. The black fire's intensity faltered the moment the dew vapor touched it.
Wei Ji smiled faintly. "This tree converts flame-based energy into pure water essence," he said, half to himself, half to the wolf. "Even heavenly fire weakens against it. Your black flame won't reach half its power here. Not unless you burn through your soul to keep it alive."
The wolf's response was a furious, guttural roar. It bared its fangs, voice rising and falling in an angry rhythm — growls, snarls, low vibrating sounds that rolled like thunder.
Wei Ji raised a brow. "Oh, so you can still talk like that? Don't waste your breath, mutt. I don't speak 'bark'."
The wolf slammed its paws into the ground, and black fire flared again, coating its entire body. The flames surged high, licking the air like raging waves. Its golden eyes glared straight at Wei Ji.
"You don't believe me, do you?" Wei Ji said, smiling thinly. "Look at your flames."
The beast hesitated, confused, then turned slightly. The fire burning along its tail and back was already flickering, growing thinner and weaker.
Wei Ji's smirk deepened. "See? That's reality. No matter how loud you bark, I've already cut your strength in half. Now…" His expression hardened. "It's my turn."
He gathered energy in his palms. A green circle formed beneath him again. "I'll beat you down, no matter how many times you power up," he whispered.
The wolf roared, as if to answer his challenge. Then it charged.
The ground split open as it moved, claws digging deep into the soil. It was fast — a blur of black flame streaking across the forest. Wei Ji clenched his fist. "Brat."
He was about to counter when something made him stop. His brows furrowed. He turned slightly, sensing another aura approaching — faint, but dangerous.
The wolf noticed his distraction and grinned, teeth gleaming through its flames.
Wei Ji clicked his tongue. "You're smiling?" He sighed. "Seems I can't play with you for now." He took a step back and smirked. "Don't worry. I'll deal with you later… after I clean up the rest of these rats."
The wolf lunged again, but before it could reach him, Wei Ji's hand flicked in the air. The ground beneath the beast shuddered — crack! — and from it, a massive plant erupted.
Its mouth opened wide like a monstrous flytrap, lined with glowing green veins.
"Eat," Wei Ji whispered.
The plant's jaws snapped forward. Whuummp! A wave of green liquid blasted out, slamming into the wolf. The impact sent the creature flying backward, smashing through trees. Bang! Bang! Bang! The forest trembled with each crash. Bark shattered, trunks split open.
The wolf rolled, trying to regain its footing, but the plant didn't stop. Vines shot out, dragging it backward again, smashing it into another tree.
"Bang!"
The last tree cracked in half before the wolf finally hit the ground. Wei Ji raised his fingers again. "Enough."
The plant froze mid-motion, then retreated into the soil, disappearing as quickly as it came. The ground closed, leaving no trace.
The wolf lay on the dirt, twitching. Then it let out a long, painful whimper. Its fur began to smoke, melting where the green liquid touched.
Wei Ji's eyes narrowed. "Oh? That hurts, doesn't it?" He smirked. "Good. Consider that payback for your earlier arrogance."
The wolf whimpered louder, its body trembling. The black flames flickered out, leaving patches of burned fur and raw skin. The smell of scorched flesh filled the air.
But before Wei Ji could take another step, something landed beside the beast. Thud! Then another.
Two shadows stood beside the fallen wolf, cloaked in dark robes that fluttered in the wind. One was tall and lean, with sharp eyes like daggers. The other was broader, his arms covered in faint black markings that pulsed with energy.
Both placed their hands on the wolf. A faint light spread from their palms, and in seconds, the green liquid vanished. The wolf stopped whimpering, its breathing steady again.
Wei Ji frowned. "You two…"
The tall one spoke first, voice cold. "Why are you harming the Sacred Wolf?"
"Sacred?" Wei Ji blinked. "That thing?" He chuckled dryly. "That shit is my punching bag."
The broader man's face twisted in anger. "Watch your mouth!" he barked. "You dare insult—"
The tall one raised his hand to stop him. "No," he said softly. "Let me handle this."
Wei Ji looked at them both, unimpressed. "Handle? I'd suggest you both come at once," he said calmly, folding his arms. "I'd hate for you to regret fighting me one by one."
The tall man ignored his words, narrowing his eyes. "You're Han Ji of the Han Family, aren't you?"
Wei Ji paused. His expression flickered briefly. "Oh? So you've done your homework," he said with a small smirk.
The man's tone sharpened. "You're not worthy of His Highness."
Wei Ji blinked, confused. "His Highness?" Then his lips twitched. "Wait. Don't tell me…" He shook his head and laughed. "You mean her Highness, don't you? The one you're all wagging your tails for?"
The broad man clenched his fists, his eyes burning with fury.
Wei Ji tilted his head. "Tell me, are you worthy of her? Keep dreaming, soldier."
"You!" the broad man shouted, stepping forward.
Wei Ji smirked. "What? Did I hurt your pride?"
The man's jaw clenched. His spiritual energy flared, dark and violent. "Enough," he snarled. "I'm going to kill you!"
Wei Ji smiled faintly, eyes glowing with cold light. "Finally," he said, his voice soft but sharp as steel. "Someone speaking my language."
The forest held its breath once more. The air crackled between them — a storm waiting to break.