《Crimson Lotus》 Veil of The Demon Unauthorized duplication: this tale has been taken without consent. Report sightings. Honest If you come across this story on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen from Royal Road. Please report it. Devour Yanwei exhaled slowly, a faint smirk tugging at his lips¡ªa sigh of satisfaction. ¡°Finally refined all five corpses¡­ That puts me at 5%, right? I should be comparable to a peak Rank 1 cultivator now.¡± He stretched lazily, his joints cracking after over a year in seclusion. ¡°Speaking of which¡­ how many months has it been?¡± ¡­ Outside, a young disciple named Xiao Ge paced anxiously. He was the same boy who had eagerly followed Yanwei before his seclusion, diligently making life difficult for his senior brother¡¯s enemy. But now, there was a problem¡ªone far bigger than before. ¡°Senior Brother! Senior Brother, are you here?!¡± Xiao Ge called out urgently. A calm voice replied from within. ¡°Come in.¡± Xiao Ge hurried inside and wasted no time. ¡°Senior Brother, we have a big problem!!¡± Yanwei arched an eyebrow. ¡°Oh? How many months have passed since I went into seclusion? When is the Secret Realm competition starting?¡± Xiao Ge gulped. ¡°S-Senior Brother¡­ one and a half years have already passed.¡± Yanwei¡¯s expression remained indifferent, but inwardly, he was a little surprised. One and a half years? Damn¡­ devouring takes time. Oh well, no rush. Xiao Ge continued anxiously. ¡°And Senior Brother, the problem is¡ªthat kid¡­ he¡¯s been found out as a genius! Turns out he has extremely high talent, and now the Sect Master has personally taken him in as a direct disciple!¡± Yanwei tapped his fingers against the table, his gaze unreadable. ¡°So that¡¯s how it is¡­ Has he been trying to retaliate against you?¡±This tale has been pilfered from Royal Road. If found on Amazon, kindly file a report. Xiao Ge nodded. ¡°Not yet, but it¡¯s obvious he¡¯s waiting for the competition. Senior Brother, I think he knows you were behind me messing with him¡­¡± Yanwei let out a low chuckle. ¡°Is that so? Then I¡¯ll solve him in the competition.¡± Xiao Ge¡¯s face lit up with relief. ¡°Thank you, Senior Brother! By the way, I brought more information on the competition.¡± ¡°Go on.¡± Xiao Ge took a deep breath. ¡°The only ones eligible to enter the Secret Realm are Rank 1 cultivators. If a Rank 2 cultivator enters, the realm will destabilize, and everyone inside will die.¡± Yanwei¡¯s eyes flickered with interest. An unstable secret realm, huh? That could be useful. Xiao Ge continued, ¡°Aside from us, the Divine Sword Sect, which specializes in sword arts, and the Gentle Breeze Sect, which purges demons, will participate. But there¡¯s more¡ªthere¡¯s also a powerful noble faction, the Marquis Clan. They¡¯re strong and have a Rank 5 ancestor.¡± Yanwei leaned back, processing the information. ¡°What about geniuses? Who¡¯s worth noting?¡± ¡°There¡¯s a terrifying guy from Divine Sword Sect¡ªrumor says he killed an injured Rank 2 demon by himself. Then, there¡¯s a nun from Gentle Breeze Sect. She¡¯s influential and has a lot of subordinates, supposedly because she¡¯s so kind. As for the Marquis Clan¡­ they¡¯re secretive and low-key. But they¡¯re dangerous.¡± Yanwei¡¯s smirk widened. So, I¡¯m not just hunting one son of the heavens¡­ interesting. ¡°Good work, Junior Brother.¡± He casually tossed Xiao Ge a spiritual stone. Xiao Ge¡¯s eyes brightened. He had expected his Senior Brother to be stingy after the incident over a year ago, but Yanwei¡¯s generosity now showed that disciples of this sect weren¡¯t as poor as those other sects. ¡°Thank you, Senior Brother! I hope you place well in the competition and reach Rank 2! If you do, you can become a Core Disciple!¡± Yanwei simply nodded, closing the door behind him. Alone, he chuckled darkly. That kid¡­ a direct disciple of the Sect Master? And geniuses in every sect? He ran a hand through his hair, eyes gleaming with anticipation. I hope you all bring me good treasures. If anyone saw his expression at that moment, they would think a true demon had been born. Demon Cultivator This story has been taken without authorization. Report any sightings. Petty If you spot this tale on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation. Ambush This story has been stolen from Royal Road. If you read it on Amazon, please report it Entertainment This tale has been unlawfully obtained from Royal Road. If you discover it on Amazon, kindly report it. Fury This narrative has been purloined without the author''s approval. Report any appearances on Amazon. Scapegoat Unauthorized duplication: this narrative has been taken without consent. Report sightings. Shattered Innocence Love this novel? Read it on Royal Road to ensure the author gets credit. Beyond Peak Stolen from its rightful place, this narrative is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings. Cautiousness "Finally done." Yanwei exhaled softly, a faint smile tugging at his lips. "I just hope all my calculations are correct. It''s ironic, though. The so-called number one demon, forced to be this cautious." He chuckled at himself, shaking his head. "Every backup plan is in place. But now..." His gaze sharpened as he considered his next step. "How do I break through to rank 2?" He paced in the dim light, speaking aloud to sort through his thoughts. "There are three paths I could take." He raised a finger. "The first: use a pill. It¡¯s the easiest and safest option, but it would weaken my foundation. A fragile base like that would cripple my future progress." A second finger rose. "The second: gather four natural treasures representing wind, fire, earth, and water. It¡¯ll cost me a fortune, but the foundation it provides is solid. This method is favored by even the geniuses of rank 8 sects, and sometimes even rank 9." He nodded to himself. "Slow, but safe."This story has been stolen from Royal Road. If you read it on Amazon, please report it Finally, his third finger. "The last option..." His expression darkened. "Using the essence of humans. It¡¯s the fastest way, and the foundation would be unparalleled. But it¡¯s unstable, and if I lose control, the secret realm itself might collapse. Not just my life, but everything I¡¯ve worked for could be lost." Yanwei clenched his fist, staring at the faint light of his lantern. "Option 1 is safe but weak. Option 2 is slow, costly, but secure. Option 3... it¡¯s tempting, but the risks are too great." After a day of deliberation, he made his decision. "The second option," he muttered. "It¡¯ll take time, and I¡¯ll need to scrape together the resources, but I can¡¯t afford recklessness. The stronger the foundation, the higher I can climb." His brows furrowed as another problem surfaced. "The spirit stones I saved are almost gone," he grumbled. "Exchanging for the second merit drained me dry. If I want to gather those treasures, I¡¯ll need a new source of income." Tapping his finger against the table, Yanwei¡¯s thoughts churned. But after a moment, he sighed and shook his head. "One thing at a time. The plan comes first. I can¡¯t afford to stumble now¡ªnot after a hundred years of preparation." His eyes gleamed coldly. "An anomaly like me doesn¡¯t get second chances." Human Nature Enjoying the story? Show your support by reading it on the official site. Ridicule Enjoying the story? Show your support by reading it on the official site. Beauty Enjoying this book? Seek out the original to ensure the author gets credit. Game This story originates from Royal Road. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there. Grave of the Genuises This tale has been pilfered from Royal Road. If found on Amazon, kindly file a report. Kind Yun In a dimly lit cave¡­ ¡°Damn it! Even though I managed to grab this thousand-year-old herb, I¡¯m badly injured. Luckily, no one knows the truth¡ªthey all think I¡¯m still at my peak. Thank heavens I¡¯m always cautious.¡± Jiang Yu muttered to himself, his expression a mix of pain and paranoia. ¡°But I still have to get that mirror for Master, or he¡¯ll punish me. Those three¡­ they¡¯re my opponents. Should I wait for them to fight each other? No, they¡¯re not idiots. Ugh, forget it. I need to heal first before deciding my next move.¡± With a grimace, Jiang Yu sat cross-legged and began channeling energy to mend his injuries. ¡­. Meanwhile, in another part of the realm¡­ ¡°Miss! A lot of fools actually fell for your plan!¡± A skinny man said, his eyes gleaming with fanaticism. ¡°Of course they did,¡± replied a woman, her eyes glinting with bloodlust as she licked her lips. ¡°An injured genius is too tempting a target to resist.¡±If you discover this narrative on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the violation. The woman, surnamed Yun, was known outside as the ¡°Kind Nun¡± of the Gentle Breeze Sect, celebrated for her relentless efforts to eradicate demons. But in truth, she was far more demonic than any creature she hunted. ¡°Torture that one thoroughly,¡± Yun said with a cruel smile. ¡°Make him beg for death before you grant it. Now, where are those three?¡± ¡°Miss, they¡¯re still collecting medicines for you,¡± the skinny man answered nervously. ¡°Also¡­ there¡¯s a rumor spreading about a secret hidden within this realm. I¡¯m not sure if it¡¯s true.¡± Yun¡¯s gaze sharpened, her expression darkening. ¡°Who could have leaked that? Those three? No, it wouldn¡¯t benefit them. Which means¡­ there¡¯s a fifth party.¡± Her lips curled into a wicked grin as murderous intent surged in her eyes. ¡°Don¡¯t let me find you, rat. When I do, I¡¯ll personally take your head.¡± Her laughter echoed through the cave, wild and unrestrained. The skinny man flinched but remained silent. He knew that asking questions would only lead to his death. ¡­ Elsewhere, Yanwei stood alone amidst the desolation, his eyes reflecting calm amusement. ¡°Fifteen days left before this realm closes,¡± he mused aloud. Suddenly, his expression shifted, surprise flashing across his face. ¡°So, that Zhang fellow came first? Hm. I thought it would be Jiang Yu.¡± A playful smile tugged at his lips. ¡°Well, it doesn¡¯t matter who arrived first.¡± With a wave of his hand, six corpse puppets appeared before him. Among them were bodies he¡¯d harvested from those spying on the four geniuses. Their lifeless forms stood motionless, awaiting his command. ¡°My dear little geniuses¡­¡± Yanwei chuckled, his voice dripping with malice. ¡°The curtain is about to fall on your show.¡± His laughter rang out, sharp and chilling, startling a flock of birds into flight. But as for the people who might have heard him? There were none. They were all dead. Another Player Taken from Royal Road, this narrative should be reported if found on Amazon. Cave The cave was eerily silent, an oppressive stillness hanging in the air. If a mortal were placed in such a place, they¡¯d likely collapse from sheer terror. ¡°A strong Yin environment,¡± Yanwei murmured to himself, his voice echoing faintly against the cold, stone walls. ¡°A good place for creating ghosts, I see. Perhaps there¡¯s even a ghost inheritance here? No, if there was, it would¡¯ve already been taken. Still, what makes this cave special?¡± The silence was almost suffocating, and Yanwei¡¯s voice carried through the darkness like a ripple in water. His gaze was sharp as he surveyed the area. ¡°No danger? Impossible. But I can¡¯t take any chances.¡± With that, Yanwei summoned four corpse puppets. They knelt in perfect unison, their forms unmoving, like statues carved from stone. ¡°Head straight north. If any of you encounter something or get caught, detonate immediately. Understood?¡± Yanwei commanded. The puppets nodded in eerie silence. Unlike most tools, corpse puppets would never retaliate against their master¡ªunless the master had a weak soul. For Yanwei, such tools were perfect for navigating the unknown. Not only was his soul strong enough to control 30 corpse puppets at once, but each puppet was also laced with poison and a detonating Gu to ensure no one else could claim them if they somehow went rogue.The tale has been illicitly lifted; should you spot it on Amazon, report the violation. The puppets moved forward, their stiff movements unnatural yet methodical. Yanwei stayed back, watching closely. As they reached about 50 meters ahead, a sudden flash of light erupted¡ªand in the next moment, the puppets exploded violently. Yanwei¡¯s lips curled into a faint smile. Despite the loss of his puppets, he seemed completely unconcerned. After all, to him, puppets were disposable tools. They were corpses that consumed blood, and while useful in this secret realm, they clashed with his plans to gather blood and essence. He had no intention of keeping them long-term. Once he reached rank 2, he¡¯d refine more sophisticated ones anyway. ¡°Well, it seems my prediction was correct,¡± he mused. ¡°But I wonder¡ªare there more traps? And what is the ghost protecting in this cave?¡± Without hesitation, Yanwei summoned another batch of five corpse puppets. Unlike before, he sent them out simultaneously. If just one detonated, it wouldn¡¯t be enough to disrupt the array fully, but five together might do the trick. The puppets advanced, their movements mechanical. When they reached 100 meters, another burst of light illuminated the darkness, followed by another round of explosions. Yanwei had been ready this time. His spiritual sense, far stronger than most rank 1 cultivators, extended to the full range of 100 meters. He observed every detail of the trap¡¯s activation¡ªthe shifting patterns, the faint glimmers of the array. ¡°I see¡­ so that¡¯s how it works.¡± He let out another puppet, this time alone. It moved cautiously, carefully weaving through the narrow path. Yanwei¡¯s sharp eyes followed its progress. Finally, the puppet reached the end of the corridor without incident. Whatever traps had been set, they had all been disarmed. Yanwei smiled, stepping forward with measured confidence. ¡°Let¡¯s see what secret this ghost is so desperate to hide.¡± Lotus In a hidden corner of the secret realm, a voice erupted in fury. ¡°The array was broken!? Who did it!? You¡¯re lucky I have too many things on my plate right now!¡± The voice was terrifying¡ªits tone inhuman, echoing with a strange, menacing power. ¡°But even if you¡¯ve destroyed all my arrays, you still won¡¯t get it¡ªnot until it blooms. By then, I¡¯ll have already finished dealing with these nuisances. Though, I¡¯ll still need to be careful. He managed to wipe out ten rank 1 ghosts on his own and bypassed all the traps I set. But that doesn¡¯t mean I¡¯m some pushover. Just you wait!¡± The voice hissed, the air thick with malice. ¡­ Yanwei smirked, their eyes narrowing as they examined the situation. ¡°So, it¡¯s a Moonshade Lotus¡­ Looks like that ghost is about to break through to rank 2. I thought he hadn¡¯t realized, but maybe he knows. He just assumes no one can get to it before it blooms. Well, too bad for him¡ªI was once rank 9.¡±You might be reading a pirated copy. Look for the official release to support the author. They paused, deep in thought. ¡°If my theory is correct, my chances of breaking through to rank 2 are 95%. If not¡­ then I¡¯ll have to hunt more rank 1s. Eventually, rank 3s or even rank 4s might get involved, and they could come after me directly.¡± Yanwei sighed. ¡°I really hope this works. Otherwise, I¡¯ll have to take some risky chances again.¡± ¡°But no matter how confident that ghost is, he should¡¯ve sent someone to find out who I am by now. The fact that no one has come means only one thing¡ªhe¡¯s preoccupied with something important. And what could be more important to a ghost than treasures or inheritances?¡± Yanwei¡¯s eyes gleamed. ¡°Of course, it¡¯s those geniuses who are eyeing his treasures.¡± Without hesitation, Yanwei seized the Moonshade Lotus and stored it in their space. As they turned to leave, a sly smile crept across their face, and they whispered to themself, ¡°Let them fight. I¡¯ll just reap the rewards of all their struggles.¡± Scary The ghost had no idea that its precious treasure had already been taken by Yanwei. The secret realm remained cloaked in darkness, its mysteries waiting to unfold¡ªits air thick with danger and ancient power. Zhang Yue, the son of the sect master of the Divine Sword Sect, had finally arrived. His footsteps were slow but purposeful, the dense forest whispering around him. He could feel the weight of every step as if the land itself were testing his resolve. ¡°I¡¯ve made it,¡± he murmured, his eyes scanning the shadows. ¡°But my uncle warned me about the rank 2 beast lurking here. Looks like I¡¯ll still have to wait for those three.¡± He stood still, calculating his next move, hands resting on the hilt of his sword. ¡°I can¡¯t afford to make mistakes. Not in a place like this.¡± Zhang Yue¡¯s gaze lifted toward the towering trees overhead, their twisted branches blocking out the sky. The realm was silent, but a sense of impending chaos hung in the air like a storm waiting to break. ¡°If we manage to kill the beast,¡± he thought, ¡°the fight for the treasure will be a bloodbath. No one will back down. The value of that thing...¡± He grimaced. ¡°...it¡¯s a hot potato. Whoever holds it could reshape everything.¡± Meanwhile, further within the realm, the tension was palpable. Yun¡¯s two servants, caught in a mix of fear and curiosity, crouched in the shadows. The eerie sounds of battle echoed through the trees, sending shivers down their spines. One servant, a young man, could barely catch his breath. ¡°Miss¡­ That fight¡­¡± His voice trembled. ¡°It¡¯s terrifying. We shouldn¡¯t even try to look. The sounds¡ªit''s like an iron clash, but¡­ different. It¡¯s not just humans fighting. It feels like something else. A clash between the living and the dead, maybe? It¡¯s too intense. Too dangerous.¡±This novel is published on a different platform. Support the original author by finding the official source. The other servant, equally shaken, nodded frantically. ¡°It¡¯s worse than when the two uncles spar in the sect. Those fights are bad enough, but this¡­ this is something else. The killing intent¡ªit¡¯s suffocating. If I dared to look, I¡¯d be dead before I even blinked.¡± Yun, calm and focused, listened to their words with only a slight frown. She didn¡¯t respond immediately but instead turned and walked into another room. Her steps were quiet, deliberate. ¡°A powerful presence has entered the game,¡± she mused, her thoughts turning over the possibilities. ¡°How strong could they be? If they¡¯ve made my servants tremble like this¡­ their strength must be considerable.¡± Her fingers brushed the hilt of her rank 2 weapon, feeling its familiar weight. "With my weapon and the talisman that grants me temporary access to the late stage of rank 2, I should be prepared for anything. Still... this could be more complicated than I thought." As she pondered, a sharp, mocking laugh suddenly pierced the stillness from the next room. The sound was like a cruel jolt, cutting through the air. Yun¡¯s servants froze, their eyes wide with shock. ¡°Am I really that frightening?¡± The voice was playful, almost teasing, but it sent a ripple of unease through the room. The man¡¯s confidence was palpable, his presence almost suffocating. The room went still, and the tension in the air thickened. Yun¡¯s servants exchanged terrified glances. This wasn¡¯t just any ordinary intruder. His power radiated like a storm ready to break. One of the servants, trying to assert some control, stammered, ¡°Who are you? This is Miss Yun¡¯s domain! How dare you¡ª¡± Before he could finish, a chilling presence materialized behind him. A corpse, unnaturally pale and stiff, appeared as if summoned by the man¡¯s voice. The servant barely had time to react before the corpse''s fingers gripped his head with a force that could crush stone. The room held its breath as the life drained from the servant, his eyes wide with terror as he crumpled to the floor. Your Master If you encounter this narrative on Amazon, note that it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it. Fallen God Unlawfully taken from Royal Road, this story should be reported if seen on Amazon. You Are Mine Yun was stunned. Partly because he was handsome, but more so because she knew¡ªthis man was simply a demon. If someone who didn¡¯t know him saw him, they would be captivated instantly, drawn in by his striking looks. Too bad for him, she wasn¡¯t just anyone. She had been nurtured by the sect since childhood, trained to resist such shallow temptations. She wasn¡¯t the type to be swayed by a pretty face. And yet¡­ she regretted it. Every word. Every insult. Every last bit of arrogance. Even when she had asked him that final, thoughtless question¡ªWho are you?¡ªshe had no idea what she was inviting upon herself. No one could blame her. Outside, she was known as a prodigy. But in reality, her talent was beyond even that. If fate had been kinder, she could have reached Rank 7, maybe even Rank 8, standing among the legends of the cultivation world. So was it really wrong for her to look down on a mere Rank 1? Was it wrong to think an unknown, lowly cultivator could never be worthy of being her master? Unauthorized use: this story is on Amazon without permission from the author. Report any sightings. But now, she was going insane. The realization hit her like a collapsing mountain¡ªshe knew exactly who he was. And she knew what awaited her in his hands. At first, it was just a whisper in the back of her mind. A faint, creeping unease. Then, as she stared into his clear, knowing eyes, the whisper grew into a scream. She had seen those eyes before. Once, a long time ago. A memory surfaced¡ªone she had buried deep. A time when she was still young, barely more than a child, standing among the crowds as the world trembled. She had watched him¡ªthe man who defied the heavens themselves. She had watched as divine lightning crashed down, punishing him for his sins. She had watched as he stood, unwavering, against a force that should have erased his very existence. And she had watched as he died. Yanwei¡¯s lips curled into a playful smirk, his eyes unsettlingly clear. ¡°I told you, didn¡¯t I?¡± His voice was light, almost amused. ¡°You¡¯re going to be my slave. And I am going to be your master.¡± Yun¡¯s breath caught. For a moment, she thought he had changed his mind¡ªthat he intended to torture her instead, make her suffer for the things she said. But there was no hesitation in her response. ¡°I will gladly be your slave, MASTER!¡± Her voice held no shame, no resistance. Only submission. Even in her injured state, her soul trembled as she presented a fragment of it¡ªweak, barely a whisper, yet still carrying the dignity of a true genius. Yanwei accepted it with a knowing smile. He had been right to choose her. Not just because she was different from the others. While most cultivated isolation, choosing to stand above the crowd like lone wolves, she chose the opposite. She had the rare ability to bend public opinion, to manipulate those around her. That wasn¡¯t just talent¡ªit was a deep understanding of human nature. A person like her would be difficult to deal with. If he had been just another genius, he would have died in her hands. But he wasn¡¯t. ¡°Good. Good.¡± Yanwei stepped forward, his fingers brushing against Yun¡¯s bloodied face. His touch was cold, yet strangely gentle, as he wiped away a trace of blood. His voice carried no warmth. Only inevitability. ¡°I will not offer you kindness. I will not give you comfort. But I will give you certainty. You will never doubt your place again. You will never wonder who you are or why you exist. You are mine. And through me, you will know purpose beyond what your former self could ever grasp.¡± He placed a pill between her lips. Then, without another word, he turned and walked away¡ªleaving Yun frozen in place, her mind spiraling into madness. Baited Did you know this text is from a different site? Read the official version to support the creator. Disobedience Taken from Royal Road, this narrative should be reported if found on Amazon. Fireworks Festival Jiang Yu felt his body grow colder. Yanwei¡¯s gaze turned nostalgic. ¡°It was when I was a Rank 7.¡± ¡°I met an arrogant young master on the road. A boy from a Level 7 sect. He wanted me to bow. I was not in the mood.¡± ¡°So I killed him.¡± ¡°Naturally, his sect wanted revenge. They searched for me.¡± Yanwei smiled. His grip on Jiang Yu¡¯s neck loosened slightly¡ªnot out of mercy, but because he wanted him to hear every word. ¡°But they didn¡¯t realize¡­ their young master had stepped on something far worse than an iron plate.¡± ¡°He stepped on me.¡± ¡°And I am not made of iron.¡± ¡°I am made of something that does not break.¡± Yanwei¡¯s voice was soft, almost tender. ¡°I started with the top. The elders. The sect master. The Rank 7 ancestor. One by one, they died without a sound. No one even knew they were dead until it was too late.¡± ¡°Once all the Rank 7s and Rank 6s were gone, I moved to the rest.¡± His fingers flexed slightly. Jiang Yu let out a strangled whimper. The genuine version of this novel can be found on another site. Support the author by reading it there. ¡°I didn¡¯t just kill them.¡± ¡°I captured them.¡± ¡°Every Rank 5. Every Rank 4. Every single disciple.¡± ¡°Then I announced a fireworks festival in the Southern Continent.¡± Yanwei laughed again, softer this time. ¡°Even other Rank 7s gave me face. They were curious. They gathered to see the show.¡± Jiang Yu wanted to shut his ears. He couldn¡¯t. Yanwei tilted his head, as if reminiscing. ¡°Do you know what the fireworks were?¡± The people who had gathered back then¡ªcultivators, sect leaders, wandering experts¡ªall remembered the moment he unveiled his festival. The captives were bound. Thousands of them. Their bodies were stripped of dignity, flesh branded with wounds, blood trailing in sluggish rivers beneath them. Some twitched, others whimpered, but none dared to struggle. None dared to hope. The air was thick with the stench of burning meat. A massive pot bubbled at the center, flames licking hungrily at its base. Inside, human limbs¡ªarms, legs, torsos¡ªboiled in a grotesque stew. The crackling of fat. The hiss of flesh meeting fire. The sound of death cooking slowly. Yet, no one moved. Even the Rank 7 elders hesitated to speak. Yanwei stood before them, his hands steady, his expression one of detached amusement. Then, with an almost casual motion, he reached down, seized a struggling captive¡ª And with a swift chop, severed their arm. A scream tore through the air. The severed limb was tossed into the pot. The rest of the body, still alive, convulsed in agony. The smell thickened. A few spectators gagged, some turned away, but none dared to interfere. Then¡ªYanwei took the severed arm, its flesh still twitching¡ª And he bit into it. The crunch of bone. The wet tear of muscle. The fresh, raw warmth of blood dribbling down his chin. The world seemed to freeze. Even those accustomed to slaughter felt their stomachs churn. A Rank 7 elder, unable to watch any longer, moved¡ª A fatal mistake. Before he could even complete his step, Yanwei vanished. A flicker. A blur. The next moment¡ª A dagger pierced through the elder¡¯s back. Deep. Precise. A silent kill. The elder collapsed, eyes wide, breath stolen before he could even comprehend his own death. Yanwei exhaled, the amusement never leaving his face. ¡°This is the fireworks time.¡± His fingers lifted. Thousands of captives¡ªlimbless, broken, yet still clinging desperately to life¡ªrose into the air. Blood dripped in streams, painting the night in cruel splatters. Their mouths opened in silent horror. Yanwei smiled. Then¡ª ¡°Boom.¡± One body exploded. Then another. And another. Thousands burst apart in the sky like grotesque fireworks¡ª Flesh raining. Blood painting the heavens. Bones scattering like shattered stars. A festival of carnage. Yanwei stood there, arms still open, as if embracing the crimson sky. And at the center of it all¡ª He laughed. Organism Stolen from its rightful author, this tale is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings. Zhang ¡°Finally, you two are here. The secret realm is about to close¡ªwhere is Jiang Yu?¡± The speaker was a sharp-featured young man with silver eyes that gleamed like a predator¡¯s under the dim light. A lazy smirk tugged at his lips, but it never quite reached his eyes. Zhang always looked like he was joking, but that was precisely why no one ever let their guard down around him. ¡°Seems dead,¡± Linglong replied flatly, her face devoid of emotion. She turned toward Yun, her voice just as indifferent. ¡°Where is he?¡± ¡°Hiding,¡± Yun said, his tone casual, but there was an edge beneath his words. ¡°He¡¯s with the usual common trash that thinks they can ambush us.¡± Linglong neither reacted nor questioned his response. To her, it didn¡¯t matter where Jiang Yu was¡ªhe wasn¡¯t a threat anymore. Right now, their greatest obstacle wasn¡¯t some injured schemer but Zhang, the man standing in front of them, smirking like he owned the world. Zhang narrowed his eyes slightly, tapping a finger against his wrist as he fell into thought. ¡°Why do you say that? Do you have evidence, or did you investigate it?¡± Yun remained silent, but Linglong answered, her voice as steady as ever. ¡°He¡¯s still missing. Not just him¡ªhis followers, too. Even the spies I planted among those people have disappeared.¡± Yun finally added, ¡°Same here. I had two spies watching them, and they both vanished without a trace. Jiang Yu is injured. I refuse to believe he took them out without anyone noticing.¡± Zhang didn¡¯t answer. His smirk remained, but his gaze darkened ever so slightly. No one knew what he was thinking. Stolen content warning: this tale belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences elsewhere. Linglong, however, was growing impatient. ¡°Are we doing this or not?¡± Zhang arched an eyebrow, his tone amused but laced with something sharper. ¡°Are you really that eager to fight a sealed demon? Let me remind you¡ªit was once rank three. Even if it has fallen to early-stage rank two, do you really think we can take it down easily? And let¡¯s not forget the dozens of rank ones hiding in the shadows, waiting for us to exhaust ourselves.¡± Yun cast Linglong a sidelong glance, the kind that wordlessly said, Are you stupid? She clenched her fists, but she couldn¡¯t argue. Zhang was right. The demon wasn¡¯t just a rank two¡ªit used to be a rank three. If it had even a shred of its former strength, they were in for hell. And on top of that, none of them trusted each other. How were they supposed to fight with full force while watching their backs? And even if they somehow succeeded, they wouldn¡¯t walk away unscathed. There were over a hundred rank one cultivators watching from the shadows, waiting like vultures to tear them apart the moment they showed weakness. But despite all that, she couldn¡¯t afford to wait. Not when he was still out there. Her current strength was pitiful compared to the true monsters in this realm. The only reason she wasn¡¯t a complete joke was because of her trump card. But it was just a consumable talisman¡ªa single-use lifeline. Zhang and Yun had their own trump cards, but she had no idea what they were hiding. Would they be enough? Or would they turn those trump cards against her the moment the battle was over? Zhang exhaled softly, his gaze unreadable. To outsiders, it looked as if he had lost interest in the conversation. But that was only a front. Can both of you hear me? His voice rang out in their minds through mind transmission. Neither Linglong nor Yun reacted outwardly. It was a common technique, after all. Both gave slight nods. I have an array prepared. When those people attack, we¡¯ll activate it. It¡¯s a killing array. What about you two? Do you have anything useful? Yun responded first. I have a defensive array. It can withstand up to three attacks from a rank two, but it takes at least twenty breaths to set up. Linglong followed, Mine is similar. It can block two rank two attacks, but it can also trap a hundred people for five breaths. Zhang processed their words in silence before giving his orders. Yun, set yours up as soon as we start fighting the demon, and make sure no one notices. Linglong, do the same. Neither of them argued. They simply nodded. Right now, there was no leader¡ªonly survival. Breaking the mind transmission, Zhang spoke aloud, his tone edged with impatience. ¡°Let¡¯s start. If I fail to bring this back, my master will have my head.¡± Yun scoffed, a dry chuckle escaping his lips. ¡°That¡¯s assuming you can even leave this place alive.¡± Her expression remained blank, as if the words meant nothing. But deep down, all three of them knew the truth¡ªthey weren¡¯t just fighting a demon. They were fighting each other. Hypocrisy usness, hiding the glint of calculation in her eyes. A deep, eerie chuckle echoed across the battlefield. ¡°Kekeke¡­ Finally, the array is lifted again,¡± a voice sneered, thick with confidence. Zhang was the first to strike, his sword flashing as he unleashed a deadly arc of energy. Linglong followed suit, her saber slicing through the air in a swift, precise motion. Yun, her movements fluid and graceful, lashed out with her whip, its tip cutting through the wind like a serpent¡¯s fangs. From the sidelines, a group of cultivators watched with calculating eyes. ¡°Look at those geniuses wielding rank 2 weapons like they¡¯re nothing. Do we really stand a chance against them?¡± a woman in blue robes murmured, her fingers tightening around the hilt of her blade. ¡°Don¡¯t be so quick to back down,¡± a warrior beside her replied. His armor bore the scars of countless battles, his tone laced with cold determination. ¡°We have eight late-stage rank 1s and two peak-stage rank 1s in our group. There are at least ten other teams watching and waiting for their chance to strike. If we hesitate, someone else will take the prize. Cultivation is all about risk. How do you expect to move forward without taking one?¡± The woman fell silent, her expression unreadable. The others did the same. Unauthorized reproduction: this story has been taken without approval. Report sightings. A Past That Won¡¯t Die ¡°Keke, is this all they sent to fight me?¡± The demonic voice dripped with mockery. ¡°Seems like that man¡¯s disciples are getting weaker and weaker.¡± But despite his taunting, the demon remained on high alert. He wasn¡¯t foolish¡ªhe knew these brats carried trump cards, even though he¡¯s a genuine rank 2 right now, it doesn¡¯t mean he¡¯s invinsible. Zhang, unfazed, responded in a sharp, biting tone. ¡°That time, my uncle defeated you. Now, you¡¯re nothing but a waste who fell to rank 2.¡± He let out a soft sigh, as if genuinely disappointed. ¡°This is why demons should be eradicated. Not only did my uncle spare you, but you betrayed him¡­ and still lost? How laughably pathetic.¡± Linglong and Yun remained silent, but their weapons remained poised. The demon¡¯s sneer didn¡¯t falter, but his eyes darkened. ¡°Heh¡­ Is that the story they told you? That your uncle saved me? That I was the betrayer?¡± His voice dropped, carrying a dangerous edge. ¡°Humans really are full of hypocrites. They rewrite history to suit themselves.¡± Zhang scoffed. ¡°You can only fool a child.¡± And with that, he launched his attack. The Clash Begins A sharp azure glow trailed behind Zhang¡¯s sword as he swung, the air howling like a dragon¡¯s roar before a crescent blade of energy surged forward. The demon¡¯s eyes narrowed. He barely shifted his stance before swinging his own blade¡ªa dark, jagged weapon pulsating with eerie energy. The two attacks clashed, sending sparks flying, the shockwave rippling through the battlefield. Though the demon held his ground, he was forced to take half a step back. ¡°Not bad,¡± the demon muttered, flexing his fingers around his sword¡¯s hilt. His gaze flickered toward Zhang¡¯s stance, and something dark and amused crossed his expression. ¡°So¡­ even the technique you¡¯re using is his instead of your sect master¡¯s, huh?¡± Zhang didn¡¯t answer. But he struck again. This time, Linglong and Yun moved with him. Linglong¡¯s saber gleamed with fiery light as she lunged, her strikes swift, relentless, and precise. At the same time, Yun flicked her whip, the weapon coiling and snapping like a serpent striking its prey. For the first time, the demon stopped talking. Because he had to defend. And the real battle had just begun. Desperation Keke! Fight properly, you family of hypocrites!¡± The demon¡¯s hand flickered like a shadow, its claws trailing a dim, eerie glow. As it swiped, a streak of black light followed¡ªsilent, fleeting¡ªyet the air itself seemed to shudder in its wake. A moment later, thin, stinging cuts appeared on their skin, burning cold with lingering darkness. Linglong reacted first, her blade flashing as she twisted into a counter-slash. Steel met shadowed claw with a sharp clang, but an unnatural force surged through the impact. A web of cracks raced along the blade¡¯s surface before, with a sickening snap, it shattered at the point of contact. The recoil sent her staggering back, pain flaring across her arm as a thin line of blood welled up. Yun struck next, her whip slicing through the air like a serpent. The leather cord coiled around the demon¡¯s wrist, tightening¡ª A pulse of black energy erupted outward. The whip unraveled in an instant, its tip dissolving into fine ash. Yun¡¯s breath hitched as a dull, stinging pain spread through her numbed fingers. Zhang gritted his teeth and braced himself, raising his longsword in a two-handed block. The dark claws raked against the metal, sparks flying as the impact forced him back several steps. For a heartbeat, it seemed like he had held¡ª Then, cold seeped into his grip. A sharp, unnatural chill. He looked down. Five thin, black lines had carved across his gauntlets. A breath later, with a soft hiss, the metal split open, shallow cuts blooming on his skin beneath. A sharp taste of iron filled his mouth as blood dripped from their lips. The wounds weren¡¯t fatal, but that wasn¡¯t the point. Ensure your favorite authors get the support they deserve. Read this novel on Royal Road. The demon wasn¡¯t even trying. It laughed, the sound thick with ridicule. ¡°What¡¯s wrong, geniuses? Already finished? How do you plan to take back your precious treasure now?¡± Its glowing eyes flickered toward Zhang. ¡°Especially you, from the Divine Sword Sect. This was your sect master¡¯s treasure, wasn¡¯t it? A shame¡­ looks like it¡¯s mine now.¡± Yun, Linglong, and Zhang remained silent. How could they refute it? Yun¡¯s whip was ruined. Linglong¡¯s arm was bleeding. Zhang¡¯s grip on his sword was weakening. And worse than all that¡ª They couldn¡¯t trust each other. Not with so many eyes watching. Not with opportunists lurking in the shadows, waiting for them to fall. Zhang exhaled shakily, forcing the doubt down. ¡°We need to coordinate. If we don¡¯t, we¡¯re dead. Trust each other¡ªunless you two don¡¯t want to live.¡± Yun and Linglong locked eyes. Trust? In this situation? When they could barely stand? But what other choice did they have? Linglong wiped the blood off her trembling hand. ¡°Fine.¡± Yun gritted her teeth. ¡°Just don¡¯t slow me down.¡± Zhang ignored the exhaustion creeping into his limbs and nodded. ¡°Then move!¡± Yun struck first. Her whip lashed toward the demon¡¯s legs, aiming to restrict its movement. Linglong followed, her blade flashing toward its side. For a brief moment, it seemed to work¡ª Then the demon¡¯s claws moved. A blur of black light. A pulse of crushing force. Yun barely yanked her whip back before it was sliced apart completely. Linglong¡¯s strike missed by an inch, her balance breaking as she stumbled back. Zhang lunged to cover her, but the moment his sword met the demon¡¯s claws, a sharp, searing pain tore through his arms. His grip nearly failed. We can¡¯t win. The thought crawled into Zhang¡¯s mind like a whispering curse. The demon didn¡¯t even look winded. Meanwhile, their movements were slowing, their bodies betraying them with every second that passed. Blood dripped from Linglong¡¯s wound. Yun¡¯s fingers twitched from the sting of her ruined weapon. Zhang¡¯s sword felt heavier than ever. And around them¡ª The crowd watched. Hungry. Expectant. They weren¡¯t just fighting the demon. They were fighting the vultures waiting for them to fall. Linglong sucked in a shaky breath. ¡°It¡¯s too fast¡­ we¡¯re too slow¡ª¡± Zhang clenched his teeth. No. That wasn¡¯t it. It wasn¡¯t just speed. It wasn¡¯t just strength. It was something else. Then, amidst the haze of exhaustion¡ªhe saw it. A pattern. A gap. Every time the demon unleashed a full-powered claw strike, there was a brief pause¡ªa moment where its stance opened, just slightly, before it recovered. Too fast for someone alone to act on. But if they timed it together¡ª ¡°There!¡± Zhang¡¯s voice cut through the tension. ¡°After it attacks! It overextends! That¡¯s when we strike!¡± Yun¡¯s breath hitched. Linglong¡¯s fingers tightened around her blade. A weakness. A chance. Now, they just had to take it. Amusement The moment Zhang¡¯s voice rang out, Yun and Linglong moved in perfect sync. There was no hesitation, no second thoughts. The air seemed to crackle with the energy of their intent as they struck in unison. Linglong¡¯s blade flashed through the dim battlefield like a silver lightning bolt, aiming for the exposed gap in the demon¡¯s defenses. At the same time, Yun¡¯s whip snapped forward, the leather strands coiling around the demon¡¯s leg with deadly precision. Zhang, a heartbeat behind them, followed through, his sword cutting a deadly arc aimed at the demon¡¯s throat. For the first time, their coordinated attacks found purchase. The demon¡¯s body jerked violently as steel and leather bit deep into its flesh. Dark, viscous blood sprayed into the air, an eerie contrast against the backdrop of the shadowed battlefield. The sound of the impact was sickening, but the demon¡¯s agonized hiss only added to the tension. The smell of blood and the heavy, metallic scent lingered in the air like a warning. For a brief, fleeting second, victory seemed within their grasp. Then, a pulse of suffocating darkness erupted from the demon¡¯s core. A shockwave of malevolent energy blasted outward, hurling them back like ragdolls. Zhang barely managed to plant his sword into the ground, using it to stop his uncontrolled momentum before he collided with the surrounding debris. Yun was less fortunate. She rolled violently across the dirt, coughing and gasping as the impact rattled her ribs, the air knocked out of her lungs. Linglong staggered, her knees buckling beneath her weight as fresh pain surged through her already wounded arm. The demon, on the other hand, seemed to revel in the chaos. It straightened, towering over them, and a slow, cruel grin spread across its face. Its clawed hand reached down, fingers tracing the wound on its torso where blood continued to ooze from the fresh cuts. For a moment, there was no trace of pain or weakness¡ªjust the unsettling confidence of a predator. ¡°You almost had me.¡± Its voice was thick with amusement, the words dripping with mockery. But beneath that playful tone, there was something far more dangerous¡ªa simmering malice that only grew with every passing second. ¡°Not bad for children playing at war.¡± If you spot this narrative on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation. Before any of them could react, the demon moved. It was a blur of black light¡ªits clawed hand shooting toward Zhang¡¯s chest, moving with terrifying speed and precision. Zhang barely had time to raise his sword in defense. His muscles screamed in protest as he forced himself to react, his grip tightening on the hilt. The demon¡¯s claw came down like a guillotine, and he could feel the air crackle with the force of its strike. The demon laughed¡ªan unsettling, almost mocking sound. ¡°Keke, little boy, you¡¯re already dead.¡± The claw shot forward with lethal intent, but just as it seemed certain to tear through Zhang¡¯s defenses¡ª A burst of light erupted. Blinding and fierce, it surged from Zhang¡¯s necklace, flooding the entire battlefield with a brilliant, white glow. The demon flinched, its eyes squinting shut against the sudden radiance, its grin disappearing as if erased by the intensity of the light. The very air seemed to vibrate with its power. ¡°Tsk¡ª!¡± The demon staggered back, momentarily disoriented. Zhang barely registered what had just happened. His vision was overwhelmed by the afterimage of the blinding light, his mind struggling to process what had occurred. What¡­ was that? He could barely think, his senses still reeling from the unexpected surge of energy. But there was no time to contemplate. The battle was far from over. The demon hissed in frustration, shaking off its momentary blindness. Its gaze shifted toward Zhang¡¯s necklace, a flicker of something else crossing its face¡ªsomething not quite fear, but wariness. Annoyance, perhaps? It was hard to tell. ¡°That thing¡­ how troublesome.¡± Its voice was low, almost begrudging, as if it had just discovered a new obstacle. But Yun didn¡¯t give the demon a chance to recover. ¡°Now!¡± she shouted, her whip snapping forward again with deadly intent, aiming straight for the demon¡¯s arm. Her voice carried the weight of urgency, and there was no hesitation in her movements. Linglong was already in motion, her blade slicing through the air in a silver arc, targeting the demon¡¯s side. Zhang gritted his teeth and forced himself to move, ignoring the strain on his body as he tightened his grip around his sword. His mind was a blur, but his body moved with purpose. They couldn¡¯t afford to waste this chance. The moment of luck had passed. Now, they had to finish this fight themselves, and no amount of external forces would save them. ¡­ Amidst the chaos of battle, when the sounds of clashing steel and guttural roars filled the air, a voice suddenly broke through¡ªcalm, almost too calm. It was unassuming, but the weight of it hung in the air, pressing down on everything around it. ¡°I knew this fight wouldn¡¯t end so easily,¡± the man said, his tone disturbingly casual, as though he were commenting on a passing storm. ¡°My little Sons and Daughters of Heaven¡­ give me more entertainment. I¡¯m looking forward to this game.¡± There was no urgency in his words, no rush to act, only a cold, calculating amusement. As the chaos raged on, his gaze never wavered from the chessboard before him. To the untrained eye, he was simply lost in a quiet game, his fingers gently shifting pieces on the board. But if a high-ranking cultivator, someone who truly understood the weight of power, happened to glance at the board¡ªif they dared to focus on the subtle shift of the pieces¡ªthey would feel it. A bone-deep chill would crawl up their spine, and their blood would freeze in their veins. Because what lay before him was no mere game. He wasn¡¯t playing with pieces. He was toying with the world itself. Ambition The air was thick with the scent of blood and scorched earth as Zhang¡¯s breath came in ragged gasps. The pain in his muscles was unbearable, but he forced himself to focus, unwilling to let the demon or its unseen master win. His grip tightened on the hilt of his sword, determination hardening his resolve. ¡°We¡­ can¡¯t let up now!¡± Yun¡¯s voice broke through the haze of battle, her whip slicing through the air once again, narrowly missing the demon¡¯s outstretched claw. Her body was already drenched in sweat, but her eyes burned with the same ferocity they had at the start. There was no room for hesitation, not when they were so close. Linglong was no better. Her arm throbbed from the previous wound, but her blade continued to cut through the air, each movement precise and fluid despite the pain. ¡°We need to end this now!¡± she shouted, her voice strained but steady. The demon¡¯s laughter echoed through the battlefield, cruel and mocking. ¡°Is that all? I had hoped for more than this.¡± The ground trembled beneath their feet as the demon¡¯s body shifted, dark tendrils of shadow creeping out from its form. With every movement, the temperature seemed to drop, a suffocating cold spreading across the battlefield. The demon¡¯s dark energy rippled through the air, and in that instant, the trio knew they were fighting against something far beyond their strength. Zhang¡¯s mind raced. They couldn¡¯t afford to waste any more time. This was their last chance, but how could they defeat something like this? Stolen from its rightful place, this narrative is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings. His gaze drifted to the necklace around his neck. The necklace his lover had given him¡ªthe woman he loved the most. Fate had cruelly separated them, and now, years later, he still wore it, despite knowing the truth of her life. She was a core disciple of a high-ranking sect, bound to a political marriage she never chose. When the sect had discovered their connection, she begged for Zhang¡¯s life. The sect elders had spared him, but at the cost of severing their bond, forcing them apart forever. What was this necklace? Even the sect leader of her sect didn¡¯t know its true power, dismissing it as a mere trinket. Zhang had sought answers from his own sect, only to be told it was worthless. Yet he¡¯d never parted with it, promising himself that, when the time came, he would return it to her. But now¡­ now, standing on the precipice of death, Zhang realized he might never get that chance. His heart wavered. Could he even get his revenge? Would he ever be strong enough to defy the powers that held him back? But just as quickly as doubt crept in, a spark ignited deep within him. The fire of his ambition, the thirst for vengeance, flared back to life. The necklace, this mysterious relic, had a purpose he hadn¡¯t yet fully understood¡ªbut the revelation that it was tied to his revenge reignited the fire in his heart. He was not done yet. There was still a chance. ¡°Give me five breaths,¡± Zhang said, his voice steady, determination once more gleaming in his eyes. ¡°And I¡¯ll end this.¡± Yun and Linglong, though strained and battered, had no choice but to trust him. They prepared to buy him time, knowing this would be their final opportunity. ¡°Keke, little children, you think you can defeat me?¡± The demon¡¯s mocking laughter rang through the air as it lunged toward Zhang, its claws aimed for his throat. Its hatred for Zhang¡¯s family ran deep, though the demon concealed it behind an arrogant grin. Yun and Linglong moved quickly, using their trump cards. Linglong consumed a pill, feeling the surge of power as she temporarily became the strongest among them, but at a cost¡ªshe¡¯d be immobile for a full month after this. Yun sprayed poison into the air and readied her fan and whip, anxiously wondering if Yanwei would come to their aid. She couldn¡¯t afford to think about that now¡ªthere was no time. The demon moved again, faster than before, but Zhang was ready. His grip on his sword tightened as his heart burned with resolve. This time, he wasn¡¯t just fighting for his life. He was fighting for his past, for the revenge that had been denied to him, and for the love he had lost. ¡°Get ready,¡± a calm voice cut through the chaos. ¡°The fight is about to end. And with it, the true chaos will begin.¡± Scavengers Reading on this site? This novel is published elsewhere. Support the author by seeking out the original. Trap The air was thick with tension. The scavengers crept forward, their expressions twisted with greed. Their eyes flickered between Zhang, Yun, and Linglong¡ªwounded but standing, exhausted but breathing. Weak. That¡¯s what they saw. And weaklings were easy to kill. One of them, a burly man with a scar running down his jaw, chuckled. ¡°You three had a good run.¡± Another sneered. ¡°Drop your weapons, and maybe we¡¯ll make it painless.¡± No answer. Zhang¡¯s grip on his sword didn¡¯t waver. Yun¡¯s fingers curled around the handle of her whip, her breathing steady. Linglong wiped the blood from her lips, her injured arm twitching slightly. The scavengers saw hesitation. What they didn¡¯t see was the trap tightening around them. A wiry man, dressed in ragged robes, scoffed. ¡°Tch. Look at them¡ªtoo scared to speak. Just kill ¡®em already¡ª¡± Then it began. Boom. The earth beneath them shifted. Dark talismans, long-buried beneath the dirt, ignited¡ªtheir intricate seals flaring to life with an eerie, pulsating glow. The scavengers stumbled. Something was wrong. An invisible force wrapped around their limbs. Their bodies grew heavy, as if unseen hands were dragging them into the earth. Unauthorized use of content: if you find this story on Amazon, report the violation. ¡°What¡ª?¡± A sickening crack split the air. One man¡¯s legs buckled instantly. He collapsed, his eyes wild with panic. Another let out a strangled gasp, his arms yanked backward by an unseen force, his joints twisting unnaturally. ¡°T-this isn¡¯t¡ªthis isn¡¯t normal!¡± someone shrieked. Zhang stepped forward. His blade, still slick with demon¡¯s blood, gleamed under the dim light. His expression was calm. Unshaken. ¡°You shouldn¡¯t have hesitated.¡± Yun snapped her whip, the sharp crack echoing through the battlefield. ¡°You thought we were the prey?¡± She lashed out, the whip coiling around a scavenger¡¯s throat. His eyes bulged¡ªthen she yanked. Crack. His body dropped lifelessly. Linglong moved next. Her sword flickered¡ªone precise slash. A scream. A severed limb. Blood spilling onto the dirt. The others froze. Zhang spoke again, his voice cold. ¡°Make your choice.¡± Die here¡­ or be useful to me. The scavengers¡ªthose still barely standing¡ªhesitated. They looked at each other. At the bodies of their fallen. At the trap they never saw coming. Linglong frowned, her eyes narrowing. ¡°Zhang, what do you mean ¡®useful¡¯? Don¡¯t tell me your soul can handle enslaving all of them?¡± Her tone wasn¡¯t just surprised¡ªit was suspicious. Even Yun¡¯s expression flickered with unease. Zhang didn¡¯t reply. His gaze was locked north. Then¡ª A woman, standing in the distance, watched with interest. She was surrounded by her followers, a sea of figures cloaked in shadows. Unlike the scavengers, she had made no move to fight or flee. Instead, she observed. Her voice was smooth, almost amused. ¡°Subduing them instead of killing them outright? What exactly are you planning, Zhang?¡± Her followers remained silent, awaiting her command. But before Zhang could answer¡ª The first scream tore through the battlefield. It wasn¡¯t from Yun. Not from Linglong. Not even from the scavengers. It came from behind them. The air turned frigid. A heavy, suffocating chill spread across the field, creeping into the bones of those still breathing. Then¡ªthe whispers started. Low. Incomprehensible. Like countless voices speaking from a place that no longer belonged to the living. ¡°¡­who¡­ calls¡­ us¡­ back?¡± A scavenger¡ªone still caught in the array¡ªlet out a bloodcurdling scream. At first, nothing seemed wrong. Then Yun saw it. A thin, clawed hand gripping the man¡¯s ankle. It wasn¡¯t attached to a body. It simply materialized from the darkness. The man thrashed violently. ¡°G-get it off me! Get it off¡ª¡± Another set of hands latched onto him. Then another. And another. They poured from the shadows¡ªdistorted, broken figures, their features twisted by pain, hunger, and madness. Not an army¡ªjust a horde. Mindless. Starving. The scavenger let out one final, shrill scream. Then¡ªhe was gone. A beat of silence. Then another scream. Then another. A scavenger tried to run, but the moment he turned, a ghost latched onto his back. He stumbled forward, gasping¡ªthen froze. His body convulsed violently. Then, as if his strings had been cut¡ªhe collapsed. The ghost crawled out of his skin and turned to the next target. The scavengers panicked. Some tried to fight. Useless. Their blades passed through the ghosts, slicing air but doing nothing. One scavenger collapsed to his knees, his body shaking. ¡°N-no¡­ No! This wasn¡¯t supposed to¡ª! AAAARGH!¡± Cold fingers wrapped around his face. His eyes sank into black pits. Then¡ªhe, too, was gone. The battlefield was no longer a place for the living. Yun and Linglong tensed. Even Zhang¡¯s grip on his sword tightened slightly. These weren¡¯t just spirits. They were hungry. Linglong exhaled sharply, stepping toward Zhang. Her voice was lower now. Serious. ¡°¡­Tell me you knew about this.¡± Zhang didn¡¯t answer. He just watched. And, from a distance, the woman smiled. Clever ¡°Z-Zhang, please turn this array off!!¡± The once-arrogant cultivator, who had mocked Zhang earlier, was now on his knees, forehead pressed to the cold ground. His voice trembled, eyes bloodshot with fear. ¡°T-That¡¯s right!¡± A woman, her voice sickly sweet, tried a different approach. She pressed her body closer, her trembling hands reaching for Zhang¡¯s robes. ¡°We¡¯re all humans, right? Please, forgive us! We¡¯ll be¡¯ll be your dogs!¡± Zhang looked at her with cold indifference, watching as the desperation in her eyes turned to horror. ¡°You!! If you don¡¯t let me out, my ancestor will definitely find out!¡± A skinny man, barely holding himself together, pointed at Zhang, his face contorted in rage. ¡°He¡¯s a Rank 4 elder! Do you know what that means?! He can kill you secretly¡ªno one will ever know!¡± Zhang didn¡¯t even blink. He simply said, ¡°Fight against this ghost.¡± His tone was calm, absolute. ¡°Didn¡¯t I tell you? Either die or be useful.¡± Their begging turned to silence. Then, to despair. Because at that moment¡ªthe ghost laughed. A wave of eerie laughter echoed as the ghost¡¯s half-transparent figure flickered between the living and the dead. Shadows twisted unnaturally, coiling around the panicked cultivators trapped within the Misty Cage Formation. But unlike the terrified humans, the ghost wasn¡¯t afraid. Instead, it sounded amused. ¡°Hehe¡­ isn¡¯t this a Misty Cage Formation?¡± The ghost¡¯s hollow eyes gleamed with a sinister light. ¡°A Rank 2 trapping array that only requires medium-grade spirit stones? Quite costly for someone of your level. Your sect must¡¯ve poured quite a fortune into you.¡± A case of content theft: this narrative is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation. It grinned. ¡°But it¡¯s pointless. I only need fifteen breaths to break it.¡± As if to prove its point, the mist thickened, and the glowing runes on the ground flickered. The spirit stones embedded in the formation pulsed weaker than before. The ghost¡¯s presence was actively destabilizing it. ¡°Not bad, human. You actually forced me to act. But you made a fatal mistake¡ª¡± ¡°Mistake?¡± Zhang sneered. ¡°Ever since I arrived, I knew someone was watching me.¡± The ghost¡¯s smile faltered slightly. ¡°You think this is about trapping you?¡± Zhang continued, his voice calm. ¡°I knew from the start that a Rank 2 formation wouldn¡¯t hold you forever. The real question is¡ªwhat are you going to do before it collapses?¡± The ghost¡¯s eyes narrowed. Zhang smirked. ¡°Are you going to break it¡­ or are you going to survive?¡± Before the ghost could reply, dozens of resentful spirits lunged forward. A man in golden robes tried to retreat, but a spectral claw burst from the ground, piercing through his chest. His soul was yanked from his body before he could even resist, his corpse collapsing like a broken puppet. Another cultivator swung his sword wildly, slicing through an approaching specter¡ªonly for the ghostly figure to reform behind him and sink its fangs into his neck. His body convulsed, eyes rolling back as his flesh withered. Zhang watched, unmoved. These were the same people who had mocked him. The same people who had tried to threaten and seduce him. Now, they begged for their lives. Yet, he had warned them. ¡°You two, just heal,¡± Zhang commanded Yun and Linglong. ¡°We might have to face something stronger soon.¡± The two nodded, suppressing their own horror as they focused on mending their wounds. They had no time for pity. The ghost hovered above the battlefield, its expression no longer amused. It glanced at the fading runes of the formation¡ªjust a few more breaths, and it would break. But it also saw something else. Zhang wasn¡¯t panicking. He was watching. Calculating. And that¡¯s when it realized¡ªthis wasn¡¯t just a cage. This was bait. ¡°Clever little rat,¡± the ghost murmured, its grin returning. ¡°You trapped me¡­ to force me to use my full power, didn¡¯t you?¡± Zhang chuckled. ¡°Oh? You finally noticed?¡± The ghost¡¯s expression darkened. The moment it destroyed the array, it would reveal its full strength. And if it revealed its full strength¡­ Zhang must have prepared a countermeasure. Was it an item? A hidden technique? Or worse¡ªa second array hidden beneath the first? The ghost clenched its spectral fists. For the first time in decades¡­ it hesitated. The formation was on the verge of collapse. The battlefield was a nightmare¡ªhumans and ghosts slaughtering each other in a frenzy. The surviving cultivators were barely holding on, their faces pale with exhaustion. The arrogant ones were dead. The weak-willed had lost their minds. Only the desperate and the ruthless remained. And in the center of it all¡ªZhang stood with a small smile. ¡°Ten breaths left.¡± The ghost scowled. ¡°Tch.¡± It had two choices. Break the array and risk falling into Zhang¡¯s second trap. or Delay breaking the array and let Zhang control the battlefield even longer. No matter what¡­ Zhang had already won the first move. And that realization infuriated the ghost. Xiao Yan If you encounter this narrative on Amazon, note that it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it. Leader The battlefield felt like it was closing in on Zhang. The air was thick with the stench of death, the oppressive weight of the ghost¡¯s presence settling like a fog around him. Every breath he took was ragged, every movement slow and deliberate, yet each strike was infused with an undeniable desperation. His body was battered, bruised, and bloodied from the relentless fighting. His strength, once boundless, was starting to waver, but Zhang wasn¡¯t one to show weakness. Not now. The necklace¡¯s curse still burned under his skin, its effect like an unrelenting fire gnawing at his insides. Yet it was nothing compared to the urgency of the situation. The ghost, a monstrous being of wailing grief and torment, was still far from defeated. It had already inflicted devastating damage¡ªdamage that could have taken down any other man in mere moments. But Zhang, for reasons he couldn¡¯t fully articulate, refused to fall. He couldn¡¯t afford to. Behind him, Yun and Linglong were barely holding on. Both were on the ground, kneeling as they tried to recover, their bodies visibly trembling from the strain. Yun¡¯s eyes were half-lidded, exhaustion written clearly across her face. Linglong¡¯s brow was furrowed as she closed her eyes, trying to push through the healing process, but the effort was draining. Their recovery was slow¡ªagonizingly so. Zhang¡¯s gaze flicked toward them. He knew they weren¡¯t ready to fight again, not by a long shot. But that didn¡¯t matter now. There was no time to wait for them to fully heal. The ghost was still lurking, gathering energy for its next assault. And if Zhang didn¡¯t make a decisive move soon, everything they¡¯d fought for would be in vain. His eyes hardened as he turned back toward the spirit. His sword was still in his hand, the blade dripping with the remnants of past fights. The ghost¡¯s flag hovered ominously, its ethereal form flickering in and out of existence as if it were a phantom of pure malice. The wailing cries of the spirit reverberated through the air, twisting the very fabric of the battlefield, filling the space with an aura of dread. Zhang could feel the weight of that presence pressing down on him, trying to crush his will. But there was no room for doubt. Not now. He glanced over his shoulder again, this time not bothering to hide the strain in his face. ¡°You two better be ready,¡± he muttered, his voice hoarse, but unwavering. The words were cold, but the underlying edge of urgency was undeniable. ¡°The ghost is waiting.¡± Stolen content alert: this content belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences. Yun¡¯s head snapped up, her exhaustion evident, but her eyes flared with the same fire that had driven her since the beginning of their journey. ¡°Zhang¡­ we¡¯re not¡ª¡± ¡°No buts,¡± Zhang cut her off sharply, his voice a whip-crack in the stillness of the moment. ¡°I¡¯ve already fought too long to let it end here. If you want to survive, you fight. Don¡¯t make me say it again.¡± Linglong stiffened at the command, her delicate form trembling slightly as she struggled to push herself back onto her feet. Zhang¡¯s harsh tone was not lost on her¡ªhe was far from the calm, calculated leader she had come to know. He was someone who had been stretched to his breaking point, and yet still, he carried them forward. Yun¡¯s expression darkened, but there was no fear in her eyes. ¡°Fine.¡± She gritted her teeth, rising to her feet with more effort than usual. ¡°But we¡¯re not at full strength, Zhang. Don¡¯t expect us to perform miracles.¡± Zhang didn¡¯t look back. His focus was locked on the ghost. ¡°We don¡¯t have the luxury of waiting,¡± he said bluntly. ¡°You¡¯ll find the strength. Just keep moving.¡± Linglong pushed past the pain, closing her eyes in concentration as she began to chant under her breath. Her talismans fluttered to life around her, their ethereal glow rising like a protective shield. Yun¡¯s sword shimmered as she gripped it tightly, preparing for another round of combat, though her movements were sluggish, her body not quite healed enough for a sustained fight. But Zhang knew there was no choice. He couldn¡¯t carry them anymore. He had already bled enough for them to see this moment, and now it was their turn to step up. The ghost¡¯s wail pierced the air again, sharper this time, more menacing. Zhang¡¯s muscles tensed in anticipation. The ghost¡¯s form began to shift, taking on an even darker, more volatile presence as it gathered its strength. Zhang felt the pressure rise, and with it, the overwhelming need to act. If he hesitated even for a moment, the ghost¡¯s power could surge, and that could be the end of them all. With a grimace, Zhang forced himself forward, ignoring the protests of his body. Every step felt like a battle against his own flesh, but his resolve remained unbroken. His sword swept through the air with an air of calculated precision, cutting through the ghost¡¯s essence with the familiar steel of experience. But his body was betraying him. Each swing of his sword was heavier, each movement more labored. His breath was ragged, and the curse from the necklace gnawed at him like a festering wound. He couldn¡¯t ignore it any longer. His strength was fleeting. He could feel his mind slipping, the darkness of exhaustion creeping in at the edges of his consciousness. He was nearing his breaking point, and yet the ghost, that wretched, howling spirit, would not relent. But there was no room for weakness. Zhang could feel Yun and Linglong behind him, moving sluggishly, but determined. Yun¡¯s sword lashed forward with precision, aiming for weak points in the ghost¡¯s form, while Linglong¡¯s talismans cut through the air, exploding with spiritual energy to weaken the ghost¡¯s defenses. Zhang¡¯s gaze flicked back toward them for a fraction of a second, his eyes meeting Yun¡¯s. There was a silent understanding between them¡ªhe wasn¡¯t fighting alone anymore. ¡°We¡¯re close,¡± Zhang muttered under his breath, each word strained. He didn¡¯t know how much longer he could hold on. His body screamed for rest, but the battle wasn¡¯t done. The ghost¡¯s attacks were growing more erratic, but Zhang, despite the weariness creeping through his bones, forced himself to keep pressing forward. The ghost would fall. Not now. Not yet. Author鈥檚 Note Hey everyone! First off, I want to thank all of you for your support and patience as I continue to work on this story. I¡¯ve received some constructive feedback on the first few chapters, and after giving it some thought, I¡¯ve decided to make a few revisions to improve the flow and world-building. I know the story has been a bit fast-paced, and some of you have pointed out that the exposition could be handled better. I hear you loud and clear! I¡¯m working on adding more subtle details and fleshing out the world without overwhelming you with too much information all at once. This tale has been pilfered from Royal Road. If found on Amazon, kindly file a report. I appreciate your understanding, and I¡¯m excited to continue sharing this journey with you all. If you¡¯ve been enjoying the story so far, I hope the changes will make it even more engaging. If not, I¡¯m always open to more feedback. I¡¯m also excited to present the peak of this arc! Sadly, I won¡¯t be able to drop a chapter for a day or two, but don¡¯t worry, I¡¯m already working on it. Also, don¡¯t stress about any changes to this arc¡ªthere will be none. I just want to flesh out the first few chapters and explain their importance. Thanks again for reading! Despair And Agony Unauthorized duplication: this narrative has been taken without consent. Report sightings. Resentment A rasping, guttural laughter echoed through the ruins¡ªjagged and unhinged, like the scraping of bones against stone. The ghost''s form flickered violently, writhing as if barely able to contain itself under the sheer weight of its hatred. Shadows coiled around it, thick with resentment, an oppressive force that made the air itself tremble. Its hollow eyes swept over Zhang, Yun, Linglong¡­ and Xiao Yan. That damn charm user. While its hatred for her wasn''t as deep as what it held for Zhang, it still burned. She had chosen a side. That was enough. But there was no time for petty grievances. It exhaled¡ªa soundless, deathly whisper¡ªand its body seethed with hatred, an endless tide of resentment clawing to break free. The black flag in its grasp shuddered in response. But it wasn''t the source. No¡ªit was merely an extension of the ghost itself. A cursed vessel, a tool through which its rage could take form. And now, it would devour everything. The battlefield shuddered as the ghost poured its very being into the flag, its own resentment twisting into a monstrous force beyond shape or reason. The restless spirits lurking in the ruins froze for a moment, their hollow eyes snapping toward Zhang''s group. They weren''t called by the flag. They were called by the ghost''s will. Like hounds unleashed, the spirits surged forward, their shrieks cutting through the air as they hurled themselves at Zhang and the others. Wild. Unpredictable. Enough to stall them. And it needed time. The flag quivered, absorbing the battlefield''s agony¡ªbut it was the ghost''s own fury that made it swell with power. Its very being poured into the fabric, fusing with the wails of the countless dead. The hatred was not separate from it. It was the ghost itself. A deathly aura spread from the flag, a hunger so vast it felt like the air itself was being devoured. A technique fueled by sheer, unrelenting hatred. But it required ten breaths. Ten breaths to shape, to charge, to unleash. The ghost let out another fractured, deranged laugh as the flag''s surface twisted grotesquely, its once-tattered edges stretching, shifting¡ªbecoming something else entirely. The fabric bulged, grotesque veins crawling beneath its surface, pulsing with a sickly, unnatural glow. But this wasn''t the flag''s will. This was the ghost itself, unraveling¡ªbecoming the very weapon that would annihilate everything in its path. The wails of the battlefield condensed into its core, their pain and fury crystallizing into a force that would erase everything in its path. This narrative has been purloined without the author''s approval. Report any appearances on Amazon. It didn''t matter what happened after. The living wouldn''t survive long enough to see it. ¡­. Damn it. Zhang''s grip tightened around his sword, his knuckles bloodless from the strain. His entire body was screaming¡ªhis wounds, the cursed necklace still gnawing at his insides¡ªbut none of that mattered now. The ghost wasn''t just stalling. It was preparing something. He could feel it. The air had grown heavier, thick with an unnatural pressure that settled into his bones like lead. The spirits that had been nothing more than chaotic remnants of suffering were now moving with purpose, thrown toward them like living weapons. Wild, uncontrollable¡ªbut just directed enough to be a problem. The battlefield was a mess. The remaining cannon fodder¡ªthose unfortunate enough to still be alive¡ªwere barely holding together. Some were screaming, running blindly as the ghost''s madness clawed at their minds. Others fought on instinct, hacking at the charging spirits with trembling hands, their faces pale with terror. A few, the smarter ones, had already turned tail and fled. Cowards. But Zhang wasn''t sure they were wrong. And then he saw it. The way the ghost''s form flickered, warping unnaturally as resentment surged into it, gathering in its core. The battlefield had already been suffocating with hatred, but now that hatred was twisting into something tangible. A final, all-or-nothing attack. His mind raced. If that thing finished charging, they were dead. No doubt about it. But more importantly¡ªwhere the hell were those bastards?! His jaw clenched as he cut through another screaming spirit, the impact sending a shockwave through his arms. His breathing was ragged, his movements growing sluggish, but his mind was sharp. He knew. He fucking knew. The three in the shadows¡ªthose watching, waiting¡ªthey had to make a move before this thing was unleashed. If they let Zhang''s group die here, then what? Stab the ghost in the back when it was weakened? Sure, that would work, but it would be a risk. Too much of a risk. Because if Zhang and the others fell, then there was no guarantee they could finish the job. No one knew what would happen if this thing fully lost control. Maybe it would self-destruct. Maybe it would devour everything in its path. Maybe it would become something even worse. They couldn''t take that gamble. So where the hell were they?! ¡­. Yun could barely breathe. The air felt poisoned, thick with hatred so intense it clawed at her skin. It wasn''t just the ghost''s killing intent¡ªit was deeper, heavier. Something festering, something ancient. A weight that pressed against her soul, like unseen hands trying to pull her into the abyss. She forced her eyes forward. The battlefield was a nightmare of writhing, howling spirits, their forms barely coherent as they surged toward them in waves. But beyond them, past the chaos, was the real threat¡ªthe ghost itself. And it wasn''t moving. Instead, its form flickered violently, the space around it distorting like heat rising from scorched earth. It was gathering something. Resentment thick enough to warp the air, to make even the weakest cultivators feel like their lungs were collapsing. Yun gritted her teeth. She had seen destructive techniques before, but this¡ªthis wasn''t some martial art. This was pure, unfiltered hatred given form. And it was almost ready to be unleashed. Linglong had studied resentment-based techniques before. She knew how ghosts twisted emotions into power, how hatred could be sharpened into a weapon. But this¡­ This was something beyond anything she had ever seen. Her blade trembled slightly in her grip¡ªnot from fear, but from the sheer weight of the spiritual force pressing against her. The air was thick with resentment, suffocating, coiling around them like a living entity. It slithered through the battlefield, feeding off the lingering emotions of the dead, sinking into the cracks of reality itself. She exhaled sharply, steadying herself. Her fingers adjusted on the hilt of her blade, her instincts screaming at her to act, but she knew she had only one chance. If she moved too soon, the attack would still launch. Too late, and there would be nothing left of them to save. She had heard of techniques like this before¡ªnot by name, because no record existed of anyone surviving its full force. But she knew what it was. A final, all-consuming attack. A strike born from nothing but pure, undying grievance. The kind of thing that could erase even a soul if executed correctly. Her knuckles whitened as she tightened her grip. Barriers wouldn''t stop it. Defenses wouldn''t hold. There was only one way to survive¡ª Kill it before it could strike. She shifted her stance, her blade humming with cold intent. No hesitation. No fear. Xiao Yan wasn''t a stranger to ghosts. She had dealt with spirits before, had felt the sting of their hatred. But this? This was enough to make even her tremble. She wasn''t even standing at the front, yet the resentment wrapped around her throat like a vice, seeping into her bones. Her charms¡ªher strongest charms¡ªwere already burning at their edges just from being exposed to it. This wasn''t just the hatred of a single ghost. It was something far worse. Xiao Yan''s gaze snapped toward the specter, then toward Zhang. He was still holding his ground, blade steady despite the way his body swayed. But she could see it. The exhaustion. The weight pressing on him. The understanding in his eyes. Zhang knew what was coming. And so did she. Her voice came out hoarse. "That level of resentment¡­" It wasn''t possible. It shouldn''t be possible. The amount of hatred needed to fuel such a technique¡ªit was beyond what a single soul should be able to bear. And yet, the ghost was doing it anyway. A suicide attack. One that would take everyone with it. Her hand clenched around her remaining charms, but an unsettling thought gnawed at her mind. Even if they survived this¡­ would they still be whole?