— Haha- Cough! Cough! Aaahh... That was fun...

  The old man stopped as he gazed at the moonlight. The stars, once sparkling, now seemed dull and disappointing. No longer shining, the blue moon faded to gray and the night wind was lonely and silent.

  — Fun- — the blood bursting from his mouth cut off his voice — I've sunk so low, — he smiled sadly, while his blurred vision was tinged red by the blood flowing from his eyes — and found myself at such a degrading point, hahaha...

  He shifted his gaze to Noah, who was coming out of the cave ahead. In one arm, he carefully carried Ting, almost trembling. In the other hand, he held the rescued woman like a burden.

  — Young one, you are incredible. Truly... And that flame you used, — his breathing labored — your master and your sect must be extraordinary to grant you something so fearsome. I hope that- — dark blood spurted from his mouth, staining his clothes — everything I have done was enough to provide you at least a little entertainment.

  — Up until your last blow, it was interesting.

  — Until the last? — he looked at Ting — I see... Forgive me, I just wanted to know how far I could go if I landed a precise hit on you. — he smiled, without pain or guilt, maybe just shame — Just a scratch on your clothes, it seems. So, that was the best I could do, haha...

  With difficulty, the old man threw his sword at Noah's feet. A crack echoed as his forearm twisted at an odd angle. His body was destroyed. Both arms broken and so was one leg, while the other was already gone, consumed by black fire. His hair fell out strand by strand, some carried away by the wind.

  — Take it. It won't serve you, I know, but it's all I have. That black sword of yours was also- Cough! Cough!... Anyway, I see you really came for these people... It may sound contradictory, but I thank you for stopping me. I don't know how far I would have gone trying to keep myself alive like this.

  — I believe you have already gone too far, old man. Stopping now doesn't change that.

  Closing his eyes, the old man surrendered to the pile of earth and stones that supported him.

  — Yes. I was too greedy. But you wouldn't understand- not about that. That flame of yours..., I suppose it comes from some mystical creature.

  Noah didn't answer.

  Even as his strength and breath faded, he smiled — That damned lion was truly cunning. No matter- how much I prepared, still he handled us all as if we were mere defenseless children, haha... Yes..., my children...

  Memories flooded his mind. For a moment, he allowed himself to feel — If there's something I regret, yes, it would be this... My disciples... But I am grateful that they didn't meet the same end as I did- and that they didn't suffer much at their ends. Yes..., I am very grateful for that...

  Something was dragging along the ground, sharp-pointed, he could sense it. He didn't react. And he couldn't.

  — Let me tell you something, since you helped me put an end to my madness. Your anger- it's dangerous. Especially at your current stage... Your soul will soak in it and, before you know it, will grow powerful from those feelings. It will be shaped- Soon it will be too late to turn back... maybe it already is... And remember- when I die, others will come. They will try to reclaim that sword. But when they discover the spring in the cave, they may try to take it. I know... I don't deserve it, but- — he struggled to catch his breath — please, I ask that you don't kill them-

  Enjoying this book? Seek out the original to ensure the author gets credit.

  Before life could escape him, Xiao Yun acted. Driven by hatred, he took the old man's own sword and decapitated him. Not out of coldness, but out of rage. That man was not responsible for taking his sister. He knew it. And he was fully aware that his anger shouldn't be directed solely at him. But it didn't matter. He was the only one there at that moment.

  Clack...

  The boy dropped the sword on the ground. His hands trembled, as did his eyes, which distantly watched the dark blood ooze from the old man's neck with extreme slowness and difficulty, as if there was almost nothing left inside him, then spilling onto the stones.

  Noah did not interfere.

  They ran off. Each carrying two injured and unconscious people, while the blood ceased from the straight cut. The way back was silent. Like invisible smoke, but easy to sense, Noah's anger spread through the surroundings. The beasts moved away and not even the smallest insect dared to come close.

  Watching him die in pain hadn't been enough, it hadn’t appeased anything at all, after all, to him, the two were not the same. Something still burned within, roaring in fury. It told him the blood should have been shed by his own hands, and no one else's.

  — I can still feel her breath. — Xiao Yun murmured, breaking the silence for the first and only time during the entire trip — It's weak, but... she's still alive..?

  Noah didn't reply. He didn’t even look at the boy, and didn't understand why. There was nothing to be done, and he knew it. Both were too weak to deal with something like that. Ting was hurt because of him. He hesitated. He wanted to see more, to learn more, to put off the end. A foolish decision that cost dearly.

  When they arrived at the Radiance residence, Noah left the rescued woman with the guards. He gave no explanation. He just vanished, taking Ting to the room and locking himself there with her.

  Xiao Yun considered calling him. He still needed answers. However, he lacked the courage and remained silent. It fell to him to explain everything. Arthur and Alice were summoned. He told them about the existence of someone in the forest, a being capable of flying through the skies and changing the aspect of the surroundings with a simple swing of their sword, maybe hand. A monster at the Foundation Establishment, at least. That alarmed them. However, not as much as Xiao Yun's final words — Others will come...

  Arthur ran to the room where Xia Tao was still meditating. There was no way to know how much time was left.

  Meanwhile, in the west, in a sect surrounded by mountains, a meeting was beginning.

  — Elder Zhang's jade plaque has split. He is dead.

  The fragments were thrown onto the polished black table.

  One of the men inspected them — He died in the Demon Beast Forest? — then picked up one of the pieces — That old fool... I warned him he would only get himself killed along with his disciples. Now look. Look how it ended.

  — No. It was north of the forest. Beyond the mountains.

  The fragment broke in the elder’s fingers — Who would dare...?

  — That is what I want to know. — the leader looked at those seated at the table — Who among you will recover the sword?

  The silence lasted longer than it should have.

  — He was one of the strongest among us. — someone remarked.

  — Yes, to go alone would be seeking death.

  — Very well, you are right. Hui Wen, choose one of the other elders to go with you. Bring back the sword and Elder Zhang's body. If you find the culprit, handle them however you see fit.

  He stood and departed, descending the stairs of the hall bathed in sunlight that streamed through the windows and ceiling openings. Stopping before the immense door, he gazed at the landscape ahead.

  The mountains opened like a flower carved by deities. Waterfalls climbed the peaks in reverse flow. The interlaced buildings created a home of marble, wisdom, and power.

  The sect rose, imposing.