Chapter 3:?? Shadows of Blood and Mist ??
The dense forest loomed under the cover of a cold ?? mist, shrouding everything in eerie silence. The damp air carried the scent of blood, and shadows stretched long and ominous. Amidst this ghostly realm, three figures surrounded a wounded girl.
Gu Fen, the Young Master of the Gu Family, smirked at his prey. His two attendants flanked him, their expressions filled with malice. Their target, Ji Ru of the Ji Family, was in a dire state. Deep wounds marred her body, her once-pristine robes soaked in crimson. But despite her injuries, she stood defiant, fists clenched, eyes burning with unyielding fire.
Gu Fen stepped forward, his voice dripping with cruelty.
"There’s no escape, Ji Ru. Just give up."
Unbeknownst to them, another presence lurked in the shadows. Ji Yang stood hidden behind an ancient tree, his sharp gaze fixed on the unfolding scene. His breathing was controlled, his body coiled like a spring. He knew he couldn't face them head-on—not yet. Gu Fen and his men were stronger.
But Ji Yang wasn’t here for a fair fight.
---
?? A Power Beyond This World
Ji Yang extended his palm, channeling a force unlike anything from this world. A flicker of black and white flames danced at his fingertips—the Yin Yang Flame. ?? Even the gods of the God Realm had feared this fire, and now, it burned in his grasp.
The first time he had sensed it, he doubted himself. But when the surrounding beasts trembled in fear, their primal instincts warning them of impending doom, he realized the truth—this flame was beyond mortal cultivation.
However, Ji Yang knew that not all creatures feared him. The stronger ones, those closer to his former level, sensed the restriction placed upon his power. His true strength was still sealed.
But that didn’t matter.
He had no intention of fighting alone.
With a mere thought, the presence of the Yin Yang Flame sent an unseen command through the forest.
And the beasts responded.
---
Ji Yang stood hidden, his gaze locked onto the scene.
A plan already formed in his mind.
Ji Yang’s palm tingled as Yin-Yang Flames flickered to life around his fingers.
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Even the wild beasts lurking in the forest trembled, sensing his power.
Without making a sound, Ji Yang commanded them.
From the shadows, a venomous panther and a scaled wolf emerged. Their eyes gleamed with bloodlust.
The undergrowth rustled violently.
One of Gu Fen’s attendants stiffened.
"What was that?!"
A split second later—
SNAP!??
The panther lunged, its fangs sinking into the first attendant’s shoulder.
"AGH!"??
The second attendant barely had time to react before—
WHOOSH!??
The scaled wolf pounced, its claws ripping through flesh.
Gu Fen’s men screamed.
Chaos erupted.
And in that moment—
Ji Yang moved.
Ji Yang slipped through the shadows, reaching Ji Ru without anyone noticing.
Before she could react, he clamped a hand over her mouth.
"Don't make a sound," he whispered.
Ji Ru’s wide eyes filled with shock, but she nodded.
In one swift motion, Ji Yang lifted her and disappeared into the mist.
Gu Fen, too busy with the rampaging beasts, didn’t even realize she was gone.
---
The beasts tore into the remaining attendant.
His screams were short-lived.
Blood splattered across the ground.
Gu Fen gritted his teeth, stepping back as the panther snarled at him.
"Tch… annoying beast."
His aura flared as he summoned his Qi.
With a single palm strike—
BOOM!??
A shockwave ripped through the air, sending the beasts flying.
The panther crashed into a tree, blood spraying from its mouth.
The scaled wolf skidded back, growling weakly.
Gu Fen exhaled, brushing the dust off his robes.
"That should take care of—"
Then, he froze.
Where was Ji Ru?
His eyes darted around the clearing.
She was gone.
"WHAT?!"
A furious snarl escaped his lips.
"Find her! NOW!"
But his last attendant was already dead, his body torn apart by the beasts.
Gu Fen’s fists clenched.
"Damn it…"??
Then, his gaze snapped toward the Fogging forest.
---
Gu Fen’s Nightmare Begins??
The deeper they went, the thicker the mist became. It clung to their skin, muffling every sound. Shadows flickered at the edges of their vision, twisting and shifting like living specters.
Then, Ji Yang’s voice echoed through the fog.
"If you dare, come and get me."
Gu Fen’s eyes burned with rage. "That damn brat…!"
His attendants rushed forward. The moment they stepped into the mist—
?? BOOM!
An invisible force struck them. Their vision swirled. The trees warped. The ground beneath them twisted into an endless abyss.
A First-Grade Illusion Formation had already been set.
---
?? The Silent Assassin ??
Swish! ??
A shadow flickered in the mist.
Before Gu Fen’s men could react—
Slash! ??
A scream rang out as one of the attendants’ arms was severed clean from his shoulder. Blood sprayed across the fog like crimson mist.
The second attendant barely had time to turn before—
Slice! ??
His leg was gone. He collapsed, howling in agony.
Gu Fen, watching in horror, felt a chill run down his spine.
"This… this isn’t possible! He’s just at the Second Level!"
But Ji Yang wasn’t bound by cultivation levels.
And he had no mercy.??
---
?? Gu Fen’s Last Stand
Gu Fen clenched his fists. "Damn you, Ji Yang!" ??
He activated his Gu Family Secret Technique—Phantom Strike. His body flickered, moving at lightning speed toward Ji Yang.
But—
Ji Yang was already gone.
Gu Fen’s heart pounded. "Where—"?
Then, he saw him.
Ji Yang stood right before him, his sword raised. "Your turn, Gu Fen."??
?? Swish!
Ji Yang’s blade sliced downward—
Clink!
The pendant around Gu Fen’s neck shattered, revealing an invisible protective shield.
Gu Fen smirked. "Fool. My father gave me this second grade artifact pendant—it ensures my survival."
But Ji Yang remained unfazed.
His eyes flickered with an eerie glow. He lifted his sword, and a single drop of his own blood fell onto the blade’s surface.
?? “Yin Yang Blood Engraving—Forbidden Slash.”??
At first, it seemed as though nothing had happened.
Gu Fen’s smirk widened.
“That’s it? All that power, and you still—”
CRACK. ??
A faint, almost imperceptible sound echoed in the silence.
Gu Fen’s expression froze.??
His heartbeat staggered as he felt something wriggling inside his body.
"What… what is this?!"
For the first time, Gu Fen’s eyes showed true fear.
Ji Yang’s expression was cold as he spoke just two words—
“Perish.”
And then—
?? Yin Yang flame devoured him whole. ??
Only ashes remained...
---
?? The Coming Storm ??
Far away, in the depths of the Gu Family’s estate, a candle flickered.
The Life Flame that
represented Gu Fen’s existence… went out.
A figure dressed in dark robes stepped forward. The Great Elder of the Gu Clan.
“Who dares… to kill young master?”
A shadowy assassin kneeled before him.
“Find him.”
“Consider him dead.”??
[To be continued...]
What secrets do you think Ji Ru is hiding? 🤔
