The moon shone brightly, while the stars were sparse, casting a dim light over the eerily quiet alley.
Horn waved his arm, and the intense heat in the air dissipated as he walked slowly towards Cheng Zhi, Liu Na, and the others. Each step echoed like a heavy hammer, pounding on their hearts, suffocating them with fear.
Why had Poison Dragon fallen so easily at Horn's hands? In Linzhou, a monk in the early stages of the Sea Transformation Realm was considered powerful. Yet, Poison Dragon hadn't even managed to harm a single hair on Horn's head. The reality was terrifyingly unreal.
Cheng Zhi and Liu Na trembled, their fear growing with every step Horn took. They retreated, their earlier arrogance utterly vanished. As Horn drew closer, Cheng Zhi was the first to break. He fell to his knees and kowtowed heavily, his voice quivering, "I was wrong, I swear I'll never provoke you again. I'm nothing but a bedbug before you—your touch would only dirty your hands. My blood stinks."
His forehead soon became covered in blood as he continued to knock it against the ground. Then, with a sharp "snap, snap, snap," he began slapping himself hard, repeatedly. Seeing this, Liu Na and the dozen members of the Alchemy Society followed suit, dropping to their knees and slapping themselves as well.
"Senior Su, please spare me just once more," Liu Na pleaded. "I'm nothing but dust in your eyes—it's not worth your time to deal with trash like me."
"Senior Su," another begged, "I'm already a useless person. I promise I'll stay far away from you, never to appear before you again."
Their fear was palpable, soaking their clothes with sweat as they desperately begged for mercy. But Horn, indifferent to their pleas, walked past them without a glance. As they watched him leave without taking action, Cheng Zhi, Liu Na, and the others sighed in relief. But it was premature.
In an instant, their bodies moved against their will, their minds clear but powerless to resist. They began attacking each other with a ferocity that defied logic. Cheng Zhi drew a sharp dagger from his side and, with a sickening "pfft," plunged it into Liu Na's belly. Blood spurted out as he pulled the blade free. Each of them carried a dagger, having planned to dismember Horn once Poison Dragon had weakened him. Now, those very daggers turned against them.
"Ahh!" Liu Na screamed, pulling out her own dagger and stabbing Cheng Zhi in return. The rest of the Alchemy Society members did the same, helplessly slashing at each other. They knew this was Horn's doing, and in their last moments, they cursed themselves for ever getting involved.
The alley echoed with the grisly sound of flesh being torn apart. As Horn walked out, heading towards Tang Yuxin and the others, he didn't look back. The alley was now thick with the stench of blood, the scene quickly attracting the attention of nearby patrol officers.
The officers entered the alley cautiously, just in time to see Cheng Zhi drive his dagger into Liu Na's throat. His body was drenched in blood—some his, some hers. When he pulled out the dagger, Liu Na collapsed to the ground, eyes wide in shock. Around them, the bodies of a dozen Alchemy Society members lay scattered, their lifeless forms marred by bloody wounds.
The officers, stunned by the carnage, recognized Cheng Zhi as a former disciple of Nie Jiuxuan, a well-known figure in Linzhou. Before they could react, Cheng Zhi, dagger in hand, stabbed himself in the chest with a decisive "poof." The blade pierced his heart, and he fell to the ground, dead.
Demon. Horn was truly a demon. In his final moments, Cheng Zhi's fear of Horn peaked. If he had known the consequences, even ten thousand times the courage wouldn't have driven him to provoke Horn. But it was too late for regrets.
...
The lively bustle of Snack Street contrasted sharply with the silence of the alley. To an outsider, it might have seemed like Horn had simply stepped away to use the bathroom. He returned to Tang Yuxin's side, sitting down as if nothing had happened.
Even though the earth had entered the era of universal cultivation over a century ago, only a few possessed the talent to cultivate immortals. Most people still led ordinary lives, finding solace in places like night food stalls where they could unwind after a long day.
Horn watched the people around him, enjoying their food and drink with friends. It was a feeling he hadn't experienced in a long time. For two thousand years in the Immortal World, he had trained relentlessly, knowing that even the slightest relaxation could cost him his life. It was a world far crueler than Earth, where the law of the jungle reigned supreme.
Tang Yuxin had ordered some of Horn's favorite dishes. Wang Menglu spoke up, "Horn, you shouldn't worry too much. My master has invited you to join the Linzhou Alchemist Association. The Alchemist Association holds significant power in Xia Kingdom. If they intervene, the Imperial Capital's Immortal Martial Academy might remove you from their must-kill list."
Horn remained indifferent, taking a sip of the beer on the table. Compared to the fairy brew of the Immortal World, the taste was inferior—but it was nostalgic nonetheless.
Just as Lu Lin was about to speak, a young man wearing expensive brands approached them. He stood beside Horn, looking down at him with barely concealed pride. The man was handsome, his attire drawing the attention of many nearby girls. Lu Lin recognized him immediately.
"Brother Su, this guy is from the Immortal Martial Academy in the imperial capital," he warned.
Tang Yuxin and Wang Menglu tensed up, standing from their chairs with wary eyes.
The man introduced himself, "My name is Yang Xuan, third on the local rankings!" His words were laced with arrogance.
Horn didn't look up, continuing to drink his beer in silence. This infuriated Yang Xuan, who spoke coldly, "You should know that Yan Jie, whom you crippled, was only tenth on the Earth rankings. Although we're both in the Innate Realm, he couldn't last a single move against me. You might be proud, but you should know your place and recognize who you're dealing with. Do you understand?"
Horn still didn't acknowledge him. "I don't make it a habit to look up at people when they talk," he replied calmly. "Either squat down and talk, or disappear from my sight. Do you understand?"
Yang Xuan's fists clenched, veins bulging as he gritted his teeth. Lu Lin's spiritual energy surged, ready to act if needed.
"My father is the head of the Linzhou branch of the Yinbu," Yang Xuan said, his voice more measured. "He's interested in you and would like to have a chat. He's waiting in the car over there." He pointed to a black Mercedes-Benz parked nearby. The invitation was clear.