"I guess our only option is to seek help from the Jade Wind Pavilion." Xing Jue remarked to the Heavenly Dragon Commander with a dry chuckle after hearing the tale. With that, he stood and continued walking, heading deeper into the heart of the Death Mountain Range.
"You've had that in mind for a while now, haven't you, Brother Xing Jue?" The Heavenly Dragon Commander chuckled, easily keeping pace with him. He knew those mountains like the back of his hand. Xing Jue's sense of direction wasn't perfect, true, but he seemed to be heading in the general direction of the Jade Wind Pavilion's territory. In all the chaos and confusion, to have held on to enough clarity of mind to make such a choice… it spoke volumes of the young man's intelligence. Impressive. He couldn't help but smile, intrigued by this enigmatic young man.
Unbeknownst to Xing Jue, however, the Heavenly Dragon Commander left behind a nearly undetectable trail… a trail of glowing embers, barely visible to the naked eye.
"Commander, I've been meaning to ask," Xing Jue said, glancing at him, his brow furrowed in thought. "If this Soul Devouring Seductress is half as powerful as you say, why stay holed up in these mountains? Why not wreak havoc? What's with the sit-and-wait approach?"
"It's possible she's bound to these mountains somehow," The Heavenly Dragon Commander replied. "A powerful seal, perhaps, that prevents her from leaving. Whatever it is, this is her domain. Her hunting ground."
"Well then, if we can just make it out of these mountains..." Xing Jue said with a relieved sigh. He gazed up at the sky. It was close to dawn. Their all-night trek was finally coming to an end. Soon they'd be within spitting distance of Jade Wind Pavilion territory. Safe.
"Heavenly Dragon Fist!" The Heavenly Dragon Commander roared, his expression morphing into something cold, cruel, utterly devoid of warmth. Pale gold martial energy crackled around his right fist, gathering at an alarming rate before he slammed it towards Xing Jue's unguarded back.
"Boom!" But Xing Jue was ready for him. Just as the blow was about to land, he whirled around, meeting the attack head-on, his own fist surging with golden light, the impact sending shock waves rippling through the clearing.
"Well, well," Xing Jue said, watching him, his expression unreadable. "Took you long enough to show your true colors." He wasn't surprised. Not really. He'd sensed something off about the commander, a calculating glint in his eye, beneath that facade of benevolence. He never fully trusted him.
"I don't know why you chose to attack me," Xing Jue said, his voice cold, hard as steel. Golden light flared around his hand, illuminating the forest like a beacon as he gathered his strength, preparing for another attack. "But actions have consequences."
"Such power…" The Heavenly Dragon Commander stared at the golden light emanating from Xing Jue's palm, his eyes narrowed in shock and begrudging admiration. For that brief moment, regret washed over him. The boy was far stronger than he'd anticipated. Attacking him had been a miscalculation of epic proportions.
"Die!" Xing Jue roared, thrusting his right palm forward. A blazing golden energy blast shot out, arrowing towards the Heavenly Dragon Commander with blinding speed.
"Heavenly Dragon Meteor Fist!" With no time to dodge, the Heavenly Dragon Commander raised his arm, bracing for impact, his fist coated in a layer of golden energy.
"Aaaaaargh!" The force of the blow sent the Heavenly Dragon Commander flying, a sickening crack echoing through the forest. Xing Jue's attack, the Devouring Gale Palm, had shattered the bones in his arm, his mangled limb dangling uselessly at his side.
"Tsk, tsk," Xing Jue said, shaking his head, his tone laced with a chilling mix of amusement and disappointment. "That was pathetic. And here I thought you'd be more of a challenge." He reappeared in front of the commander with impossible speed, bringing his foot down on the Heavenly Dragon Commander's good arm, pinning him to the ground, before placing his other foot squarely on his chest.
"Please, I beg you, spare me!" the Heavenly Dragon Commander gasped out, blood spewing from his lips. "Have mercy!"
"Mercy? You think you deserve mercy after what you tried to do?" Xing Jue glowered down at him, his eyes cold, unforgiving. He wasn't about to let his guard down. Not again. But just as he was about to end it, that voice, her voice, echoed through the forest, stopping him dead in his tracks.
"Well, well, aren't you a ruthless one? I like you already." The Soul Devouring Seductress emerged from the darkness, every inch the embodiment of power and seductive grace.
"My Lady! Help me! Please!" The Heavenly Dragon Commander cried out in relief, scrambling back towards his rescuer while shooting Xing Jue a venomous look over his shoulder.
"Damn you! You traitorous bastard!" Xing Jue snarled, enraged. He'd been wondering how the Soul Devouring Seductress had found them so quickly. Now he understood. The commander had led her straight to them! With a surge of fury, Xing Jue raised his glowing fist, intent on ending the man's miserable life right then and there.
"NNnnggh!" A blast of pure martial energy smashed into Xing Jue, flinging him through the air like a rag doll before he crashed to the ground, his vision swimming. The attack had come out of nowhere. He coughed, his hand flying to his mouth only to pull it away stained crimson.
He looked up just in time to see the Soul Devouring Seductress lower her hand, a cruel smirk playing on her lips.
"Tsk, tsk, tsk," she chided. "I couldn't possibly let you kill my little pet, now could I?"
"Thank you, my Lady," the Heavenly Dragon Commander gushed, wincing as he staggered to his feet, clutching his mangled arm close to his body. He bowed low, his good hand pressed against his chest in a gesture of subservience.
Watching the exchange, Xing Jue knew he was in trouble. Really, really big trouble. The way the Soul Devouring Seductress had practically materialized beside him, her power… it was beyond anything he could comprehend. He knew better than to even think about trying to escape. So he did the only thing he could do.
He laughed, a humorless, bitter sound. "Forgive my ignorance, your Ladyship, but you seem like a woman of discerning tastes…" he said, eyeing the commander with undisguised scorn. "Tell me, what could you possibly see in such a wretched, repugnant creature? It boggles the mind, really…"
"How dare you speak to the Lady like that!" the Heavenly Dragon Commander shrieked, outraged.
"Oh, let him talk, sweetie," the Soul Devouring Seductress purred, tilting her head to the side, her eyes twinkling with amusement. " I'm curious as well. Tell me, little morsel, what makes you think I have any romantic interest whatsoever in this… thing?."
"Why else would you protect him?" Xing Jue shot back, feeling braver than he should.
"Want to know a little secret?" she whispered, stepping closer, her gaze never leaving his. She leaned in, her hot breath tickling his ear, her voice a husky murmur. "He's the one who let me out."
"What?" Xing Jue's eyes widened in shock. He glanced back and forth between them, unable to process this new information. It explained how she'd gotten free, but if this was true...
"She speaks the truth, but that's not the reason I'm protecting him, not anymore." The Soul Devouring Seductress continued, her eyes boring into the Heavenly Dragon Commander's, a predatory gleam in their depths.
"My Lady, you know I am loyal! It's just… your wounds," the Heavenly Dragon Commander stammered, his eyes frantically searching hers for any sign of mercy. "They need time to heal. But it won't be long, I swear! I can find you others! So many more delicious souls for you to feast on, I promise!"
The Soul Devouring Seductress traced a finger down the Heavenly Dragon Commander's cheek, her touch light a feather. "I appreciate your… enthusiasm, darling," she purred. "But my wounds run deep. They require… a special kind of nourishment. A sacrifice, you might say."
Panic flickered in the Heavenly Dragon Commander's eyes. "S-Sacrifice?"
"Don't worry. You've been very accommodating, so I'll make it quick." The Soul Devouring Seductress' playful demeanor vanished in an instant. Her features turned hard, cruel. She leaned in, pressing her cold lips against the Heavenly Dragon Commander's, a look of pure, predatory hunger in her eyes.
Xing Jue watched, horrified, as the same grotesque scene played out before him. The Heavenly Dragon Commander's body spasmed, withered, his life force draining away before his very eyes, until all that was left was a lifeless husk, a chilling testament to the woman's power.
Xing Jue's blood ran cold. He'd heard stories, whispers and rumors. Now he'd witnessed her power firsthand. This Soul Devouring Seductress… she was a monster. And the Heavenly Dragon Commander had been nothing more than a pawn in her game.
She tossed the commander's lifeless body aside as if he were nothing more than a discarded rag, her gaze settling on Xing Jue, a cold smile spreading across her lips. She licked a smear of blood from her lips, the gesture both seductive and utterly chilling.
"Now, where were we?" she purred, her voice dripping with menace, her eyes, lit from within with terrifying power, boring into him, promising nothing but pain.