As San Fe stood proudly, his cold eyes showing a hint of warmth, the news of Heaven Defying Sect's victory spread like wildfire through the trade city. The sect's reputation soared, and they became the number one topic of discussion.
Kane thought to himself, "The first prize of hundred thousand gold is enough to maintain our sect for a while. We should keep a low profile and not draw attention to ourselves."
But he knew that their victory would not go unchallenged. Many sects would seek to destroy their reputation and eliminate them.
After collecting the prize, Kane left the city, looking back with a sense of unease. He had a bad feeling, but didn't know what it was.
Minutes later, three cultivators appeared in the air, their bodies illuminated by the sun. The two cultivators beside the woman wore purple attire, while she wore black, her long hair and face marred by burns. Her eyes were covered with white bandages, giving her an otherworldly appearance.
Without hesitation, the two cultivators beside her took knives and slit their own throats, their arteries spraying crimson geysers. The woman didn't flinch, her voice low and menacing as she spoke, "Sacrifice."
Their bodies imploded, organs bursting forth in a shower of gore. The woman raised her hands, and the blood curdled into grotesque, pulsing tendrils that wrapped around her fingers.
The crowd below began to scream in terror as their heads started to explode, livers and brain matter splashing everywhere. The once-lively city became a pool of blood.
The woman spoke again, "Collection."
She took out a small, pearl-like stone, and the blood tendrils slithered towards it, filling the stone with a deep, rich red. The stone pulsed with an eerie energy, as if feeding on the carnage.
The woman's face twisted into a macabre grin, her burned skin cracking with malevolent glee. She looked down, but couldn't see anything, her eyes covered by the white bandages.
Suddenly, she vanished, leaving behind a city in ruins.
As Kane journeyed on, the sun dipped below the horizon, casting an orange glow over the desolate landscape. He called out to his disciples, "Enough for today. We'll set up camp here."
The disciples halted behind him, their faces lit by the fading light. "Elder Fang Lin, we can still continue," one of them suggested.
Kane shook his head, his eyes scanning the darkening sky. "No, it's too dangerous. The bat wing monsters will be out soon, and I won't take unnecessary risks."
He began to gather dry bones and twigs, creating a makeshift fire that crackled to life. The warmth it provided was meager, but welcome in the cold atmosphere. He handed out bread to his disciples, who devoured it hungrily.
Jang Ran spoke up, "Wow, I thought you didn't have any more of that bread, Elder Fang Lin."
Kane thought to himself, "I can buy it anywhere from the system, but I'd rather not waste time."
Zhao Min gazed at the crude shelter Kane was attempting to construct, her expression unimpressed. "Elder Fang Lin, are you trying to create a leaf woven haven?"
Kane nodded, unsure what she meant. "I'll just...improvise."
Zhao Min sighed and took over, her hands weaving the leaves and branches into a sturdy structure. "You should focus on other things, Elder Fang Lin."
As the night deepened, Kane decided to bathe in the nearby river. The sound of the waterfall was soothing, and he approached the water's edge, noticing a figure bathing in the darkness.
It was a girl, her black hair and pale skin barely visible in the fading light. Kane couldn't see her features clearly, but his gaze was drawn to her nonetheless.
Suddenly, she vanished, only to reappear behind him. A sword pressed against his neck, and a low, husky voice spoke, "Elder Fang Lin, you shouldn't have seen me like this."
Kane's mind raced, his thoughts consumed by the danger that had seemingly appeared out of nowhere.