Chen Ning's body hurtled through the air, the wind whipping around him as he plummeted toward the forest below. His mind was a whirl of fear and confusion, barely able to process the events that had led him to this moment. All he could think about was the impending impact, the end that seemed inevitable.
But just as quickly as he had fallen, something unexpected happened. A sharp, unnatural gust of wind caught him mid-air, slowing his descent. Chen Ning's body jerked violently, and he felt himself being pulled back, away from the rocky ground that had been rushing up to meet him.
He opened his eyes just in time to see a group of figures clad in dark robes below him, their hands raised, channeling powerful demonic energy. The air around them shimmered with an eerie red light, and he realized with a shock that they were demonic cultivators.
Chen Ning landed roughly but safely in a clearing, his body bruised and aching but miraculously intact. He groaned in pain, trying to gather his bearings as the demonic cultivators approached.
"Well, well, what do we have here?" one of them sneered, his voice cold and mocking. He was tall and wiry, with long, greasy hair that hung in front of his face. His eyes glinted with malice as he looked down at Chen Ning. "A little bird fallen from the sky?"
Chen Ning struggled to sit up, his mind racing. He knew he was in serious danger. These cultivators were ruthless, and if they discovered he wasn't one of them, his fate would be sealed. He needed to think quickly, to come up with a plan to survive.
"Please," Chen Ning rasped, trying to sound weak and pitiful. "I... I was on a mission, following orders from my sect... I got separated... I didn't mean to fall into your territory..."
The lead cultivator's eyes narrowed, scrutinizing Chen Ning closely. "Which sect do you belong to?" he demanded, his voice sharp. "Speak quickly, before I decide you're more trouble than you're worth."
Chen Ning's heart raced. He couldn't tell them the truth; his identity as a disciple of a righteous sect would get him killed. He needed to convince them that he was on their side, or at least useful enough to keep alive.
"I was part of the Shadow Flame Sect," he lied, recalling the name of a small demonic sect he had once heard of in passing. "We were scouting the area for new recruits, trying to expand our influence. But we were attacked, and I got separated from my group. Please, I'm loyal. I just want to survive."
The cultivators exchanged glances, their expressions skeptical. The leader seemed to consider Chen Ning's words for a moment before nodding slowly. "Shadow Flame, huh? I've heard of them. A minor sect, but one with potential."
He leaned down, his face close to Chen Ning's. "If you are truly loyal, you'll have no problem proving it. We have ways to make sure of that. But if you're lying..."
Chen Ning swallowed hard, forcing himself to meet the man's gaze. "I'm not lying," he insisted, keeping his voice steady. "I'll do whatever it takes to prove myself."
The lead cultivator straightened, his lips curling into a cruel smile. "Good. Then welcome to the Crimson Night Sect. You're going to have to earn your keep here, but if you're as loyal as you claim, you might just survive."
Chen Ning nodded, trying to hide the relief that flooded through him. He wasn't out of danger yet, but he had bought himself some time. Now, he needed to play his part carefully, to convince these demonic cultivators that he was one of them.
"Take him," the leader ordered the others. "We'll see what he's made of."
Two of the cultivators grabbed Chen Ning by the arms, hauling him to his feet. He winced at the pain that shot through his body but forced himself to stand tall. He had to appear strong, capable, and most importantly, devoted.
They led him through the forest, deeper into their territory. The trees grew thicker, the air colder and heavier with dark energy. Chen Ning's mind raced as they walked, trying to come up with a plan. He needed to gather information, to find a way to escape this place and return to the sect. But for now, his priority was survival.
After a while, they arrived at a hidden encampment, concealed by thick foliage and powerful wards. The cultivators pushed him inside, and he found himself in a large, dimly lit cave. Dozens of demonic cultivators moved about, performing various tasks and rituals. The air was thick with the smell of incense and blood, and Chen Ning had to suppress a shiver of disgust.
"Bring him to the Blood Pool," the leader commanded, and the cultivators holding Chen Ning nodded, dragging him toward the back of the cave.
Chen Ning's heart pounded in his chest. He had heard of the Blood Pool before—a dark ritual used by demonic sects to test loyalty and bind new recruits to their will. It was dangerous and painful, and those who were not truly devoted often did not survive.
As they approached the pool, Chen Ning could feel the dark energy radiating from it, pulling at his senses. He clenched his fists, steeling himself for what was to come. He had to pass this test, no matter what.
The cultivators stopped at the edge of the pool, forcing Chen Ning to his knees. The leader stepped forward, holding a dagger in one hand and a small vial in the other. "Drink," he commanded, holding the vial to Chen Ning's lips.
Chen Ning hesitated for a moment, then forced himself to drink the dark, viscous liquid. It burned as it went down, sending a wave of pain through his body. He gasped, his vision blurring as the dark energy surged through him.
"Now, bleed," the leader said, pressing the dagger to Chen Ning's wrist and slicing it open. Blood flowed from the wound, mingling with the dark liquid in his veins. Chen Ning gritted his teeth, fighting back the pain and dizziness that threatened to overwhelm him.
He could feel the dark energy of the Blood Pool pulling at him, trying to consume him. He focused all his will on resisting, on maintaining control. He couldn't let this place break him. He had to stay strong, to survive.
After what felt like an eternity, the leader nodded, seemingly satisfied. "He'll do," he said, stepping back. "Bind his wounds and bring him to the lower chambers. He'll start his training tomorrow."
The cultivators dragged Chen Ning away from the pool, binding his wounds tightly to stop the bleeding. As they led him deeper into the cave, Chen Ning felt a strange mix of relief and dread. He had passed the first test, but he knew there would be many more to come. He had to be careful, to play his part well if he wanted to survive and find a way out of this dark place.
As they reached the lower chambers, Chen Ning was thrown into a small cell, the door slamming shut behind him. He sank to the floor, exhausted and in pain, but his mind was still racing. He had to think of a way to escape, to get back to the sect and warn them of the Crimson Night Sect's plans. But for now, he had to rest. Tomorrow would bring new challenges, and he needed to be ready for whatever came next.
Chen Ning closed his eyes, taking a deep breath as he prepared himself for the days ahead. He would survive this. He had to.