The man in the purple robe stood in the dimly lit cave, his hand raised as he gathered a menacing surge of qi, the energy coiling in his palm like a dark storm. Bo Jian watched, feeling the overwhelming force bearing down on him, a lethal power unlike anything he had ever encountered. His heart pounded, but he stood firm, meeting the man's gaze with unflinching defiance.
Just as the man prepared to unleash his deadly attack, the echo of footsteps resonated through the cave entrance. The man in purple paused, his expression turning from amusement to mild irritation as three figures entered the cave. It was Huǒ Jianhong, the chief of the Huǒ family, and Shé Ying, the cunning chief of the Shé family, accompanied by their strongest members. Their sudden presence momentarily disrupted the tension, and Bo Jian's eyes narrowed, trying to piece together what was happening.
The chiefs exchanged a brief, wary glance before turning their attention to the man in purple. With a tone of reverent respect, Huǒ Jianhong addressed him.
"Ah, Master Xuanye," Huǒ Jianhong said, bowing slightly. "We did not expect to find you here tonight."
Shé Ying nodded, her voice equally deferential. "Yes, Master Xuanye, it's an honor. I see you're already addressing… the matter we discussed."
Xuanye gave a slight smirk, his gaze shifting between the chiefs and Bo Jian. "Ah, so you've finally arrived," he said with a touch of disdain, lowering his hand but keeping the dangerous energy swirling around him. "I thought I might deal with this little nuisance myself. After all, your so-called plans seem to involve too many delays."
Huǒ Jianhong and Shé Ying exchanged uneasy glances, careful to keep their expressions neutral. They were powerful figures within Huǒmáng Chéng, but in front of Master Xuanye, they clearly viewed themselves as his subordinates, deferring to his greater authority and power.
"Our apologies, Master Xuanye," Shé Ying replied smoothly. "But rest assured, we will not hinder your intentions. We came only to observe the lesson you intend to impart on the Bo family."
Xuanye let out a low chuckle, his gaze settling back on Bo Jian with a dark gleam in his eyes. "Observe, then," he said, his voice laced with chilling intent. "Let it be clear that when someone becomes a threat, we do not let them linger."Jian felt his fists tighten, anger boiling within him at their callous treatment. The chiefs of the Huǒ and Shé families—the ones responsible for much of his family's troubles—had not only sanctioned this ambush but had also aligned themselves with a man of far greater power. And yet, despite the overwhelming danger he faced, Jian kept his gaze steady, refusing to back down before the three figures who now symbolized the greatest threat to his family.
"You think eliminating me will destroy the Bo family's spirit?" Jian said, his voice steady, masking the fear in his heart. "You underestimate what we stand for."
Xuanye's smile faded, replaced by an icy glare. "How naive," he muttered. "Defiance is futile when you stand before true power."
As he raised his hand once more, the deadly energy swirling fiercely around him, Huǒ Jianhong and Shé Ying watched in silence, anticipation gleaming in their eyes. But the energy in the air had shifted, and even as Bo Jian braced himself for the strike, he felt a flicker of hope—a determination to survive, to fight for his family, to prove that the Bo family was not so easily silenced. As Xuanye raised his hand once more, dark energy began to swirl around his palm, gathering with an intensity that made the air crackle. His gaze was cold and unyielding, fixed on Bo Jian as if he were nothing more than an insect to be crushed. The power radiating from Xuanye was overwhelming, suffocating, and Jian could feel the weight of it bearing down on him, making it hard to breathe.
"Did you really think a few guards could protect you?" Xuanye sneered. "Your family's name won't save you now, Bo Jian. I'll make sure no one dares to stand against me."Just as Xuanye prepared to unleash his deadly blow, the ominous hissing sound echoed once again, louder this time, sending a shiver through the cavern. Out of the darkness, a massive Swallow Serpent Beast slithered forward, its black scales glinting like polished stone. Its eyes, burning with a fierce red glow, fixed directly on Xuanye. And then, from the shadows, more serpents began to emerge, their numbers growing as they coiled and hissed, filling the cave with an intimidating chorus.
Xuanye paused, his face tightening as he realized the gravity of the situation. These were no ordinary beasts. The Swallow Serpents had not only powerful venom but also a rare ability to drain qi directly from their enemies. He knew that a single Swallow Serpent was deadly enough, but an entire swarm, like the one now encircling him, was a threat even he couldn't ignore.
Huǒ Jianhong and Shé Ying exchanged tense looks as they took in the scene. Both chiefs understood the danger, and while they had no love for Bo Jian, their primary goal was survival.
"Master Xuanye," Huǒ Jianhong called out, his voice edged with urgency, "we need to pull back. These beasts don't stop until their prey is destroyed."
Shé Ying nodded, her grip tightening on her blade as she watched the serpents advance. "One or two is manageable, but this many? Even you would find it difficult, Master Xuanye."
Xuanye's eyes blazed with anger and frustration. The situation had spiraled out of his control, and he wasn't one to retreat easily. But the serpents were relentless, their numbers increasing as they moved closer, their venomous fangs glistening. He could feel the drain on his qi just from being near them, the faint pull of energy as the serpents began to feed on the surrounding air. As Xuanye prepared to unleash his strike upon Bo Jian, the hissing of the Swallow Serpent Beasts grew louder, filling the cave with a chilling resonance. The serpents slithered closer, their eyes gleaming with a deadly, hungry intent, their coiled bodies tense as they surrounded the space. Xuanye's hand paused mid-air as he took in the scene—a dozen or more of these venomous creatures, far too many even for someone of his strength to face without risk.
Huǒ Jianhong's face turned tense, his voice tight with urgency. "Master Xuanye, we must fall back. These beasts are beyond control in such numbers."
Shé Ying added, her eyes darting around the advancing swarm. "We're wasting energy dealing with them here. Let them finish the job for us."
Xuanye's eyes narrowed as he assessed the situation, recognizing the strategic wisdom in their words. The serpents wouldn't discriminate; they would attack any living thing in their territory. And with Bo Jian alone, helpless, and surrounded, Xuanye knew the beasts would take care of him once they were gone. A cruel smile tugged at the corners of his mouth as he lowered his hand, stepping back slowly, his gaze cold and calculating.
He gave a sharp nod, and without another word, turned toward the cave entrance, signaling to Huǒ Jianhong and Shé Ying. The three of them began their retreat, their qi surging to create shields as they deflected the relentless strikes of the serpents. The creatures lunged, their fangs and coils snapping through the air, but the three cultivators moved with practiced efficiency, parrying each attack with enough force to keep them at bay as they navigated their way out of the cave.
As they reached the mouth of the cave, Xuanye cast a final glance back at Bo Jian, his expression one of cold indifference. He had no need to voice any threats or promises; he believed with full certainty that the serpents would finish what he had started.
When the last of their figures vanished into the shadows, the swarm of serpents redirected their attention to the sole figure left standing in the cave: Bo Jian. The serpents coiled, their bodies slithering closer, hissing with deadly intent. Jian's heart raced, but he forced himself to remain steady, his mind racing to find a way out of this seemingly impossible situation.
He had no cultivation to rely on, no qi armor or spiritual weapon to defend himself, yet he had one advantage the others hadn't anticipated: his understanding of creatures, herbs, and poisons—a skill developed through years of study. Jian took a slow, deliberate step back, his eyes never leaving the serpents as he assessed their behavior, remembering something he had read about their kind.
The Swallow Serpent Beasts were fiercely territorial, but they also had a particular sensitivity to strong scents and certain herbs, which repelled them as much as fire would. Digging into his satchel with trembling fingers, he pulled out a vial of bitter herbs he had collected for study—a mixture potent enough to irritate even the most stubborn of creatures.
He smashed the vial onto the ground before him, releasing a strong, pungent aroma that filled the cave. The serpents recoiled, their hisses turning into agitated snarls as they shrank back from the scent, some even retreating a few steps. Seizing the moment, Jian carefully edged toward the cave entrance, scattering more of the herbs as he moved. With each step, the serpents moved farther away, their aggression tempered by their aversion to the overwhelming smell.
Inching closer to freedom, Jian maintained his composure, scattering the herbs along his path until he reached the mouth of the cave. With one final look back at the now-distant serpents, he took a deep breath and darted out into the open night, adrenaline surging through him as he left the cave far behind.
The dark forest surrounded him, but for the first time, he felt a spark of hope. He had survived an encounter with enemies far beyond his power—and with it, a new determination burned in his heart. He would not be caught unprepared again. The Bo family's enemies might be powerful, but he was resolved to uncover his own strengths, to protect his family, and to prove that even someone without cultivation could make a stand in this dangerous world.