Lu Feng stepped forward, the sinister spear in his hand humming with a dark, oppressive energy that made the air feel heavy. The smirk on his face didn't waver, and his eyes gleamed with an unsettling amusement as they flicked between Lian Mei and Xiao Ping.
"Well, what are the odds of running into you two here?" he drawled, twirling the spear lazily. "You look like you've been through quite an ordeal."
Lian Mei instinctively stepped in front of Xiao Ping, knowing he might not be able tofight in his weakened state, her spiritual energy flaring faintly around her trembling form. Despite the exhaustion that was clearly visible on her face, her green eyes burned with defiance. She would defend her partner with her last strength, she swore within, still furious that she was not able to do anything to stop the death of the other two; Tian Rong and Yu Yan. Internally, she blamed herself for their death, thinking she should have set up magical wards to protect them all.
"Lu Feng," she said, her voice firm despite the fear twisting her insides. "What are you doing here? Didn't we agree to go our separate ways?"
"Oh, just enjoying the sights of the forest, and the forest is meant for us all." Lu Feng replied, his tone dripping with mockery. "You'd be surprised how much beauty you can find in the chaos. Like your little scuffle with the Ravager, for instance. Quite the spectacle."
Xiao Ping, leaning heavily against a tree for support, forced himself to speak despite the pain racking his body and head. "You were watching us? And you couldn't help?"
Lu Feng chuckled, the sound devoid of warmth. "Of course. The Duskmaw Ravager is a rare beast, after all. I couldn't resist observing how you two would fare against it. And I must say, I'm impressed. You lasted longer than I expected. Why should I help? Didn't you say you were capable of facing anything on your own?"
"From what you just said, its like you knew it was out there, and you didn't think to warn us?" Lian Mei's voice rose, anger and disbelief warring within her. "What kind of sect member does that?"
"The kind who has no interest in protecting the weak," Lu Feng said, his smirk vanishing. His tone turned cold, and a chilling intensity settled over him. "Do you think strength comes from coddling and hand-holding? No. Strength comes from survival. If you can't protect yourselves, you have no place in this world."
Lian Mei's grip on her herb pouch tightened, her nails digging into the fabric. "Tian Rong and Yu Yan," she said, her voice barely above a whisper. "You know exactly what happened to them, don't you?"
Lu Feng's eyes narrowed slightly, the smirk returning but tinged with menace. "And what if I do? What exactly are you accusing me of, Junior Sister?"
"You know what happened to them," Xiao Ping interjected, his voice strained but resolute. "The way their bodies were found… that wasn't the work of a beast like you suggested."
Lu Feng tilted his head, feigning curiosity. "Ah, yes. The unfortunate demise of our dear comrades. Such a tragedy, isn't it?" He took another step closer, the dark spear in his hand pulsing with an ominous glow. "But tell me, what makes you so certain that beasts weren't involved?"
Lian Mei's spiritual energy flared brighter, her anger overriding her fear. "Stop playing games, Lu Feng! If you had nothing to do with their deaths, then why were you acting so suspicious back at the clearing? And what's with that spear? It reeks of dark energy!"
Lu Feng's smile widened, his teeth gleaming in the firelight. "Ah, this?" He raised the spear, its dark surface shimmering with a malevolent aura. "A little treasure I acquired. Let's just say it's helped me… unlock my potential."
Xiao Ping pushed himself upright, his twin daggers trembling in his grip. "You've turned to forbidden arts," he said, his voice low but steady. "That's why the outer sect disciple was found dead and the others that conveniently 'disappeared'. You used them, didn't you? And last night, Tian Rong and Yu Yan…"
"Oh, you're sharp, aren't you?" Lu Feng's tone dripped with mockery. "Yes, I've embraced the path of true power. The sect's teachings are nothing but chains, holding us back from what we could truly become. Tian Rong and Yu Yan were… stepping stones on my journey."
Lian Mei's heart pounded, a mix of fury and dread coursing through her. "You betrayed the sect. You betrayed us."
Lu Feng's laughter rang out, cold and mocking. "Betrayed? No, little Mei. I've transcended. And soon, you'll understand. If you survive, that is."
Without warning, he thrust the spear forward, a wave of dark energy surging toward them. Lian Mei reacted instinctively, raising a barrier of spiritual energy to shield herself and Xiao Ping. The force of the attack slammed into her shield, causing spiderweb like cracks to appear across its surface. Her knees buckled under the strain, but she held firm.
"Xiao, run!" she shouted, her voice strained.
"Not without you!" Xiao Ping retorted, positioning himself beside her despite his injuries. He hurled one of his daggers at Lu Feng, who deflected it effortlessly with a flick of his spear.
"How touching," Lu Feng sneered. "But loyalty won't save you."
The oppressive weight of Lu Feng's dark energy bore down on them, threatening to snuff out their resistance. Lian Mei's vision blurred as her energy reserves dwindled. Xiao Ping gritted his teeth, his mind racing for a way to turn the tide.
'Help us Bai Fu' Xiao Ping pleaded with Bai Fu who just stood far behind Lu Feng, looking like a frightened rat. 'he'll do the same to you when he's done with us.'
But Bai Fu just stood there, clutching his weapons as he looked helplessly from the duo to Lu Feng, knowing he would be dead if he made any attempt to help them.
Then, a piercing cry echoed through the forest, the unmistakable roar of the Duskmaw Ravager. The ground trembled beneath their feet as the monstrous beast burst into the clearing, its fiery red eyes locking onto Lu Feng. The dark energy emanating from his spear seemed to draw the creature like a moth to a flame.
For the first time, Lu Feng's confidence wavered. "What…?" he muttered, taking a step back as the Ravager advanced, its growl reverberating through the air.
Lian Mei seized the moment, grabbing Xiao Ping's arm. "Now's our chance. We have to go!"
Xiao Ping hesitated, his gaze flicking between the advancing Ravager and the wounded Lian Mei. Finally, he nodded, and the two of them bolted into the darkness, leaving Lu Feng to face the beast alone.
As they stumbled through the undergrowth, Lian Mei glanced back, her heart pounding. The clearing was already a chaotic battlefield, flashes of dark energy and the Ravager's frenzied attacks lighting up the night.
As Xiao Ping and Lian Mei stumbled into the undergrowth, gasping for breath, the sound of the Ravager's guttural roar shook the air. Behind them, the clearing was transformed into a battleground of raw fury and malevolent energy.
Lu Feng stood his ground, the dark spear in his grip vibrating with power. The Ravager lunged, its massive claws tearing through the earth as it charged. With a snarl of defiance, Lu Feng thrust the spear forward, sending a wave of black energy streaking toward the beast. The force collided with the Ravager's chest, halting its momentum and driving it back a few paces.
But the monster was far from deterred. Shaking off the impact, it let out a furious roar and launched itself at Lu Feng with terrifying speed. The spear met its claws in a shower of sparks, the sheer force of the clash sending shockwaves through the forest. Trees quivered, their leaves raining down like a storm of green, and the ground beneath their feet cracked from the impact.
Lu Feng twisted his weapon, the spear's dark energy rippling outward in jagged arcs. One of the bolts caught the Ravager along its side, scorching its midnight-black fur and eliciting a pained howl. Yet, for every wound it received, the Ravager retaliated with unrelenting ferocity. Its tail lashed out, striking Lu Feng square in the chest and sending him skidding across the clearing.
He rose to his feet with a snarl, blood trickling from the corner of his mouth. "You think you can overpower me?" he spat, his voice dripping with arrogance. "I've transcended the limits of this world!"
The Ravager snarled in response, its fiery eyes narrowing as it circled him, muscles coiled like springs. It lunged again, faster this time, and Lu Feng barely managed to sidestep its swipe. He countered with a thrust of the spear, driving the weapon into the beast's shoulder. The Ravager roared in pain, but instead of retreating, it clamped its powerful jaws around the spear.
Lu Feng's eyes widened as the beast's strength wrenched the weapon from his grip. The Ravager tossed the spear aside, and for the first time, Lu Feng's confident demeanor faltered. He raised his hands, summoning another burst of dark energy, but the beast was relentless. It slammed into him, pinning him to the ground with its massive claws.
"No!" Lu Feng growled, his dark aura flaring as he struggled against the creature's weight. With a desperate cry, he unleashed a wave of energy that sent the Ravager staggering back, but it recovered almost instantly.
The clearing became a whirlwind of chaos—blows exchanged with earth-shattering force, the Ravager's roars mingling with Lu Feng's furious shouts. The dark energy of the spear pulsed ominously from where it lay on the ground, drawing the creature's gaze for a split second.
But that moment was enough. Lu Feng seized the opportunity, diving for the weapon and grasping it with both hands. "You're mine!" he roared, channeling all his energy into a devastating strike. The spear's black aura erupted like a tidal wave, engulfing the Ravager in a cocoon of shadow.
For a moment, it seemed as though Lu Feng had triumphed. But then, with an earsplitting roar, the Ravager burst free from the darkness, its crimson eyes blazing with unbridled fury. It charged, unrelenting, and the sound of its massive claws colliding with Lu Feng's defenses echoed through the forest, sending tremors through the ground.
The last thing Xiao Ping and Lian Mei saw as they glanced back was the Ravager slamming Lu Feng against a tree, the ominous glow of the spear flickering like a dying ember. Then the forest swallowed them, leaving the terrifying sounds of battle in their wake. Xiao Ping's grip on her arm tightened. "We'll keep moving. Maybe we'll find other groups."
The forest seemed to close in around them as they ran as fast as they could, the shadows growing darker and the air colder. Every rustling leaf and distant growl set their nerves on edge as they sped onward, their hope dwindling with each passing moment.