As the sun began to set, the dense forest echoed with the rustling of leaves and distant sounds of predators. Makoto, Kazu, and Hiro found a quiet spot, their breaths heavy from the day's exertions. The brothers had barely managed to catch a break, constantly on the run from Li Zhang and his pursuit.
Makoto sat down, glancing at the two. Kazu and Hiro were visibly exhausted, their faces marked with dirt and fatigue. They had only managed to collect two tokens all day, and that was largely thanks to Makoto's strategy.
Makoto's eyes narrowed slightly as he looked over the small pile of tokens in his hand. He had gathered several throughout the day, careful to avoid unnecessary confrontation, but the tension in his chest remained. His worry for Yuna gnawed at him constantly. Every time he reached for his energy tracking technique, all he could sense were fleeting disturbances, but nothing concrete enough to pinpoint her location. He could only hope she was all right.
"You two should rest for now," Makoto said, his tone low but firm. "We'll head out in the morning. I'll keep watch for a while."
Kazu and Hiro, still panting, nodded silently. Despite their frustration, they knew there was little they could do. Makoto had been the one doing most of the work, outpacing them and handling the encounters with far more efficiency.
As the night descended, Makoto stood up and stretched. "Stay alert," he murmured. He had sensed something off in the distance—a faint glow, perhaps from another group setting up camp. But it wasn't the other disciples that worried him. His thoughts were still with Yuna.
Suddenly, his attention snapped back to the brothers. "I'll scout ahead for a bit. Don't let your guard down."
The brothers nodded as Makoto disappeared into the shadows. Alone for a moment, Kazu spoke up.
"I hate this. We're barely getting by, and Makoto's handling everything. It's like we're just weighing him down."
Hiro, always the more calm of the two, sighed. "It's not our fault. Li Zhang's been on our tail since dawn, and we don't have his level of strength."
Kazu clenched his fists. "I just want to prove myself, to show that we're not useless."
Meanwhile,Makoto moved silently through the forest, the night air thick with tension. Despite the tokens he had gathered, his mind was clouded with worry. The faint flares of his ancient tracking technique hinted that Yuna was in trouble, but the signals were sporadic and unclear. He clenched his fists, frustrated at his inability to locate her.
His thoughts were interrupted when a sudden wave of qi pressure surged toward him. Makoto spun around just in time to see a glowing spear of energy pierce the air, barely missing him as it struck a tree behind him, reducing it to splinters.
From the shadows, six figures emerged, their powerful auras suffusing the forest. These were not just ordinary disciples—each one was among the most powerful of the Azure Sect's core disciples, each with a cultivation ranging from the eighth stage of Foundation Establishment to the first stage of Core Formation. They were formidable opponents.
The leader of the group, a tall man with dark eyes and a scar across his cheek, stepped forward. "Makoto," he sneered. "Did you really think you could avoid us forever?"
Makoto's gaze darkened as he took in the group. They weren't his enemies by choice, but rather individuals lured by promises of power. Kaizen had promised them rewards, whether it was rare treasures, political influence, or advancement in their cultivation. Each of them sought something only Kaizen could provide—and now, they were after Makoto.
Ren Hai – The leader, a first stage Core Formation cultivator who mastered the Void Blade Technique, allowing his attacks to bypass physical defenses.
Zhao Mei – A ninth stage Foundation Establishment cultivator known for her Venomous Palm, a technique that could poison an opponent's body and qi.
Liang Feng – A ninth stage Foundation Establishment cultivator, with his Mountain Shatter Fist capable of breaking bones and cracking earth.
Qin Ruo – A ninth stage Foundation Establishment cultivator who specialized in Phantom Steps, moving with unpredictable speed, making him nearly invisible.
Han Yu – An eighth stage Foundation Establishment cultivator with a mastery over Blazing Torrent, a technique that summoned intense, uncontrollable fire.
Lin Xue – A ninth stage Foundation Establishment cultivator who used Iron Wall Qi, making her nearly impervious to physical attacks and defense-based techniques.
Ren Hai took a step forward, his smirk widening. "Kaizen made each of us a promise. But the reward only comes once you're dead. Your head will make a fine gift."
Makoto's expression hardened as he took in the group. He wasn't afraid, but he knew he had to be strategic. Six against one would be a struggle, even for someone of his abilities. He reached for his sword, preparing for battle.
Ren Hai was the first to move, his Void Blade Technique carving through the air with terrifying precision. Makoto sidestepped just in time, but the blade's energy cut through his robe, leaving a shallow wound on his side. Blood seeped through the fabric, but Makoto didn't hesitate, immediately shifting into a defensive stance.
Before he could react further, Zhao Mei appeared behind him, her Venomous Palm striking out with deadly speed. The poisoned qi radiated from her hand as it neared Makoto's back. He twisted his body just in time, blocking the attack with his sword, but the venomous energy lingered on his skin, causing his arm to momentarily stiffen.
Liang Feng charged next, his Mountain Shatter Fist sending shockwaves through the ground as he aimed a massive punch at Makoto. Makoto braced himself and deflected the strike with his sword, but the force of the impact pushed him back several steps.
"Not bad, but it'll take more than that!" Makoto shouted, a surge of qi exploding from his body as he leaped forward.
Qin Ruo, whose movements were barely perceptible, appeared behind Makoto in the blink of an eye, his blade aimed for his throat. But Makoto was faster. He blocked the strike with a twist of his sword and spun around, using the momentum to launch a counterattack.
"You're quick, but not quick enough," Qin Ruo taunted, vanishing into the shadows once more.
Han Yu, seeing an opening, sent a barrage of fire in Makoto's direction, his Blazing Torrent scorching the earth. The flames roared as they spread out like a wave of destruction. Makoto dashed to the side, but the heat was overwhelming. His robe caught fire, and he had to douse it with a burst of qi before the flames could spread further.
Lin Xue then stepped forward, her defensive aura swelling as she activated Iron Wall Qi, raising an impenetrable barrier between her and Makoto. She raised her fists, ready to strike.
"You can't defeat us all, Makoto," Ren Hai taunted, his eyes glowing with cold fire. "You're already injured. This is where it ends."
Makoto clenched his jaw, his thoughts racing. He could feel the exhaustion creeping in as his qi reserves drained. His only chance was to whittle them down one by one.
Makoto's eyes flared with intensity as he drew upon his remaining strength. He activated his ancient cultivation techniques, and the pressure around him shifted. Crimson Wave Pulse burst from his body, sending shockwaves through the ground, knocking Liang Feng off balance and throwing Zhao Mei against a nearby tree.
"Two down," Makoto muttered, his breath ragged but resolute.
Han Yu's Blazing Torrent met Makoto's Crimson Wave Pulse in mid-air, causing an explosion of fiery energy. Makoto, with his enhanced agility, dived through the flames, his sword cutting a path through Han Yu's flames and landing a strike against his chest. Han Yu staggered back, gasping for air as he fell to the ground.
"Three," Makoto said, gritting his teeth. But before he could press forward, Lin Xue raised her Iron Wall Qi once more, blocking his path.
Qin Ruo, now reappearing, struck from the shadows again, but Makoto anticipated his attack. He whipped around, catching Qin Ruo in a bind, pinning him to the ground with his sword before delivering a decisive blow.
"Four."
Ren Hai, Zhao Mei, and Lin Xue exchanged glances. They were all aware that Makoto was quickly wearing down their numbers.
Ren Hai tightened his grip on his blade, fury flashing in his eyes. "You're not walking away from this. I'll take you down myself."
The battle raged on, with Makoto fighting tooth and nail, his body bruised but not broken. He could feel his strength waning, but he refused to give up. Every swing of his sword, every tactic he employed, was done with one goal in mind—to survive long enough to find Yuna.
Ren Hai lay unconscious, his body crumpled against a tree. Zhao Mei, Liang Feng, and Qin Ruo had been dealt with, their tokens now in Makoto's hands. He stood, breathing heavily, and surveyed the wreckage of the battle. The six core disciples, all powerful in their own right, had been defeated, but Makoto knew this wasn't the end of his troubles. He needed to find Yuna.
With a final glance at the fallen disciples, Makoto turned away, moving deeper into the forest.
"I'll find you, Yuna," he whispered, his voice cold and determined.
Back in the forest clearing, Kazu and Hiro barely managed to doze off when a rustling sound reached their ears. They tensed, ready for another ambush. But instead, it was Makoto, returning to the camp with a serious expression on his face.