A young boy raced through the dense forest, carrying a middle-aged man on his back. A small drake clung to his shoulder, its tail swaying with each bounding step. As dawn began to break, the boy's face glistened with sweat, a clear sign that the night's journey had taxed him heavily.
"Xiao An, let's rest for a while," the middle-aged man said, his voice tinged with concern. He glanced at the boy's weary face, his heart heavy with guilt. This child… not only does he resemble him, but his kindness mirrors his as well. Such a rare soul.
"It's fine. Just guide me. The sooner we arrive, the sooner we'll be safe," the boy replied, quickening his pace.
After some time, the man directed them to a desolate valley. The landscape was barren and unwelcoming—a narrow gorge flanked by steep cliffs. At the edge of the forest, vegetation ceased abruptly, as if some unseen force forbade it from encroaching. The cliff blocked any further passage, leaving them seemingly stranded. Only a crystal-clear pool at the base of the precipice hinted at a glimmer of life.
"Old Madman, are you sure this is the place? It doesn't exactly scream 'safe haven.' There's no way to escape if we're cornered," the boy said, disappointment evident in his voice.
"This is the place," the man replied firmly. "Xiao An, carry me over to the pool."
The boy complied, setting the man down gently against the rocky wall near the water's edge. "So, Old Madman, care to explain? What makes this desolate place so special? Can it really hide us from our pursuers?" he asked, fanning his sweat-drenched shirt.
"This is Beast King Cliff," the man said, a hint of nostalgia in his tone. "It's surrounded by a unique energy field. Anyone who enters becomes undetectable—as if they've vanished from existence. I spent much of my youth here."
"You mean you hid out here often? Sounds like you've been on the run your whole life," the boy teased.
The man chuckled. "This place isn't just for hiding. It holds a deeper secret. Xiao An," he said, motioning toward the pool, "help me into the water."
The boy helped the man into the pool, lowering him carefully. The moment the man's body touched the water, a look of sheer bliss washed over his face. "There's nothing more rejuvenating than soaking in the Ice Crystal Pool," he said, then cast a sly glance at the boy. "Want to try it?"
Intrigued, the boy began to strip off his shirt, revealing his chest. Before he could step into the water, the man's gaze locked onto a black dragon insignia etched on his skin.
"You're from the Situ family?" the man asked, his tone suddenly serious.
The boy glanced at his chest. "Yeah, what of it?" he replied cautiously.
"Just curious," the man muttered. A Situ heir… could he be Situ Jiekong's younger brother? Or perhaps a secret son of Situ Lie? he wondered silently.
"You were talking about some powerful subordinate earlier. What was that about?" the boy asked, breaking the silence.
"Your bodyguard," the man replied. "Had they not held off the pursuers, we wouldn't have had the time to escape here."
"Bodyguard? Wait… you mean Nightshade? That meddler! My brother must have sent him. So much for letting me 'prove myself.' What a joke!" the boy grumbled.
"They were only looking out for you. Besides, without their help, we wouldn't be here enjoying this moment," the man said with a smirk.
"Fine, I'll let it slide this time," the boy muttered. Taking a running start, he leapt into the pool. Water splashed everywhere, the droplets on the ground forming tiny ice crystals. As the icy chill enveloped him, the boy shuddered violently. "What is this water? It's freezing!" he exclaimed, instinctively circulating his energy to resist the cold. Yet his limbs began to stiffen.
"Stop resisting," the man advised. "Let the pool's energy flow through you."
"Easy for you to say," the boy snapped. "I'm about to turn into an ice sculpture here!"
"Give it a try," the man urged. "Trust me."
Reluctantly, the boy ceased his resistance. The biting cold seeped into his body, freezing him to the core. Just as he thought he could endure no longer, a warm current surged through his energy center, spreading through his muscles and veins. His entire body felt as though it was being rejuvenated from within. Unable to fight the wave of exhaustion, he closed his eyes and drifted into a deep sleep.
"Rest well, child," the man murmured. "Your real trial begins when you wake."
The Demon Realm – Dragon King's Palace
"What? No's aura has disappeared?" A black-robed youth bellowed, his voice echoing through the grand hall. Before him knelt a masked figure.
"Yes, my lord. After delaying the Xie family's elite guards, I could no longer sense the young master's presence," the figure reported, his tone laced with regret.
"What was he doing when you last saw him?" the black-robed youth demanded, his voice now measured but cold.
"He was carrying a middle-aged man, fleeing from the Xie family's forces. The man appeared to be one of the Three Titans—the Beast King, Xie Lun."
"Xie Lun?!" The black-robed youth's eyes narrowed. "The strongest close-combatant in the main domain? And you're saying his own family betrayed him?"
"Yes, my lord. Xie Mo crippled him, reducing his power significantly. He's now barely at the sixth tier."
The black-robed youth fell silent, processing the information. If No saved Xie Lun, it could lead to a great opportunity for growth. Perhaps this twist of fate will benefit him.
"Nightshade," the youth commanded.
"Here, my lord," the masked figure replied.
"Search the Beast Forest. Find him and report back immediately."
"At once." With that, the figure vanished into the shadows.
Beast King Cliff
The boy stirred, opening his eyes to find himself still in the pool. The man sat nearby, dozing peacefully, while the small drake lay curled up at the edge. He climbed out of the water and retrieved a change of clothes from his storage ring.
"Hmm?" Flexing his arms, he noticed his body felt sturdier and more powerful. Dropping into a fighting stance, he punched the air. A powerful gust roared forward, causing the drake to wake and blink at him in surprise.
"Not bad," the boy muttered, a grin spreading across his face. But before he could celebrate, a voice echoed in his mind.
"Climb the Beast King Cliff."
"What?" He glanced up at the towering precipice that stretched into the clouds. "You want me to climb that?"
Shrugging off his doubts, he approached the cliff. "Fine. If this is my next test, bring it on." Yet, as he began to channel his energy, he froze. "Wait… where's my energy?!"