The metallic scent of fresh blood filled the cave. The flickering glow of spirit flames illuminated the scene of carnage—two elders, once high-ranking figures of their sect, now caught off guard by the very people they had chased with arrogance.
Li Feng's Snow Lotus Sword flashed like moonlight, slicing clean through the female elder's neck.
SHLICK!
A severed head spun through the air, its expression frozen in shock, before landing with a sickening thud against the cavern floor. Blood erupted in a violent spray from the gaping wound as the elder's headless body swayed for a moment before collapsing lifelessly.
At the same time, Li Jue's Eclipse Sovereign Slash had found its mark.
SLASH!
A deep gaping wound tore across the male elder's back, spraying crimson mist into the air. However, unlike Li Feng, who had finished her enemy in a single stroke, Li Jue's attack, though devastating, lacked the overwhelming force to end the elder's life instantly.
The elder's body jerked violently as searing pain surged through his spine, but his cultivation—peak Void Tribulation Realm—gave him just enough resilience to react.
"BASTARD—!"
With a roar of fury and desperation, the elder's palm shot backward, crackling with Void Tyrant Force, an advanced peak-legendary grade technique.
BOOOM!
A shockwave erupted as the attack slammed into Li Jue's chest, sending him flying backward like a broken kite.
"JUE'ER—!"
Li Feng's heart froze as she watched Li Jue crash against the cave wall, a splatter of red staining his lips. His face turned pale, his aura fluctuating violently—internal injuries!
She rushed forward, catching his staggering form in her arms. Her delicate hands trembled as she held him close, her fingers brushing his blood-stained lips.
"Jue'er…" Her voice was hoarse, trembling with unrestrained rage.
Li Jue weakly lifted a hand, attempting a reassuring smile despite the blood trickling down his chin. "I'm… fine…"
But Li Feng wasn't listening anymore.
Something snapped inside her.
Her pupils turned blood-red, her aura surged uncontrollably, and a murderous killing intent burst forth.
The male elder, clutching his gaping wound, realized the shift in her energy. His face twisted in terror.
"You—wait! We can negotiate—"
SHIIIIING!
Before he could finish, Li Feng's Snow Lotus Sword howled like a winter storm.
Her entire body vanished in a blur of white, reappearing instantly before the elder, her sword trailing an arc of frost and death.
SLASH!
A clean diagonal cut bisected the elder's body.
A rain of blood and gore rained down onto the cavern floor as his upper torso slid off his lower half, his organs spilling onto the rocks beneath.
His eyes were still wide with shock as he collapsed in pieces, lifeless.
Silence followed.
Only the dripping sound of blood filled the air.
Li Feng stood over the ruined corpse, her sword dripping crimson, her breath ragged.
Then, she turned.
She ran to Li Jue, falling to her knees beside him. "Jue'er! Are you alright?!"
Li Jue groaned slightly, giving her a weak smile. "You look beautiful… when you're angry."
Li Feng's eyes softened, and she hugged him tightly, pressing her forehead against his. "Idiot…"
She reached into her storage ring, retrieving a high-grade healing pill and gently feeding it to him.
As the medicinal energy soothed his injuries, he sighed in relief, leaning against her warm embrace.
After a long moment, Li Feng took his hands in hers, her gaze serious.
"Jue'er, we need to get out of this cave. The noise we made earlier must've alerted the beasts of this lair."
Li Jue nodded, gathering his strength.
They moved quickly, still concealed by the Void Phantom Veil, making their way toward the exit.
But as they stepped into a wider cavern passage, they froze.
Ahead of them lay the Tier 7 Crimson Bone Ape's corpse.
The mighty beast that had fled earlier now lay lifeless, its powerful body covered in deep wounds. But what shocked them the most was not its death.
It was the two small Crimson Bone Ape cubs next to it.
The tiny creatures huddled close to their mother's body, their red-furred forms trembling, their small cries echoing softly in the cavern.
Li Feng's eyes softened. "That must be her offspring…"
Li Jue's expression turned complicated. He had seen countless slaughters, battles, and betrayals, but this scene… it struck something deep within him.
Li Feng took a deep breath before speaking. "These small apes won't survive in this lair without their mother. Although she died by those two elders' hands, we're also at fault for luring them here."
Li Jue's gaze flickered. He clenched his fists before releasing a slow breath. "You're right."
Li Feng continued. "The only way we can save them… is by forming a contract."
Li Jue frowned. "A contract? But won't they resist, thinking we're enemies?"
Li Feng nodded solemnly. "It's cruel, but it's also the only way to ensure their survival. If we take them with us, nurture them, and help them grow stronger… then that will be the greatest gratitude we can return to their mother."
Li Jue's gaze softened. He stared at the small apes, who looked at them with wary but innocent eyes.
Finally, he nodded. "Alright. Let's do it."
Li Feng stepped forward, kneeling before the smaller of the two. "I will take the female cub."
Li Jue moved toward the male cub.
They both bit their thumbs, drawing out a drop of blood, and channeled their soul energy into their fingertips.
Then, they pressed their hands against the foreheads of the cubs.
Ancient golden runes ignited around them as the contract formation took place.
The cubs trembled, resisting briefly, but as the energy of the contract synchronized with their souls, their instincts recognized their new bond.
The golden runes faded into their bodies, sealing the contract.
The cubs looked up at them, blinking with newfound recognition.
Li Jue smirked. "It's done."
Li Feng smiled, gently patting the female cub. "From now on, we will protect you… and in return, you will walk the path of strength alongside us."
The cubs let out small coos of acknowledgment before curling up close to their new masters.
With a thought, Li Jue and Li Feng sent them into their Sea of Consciousness, where they would rest and grow stronger.
Li Jue let out a deep breath. "Now… let's get out of here."
Li Feng nodded.
They turned, stepping out into the moonlit forest.
The White Lotus Sect awaited.
Yet, as they continued their journey through the shadows of the night, neither of them noticed the ominous figures lurking in the distant trees… watching them with cold, calculating eyes.