The sun had just started to rise, casting a golden glow over the ruined battlefield. The air was still thick with the scent of burnt wood and blood.
Xian Zhen stood at the edge of the Martial Hall, staring into the distance. His mind wasn't on the battle he had just won—his thoughts were already on the City of Eternal Night.
"The Shadow Sect is after me. If I don't move first, they'll keep coming."
Behind him, Lei Shang and Feng Yu approached.
Lei Shang crossed his arms. "Are you sure about this? The City of Eternal Night isn't a place for the weak."
Xian smirked. "Then it's perfect for me."
Feng Yu sighed. "Tch. Arrogant as always. But she's right—the Night Owl won't just give us information. He'll ask for something in return."
Elder Bai walked forward, his expression serious. "Then be careful. The City of Eternal Night is ruled by criminals and assassins. Trust no one."
Xian cracked his knuckles. "That's fine. If they betray me, I'll just kill them first."
The Journey Begins
By midday, Xian, Lei Shang, Feng Yu, and Jiang Hu left the Martial Hall, heading toward their destination.
The City of Eternal Night was located deep within the Blood Moon Valley, a cursed land filled with monsters, bandits, and lost souls. No one who entered the valley unprepared ever returned.
But Xian wasn't just anyone.
As they walked, Jiang Hu grinned. "I've always wanted to visit the City of Eternal Night. I hear they have the best food and the deadliest women."
Feng Yu rolled her eyes. "Idiot. The only thing you'll find there is death."
Lei Shang remained silent, his sharp eyes scanning their surroundings. "We should be careful. The Shadow Sect might send more assassins after us."
Xian smirked. "Let them come. I could use some entertainment."
Ambush in the Blood Moon Valley
As night fell, the group reached the entrance of Blood Moon Valley. A thick fog covered the area, making it hard to see more than a few meters ahead.
Jiang Hu shivered. "Creepy place."
Feng Yu narrowed her eyes. "This valley is cursed. The legends say those who enter without permission never leave."
Xian chuckled. "Good. That means fewer people will be in our way."
Just as they stepped into the valley—
WHOOSH!
Dark shadows moved through the fog. The ground trembled as figures in black cloaks appeared, their eyes glowing red.
Lei Shang drew his sword. "Assassins."
Feng Yu clenched her fists. "They were waiting for us."
A deep voice echoed through the valley. "The Shadow Sect does not forgive. You should have stayed hidden, Xian Zhen."
Xian smirked. "And let you attack me whenever you want? No thanks."
The leader of the assassins stepped forward, his dagger dripping with poison.
"Kill them all."
The Battle Begins
WHOOSH!
The assassins attacked, moving like ghosts in the fog.
Jiang Hu dodged a blade by inches. "Damn! These guys are fast!"
Feng Yu's hands glowed with fire energy as she unleashed a blast. "Then we'll just have to be faster!"
Lei Shang's sword slashed through the air, cutting down three assassins in one strike. "Stay close. Don't let them separate us."
But Xian?
He grinned and charged straight into the enemy.
His black and white energy erupted, sending shockwaves through the valley.
BOOM!
The ground cracked as he punched an assassin, sending him flying into a tree.
Another one tried to stab him from behind—
SLASH!
Xian caught the blade with his bare hand, his white energy crushing it into dust.
The assassin's eyes widened. "M-monster!"
Xian smirked. "You finally noticed?"
With a flick of his wrist, he snapped the assassin's neck.
The remaining assassins hesitated. They had heard of Xian Zhen's power… but seeing it in person was something else.
Their leader gritted his teeth. "Retreat! We can't win this fight!"
But Xian wasn't going to let them escape.
His black energy swirled around him, forming shadow chains that shot forward—
WHOOSH!
The chains wrapped around the assassins, pulling them back.
Xian's voice was cold. "You came to kill me. So why are you running?"
The assassins screamed as the chains crushed their bodies, leaving nothing but dust.
Silence filled the valley.
Feng Yu exhaled. "That was… brutal."
Jiang Hu whistled. "I'd feel bad for them. But they attacked us first."
Lei Shang sheathed his sword. "We should move. More could be on their way."
Xian nodded. "Let's go. The City of Eternal Night is waiting."
As they disappeared into the darkness, the hunt for the Night Owl continued.