The unnatural silence of Blackwood Forest remained unbroken even after the creature vanished. Tianhai exhaled, still feeling the residual chill from its presence. The dark marks on his shoulder tingled, but thanks to Jian Xuan's healing, the pain had faded.
Jian Xuan stood a few steps ahead, scanning the dense trees with narrowed eyes. "It retreated, but it's still here," he said. His tone was calm, but there was an edge to it—one that told Tianhai this wasn't over.
Tianhai tightened his grip on his sword. "Then we track it down."
Jian Xuan turned to him, assessing. After a beat, he nodded. "Good. But this isn't just about swinging your sword. You need to sharpen your instincts. There will be more of them."
Tianhai set his jaw. He understood what Jian Xuan meant. That thing—the way it moved, the way it reacted—had been unlike anything he had fought before. This wasn't just another sparring session in the sect. This was real.
Jian Xuan motioned forward. "Let's move."
---
Tracking the Shadows
The deeper they ventured into the forest, the heavier the air became. Tianhai felt something—faint, almost like a whisper against his senses. The same energy the creature had left on him lingered in the air, guiding them forward.
The trees stretched taller, their twisted roots curling over the ground like skeletal fingers. A low mist clung to the earth, muffling their steps. Each breath Tianhai took carried the damp scent of decayed leaves and something else—something metallic. Blood.
Then, ahead, a faint sound—something moving.
Jian Xuan signaled for Tianhai to stop.
Moments later, three figures emerged from the darkness.
They weren't like the one from before—these were smaller, less defined, their bodies flickering like unstable shadows. But their glowing red eyes and elongated limbs were unmistakable.
Tianhai instinctively shifted into a defensive stance.
Jian Xuan didn't even glance at them. "These ones are yours."
Tianhai blinked. "What?"
"You want to grow stronger? Then fight," Jian Xuan said simply. "I'll handle the real threat."
Before Tianhai could protest, Jian Xuan was already gone, vanishing into the darkness in pursuit of the stronger presence.
Tianhai barely had time to react before the creatures lunged.
---
Trial by Fire
The first one moved fast, its limbs stretching unnaturally as it lashed out. Tianhai ducked, barely avoiding the strike, and countered with a swift slash. His sword met resistance—but instead of flesh, it was like cutting through thick mist.
The creature hissed, recoiling but not falling.
Tianhai exhaled sharply. It wasn't enough. He had to adapt.
The second creature lunged from the side. Tianhai spun, his blade glowing faintly with Qi as he struck again—this time aiming for the core of its shifting body. His sword cut through with precision, and the creature let out a shriek before dissolving into nothing.
One down.
The remaining two moved in unison, their attacks faster, more coordinated. Tianhai gritted his teeth. He wasn't used to fighting multiple opponents like this. Every sparring match he had in the sect had rules, structure—this was pure survival.
One feinted, drawing his attention, while the other struck from behind. Tianhai barely twisted in time, its claws grazing his side. He hissed in pain but didn't stop.
He had to end this.
Focusing his Qi, Tianhai dashed forward, feinting a strike to the left before abruptly shifting his momentum. His blade found its mark, piercing through the second creature's core. It let out an ear-piercing screech before fading.
The last one hesitated.
Tianhai didn't.
With a final burst of speed, he slashed upward, cutting clean through its center. The creature writhed before vanishing into the darkness.
Breathing hard, Tianhai stood in the silence that followed. His heart pounded, his limbs ached, but he had done it.
His first real fight.
He wasn't unscathed, but he had won.
Then, in the distance, he heard it.
A sound like tearing flesh.
---
The True Enemy
Tianhai didn't waste time. He turned, following the faint trace of Jian Xuan's Qi deeper into the woods. The mist thickened as he ran, his body still pulsing with adrenaline.
Then he felt it—an overwhelming pressure ahead.
He pushed forward, emerging into a clearing where Jian Xuan stood, blade drawn, facing the real threat.
It was larger than the others, its form more defined—tall and gaunt, its limbs long and clawed. Unlike the lesser creatures, this one wasn't flickering. It was solid, its presence pressing against the air like a storm waiting to break.
But it wasn't alone.
Behind it, more creatures lurked in the shadows, watching.
Jian Xuan's voice was low, steady. "Stay back."
Tianhai clenched his fists. He wanted to help—but against something like this? He would only be a burden.
The creature moved first, its speed unnatural for its size. One moment it was standing still; the next, it was in front of Jian Xuan, claws slashing forward.
Jian Xuan reacted instantly. His sword met the strike with a flash of silver, sending sparks through the mist as steel and claw clashed.
The force of the impact sent a shockwave through the clearing, rustling the dead leaves and shaking the twisted branches above.
Jian Xuan countered with a swift, precise strike aimed at its core. The creature twisted, dodging with inhuman agility, before retaliating with a swipe that forced Jian Xuan to step back.
Tianhai watched, heart pounding. Jian Xuan was strong—stronger than he had ever imagined.
But this thing was fast. It wasn't just a brute. It was intelligent.
And it was watching him, too.
Tianhai realized it the moment its gaze flickered toward him, even as it fought Jian Xuan.
A shiver ran down his spine.
It was testing them.
Jian Xuan moved with practiced precision, his blade cutting through the air in a deadly arc. He wasn't holding back anymore. Lightning crackled along the edge of his sword, illuminating the darkness in brief flashes.
Then, for the first time, the creature flinched.
Tianhai's eyes widened. It felt that.
Jian Xuan pressed forward, striking again. This time, the creature roared—a deep, guttural sound that sent the watching shadows skittering away.
Tianhai barely had time to process what was happening before the beast did something unexpected.
It retreated.
Not out of fear—but as if luring them deeper.
Jian Xuan didn't pursue immediately. His gaze flicked to Tianhai, assessing him.
"Can you keep going?"
Tianhai straightened despite his exhaustion. He wasn't about to say no. "Yes."
Jian Xuan gave a rare smile, brief but approving. "Good. Then we finish this."
Tianhai nodded, gripping his sword tighter.
The hunt wasn't over.
It had only just begun.