The morning sun had barely broken through the clouds when the tremors of chaos approached Shadow Mountain. Wind rushed through the trees like it feared what was coming, and the animals scattered in warning.
From the south, an immense pressure weighed down upon the forest, as a legion of cultivators clad in the emblem of the Zhou family stormed toward the mountain valley. In the lead rode a woman in crimson robes, her hair tied high, golden phoenix embroidery glinting on her sleeves. Her aura burned with fury and arrogance.
**Zhou Yuechan**, daughter of the Zhou patriarch, Soul Sea Realm cultivator, and a woman feared across regions.
She stood tall at the edge of the mountain path, glaring into the distance as her forces halted behind her.
"Xuan Long!" she roared, her voice echoing across the valley. "You bastard! Come out and die for killing my brother!"
Inside the throne hall, Xuan Long opened his eyes lazily. He had sensed the pressure long before the shout arrived. He rose, draped in flowing dark robes, and stepped outside with Mu Chen, Hei Mo, and dozens of shadow guards in formation.
They gathered at the front plaza beneath the mountain stairs. Yue Mei and Xiou Xue were already escorted to safety, hidden behind protective arrays.
Xuan Long stepped forward, the mountain breeze ruffling his hair. He faced Zhou Yuechan's army with calm coldness.
"Your brother? That trash who liked playing with slaves? Yes, I killed him," Xuan Long said, voice as cold as ice. "He died like the dog he was."
Zhou Yuechan's eyes widened in disbelief and rage.
"Do you even know who you're mocking? I am Zhou Yuechan. Born with a Saint Phoenix Body, every noble son in the capital bows before me. My beauty enslaves men. My name alone brings kingdoms to attention!"
Xuan Long raised an eyebrow, unimpressed.
She continued, lips curling into a cruel grin. "After I defeat you, I'll break your cultivation and collar you like a beast. As for your little pets…"
She laughed maliciously. "Your five-year-old girl and that three-year-old fox brat… I'll make them servants for life. In the morning, they'll fetch my tea. At night, they'll entertain my guards."
Rage exploded through the crowd.
Mu Chen's fingers clenched around his sword.
Hei Mo's pupils dilated with fury.
Yue Li, watching from the formation node, burned with killing intent.
But it was Xuan Long's voice that silenced everything.
"You… are worse than a beast."
His tone was deathly quiet, yet colder than winter. "You threatened my family. You dared touch my little sisters in your foul words. I will not grant you death today."
Zhou Yuechan smirked and waved her hand.
"Kill him!"
Two Core Formation cultivators lunged forward, blades gleaming. But before they could step onto the sacred stairs—
**BOOM!**
The formation erupted. Searing light pierced the sky. Screams echoed for a heartbeat and then silence fell.
Both cultivators were dead.
Yue Li stood behind the control pillar, her eyes red. "You dare attack Shadow Mountain? Let me show you what we've prepared."
Zhou Yuechan snarled. "You dare harm Zhou family members?!"
She gestured again.
Fifty elite soldiers charged.
But this time, Hei Mo and the shadow guards moved. Demonic puppets clashed with blades. Poison techniques from Mu Chen twisted through the crowd. Within minutes, the elite force was nothing but corpses.
Zhou Yuechan was panting now, her face paling.
"Fine… FINE! Soul Sea Realm elders—KILL HIM!"
Two powerful cultivators stepped forward, spiritual pressure overwhelming.
Xuan Long didn't move.
As the attacks launched toward him, golden runes flared across his arms. **Heavenly Devour Mirror – Reflect.**
The elders' own attacks were thrown back at them—amplified tenfold.
**BOOM!**
The mountain shook as their bodies were vaporized.
Zhou Yuechan froze in horror.
"W-What are you… What kind of monster reflects Soul Sea attacks?!"
Xuan Long walked toward her slowly.
"You wanted to make me your dog? Enslave my sisters?"
She tried to back away. "D-Don't come near me. I'm the Zhou family heiress! My father—"
Before she could finish, he struck.
**CRACK!**
Her cultivation was sealed in a flash of light. She dropped to her knees, gasping.
"Hei Mo."
"Yes, Master."
"Remove her spiritual roots."
Everyone around gasped.
Even Yue Li, hardened by battle, looked at him in shock. To strip one of their spiritual roots… was a fate worse than death.
Zhou Yuechan's eyes widened. "NO! Don't touch me! I am a Saint Phoenix Body cultivator! Do you know what it feels like to remove the spiritual root from someone like me?!"
Hei Mo approached with cold hands glowing with dark light. "Yes. Like tearing your bones out while still alive."
Her screams tore through the mountain.
Fifteen minutes passed.
She collapsed, soaked in blood and sweat, unable to move.
Xuan Long turned to Mu Chen. "Collar her. Make her clean every stone on this mountain. If she disobeys—break her bones."
Mu Chen nodded and summoned a cursed collar from the treasury.
Zhou Yuechan lay there, trembling. "Y-You… I'll kill you. My father will come. You'll regret this!"
Shadow guards dragged her to the courtyard. Her once-pristine robes were in tatters.
She scrubbed the garden floor with trembling hands, surrounded by silence and eyes filled with contempt.
In her heart, hatred burned.
**"Xuan Long… One day… I'll see your sisters crawl before me."**
But for now—
She was a dog in chains.