Langtian's body trembled, his chest tight with a suffocating mix of fear and worry. His heart pounded in his ears loudly, frantically, as if trying to drown out the gruesome sight before him.
That monstrous Rank 4 Demonic Wolf...
Its jaws dripped with blood as it tore flesh from bone, devouring the carcass of another beast with sickening crunches.
Every part of Langtian screamed at him to run. His instincts surged in protest, urging him to flee, but he gritted his teeth and forced himself to breathe slowly, deeply, activating the Tranquil Heart Breathing Technique.
He had to stay calm.
Demonic beasts could sense fear. It was in their nature. After all, those monsters were born of corrupted Qi, they fed on chaos and negative emotions.
And right now, Langtian could feel the beast's aura scraping against his spirit like claws across stone.
But beside him, Yue Ling showed not the slightest trace of fear.
She crouched in silence, posture steady, gaze fixed on the wolf like a hunter sizing up her prey. Her breathing was calm. Her heartbeat steady.
She shifted slightly, preparing to stand.
Langtian reached out quickly and grabbed her wrist, his grip tightening more than he meant it to.
"Are you sure about this?" he whispered, as quietly as he could.
Yue Ling glanced back and smiled.
"Don't worry. I've got this. It's just a Rank 4 beast."
"Then… I'm coming with you!"
Because how could he, as a man, and as her dear junior, would let his Senior Sister face something this dangerous alone?
He knew he wasn't at his best. His body was still weak. His cultivation broken.
But even so, if something went wrong, at the very least, he could buy her time.
He could serve as a distraction.
That was the thought in his heart.
BBut Yue Ling's expression softened, as if she had somehow sensed and read every unspoken thought in Langtian's heart. She reached out and gently placed her hand on his head, ruffling his hair with a soft laugh.
"Thank you… but trust me, I'm strong enough."
Langtian stared at her.
And for a moment, just a moment, her quiet confidence loosened the grip of fear coiled inside him.
He exhaled.
"Alright." He released her wrist. "But if I see anything go wrong, I'm coming in. No matter what."
Yue Ling chuckled.
"Okay."
Then, without a moment's hesitation, she stepped out from behind the boulder.
The mist swirled around her ankles as she moved forward gracefully, like a shadow gliding silently toward the flame.
Langtian stayed behind, watching her go, a rising wave of anxiety tightening in his chest.
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Step…
Step…
The soft crunch of Yue Ling's boots echoed across the stony ground.
As she approached the edge of the beast's territory, the Rank 4 Demonic Wolf suddenly froze. Its bloodstained muzzle lifted from the carcass, and its blazing eyes locked directly onto her.
Langtian watched with bated breath, heart hammering, every muscle in his body tensed, ready to leap in at any moment.
But then… something strange happened.
The beast looked… terrified?
It took a step back, then another, retreating slowly toward the mouth of its cave. A low whimper escaped its throat, followed by a deep, guttural growl. Its fur bristled. Its fiery eyes narrowed. Its fangs gleamed beneath a warning snarl.
Then, all at once, demonic flames exploded from its body. The fire roared to life in a blaze of crimson and black, like a death omen tearing through the mist. It was as if the flames themselves screamed: Do not come any closer. This is my domain!
And yet...
Huh? What's going on?
Langtian blinked, stunned.
He couldn't understand it.
That thing, a rank 4 demonic monster the size of a house, was backing away? Acting defensive? Against her? Against a cultivator who hadn't even formed a Spirit Core?
Shouldn't it be the other way around?
Yue Ling hadn't attacked. She hadn't even drawn her blades.
She had simply stepped forward, and the beast had already turned into a cornered dog.
How does this make any sense…?
Then, without a word, Yue Ling unsheathed her weapons.
With a sharp metallic scrape, her twin curved Yanling sabers flashed into the open air. The moment the steel gleamed, red flames erupted along the blades, coiling like living fire. Her fire was even seemed to be brighter, hotter, more violent than the demonic flames wrapped around the wolf.
The beast reacted instantly.
It barked.
It growled.
It trembled.
It backed away even further, claws digging into the earth. Its flaming eyes flickered with panic.
It was warning her.
Do not come closer.
But Yue Ling didn't stop.
A smirk tugged at the corner of her lips as she took one more step forward, utterly fearless.
And then, with no other choice, the wolf attacked.
It lunged forward, massive and terrifying, claws raised, fangs bared, its entire body engulfed in searing black flame.
Charging straight at her.
And yet… Yue Ling didn't move!
She stood her ground.
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Behind the boulder, Langtian's heart lurched.
Why isn't Senior Sister dodging?! What's going on?!
BOOM!
The wolf slammed into the earth like a falling mountain.
The ground erupted with a deafening crash, cracks spiderwebbing across the stone. A shockwave of demonic flames burst outward, igniting the mist in a blazing, infernal red.
Dust exploded into the air, swallowing everything in a blinding storm of ash and smoke.
"SENIOR SISTER!"
Langtian bolted from cover, panic surging through his chest like wildfire.
"Damn it! DAMN IT!" he cursed under his breath.
He knew this would happen!
He should've stopped her.
He shouldn't have let her charge in like that!
Right! She must've eaten too much demonic beast meat. It's scrambled her mind!
She was being reckless. She wasn't thinking straight!