"You want to run? Then let's see how far your blood can flow."
—Viper
---
[1] Beyond the Poison Valley, the Killing Begins
Shen carried Wan'er on his back, traversing the toxic mist of the incineration pit behind the mountain.
His wounds were already inflamed, and each breath tasted faintly of blood, but his steps remained steady.
He knew:
> "If I stop now, it won't be me who dies—it'll be her."
In the distance, talismans erupted in bursts of light—the spirit-searching scouts of Huanshui Hall.
They had reacted faster than he'd anticipated. A dozen inner disciples were combing the valley, led by a slender, black-clad assassin whose silent steps coiled like a serpent—
Viper.
---
[2] The Assassin Appears—A Cold-Hearted Hunt
Viper said nothing. He didn't even use spirit arts.
He did only one thing: tracked Shen's escape route step by step.
With each footfall, he placed a Spirit-Sealing Talisman.
He didn't need speed.
He only needed the prey to know—no matter how far you run, the end is always me.
"Subject G-207 has escaped the Sacrificial Hall."
He reported coldly into a voice-transmission stone.
"Kill order?"
From Mu Youlou came only two words:
> "Eliminate completely."
Viper smirked and pressed forward with greater force.
---
[3] Inside the Cave—The Trap Begins
Shen knew being caught was only a matter of time.
He ducked into an abandoned spiritual mine tunnel with Wan'er, igniting two Veil Talismans to mask their aura.
Then, he began to prepare the kill zone.
He coated broken rocks with his refined Lung-Crushing Poison.
He placed four Phantom Echo Talismans to create sound illusions and false visions.
Lastly, he piled ash and talismanic flames near the exit—ready to detonate into a wall of fire.
Wan'er looked at him and whispered:
> "You… don't want to live anymore?"
Shen didn't turn. He only muttered:
> "I don't live to avoid death—I live to choose where to kill."
---
[4] Viper Enters—Poison Strikes
Late at night, Viper slipped into the cave like a shadow.
He frowned.
"No aura."
But he didn't hesitate. He retrieved a black chain whip. With a flick, the tip searched for heat—locking onto a crack in the stone.
"Found you."
He stepped forward.
Boom!
Ash and talisman fire exploded, rocks flew!
Viper staggered half a step back, his arm trembling slightly but unscathed.
He sneered:
> "Tricks for children."
But just as he took another step—his foot slipped.
—The rock wall was coated in poison!
He lost balance. A bone blade trap scraped his left cheek!
Blood splattered.
Viper's pupils constricted.
For the first time, he had walked into an ambush.
---
[5] Escape with a Severed Tail—Into the Forest
Shen didn't linger.
He knew Viper was wounded, not dead.
As Viper chased in fury, Shen had already escaped into the dense forest with Wan'er.
The night was heavy. Wind rustled the trees.
Shen's body burned with fever. Poison spread. Vision blurred.
But still, he carried Wan'er and didn't stop.
Wan'er whispered:
> "You knew… you couldn't beat him?"
Shen chuckled lowly:
> "Of course I knew."
> "But… I can hit him once—make him hesitate the next time."
---
[6] Huanshui Hall—The Storm Gathers
Meanwhile, inside the main hall of Huanshui.
Mu Youlou sat cross-legged on a lotus seat, eyes on the incoming spiritual report.
"Viper injured. Targets escaped into the wilderness."
His gaze was deep. Fingers tapped the table. He murmured:
> "He's no ordinary mortal."
> "That's a hunter, not prey."
At last, he rose and spoke to the men beside him:
> "Release the Blood Spirit Messenger."
> "Let the whole of Dongshan County know—someone is killing us."