A faint, teasing chuckle floated through the air. Like someone enjoying a joke only they knew.
From the southeast, three figures appeared—barely ten paces away. They weren't rushing. No, they moved as if the world itself had slowed, taking its time to watch them approach.
At the front, a youth—maybe sixteen or seventeen—wore a deep-blue martial robe. Narrow, fox-like eyes glinted with a mix of amusement and malice. The two behind him mirrored that same lazy confidence, smirking as they drew closer to Darian's group.
"Stop right there!" Selene's voice cut through the quiet—low, cold, sharp. "Take another step, and don't blame us for what happens next."
Darian felt it instantly. No warmth. No hesitation. Just pure, raw hostility, unmasked and hungry.
"Well, aren't you bold?" drawled the man to the left of the blue-robed youth. His words dripped with lazy arrogance. The other just grinned and nodded, as if they'd already counted the group out before even trying.
Darian's eyes didn't flicker. He'd sensed a faint ripple of cultivator aura from that direction, enough to make him alert—but something didn't add up. He'd scattered three hundred prodigies from the Hundred Great Main Cities across the Verdant Realm. Encounter this soon? Practically impossible.
So… how the hell were these three standing right in front of them?
The sharp-eyed youth in blue stepped forward. "I'm Sylas, from Shadowmere City," he said, polite in words only. "These are my companions. We'd like to… discuss something."
His gaze swept over the massive corpse of the dark-red blood lion. He'd seen them siphon its soul force with the Hundred-City Jade Seals—a coordinated kill. Impressive for some. Not for him. Especially since one of them hadn't even fully entered the early Mortal Purification Stage. Laughable.
Darian kept his voice calm. "And what exactly do you want to discuss?"
Behind him, his left hand curled into a fist. Selene and Seraphina caught it instantly—readying themselves.
Sylas blinked. Weakest-looking one speaking first? Odd. Lucky. But luck like this didn't come often. Three soft targets in one place? Jackpot. He intended to milk it.
"Simple," Sylas said, a faint smile tugging at his lips. "Hand over your Hundred-City Jade Seals, and I'll let you walk away. Fair trade, wouldn't you say?"
Darian's lips twitched. "Interesting… I was about to make the same offer. Why don't the three of you hand yours over and save us all some trouble?"
The smile vanished from Sylas's face. One companion barked a laugh, a deep-silver Spirit Moon flaring behind him. Early Cleansing Mortal Spirit stage—the aura is oppressive, heavy. The other was the same.
"My friend," Sylas said, cold eyes locking on Darian, "I gave you a chance. Should've taken it."
Selene barked, sharp and clear. "If you want them, come take them!"
Buzz! Deep-silver Spirit Moons flared behind Selene and Seraphina, their early-stage auras spreading like wildfire. Selene jabbed a finger at one of Sylas's men. "You. Step forward."
Sylas gave the faintest nod. His man grinned and lunged.
In an instant, Mystic power crackled through the air. Selene intercepted one, Seraphina the other.
Sylas blinked. The girl, not the "leader," had moved first.
"What?" he scoffed. "You mean to fight me yourself?"
Darian didn't flinch. "You're the strongest of the three. Naturally, I'll take you."
"Hah!" Sylas laughed, sharp and mocking. "An early Cleansing Mortal Spirit brat dares—"
"You talk too much," Darian cut in, stepping forward. Golden Saint Dao energy curled faintly around him. A pale-silver Spirit Moon shimmered into being behind him.
Sylas's eyes narrowed. "Then die!"
A deep-silver Spirit Moon erupted behind him, aura peaking at an early stage. His right hand darkened, seething black light radiating—a killing intent sharp enough to taste.
Shadowmere Wave-Breaking Palm!
A tide of black, corrosive Mystic power surged forward like a crushing stone hand.
"I'll rot your legs where you stand!"
Golden energy roared around Darian.
Earthshatter Tiger Vanguard Fist!
A colossal golden tiger, five paces tall, shot from his fist with a deafening roar, slamming into the black wave. Bang! The air split.
The golden tiger shredded the black palm like paper. Its force surged onward, unstoppable.
"What—?!" Sylas's eyes widened, disbelief written all over his face. He formed a new seal. Black Mystic power surged in a towering wave.
Boom! The wave hit the golden tiger—and lost.
Bang! Sylas staggered back, blood and qi boiling.
Darian didn't slow. Hair whipping, eyes blazing, killing intent flaring, he laughed. "How many punches can you take?"
Two more golden tigers erupted from his fists.
Sylas roared, desperation cracking his voice. "Black Dragon Wave-Breaker! Break!"
A shadowy dragon collided with the golden assault. Light and force shredded the space between them.
"Huff… huff…" Sylas panted. "I'll tear you apart—limb by limb—until you beg for—"
Tiger Shatters the World!
A third golden tiger exploded, slamming into Sylas's shoulder and hurling him ten paces. He hit the ground hard, coughing blood, disbelief etched on his face.
In the distance, two heavy thuds signaled that the other fights were over. Selene stood over her unconscious opponent. Seraphina hovered, violet energy at her foe's throat.
Darian strode forward, grabbed Sylas by the collar, and hauled him upright.
Truth shone clear on Sylas's ashen face. They hadn't found prey. They'd found a wall.
Still smiling, Darian's words landed like a hammer:
"Now… It's your turn. Hand over the Hundred-City Jade Seals."