The demonic beast staggered, its massive body trembling as black blood poured from shattered scales. The glow in its four eyes flickered—rage giving way to desperation.
It tried to rise.
Feng Lihan did not allow it the chance.
The wind around him fell unnaturally still.
Too still.
"Mo Shan," Feng Lihan said calmly, without turning his head. "Hold it."
Mo Shan wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth and stepped forward, golden eyes sharp despite his injuries.
"Gladly."
He raised both hands. The serpent markings on his arms burned bright emerald, spreading across his shoulders and chest. The ground cracked beneath his feet as his magic surged beyond restraint.
"Royal Coil."
From the shattered stone erupted a colossal spectral snake—thicker than ancient tree trunks, its eyes glowing like molten gold. It wrapped around the demonic beast in one brutal motion, jaws locking around its neck, coils tightening with crushing force.
Bones cracked.
The beast screamed, thrashing wildly, claws tearing at the serpent's body—but this time, it could not break free.
"Now," Mo Shan growled.
Feng Lihan lifted into the air, crimson wings spreading wide. Wind gathered behind him, spiraling faster and faster until it formed a massive spear of compressed air, its edge vibrating with lethal precision.
"Verdict of the Sky."
He thrust his hand forward.
The wind spear descended like divine punishment.
It pierced straight through the demonic beast's skull, erupting out the back in a violent explosion of air and blood. The shockwave blasted through the cave, extinguishing torches and rattling every stone in the mountain.
The beast's scream cut off abruptly.
Its body went limp.
The spectral serpent dissolved into light as Mo Shan released his magic, dropping to one knee, breathing hard.
The demonic beast collapsed fully, its massive form crashing into the stone floor—lifeless.
For a moment—
Silence.
Then cheers erupted.
"It's dead!"
"The Chief killed it!"
"We're safe!"
Warriors rushed forward, checking for movement, weapons still raised. When none came, relief washed through the clan like a tide. Some laughed shakily. Others fell to their knees. A few openly cried.
Lin Yue stood frozen near the cave wall, staring at the fallen beast—then at Feng Lihan.
Alive.
Unhurt.
His chest tightened painfully.
Feng Lihan landed and turned immediately toward him, scanning him from head to toe. Only when he confirmed Lin Yue was unharmed did the tension finally ease from his shoulders.
Mo Shan pushed himself to his feet and walked toward the corpse, frowning.
"Something's strange," he muttered.
He crouched and drove his blade into the beast's chest, slicing carefully. From within spilled darkened flesh—and something else.
A stone.
Small, irregular, glowing faintly with condensed power.
"A demonic core fragment," Mo Shan said quietly. "Refined. Rare."
The surrounding warriors inhaled sharply.
"That stone can raise cultivation," one whispered.
"For warriors at three-star level…"
Mo Shan stared at it for a long moment, then stood and turned toward Feng Lihan, holding the stone out.
"As Chief, it's yours."
Feng Lihan didn't take it.
Instead, he looked at Mo Shan—really looked at him. Bloodied. Injured. Still standing.
"You protected Lin Yue while I was gone," Feng Lihan said steadily. "You held the inner cave. You fought without retreat."
He pushed the stone back toward Mo Shan's hand.
"You take it."
Mo Shan stiffened. "Feng Lihan—"
"You're a three-star warrior," Feng Lihan interrupted. "This will push you forward. The clan needs stronger pillars."
Then, more quietly—
"I owe you."
Mo Shan stared at him, shocked. Then a crooked smile tugged at his lips.
"…You don't say thanks often."
Feng Lihan nodded once. "Thank you. For protecting Lin Yue."
The words were simple.
They carried weight heavier than the mountain itself.
Mo Shan closed his fingers around the stone. "Then I won't waste it."
Behind them, Lin Yue watched the exchange, eyes soft. For the first time since coming to the mountain, he felt something settle in his chest.
Safety.
Trust.
As dawn crept over the peaks, golden light spilling into the cave, the clan began clearing the battlefield. The demonic beast's corpse lay still—its threat ended.
But everyone knew—
This victory had changed things.
Power had shifted.
Bonds had deepened.
And the mountain, once trembling with fear, now stood unbroken beneath the crimson wings of its Chief.