Black 3 and Black 4 had cornered their two opponents. With perfect coordination, they attacked simultaneously, creating pressure their enemies couldn’t withstand. One enemy fell after the combined strike of Black 3's "Shadow Strike" and Black 4's "Thunderous Blow" smashed into his chest.Ling Xue, supporting from the rear, saw the enemy's defenses weakening. She created an even larger ice spear and hurled it at the last enemy attempting to escape. The spear struck the ground in front of him, sending a wave of frost that froze him in place, rendering him immobile.Zhi Hao noticed the battle was nearly over. Gathering all his strength into his Black Sword, he unleashed a crescent-shaped dark energy slash that sped toward the enemy leader.The leader attempted to block the attack, but his spear couldn’t withstand the full power of the strike. The weapon snapped in two, and the energy wave slammed into his body, throwing him several meters backward.The leader staggered to his feet, his f

Their conversation was interrupted by the sound of faint footsteps outside the cave. Ling Xue immediately stood, forming a seal with her hands. Zhi Hao gripped his Black Sword tightly, ready for a sudden attack.But what emerged from behind the curtain of roots wasn’t an enemy. A small bird with blue feathers and golden patterns on its wings flew inside, hovering in the air. The soft glow it emitted made the cave feel warmer.Ling Xue was startled. “That’s... a messenger bird from the Red Cloud Sect.”Zhi Hao eyed the bird with suspicion. “Have they finally tracked us down?”The bird floated in front of Zhi Hao and opened its beak, speaking in a whisper-like tone. “Zhi Hao, this is Young Master Lei from the Red Cloud Sect. I know you have the Solar Crystal. Come to Black Sky Mountain within three days. We can discuss cooperation. If you don’t…”The voice paused briefly, then turned cold and threatening. “...prepare to face the wrath of the entire sect.”The bird vanished as soon as it

Zhi Hao and his team trudged through the dense forest, leaving Black Sky Mountain behind. The journey was silent, but the tension lingered. Ling Xue occasionally glanced back to ensure they weren’t being followed.“We’ll stop at New Town before deciding our next move,” Zhi Hao said after a while.Black 3 nodded. “Good. We also need time to prepare in case the Red Cloud Sect decides to strike.”After half a day’s travel, they finally reached New Town, a small trade hub bustling with activity. The streets were filled with merchants, buyers, and travelers. The lively hum of the marketplace was a stark contrast to the eerie silence of the forest they had just traversed.“We must stay vigilant,” Ling Xue said as she scanned the crowd. “A place like this is a haven for spies.”Zhi Hao nodded. “We’ll only stay briefly. Find an inn, gather supplies, and leave.”They entered a small inn at the edge of town. The owner, a friendly old man, greeted them warmly. After booking rooms, Zhi Hao laid o

Boom! An explosion rocked the sect as the rage of an old man who lost his son surged.The elders and core disciples of the sect stood in tense silence, not daring to utter a word.In the middle of the hall, an old man in a red robe with golden flame patterns stood, his face filled with fury. The Qi he released was so powerful that the air around him felt heavy and hot.He was Lei Zhang, the leader of the Red Cloud Sect—one of the most influential sects in the region.In his hand was a communication device that had just been used by his son, Lei Tian, now cracked and shattered.“Who dares do this…?” His voice was low, but full of terrifying rage.An elder cautiously stepped forward. “Master, based on the last message from Young Master, the perpetrator is a man named… Zhi Hao.”Lei Zhang’s eyes blazed with hatred. “Zhi Hao…”CRACK!The air trembled as Lei Zhang struck a stone pillar beside him. The pillar instantly cracked and crumbled into rubble.“Everyone… gather all the disciples an

Amidst the bustling disciple selection, Zhi Hao remained silent, his attention fixed on the sharp gaze he sensed from one of the buildings near the square.A bad feeling crept into his heart."Black 3, Black 4," he whispered softly. "Someone is watching us."Black 3 subtly lifted his head, pretending to observe the stage while quickly scanning the surroundings."The source is from the tall building on the western side," he said without moving his lips.Black 4 nodded. "I can sneak in and investigate," he offered quietly.Zhi Hao thought for a moment before shaking his head. "No need. We just need to stay alert. If they intend to make a move, they’ll reveal themselves sooner or later."Ling Xue, standing beside him, gazed toward the mentioned building. "Could it be the Red Cloud Sect?"Zhi Hao narrowed his eyes. "Maybe. But I won’t rule out the possibility that other parties are also starting to take an interest in us."Meanwhile, on a balcony of a tall building, a man in a gray robe s