Chen Wu arrived at Purple Mist Village as the sun tilted westward, casting a soft glow that gave the village a peaceful impression. Yet, beneath the calm exterior, Chen Wu sensed an unusual atmosphere. The villagers seemed wary, avoiding eye contact and moving quickly as if afraid of being watched for too long.“This isn’t an ordinary village,” Chen Wu muttered as he adjusted the straw hat on his head. He walked slowly through the narrow paths, observing every corner of the village.During his stroll, Chen Wu stopped in front of a small tavern. The inviting aroma of warm food made his stomach grumble, but that wasn’t what caught his attention. In the corner of the tavern, a young woman in simple clothing sat alone, sipping tea. Her gaze was vacant, but the aura she exuded was markedly different from that of the other villagers.“She must be Yin Xue,” Chen Wu thought.Chen Wu entered the tavern and chose a table not too far from her. He ordered tea and a plate of snacks from the server

They passed through a side door near the gate, guarded by two men in black attire. Yin Yue made a subtle gesture, and without much questioning, the guards opened the door. The aura inside immediately felt denser, like a suffocating dark mist.Chen Wu remained calm, his eyes scanning every corner of the place. The entrance to the Yin Clan’s main residence was filled with dark ornaments and ancient symbols. In the center was a large garden, but instead of flowers, it was adorned with eerie statues depicting ferocious creatures."This place is dreadful," Chen Wu muttered.Yin Yue simply nodded. "The Yin Clan has long worshiped dark forces. It’s part of their heritage."As they continued walking, they arrived at a grand hall. The hall was illuminated by lanterns with an ancient design, their glow a ghostly bluish-green that cast an eerie atmosphere. On the walls hung portraits of the Yin Clan’s ancestors, their stern faces seeming to watch anyone who passed by."Beyond this hall is where

Yin Yue carefully held the map, folding it so that only the part she wanted to show Chen Wu was visible. Intentionally, she leaned in closer, the space between them becoming almost nonexistent. The faint scent emanating from her made Chen Wu frown for a moment—a mixture of discomfort and caution stirring within him."Here," Yin Yue said softly, her voice layered with mystery. Her slender fingers pointed to a marked spot on the map, located in the north. "Not far from here, there's a cave that, according to legend, holds the Ancient Artifact of the Yin Clan. If we can get there before anyone else, it will be a huge advantage."Chen Wu studied the map, doing his best to ignore Yin Yue's proximity. He knew full well that she had her own ways of manipulating situations, whether through charm or other means, but he kept his focus sharp."A cave in the north?" Chen Wu repeated her words with a neutral tone, his wary gaze fixed on her. "Are you sure there aren’t traps or guards? An artifact

Chen Wu and Yin Yue stood at the mouth of the cave, facing dozens of Yin Clan members who had surrounded them. Each one exuded an intimidating aura, ranging from the Earth Realm to the Heaven Realm.“Looks like they’ve been expecting you, Chen Wu,” Yin Yue said, holding a talisman ready in her hand.Chen Wu gripped the Blade of Darkness tightly. Though the artifact’s power gave him a significant edge, he knew facing such a large group of enemies simultaneously would not be easy.“Seems I’ve become a special guest,” Chen Wu said as he stepped forward. “But this is just a warm-up for the stronger ones.”One of the leaders, a tall man in a purple robe with long white hair, stepped out from the crowd. His sharp eyes burned with anger. “You’ve caused enough chaos, Chen Wu. Return the artifact, and we might let you live.”Chen Wu smiled coldly. “Perhaps you should try taking it yourselves.”At the leader’s signal, the Yin Clan forces moved in.Swoosh!Dozens of energy spears hurtled toward

Chen Wu walked slowly away from the battlefield. His breathing was heavy, and the Dark Blade in his hand appeared darker than ever, as though it had absorbed all the death energy around him. The aura emanating from the blade sent a chilling sensation through his body, but it also filled him with boundless strength.Yin Yue remained seated where she was, her eyes filled with hatred. Yet, she did not pursue Chen Wu. Doubt and fear crept into her heart, realizing that Chen Wu was no longer the same man she once knew."Chen Wu," she muttered softly. "You’ve become a monster beyond anything I could have imagined."Chen Wu left the cavern, stepping into the dense forest stretching to the north. The place was silent, save for the rustling leaves and the distant rumble of thunder. Despite his injuries, he kept moving without pause.Midway through his journey, the Dark Blade began to tremble. Its black aura grew more intense, and a cold voice once again echoed in Chen Wu’s mind."Why didn’t yo