That night, a small campfire crackled softly, casting a dim light amidst the darkness of the forest at the foot of the Demon Mountains. Chen Wu leaned against a tree trunk, the Dark Blade resting at his side. Zhao Feng sat not far from him, poking the fire with a twig as the flames danced in the cool night air."You know, Chen Wu," Zhao Feng began, breaking the silence, "I could’ve chosen an easier path—stayed away from you and forgotten about all of this. But I didn’t."Chen Wu snorted lightly. "Why? Because you see me as a tool? A weapon you can use to exact your revenge?"Zhao Feng offered a faint smile. "Not a tool—a partner. We both know the Yin Clan isn’t an ordinary enemy. If I tried to fight them alone, it’d be suicide. But with you ... maybe we have a chance."Chen Wu shot him a sharp glare. "Do you think I care about your revenge? Or about the clans? All I want is to strengthen myself. This has nothing to do with your vendetta."Zhao Feng chuckled softly. "Of course. But you

"If you're scared, go back. I won't stop you. After all, it was your choice to follow me," Chen Wu said firmly."A man must be bold! Besides, this trip helps sharpen my combat skills. And I heard there are plenty of rare medicinal herbs growing in the Devil's Mountains. Since few dare to venture here, I'm sure many are still untapped. I want those herbs to make pills," Zhao Feng replied enthusiastically."Are you an alchemist?""No, of course not. But I have an uncle who can do it, though he's just a first-level alchemist."Chen Wu raised an eyebrow. "A first-level alchemist? That's hardly enough to make anything truly valuable. What's the point of gathering medicinal herbs if your uncle can only make basic pills?"Zhao Feng chuckled and shrugged. "It's better than nothing. Besides, I'm just making use of what I can find. Who knows? Maybe I'll meet someone more skilled in the future."Chen Wu snorted softly, stepping past Zhao Feng. "If that's your plan, so be it. Just don't let your

Chen Wu returned to Zhao Feng after completing the mysterious ritual at the altar. Zhao Feng was still unconscious but slowly began to stir. His face was pale, yet he managed to sit up with Chen Wu’s help."What happened earlier?" Zhao Feng asked weakly."You were struck by an unseen energy. I’ve dealt with it, but we need to leave now before something else happens," Chen Wu replied.Zhao Feng nodded. Though his body was weak, he followed Chen Wu, his steps faltering slightly.As they ventured deeper into the Demon Mountains, the atmosphere grew more oppressive. The ancient trees loomed overhead, their gnarled branches clawing at the sky. Distant growls and howls echoed through the forest, putting them on edge.Suddenly, Chen Wu halted. A cold, sinister air enveloped the area. "Stop," he said firmly."Why?" Zhao Feng whispered.Chen Wu didn’t answer. Instead, he focused his senses to pinpoint the source of the danger. Moments later, a massive creature emerged from the shadows. Its bod

A massive shadow crept slowly toward the cave entrance, emitting a terrifying hiss. Chen Wu stood in front of Zhao Feng, shielding his companion while gripping the Dark Sword tightly."What is that?" Zhao Feng whispered, his voice trembling.Chen Wu didn’t answer. His eyes narrowed, trying to discern the approaching creature. Its body was shrouded in thick black mist, making its form difficult to identify. But its aura was undeniably powerful, far surpassing a Level 6 Demon Beast.“This creature… it’s not just a Demon Beast,” Chen Wu murmured. “There’s something strange about its aura.”Swoosh!The shadow suddenly lunged with incredible speed. Chen Wu raised the Dark Sword to block the attack.Clang!An explosion of energy erupted as Chen Wu’s sword met the creature’s claw. He was pushed back several steps but managed to keep his footing.Zhao Feng, standing behind him, was stunned. “Chen Wu, its strength…”Chen Wu nodded, catching his breath. “It’s akin to a Level 7 Earth King. But t

That morning, the sky over the Devil Mountains was gray. Chen Wu stood at the mountain’s peak, clad in a black robe billowing in the wind. In his right hand, the Dark Sword shimmered with a menacing aura. Beside him, Zhao Feng stood, his expression filled with unease."Chen Wu, are you sure about this? Heading straight to the Yin Clan is madness," Zhao Feng said hesitantly.Chen Wu gazed northward, toward the Yin Clan's domain. "Madness or not, it’s the only way. They’ve been hunting me for too long. I will no longer be prey. I will be the hunter."Zhao Feng sighed deeply. "At least let me call for reinforcements. The Yin Clan isn’t just a group of ordinary warriors. They have elders who’ve reached the peak of the Earth King Realm."Chen Wu smirked. "Let them come. This power… it will be enough to destroy them."Without waiting for a response, Chen Wu began descending the mountain, his steps steady and filled with burning determination.Hours later, Chen Wu and Zhao Feng arrived at a