The gray sky enveloped the morning, casting a tense aura that seemed to seep into one's very bones. Lucas, among other participants, wasn't there by mere coercion; he coveted the prize on offer.They assembled in the wilderness, within a forest still under the dominion of the Shadowbale family.This forest was a natural enigma, a labyrinth of tall trees that stood like mystical guardians harboring ancient secrets."Hey, look, Lucas the trash is joining too," sneered a participant under their breath.Despite Lucas having proven his mettle previously—having vanquished a man in fair combat, even to the death—his peers still dismissed him as worthless.An organizer, draped in a black robe with an inscrutable face, approached bearing small flags. "The main rule," he announced in a raspy, deep voice, "is to seize these flags without resorting to killing. The one who secures the most flags will be declared the victor."The competition was set to be fierce, a ruthless scramble where alliances
They had been introduced earlier, but Lucas was still surprised to see Islode under these circumstances.The moonlight filtering through the forest leaves cast a serene glow on Islode. The tranquil forest, alive with the soft rustling of leaves and the occasional chirping of night birds, created a surreal atmosphere. Lucas, observing Islode in the moonlight, noticed an anomaly."You really don't sweat anymore," he remarked, almost in disbelief. His voice blended with the gentle sounds of the surrounding foliage.This observation was peculiar, considering that Islode had appeared quite sweaty earlier. However, since Lucas had helped her out of her soaked garments, her skin now seemed inexplicably dry and unblemished.Islode stood there, her nudity almost ethereal in the moonlight, but Lucas was more intrigued by this oddity than her appearance."I have a strange condition," Islode confided in Lucas, who had become her unexpected ally.She paused thoughtfully, as if choosing her words c
Lucas had just parted ways with Islode earlier, the woman who had announced her intention to return to her family. This decision seemed logical, considering she had been deeply involved in infiltrating the cultivators' race, a dangerous endeavor where lives were constantly at risk.As Lucas stood alone in the quiet of the forest, he closed his eyes, immersing himself in the tranquility around him while drawing in every ounce of power and energy his body could muster."I really got a big harvest today," Lucas mused aloud, pleasantly surprised by his unexpected acquisition of a formidable new technique.With a casual tap of his finger, a small mist materialized around his hand. This was no ordinary mist; it harbored an extraordinary quality that few would anticipate.Suddenly, small but intense lightning strikes began to crackle within the mist, revealing the true power it concealed. Lucas, wearing a triumphant smile, was clearly satisfied with his newfound ability."Mist technique, hea
In the midst of the blazing sun that enveloped the dense forest, Lucas was visibly shaking, whether from fear or feigned weakness was unclear."Lcuas, you finally feel the fear?" Lorrick teased with a smirk."So you're afraid of dying too, Lucas?" Lorrick taunted again. However, his mocking was short-lived, as Lucas' trembling was swiftly replaced by a confident smile."You think you've won, Lorrick?" Lucas' voice echoed through the forest, challenging.The two men locked eyes, a silent battle of wills ensuing."Heh, still playing tough, Lucas? No one will save you," Lorrick declared, raising the artefact he held.The artefact, gripped tightly in Lorrick's hand, was the source of Lucas' current weakness. It had drained all of Lucas' inner strength, leaving him temporarily unable to access his powers.Yet, Lucas stepped forward, his stride exuding confidence. "You think by taking away my inner strength, I'll be defeated?" His laugh, sinister and mocking, reverberated amongst the trees,
Behind the veil of mystery shrouding the labyrinthine streets of Jade Valley City, a secret base stood tall, ingeniously concealed from the public eye. The infamous group known as the Hell Rats had numerous secret headquarters peppered throughout various locations, one of which was nestled in the enigmatic Jade Valley. On this particular morning, the atmosphere inside this covert base was unusually somber. The silence, typically rare in such a den of activity, was punctuated only by the occasional clink of coffee cups. Seated opposite each other were two figures known as Blue Rat and White Rat, elite members of this shadowy organization. Engrossed in their morning ritual, they sipped strong black coffee, its bitter aroma permeating the room. The faces of these two people, usually hidden, were now unmasked - a rare occurrence in itself. Blue Rat, with his piercing gaze, noted the slivers of morning sunlight sneaking through the narrow cracks of the aged window. As the sunlight dance
Coil stood tall, his shadow cast across the stones of the Stromwind family courtyard, his face hard, exposed to the blinding sunlight. His anger burned like an unquenchable ember. Barely an hour had passed since he arrived here, standing frozen with his gaze fixed on the moss-green door."Bloody Lucas, is he playing me?" Coil cursed inwardly.Lucas had asked for about an hour, but all the Lucas in front of him did was sit and yawn, as if deliberately testing the limits of Coil's patience."Lucas... have you decided yet?" Coil asked, his voice tinged with impatience, waiting for Lucas' decision. Lucas just shrugged and shook his head nonchalantly."It hasn't been an hour yet," Lucas said indifferently, his demeanor seeming to undermine the urgency Coil felt.To Coil, that time stretched like an eternity. He stared at the gate behind him out of the corner of his eye, his attention intermittently shifting to Lucas, who sat relaxed in front of the door, appearing utterly unconcerned by Co
In a bustling corner of the city, there nestled a tavern, perpetually brimming with patrons. Renowned for its sumptuous beverages and a cozy ambiance, it drew a diverse crowd. Into this lively scene, a woman entered, her stride quiet yet determined. Clad in unassuming attire, she might have passed as just another local, save for the distinctive face covering that obscured all but her sharp, piercing eyes.Known in the martial underworld as the White Rat, she was a notorious member of the feared Hell Rats gang. This day, however, marked a departure from her usual guise; she had foregone her iconic white Rat head mask. Settling into a discreet corner, the White Rat strategically positioned herself for an unobstructed view of the entire tavern, while remaining largely unnoticed. Her keen gaze methodically swept over the patrons, intent on gleaning crucial information.Internally, she battled a sense of foreboding. "Why this unease?" she pondered. Despite the effort taken to reach Jkade Va
The night was quiet yet unnerving. In the midst of the suffocating stillness, a man burst forth, running with desperate, labored breaths. His fear was palpable, driven by the urgent need to escape. It was clear he was running for his life, his every step fuelled by sheer terror. Shadows flickered ominously around him, each one sending his heart racing. The distant sound of footsteps only heightened his adrenaline. He was acutely aware of the demon cultivator on his heels – a formidable adversary, not to be underestimated. Tragically, he found himself the target of this cultivator, a cruel twist of fate for someone who was merely a mortal. "You won't get away, hahaha!" The hoarse, mocking call echoed through the night, signaling the pursuer's confidence. This cultivator, seemingly amused, appeared to be prolonging the chase, much like a tiger toying with a rabbit before the kill. Exhausted and desperate, the man clung to a flicker of hope. "I must reach the Moon Lotus Sect before h