The moon hung low over Shadowpine Valley, its crimson glow filtering between the towering pine trees like blood dripping through skeletal fingers. A cold wind slithered along the forest floor, carrying with it the faint smell of iron—fresh blood, not yet dried. It was a night built for death, a night where even the heavens wished to look away.
Ye Tian crouched atop a massive boulder overlooking the enemy encampment. His squad of one hundred elite disciples remained hidden behind him, their breaths controlled, their killing intent suppressed to the barest whisper. Lanterns flickered across the Bloodthirst Demon Sect's camp, revealing dozens of black tents arranged in a crescent shape. Demonic cultivators patrolled the perimeter, each wielding weapons stained with past victims.
But Ye Tian's gaze wasn't on the ordinary disciples. His eyes, sharpened by the system's enhancement, focused on three individuals sitting around a bone-carved table. Their auras were dense, oppressive—at least Core Formation level.
"Captains," Ye Tian murmured.
Lan Mei shifted beside him, her silver eyes gleaming. "Three of them… and judging from their qi fluctuations, each one is stronger than the average core disciple."
Fang Chen smirked. "Good. That means they'll drop heavier loot."
Ye Tian ignored his comment, though a faint smile tugged at his lips.
System notifications flickered in his vision:
**Target Identified:
Razor Bone Captain (Core Formation 3rd Stage)
Blood Fang Captain (Core Formation 4th Stage)
Soul Harvester Captain (Core Formation 5th Stage)**
**Warning: Estimated danger level — HIGH.
Recommended: Divide and eliminate.**
Ye Tian exhaled deeply, then whispered to his squad.
"This is the plan. We strike silently. The moment they notice us, the battlefield becomes chaos. So follow orders exactly."
He pointed to the northern ridge.
"Fang Chen—take thirty men and flank the north. Kill their archers. Do not let a single alarm talisman be activated."
"Yes, captain!"
"Lan Mei—take twenty and freeze the southern entrance. No reinforcements allowed."
"Understood."
Ye Tian pointed at the heart of the demon camp.
"I'll infiltrate with the remaining fifty. Our target is the three captains. If they fall, their morale crumbles."
The disciples nodded, determination hardening in their eyes. The tension in the air grew heavy—so heavy even the trees seemed to hold their breath.
Ye Tian raised two fingers.
"On my mark."
Silence fell.
The wind died.
Even the forest stopped moving.
"Go."
They flew into action like shadows unchained.
---
The first kill came silently.
Ye Tian flashed behind a guard, placing one hand over the man's mouth while his dagger slit his throat cleanly. Not a single breath escaped the corpse as Ye Tian laid it gently on the ground. His movements were precise, calculated—the system guiding his muscles like an invisible master.
All around him, Ironblood disciples executed their kills flawlessly. Within seconds, a dozen guards lay dead, their bodies dragged into the shadows.
Ye Tian moved deeper.
He counted every guard, every tent, every talisman placement.
"Tch… this is too easy," Fang Chen whispered through a transmission jade. "Captain, my side's cleared."
"Same here," Lan Mei added. "South entrance frozen solid."
Ye Tian didn't relax. Too easy meant too suspicious.
"Maintain caution. We move to stage two."
He gave his squad a subtle hand signal.
They glided through the camp like reapers draped in moonlight.
Then—
A faint *click* under Ye Tian's foot.
His pupils shrank.
"A trap—scatter!"
BOOOOOM!
A demonic explosion burst beneath him, sending waves of corrupted qi across the camp. Several tents burst into flames, and the silent night shattered into chaos.
"WE'RE UNDER ATTACK!"
"THE IRONBLOOD RATS ARE HERE!"
The demon sect camp erupted.
Tens of enemy disciples swarmed from every direction, their eyes bloodshot, their bodies glowing with violent demonic qi. The three captains shot to their feet, their glares murderous.
"You little worms," Razor Bone Captain snarled. "You dare attack *our* vanguard?"
Ye Tian landed on one knee, coughing blood as smoke rose around him. But his eyes burned brighter than ever.
"Squad—position!"
The fifty elites formed a tight formation behind him, their weapons pointed outward.
The three captains stepped forward, their combined pressure suffocating.
Soul Harvester Captain pointed a clawed finger at Ye Tian.
"You're the leader? Good. I'll peel off your soul first."
Ye Tian smiled coldly.
"Try it."
The first enemy lunged at him, and the battle began.
---
Razor Bone Captain attacked first, summoning jagged blades of bone from his arms. They shot forward like spears, aiming for Ye Tian's heart.
Ye Tian vanished.
He reappeared behind the captain, his dagger slicing at the man's spine.
CLANG!
The blade struck bone armor, sparks flying.
"Heh," Razor Bone sneered. "Your weapon is too weak."
Ye Tian twisted away just in time to avoid being impaled.
But he wasn't alone.
"MOVE!"
Fang Chen appeared out of nowhere, punching Razor Bone so hard the man's ribs cracked audibly. The captain flew backward, crashing through two tents.
Ye Tian chuckled. "Didn't I tell you to stay on the north side?"
Fang Chen cracked his knuckles. "And miss you getting stabbed? Never."
Behind them, Lan Mei created a dome of frost, trapping dozens of demon disciples in ice.
The battlefield raged around them—fire, ice, steel, and blood mixing beneath the red moon.
But the three captains weren't done.
Blood Fang Captain drew a crimson saber, slicing the air. A wave of killing qi shot forward, tearing the earth apart.
Ye Tian clicked his tongue.
He activated his system skill.
**Shadow Step – Triple Phase**
His body flickered three times—once to dodge the saber strike, twice to flank, thrice to appear behind Blood Fang Captain with his blade aimed at his neck.
Blood Fang blocked it with a roar, sparks flying again.
"You little brat!"
The captain's counterattack was vicious—Ye Tian could barely block it, his arms going numb.
The Soul Harvester Captain entered the fray, his hands glowing with soul-stealing mist.
"Your soul is MINE!"
Lan Mei intercepted him with a blast of frost, forcing him back.
"Captain!" she shouted. "You handle Blood Fang! We'll cover the others!"
Ye Tian nodded.
The three captains roared simultaneously, unleashing their full power.
The ground cracked.
Trees exploded.
The air vibrated.
All three aimed their killing blows directly at Ye Tian.
Fang Chen shouted, "Bro—MOVE!"
Lan Mei cried, "Captain!"
Ye Tian didn't step back.
He stepped forward.
Toward death.
---
**Ding!
Life-or-Death Ascension Triggered!
Temporary boost activated: All stats +200%
Duration: 3 minutes**
Ye Tian's aura exploded like a star going supernova.
He clenched his dagger, eyes sharp as divine steel.
"You three…"
He vanished.
"—will die here."
A scream echoed through Shadowpine Valley.
The night finally began to tremble.