The ridge cracked with heat.
Pillars of smoke rose between jagged stone teeth, and somewhere in the distance, the shriek of a beast echoed through the sulfur-scorched air.
Fang Xi crouched behind a cluster of basalt spines, watching the slope below.
There — nestled among the fractured red stone — bloomed three Flame Petal Orchids.
Their petals shimmered like living fire, fluttering despite the still air. Their roots pulsed faintly, feeding on latent Qi.
He counted two — no, three — Volcanic Saber Cats prowling nearby.
Each at least at mid-Qi Gathering, maybe stronger.
They've fed on spiritual heat. Their senses will be sharp.
Behind him, Bai Mo whispered, "We won't be able to sneak by."
Deng Rui grinned. "So we smash."
Fang Xi said nothing. He was watching Han Shun.
The cousin of the man he'd ruined stood silently, staring at the orchids with too much intensity.
He's not here for the flowers.
The First Strike
They devised a basic plan:
Wei Lian would draw attention with swift strikes.
Deng Rui would act as the blunt weapon.
Fang Xi and Bai Mo would circle to grab the orchids.
Han Shun would cover the rear.
And if he "forgets" to help…
As expected, Wei Lian's blade slashed the air like a falling crescent moon — and the cats pounced.
One collided with Deng Rui, who roared with joy.
Fang Xi darted in low, snatching two orchids in swift movements while Bai Mo pocketed the third.
Then it happened.
Betrayal in the Smoke
As Fang Xi turned back, he saw Han Shun holding a talisman.
A displacement seal, aimed at his back.
"Han Mu sends his regrets," Han Shun whispered.
The talisman flared.
Fang Xi vanished in a flash of gold light.
The Ruined Hollow
When his vision cleared, he was alone — deep in a collapsed section of the ridge.
Cracked walls glowed faintly with residual flame Qi. It wasn't natural.
He looked at his wrist — the black rune from last night had grown. A second ring had appeared around the symbol, like a sigil being completed.
So that wasn't a spirit hallucination. Something's claiming me.
But he didn't have time to think.
A low growl echoed behind him.
Then a sound — not like a beast. Like claws scraping stone. Sharp. Repeating.
He turned.
And saw it.
The Hollow Stalker
It wasn't a spirit beast.
It was something dead, or close to it — wrapped in charred skin, with eyes glowing red-hot.
It wore rusted sect robes from two centuries ago.
And it spoke, in a voice like coals grinding:
"You are marked. As I was. Before the fall."
Then it attacked.
Desperate Struggle
Fang Xi ducked the first strike — barely.
The thing moved like smoke and fire, limbs cracking unnaturally. It wasn't just strong; it moved like it knew how he'd respond.
Mirror Vein won't help if it's already anticipating me.
He struck low with a hidden blade, dodged a follow-up, and channeled Qi into his fingers, targeting the rune on his wrist.
He poured Qi into it.
It absorbed.
And in that instant, his body moved differently — not faster, but sharper.
He dodged the next attack by half a breath, reversed his blade, and slammed the rune-marked hand into the thing's chest.
The creature screamed — not in pain, but memory.
And then collapsed into cinders.
Aftermath
Fang Xi knelt, panting.
He looked at the ash-covered stone and the now faintly glowing symbol on his wrist.
One thing was clear.
This… is not a normal mark.
It reacts to death. Memory. Blood. And it awakens when I'm threatened.
A new tool.
Or a curse.
Either way… I'll use it.
He stood and began walking back toward the ridge.
There would be time to punish Han Shun later.
But now… he had questions.