Vin Hai, Vin Lin, and the other four guards led the way deeper into the City Lord's mansion grounds, their steps echoing off the stone path until they veered toward a secluded part of the estate. There, beyond a broken fence and crumbling archway, lay a dense forest — one wrapped in eerie silence.
It was the Forbidden Forest.
No one ventured there willingly. It was whispered that venomous beasts roamed its shadows, and even the bravest cultivators avoided its depths. The thick trees, twisted with age, gave off a pungent, damp stench. An air of rot hung between the branches.
As they neared the entrance, Shu Yu narrowed her eyes and asked calmly, "Aren't you taking us to meet the City Lord?"
Vin Hai stopped just before the first tree and smirked. "Yeah. The City Lord is waiting for you inside the forest."
Behind him, Vin Lin and the four other guards stood with eager expressions, their faces twisted with malicious grins.
Heh… they only have two choices now, Vin Hai thought, his gaze dark. Step into the forest and be torn apart by the poisonous beasts, or stay here and die at our hands.
Vin Lin's eyes glittered with cruelty as he looked toward Gao Tian. Brother Vin Hai is doing great. This bastard doesn't know his place.
But Gao Tian didn't react with fear. He strolled forward with an easy gait, hands folded behind his head. He stopped right in front of Vin Hai, standing relaxed and smiling.
"You guys are boring," he said, voice calm. "I thought you'd attack the moment we were isolated. Instead, you tried to lure us with tricks? What a joke."
Shu Yu stopped behind Gao Tian, not far from him. The ruler dog woke up from her arms and leapt at her head. Just then her crimson eyes glinted faintly as she lifted her hand. With a soft flash of light, a delicate pink sword appeared from her spiritual ring. She held it loosely in her fingers.
So this is the fun Gao Tian was talking about, she thought, stepping slightly to the side.
Vin Hai, humiliated by the insult from someone only in the Foundation Establishment—First Layer, grit his teeth in fury.
"You dare insult me?" he growled.
With a roar, he lunged forward, channeling spiritual energy into his right fist. His aura surged violently as he aimed a heavy punch toward Gao Tian's chest. His cultivation: Body Tempering—Sixth Layer. His intent: to crush this boy in one strike.
But Gao Tian shifted effortlessly, his body blurring for a split second before he landed several steps away beside Shu Yu, untouched.
Vin Hai's punch hit only air.
His eyes widened in disbelief.
What? That was my full-speed attack—how did he dodge it?
Gao Tian tilted his head slightly, almost mockingly. "Your movements are too slow," he said with a smile.
Vin Lin and the others stared, their earlier smugness faltering.
How did he dodge that? Was it just luck?
Shu Yu glanced at Gao Tian from the corner of her eye. Her face remained as unreadable as ever, but her thoughts flickered.
They really think they can hit him…? He fought a Rank 3 High-Tier beast alone. These idiots don't know what they're facing.
She stepped forward, her sword now glowing faintly in her hand.
The air turned cold.
Once again, Ruler Dog, leapt from Shu Yu's head and landed on the ground with a soft tap. Its tiny paws moved briskly as it waddled toward Gao Tian, tail flicking with mild irritation.
Master and this bastard Gao Tian always want to fight, the little beast grumbled in its mind. No one lets me rest in peace.
Gao Tian glanced down at the approaching pup and frowned slightly. "Hey, why are you coming here now?"
Vin Hai, who had just recovered from his failed strike, watched the exchange in disbelief. His fists trembled with rage.
That bastard is ignoring me… to play with a pet?
Meanwhile, Vin Lin and the other four guards stared curiously at the small white creature. Their expressions softened.
"Hey, that beast is cute," one muttered.
"Yeah, look at that white fur… I bet it'd feel amazing to pet," another whispered.
"Should we ask them if we can touch it just once?"
Their admiration was cut short when Shu Yu turned her crimson gaze toward them.
"Are you all done admiring my beast?" she said flatly. "Let's fight."
As if on cue, Ruler Dog jumped up and landed gracefully on Gao Tian's shoulder. It perched there, proud and unmoving, its black eyes fixed on Vin Hai.
So this guy wants to fight my master, it thought, head tilting ever so slightly.
Gao Tian sighed, clearly annoyed by the pup clinging to him, but he didn't throw it off. He looked toward Shu Yu. "So… you're really going to fight them?"
Shu Yu nodded, her expression still unreadable. "Yeah. I was angry earlier when you stopped me from doing it. But now, I've made up my mind. I'm going to kill him."
Her tone was calm—too calm.
Vin Hai, who had been entirely ignored up until now, finally snapped.
"Hey! I'm standing right here!" he shouted, spiritual energy surging around him. "I'm the one you're going to fight, you bitch!"
Shu Yu didn't flinch at his words. Her gaze remained cold and indifferent.
"You're in the Body Tempering—Sixth Layer," she said quietly. "So don't expect mercy."
Behind him, Vin Lin and the others tensed up. One of them stepped forward and asked hesitantly, "Brother Vin Hai, do you need us to help you?"
Vin Hai glared at Shu Yu, eyes burning with anger. "I'll handle her alone," he growled. "You all… kill that guy."
He pointed at Gao Tian with venom in his voice.
Gao Tian cracked his neck, a slow grin tugging at the corner of his lips. "Well then," he muttered. "Let's see if you can."
With a burst of light from her spiritual energy, Shu Yu dashed forward, her pink sword shimmering in the fading sunlight. Her expression remained cold as ever.
"Gao Tian," she called mid-sprint, "you can handle them, right?"
Gao Tian cracked his knuckles and rushed in the opposite direction, toward Vin Lin and the other four guards, Ruler Dog perched nonchalantly on his shoulder.
"Yeah," he called back with a smirk. "I can handle them. Let's finish this."
Vin Hai scoffed as he drew his weapon—a long black spear with silver engravings along the shaft. "Yeah, yeah. That's just what you think. You're no match for us."
Vin Lin and the four guards surrounded Gao Tian, weapons drawn, confidence painted across their faces.
"Brother Vin Hai is right!" Vin Lin shouted. "We're going to crush him!"
But just as he finished, Gao Tian was already moving.
In a blink, he appeared in front of the first guard and struck him square in the face—not with spiritual energy, but a raw, physical blow. The guard's head snapped back, and his body launched through the air, crashing deep into the forest with a painful grunt as he hit the ground.
At the same time, Shu Yu met Vin Hai's spear with her sword. Her blade, infused with spiritual energy, clashed against his weapon with a sharp ring. Sparks scattered into the air. Vin Hai gritted his teeth as he struggled to block the strike.
What…? Why is her power so much stronger than mine? We're at the same level!
Back at the treeline, the second guard lunged at Gao Tian with a normal iron sword. Gao Tian turned, caught the motion, and shattered the blade with a single punch. Before the guard could react, Gao Tian's fist connected with his chest, sending him flying backwards until he slammed against a tree near the forest's edge.
I knew it, Gao Tian thought calmly, sidestepping another attack. Shu Yu and Vin Hai might be at the same level, but her cultivation is sealed… her real strength is above Body Tempering—Sixth Layer. She's going to win.
In the clearing, the clanging of blades rang louder. Vin Hai's attacks grew sluggish, his spear slower with each strike. Shu Yu, precise and unrelenting, countered every move with effortless grace.
Vin Hai's arm trembled as he blocked another powerful slash. Sweat dripped down his temple.
This… this can't be happening. I can't keep up with her…
The sun dipped lower, casting an orange hue over the forest clearing. The light caught the edge of Shu Yu's blade as she stepped forward, forcing Vin Hai back again.
"We're at the same level," he growled in frustration, "so how are you defeating me?!"
Shu Yu's gaze didn't waver. She lifted her sword slightly, readying another strike. Her voice was calm.
"Simple," she said. "I'm stronger than you."
Nearby, Gao Tian stood over the unconscious body one fallen guards. Only two remained—one still gripping his weapon shakily, and the last was Vin Lin, eyes wide with disbelief as he watched his plan crumble.