The remaining guard's hands trembled as he faced Gao Tian. His eyes darted to the fallen bodies of his comrades scattered across the forest edge, all defeated without a single burst of spiritual energy from Gao Tian.
Gao Tian stepped forward casually, brushing dust from his shoulder as Ruler Dog yawned atop it.
"Still want to fight?" Gao Tian asked, tone light, but his eyes held a sharp gleam.
The guard let out a desperate roar and charged, swinging his blade wildly. But Gao Tian moved like water—smooth, effortless. He sidestepped the strike, grabbed the guard's wrist mid-swing, and twisted.
Crack!
A scream echoed as the guard's sword fell from his now-useless hand. Gao Tian's fist met his jaw with a brutal thud, and the man collapsed, groaning on the ground.
Only Vin Lin remained.
He backed up a step, heart pounding. Sweat poured down his neck as he watched Gao Tian slowly approach.
What kind of monster is this guy? He's just in Foundation Establishment – First Layer! He shouldn't be this strong!
Vin Lin clenched his teeth and drew two short daggers, one in each hand. He crouched into a stance, trying to steady his breath.
"You're not walking away from here alive," he hissed.
Gao Tian grinned. "You sure about that?"
Then he moved.
Vin Lin tried to block, daggers flashing—but Gao Tian was faster. He ducked under the first swipe, then pivoted and drove his elbow into Vin Lin's gut. Vin Lin staggered, but not down. He slashed out in retaliation, one dagger grazing Gao Tian's arm.
"Not bad," Gao Tian muttered, blood trailing lightly down his sleeve. "But not good enough."
His knee drove into Vin Lin's side, knocking him off balance. Then, with a surge of spiritual energy now laced through his fist, Gao Tian slammed his punch into Vin Lin's chest.
Boom!
Vin Lin flew back like a ragdoll, smashing through a small tree before collapsing in a heap, unconscious.
Ruler Dog leapt from Gao Tian's shoulder and sat on the fallen Vin Lin's stomach.
Meanwhile—
Shu Yu and Vin Hai's duel raged on.
Vin Hai was panting heavily now, his spear shaking in his hands. Cuts ran along his arms and sides, his robes torn, and his knees slightly buckled. Shu Yu, on the other hand, remained eerily calm, her blade untouched, her breaths even.
"You're finished," she said, stepping forward again.
"Don't… underestimate me!" Vin Hai roared. His spear surged with all the spiritual energy he could muster, and he launched at her in desperation.
But Shu Yu's eyes flashed coldly. She sidestepped at the last second, spun behind him, and brought her sword down across his back.
Slash!
Blood sprayed from the deep gash. Vin Hai collapsed to one knee, gasping in pain. Before he could recover, the tip of Shu Yu's sword was pressed against his throat.
"You lost," she said flatly.
Vin Hai looked up at her, face twisted in pain and disbelief. "How... how can you be this strong...?"
She didn't reply. With a flick, she knocked him out cold with the hilt of her sword, and he slumped over, unconscious.
Gao Tian walked over, clapping his hands slowly. "Nice work."
Shu Yu sheathed her sword. "I told you I'd kill him."
"He's still breathing."
"I changed my mind."
Ruler Dog barked and leapt back onto Gao Tian's shoulder, tail wagging.
As the sun finally set, casting shadows over the now-silent forest, Gao Tian and Shu Yu stood among the fallen guards, victorious.
"So, let's get out of here," Gao Tian said, brushing dust off his shoulder.
Shu Yu gave a curt nod. "Okay."
They turned and began walking the same path they had come from, the fallen bodies of Vin Hai and his guards lying behind them in the shadow of the forbidden forest.
Shu Yu led the way in silence, her sword now sheathed, her face as calm and unreadable as ever. Gao Tian followed a few steps behind, hands folded behind his back, the corner of his lips curving into a faint smile.
As he walked, his fingers began to move subtly in a fluid, deliberate pattern—like weaving an invisible thread in the air.
Essence Devouring.
A forbidden technique.
A demonic one.
Ruler Dog, perched steadily on Gao Tian's shoulder, narrowed his glowing eyes as he felt a strange ripple in the air. A faint, sinister aura surged briefly — subtle, but unmistakable.
His keen senses twitched.
This bastard... that's a demonic technique! Essence Devouring…
Ruler Dog's ears folded back slightly, his sharp gaze turning toward Gao Tian's fingers, which moved with quiet intent behind his back.
He's trying to hide it. So he really is that type… Ruthless… cunning… cold-blooded.
Ruler Dog's body tensed as he thought grimly:
He's not just some victim of fate… he's after my master's essence. Damn it, I should've known! He's been pretending all along!
Ruler Dog gritted his small fangs, his loyalty blazing.
If he dares touch even a strand of her spirit… I'll rip his throat out.
Green wisps of life essence began to rise silently from the bodies of Vin Hai, Vin Lin, and the other four guards. The energy curled upward like mist, slowly forming into glowing green orbs above each corpse.
I know it's a demonic technique, but I can't afford to leave loose ends. If they survive, they'll only cause problems later.
As their life force drained, the bodies visibly weakened. Muscles withered. Skin turned pale. Within moments, the last signs of life faded. They were dead.
The orbs of energy hovered briefly, then, at a silent command from Gao Tian, floated toward him. They converged into one shimmering mass of vitality before slipping silently into his body.
Then he flicked his finger, and in an instant, six tiny yellow flames burst forth, darting through the air like vengeful spirits.
The flames shot toward Vin Hai, Vin Lin, and the four guards with terrifying speed.
The flames touched their bodies—and in less than a breath, they were engulfed in silent Destructive Dragon Golden Flame.
No screams. No ash. No remains.
Just empty space where they once stood.
This was Sacred Fire, he thought coldly. Now, no one will ever trace it back to us.
He inhaled deeply.
All done. I'll refine this energy later... once we're back at the inn.
Shu Yu remained unaware, focused entirely on the road ahead. Her senses were sharp, but Gao Tian's movements were subtle, concealed behind a veil of calm and silence.
Before long, the two arrived once again at the grand gate of the City Lord's Mansion. Two guards stood on either side, stoic and unaware of what had transpired in the forbidden forest.
Shu Yu approached the nearest one.
"We need to go out," she said flatly.
Gao Tian stepped beside her, his face as relaxed as ever.
The guard looked at them curiously. "Oh, you came with Vin Hai earlier, didn't you?"
Shu Yu gave a simple nod. "We had some business with him."
"Alright," the guard replied. "Wait a moment."
He stepped to the side and unlocked a smaller door built into the main gate. "This one's open for now. The main gate's being decorated for tomorrow's event."
As the door creaked open, Gao Tian smiled.
"Oh, the competition," he said casually, stepping through. "Right, we figured that's why the whole place looked lively."
Shu Yu followed him without a word, her expression unchanged, eyes ahead.
With that, the two slipped out of the City Lord's Mansion and disappeared into the quiet evening streets, making their way back toward Roasted Inn.
Sen City – Inside Roasted Inn
The door creaked open as Shu Yu, Gao Tian, and the little white-furred Ruler Dog stepped into their shared room.
Shu Yu made her way toward the bed without a word, sat down, and let out a quiet sigh. Her gaze drifted toward the wooden ceiling.
I can't cultivate… my cultivation is still sealed. I'll just rest for now.
She lay down, crossing her arms behind her head, her expression still as calm as ever.
Gao Tian, meanwhile, walked over to the window. He opened it slightly and looked up at the dimly lit sky.
"I think I'm close to a breakthrough," he said. "I'll head to the roof to cultivate."
As he turned to leave, Ruler Dog leaped down from his shoulder with a bounce and landed lightly on the floor. Then, without hesitation, the little beast hopped up onto the bed and settled into Shu Yu's lap like a miniature guardian. Its round eyes locked onto Gao Tian with suspicion.
Bastard, it thought fiercely. My eyes are on you. Don't you dare touch my master.
Gao Tian met the little dog's gaze and blinked awkwardly.
Why is he staring at me like that? What did I even do?
He shook his head and stepped up onto the window sill.
"Well… I'm going," he said.
Shu Yu didn't respond immediately. She kept her eyes on the ceiling, her voice quiet when it came.
"I have to win this competition…"
A moment later, she closed her eyes and slowly drifted into sleep.
Above her, Gao Tian sat cross-legged on the roof, the cold breeze brushing against his robes.
He took a deep breath, settling into position.
I'm not a demonic person… but I had no choice. I couldn't let them live.
He exhaled and closed his eyes, drawing his focus inward.
He called upon the life essence he had absorbed from Vin Hai and the other guards. Slowly, the green energy began to circulate through his meridians like a soft flame, wrapping around his dantian and pushing against his current limit.
His body began to emit a faint green glow.
Time passed in stillness.