The fog thickened, swallowing the cave's entrance in an oppressive shroud.
The two pairs of crimson eyes that had been watching him… became six.
One by one, they emerged from the mist—like lanterns from hell burning in the dark.
Their steps made no sound, yet their gaze pierced straight into his mind, making each breath heavier than the last. Yan Zhi knew—these were no mere wild beasts. They moved with purpose.
The pack of Shadowfang Wolves began circling him, cutting off every escape route from the cave. Their shapes blended with the fog, becoming part of the darkness itself.
This body hasn't fully recovered… yet my movements feel lighter than before, he thought, feeling a strange pulse through his veins and muscles.
Then, that cold voice echoed in his head:
[Shadow Essence has detected potential resonance with Shadow Vein. Manual activation available — risk: permanent meridian damage.]
A damaged meridian meant the end of a cultivator's path. But facing this pack without full strength meant certain death.
Yan Zhi's eyes narrowed. "If I'm betting my life, then so be it."
The moment the decision was made, the world seemed to shudder. Thin violet lines emerged beneath his skin, pulsing with a life of their own. His shadow stretched unnaturally across the cave floor, shifting in ways that did not match his movements—almost as if it possessed a will.
That shadow formed a tail of black mist, swaying lazily… until he stepped forward—and his speed exploded.
A wolf lunged from the left—Yan Zhi twisted, deflecting its claws, redirecting its momentum into the path of another wolf mid-leap. The two collided with a brutal thud.
His movements grew sharper with each strike, though every swing of his arms sent burning pain through his bones. The Shadow Vein lent its power, but the cost was clear.
One by one, they fell. Each time blood stained the ground, thin wisps of black mist coiled around him, seeping into the violet lines on his skin—restoring just a sliver of strength.
Then, from beyond the pack, a much larger wolf emerged—its eyes burning gold-red. The Alpha Wolf. The fur along its spine bristled, and on its forehead, Yan Zhi caught sight of a faint, ancient symbol glowing violet.
For an instant, reality slipped away. He saw a colossal stone gate, carved with shadowy sigils, sealed tight as if waiting to be touched.
[Shadow Vein: Synchronization 12% — First Path Unlocked.]
The vision vanished. The Alpha Wolf lunged. Yan Zhi gathered every ounce of strength into his palm, driving it straight into the beast's heart. Hot blood splattered across his arm.
He stood there, breathing hard, surrounded by the bodies of the fallen…
But before he could catch his breath, another roar shook the air—deeper, heavier, vibrating through his chest far more than a wolf's voice ever could.
The ground trembled beneath his feet. From the mist, something far larger began to take shape.
[Warning: Shadow-Class Entity—Mid-Tier detected.]
The colossal shadow moved… and the chapter ended there.
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