The Inner Hall buzzed with whispers of Lin Tian's duel, but far from the crowds, deep in the bamboo groves, a scream was muffled before it could ever reach the night.
Ye Feng's crimson eyes gleamed in the darkness as his hand clamped over the mouth of a struggling disciple. His fangs sank deep into the man's neck, and the body convulsed once, twice, before falling limp.
The disciple's life essence flowed into Ye Feng like burning wine, his veins glowing faintly as the Aura Suppression trait devoured the last trace of presence from the corpse.
He wiped the blood from his lips, a low chuckle escaping.
"Another favored dog of Elder Xuan… and no one will even find your bones."
His power surged again, cultivation pushing against its next barrier. The dark qi in his meridians pulsed violently, eager, hungry.
For a moment, Ye Feng looked up at the moon, his smile twisting cruel.
"Lin Tian, while you waste time clashing with swords and words, I am carving my strength from flesh and fear. When you finally turn to face me… I'll already be beyond your reach."
But as he turned to leave, a rustle broke the silence.
From the shadows, a figure stepped forward thin, hunched, his eyes gleaming strangely. It was one of the sect's outer alchemists, an old man who should not have been there at this hour.
For a long moment, the man stared at the drained corpse, then at Ye Feng.
And then… he smiled.
"I see… so you're the one."
Ye Feng's eyes narrowed, his aura flaring.
"You should not have seen this."
The old alchemist's smile widened, revealing crooked teeth. "On the contrary… perhaps we can help one another."
Ye Feng's gaze sharpened like a blade. The old alchemist's hunched figure radiated no aura, no threat… yet his words carried a dangerous weight.
"You've seen too much," Ye Feng said coldly, his hand tightening around his sword hilt.
"Do you wish to die here?"
But the old man only chuckled, his voice rasping like dry leaves.
"Kill me, and you lose the one man in this sect who can cover your tracks with ease. After all… when a body is drained of life, who better than an alchemist to explain it away as… poison?"
Ye Feng's eyes narrowed. The logic was sound — infuriatingly so.
The old man shuffled closer, his crooked smile widening.
"You hunger for power. I hunger for results. The elders ignore my research, call it dangerous, unorthodox. But you…" His eyes gleamed. "You are the perfect vessel. With my concoctions, your corruption will not just consume… it will evolve."
For a moment, silence fell between predator and schemer.
Then Ye Feng laughed softly, his voice low and cruel."Very well. We'll play your little game. But betray me…" His eyes flared crimson, his aura crackling with malice. "…and your bones will decorate my cave."
The alchemist bowed mockingly, as though he had already won. "Then let us begin."
---
Later that night, beneath the cover of darkness, Ye Feng followed the old man into a hidden chamber beneath the alchemy halls. Strange cauldrons bubbled with black liquid, their fumes searing the air.
The alchemist unveiled a jade vial filled with swirling crimson mist."Drink this," he said. "It will tear you apart… or make you reborn."
Ye Feng accepted the vial without hesitation, his lips curling into a grin."Power is worth any pain."
As the liquid slid down his throat, his body convulsed violently. Black veins crawled across his skin, his vision bleeding crimson. The chamber shook as a wave of corrupted qi erupted outward, rattling the cauldrons.
The old alchemist laughed, his eyes wild.
"Yes… yes! This is the evolution I dreamed of! Rise, child of darkness rise!"
Ye Feng roared, his voice echoing like a beast's, his aura tearing through the chamber like a storm.
The jade vial's contents burned like molten iron in Ye Feng's veins. His body twisted violently, bones cracking, black veins writhing beneath his skin like living serpents.
The old alchemist watched with feverish eyes, scribbling notes onto a yellowed scroll."Yes… yes! The reaction is perfect… the corruption is merging with his meridians!"
Ye Feng's roar shook the chamber, his crimson aura exploding outward. The black mist coiling from his body condensed, shaping into jagged tendrils that clawed at the stone walls.
Ding!
[Corruption Trait has evolved]→ Predator's Hunger (Rank II): Your devouring no longer only drains life essence. Now, you may consume techniques, memories, and fragments of bloodline from your prey.
Ye Feng's breathing slowed. His skin regained its human tone, but his eyes glowed faintly red in the darkness, as though a beast lurked beneath.
He flexed his hand, and the black tendrils melted into his palm. A faint smile curved his lips."So… even their cultivation, their arts, their bloodlines… everything they are… can now become mine."
The alchemist cackled, nearly dropping his quill. "Glorious! A living weapon that grows sharper with every kill! Hah! Together, we will topple this stagnant sect!"
Ye Feng said nothing, but inwardly, his thoughts were cold and sharp.This old fool thinks he can control me… but in time, even he will be consumed.
---
Later that night, Ye Feng emerged from the hidden chamber. The moon hung high, pale and distant. His gaze swept across the sect grounds, lingering on the Inner Hall.
"Lin Tian…" His voice was low, dripping with venom."You polish your sword in the light, bask in their recognition. But I—" His crimson aura flickered, a predator's hunger radiating outward. "—I am the shadow that will devour it all."
The wind carried his laughter, twisted and dark, across the silent courtyards.
Night cloaked the sect, the pavilions silent under the pale moonlight. Ye Feng moved through the shadows like smoke, his crimson gaze fixed on a lone figure in the distance.
It was Han Jie a once so arrogant, now bitter after his humiliation by Lin Tian. He staggered down the mountain path, clutching a jar of wine, cursing under his breath.
"Damn that Lin Tian… damn the elders… everyone looks down on me now…"
Ye Feng's lips curved into a cruel smile.
Perfect. A broken dog makes for an easy feast.
Han Jie sensed nothing as the darkness thickened around him. One moment, the night was still. The next, claws of black mist shot out, pinning him against a tree.
His eyes widened in terror. "W-what is this—?!"
Ye Feng stepped forward, his face half-hidden in the shadows."Don't worry, Han Jie. Your pain will be brief. And your strength… will become mine."
Han Jie screamed as Ye Feng's hand plunged against his chest, not piercing flesh but spirit. Black tendrils sank into his body, dragging out not just his life essence but glowing fragments of qi, memories, and something deeper as the very foundation of his cultivation.
Han Jie convulsed violently, images flashing before Ye Feng's mind — Han Jie's training, his sword techniques, even the bitter humiliation when Lin Tian defeated him.
Ding!
[Predator's Hunger has absorbed: Flowing River Sword Technique (Incomplete).]
[Bloodline Fragment: Minor Water Affinity acquired.]
Ye Feng staggered slightly as the memories and qi fused into him. Then he straightened, his lips curling in delight. The Flowing River Sword technique flowed through his mind as if he had practiced it for years.
Han Jie collapsed lifelessly, his body already shriveling into ash, leaving no trace behind.
Ye Feng exhaled slowly, relishing the surge of power."So this is it… not only flesh, but everything that makes them who they are. Every kill is a step closer to perfection."
He turned his gaze toward the Inner Hall, where Lin Tian rested after his duel with Senior Sister Xue. His smile darkened.
"Soon… even you, Lin Tian, will be nothing more than a memory inside me."
The night swallowed his laughter, leaving only silence.