Deep within the Lute Clan's private chamber—an austere hall illuminated by floating lantern stones and sealed by layers of sound-suppressing talismans—Yang Jian sat opposite Yang Cao. The stillness of the room was deceptive; both men carried storm clouds in their hearts.
Yang Cao, the clan's chief strategist, tapped his lute pick lightly against the table, his brows drawn tight.
"Jian," he said quietly, "you encountered that mysterious figure again?"
Yang Jian exhaled, the breath long and heavy.
"Yes. But this time… he revealed even less than before."
Yang Cao leaned back, his voice lowering into a wary rasp."You once said you couldn't measure his cultivation at all. Has that changed?"
Yang Jian shook his head."Assess him? I cannot even sense the outer edge of his aura. Standing before him is like staring into a boundless abyss—one misstep, and my soul feels as though it would be swallowed whole."
Yang Cao's fingers paused. His expression hardened.
Jian does not fear anyone… yet this mysterious senior shakes him to the core?What manner of being is he?
Yang Jian continued grimly.
"When I pressed him about the Blood Demon, he showed no interest.When I mentioned the Emperor's wounds, he admitted he knew—yet offered nothing.And when I asked if he would aid us in the coming war…"
Yang Jian's fists clenched.
"He said it was not his concern."
The lute pick snapped in Yang Cao's hand.
"A being with power beyond our comprehension… and he refuses to intervene?" He narrowed his eyes. "What is he waiting for?"
Yang Jian lowered his gaze.
His silence… is more terrifying than the Blood Demon's rampage.
Yang Cao felt it as well—that oppressive sense that the heavens themselves were shifting.
"Jian," he said slowly, "even after the Blood Demon reached the Fifth Spirit Shatter realm… he fears that mysterious senior now."
Yang Jian nodded.
"Then chaos approaches. And we are unprepared."
Far underground, within a fortress of blood mist and warped stone, the Blood Demon rested upon his throne of bones. The cavern pulsed with demonic qi, runes writhing like serpents across every surface.
A trembling subordinate knelt before him.
"M-my lord… Yang Jian has met the mysterious individual once more."
Silence.
The Blood Demon's eyes opened—twin abysses of devouring crimson.
Again…? Even at my level, I cannot grasp that man's intentions. Why does he walk this world? Why now, when I stand at the precipice of my ascension?
His fingers dug into the armrest until spiderweb cracks appeared.
"…That man is a threat to even me."
He rose from his throne.
"It is time to strengthen my forces."
Deep beneath the lair lay a chamber of rusted chains, fading talismans, and stagnant blood. At the center hung a man bound by wrists, ankles, and throat—Mu Tianren, Elder of the Majestic Sect.
His once dignified presence had rotted; madness clung to him like a second skin.
Kill… devour… release me… RELEASE ME—
A ripple of darkness swept through the chamber.
Mu Tianren lifted his head with a crazed jerk.
"—YOU!"
The Blood Demon stepped from the shadows, grinning.
"Still awake, Tianren?"
Mu Tianren lunged—
CLANG!!
The chains tore into his flesh, dragging him back with brutal force.
He snarled. "DEMON! I'LL—KILL—YOU!"
The Blood Demon laughed softly."Oh? Empty words… but I admire your hatred. Hatred breeds strength."
He grasped Mu Tianren's throat with effortless force.
"I have a proposition for you."
Mu Tianren froze.
"You want power? Freedom? Revenge?"The Blood Demon leaned close, voice a venomous whisper."Then kill the mysterious individual. Do that… and I shall gift you a forbidden art."
He touched a clawed finger to Mu Tianren's forehead.
"The Demon-Devouring Frenzy Art. With it, your strength will multiply… at the cost of your sanity."
Demonic qi erupted.
Mu Tianren screamed as the chamber shook, chains cracking, talismans exploding one by one.
CRACK—CLANG—BOOM!
He crashed to the ground, trembling, panting, eyes glowing like twin infernos.
"…I'll kill him," he growled."And after that—"His murderous intent soared."—I'll kill YOU."
The Blood Demon chuckled as Mu Tianren staggered toward the exit.
"By all means. Use the Frenzy Art. Burn yourself hollow."His voice echoed with dark amusement."When your strength collapses… I will be waiting."
Mu Tianren did not respond.
He simply disappeared—like a beast freed from its final chain.
Outside the Qin Clan, the sky darkened as Mu Tianren descended like a living calamity. Each step cracked the earth; each breath steamed like molten iron.
He struck the invisible barrier again and again—thunderous, frenzied blows—yet the shimmering wall did not falter.
Not even slightly.
Hidden in a forest hollow nearby, Qin Su watched with arms crossed, expression lazy and faintly amused.
"Hm. Louder than last time," he murmured. "Persistent, too."
Mu Tianren's rage erupted.
"QIN Clan—LET ME IN!!"
When the barrier refused him, something inside him snapped. He tore open the seal on his chest, and black-crimson flames swallowed him whole.
His aura skyrocketed—feral, violent, earth-shaking.
The world trembled.
Every clan, every sect felt the monstrous surge…
Except the Qin Clan.
Qin Su had casually isolated the entire estate with a single thought.
Lute Clan
Yang Jian rose from meditation, face pale."That aura… Mu Tianren? He escaped?"
Elders rushed in. "Clan Head, it's true!"
Yang Jian's voice sank."…Then disaster walks freely today."
Blood Demon's Lair
The Blood Demon smirked.
"So he's embraced madness. Good. Entertain me, little demon."
Qin Su tilted his head as the heavens shook.
"Demon-Devouring Frenzy Art, is it?"A faint smile curved his lips."With that man's obsession… only one fool would push him into that state."
His eyes glimmered with unreadable intent.
"Well then… let's make things interesting."
The air beside Mu Tianren warped.
A faceless silhouette appeared—silent, unfathomable.
Mu Tianren howled and struck with mountain-shattering force—
—but hit nothing.
In an instant, space twisted.
And Mu Tianren vanished.
He reappeared mid-strike—
directly in front of the Blood Demon.
BOOOOOOM!
The lair ruptured in a violent explosion. Stone shattered. Blood mist dispersed.
The Blood Demon crashed into a pillar, ribs cracking.
"You—INSOLENT—WRETCH!"
He counterattacked, filling the cavern with oceans of blood.
Mu Tianren roared back, Frenzy Art devouring everything in its path.
They collided—Frenzy against Dominion,Madness against Immortality.
Each blow split stone.Each clash twisted the cavern walls.
For a time, they were evenly matched.
But the Frenzy Art demanded a price.
Mu Tianren's body began to weaken.His aura flickered.His limbs trembled.
The Blood Demon's smile sharpened.
"Your borrowed strength ends now."
He struck a decisive blow, sending Mu Tianren crashing into the stone floor.
Dust and blood erupted in all directions.
Mu Tianren lay broken—fading.
The Blood Demon stood over him, triumphant…
Yet no victory filled his eyes.
Only fear.
"That mysterious figure… how did he drag Mu Tianren here? How did he find my lair? Why bring the mad dog—yet not appear himself?"
His claws curled.
"What game… is he playing?"
His words drowned in the oppressive silence.
Far above, unseen by all, the mysterious individual departed without leaving even a whisper behind.
A silent shadow.
A watching storm.