The night did not welcome Yan Luo.
It recoiled.
As he walked, insects fell silent. The wind bent away from him, carrying the faint scent of iron and ash. His footsteps were unsteady, but each one landed heavier than the last as if the ground itself was learning his weight.
His body hurt.
No.
his body was being rewritten.
Every breath dragged fire through his chest. His veins throbbed like they were alive, pulsing with something dark and cold. Yet beneath the pain was strength raw, unfamiliar and eager.
Yan Luo clenched his fist.
The mud beneath his fingers cracked.
He froze.
Slowly, he stood upright.
So this is cultivation he murmured.
Not light.
Not warmth.
Not peace.
But survival sharpened into a weapon.
A shout echoed from the forest path ahead.
Did you hear that.
Three outer disciples emerged from between the trees lanterns in hand. They were laughing relaxed robes dry under spirit barriers.
One of them frowned when he saw Yan Luo.
Isn't that the trash from the kitchens.
Yan Luo stopped walking.
His heart beat once.
Calm.
Oi the tallest disciple said sneering You're not allowed out here.
Another laughed Guess the rain washed him out.
The third tilted his head. "Should we report this? Elder Zhou said
Yan Luo stepped forward.
The lantern flickered.
Something in the air changed.
Wait the tallest one said slowly Why does it feel.
Too late.
Yan Luo moved.
He didn't know how.
His body simply obeyed.
The distance vanished in a blink. His hand struck the disciple's chest not hard, not fast, just direct.
There was a sound like breath leaving a bellows.
The disciple collapsed.
Not dead.
But broken.
The other two stumbled back in shock.
What what technique was that.
Yan Luo looked at his own hand.
Black veins briefly surfaced beneath his skin, then faded.
No technique he answered honestly.
Just instinct.
Fear arrived.
Yan Luo felt it like heat.
Not his own.
Theirs.
And something inside him stirred.
Fear Detected
Absorption Possible
His vision sharpened. The world slowed.
Oh Yan Luo whispered. So that's how it works.
The second disciple turned to run.
Yan Luo didn't chase.
He reached.
The man tripped screaming, as if something had grabbed his shadow. He slammed into the ground, terror pouring off him in waves.
Yan Luo knelt beside him.
Please the disciple cried. I won't tell anyone I swear.
Yan Luo watched him closely.
This man had kicked him before.
Not out of anger.
Out of boredom.
Yan Luo placed his hand on the disciple's chest.
I believe you he said calmly.
Then he refined the fear There was no blood.
No scream.
Just a shudder and silence.
The disciple's eyes went empty.
Yan Luo stood.
His breathing steadied.
His pain lessened.
Fear Refined
Ash Blood Initiate: Progress Increased
Empathy: Further Degraded
Yan Luo felt lighter.The third disciple was on his knees shaking.
M monster…
Yan Luo turned to him.
The word didn't hurt.
It felt accurate You have two choices Yan Luo said.
The disciple sobbed.
One Yan Luo continued you run.
The disciple nodded frantically.
Two Yan Luo said softly you tell them you saw nothing.
I swear I swear on Heaven
Yan Luo smiled faintly.
Heaven doesn't listen The disciple ran.
Yan Luo did not stop him.
He didn't need to.
Fear would do the work.Yan Luo looked at the fallen bodies.
Then at the distant sect lights.
Something inside him settled.
Not rage.
Resolve.
They taught me well he said quietly.
How to survive as trash.
He turned away from the sect.
For now.Behind him, the clouds rolled.
Thunder followed.
Not in anger.
But in recognition.