The first light of dawn slowly spread across the sky. The darkness of the night faded, and a pale golden glow touched the forest. The air was cold, but calm. Wu Jinhai opened her eyes as the sunlight reached her face. For a moment, she stayed still, then slowly stood up.
Qiao Yu Zhen was already awake.
"The sun has risen," he said.
Wu Jinhai nodded. "We should leave."
The fire had already burned out. The ground was quiet again, as if nothing had happened during the night.
They mounted the horse once more and continued their journey toward Mount Zhaoshen. The path ahead remained narrow, surrounded by tall trees and deep shadows. The deeper they went, the quieter the forest became.
No birds.
No sound.
Only the steady movement of the horse.
Wu Jinhai's expression grew more serious. "Something feels wrong."
Qiao Yu Zhen's gaze sharpened slightly. "Stay alert."
The wind suddenly stopped.
The air turned heavy.
Then—
A figure appeared in front of them.
Blocking their path.
Wu Jinhai immediately pulled the reins. The horse stopped.
Her eyes narrowed.
Wuming.
He stood there silently, his dark presence filling the path.
A faint, cold smile appeared on his face.
"We meet again," he said.
His voice was calm.
But filled with danger.
Wu Jinhai stepped down from the horse. Qiao Yu Zhen followed.
Both of them stood side by side.
"Why are you here?" Wu Jinhai asked.
Wuming tilted his head slightly. "You already know the answer."
The air grew tense.
Without another word—
The fight began.
Wuming moved first.
His speed was fast, almost impossible to follow.
Wu Jinhai barely managed to block his attack. The force pushed her back.
Qiao Yu Zhen stepped forward immediately, striking back.
The clash of power echoed through the forest.
But Wuming did not slow down.
His attacks were relentless.
Sharp.
Precise.
Wu Jinhai tried to keep up, but it was difficult.
They were fighting a demon.
A powerful one.
Qiao Yu Zhen's expression remained calm, but his movements became more serious.
He blocked another attack, but the impact forced him to step back.
Wu Jinhai steadied herself, breathing slightly heavier now.
"This is not working," she said.
Qiao Yu Zhen did not reply.
He already knew.
Wuming smiled faintly.
"You are weaker than I expected," he said.
His voice carried mockery.
Wu Jinhai's grip tightened.
The fight continued.
But slowly—
They began to lose ground.
Wuming's strength was overwhelming.
Another attack—
Wu Jinhai was pushed back again.
Qiao Yu Zhen moved in front of her, blocking the next strike.
But even he could not fully stop it.
The force sent him a few steps back.
The situation grew worse.
Wuming raised his hand again.
This time—
To finish it.
Wu Jinhai stood still.
Qiao Yu Zhen stepped forward.
But before the attack could land—
A sudden force cut through the air.
Sharp.
Powerful.
Wuming's movement stopped.
His eyes widened slightly.
A figure appeared.
Then another.
Moyan Jue.
And beside him—
Mo Xiaoqi.
They stood between Wuming and the others.
Calm.
Unshaken.
Wuming's expression darkened.
"You…" he said.
Moyan Jue looked at him without emotion.
"You should not be here."
His voice was cold.
Wuming laughed slightly. "And you think you can stop me?"
Moyan Jue did not answer.
Instead—
He moved.
The attack was fast.
Decisive.
Wuming tried to react—
But it was too late.
The clash lasted only a moment.
Then—
Silence.
Wuming staggered.
His body weakened.
He looked at Moyan Jue in disbelief.
"…Impossible…"
Before he could say anything more—
His form began to fade.
And then—
He was gone.
The forest fell silent again.
Wu Jinhai and Qiao Yu Zhen stood still.
Watching.
Mo Xiaoqi stepped back slightly.
Moyan Jue remained where he was.
Calm.
As if nothing had happened.
Wu Jinhai looked at them carefully.
"Who are you?" she asked.
Moyan Jue turned slightly toward her.
"A traveler," he said.
His answer was simple.
But unclear.
Qiao Yu Zhen's gaze met his for a brief moment.
Something unspoken passed between them.
But neither of them spoke about it.
Mo Xiaoqi looked around. "We should not stay here."
Moyan Jue nodded slightly.
Wu Jinhai looked ahead.
Then said—
"We are heading to Mount Luzun."
Moyan Jue spoke calmly, "So are we."
There was a short silence.
Then—
Without further question—
All four of them began to move.
Together.
The journey continued.
But now—
The path had changed.
In the Nether Realm—
Inside the dark palace—
The Demon King stood before the sealed body of the Demon Queen.
The room was silent.
Cold.
Unmoving.
Hei Yan stood still.
His gaze fixed on her.
Then—
A sudden shift.
His expression darkened.
"How can this be…?" he murmured.
The air around him grew heavy.
"Wuming…"
His voice dropped.
"…is dead."
Silence filled the chamber.
His eyes turned cold.
Sharp.
"Who dared… to kill him?"
The question echoed softly.
But no answer came.
Hei Yan stepped closer to the sealed body.
His gaze softened for a brief moment.
Then hardened again.
"Whoever it is…"
His voice was low.
Dangerous.
"They will pay for this."
The darkness around him deepened.
....