The vibration of the Lion's footsteps was fading, moving toward the southern ridge. Han Sen let out a breath he didn't know he was holding. He looked at Nixi, who was currently trying to eat a piece of his sleeve.
"Don't get too comfortable," Han Sen whispered. "The big cat is gone, but the scavengers are coming."
The smell of wet soot and expensive incense drifted into the crevice. It was a mismatch of scents that only meant one thing: humans. Not just any humans, but cultivators from a wealthy sect.
A shadow fell over the entrance of the cave. Han Sen tucked Nixi into his tunic, feeling the small bird's warmth against his skin. His heart began to race, a cold sweat breaking out on his neck.
[Detected: 3 Human Lifeforms]
[Leader: Deacon Mo (Level 45)]
[Lackeys: Two Disciples (Level 28)]
"I'm telling you, the fire fell right in this area," a voice boomed outside.
A man stepped into the light. He wore silk robes embroidered with a golden lion. His eyes were small and predatory, scanning the dark cave with practiced greed. He looked at Han Sen and stopped, a look of pure confusion crossing his face.
"A Level 1 brat?" the Deacon said, his voice dripping with disdain. "What is a beggar doing in a Cinder Peak death zone?"
He didn't wait for an answer. He looked at the shattered remains of the Phoenix egg on the floor. His eyes widened, his breath hitching in his throat.
"The Nirvana Egg," he whispered. "You... you were here when it hatched."
The two disciples stepped forward, their hands on the hilts of their swords. They looked at Han Sen as if he were dirt on an expensive boot. In their eyes, a Level 1 human was less than a beast of burden.
"Hand over the bird, boy," the Deacon commanded. He didn't offer gold or mercy. He spoke as if the Phoenix already belonged to him. "A trash like you cannot even protect himself. Give it to me, and I might let you crawl back to the city."
Han Sen stood up slowly. His legs felt heavy, and his 10 HP felt like a target painted on his chest. If any of these men drew a sword, he wouldn't even see the blade before it killed him.
"And if I refuse?" Han Sen asked.
The Deacon laughed. It was a dry, ugly sound. "Refuse? You are a Level 1. You have the life force of a candle in a hurricane. I could kill you by sneezing too hard."
The Deacon stepped forward, his Level 45 aura exploding outward. The pressure was meant to crush Han Sen's spirit, to force him to his knees in terror.
Han Sen felt the pressure, but he didn't move. He opened his system, his mind cold and analytical. He didn't look at the Deacon. He looked at Nixi, who was trembling with rage in his tunic.
[Skill Selection: Bonded Flame]
[Allocating Skill Points: 500,000]
[Bonded Flame has evolved into: Eternal Sun-Fire Aura (Max Level).]
"You talk a lot for a man who is about to disappear," Han Sen said.
The Deacon's face twisted in rage. "Die, you arrogant brat!"
He reached out a hand, his palm glowing with dark energy. Before his fingers could touch Han Sen, the cave went silent.
There was no explosion. There was only a sudden, blinding flash of white light. A hiss of air filled the cave as the temperature soared to a million degrees for a fraction of a second.
The Deacon's hand didn't just burn. It turned into white ash and vanished. The scream he started to let out was cut short as the aura expanded.
The two disciples behind him didn't even have time to draw their swords. One moment they were standing, the next, there were only two sets of charred boots on the floor.
The Deacon fell back, staring at his missing arm. The wound was cauterized instantly, but the shock was total. He looked up at Han Sen, his eyes filled with a terror that bypassed words.
Han Sen walked toward him. He didn't look angry. He looked bored.
"You were right about one thing," Han Sen said, stepping over the ashes of the disciples. "The world is dangerous for people who aren't strong enough."
He raised a finger.
"I'm just glad I'm not one of them."
A tiny spark of golden fire jumped from Han Sen's fingertip. There was an unnatural silence, then the Deacon was gone. No body, no blood, just a faint smell of ozone.
[Ding! Level 45 Deacon Slain.]
[Warning: Level is locked. Experience converted into 0 Skill Points.]
Han Sen let out a long breath. His HP was still 10/10. He hadn't been hit, but his hands were shaking. He had just killed a high-ranking sect member.
He looked at Nixi, who poked her head out of his tunic and let out a triumphant chirp.
"The Heavenly Beast Sect won't stop at three people," Han Sen whispered.
He looked at the path leading down the mountain. He couldn't go back to his old life. He was a Level 1 with the power to erase Deacons.
It was time to find a place where he could grow, before the Lion or the Sect found him again.