I sat cross-legged once more, shutting my eyes. Drawing in slow, deep breaths. I was trying to go back into the void. But nothing happened. I hadn't been able to contact him since he saved me with the lunar shield.
I steadied my breathing and tried again. There was still nothing.
I pressed two fingers against the shattered qi lines over my heart and reached inward.
Nothing.
No response. No pull. No whisper of the wolf.
I frowned, sweat forming at my brow. I tried again, this time with everything I had. I ended up coughing out blood due to the exhaustion.
But there was still total silence.
"What's happening…?" I whispered.
Confusion was filling in my gut.
Had I grown too weak again?
Or worse… had the fragment moved?
I gritted my teeth and forced myself to remain calm.
I couldn't panic. Not now.
Still, my thoughts drifted back to my home.
To the burning palace.
To the last screams I had heard before I blacked out.
My mother. My father.
Were they alive? Or dead?
I clenched my fists.
I couldn't ask for any information here.. It was too dangerous. One wrong word, one accidental recognition, and the truth would surface like blood in clear water.
So I buried the questions.
For now.
But the fury… I could not bury that.
And I said his name through gritted teeth.
"Rong Zhen."
The name left my lips like poison, searing my throat on the way out. My chest tightened with every syllable, rage clawing against the walls of my ribs. My hands trembled.
"I will end you," I whispered, voice raw. "Even if it takes the remaining of my life force."
The dawn of the hunt arrived like a blade drawn in silence.
The sky above Tianxuan glowed with pale white. Everywhere was filled with nervous qi, excitement, fear and ambition.
I stood near the back of the formation quiet and unnoticed by most.
Ahead of us, high on a carved platform, stood Elder Jinhai, flanked by two jade-robed disciples holding a lacquered box.
"Today marks the start of the Southern Ravine Spirit Hunt," Jinhai announced, his voice was deep and calm. "Your task is simple: hunt, collect cores, survive or not, he said sarcastically."
He opened the box with a wave of his hand, revealing dozens of glowing bronze tokens—each etched with a unique inscription and rimmed in silver.
"These are your spirit hunt tokens. They will track your merit. Each beast core you offer it will be recorded. And should you fall or lose consciousness, the token will shatter and mark your place for recovery—if recovery is possible."
There was another round of mummers.
"Top three earners will receive direct audience with Inner Sect Elders. One if deemed worthy will be elevated."
One of the disciples stepped down and began handing out tokens one by one.
When mine reached me, it pulsed faintly as it touched my palm—just for a breath. Then settled.
The fragment… is near.
I felt it again—faint, like a heartbeat buried in stone.
As the final token was passed, Elder Jinhai raised his hand.
Behind him, a large, swirling spirit portal flared open—glowing blue-green and rimmed in ancient symbols. Wind rushed from within, carrying the scent of wild earth and distant roars.
"The portal leads directly into the ravine's outer ring. You'll find beasts, terrain, and danger. Fight wisely." One by one, the disciples stepped toward the portal.
"Well, well."
Zhou Shan.
He stood a few feet away, arms folded, his red sleeve sash tied tighter today, his chest puffed like a rooster before a duel.
"You're really coming?" he scoffed. "Guess I shouldn't be surprised. Even dogs chase meat when it's thrown in front of them."
I met his eyes but said nothing.
He stepped closer, lowering his voice. "You should've stayed in your shack. You're not going to find pity in the ravine."
I smirked faintly. "I'm not looking for pity."
"Oh?" He leaned in. "Then I hope you're ready to be hunted."
He stepped past me and vanished into the portal, his lackeys following behind.
I turned toward the swirling light.
One breath.
Two.
Then I stepped through.
The ravine smelled of blood and wet earth.
I moved alone.
Then I heard it.
A low hiss.
Followed by the soft crackle of shifting leaves.
I turned and cursed under my breath.
A Scarlet Spine Serpent.
It was massive and quick. Wrapped in dark red scales with gleaming silver along its spine. It slithered low through the mist, its slit-pupiled eyes glowing faintly as it locked onto me.
"Ugh… What bad luck."
I tightened my grip on the hilt at my back.
"I should be able to handle it."
My body was still weak, but this wasn't a core-stage beast. If I moved carefully, I could finish it.
The serpent hissed louder, flattening its coils as it prepared to strike.
I took a step forward.
And then—
"Blade Formation—Scatter Wind!"
Three blades flashed through the trees, slicing across the serpent's flank. It screeched, recoiling.
From the fog, a group of disciples emerged, four in total. Two carried twin sabers, one held a long spear, and the last was a girl with spirit bells strapped to her wrist.
They circled the serpent swiftly, moving with practiced coordination.
Within seconds, it was dead.
Its body collapsed to the ground, blood steaming in the morning air.
I stepped back silently, watching as the lead disciple, tall boy with clear eyes and a silver badge marking him as senior among the outer ranks, turned to me.
"You alright?" he asked.
"I had it," I replied flatly.
He grinned. "Didn't doubt it. Just figured we'd save time."
The girl with the bells added, "We've been moving as a team since we landed. Hunting's faster that way. We split cores evenly. When one of us has enough, they leave the group. The rest continue, luck decides the rest."
They were trying to be efficient.
To me, it sounded…
Dumb.
But I nodded anyway.