The forest was alive with sound—rustling leaves, distant animal calls, and the faint hum of spiritual energy that clung to the mist like an ever-present specter. The Iron Sword Sect patrol moved cautiously, their formation tight as they navigated the treacherous terrain of Death Mountain. They were disciplined, alert, but not nearly enough for what lurked in the shadows.

High above them, Lu Tianran watched from his perch on a gnarled tree branch. His gaze was sharp, predatory, as he studied their movements. The group was small, five members in total, each armed and on edge. Their leader, the scarred man from earlier, walked at the front, his posture confident despite the oppressive atmosphere.

"They think they're the hunters," Tianran muttered under his breath, his lips curling into a faint smile. "Let's remind them what it means to be prey."

Tianran moved silently, his steps as light as a whisper on the wind. The mist shrouded him, masking his presence as he circled around the group. His first target was the rear guard—a young man with wide eyes and a nervous grip on his blade. The boy's inexperience was evident in the way he constantly glanced over his shoulder, his fear practically radiating off him.

A shadow passed behind him, quick and silent. Before the boy could react, a hand clamped over his mouth, muffling his scream. Tianran's dagger slid into his throat with surgical precision, cutting off his life in an instant. He lowered the body to the ground gently, ensuring it made no sound.

The patrol continued forward, oblivious to their comrade's absence.

Tianran struck again moments later, this time targeting the disciple at the back left of the group. She was more experienced, her eyes scanning the forest with keen awareness. But even the sharpest senses couldn't pierce the mist, nor could they detect the faint ripple of Qi energy Tianran used to mask his presence.

He struck like lightning, his dagger slicing across her throat before she could scream. Her eyes widened in shock as she crumpled to the ground, her lifeblood pooling beneath her. Tianran faded back into the shadows, his movements fluid and precise.

The remaining three patrol members began to notice something was wrong. They paused, their leader turning to count his group. His expression darkened when he realized two of his subordinates were missing.

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"Stay together," the scarred man growled, his hand tightening on the hilt of his sword. "This bastard is picking us off."

The woman with sharp eyes nodded, her own weapon drawn. "We need to find higher ground. He's using the mist to his advantage."

But it was already too late.

As the patrol began to move again, Tianran struck with calculated ferocity. A tree branch creaked above them, drawing their attention upward just as a faint glimmer of Qi cut through the mist. The scarred man turned, his sword raised, but the attack wasn't aimed at him.

Tianran dropped down from the trees, his dagger plunging into the neck of the third disciple. The woman screamed, her blade flashing toward Tianran, but he twisted the dying body in front of him, using it as a shield. The sword bit into her comrade instead, and she recoiled in horror.

"You... demon!" she spat, backing away.

Tianran didn't respond. His movements were precise, relentless, as he threw the corpse aside and lunged at her. She parried his first strike, sparks flying as their blades clashed, but she was no match for his speed. A faint pulse of abyssal energy disrupted her footing, and in that moment of hesitation, Tianran drove his dagger into her chest.

Her eyes widened in shock before the light faded from them.

Only the scarred man remained now, his face a mask of fury and fear. He stood his ground, his sword trembling slightly in his hands as he stared at Tianran.

"You think you've won?" he snarled. "The sect will hunt you to the ends of the earth for this."

Tianran tilted his head, his gaze cold. "Let them try."

The man roared, charging forward with all the strength he could muster. But Tianran sidestepped the attack effortlessly, his movements a blend of precision and fluidity. He struck low, slashing at the man's leg and sending him to one knee.

Before the man could recover, Tianran grabbed him by the collar, his dagger pressing against his throat. He leaned in close, his voice low and calm. "Tell your sect this: the Demon Sovereign has returned."

With that, he slit the man's throat, the blood spraying across the ground as his body crumpled.

Tianran stood amidst the carnage, his breathing steady as he wiped the blood from his blade. The mist around him seemed to part, revealing a faint glow in the distance. His gaze narrowed as he approached, drawn by the unnatural light.

At the heart of the mountain, nestled between jagged rocks and overgrown vines, was a portal. It shimmered with an otherworldly energy, its surface rippling like water despite its solid appearance. The air around it was thick with power, making Tianran's skin tingle.

"What is this?" he murmured, stepping closer.

The portal pulsed, its energy reaching out like invisible tendrils. Tianran hesitated for only a moment before placing his hand on its surface. The moment he did, the portal flared, and he was sucked inside.

Tianran landed in a cavern bathed in dim, flickering light. The air here was heavy, ancient, as if time itself had stilled. His eyes adjusted slowly, and what he saw took his breath away.

At the center of the cavern lay the massive bones of a dragon, its skeletal frame stretching across the chamber. Its size was incomprehensible, its wings folded in eternal stillness. At its heart, nestled within its ribcage, was a faint black wisp of light, pulsing like a heartbeat.

Tianran stepped forward, his movements cautious but deliberate. The closer he got, the more he felt the immense power radiating from the wisp. It was dark, ancient, and alive in a way that sent a shiver down his spine.

He reached out, his fingers trembling slightly as they brushed against the black light.

The moment he touched it, the world around him seemed to collapse, a blinding flash of darkness swallowing him whole.

End of the Chapter.