I panted as I threw the horned bramble dog’s torn leg aside.

“Why didn’t Lyfe send me near a righteous sect? Nooooo, it just had to be a demonic sect that transforms people into bramble beasts.” I bitterly complained into the air.

I sat down on the ground with my mood at an all-time low. I felt the violet mist pour into me, trying to heal the scratches and bite marks across my body.

At the very least, I didn’t have to deal with Scar’s water bullets when he became a mindless, bramble beast. He seemed to lose all rationality as the red vines grew from somewhere inside his body and turned him into a bramble beast.

I closed my eyes both in pain and in an attempt to concentrate my mind.

I couldn’t.

Images of my family being sacrificed to The Matron and turned into bramble beasts haunted me. Even worse than that was a single question: Had they already been turned? Had I unknowingly killed them trying to survive down here?

“No, you can’t think like that, Louie,” I told myself. “They have to be alive. They have to be!”

Slam!

My meditation posture broke as I slammed my fist into the ground. My body crumpled to the floor as tears welled in my eyes.

“But, for how long?” I asked myself.

I sat there silently for no small amount of time when suddenly, a memory flashed in my mind. I remembered Gou Hui bowing to The Matron outside the cobblestone dome.

He said something about bringing more, but it wasn’t until the full moon. Was there still time? Could I save them before they were turned into bramble beasts?

I felt a collective shiver overcome my mind and body at the thought of getting near the cobblestone dome. I felt the fear of confronting a being that was leagues stronger than I was. If I went near there, then I was sure to die. That’s what my instincts screamed at me.

Slam!

This time, it was my head that impacted the ground.

“WAKE UP, LOUIE!” I yelled at myself. I couldn’t falter here. I wouldn’t falter here.

I may not be able to save everyone from becoming bramble beasts, but I couldn't let that happen to Arden, Abby, and Mrs. Collins.

I wouldn’t let the Bloodthorne Sect do that to them.

I stood up with a hardened look in my eyes, and the violet mist around me swirled in response. The mist responded to my will as it ebbed and flowed in a particular direction.

The violet mist was showing me the way to The Matron.

“I’m coming for you,” I whispered into the mist.

*****

Abby opened her eyes as the moisture around her grew heated. She looked over to see Arden’s brows locked together as a cultivation battle raged within him. Her eyes turned gleeful as the heat spiked, then suddenly receded like the ocean’s tide.

Soon, Arden’s eyes reopened, and he looked at his body with an inquisitive worry.

“Gou Jia says that the body’s impurities lessen with each stage you’ve overcome. Most people hardly have any by the fifth, let alone the sixth, like you. I was just an abnormality, with it lasting until the seventh.”

Arden’s eyes sharpened at Gou Jia’s name but eased as he agreed with his sister.

“Sun Cai told me the same. Especially since he’s been making me practice a cultivation technique that focuses on fiery purification of the body.”

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Abby’s eyes smiled as her lips parted.

“What’s the technique called?”

Arden’s face reddened a bit with embarrassment.

“Listen, the name isn't that important. I bet that you’ve even got some weird—”

“Ok, Mr. Sixth Stage Qi Condensation Cultivator, don’t get your robes in a ruffle. I know it's something like Primordial Fire Body of the Flame Whatever.” Abby joked and watched as her brother covered his face.

“It’s called Undying Body of the Golden Crow.”

Abby freely laughed and couldn’t help herself from relishing the moment. For some reason, the cultivators loved to call techniques and secret arts such funny names, like the longer the title, the more power it would hold.

“I told you so—”

Slam!

Suddenly, Sun Cai, who was supposed to be guarding Mrs. Collins, burst through the doors. Not far behind, Mrs. Collins was roughly thrown in.

Abby’s body tensed as the total pressure of Gou Da’s Gateway Foundation Cultivation Base pushed like a boulder on her back. Even as a seventh-stage Qi Condensation cultivator, Abby was rotating her entire strength just to stand before the might that Gou Da emitted.

That was the difference in cultivation realms.

It was an uncrossable chasm that couldn’t be overcome with hard work alone. Even a tiny amount of talent could determine between getting over the chasm and propelling you into the next cultivation realm.

Talent meant you were chosen by The Heavens, and only some were talented.

It was the reasoning that Gou Jia told Abby every time she belittled her own efforts. Then, he would always compare her to himself, a simple sect leader who was stuck at the utmost peak of the ninth Qi Condensation stage. He was just a half-step into the Gateway Foundation realm, but to cross that single step was impossible for him.

“How long did you think it'd go unnoticed? Sun Cai, be honest, and your punishment will be easier. Who else was involved with your little plan?” Gou Da announced for everyone to hear.

Abby’s brows scrunched together at Gou Da’s words. What plan was Gou Da talking about?

“Master!” Arden yelled as he rushed over to Sun Cai’s beaten form. He had bruises all across his body from not only being dragged but also from numerous vicious blows. Arden looked towards Gou Hui, who smiled as he rubbed his knuckles with glee.

“You bastards!” Arden was about to leap into a pointless battle when Sun Cai took his arm and used him to pull himself to his feet.

“None of them were involved in this. I’m the person you want.” Sun Cai spat out. He walked up to the three Gou brothers with struggling steps, unintimidated.

Smack!

Gou Da’s hand pummelled Sun Cai to the ground in an utterly simple way. He looked ready to continue when Gou Jia stepped over Sun Cai’s struggling body.

With undaunted steps, Gou Jia walked closer to Abby.

“Sun Cai is responsible for organizing the movements of the earthers and fellow sect members in rebellious acts against the sect. To do such an act demands payment with his life.”

Gou Jia looked at Mrs. Collins and Arden, who both defiantly stared back at him.

“Assisting the leader of such activities means you will go down with him. Sect members have witnessed how you two act, transporting items between houses. The way the trading amongst the sect has had a portion siphoned off towards your own affairs.”

Gou Jia stood before Arden, who gazed at him with defiance.

Slap!

Arden’s face rocketed toward the ground at the combination of Gou Da’s crushing pressure and Gou Jia’s slapping blow. Abby gasped and watched as Gou Jia stepped before her mother.

“You’ve caused damage to the sect that I will no longer stand by and watch. My anger will not end until I’ve seen you both pay for your crimes against the sect and its people!”

Gou Jia raised his hand but stopped as a pair of feminine hands held onto it.

“Stop!” Abby yelled and gripped Gou Jia’s arm tighter. She watched as Gou Jia’s head turned around and stared deep into hers. She watched as the previous rage dimmed, and a flicker of compassion danced in his eyes.

Gou Jia had never reprimanded her. Not once. This fact didn't go unnoticed by her or Gou Da, who held an ugly look in his eye.

“Remember your duties, brother.” Gou Da’s voice echoed out into the courtyard.

Under the spell of Gou Da’s words, Abby watched as the flicker of compassion in Gou Jia’s eyes was ripped apart by something sinister that plagued him like a devil’s contract.

Smack!

For the first time, the back of Gou Jia’s hand slammed against Abby’s cheek and sent her sprawling to the ground. Abby made a disgruntled noise and grasped her cheek in shock as she looked back up at Gou Jia.

Gou Jia turned away from Abby’s stare to look back at his brothers. Then, his hand-reared again.

“Get away from her!” Arden yelled as he charged at Gou Jia, but Gou Hui shifted to intercept in split seconds. Soon, Gou Hui’s dagger was paused against Arden’s neck, drawing a thin line of blood that dripped along the blade.

“I’ll kill you!” Arden yelled with a clear fury, resulting in a prick of pain as Gou Hui’s dagger threatened to dig in deeper.

Gou Hui licked his lips as his eyes filled with delight. With a toss, Arden was sent sprawling beside the others.

“HA! You’ll kill me? I dare you. Do you want to know what happens when you do?” Gou Hui made to continue his speech, but Gou Jia’s shout stopped him.

“Gou Hui! Don’t speak another word.” Gou Jia commanded.

Gou Hui’s brows locked together in confusion but eased as a misunderstanding blossomed.

“Ah, brother. Don’t worry, I know you want to finish the job yourself, but leave this to me. I want them to cave into despair. Only then will their deaths be worth it.” Gou Hui reassured his brother.

“No—" Gou Jia started but stopped as Gou Da’s hand gripped his shoulder. With a nod from his eldest brother, Gou Jia contained his words, and Gou Hui joyfully smiled.

“After you kill even one of us….” Gou Hui pulled aside his robes to reveal a tattoo of a skeleton's head with vines intertwined inside it. He watched as the despair crept into everyone’s beautifully pitiful reactions.

“…Every sect member turns into a bramble beast by The Matron’s power.”