Chapter 3:đ„Shadows of Blood and Mist đ„
The dense forest loomed under the cover of a cold âïž mist, shrouding everything in an eerie silence. Shadows stretched long and ominous as moisture clung to the air, turning the atmosphere into a ghostly realm. Within this veil of darkness, three figures stood before a wounded girl.
Gu Fen, the Young Master of the Gu Family, smirked at his prey. His two attendants flanked him, their expressions filled with malice. Their target, Ji Ru of the Ji Family, was in a dire state. Her body bore deep gashes, her once-pristine robes stained crimson. Despite her wounds, she did not cower. Her trembling hands curled into fists, and her eyes, though dimmed with exhaustion, still held the fire of resistance.
Gu Fen took a step forward, his tone laced with cruel amusement. "Thereâs no escape left for you, Ji Ru. Just give up already."
Unbeknownst to them, another presence lurked in the shadows. Ji Yang stood concealed behind the thick trunk of an ancient tree, his sharp gaze fixed on the scene unfolding before him. His breathing was controlled, his body tense like a coiled spring. He knew he couldnât win in a direct fightânot yet. Gu Fen and his men were stronger. But strength was not the only deciding factor in battle. Ji Yang had a plan.đ
đ„A Power Beyond This World
Ji Yang focused, channeling a strange energy into his palm. A flicker of black and white flame sparked to lifeâthe Yin Yang Flame đ„. Even gods from the God Realm had feared this fire, and now, it rested in his grasp.
This đ„ power⊠it didnât belong to this world.
The first time he had sensed it, he doubted his own instincts. But when the surrounding beasts trembled in fear, their primal instincts warning them of impending doom, he realized the truthâthis flame was something far beyond ordinary cultivation.
However, Ji Yang was aware that not all creatures feared him. The stronger ones, those closer to his former level, sensed the restriction placed upon his power. His true strength was still sealed. But that didnât matter. He had no intention of fighting alone.
With a mere thought, the presence of the Yin Yang Flame sent a silent command through the forest.
And the beasts responded.
---
The Trap Within the Mist đ
Rustling filled the air as the undergrowth trembled. Feral growls echoed through the trees. Gu Fenâs attendants stiffened, their hands instinctively reaching for their weapons.
The beasts didnât just lungeâthey hunted. One of them, a shadowy panther, slithered through the mist, its fangs glistening with venom. Another, a scaled wolf, moved with eerie precision, as if obeying an unseen master. Ji Yangâs influence was absolute. The forest itself had become his ally.
"What the hell is that?" one of them hissed.â
A low snarl was his only answer before the first beast lunged.
"Kill them!" Gu Fen barked.
The narrative has been illicitly obtained; should you discover it on Amazon, report the violation.
As his men engaged the wild beasts, Ji Yang seized the moment. Moving like a phantom, he slipped through the chaos and reached Ji Ru. Before she could react, he clamped a hand over her mouth and whispered, "Donât make a sound."
Her wide eyes filled with shock, but she nodded. Ji Yang lifted her effortlessly and vanished â€ïžâđ„into the depths of the forest.
---
Ji Ruâs Hidden Strength
Deep within the Fogging Forest, where the mist grew thick enough to obscure even oneâs own hands, Ji Yang finally set Ji Ru down. She gasped, clutching her wounds. Before she could speak, Ji Yang raised a hand.
"Iâll explain everything later. Right now, I need Spiritual Stones đ ."
Ji Ru hesitated but nodded. Slowly, she reached into her robes and pulled out three Spiritual Stonesđ. "These are all I have left... but theyâre precious."
Without a momentâs thought, she pressed them into Ji Yangâs palm.
"Take them. You need them more than I do."đ©”
Ji Yang glanced at her before offering a rare smile. "Iâll make sure they arenât wasted."
But Ji Ruâs gaze held something elseâsomething unsaid. A secret.đ
She hadnât told Ji Yang, but deep inside, she carried a power of her own. A power that she wasnât ready to reveal just yet.
---
đ©žBlood-Stained Shadowsđ©ž
Gu Fen and his men entered the Fogging Forest cautiously. The mist swirled around them, thick as smoke, muffling every sound.
"Something isnât right about this place..." one of the attendants murmured.
Then, Ji Yangâs voice echoed through the fog.
"If you dare, come and get me."
Gu Fenâs eyes burned with rage. "That damn brat⊠Capture him!"
His attendants rushed forward. The moment they stepped into the mist, they staggeredâconfusion flashing across their faces.
A First-Grade Illusion Formation had already been set in place.
Ji Yang smirked from the shadows. đ"Now⊠letâs see how long you can last."
---
đThe Silent Assassin đ
Swish!đ„
A shadow flickered in the mist.
Before Gu Fenâs men could reactâ
Slash!đ„
A scream rang out as one of the attendantsâ arms was severed clean from his shoulder. Blood sprayed across the fog like crimson mist.
The second attendant barely had time to turn beforeâ
Slice!đ„
His leg was gone. He collapsed, howling in agony.
Gu Fen, watching in horror, felt a chill run down his spine. "This⊠this isnât possible! Heâs just at the Second Level!"
But Ji Yang wasnât bound by cultivation levels. He had already surpassed the conventional limits of strength.
And he had no mercy.
---
Gu Fenâs Last Stand đŻ
Gu Fen clenched his fists. "Damn you, Ji Yang!"đĄ
He activated his Gu Family Secret TechniqueâPhantom Strike. His body flickered, moving at lightning speed toward Ji Yang.
Butâ
Ji Yang was already gone.
Gu Fenâs heart pounded. "Whereâ"â
Then, he saw him.
Ji Yang stood right before him, his sword raised. "Your turn, Gu Fen."
Swish!đ„
Ji Yangâs blade sliced downwardâ
Clink!
The pendant around Gu Fenâs neck shattered, revealing an invisible protective shield.
Gu Fen smirked. "Fool. My father gave me this pendantâit ensures my survival."
But Ji Yang remained unfazed.
His sword ignited in Yin Yang Flames.
And then, he struck again.
The shield cracked.
Gu Fenâs expression twisted in terror. "No⊠no, this canâtâ"
Before he could finishâ
Flames devoured his body.
His screams echoed through the forest as his flesh burned, his soul incinerated.
In mere moments, nothing remained but ashes and a broken pendant.đ
As Gu Fenâs body turned to ashes, Ji Yang watched in silence.
There was no joy, no satisfactionâonly cold acceptance. He had taken a life, but in this world, mercy was a weakness. âđ„The strong survive. The weak perish. Thatâs the only law that matters.â
---
đ„The Coming Storm đ„
Far away, in the depths of the Gu Familyâs estate, a candle flickered.
The Life Flame that represented Gu Fenâs existence⊠went out.
A figure dressed in dark robes stepped forward. His face was cold, his aura terrifying. The Leader of the Gu Clan.
The moment he saw the extinguished flame, his voice trembled with fury.
"Who dares⊠to kill my son?"
The Elder wasted no time. He vanished from the hall, appearing at the edge of the Fogging Forest in mere minutes.
When Elder Gu stepped into the clearing, the wind itself seemed to halt. The ground beneath his feet darkened, tiny cracks forming in the stone. His aura wasnât just strongâit was suffocating. Even the mist recoiled from him, as if afraid to touch his presence.
As his sharp gaze scanned the mist-covered land, he found only scattered ashes and a shattered pendant.
Elder Gu stood in silence, his gaze fixed on the shattered pendant. A cold wind howled through the forest, but his fury burned hotter. Slowly, he turned his head. From the shadows, a figure emergedâcloaked in darkness, his presence alone distorting the air. The Elderâs voice was low, laced with venom. âFind him. I donât care what it takes.â The figure gave a slow nod before vanishing into the night, leaving behind only an eerie whisperââđConsider him dead.â"
His hands clenched into fists.
" I know youâre in there."
But he did not step forward.
The Fogging Forest was not a place one could enter recklessly. Even he wouldnât dare.
Yet, his eyes gleamed with a murderous glint. "You wonât escape me forever."đŻ
---
A Silent Resolve đ„
Hidden deep within the forest, Ji Yang observed everything. His body was exhausted, but his mind was sharp.
"I canât face them yet⊠but one day, Iâll settle this debt."
He turned back toward Ji Ru, who had been silently watching him.
She reached out, her voice gentle. "Are you okay?"
Ji Yang, his vision blurring from exhaustion, whispered, "I just need to restâŠ"
As exhaustion weighed on him, Ji Yang allowed his eyes to close. But deep in his mind, plans were already forming. âđ„This is just the beginningđ„âŠâ
And with that, darkness consumed him.đ€
(To be continuedâŠ)
---
đŹ Leave a Comment & Share Your Thoughts!
đ„ What do you think about Ji Yangâs power and strategy?
đ What secrets do you think Ji Ru is hiding?
đ Any theories about Elder Guâs next move?
Your feedback keeps me motivated! Let me know if you enjoyed the chapter, and if you want two chapters per day, drop a comment! đ