Kieroin felt the weight of his cultivation spirit as it wound through the air like a violent storm. The radiant light enveloped him, showcasing the manifestation of the spirits he controlled. He felt invincible, the remnants of his past life merging seamlessly with his newfound power.

"Who dares mock a god?" Kieroin's voice boomed, a blend of authority and fury that silenced the room. An Lin's sneer faltered, replaced by uncertainty as he took a step back.

Suddenly, Zuo Zao, a erstwhile ally turned adversary, piped up, "You think you're still the Kieroin we once knew? The man fell long ago! You're nothing but a shadow now!"

Kieroin's eyes narrowed. "You've mistaken my transformation for weakness. I am no mere shadow. I am the embodiment of spirit itself!" With a swiftness that left everyone breathless, he conjured an enormous spirit blade, shimmering with ethereal energy.

"Prepare to taste the consequence of your arrogance!" With a swift motion, he directed the blade toward Zuo Zao. The ground beneath them quaked, and a fissure opened as the blade carved through the air, forcing everyone to scatter.

"Retreat! He's not the same!" An Lin shouted, scrambling for cover.

But Kieroin, fueled by vengeance and power, pursued them. "You can run, but you cannot hide! Not from your fate!"

The Rose Hunters Sect had wronged him, but it was his former allies in the Black Dragon Sect that had betrayed him. He wouldn't rest until he exacted revenge on each one of them.

As he chased them down the hall, a sudden shift in the air forced him to halt. A formidable presence emerged from the shadows—Shxu Ke, an ancient expert shrouded in mysticism. Her aura was thick and heavy, seeming to absorb the very light around her.

This text was taken from Royal Road. Help the author by reading the original version there.

"Kieroin," she said, her voice laced with both respect and challenge, "you wield great power now. But do you understand the cost? To wield such strength without wisdom is to flirt with disaster."

Kieroin smirked; her warnings failed to reach him. "I've paid the price for wisdom. Now it's time to unleash retribution."

"You'd do well to listen," she cautioned, stepping closer. "The Rose Hunters Sect are not mere mortals. The demons they serve are far beyond anything you've fought before. Unleashing power recklessly could awaken forces you cannot control."

His eyes hardened. "I am not afraid of demons. I was once a master of spirit arts. I will not cower in fear." Behind him, the remnants of his former sect, now traitors, watched in hushed awe, confused as to ally with him or flee.

"Nothing exists without balance, Kieroin," Shxu Ke persisted. "Harness your power, but do not let it consume you. If you wish to fight the Rose Hunters Sect and retrieve your grandfather, do so wisely."

Kieroin pondered her words, but only briefly. He had no intention to yield to caution. "Tell me where I can find their lair," he demanded. "I will end this tonight."

Shxu Ke sighed, knowing he wouldn't relent. "Very well, I will guide you. But you must promise to heed my counsel along the way."

"Deal," Kieroin replied, a flicker of determination igniting within him. He knew the path ahead would be perilous, but he'd face the trials head-on with a spirit unmatched.

As the two began their trek towards the Rose Hunters Sect, the servants and defenders of the Black Dragon Sect watched in awe. "Kieroin... is truly something else," one whispered in amazement.

"Yes, he's not just powerful; he's evolving," another murmured. "He's not just our hope but a storm. Heaven help those who stand against him."

As they approached the outskirts of the Rose Hunters Sect's territory, dread hung thick in the air. Shadows danced ominously as they neared what awaited them—a fortress brimming with powerful foes and dark energy.

"We must think strategically," Shxu Ke said, her eyes surveying the surroundings. "They cannot know we're coming."

"Let them come," Kieroin replied, already sensing the energy of the spirits running through him, ready to be unleashed upon his enemies. "I would relish the chance to meet them in battle."

With each determined step closer to the heart of their enemy, the smell of vengeance hung thick in the air. Kieroin had risen once more; the Rose Hunters Sect wouldn't know what hit them.