"The Shadow Clan."

The very name sent a ripple of dread through the crowd. Eli Shan noticed the trembling in their eyes and the palpable fear in the air, but he couldn't understand why. The men in dark clothes seemed mysterious, yes, but terrifying? They were just men. What was everyone so afraid of?

Unlike Eli Shan's calm curiosity, Wen Lun and Jian Wu stood with an intense focus. Their expressions were unreadable, yet their hands gripped their swords with a readiness that betrayed their inner tension. They were prepared for battle, their eyes locked on the shadows who loomed over them like an ominous storm.

The shadows, however, showed no such urgency. They stood with a casual arrogance, as if the cultivators before them were insignificant insects. One of the shadowy figures stepped forward, his movements sluggish but confident. He stopped just before Wen Lun, his presence suffocating, as though the very air thickened around him.

"Hand over the heart," the shadow's voice was smooth, almost lazy, but it carried a weight that silenced the world around them, "and I'll let you live."

Wen Lun tightened his grip on the box-shaped artifact, his gaze locking onto the shadow's abyssal eyes without a hint of fear. His voice, steady and cold, sliced through the tension like a blade. "You can try to take it."

The shadow paused, staring deep into Wen Lun's unwavering eyes. A slow grin spread across his hidden face, and he turned to his comrades with a chuckle that soon erupted into mocking laughter. "Hahaha, such arrogance from ants... amusing."

Before anyone could react, the artifact vanished from Wen Lun's hand, reappearing instantly in the grasp of the shadow. The air crackled with disbelief as the crowd fell into stunned silence. The shadow's grip tightened around the artifact, his voice dripping with dark amusement.

"As you wished, I took it. But for making me exert extra effort, you'll have to pay."

A heavy silence fell within the cave, thick and oppressive. No one dared to move, hardly even breathe, for fear of drawing the attention of the shadows. The very air seemed to freeze, as if time itself was holding its breath. Even the Emperors, with all their power and prestige, were left dumbfounded, unable to comprehend how the artifact had vanished from Wen Lun's grasp. If those at the pinnacle of cultivation couldn't follow the shadow's movements, what hope did the others have?

Wen Lun, the second strongest among all the sects, had been on high alert, yet even he had failed to protect the box. The realization hit everyone like a cold wave: if even Wen Lun couldn't prevent their actions, what chance did the others have against such formidable beings?

For the first time, even Eli Shan regarded these figures with true seriousness. His previously casual demeanor shifted as he quietly invoked his invisible universal strength, probing the shadows' cultivation realms.

"Huh?" The results left him flabbergasted. His eyes widened slightly, but his expression quickly turned serene, masking the shock within.

"Every single one of them... above the Emperor realm?" Eli Shan thought, his brow furrowed as he reassessed the situation.

This was no time to stand idle—these people were just too terrifying! With a swift motion, Eli Shan positioned himself between Wen Lun and the shadows, his presence a silent declaration of protection. Jian Wu moved in tandem, stepping up to stand beside his brother, their combined aura creating a formidable barrier.

"Return the artifact," Jian Wu's voice was low but laced with a deadly promise, "or I won't hold back anymore."

The shadowy figure locked eyes with Jian Wu, an icy chill emanating from him. "We are the Shadow Clan, the strongest in the universe. Even the combined strength of all sects couldn't flinch us, who do you think you are to challenge us?"

Jian Wu's gaze didn't waver. "You don't need to know who I am. All that matters is that I can kill you right here, right now."

The shadowy figure's calm facade cracked, fury flashing in his eyes as he narrowed his gaze. With a low, menacing voice, he stepped forward. "I'd like to see you try."

His grip on his broad sword tightened, and with a growl that reverberated through the cave, he unleashed a strike toward Jian Wu, the speed and power of his swing surpassing the Emperor realm by a terrifying margin. The very air seemed to shatter under the force of his attack, a dark wave of energy surging toward Jian Wu with killing intent.

But Jian Wu stood unmoved, his eyes narrowing as he whispered under his breath, "Ancient Sword Technique: Banished Reincarnation."

In an instant, a crimson aura erupted, wrapping around the shadowy figure like a tightening noose, spiraling around him like the relentless wheel of fate. With a flick of his sword, the aura intensified, its color deepening to a blood-red hue that pulsed with an eerie, otherworldly energy. The shadow's eyes widened in shock as a crushing pressure mounted around him, bending the very fabric of reality to Jian Wu's will.

"Huh? What is this...?" the shadowy figure muttered, his voice trembling as cold sweat broke out across his brow. His mind raced, trying to comprehend the phenomenon before him. "Could it be... you are—"

His words were cut short as the red aura tightened, wrapping around him like serpents. The world around him began to blur and fade, the cave dissolving into a void of crimson light. Panic gripped him as the realization dawned. He tried to move, but his body was frozen in place, paralyzed by the sheer force of Jian Wu's technique.

"No!" he shouted, desperation lacing his voice. He swung his broad sword with all his might, aiming to break free from the encroaching aura. But as the blade made contact, it simply disintegrated, dissipating into nothingness, as if even the weapon was condemned to the cycle of reincarnation.

"W-what is this...?" For the first time, fear gripped the heart of the shadowy figure, shattering his arrogance like fragile glass. The crimson red aura continued to devour him, inch by inch, as his form began to flicker and fade, his very existence threatened by the ancient technique.

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Sensing their comrade's imminent demise, one of the shadows sprang into action. "Phantom Spear!" he bellowed, channeling a massive surge of energy into a spear forged from pure shadow. The weapon tore through the air with unimaginable speed, slicing into the red aura with a burst of dark energy.

The crimson aura shuddered, fragments of it violently ripping away by the force of the Phantom Spear. The crushing pressure around the shadowy figure eased, allowing him a fleeting gasp of relief. But Jian Wu's eyes narrowed, his focus as sharp as a blade. With a single, deliberate motion, he raised his hand, and the red aura coiled tighter, defying the shadow's interference with unyielding force.

"Do you think you can escape your fate?" Jian Wu's voice was cold and unwavering, filled with an authority that silenced the very air around him.

The crimson aura flared up once more, pushing back against the Phantom Spear with renewed vigor. The shadowy figure's fear turned to outright terror as he realized that even with the combined efforts of his comrade, they were barely holding back the tide.

But just as the crimson aura threatened to consume the shadowy figure entirely, a man standing behind the others stepped forward, his presence commanding immediate attention. With a wave of his hand, he spoke a single word, "Enough." Instantly, the crimson aura dissipated, its oppressive force vanishing as if it had never existed.

The two shadows exhaled in unison, a breath of relief escaping their lips as they turned to the man, their eyes filled with reverence as if looking upon their father.

A cold sweat trickled down Jian Wu's forehead as he faced this formidable figure. The oppressive energy that had filled the cave moments ago was nothing compared to the quiet, overwhelming power emanating from this man. Swallowing his unease, Jian Wu demanded, "Who are you?"

The man's gaze was calm, almost indifferent, as he replied, "I am Cui An, merely the leader of this small group of shadows." His tone was unhurried, almost casual, but the weight behind his words was undeniable. "And you... you are Jian Wu, correct? I will remember your name."

With that, Cui An turned to his shadows and commanded, "Everyone, let's go back."

Just as he began to turn away, Jian Wu's voice rang out. "Wait. You may leave, but return the heart to us."

Cui An halted mid-step, his back still turned to Jian Wu. The cave plunged into a deathly silence as the words lingered in the air.

“H-Hey Jian Wu, are you out of your mind? Is the dragon heart really worth more than your life?”

“Y-Yeah, let him take it and leave. What are you thinking?"

Fear laced the voices around him, their words trembling in the tense stillness. Relief had washed over them moments earlier, with the shadows seemingly ready to leave. But now, this reckless Jian Wu had to provoke them. If he wanted to die, fine—but why drag everyone else down with him?

As if sensing their rising dread, Cui An slowly turned back, his eyes narrowing with cold, simmering fury. The atmosphere shifted, growing suffocatingly heavy as an oppressive aura flooded the space, making the air nearly unbreathable.

"It seems you don’t fully grasp your situation," Cui An said, his voice dripping with menace, so cold and lethal it sent shivers through everyone present. "If it weren’t for our restriction against killing so casually, your existence would have already been erased from this world. However..." He paused, a chilling smile curling at the corners of his lips. "I don’t mind bending the rules every now and then."

With a subtle downward flick of his hand, the atmosphere in the cave shifted dramatically. The very air seemed to thicken, transforming into a crushing force that bore down with the weight of a mountain. Jian Wu's eyes widened as he felt the pressure intensify, his knees trembling involuntarily under the immense force. It was as if the universe itself was compelling him to kneel before this man, his body succumbing to a power far beyond anything he had encountered.

Jian Wu gritted his teeth, struggling against the overwhelming pressure, but it was futile. His legs gave way, and he was forced to the ground, kneeling as if the very earth demanded his submission. The oppressive force was suffocating, a clear demonstration of Cui An's dominance.

Gasps echoed through the cave as everyone watched in disbelief. Jian Wu, who had stood tall against two shadows, now knelt before this man as if he were nothing more than an ant under a giant's foot. The sheer difference in power was undeniable, sending waves of fear rippling through those who witnessed it.

Seeing Jian Wu kneeling under Cui An's overwhelming pressure, Eli Shan could no longer remain passive. The gap in strength between them was simply enormous. In reality, Eli Shan had never witnessed anyone as strong as this man in his whole life. He was already impressed that Jian Wu could remain composed under such a crushing aura, whereas other cultivators would have crumbled, coughing up blood from the sheer force emitted by Cui An.

Eli Shan instinctively stepped forward, his intent clear. He couldn't allow his brother to face this monster alone. But just as he was about to stand between Cui An and Jian Wu, something stopped him—Jian Wu's unwavering determination.

Even on his knees, Jian Wu refused to surrender. His hands tightened around the hilt of his sword, and with a monumental effort, he began to rise. The air around him crackled with energy as he slowly stood, defying the crushing force. "This isn't over yet," he muttered through gritted teeth, his spirit burning brightly even as his body struggled to bear the weight.

Cui An's gaze remained cold, though a glint of acknowledgment flickered in his eyes. "No," he replied, his voice like ice. "It's over."

Jian Wu shook his head, a fierce resolve hardening in his expression. "Now that the worst has come to the worst, I will break my limit!" With those words, the air around Jian Wu began to ripple violently as a crimson aura emerged from his body, swirling around him with an intensity that made the entire cave tremble.

Cui An’s gaze pierced through the aura, probing the true strength of Jian Wu’s technique. And for the first time, his expression shifted to one of seriousness. "It seems you’re just like us," he murmured, his tone now devoid of mockery. "And that’s why I’ll kill you right now."

Without hesitation, Cui An raised his hand and commanded, "Kill him."

As the word left his lips, the shadows sprang into action, vanishing into the darkness before reappearing around Jian Wu in a deadly circle. Weapons gleamed ominously as they slashed toward him with lethal intent.

Clang!

Clang!

Clang!

In a blur of motion too fast for the eye to follow, Jian Wu countered every attack. His crimson aura flared with each clash, growing stronger and more ferocious with every shadow he repelled. The cave echoed with the relentless clash of swords, leaving everyone in stunned awe.

On the other side, despite his calm exterior, a strange unease gnawed at Cui An. The aura surrounding Jian Wu—it was unsettling, making him shudder with a sensation he hadn’t felt in eons. At this moment, his senses were screaming at him to end this now, to kill Jian Wu before he could fully unleash his strength.

Heeding his instincts, Cui An moved. He disappeared from his spot, merging with the shadows. As Jian Wu continued to fend off the relentless attacks, Cui An reappeared beside him like a phantom, his presence a harbinger of death.

"I'm not certain if you are the one, but now that you've become our enemy, we must kill you at any cost."

Without warning, Cui An's hand moved in a blur, and from seemingly nowhere, a sword appeared in his grasp. With a swift, fluid motion, he slashed it toward Jian Wu's neck, the blade cutting through the air with the force of a cataclysm.

From the moment Cui An moved to the instant the blade descended, not even the blink of an eye had passed. To the onlookers, time itself seemed to freeze as they witnessed a blade bearing the power to annihilate worlds, inching closer and closer to Jian Wu’s neck.

Jian Wu's eyes widened in shock as he sensed Cui An’s killing intent, but it was already too late.

"I can't dodge it!"