While Quiet Storm was finishing up their plans and countermeasures for any unforeseen enemies or monsters on the road to Silver Lake City, Ghost-01 decided to give them more room to operate.
However, the leader of Quiet Storm did not overlook their movements.
"Why is Unit 05 here? Are they tracking us—or something else?" Death Sword's voice was low as his gloved fingers tapped the hilt of Noble Death in quiet rhythm that was somewhat melodic. After a few moments of thought, he shook his head and resumed issuing orders.
"Purple Night and Fall Night will scout ahead," Death Sword said, crossing his arms. "Jagged and I will take the near route. That way, we can keep moving while watching our backs."
Purple Night inclined her head slightly, her voice smooth as shea butter but firm. "That sounds like a solid plan, Death Sword. I agree. Besides…" Her masked gaze shifted toward Fall Night, eyes gleaming like twin moons. "It gives us a chance to see what Fall Night can do—whether solo or working with as a team."
Fall Night tilted his head at Death Sword and Purple Night, eyes narrowed behind his mask. His breathing was slow and heavy.
"Why do I have to go with Death Sword and not the rookie?" Jagged burped out loudly, sounding like a spoiled child.
Every member of Unit 04 turned to him as if he'd said something stupid. Their glances left Jagged blinking and unsure how to respond.
Forcing an easy chuckled.
"C'mon — Little Nighty Night will be fine with me. I'm like a great neighbor; you can count on me."
"Not everyone is gullible enough to believe whatever comes out of your mouth, Jagged," Purple Night said coldly. "It seems you harbor animosity toward every new recruit we welcome."
"I don't like Fall Night. He's the one who got to pick his own codename when we couldn't," Jagged snapped.
"I picked my codename, and so did Death Sword. You're the one who couldn't keep his mouth shut — hence 'Jagged,'" Purple Night cut him off, voice smooth and sharp.
"The Elder already warned you back at the mansion, Jagged," Death Sword said, eyes hard as steel. "I'd hate to see you fall into the Elder's hands before I have the chance to make you scream a thousand cuts from Noble Death." His stare never wavered.
Jagged felt a deep ache in his heart as Death Sword uttered words akin to a death sentence.
Meanwhile, Fall Night looks at the surrounding area. It was a little too quiet for his liking.
"I think we should start to move before we attract some unwelcome company."
Everyone senses the surroundings and finds them devoid of life. A few things pop up in their heads, and they decide that Sifir is right to move now before they get stuck in a battle that provides no benefits.
"Should we get some steeds, or are we traveling on foot?" Jagged asked with a depressed tone.
"We are traveling on foot right now. Did you listen to our arrangement?" Purple Night shouted coldly at Jagged.
"I heard you. Maybe?" Jagged spoke softly while playing with one of his machetes.
"I should crack open your skull and see what really makes you think, Jagged." Purple Night was able to reach for the small pouch on her belt. However, Death Sword intervened and stopped her.
"Fall night; let go! Before I lose my cool so much and hurt this knucklehead!" Purple Night's voice roars out with anger.
The unit 04 members split into a two-man team. Purple Night and Fall Night advanced, and Death Sword and Jagged Blac stayed behind, covering their backs. They ensured they weren't ambushed by unknown enemies.
"Jagged, if you keep talking nonsense. I will rip off your mask and make you suffer." Death Sword spoke like a king to his subjects.
Gulp! "Why do you guys always argue with me as if I'm in the wrong?" Jagged spoke like he was wronged.
"Jagged, again, don't make me repeat myself. You know our mission, and the mission comes first. We can handle everything else later." Death Sword was unreserved in his remarks to Jagged.
"Yes, leader." Jagged replied dejectedly.
"Let's move and watch out for people who might be tracking us." Death Sword spoke calmly.
Jagged nodded and began to move with the Death Sword.
-
In the meantime, Purple Night and Fall Night moved a good distance from the other members of Quiet Storm. Purple Night and Fall Night didn't say much while they were on the move until they encountered the Golden Bear cub.
What makes Golden Bear deadly is its high endurance and high defense. High defense came from thick, tough fur. In addition to being thick, the fur had small, sharp hairs that could damage the nervous system of its target.
"Fall Night, you will handle this cub. It should be at the peak Human realm. Please demonstrate why the Midnight clan holds such high prestige and is capable of achieving this. Hehehe." Purple Night softly giggled, and the soft voice that could tempt was the strong-willed male.
"No problem. This should be fun." Fall Night was said with excitement.
When Fall Night moved, most people couldn't even register his motion. It wasn't because of sheer speed alone — he was using the **[Nine Execution Steps]**, and the first step, known as the *Half-Step*, was nearly imperceptible. That subtle movement made it deadly; even a seasoned cultivator could miss it, no less a beast relying on instinct.
Purple Night watched the battle between the Golden Bear cub and Fall Night with a focused gaze. She could feel it — something about him had changed. He was more aggressive now, more daring, almost playful in the way he toyed with danger.
Fall Night's personality shifts the moment combat begins, she thought. It's like he treats battle as a game. Hmmm… that could become a problem if it goes unchecked.
Her eyes narrowed slightly as she studied him further.
*His fighting prowess sits around the middle stage of Refinement, yet the control he has over his body is remarkable. That kind of precision means his combat ability might outpace his cultivation — useful in the short term, but dangerous if the gap grows too wide.
While Purple Night watched the battle between Fall Night and Golden Bear Cub, Fall Night unleashed a palm strike that came out like a fierce dragon leaping out of the water. Upon witnessing the attack, the Golden Bear cub experienced a sudden chill throughout its body.
The cub attempted to retreat and defend itself against the palm strike. However, when the palm strike landed, it ripped through the thick fur and cut right into the flesh. The golden bear cub let out a roar of pain. He stumbled a few feet back after receiving the hit. The golden bear cub screams in fury and anger. The cub was calling for its parents to protect it from danger.
'Damn. I guess I need to finish this beast before the mother or father comes. I cannot handle that.' Fall Night let out a soft sigh.
Fall Night dodged a claw strike from the cub and moved to the back. Fall Night unleashed another palm strike and continued to do so until the cub's high defense reached a point where he could launch a stronger attack.
Fall Night slipped past another swipe from the cub, his movements fluid and precise. As the beast lunged again toward his midsection, he leapt into the air — his body twisting mid-flight like a spinning drill.
A dark, reddish aura began to surge from his arm, cold and piercing like winter steel. In the next instant, that aura coalesced into a massive spectral claw that tore through the air and devoured the Golden Bear cub whole.
The cub barely had time to roar. The strike cleaved straight through its skull, silencing it in a single, brutal moment.
Purple Night froze, momentarily stunned by the display. She couldn't identify the technique he had used, but its power and savagery were undeniable.
Her eyes narrowed behind her mask. That attack… whatever it was, it wasn't ordinary. I'll have to be ready the next time Fall Night decides to show his claws.
Fall Night's victory in the battle left Purple Night in a daze. Fall Night found the beast's core and started to skin the cub. The fur remained intact and could serve as an improved cloak against the cold.
Fall Night removed the skin and put the rest into the dimensional pouch. Purple Night snapped out of her daze. Upon realizing that nothing remained, Fall Night approached her with a serene aura. Behind the Purple Night's mask, she could only smile at seeing how quickly Fall Night moves.
"We should keep on moving before the parents of that cub come. That's something I would like to avoid." Fall Night spoke to Purple Night calmly.
"I agree. What was the last attack you used on the Golden Bear cub?" Purple Night's eyes glow softly behind her demonic mask.
"That last attack I used is called Immolation Claw. It is a basic technique of the Midnight Clan."
"Oh? That is a pretty strong attack. What was the attack you used before the last attack?"
Fall Night tilted his head with a mocking smile behind his black mask. "It was a simple palm strike, Purple Night." Fall nights let out soft chuckles and wave his hand.
"You are so petty and stingy. Why can't you tell me? Huh, Fall Night?"
"Purple Night, it was just a simple palm strike."
"I don't doubt that Fall Night. That palm strike was not simple by any means."
"Purple Night, you really have a charming side. Let's keep on moving."
"You are definitely a petty one, Fall Night."
Both Fall Night and Purple Night continue to move toward the Misty Rain Forest. A few days later, Purple Night and Fall Night stopped right before entering the Misty Rain Forest.
"Fall Night, what do you know about this forest?"
"Not much, really, Purple Night. What I do know is that the Misty Rain Forest is not for the weak." Fall Night just shrug with no fanfair.
"That's really helpful, Fall Night. And here I thought a person from a big clan like yourself would have more intel about this forest."
"Let's wait for Death Sword and Jagged to come here. Then we can rest, and we can split up again."
"It's not a terrible idea there, Fall Night. Let me ask you something." Purple Night smiles with mirth behind her mask. Fall Night gestured for Purple Night to continue.
"What is the rule in this unit, Fall Night?"
"Strength, Purple Night."
"Now do you have the strength to command me, Fall Night?"
Fall Night ponder for a moment. "No."
Purple Night moves very close to Sifir, like a wife about to seduce her lover. Purple Night places one of her hands on Fall Night's chest. Without hesitation, Sifir moves away from Purple Night. However, a large wound was visible where Purple Night's hand had been.
Purple Night head inclined and laugh with mockery.
Purple Night stands there, looking at Sifir coldly. "Who told you to move to Fall Night?"
'This crazy...' Fall Night thought to himself.
"I am not interested in playing this game, Purple Night."
Fall Night narrows his eyes behind his black mask. A cold aura leaks out of Sifir's body.
"Do you think this is a game?" Purple Night adjust her body. "Fine! Let's play a game Fall Night." Purple Night raise up three fingers. "If you can defend against three of my attacks, I may forgive you. If you cannot defend against my attacks, you will be mine for the rest of your life."
—
About 50 miles away, Death Sword and Jagged watch as Purple Night and Fall Night square off. Both Death Sword and Jagged were not surprised by this at all.
"How many moves can he last, Death Sword?"
"Mhhmmm. Hard to say, but I will say at least 2, Jagged. What I am more care about is his ability Jagged."
"You are no fun, Death Sword. I doubt he'll last even one move against Purple Night."
Death Sword did not say anything. Death Sword did not express agreement or disagreement with Jagged.
-
Here is my first move, Fall Night."
"Whoa there, Purple Night," he replied with a crooked grin behind his mask. "What do I win if I survive your moves?"
Purple Night didn't bother answering. Her silence was sharper than any blade. She tapped the pouch on her belt twice— tap, tap—and five talismans slipped into her hand, glowing faintly like embers awaiting air.
With a flick of her wrist, the talismans scattered into the wind. Her hands blurred into a series of precise seals, graceful and cold as moonlight. The air shimmered, and the talismans ignited—forming a small killing array that spun like a viper preparing to strike.
Fall Night's body lowered slightly, his foot sliding forward just a fraction. Then he vanished.
The half-step of his [Nine Execution Steps] was nearly invisible, and in the blink of an eye, he reappeared at the edge of the array. The energy hissed where he had been standing. But the array didn't stop—it chased him like it was alive.
His golden eyes flickered with excitement, not fear. Fast. Adaptive. Beautifully crafted… but flawed.
He struck. A wave of dark aura surged from his arm, slamming into the formation. Cracks spiderwebbed through the light—but only shallow ones.
Purple Night smirked beneath her mask, recalling the array with a swirl of her hand. "Not bad," she murmured.
A heartbeat later, she tapped her pouch again— tap, tap. Twenty talismans rose into the air, their edges shimmering violet. Her hands danced faster than before, each seal flowing into the next.
Her voice cut through the air:
"[Heaven Earth Locked: Burial]!"
The ground groaned. The talismans anchored themselves, pulling the very earth upward, grinding soil and stone into crushing walls of force.
Fall Night's smirk faded. "Tch…" His aura rippled, flaring with wild intensity.
Something's off with that boy, Purple Night thought, her heartbeat quickening. That look in his eyes—too calm. Too hungry.
"Let's see if you can handle this, Purple Night."
He kicked a massive rock, shattering it into dozens of chunks. They spun through the air, whistling toward the talismans.
Purple Night laughed softly. "Petty tricks—"
But the laughter died as the first stone shattered one of her glyphs, then another. The formation trembled, absorbing too much impact too quickly. One after another, talismans overloaded and burst apart, their glow flickering out.
She cursed under her breath and recalled what remained.
"Impressive," she hissed. "But let's turn up the heat."
Instead of reaching for her usual pouch, she tapped the larger bag behind her three times. A single, slender talisman slid into her fingers, pulsing faintly like a heartbeat.
"This one's special." Her tone was laced with challenge—and a hint of thrill. "A Seeking Talisman imbued with sword qi. Don't die too quickly, Fall Night."
The talisman shot from her hand like a comet.
Fall Night—moved before thought could catch up. His foot shifted in that impossible half-step, and his form blurred into afterimages.
Purple Night's eyes widened. That step… I couldn't even follow it.
But the Seeking Talisman was relentless. It twisted, curved, and dove after him like a hawk. The sound it made as it sliced through the air was shrill—almost alive.
Thin trails of blood bloomed across Fall Night's arms and shoulder. The cuts weren't deep, but they hurt—each one buzzing with the residual sting of sword qi.
He didn't flinch.
When he appeared again, he was right in front of her.
A palm strike shot out like lightning. It slammed into her chest, sending shockwaves through her ribs. She gasped, staggered, but before she could counter, another strike swept her legs out from under her like a crashing tide.
Purple Night flipped backward, barely catching herself midair. Her breath came sharp; pain blossomed through her limbs. Fall Night's gaze met hers—cold, predatory, and distant.
It wasn't the gaze of a teammate. It was the gaze of a beast testing prey.
Just as he raised his hand again, the Seeking Talisman howled back toward them, slicing through the air toward his neck.
Sifir twisted aside, sliding back several paces. When he stopped, he noticed more talismans—seven, maybe more—orbiting Purple Night in protective arcs.
Her breathing was uneven, but her eyes burned with defiance. She looked down at her chest, saw the bruised imprint of his strike, and frowned. The pain was sharp, but the insult was sharper.
"You did well, Fall Night," she said at last, her voice steady but low. "I'll forgive you… for today. Come—let's rest. You'll need food if you plan to keep up with me." Her final words softened slightly. "Remember this: only strength earns command."
Fall Night didn't answer. His chest wound oozed faintly, the edges refusing to close. The sword qi still lingered, biting into his flesh like cold fire.
He turned silently toward the Misty Rain Forest, his steps heavy but unwavering.
Purple Night watched him go, the mist curling around his fading figure. Her expression hardened, but something in her eyes—just for a moment—wasn't cold.
He's dangerous, she thought. And yet… something about that Fall Night power draws me in.
-
Both Death Sword and Jagged were genuinely interested in the palm strike that sent Purple Night flipping in the air. The timing of the palm strike's release was impeccable. Fall Night was someone who had fought against stronger fighters and demonstrated high-level battle prowess.
"Let's not gather with them and watch them from a distance. This could be a good chance to study how the Midnight clan trained their people, Jagged."
"I am definitely not interested in their training method. However, that last palm strike looks more like a claw strike to me. Plus, if it weren't a Little Night Nighty and it was me, I would have been able to follow up afterward. Purple Night would have had more injuries. Maybe I could use that move with my machete arts."
"Let us go, Jagged. We will have time to figure out all the Fall Night secrets."
"Okay, Death Sword."
-
When both Purple Night and Fall Night enter the Misty Rain Forest. They both felt like their senses were being clouded and their sensing range was limited.
'I guess the reason why it is called Misty Rain Forest is because of this rain-like substance that can cloud the senses of cultivators who decide to enter the forest.
Until I can adjust properly, I need to take it slow. I bet these monsters in this forest have even sharper senses than other creatures.' He was thinking to himself as he was walking through the forest. Fall Night was unaffected by Purple Night silence.
In addition, the monsters should be more aggressive, as Fall Night pondered.
This could lead to a more intense and lethal battles. Escaping from battles could be done with ease; it could be troublesome if not done in a timely manner.
Purple Night reflected on her observations and the recent battle with Fall Night. Clearly, Fall Night had an undeniable affinity for battles. That certainly doesn't imply that Fall Night charges into every battle without thought or care. Observing this Purple Night, it was clear that Fall Night's battle instincts were exceptionally high and should not be overlooked, even after facing him in combat.
Purple Night was contemplating the notion that Fall Night did not fully reveal his combat capabilities. Purple Night perceived that she had forfeited a significant chance to secure Fall Night as a subordinate.