Before the bandits could blink, Felicia and Zhu Zhuqing were already behind them. A few sharp strikes, claws flashing with abyssal flame and dark energy, and half the group collapsed screaming. Xue's cold golden eyes barely flickered as she raised her hand — a dark lion's shadow roared forth, swallowing three more in one snap.
The leader turned to run — only to find Mo Luochen standing directly before him. A single casual flick of Luochen's fingers sent black tendrils through the man's chest, snatching his life away like snuffing out a candle.
By the time the echoes faded, the entire bandit force lay scattered across the rocks, either dead or fleeing in terror. Those who escaped would whisper ghost stories of the demons in human skin for years.
Renxue's golden eyes swept over the carnage, then drifted to a cluster of rough wooden cages off to the side of the camp. Inside, a handful of filthy, battered figures huddled together — women and children mostly, eyes wide and hollow with terror.
"Maybe these bandits kept slaves," Renxue said softly, her voice edged with an odd mixture of distaste and faint compassion. "We should at least free them."
Felicia tilted her head, then shrugged. "Up to you. I'm not fond of dragging a crowd around — but it feels wrong to leave them here."
Mo Luochen walked over to the cages, dark tendrils swirling lazily around his fingertips as he simply snapped the crude locks. The doors swung open with a sharp creak.
Terrified eyes stared up at him. A few shrank back, expecting cruelty. But Zhu Zhuqing stepped forward, her cold face softening just slightly. "Go. You're free."
One by one, the captives stumbled out, some dropping to their knees, others sobbing, a few clutching the hems of their tattered clothes like shields.
A gaunt woman, eyes red with tears, whispered hoarsely, "Thank you… thank you, Spirit Masters…"
"No need to thank us," Luochen said flatly, turning away. "Just remember to live."
The freed captives lingered only a moment longer before scattering into the forested roads, clutching each other and their fragile hopes of survival. Their tear-streaked faces soon vanished behind the trees, leaving only silence and the faint rustle of wind through leaves.
While Luochen and others then continued on their journey.
By the time Mo Luochen's group reached Tian Dou City's towering white walls, dusk had fully fallen. Lanterns flickered to life all along the avenues, painting the broad stone streets in warm gold and crimson. The city gates loomed high above them, guarded by lines of armored soldiers who barely spared them a second glance — the mark of Spirit Masters on their clothes and aura was enough to earn easy passage.
Inside, the streets bustled even at night. Vendors still called out under lantern-lit awnings, selling roasted meats, bright bolts of cloth, and little jade charms. Elegant carriages rolled past drawn by spirit-enhanced horses. Children darted between the crowd with peals of laughter.
Felicia stretched with a low purr. "Finally, civilization again. I was getting tired of trees and mud."
Xiao Tian's eyes sparkled, the boy practically bouncing on his heels. "Whoa… look at all this! Someday I want to fly right over those palace towers."
"Not today," Luochen said dryly.
Renxue and Zhuqing remained quiet as they followed him. Together, they booked an inn and retired for the night, planning to explore the city the next morning.
The next morning, golden sunlight streamed through the thin curtains of their rented rooms. By the time Luochen stepped out into the hallway, he found Zhu Zhuqing already waiting, arms folded, her expression as calm and sharp as ever. A moment later, Felicia — Xue — emerged too, lazily stretching, her crimson eyes flashing with faint amusement.
Renxue came last, her usual serene poise untouched by sleep.
They regrouped in the common hall of the inn, where Xiao Tian was already finishing a modest breakfast, eyes bright with excitement. The boy seemed almost to vibrate with eagerness at being in a real city.
"Alright," Luochen said. "We've time. Explore. See what's worth seeing. Just don't get separated — we'll meet again here by sundown."
Felicia gave a playful grin. "Planning to shop for fancy clothes, Little Roc?" she teased Xiao Tian.
"Maybe!" Xiao Tian shot back, unashamed. "I've never been in a place this big."
Zhu Zhuqing's eyes drifted to a row of merchant stalls beyond the inn door. "I'll come with you. I need new training clothes anyway."
Xue leaned on the doorframe, smirking. "Try not to scare off the vendors with that pretty scowl of yours."
Renxue just smiled faintly at the banter, her gaze eventually resting on Luochen. "And you?"
"I'll see if there's anything interesting — auctions, hidden spirit tools, rare herbs," Luochen said offhandedly.
They all nodded, splitting into loose pairs as they started down the bustling avenues of Tiandou City.
Renxue stayed by Luochen's side, her golden hair catching the sun as she walked half a step behind him. From afar, it looked almost demure — but anyone who came too close would feel the faint, regal chill rolling off her.
They moved together from one stall to another, passing merchants hawking bright silks, delicate spirit beast feathers, engraved jade amulets, and even rare ores that pulsed with faint energy. Luochen's eyes roamed lazily, evaluating everything with a critical glance, while Renxue quietly kept pace, occasionally pointing out something intriguing.
At one stall, Luochen paused over a set of thin, rune-marked metal belts. "Spirit tool resonance belts… interesting. Not very powerful, but they could stabilize aura flow under pressure."
"They'd suit Xiao Tian or Zhuqing better," Renxue remarked gently. "Neither of them has perfect control yet."
He nodded slightly. "True."
Elsewhere Felicia and Zhuqing were hopping from one clothing store to another.
Felicia laughed brightly, looping an arm around Zhu Zhuqing's shoulders as they admired a stall full of sleek black combat boots and armored gloves etched with faint flame patterns.
Meanwhile, poor Xiao Tian stood there stiffly, looking thoroughly out of place as the two girls debated styles and weight balance. He tried to edge away more than once, but every time, Felicia's dark golden eyes would flick toward him — and with a playful smirk, she'd snap her fingers, summoning a wisp of dark flame that curled around his ankle like a leash.
"Where do you think you're sneaking off to, little Roc?" she teased. "You're the only boy here who can give us honest opinions. Stay."
*******
Like it?
Read More at :- patreon.com/be_king