Opening theme song: "The Less l know The Better" by Tame Impala.
The huge white lion flew across the mountainous terrain, its paws barely touching the rugged rooftops as it landed in the deepest part of the mountain.
The sound of rustling leaves and snapping twigs filled the air as Jaden Fang jumped down from the lion's back and dumped Kimora, who had been wiggling to be set free from his hold, on the ground like a heap of dirt.
"Ah!"
A groan escaped her mouth as she hit the ground.
"You bastard!"
She cursed under her breath, her eyes blazing with anger.
Jaden swiftly turned around to size her up again, his eyes narrowing as he took in her disheveled appearance.
"Did you just swear at me?" He asked, his voice low and menacing, his brows cocked in surprise.
Kimora remained silent, avoiding his line of sight as she struggled to catch her breath.
The scent of damp earth and moss filled her nostrils as she gazed up at Jaden's towering figure.
He smirked and squatted down in front of her, his jade-like fingers tracing her jawline and holding her face in place as he stared deep into her eyes.
The pressure on his hold tightened as his frown deepened, the more he examined her face.
Kimora let out a grunt and slapped his hands off with all her might, her palm stinging from the impact.
Jaden smirked and stood up, his movements fluid and effortless.
If eyes could kill, Kimora would have burned him with her glaring eyes. Dragging herself up from the ground, holding her aching butt, she lashed out at him.
"Who the hell are you? And what is the meaning of this?"
"A sharp tongue. It needs to be cut off," Jaden replied in a lazy tone, his voice dripping with sarcasm.
Kimora gasped at his words, the back of her clothes drenched in cold sweat.
The forest was quiet, the only sound being the distant call of a bird. Jaden's words hung in the air, heavy with menace.
"What! Cat got your tongue?"
Jaden implored, realizing her silence.
He slowly turned to face her, a wide smile curving on his lips. "As for your first question," he asserted,
"I will Be Your Worst Nightmare!" He drawled word by word.
"You have gone crazy!" Kimora shouted as she found her words, her voice shaking with fear.
The lines on his forehead creased into a deep frown as Jaden moved in front of her in a swift movement, tightening his grip around her neck and slamming her hard against the rough tree trunk.
The bark scraped against her skin, leaving scratches on her delicate neck.
"Ah ha!"
Kimora whimpered in pain, her eyes widening in shock.
"So weak!" Jaden commented in a lazy tone, his expression obvious with disappointment.
"I'm still curious what the ancestors are thinking to choose their Taoism heirs from different races." His hold tightened more around Kimora's neck, making her cough and struggle for breath.
She slapped his hands, anxious, crystal tears slowly forming in her eyes. Fear and desperation washed over her as she thought,
Is this how she's going to die?
The forest seemed to grow darker, the shadows deepening as she gazed up at Jaden's towering figure.
She arrived in this mysterious world and yet to find her answers and how to return back.
Her thoughts slowly drifted to her family – Will her Mother miss her? What about her Father? I miss everyone! My dreams…
Her emotions engulfed her, and she silently broke into tears. Her eyes went close, and she awaited her captor to take her life.
Jaden scuffed hard and flung her roughly to the ground. Kimora's body crumpled, her limbs splayed out in awkward positions.
She started coughing vehemently as she tried to regain her breath. Tears trickled down her crimson eyes, her chest heaving with sobs.
As she lay there, the silence of the forest was oppressive, punctuated only by the sound of her ragged breathing.
"I don't care why or reason you were chosen. Just know your place, Dark Girl!" He spat and mounted his White Lion in a swift move.
"Let's go," he ordered his lion, and they took off, leaving Kimora in the dense green forest alone.
Kimora, still lying on her stomach with her hands supporting her body, stared at the retreating lion and broke down into hot tears.
The sound of her sobs echoed through the forest, a stark contrast to the silence that had preceded Jaden's departure.
...
Back at the sect, the remaining five New Taoism Bloodlines – Taj, Da Sowei, Elsa Morgan, Ohmkatapon, and Luna – were all in their rooms, each looking troubled and restless.
Their minds were still reeling from the events of the previous afternoon at the training ground.
Inside one of the inner courts of the sect, the atmosphere was tense, with the Sect Head Masters seated around a wide, square-cornered table.
Master Li's face contorted with anger as she slammed her fist on the table. "This is unacceptable!" she exclaimed.
"The demon clans' audacity knows no bounds – exporting their fangs and plotting against us all."
Lady Green's voice trembled with rage.
"And I keep receiving reports of missing young cultivators in Louyang."
The Second Master's eyes narrowed.
"The Old Master is still in seclusion, cultivating. We can't afford to wait for him to emerge."
Another Head Master spoke up, his voice laced with worry.
"The Fang Young Masters aren't helping matters either.
Lady Green, Dylan is your disciple. Can you persuade him to see reason?"
Lady Green's expression turned icy. Her eyes flushed with annoyance at the Master's suggestion.
"You think I haven't tried? He's being stubborn, refusing to listen."
The Seventh Master leaned forward, his voice firm. "All these nonsense needs to stop!
We need to get our disciples to work together. The demon clans won't hesitate to exploit our divisions."
Master Li's eyes flashed with determination. "I'll make sure they understand the gravity of the situation.
The earlier they accept, the better for us all!"
Lady Green stood up, her movements swift.
"I'll take my leave first and look for my good student."
As she departed, the remaining Sect Head Masters exchanged glances and began to leave.
The Second Master lingered, his eyes locked on Master Li. He suddenly called out.
"Master Li,"
She halted on her steps and turned to face him with a questioning gaze.
"There's something we need to discuss," he said, his voice low.
Master Li raised an eyebrow. "What is it?"
The Second Master did not respond immediately,
But glanced at the door frame and cast a spell, placing a barrier around the door to ensure their discussion wouldn't be overheard.
Master Li's eyes narrowed. "What sneaky plan do you have in mind, old man?"
The Second Master's expression remained enigmatic, ignoring the sarcasm in her words.
"It's about Kimora, one of the Taoism Bloodlines," He revealed.
Master Li's eyes widened, her interest piqued.