The air inside the ancient cave suddenly turned thin heavy, like it bore the weight of something unnatural. Jian Dao narrowed his eyes. A pressure crept in from nowhere, like a storm brewing behind a silk curtain, hidden yet undeniable.
He glanced at Mike. The boy felt it too an ominous aura that wasn't just strong, it was immeasurable.
"Come," Jian Dao muttered, stepping out of the cave.
They emerged into the open, where the sky above had changed once a pale dusk, it was now painted in swirling hues of purple and indigo. The clouds trembled, dense and unnatural, leaking trails of crimson mist. The air reeked of burnt iron and rot, a suffocating presence riding the wind.
Then they appeared three figures, hovering mid-air like grim spirits. Shrouded in deep red mist, their outlines were distorted at first, cloaked in energy that stung the eyes and churned the stomach. Gradually, the mist thinned just enough to reveal them: two figures behind, standing with arms crossed like loyal hounds, and one in the front, tall and assertive.
Jian Dao's face turned pale. His fingers twitched unconsciously.
"No..." he whispered. "No, it can't be... but if it is... then..."
He turned sharply. "Mike, be careful. Do not act rashly. This is not the kind of fight you know."
Mike blinked in confusion. "Master? What are you talking about? Is something wrong?"
Then, the man at the front floated forward with calm menace. The sky behind him cracked faintly with each step in the air, his presence bending space itself.
"I, Han Zetsu," he declared, his voice dark and crisp, "ask you one question where is that old bird?"
Jian Dao's gaze sharpened. "I do not know any bird. Especially not an old one. But the better question is who are you three?"
Han Zetsu chuckled, low and wicked. "Still playing dumb? You know me very well, Jian Dao."
Before Jian Dao could reply, the second man behind Han Zetsu spoke. His tone was twisted with mockery. "Hey, can you recognize me?" he asked with a smirk. "No, wait how could you? You didn't see me when I captured your father."
Mike froze. His jaw clenched, eyes wide, fury boiling in his veins.
"You…" His voice cracked. "You were there?"
The third man stepped forward. Calm, confident. "Mike Yeager," he said, "this battle… will be remembered. A fight among legends. Don't disappoint me."
Mike's breath caught. Every word stabbed through his chest like a jagged blade. He glared at them, veins rising under his skin, his eyes turning bloodshot.
"Where is my father, you bastard?! TELL ME!"
Jian Dao blocked his path. "Control yourself. Your rage will only blind you and lead to your defeat. He is far above you."
Han Zetsu laughed. "Why waste time, Jian Dao? If your boy wants to fight, let him. You're not his babysitter."
Jian Dao met Han Zetsu's eyes, cold and steady. "He is not the problem. You are."
"Ah…" Han Zetsu cracked his knuckles. "That's more like it."
In an instant, the sky thundered. Han Zetsu and Ru Fenglie faced off against Jian Dao. The air between them thickened, pulses of energy sending ripples through the clouds.
Then collision.
A violent shockwave split the earth. Fists met flesh, and the surrounding trees quaked. Rocks cracked under the pressure. Blades of air slashed the mountain ridges, carving lines into stone. The duel was fierce, thunderous, a display of raw power and martial mastery.
Jian Dao leapt back and formed intricate hand signs. Above them, clouds swirled violently into a glowing sigil. A great ring appeared in the sky, spinning with divine light. From it descended a colossal sword followed by another, and another.
Thousands of golden white swords rained down like judgment itself.
Han Zetsu formed his defense. "Blood vein ward," he murmured, covering himself in a translucent red membrane glowing with spiritual energy. The swords struck, a deafening clash that echoed across the canyon. The collision dimmed both forces the sky dimmed, then exploded in a radiant flash.
Ru Fenglie used the moment. He blinked behind Jian Dao, foot raised for a devastating kick. But Jian Dao, anticipating the move, turned and slammed a punch into his jaw. Ru Fenglie flew across the battlefield, spitting blood, his smirk replaced by rage.
"You bastard!" Ru hissed. "I'll break your bones for that!"
Meanwhile, in the skies above the valley, Bao Wuhen floated opposite Mike, arms crossed, eyes gleaming.
"If you had been there that day," Bao said calmly, "you would've been captured too. But Eldon… he was smart. He didn't fight. He protected you. Hid your presence so deep we couldn't sense you. Today, though... you have no such protection."
Mike's fists trembled. He wasn't just listening. He was reliving those moments each word syncing with a memory burned into his soul.
Tears welled in his eyes. "Then why are you still talking?" he asked, voice thick. "Try capturing me now."
Bao smiled. "As you wish."
Mike raised his hand. In a flash, a massive hammer materialized. Golden-blue flames licked its surface. His battle suit emerged, striped in gold, energy pulsing from his chest and back as spectral wings unfolded.
"The Thousand Trunked Soul Hammer," Bao said, impressed. "The Sea Dragon Flame… though right now, it's only in its Sea Snake stage. But even so… you're just a Dou Kuang one star. Your flame isn't enough. Not yet."
Mike roared and launched forward. The sky behind him ignited in blue flame. He swung his hammer again and again, but Bao Wuhen dodged with ease, each motion smooth and taunting. Then, with a grin, he whispered near Mike's ear:
"My true rank… is Zong Shi, seven stars."
Mike froze. His attack faltered but his will did not. "Then I'll kill you," he growled.
He infused his flames into the hammer, golden-blue serpents coiling around it, before attacking again. But Bao was unfazed. He blocked every strike, laughing, taunting.
Desperate, Mike pulled out a jade vial from his robes two glowing pills inside. He remembered Jian Dao's warning, but swallowed them anyway.
The result was instant.
Flames surged. His aura exploded. A sudden pressure knocked Bao a few paces back. The flames around Mike flared wildly, shaking the air, his power surging beyond Dou Ba until he broke into Jing Ying rank.
His movements became faster, more refined. His hammer struck harder. Bao's smile faded slightly. But then one punch.
A fiery fist slammed into Mike's ribs. A loud crack echoed. Mike crashed into a jagged rock spire and crumpled to the ground.
"Now you're just irritating me," Bao muttered.
Across the battlefield, Jian Dao staggered. He had seen it. Mike, his student broken.
"Mike!" he cried.
The distraction cost him. Han Zetsu landed a blow near his ribs, drawing blood. Jian Dao stood his ground, chest rising and falling. But he was no longer calm.
Han Zetsu sneered. "If you're going to let emotions control you, I'll end this soon."
Ru Fenglie added, "Come on, Jian Dao. Don't disappoint Lord Zetsu."
On the ground, Mike coughed blood. Bones cracked. Vision blurred. But he stood supported by his hammer.
"Still alive?" Bao said, mockingly. "Looks like Eldon's son is trash."
Mike wiped the blood from his lips. "If I call for help now… I am trash. I won't die begging."
"Emotional, aren't you?" Bao chuckled.
"Then let's end it."
Mike raised his head, voice bold despite his injuries. "Take off those black robes. I want to fight you face to face."
"Face to face?" Bao repeated. "Very well."
He stepped forward and vanished.
A punch to the gut. Then another. And another. Mike couldn't land a single hit. Every attempt was countered. Every strike dodged. Bao slammed him back into the earth, cratering the ground. Yet still Mike rose again, panting, bleeding, trembling.
He gripped his hammer.
"Come," he rasped. "Are you exhausted already?"