The wind stirred the leaves of towering ancient trees, their trunks dark and gnarled, their branches forming a tangled canopy that filtered the fading light. Shafts of gold broke through gaps in the foliage, falling on a battlefield scarred by flame and fury.
Broken stones, splintered trunks, and scorched earth bore silent witness to a clash that had shaken this forgotten part of the Glass Mist Forest.
Mike stood at the heart of the clearing, his clothes torn, blood staining his skin, his hammer hovering before him, wreathed in faint flame. His gaze burned with defiance as he faced Han Zetsu and Ru Fenglie.
Let me handle these fools, Mike said, his voice steady despite the weight of battle.
Han Zetsu's face twisted with fear. He turned to Ru Fenglie, his breath ragged. Now our opponent is Mike. I know we're weak… but not that weak, right? He'll kill us!
Ru Fenglie gave a cold smile, the fading light catching in his eyes. He's called his death upon himself. Don't worry.
But Han Zetsu was done hoping for mercy. His voice rose in a desperate shout that echoed off the cliff walls.
Scarlet Blood Immolation!
The air darkened as his blood burned from within, crimson flames erupting around him, casting the world in a hellish glow. The cursed fire spread outward, warping the air, its heat laced with malice. The flames crept across the ground, infecting it like a plague, seeking to consume more than flesh reaching for the meridians of Mike's soul.
Ru Fenglie followed, his voice sharp as a blade:
Void Venom Fangs of the Nether Serpent!
From rips in the very fabric of space, ethereal serpent fangs formed, massive and glistening with venom, striking toward Mike from impossible angles. The fangs shimmered like phantoms, aiming for his soul, his organs beyond normal defense.
Jian Dao and Huo Chuntian surged forward, their figures a blur. Mike! Jian Dao shouted.
But Mike's voice boomed like thunder. I said I can handle them!
The Sea Snake Flame flared once more, swirling around the hammer that spun in midair, the flame guiding it with lethal grace. Shockwaves of raw energy rippled from Mike, shaking the ancient trees and scattering leaves like a storm. The ground beneath his feet cracked and splintered.
From behind, the space tore open Ru Fenglie's venom fangs lashed out. But the hammer spun faster, intercepting each strike, scattering the venom to harmless mist. Again and again the fangs came, and again the hammer drove them back.
Then Han Zetsu's cursed fire reached Mike. With calm resolve, Mike drew the hammer back to his grip and roared:
Thousand Trunked Soul Guard!
The hammer's spirit awakened spectral elephant trunks, massive and unyielding, burst forth, circling Mike in layers of living defense. Each trunk pulsed with ancient might, their surfaces etched with ghostly patterns of beasts long gone. The cursed flames collided with the trunks, hissing and screaming as they tried to infect, but the phantom trunks absorbed the force, feeding the hammer with stolen strength.
A violent explosion rocked the clearing flame, venom, and soul force clashed in a storm of destruction. Han Zetsu's body was wracked with damage, his own power consuming him. Ru Fenglie, trying to shield him, trembled under the backlash.
Mike's defense held but barely. Cracks spidered across the phantom trunks, and with a final shudder, the technique dissolved. The backlash struck Mike like a mountain. He fell from the sky, his strength spent, his body plummeting toward the ground.
But Jian Dao was faster he caught Mike before he hit the stone, the weight of his friend heavy in his arms.
Huo Chuntian, support him! Jian Dao barked, his eyes blazing with fury.
He stepped forward, the earth trembling beneath his feet. Ru Fenglie stared at him, horror dawning in his gaze. L-Lord Han Zetsu… Jian Dao… why is he coming? No Ru Fenglie, open a spatial portal! If we stay, we die!
But it was too late. Jian Dao's form glowed with fierce, righteous light. You won't leave now, he said quietly. You're too late for running.
From the wreckage, he emerged fully robes torn, hair wild, his sword drawn. The blade shimmered in the dimness, a thread of silver light running along its edge. A golden flame coiled around it, the two lights weaving together in perfect, deadly harmony.
Ru Fenglie's breath caught. No… what is that?
Jian Dao's voice was low, final.
Celestial Edge Flame.
He took one step just one. His sword swung in a clean, silent arc. No roar, no waste. A wave of golden-silver flame leapt from the blade, the very air splitting before it. A fissure of light raced across the field unstoppable.
In an instant, it reached them. Han Zetsu and Ru Fenglie could neither run nor cry out. The flame severed their forms, body, soul, and taint. They faded ash on the wind. The darkness was ended.
Jian Dao lowered his blade. The clearing fell silent, the forest holding its breath.
Huo Chuntian, trembling, whispered, Did we… win?
Jian Dao wiped blood from his mouth, his strength waning. We did.
Huo Chuntian… Jian Dao rasped, glancing at their comrade. Let's rest here. Mike… he'll need time maybe a lot of it to recover.
Huo Chuntian scanned the forest, his eyes wary beneath the streaks of grime and dried blood on his face. Do you know where we can rest safely? he asked.
Jian Dao shook his head, his voice heavy. I don't know. This forest is vast, dangerous at every turn. But tell me, do we go back… or do we push forward, towards that death and life competition?
Huo Chuntian sighed, his gaze softening as he looked at Mike. No. Not now. Leave that thought. The first concern is Mike. His injuries run deep his spirit, his core… they're broken. He's in external slumber.
You're right, Jian Dao agreed, steadying his breath. Go. Find herbs. We'll need them for a Tier 5 Soul Root Vitality Pill.
Huo Chuntian blinked, surprised. Tier 5? That's no easy task. Which herbs?
Jian Dao's eyes darkened with determination. We'll need Bloodpetal Lotus, Spirit Ash Vine, and Sun Dew Orb Fruit. I'll stabilize him while you're gone.
Without another word, Huo Chuntian rose, his injuries forgotten beneath the weight of duty. His gaze sharpened. I'll get them.
Huo Chuntian shot into the air, the wind tearing at his robes as he crossed the endless sea of treetops. Below, the Glass Mist Forest stretched on, its mists glowing faintly silver under the rising moon.
Bloodpetal Lotus... hidden ponds beneath the Crimson Veil Thicket, he recalled.
Spirit Ash Vine... coiled around ancient trees in Moonshadow Grove.
Sun Dew Orb Fruit... sacred peak's canopy. Once in a decade.
His heart pounded as he flew faster.
Days blurred into nights. Huo Chuntian braved shadowed groves where the trees seemed to whisper threats, and the thickets bled venom from thorned vines.
In the heart of Moonshadow Grove, he found the Spirit Ash Vine, its smoky-gray tendrils coiling around his arm like binding chains. He tore it free, soul force surging to resist its draining touch.
At the cursed pond of Crimson Veil Thicket, he waded through murky water, the air thick with death's stench. There, the Bloodpetal Lotus glowed faintly, its petals pulsing like a heartbeat. As he plucked it, crimson stained his hands, as if the flower bled.
But it was at the forest's sacred peak that Huo Chuntian faced his true trial.
Above the swirling gold mist, the Sun Dew Orb Fruit glowed like a star. And guarding it
The Thunderhide stag.
A beast of legend. Its antlers crackled with lightning; each stomp split the stone beneath. Its eyes glowed with storm's fury.
The sky darkened as their battle began. The stag's charge shattered trees, Huo Chuntian's fire orbs clashed with its storm, shaking the peak. With a final desperate strike, Huo Chuntian unleashed his Blazing Ember Orbs, blinding the beast long enough to snatch the fruit. Bruised, burnt, but unbroken, he soared from the mountain as the stag's roar echoed behind him.
Back at the clearing, Jian Dao had tended to Mike feeding him Tier 3 recovery pills in liquid form, sealing his external wounds, and feeding him threads of his own energy to soothe the shattered meridians.
When Huo Chuntian returned, ingredients safe in his storage ring, Jian Dao greeted him with a rare smile. Well done. Now… we refine.
The air around Jian Dao shimmered with heat as he lit the ancient cauldron. He sat cross legged, calm as the storm outside.
First, the Bloodpetal Lotus. Its petals dissolved, releasing a metallic scent, turning the brew deep red.
Next, the Spirit Ash Vine. As it burned, silver threads of qi weaved into the red, pulsing like veins.
Finally, the Sun Dew Orb Fruit. As it sank, golden light burst forth, filling the cave with brilliance.
Jian Dao's brow dripped with sweat as he compressed the volatile energies. The cauldron rang with a sound like a celestial chime. Hours passed until at last, a single Soul Root Vitality Pill Essence rose from the steam, jade-green, alive with power.
Carefully, they merged the pill's essence into Mike's body, feeding him soft streams of energy to help him absorb it safely. Then Jian Dao refined two Tier 5 recovery pills for himself and Huo Chuntian.
They meditated, days turning to weeks, until at last, fully healed, they sat quietly, watching over Mike.
The clearing, bathed in soft dawn light, hummed with pure qi. Moss covered stones, and streams whispered through the glade.
On the first dawn of the sixth month, Mike stirred. His fingers twitched. His eyes fluttered open filled with light and life.
I… survived, he whispered hoarsely. Did we win?
Jian Dao smiled, the weight of months falling from his heart. Yeah, Mike. We won. And you're back.
Huo Chuntian chuckled, nodding. And you've broken through again, haven't you?
Mike clenched his fist, feeling the power. Dou Ba… one-star. Master Huang Lie was right. Fighting the powerful breaks your limits.
Jian Dao's gaze turned sharp. It's dangerous, Mike. But it's time. We should seek out a true death and life trial. Are you ready?
Mike's eyes blazed with resolve. Always.
Huo Chuntian pointed to the edge of the clearing, where shadows formed the mouth of a cave.
There's something else. I found a small cave nearby. What do you say? Shall we see what secrets it holds?