The night air stank of blood and sweat.
Xiao Chen ran.
A dark cloak concealed his face, his stolen prize clutched tight against his chest. His lungs burned, his muscles screamed, but he didn't dare stop.
Behind him, boots pounded against the cobblestone.
"Stop the thief!"
The shouts came from men far stronger than the guards outside the hall. These weren't common enforcers — these were peak 3rd Stage Dou Practitioners, hunters trained to kill.
He didn't look back.
Instead, Xiao Chen bit down on another pill, letting the bitter energy flood his system. His Dou Qi roared, and the world seemed to slow for just a heartbeat.
Heavenly Steps.
His body blurred, Dou Qi surging into his legs. A red stream of energy erupted behind him, trailing like a comet's tail as his feet barely touched the ground.
The distance widened. The guards shouted in alarm, but most fell away, left behind in his wake.
But not all.
Three still followed.
Strong ones.
The whistle of a blade split the night. Xiao Chen twisted, but not fast enough — the edge kissed his side, cutting cloth and flesh.
Pain flared.
He ducked into an alley, but a spearhead crashed down where he stood a moment ago, stone shattering on impact.
"Corner him!" one barked.
Xiao Chen's heart pounded. He couldn't outrun them forever.
He stopped.
Drew a breath.
And reached inward.
Demonic Clones.
The words came like instinct, and his Dou Qi obeyed.
Eight figures burst from his body, hazy silhouettes of himself woven from blood-red energy. They darted into the night in different directions, each leaving a crimson trail like his own.
The guards cursed, splitting up to chase them.
Xiao Chen didn't wait. He crawled into the shadow of a crumbling wall, pulled his cloak tight, and forced his breathing silent.
Minutes dragged. The sounds of pursuit faded, one by one.
And then there was only silence.
Xiao Chen sagged against the wall, blood running warm down his ribs.
But even through the exhaustion, through the pain, he felt it — his Dou Qi was different.
Stronger.
From a crippled failure… to a 2nd Stage Dou Practitioner.
Even with the blood, a grin spread across his face.
He survived.