Dawn's first light barely touched the Su Clan's rooftops when the knock came-sharp, urgent, and unwanted. Su Chen was meditating, integrating Liu Shan's power into his own, when the jade pendant pulsed a warning. He opened his eyes as the door splintered inward, wood and stone flying.
Standing in the wreckage were the Twin Blades-Ma Long and Ma Hu. The six-meridian brothers were Su Kun's elite enforcers, their faces cold as ice, their matching swords glinting with dark spiritual energy. They moved in perfect sync, blocking the only exit, their eyes fixed on Su Chen like predators.
"Su Chen, you stand accused of murdering Liu Shan and treason," Ma Long said, his voice flat and lifeless. "By order of Acting Clan Leader Su Kun, you are to be executed on sight."
Ma Hu grinned, a cruel twist of his lips. "We heard you're 'non-human' now. Let's test that."
They attacked simultaneously. Swords sliced through the air, one aiming for Su Chen's throat, the other for his heart. But Su Chen's senses were honed to a razor's edge-he could see the subtle shift in their weight before they struck, hear the whistle of their blades as they cut through the air. He ducked, the swords passing inches above his head, and countered with a punch to Ma Long's stomach.
The six-meridian cultivator grunted, doubling over. But Ma Hu was already on him, his sword stabbing toward Su Chen's back. Su Chen spun, grabbing Ma Hu's wrist and twisting. Bones cracked, and Ma Hu screamed as his sword clattered to the floor. Su Chen kicked him in the chest, sending him flying into the wall, where he slumped, unconscious.
Ma Long recovered, his sword glowing brighter as he poured spiritual energy into it. "Monster!" he roared, lunging again. This time, his strikes were faster, more brutal-each swing carrying enough force to split stone. But Su Chen moved like a shadow, dodging and weaving, his golden energy creating a faint barrier around his body.
A sword grazed his shoulder, drawing blood. But the wound healed instantly, the Reverse God Meridian knitting his skin back together before the drop of blood hit the floor. Ma Long's eyes widened in terror. "What are you?"
Su Chen didn't answer. He charged, his fist glowing with golden light. He punched Ma Long's sword, shattering the blade into a dozen pieces. Before the enforcer could react, Su Chen grabbed his throat, slamming him against the wall. He pressed his palm to Ma Long's chest, and the devouring ability surged.
Ma Long's screams echoed as his six meridians were torn from his body, his power flooding Su Chen's veins. This time, the absorption was faster-more efficient. Su Chen felt his own strength balloon, the Reverse God Meridian expanding, its golden light filling the room. He could sense Ma Long's combat instincts, his knowledge of clan defenses, even the location of Su Kun's private study-guarded by ten elite cultivators, hidden behind a spiritual barrier.
When Ma Long went limp, Su Chen dropped him. He turned to the unconscious Ma Hu, but hesitated. Killing him would be easy, but Su Chen needed information. Instead, he bound the enforcer's hands and feet, gagging him with a strip of cloth. He dragged Ma Hu into the closet, hiding him behind a pile of old robes.
The sound of shouting echoed from the courtyard-Su Kun's men, responding to the commotion. Su Chen knew he didn't have time to waste. He slipped out the back window, moving silently across the roof. The sun was rising now, painting the sky pink, but there was no warmth in it. Su Kun's study was his next target, and with Ma Long's memories guiding him, he knew exactly how to get there.
As he approached the inner courtyard, Su Chen's senses picked up ten powerful spiritual signatures-Su Kun's guards. He smiled, his golden eyes glinting. They thought they were hunting a traitor. But they had no idea they were facing a force beyond human comprehension.
The Reverse God Meridian hummed in his chest, hungry once more. Su Chen tensed, ready to strike. The real fight was just beginning-and this time, Su Kun would pay for every lie, every betrayal, every moment his father lay comatose.
Because he was no longer Su Chen, the broken heir. He was the Devourer, a non-human cultivator who fed on power. And nothing would stand in his way.