Ancient trees towered overhead, their dense canopy casting the forest in perpetual twilight.

  But from above, one could see a corner of the mountain range turning eerily barren.

  Trees toppled in rapid succession, thick clouds of dust rising, sending flocks of startled birds fleeing in all directions.

  Destruction. Chaos. Unrelenting devastation.

  Blades flashed, swords gleamed, and killing intent filled the air.

  Boom!

  Han’s inner armor absorbed a crushing iron fist, while Taibai swept aside two razor-sharp weapons.

  His robes were stained with blood—some his own, some his enemies’.

  Every strike was meant to kill. Every movement carried lethal intent. In mere moments, countless exchanges teetered on the edge of life and death.

  The three Huang family cultivators fared no better—sword wounds, bruises from fists, burns of ice and fire, searing marks from purple lightning.

  Unlike Han, they lacked an arsenal of enchanted weapons and artifacts.

  Despite their prestigious background, even in a powerful prefectural clan, obtaining a single martial-grade weapon was considered fortunate.

  The Huang family had wealth, but it also had many mouths to feed—too many to share its resources equally.

  Then, in a fleeting moment, the weakest of the three—who had only just reached Organ Tempering—exposed a fatal flaw.

  Han’s eyes gleamed. His soul force surged forth like a raging tide.

  With seamless precision, he unleashed a chain of Daoist techniques—

  Dreambinding Spell to cloud the mind.

  Vital Qi Barrier to deflect counterattacks.

  Grand Haoran Palm roaring down like the hand of the heavens!

  Shing!

  A single sword thrust pierced straight through his enemy’s heart.

  The impact sent a powerful shockwave through his organs, shattering them completely.

  The Organ Tempering stage strengthened the body’s internal systems, but it did not render them indestructible.

  The light faded from his opponent’s eyes as he collapsed lifelessly to the ground.

  Three against one—yet Han had turned the tide, claiming the first kill!

  He was pushing his speed to the limit, determined to end this battle quickly.

  The two remaining Huang warriors roared in fury, their eyes bloodshot.

  “Han! You dare kill a member of the Huang family?! You’re dead!”

  “The ones who deserve death are you!” Han snapped back, his momentum surging.

  Where in this world was it written that the strong could kill without consequence, but the weak could not fight back?

  Even emperors were not above the blade of retribution!

  Shing!

  Suddenly, a sharp sound echoed from behind.

  Han’s spiritual sense flared.

  He turned—just in time to see Bai Ruoyue standing frozen, dazed, as if trapped by an illusion.

  The large-headed man sneered, raising his blade for a decisive strike, abandoning all defense in favor of a lethal blow.

  But just as the attack was about to land—

  Bai Ruoyue moved.

  Her sword flashed in a perfectly timed counter, plunging straight into his abdomen!

  The man let out a guttural scream, stumbling backward as blood gushed from his wound.

  “You resisted my technique?!” he gasped in disbelief.

  Suddenly, the forest trembled.

  A surge of wood-elemental energy erupted, condensing into a massive seal that crashed toward Bai Ruoyue.

  A cultivator!

  A warrior trained in both martial arts and Daoist techniques!

  But Bai Ruoyue remained unfazed.

  Instead, she smiled.

  With a surge of true energy and blazing vitality, she swung her sword—

  And the wooden seal shattered into nothingness.

  “Junior Brother was right—one of you was a cultivator. Did you really think I wouldn’t be prepared?”

  “Dream on.”

  Thanks to Han’s warning, she had been on guard the entire time.

  Lu Qingmo had long ensured she had ways to counter Daoist arts.

  The large-headed man’s face darkened.

  One hand clutched his abdomen, his body covered in wounds. Meanwhile, Bai Ruoyue stood tall, barely injured.

  Among all the combatants, his situation was the most dire—he had been completely overpowered.

  His gaze darted toward his allies—only to see one already dead.

  His fury boiled over.

  “Retreat!” he roared, forming a hand seal to cast a spell for cover.

  Han clashed with the two remaining warriors once more but seized the moment to create distance, silently preparing a technique.

  Yinfire Seal.

  Whoosh!

  A black flame ignited out of nowhere, latching onto the large-headed man’s spiritual energy.

  The cursed fire spread rapidly, consuming his very soul.

  Soul-based flames were ineffective against physical bodies, but if someone extended their spiritual force—

  It became the perfect conduit for the fire to latch onto.

  “Aaaagh!”

  The man screamed in agony. The spell he had been preparing collapsed as his body convulsed.

  The other two warriors recoiled in horror, fearing they too would be set ablaze. But Han had no intention of wasting his Yinfire on them.

  You might be reading a pirated copy. Look for the official release to support the author.

  His flames were limited—he had only recently learned this technique.

  The large-headed man desperately tried to extinguish the fire, but it was futile.

  Bai Ruoyue saw her chance.

  Han, too, was merciless—drawing his bow, he loosed an arrow to support her attack.

  “You dare?!”

  The two remaining Huang warriors shouted in rage, but Han merely turned, sending arrows their way as well before charging in for close combat.

  Behind him, screams rang out.

  Bai Ruoyue’s sword severed both of the large-headed man’s arms.

  And in the chaos, Han found his own opening—killing another opponent.

  “Mercy! Please!”

  The last surviving Huang warrior panicked, dropping his weapon and begging for his life.

  But Han’s expression remained cold.

  Where was this plea for mercy when they first attacked?

  Too late.

  If they had simply left when they first crossed paths, none of this would have happened.

  They had sealed their own fate.

  But just as Han was about to finish him off—

  Rumble!

  The ground trembled. Trees toppled.

  Boom!

  A colossal serpent erupted from beneath the earth—

  Lunging straight for Han!

  Its movement carried the force of a hurricane, its sheer speed allowing no time for reaction.

  Han’s instincts screamed danger. He barely managed to move.

  “Junior Brother, look out!”

  Bai Ruoyue leaped in front of the attack, her true energy erupting like a brilliant sun.

  She intercepted the strike—

  And was sent flying.

  Blood sprayed through the air.

  The serpent had crippled her with a single hit.

  Hissssss!

  A deep, guttural hissing echoed through the forest.

  The massive, ink-green snake fully emerged, its towering head looming over Han.

  Toxic venom dripped from its fangs, melting through trees and searing the ground.

  Han’s entire body tensed.

  Bone Forging level.

  And not just any Bone Forging beast—one of terrifying strength.

  Their battle had drawn the attention of the true rulers of Black Mountain.

  This was the danger of fighting here without omniscient vision.

  One never knew when a monster far beyond their ability would appear.

  Some beasts had natural stealth abilities. Some possessed supernatural talents.

  Han had not sensed its approach at all.

  And judging by its power—this was not a newly advanced Bone Forging creature.

  It might have reached mid-stage… or even peak-level.

  Han had no time to hesitate.

  He scooped Bai Ruoyue into his arms and ran.

  The serpent did not immediately chase.

  Instead—

  It swallowed the large-headed man whole.

  Then, it turned to the last Huang warrior.

  That man tried to flee, but how could he outrun a beast of this caliber?

  More importantly—

  He wasn’t faster than Han.

  And for the first time ever—

  Han actually hoped his enemy was strong enough to stall the beast.

  Some beasts possessed extraordinary stealth and unique abilities, making them impossible to detect with spiritual senses.

  This serpent was one of them.

  Han had not sensed its approach at all.

  And judging by its power, it was far from a newly advanced Bone Forging beast. If Bai Ruoyue couldn’t even withstand a single blow, it was likely at mid-stage… perhaps even peak-level.

  Han didn’t waste time overthinking.

  He wasn’t foolish enough to stand still and ponder.

  With his boots infused with martial-grade energy, he activated them at full force, dashing to Bai Ruoyue’s side.

  Scooping her up, he ran.

  A quick glance behind revealed that the massive, ink-green serpent wasn’t in a hurry to chase him down. Instead, it lunged at the large-headed man—

  And swallowed him whole.

  Then, its gaze shifted toward the last surviving Huang family warrior.

  It slithered forward at terrifying speed.

  The man froze in terror before bolting for his life.

  But outrunning a Bone Forging serpent? Impossible.

  More importantly—

  He couldn’t outrun Han.

  “Senior Sister? Senior Sister!”

  The moment Han caught Bai Ruoyue, he knew something was wrong.

  Her face had paled to an unhealthy blue.

  One of her arms was covered in bubbling, ink-green blisters. Her body was limp, her breathing weak.

  Her meridians, organs, and bones—all gravely injured.

  The most alarming sight—

  A stream of blackened blood creeping up her neck, inching toward her head.

  A single clash with the serpent had completely incapacitated her.

  “Junior Brother… run,” Bai Ruoyue murmured weakly. “That beast… it’s cunning… and terrifyingly strong. The venom is… potent…”

  Even as she spoke, her complexion worsened.

  Han glanced at her other arm—her veins were turning black.

  “Damn it!”

  How had they stumbled upon such a monster?

  Heart pounding, Han sprinted at full speed while shoving detoxification pills into Bai Ruoyue’s mouth.

  Useless.

  Then, he pulled out a fragment of a Venom-Repelling Pearl, an old relic he had obtained from Tree Brother.

  Activating it, he pressed it against Bai Ruoyue’s body.

  The venom’s spread slowed—but it did not stop.

  The pearl’s effect was limited. The toxin of a Bone Forging beast was no ordinary poison—it could not be neutralized so easily.

  Worse still, Bai Ruoyue’s movement only accelerated the poison’s circulation.

  She wasn’t just poisoned—she was gravely wounded.

  Gritting his teeth, Han carried her in his arms and ran with all his might, constantly checking behind him.

  Right now, he prayed that the last Huang family warrior was strong enough to buy them time.

  For the first time, Han found himself hoping his enemy was powerful.

  But within moments—

  A bloodcurdling scream.

  The final Huang family warrior was devoured.

  Fresh blood splattered across the forest floor.

  And the serpent, having finished its meal, turned its gaze toward Han.

  It was not willing to let its final two prey escape.

  With terrifying speed, it slithered through the forest, weaving between trees like a streak of death.

  Han pushed his speed to the limit.

  His martial boots burned with energy, nearly smoking from overuse.

  His speed was already unmatched for his level—enhanced by Taibai’s movement technique, rare enchanted gear, and his own soul power.

  For now, he was just barely faster than the serpent.

  His smaller, more agile frame allowed him to weave through obstacles.

  But the beast was relentless.

  ROAR!

  A bestial cry rang out.

  Han’s face darkened.

  Another beast.

  The serpent’s rampage had been too loud—trees collapsing, birds scattering. It was impossible not to attract other predators.

  Whoosh!

  A gust of wind howled behind him.

  The serpent opened its maw and unleashed a surge of venomous true essence.

  At the Organ Tempering stage, warriors refined true energy.

  At the Bone Forging stage, true energy evolved into true essence.

  The gap between the two was vast—far greater than the gap between inner breath and true energy.

  BOOM!

  The blast of green essence exploded dozens of meters behind Han, sending a shockwave through the air.

  Han grunted in pain but didn’t stop.

  Instead, he used the impact to propel himself forward in a desperate leap.

  When the smoke cleared, a massive crater remained—charred earth, trees reduced to smoldering husks, and sizzling venom eating away at the ground.

  Han had barely dodged in time.

  This thing can fire energy attacks?!

  “Junior Brother… let me go,” Bai Ruoyue said weakly. “I’ll buy you time…”

  Before she could finish, Han shoved the Venom-Repelling Pearl fragment into her mouth, silencing her.

  Then, rummaging through his spatial ring, he grabbed a cup of golden liquid.

  Tree Brother’s Fortune Elixir.

  Drinking one-third would enhance luck for three days—the full amount only extended the duration, not the effect.

  Han downed a third in one gulp.

  Then, he hurled two objects behind him, activating them the moment the serpent closed in.

  BOOM!

  A chain of explosions erupted.

  For a brief moment—the serpent’s advance stalled.

  Explosive Talismans. Fireburst Pills.

  By sheer luck, the explosions detonated right as the serpent unleashed another breath attack.

  The resulting chain reaction sent shockwaves rebounding onto the beast itself.

  The serpent screeched, thrashing in fury.

  “Good beast!”

  Han took advantage of the moment.

  Swallowing a strengthening pill, his energy surged, and his speed spiked once more.

  BOOM!

  Another venomous breath attack exploded twenty meters ahead of him.

  Had he not changed direction at the last moment, he would have been blown to pieces.

  Shielding Bai Ruoyue, Han was still hit by the blast wave.

  Blood dripped from his nose, ears, and mouth. His clothes were soaked in crimson. His entire body throbbed with pain.

  This damn snake…

  “Junior Brother…” Bai Ruoyue’s eyes reddened, her voice choked with emotion.

  Han didn’t respond. His mind raced for solutions.

  With all his buffs and artifacts, he could temporarily match a Bone Forging beast’s speed.

  But not forever.

  The gap was closing.

  Bone Forging creatures had endurance beyond human limits.

  Even if he kept ahead for now, he would eventually tire.

  ROAR! ROAR! ROAR!

  Suddenly—three more bestial cries echoed through the forest.

  They had drawn even more monsters.

  From three different directions, new predators emerged:

  A massive white tiger.

  A muscled, black-spotted leopard.

  A towering, golden-maned lion.

  All three radiated immense power.

  Bone Forging level.

  If they dared to appear despite the serpent’s presence, they were no ordinary beasts.

  BOOM!

  The ground shattered as the three creatures charged—

  And their target was Han and Bai Ruoyue.

  Even without intelligence, beasts instinctively knew which prey was the weakest.

  Bai Ruoyue clung to Han, burying her face into his chest.

  She closed her eyes.

  She wasn’t afraid.

  Han, too, showed no fear.

  Instead—

  A grin spread across his bloodied face.

  “Good, good, good.”

  “You all came at just the right time.”

  Today, I was destined to escape alive.