Kael, who had been sitting calmly on the branch, suddenly opened his mouth and spoke in a clear voice that carried through the mist and drizzle.“You two looking for us?” His tone was light, almost teasing. “Hey, we’re right here.”Guo Liang and Han Feng froze instantly. Their bodies tensed as their eyes darted toward the source of the voice—up to the massive tree behind them. And there, perched casually among the branches, sat Kael, looking as if there wasn’t a single danger in the world.“Y-you…” Guo Liang stammered in disbelief. His breath caught in his throat. He clearly remembered how Kael had looked last time—covered in blood, weak, barely conscious. But now? Not a single wound on him. His face was clean, even cleaner than before.Kael stared down at them with a faint, mocking smile. “You look surprised. Wondering how I recovered so fast?” His tone was casual. “That’s because I’m Li Xin.”The name echoed among the trees, making both men exchange confused glances. They couldn’t t

In the distance, between the mist and the silhouettes of trees, a formation appeared—rows of people moving in perfect order. More than two thousand of them: long columns layered in ranks, dark banners fluttering, battle armor made of leather and light silver steel glinting under the pale moonlight. In their hands, straight swords gleamed—long, sharp blades arranged like rows of steel fangs. They didn’t move like an ordinary army, but like a river of iron that knew its path, every step synchronized, every breath merging into the steady rhythm of waves crashing toward the shore.The sound of boots and clashing plates formed a suffocating rhythm. The once-silent path had become a corridor of dread; the mist rolled back before them. Forest creatures sniffed the air and scattered; birds burst from the branches in panic. Even the spiritual beasts that usually roamed among the trees—demon hounds, serpents with glowing faces—fled into the dark, unwilling to cross that creeping line of steel.

Meanwhile, King Tianlong sat alone in his chamber, behind a wide window that opened toward the palace garden. Moonlight poured through the thin curtains, casting a silvery glow across the marble floor.In front of him, the teapot had gone cold; its steam long vanished. His face was firm yet somber, his brows knitted in silence. In his eyes lingered exhaustion—the weariness of a king bearing the greatest fear of his life: losing his daughter.A drop of water fell onto the wooden table. It wasn’t from the rain, but from his own eyes. He raised a hand, touched his cheek, and gave a bitter smile.“Lian’er…” his voice cracked, hoarse with emotion. “Your father prays… that you’re safe.”His hand clenched tightly on the table, voice turning into a low growl. “And if they… dare to harm you even slightly…” his eyes burned fiercely, “I swear to the Heavens, I’ll destroy them! I’ll make them regret ever being born—suffer a thousandfold more than what you’ve endured!”Then suddenly—BANG!The cham

One hundred soldiers from the Kingdom of a Thousand Waves crept through the forest corridor like a line of shadows. They checked every footprint, every gap in the bushes, every snagged root—nothing was left unchecked. Their swords were ready, breaths ragged in the leftover damp from last night’s rain. Their orders were clear: find Yue Lian, Li Xin, and the mysterious figure who’d killed their three best assassins—and bring them in alive.Suddenly, an eagle’s cry split the silence. Every head snapped up, eyes searching the sky. Before anyone could shout a reply, something crashed down from above—striking the column with a heavy thud.The figure standing there, alone in the stunned ring of soldiers: Kael. His robe was stained and filthy, but his posture was steady, his gaze calm like a storm about to break.“Who are you?!” one soldier yelled, brandishing his sword.The answer came as Kael’s fist launching at him—no fancy moves or drawn-out technique, just a brutal, precise strike. The s

The Giant Eagle dove through the morning mist, slicing the air with wings sharp as blades. Below, the army of the Eastern Sky Kingdom stood ready on the open plain — rows of spears gleaming under the rising sun, golden banners fluttering proudly, and at the center stood King Tianlong himself, clad in a war robe embroidered with silver dragons.As the Giant Eagle landed, the gust from its wings whipped banners and cloaks alike. Wu Zhen and Kael jumped down, the ground trembling softly beneath their feet.Wu Zhen immediately knelt before the king, still catching his breath from the fast flight. “Your Majesty,” he said loudly, “the Thousand Waves army is right ahead of us. Their numbers… over fifteen hundred! They outnumber us by far!”His words sent ripples of unease through the officers. Faces that moments ago burned with fire now turned grim. Some glanced at one another nervously — that kind of difference meant their chances of victory were nearly zero.King Tianlong gazed straight i