Ravian wiped the blood splattered on his cheek with the back of his hand. He stood amidst a pile of corpses belonging to the blood carriage guards, his breathing slowly beginning to steady. Beneath his feet, the damp forest floor had turned a deep, dark red. A pungent, metallic scent filled his nostrils, yet strangely, he felt no nausea. Instead, a cold satisfaction crept between his ribs."System, remove this stain from my sight. I’m sick of looking at this color for too long."[Sensory cleansing performed, Master. Your heart rate is still at ninety beats per minute. You were a bit too excited when you slit the last guard's throat. Was that a form of personal pleasure?]"Pleasure? Don't be ridiculous. I was just making sure he didn't scream," Ravian replied as he sheathed his dagger. "Is the mission over? I want to get out of here before the Blue Cloud Sect patrols arrive."[The mission 'Logistics Destruction' is complete. However, the System detec

The world suddenly lost its light. The Azure City square, which had been noisy with bloodthirsty cheers just moments ago, fell instantly silent as thick black steam erupted from Ravian's body, swallowing the execution stage in an unnatural darkness."System, activate Veil of Darkness. I don't need this stage for long," Ravian whispered behind his mask.[Veil of Darkness active, Master. You have three minutes before Elder Lu breaks this formation with his spiritual sense.]"Three minutes? More than enough time to disappear," Ravian replied."Where are you, you rat! Come out!" Elder Lu roared from behind the fog. His voice sounded distant, distorted by hellish energy.Ravian did not answer. He flicked his fingers, sending a phantom shadow toward Elder Lu. "Chase your own shadow, old man."[Master, it is advised to move immediately toward the north wing of the Arkana residence. The guard there has weakened because most of the forces were deploy

Ravian felt a bone-chilling cold as his consciousness slowly eroded. The black-veiled woman standing before him looked like an immovable tower of death. The massive scythe on her back radiated an aura that made even the Hell Meridians within Ravian’s body tremble in fear."System... who is she?" Ravian whispered internally, his voice hoarse from the blood clogging his throat.[Critical warning! Entity data inaccessible. Power level exceeds current analysis limits. Master, retreat immediately!]The woman laughed, a sound like the scraping of cold metal. She leaned down, her veiled face leaving only a gaze that seemed to pierce directly into the core of Ravian’s soul."You are too weak to bear that title, boy," she whispered. "That System... it gave you a second chance, yet you waste it playing around with this petty revenge.""What... is it to you?" Ravian tried to move his hand, but his body refused to obey."My business? My business is ensuring the balance isn't destroyed by the hand

Pain was the first thing that greeted Ravian. Damp earth, the smell of decaying moss, and remnants of black energy still pulsing at his fingertips. He slowly opened his eyes, gazing at the lush canopy that covered the forest ceiling. The pendant with the mysterious emblem was still clutched tightly in his trembling palm."System... are you still there?" Ravian whispered, his voice almost lost to the forest's silence.Silence. There was no mechanical reply that usually sounded cold yet reassuring. Ravian tried to sit up, and instantly a searing pain shot through his cracked ribs. He groaned, spitting out the remnants of clotted black blood from his mouth."System! Reboot! Now!"[Processing...]The voice sounded incredibly weak, crackling like an old radio losing its signal.[Forbidden God System initiating recovery... Data integrity: forty percent. Energy reserves: critical. Master... you must move.]"Where? I don't even know where I am right now," Ravian retorted, rubbing his temple.

The air in the corridors of the Arkana Residence felt like a lead weight pressing against the lungs. It wasn't just the scent of burning incense or the dust drifting from the cracking ceilings, but the presence of one person who had just crossed the main threshold. Ravian, still hiding behind the face of "Vyan," the disabled servant, kept his head bowed low. His hand, gripping a rough wooden broom, trembled slightly not out of fear, but from suppressing the pulse of the Hell Meridian thrashing within his chest.Patience... it’s not time yet, Ravian thought.Light yet firm footsteps echoed on the marble stone floor. They weren't the heavy steps of a soldier, but the steps of someone floating gracefully above the suffering of others. Lin Xuelan. She walked with her light blue robes fluttering, surrounded by a pure white aura that stood in stark contrast to the darkness currently enveloping the Arkana family."Where is Kaelan?" Lin Xuelan asked. Her voice was