The warning bell from the heart of Azure City still rang in the distance, its hoarse toll muffled by the roar of wind carrying the stench of sulfur. Yet behind the towering walls of the Arkana clan estate, that sound was barely audible. Laughter and the clinking of jade cups dominated the air instead. Tonight marked the Patriarch’s sixtieth birthday, a grand banquet designed to display the clan’s glory amid whispers of the “silver demon” beginning to haunt the continent.Ravian stood before the main gate. His black robe fluttered softly, brushing against the dust on the road that seemed darker beneath his feet. The glow of red lanterns lining the clan walls reflected off the surface of his new silver mask, giving the illusion of a ghost weeping blood.“System, how many guests are inside?” Ravian whispered.[Detecting three hundred and forty-two life signatures. Twelve are at the peak Soul Purification Stage. Patriarch Arkana is in the main hall, central coordinates. Warning: ‘Nine Cel

Dust from the explosion of the Azure Cloud Sect’s flying ship still hung in the air like a choking gray fog. Beneath the flattened ruins of the Arkana clan’s main pavilion, an unnatural chill seeped through the cracks of shattered jade stone. Ravian walked calmly, each step making no sound upon the jagged debris.He stopped before a heavy iron door that hung crooked, the entrance to the most secret underground chamber. With a single wave of his hand, the door crumbled into black dust and scattered into the wind.“System, report the target’s coordinates.”[Target: Kaelan Arkana. Location: Thirty meters below the surface. He is attempting synchronization with the ‘Void Mirror.’ Target success rate: Two percent. He is dying, Master.]Ravian let out a soft scoff. His voice sounded like ice grinding against itself. “Let him feel hope. It will make his despair far more satisfying.”He descended the da

Her footsteps dragged across the grass, which now looked like a web of black threads beneath the sickly moonlight. Lin Xuelan no longer resembled a noble Holy Maiden. Her sky-blue robe was torn in several places, exposing skin bruised and dusted with gray ash from the ruins of Azure City. At the border of the White Lotus Sect, she paused and glanced back, her eyes wide with paranoia.“He’s there,” she whispered into the darkness. “System, tell me he’s not there.”[Spatial analysis: No signs of physical life within a five-hundred-meter radius, Miss. However, traces of Hell Meridian energy are detected in every particle of air you inhale. He is watching you.]“Silence! I don’t need that reminder!” Lin Xuelan screamed. Her voice broke, echoing through the silent trees.“Why are you screaming, Xuelan? This forest is too beautiful to be tainted by your fear.”The voice came from everywhere. Cold, flat, carrying a vibration that made the curse on Lin Xuelan’s forehead throb painfully. She d

Ravian approached the box. His heart pounded, a human sensation he had rarely felt lately. Inside that box lay the remnants of his mother’s soul and meridian essence, the only thing that still connected him to genuine affection.“Mother…” Ravian whispered.He reached toward the box. The golden energy web tried to burn his hand, but the hellfire within him devoured the protective energy with ease.Ravian took the jade box and opened it.At once, a soft white light poured out, filling the entire summit chamber. The scent of fresh jasmine spread through the air, briefly erasing the aura of death that had long clung to Ravian.The image of a beautiful woman emerged from the light. Her face was filled with gentleness, in stark contrast to the harsh world outside.“Ravian… my son…” the image spoke in a melodious voice.Ravian froze. For the first time, his pitch-black eyes glistened. &ldquo