Rise of the Demon Dragon

Chapter 8: Arrival at the Poison Valley

Ryker unleashed his full power, bracing himself for a fierce fight. Yet, the old man remained calm, showing no sign that he was ready to engage.

“Don’t hesitate, young man. Just attack me!” the old man taunted.

With a burst of energy, Ryker lunged forward, unleashing a barrage of punches aimed at the old man. 

Despite their force—strong enough to fell a full-grown cow—the old man effortlessly deflected each blow without even exerting his full strength.

Frustrated and intrigued, Ryker decided to use his ultimate technique, the Azure Dragon Strike. However, he had only mastered the first level of this formidable technique, created by the Azure Dragon Sect Master.

Once again, the attack proved futile. When their palms collided, Ryker was thrown back violently, blood spilling from his mouth.

“You should have thought twice, young man. Even your master would hesitate to challenge me,” the old man remarked coldly. “Zyren, pack our things. We’re leaving.”

“Yes, Master,” Zyren replied, immediately sprinting to the inn. 

He swiftly packed their belongings and paid a silver coin for the meal they hadn’t had time to eat.

Ryker remained on the ground, unable to stand. He sat cross-legged, his head bowed in shame, watching the old man and his grandson depart. His heart burned with a vow of vengeance.

However, his situation was dire. His hand had turned blue-black—a clear sign of poison from the old man’s palm. If he was lucky, he might survive.

Zyren was silent throughout their journey. It was the first time he had seen his master fight, and to him, the old man’s skills were awe-inspiring.

“Why so quiet, Zyren? Don’t dwell on it,” the old man finally said.

“It’s nothing, Master. I’m just puzzled. Why didn’t you finish off that arrogant young fighter?” Zyren asked, breaking his silence.

“What would be the point, Zyren? At my age, I no longer seek recognition. Remember what I’ve taught you: don’t kill indiscriminately. I know it’s hard to control your anger when you’re young, but I’m relieved you managed to spare your opponents earlier.”

“Only eliminate those who truly pose a danger to you. Otherwise, they might return to harm you one day. You’ll learn to discern which enemies are worth killing and which should be spared,” the old man explained.

“But what if that young fighter seeks revenge someday?” Zyren inquired.

“He won’t be able to advance his skills any further. After that fight, it’s certain he’ll lose one of his hands,” the old man replied flatly.

Zyren absorbed every word. What seemed like trivial details were important lessons to him.

Five days later, they arrived at Poison Valley. Since the incident at the inn, neither Zyren nor the old man had shown any interest in stopping at another inn. 

It wasn’t fear that held them back; the old man simply preferred to avoid unnecessary trouble. Their clash with Ryker was sure to anger the Azure Dragon Master, so they chose to camp in the forest, living off the land by hunting or gathering fruits.

“Here we are, Zyren—Poison Valley. Few dare to set foot here. It’s the perfect training ground for you. But don’t wander off without my permission or guidance,” the old man cautioned.

The valley sprawled before them, vast and barren, like a riverbed long dried up. It wound beneath rocky cliffs, the air thick with the stench of sulfur. The ground was a mix of gray and yellowish earth, though patches of grass and unfamiliar plants dotted the landscape.

“Grandfather, how are we going to stay here?” Zyren asked, eyeing the desolate surroundings.

“There’s a cave over there. I used to live there when I was your age. I just hope it’s still intact and not occupied by someone else. I can’t guarantee we’re alone here,” the old man replied.

They descended the rocky cliffs, following the valley’s edge until they reached the cave the old man had mentioned. After a thorough search, they finally arrived at the spot.

“This is the cave,” the old man announced.

Zyren looked around, confused. “Are you sure, Master? I don’t see any cave here!”

The old man approached a large stone at the base of the cliff. With a grunt, he moved it aside, revealing the entrance to a hidden cave he had once called home.

“So, Master hid this cave, huh?!”

Zyren marveled. He was equally astonished by how effortlessly his grandfather master moved the massive stone.

Just the thought of budging it seemed impossible to Zyren.

“Yes, I hid the heirloom weapons and books you’ll eventually study,” the old man said as he stepped into the dark, musty cave.

“Watch your step. There are many venomous creatures here, and some could still kill you despite the resistance I’ve built in your body.”

Zyren shivered at the thought. He spotted snakes, centipedes, and strange insects he had never seen before.

These creatures quickly scattered as his master did something that made them flee. Zyren watched in awe, sensing a change in his’s aura—it felt menacing.

“What are you doing, master? Why are the animals so scared?” Zyren, still naïve in the ways of warriors, had endless questions for him.

“I’m driving them away with my murderous aura. You have it too, and in significant amounts, but you haven’t learned to harness it yet. Once you can control your inner energy, you’ll be able to do the same. Now, clean this place up. I’m going to find us something to eat.”

The old man left the cave, leaving him to clean the large rocks that seemed to serve as sleeping areas. The stale air inside the cave slowly gave way to the sulfurous odor from outside.

Before long, some of the crawling creatures returned, slithering around and making Zyren uneasy, especially the ones he couldn’t identify.

Deciding it was safer outside, Zyren left the cave to wait for his master’s return. 

Several snakes slithered out of the cave, sensing that their habitat was no longer safe. In this harsh environment, Zyren realized he needed to adapt quickly, especially to the overwhelming sulfur smell and the thin air that made breathing difficult.

“This is crazy! How could Grandpa Master live in a place like this?! Ugh, I guess I’ll be living here too, for who knows how long,” Zyren thought, his head spinning as he tried to adjust to his new surroundings. His master had yet to return.

Zyren’s breathing became labored, his chest tightening with each inhalation. He coughed repeatedly, his head growing heavier by the minute. 

Staggering, he found a large stone outside the cave and lay down on it, his vision blurring as coldness crept over his entire body.