The first light of dawn broke over Shadow Mountain, and with it came the scent of herbs drifting from the Medical Hall and the soft hum of the spiritual river deep within.
A visitor arrived.
An elder from Hua Sect, robes dusty from travel but face calm with purpose, entered the mountain's edge and stood before Xuan Long.
He bowed deeply.
"Master Xuan Long, I bring greetings from Hua Sect."
Xuan Long nodded from his throne in the war hall, his fingers gently tapping on the darkwood armrest.
"Speak."
The elder took out a jade box and opened it slowly. Inside was a flower—half illusion, half substance. Its petals shimmered with a ghostly light, dancing as if touched by wind only it could feel.
"This is the Illusionary Demonic Flower Pill. It blooms once every ten years and enhances the mental sea and illusion-based arts… We only have one. But we offer it to you."
Xuan Long's eyes flashed with interest.
"A rare treasure… very well. I accept."
He raised an eyebrow.
"But tell me—why is Hua Sect, once mighty, now so faded?"
The elder's shoulders slumped, a sigh escaping his lips.
"Once, we were the strongest sect in the country. But our Supreme Ancestor perished… our sect leader was poisoned, and even her body vanished before any antidote could be found. The young lady, still barely out of her teens, had to take over."
"Now, we lack resources. Our pills aren't sold. Disciples die in monster hunts. And worse, we are being targeted in the shadows, though we don't know by whom…"
A cold glint passed through Xuan Long's eyes.
"Then… let us strike a deal."
The elder blinked.
"A deal?"
"Alliance. I provide pills—recovery, Qi, Foundation, Core Formation—and maybe skills. In return, you give me something unique."
The elder nodded slowly, stunned.
"I shall discuss this with the Young Leader and return."
He bowed once more and left.
Back in his cultivation room, Xuan Long held the Illusionary Flower in hand. With Singular Replication, he duplicated it once—now holding two.
He summoned the two demi-human generals, who had served him loyally from the very beginning.
"From today forward, I grant each of you this flower."
The two knelt instantly.
"Master…"
"This treasure enhances the mind, strengthens illusion techniques, and boosts your strength against those three levels above. You have followed me through fire. Now take a step forward in power."
Their hands trembled as they received the gift.
"We swear… we will never let you down."
With the pills in hand, they rushed to the Spiritual River Chamber, where cultivation flowed like roaring tides.
Down the mountain, beneath the golden sky, cries of agony and fear echoed through the forest.
A young woman—her robes torn, her body bloodied—ran with a child cradled tightly in her arms. Her breath came in gasps, and blood trailed behind her steps.
Twenty demonic cultivators from the Tiger Demonic Clan chased her, laughing with bloodlust.
"Run, fox bitch, run! Let's see how far you go now!"
Her trembling arms held the small child—barely four, lifeless, bleeding, face pale.
"Please… someone… save my sister…"
She tripped.
The child fell. Her eyes remained closed.
The demonic cultivators surrounded her like wolves.
"You begged? How cute," one sneered, kicking the girl aside. "First we play, then we kill."
They reached for her robes, laughter twisted and evil.
Suddenly—
Snap!
A blood-red chain ripped through the air.
One of the demonic cultivators' heads exploded like a melon.
"W-What the hell!?"
Two more heads flew.
Out of the forest walked Hei Mo, eyes glowing like hellfire, puppet looming behind him like a demon born from nightmares.
"You dare dirty the mountain with filth."
"T-That's Hei Mo! Run! RUN! HE'S THE DEMON WHO HUNTS DEMONS!"
But escape was impossible.
Thirty shadow assassins, puppet soldiers, and demi-humans surrounded them. Screams echoed, blood flowed like rivers.
Within minutes—silence.
Hei Mo approached the fox woman. She trembled, pulling the girl to her chest.
"P-Please don't kill us…"
He said nothing. Gently, he picked both of them up and disappeared into the mountain mist.
Back in the grand hall, Xuan Long stood as Hei Mo placed the woman and the child down gently.
Xuan Long's expression was calm, but sharp as a blade.
"Cover her," he ordered.
The attendants immediately brought fresh robes and cloaks.
The fox woman crawled forward, grabbing Xuan Long's robes.
"Please save her! I'll do anything! Anything!"
Her eyes were wild with desperation.
Xuan Long turned to Lin Qian, who nodded.
"I'll handle her. She's not beyond saving."
Lin Qian picked up the tiny girl with gentle hands and left toward the medical hall.
Once they were alone, Xuan Long looked down at the fox woman.
"Tell me everything."
Her voice cracked.
"We were the Fox Clan, peace-seekers. My mother gave birth to my sister—she has a divine foundation. When the Tiger Clan realized none of their descendants were blessed, they turned mad with jealousy."
"They poisoned my father… slaughtered our entire sect… I'm all that's left."
Tears welled again.
"My name is Yue Li. My sister's name is Yue Mei. She's never cultivated… she's just a child."
"I… I know formations. Let me stay. I'll serve. Just please—save her."
Xuan Long's eyes flickered with a rare softness.
"Once your sister is healed, I'll decide."
She bowed deeply and left for the guest room.
That evening, Xiao Xue climbed onto Xuan Long's lap, tugging at his robe.
"Brother… who was that little girl? Why was she hurt?"
Xuan Long ruffled her hair.
"She's just like you. Lost… and in need of protection."
"Will you save her too?"
"Of course."
Xiao Xue smiled, then whispered—
"You're the best brother in the world."
In the Medical Hall, Lin Qian stood beside the small child Yue Mei, applying healing techniques as spiritual energy swirled around her.
The bleeding had stopped.
Her breathing had stabilized.
But her eyes remained closed.
"She's not in danger anymore," Lin Qian said softly. "But… her soul is hiding. She's afraid. We'll have to wait."