Beyond Virtue

The air grew heavier as the group fell silent, their gazes darting nervously to the misty canopy above. The faint metallic tang of blood mixed with the forest's earthy scent, setting everyone on edge.

Wei Feng stepped closer to the remains, crouching to inspect them. "Fresh, just as you said. We're being watched," he muttered, his voice grim. Straightening, he turned to the group. "Stay alert. Form a defensive circle and watch the skies. This crow doesn't attack alone—it uses the forest to trap and strike."

The disciples drew their weapons, their movements tense. Swords glinted faintly in the dim light, and a faint hum of qi filled the air as they prepared for combat. Xu Yan adjusted his stance, his fingers flexing as he prepared to use the Blood Crushing Fist. His gaze never left the shadows above.

A faint rustle broke the silence. The sound was so soft it might have been mistaken for the wind, but Xu Yan's ears caught it immediately. "Above!" he barked, his voice cutting through the tension like a blade.

A black blur shot through the mist, its massive wings slicing the air with a menacing whoosh. The Obsidian Winged Crow was a terrifying sight—its wingspan stretched nearly ten feet, and its feathers shimmered like polished obsidian. Crimson eyes glared at the group with predatory intent, and its talons gleamed like sharpened daggers.

The crow circled above, letting out an ear-splitting screech that sent shivers down the spines of even the most hardened disciples. The oppressive mist seemed to thicken, the light dimming as though the crow's presence itself warped the forest.

"Hold your positions!" Wei Feng shouted, his voice steady despite the tension. "It's testing us. Don't break formation!"

The crow swooped lower, its talons slicing through the air as it feigned an attack. One of the younger disciples flinched, his sword trembling in his hand. Xu Yan caught the movement out of the corner of his eye.

"Focus!" he snapped, his voice sharp. "If you panic, you'll die."

The disciple steadied himself, swallowing hard. The crow screeched again, its cry echoing through the forest. It dived once more, this time aiming directly at Xu Yan. Its speed was incredible, a blur of black and red.

Xu Yan didn't move until the last possible moment. With a sharp inhale, he sidestepped, his movement precise and fluid. As the crow's talons scraped the ground where he'd been standing, he countered with a powerful strike from the Blood Crushing Fist, his fist surging into the blow.

The impact sent a shockwave through the air, and the crow let out a screech of pain as it veered off course, flapping its wings furiously to regain altitude. A faint smear of blood appeared on its glossy feathers, but the beast was far from defeated.

"It's wounded!" one of the disciples exclaimed, a mix of relief and adrenaline in his voice.

"Don't celebrate yet," Wei Feng said grimly. "It's more dangerous now."

The Obsidian Winged Crow circled higher, its blood-red eyes gleaming with a malevolent light. The air around the group grew heavier, as if the crow's presence alone suppressed the forest's natural rhythm. Suddenly, it let out a deafening screech, its wings beating with such force that the nearby trees swayed violently.

Without warning, the crow dove, its talons glowing faintly with a sinister, blackened energy. It targeted a younger disciple at the edge of the group, who froze in terror, unable to react.

"Move!" Wei Feng shouted, but it was too late.

The crow struck with terrifying speed, its talons slicing through the disciple's chest in a single, brutal motion. Blood sprayed across the forest floor as the disciple crumpled to the ground, lifeless. The beast's screech echoed through the air as it ascended again, the crimson mist swirling ominously in its wake.

The remaining disciples stared in stunned horror, their breaths ragged.

Wei Feng's voice cut through the panic, sharp and commanding. "Focus! That wasn't just a normal attack. This crow is in the Feral Spirit Realm!"

A collective gasp rippled through the group.

"Even though it's equivalent to the Qi Awakening Realm, spirit beasts in this realm are far stronger than their human counterparts," Wei Feng continued. "If you don't stay alert, you'll end up like him!" 

The crow circled again, its crimson eyes scanning the group as if choosing its next target. Its wings moved with an eerie precision, every beat echoing with the promise of death. The disciples tightened their formation, their weapons trembling in their hands as they prepared for the next assault.

Xu Yan stepped forward slightly, his calm demeanor belying the tension in his muscles. His gaze was locked onto the crow, calculating its movements. He knew spirit beasts were relentless, especially those in the Feral Spirit Realm.