Beyond Virtue

The tension in the clearing thickened as the three groups stared each other down, the faint glow of the Scarlet Moon Lotus at the center of it all casting long, ominous shadows.

Suddenly, a wave of energy rippled through the air, heavy and oppressive. From each of the three leaders, a powerful aura began to radiate, unmistakably at the late stage of Qi Awakening. The sheer force of their presence caused the surrounding disciples to tense, their weapons trembling in their hands.

Jian Yi, of the Azure Sky Sect, stepped forward slightly, his aura calm yet razor-sharp, like the edge of an unsheathed blade. The faint flicker of blue energy surrounded him, his expression unwavering as his cold gaze locked onto Wei Feng. "It seems we're at an impasse. Are you truly prepared to stake your lives for a single herb?"

Wei Feng smirked, his crimson-tinged qi surging around him like a coiling serpent. "We don't back down, Jian Yi. If you think your Azure Sky Sect can intimidate us, you're welcome to try."

On the other side, Mei Rong of the Rose Cloud Palace let out a soft laugh, her voice carrying a hint of amusement. The green and red glow of her qi shimmered like flowing silk, but the power behind it was undeniable. "Such posturing," she said, folding her arms gracefully. "Perhaps we should simply settle this the old-fashioned way. Or… are you two too afraid to handle things yourselves?"

A sudden, bone-chilling howl pierced through the tense atmosphere, cutting through the oppressive silence like a blade. The sound reverberated through the forest, its eerie resonance seeming to come from all directions.

Xu Yan's eyes glinted as he shifted his gaze toward the darkness beyond the clearing. "Nightfang Wolves," he said calmly, his voice low but carrying across the group.

Wei Feng stiffened, his hand tightening on the hilt of his sword. "Stay on alert!" he barked, his crimson aura surging faintly. "These wolves hunt in packs and use the cover of darkness to ambush. Don't let your guard down for even a second."

Jian Yi's sharp gaze flicked toward the shadowy trees, his calm demeanor unshaken. "The same goes for us," he told his disciples, his tone steady but commanding.

Mei Rong tilted her head slightly, a faint smile playing on her lips as she gestured for her group to form a defensive formation. "It seems the forest doesn't favor any of us tonight," she said, her voice light but laced with caution.

Before anyone could react further, the glowing eyes surged forward, and the clearing erupted into chaos. The Nightfang Wolves emerged from the shadows, their sleek black forms blending seamlessly into the darkness. Their claws gleamed faintly under the dim light, and their fangs were bared, glowing faintly with a sinister green energy.

The first attack came from the edge of the Blood Fang Sect's formation, a wolf lunging at a disciple with terrifying speed. The disciple raised his blade in panic, but the wolf's claws swiped it aside with brutal force, sending him crashing into the ground. Screams and shouts echoed as wolves poured into the clearing from all sides, their pack's ferocity overwhelming.

"Defend yourselves!" Wei Feng roared, his sword slashing through the air to intercept a wolf mid-leap. His qi-infused saber cleaved through its chest, the beast yelping as it fell lifeless to the ground.

Jian Yi's calm demeanor gave way to precision and control as he led his Azure Sky Sect disciples, their movements fluid as they countered the wolf pack's ambush. A wolf lunged at him, but he sidestepped gracefully, his sword flicking out in a blur of light to sever its throat in one clean motion.

Mei Rong's group of Rose Cloud Palace disciples fought with coordination, their qi swirling in tandem to create defensive barriers and coordinated attacks. Mei Rong herself waved her fan gracefully, her strikes sending waves of shimmering red and green energy that knocked wolves back with explosive force.

Amid the chaos, Xu Yan stood at the edge of the Blood Fang Sect's formation, his eyes scanning for the nearest threat. A low growl came from his left, and before he could fully turn, a Nightfang Wolf lunged at him, its glowing fangs aimed directly for his throat.

Xu Yan shifted his stance, his body moving with instinctual precision. He sidestepped the attack, his fist already glowing with a faint red aura as he countered. With a sharp exhale, he launched a strike using the Blood Crushing Fist, his first surging into the blow.

His fist collided with the wolf's side, the impact echoing like a thunderclap. The wolf yelped as it was sent skidding across the ground, but it quickly regained its footing, its glowing eyes filled with feral fury.

Xu Yan didn't hesitate, stepping forward to close the distance. The wolf lunged again, claws swiping at his chest, but he ducked low, his movements fluid and precise. Rising with explosive force, he delivered an uppercut that struck the wolf squarely under its jaw, snapping its head back with a sickening crack. The beast crumpled to the ground, motionless.