Devil's Shadow, Heaven's Bane

The eerie silence of the Bone-Eating Forest pressed against Zhang Yan like a suffocating veil. Each step he took was deliberate, his ears tuned to the slightest rustle in the undergrowth. The moon, hidden behind thick, swirling mist, cast faint silver tendrils that barely illuminated the treacherous path ahead.

Shi Lihua moved beside him, her presence barely perceptible save for the occasional glint of her blade. "The ones we fought weren't the only threats lurking here," she murmured. "The strong prey on the weak—always."

Zhang Yan nodded. The scent of blood still lingered in the air from his previous battle, a silent invitation to predators, both beast and man. The forest was alive with unseen dangers, whispers carried by the wind that may have belonged to ghosts or vengeful disciples biding their time.

A sharp crack echoed behind them.

Zhang Yan twisted, dagger poised. From the shadows, a figure emerged—another disciple, his robe torn, his breath ragged. "Help me," he gasped. "They're coming."

Shi Lihua's eyes narrowed. "Who?"

Before he could answer, a chilling snarl erupted from the darkness. A pair of glowing eyes locked onto them—not human.

A massive beast prowled forward, its skeletal frame rippling with corrupted qi. Its exposed ribs gleamed like sharpened fangs, its jaw dripping with the remains of its last victim. A Demon-Touched Stalker.

The wounded disciple turned to flee, but he wasn't fast enough. The creature pounced, its claws raking across his back. A gurgled scream—then silence.

Zhang Yan didn't hesitate. He shot forward, his blade striking toward the beast's exposed flank. The steel met resistance—its hide was unnaturally tough. It reared back, its unnatural screech reverberating through the trees.

Shi Lihua moved like a wraith, her blade flashing toward its eyes. The beast howled, jerking away at the last moment, but she had drawn first blood.

Zhang Yan seized the opening, pivoting low and driving his dagger into the joint of its leg. The creature staggered, fury burning in its glowing eyes.

It lunged again—

Zhang Yan barely twisted away in time, the wind of its claws slicing past his cheek. Shi Lihua vaulted onto its back, her blade stabbing down. The beast bucked, slamming into a tree in a desperate attempt to shake her off. She gritted her teeth, holding firm as she drove her dagger deeper.

Zhang Yan saw his chance. He leapt forward, plunging his weapon into the beast's exposed throat.

A final, ear-piercing shriek—and then it collapsed, its corrupted qi dispersing into the air like smoke.

Shi Lihua landed lightly beside him, breathing hard. "Not bad," she muttered, wiping blood from her lip. "But next time, let's avoid getting surrounded."

Zhang Yan smirked, rolling his shoulders. "No promises."

The forest was silent once more, but the night's dangers were far from over.