A massive gap had opened in her chest and blood gushed heavily. She tried to speak, but Xu Jian completely ignored her.
At that moment, five individuals appeared before Xu Jian, surrounded by ominous auras and faces full of malice.
One of the leaders:
"You're very strong… Entertaining. Entertain us more."
The demoness' body suddenly disappeared, but the leader absorbed her energy completely, and smiled wickedly.
Leader:
"Will you fight all of us? Five against one?"
Xu Jian (confidently):
"I don't care, even if you were a hundred."
Suddenly, Arthur appeared beside Xu Jian, with Melina.
Arthur:
"Did you fight them alone?"
Xu Jian (calmly):
"No, the one who killed the driver died in a single blow. But," (he pointed at the leader), "he's the one who absorbed her."
Arthur (with a smirk):
"They're interesting."
Melina:
"They'll see what gem hunters can do."
Tension fills the air, the storm is about to begin... The forest is tense. With the fall of the driver, battle becomes inevitable. Xu Jian, head held high and arrogant as ever, prepares for the fight.
Dialogue between Xu Jian and Arthur before the battle:
Xu Jian:
"Arthur, listen carefully. I won't be able to use my technique this time."
Arthur (surprised):
"Why?"
Xu Jian:
"My technique doesn't work on those stronger than me… or on my level. It seems their leader might be my equal... so this battle will be extremely dangerous."
Arthur (sarcastically):
"So, who's going to face the leader?"
Xu Jian (with a confident smile):
"Obviously, this esteemed gentleman only fights the strong."
Xu Jian steps forward.
He slicks back his blood-soaked hair and throws aside his burning coat. With confidence, he rubs his sharp chin and says:
"Show me what you've got."
With a swift and powerful punch, Xu Jian sends a wave that shakes the air, reaching the leader directly. The leader takes the hit but doesn't fall—he backs away from his allies, preparing for a one-on-one.
First confrontation between Xu Jian and the leader Ethan:
The leader launches a massive red orb covered in a deadly aura that shakes the entire forest. Xu Jian, with a wide grin, blocks the attack but suffers minor injuries—his hand is soaked in blood.
Leader (boasting):
"I've never told anyone my name before, but you deserve it. My name is Ethan… and it's the name of the one who will kill you."
Xu Jian (mocking):
"Boring name for someone who's going to die soon."
Arthur fights fiercely.
He engages one of the demons, showing exceptional speed and precision in his attacks. The demon struggles to dodge, but Arthur flips and delivers a strong sidekick.
Arthur (confidently):
"I thought you were stronger than this. Have you disappointed me?"
Melina takes on the majority.
She's forced to face three demons at once, but her strength and combat skills allow her to hold on.
Melina (internally):
"Why is it always the strongest who face the most enemies?"
Yet, she can't hide her jealousy of the spotlight Xu Jian always claims.
The forest atmosphere:
As the carriage speeds unnaturally, Xu Jian leans halfway out the window, his eyes scanning for danger. Suddenly, a flying demoness with a blood-stained, deformed face appears, smiling wickedly. Without hesitation, Xu Jian hurls himself out of the carriage straight at her, delivering a powerful punch that sends her flying back.
First dialogue:
Demoness (seductively):
"Who are you, handsome?"
Xu Jian (with a sarcastic smile):
"Is it permitted for the dead to know the name of their killer? Don't worry, you'll see me in hell later."
Demoness:
"Oh, I like men like you… Wouldn't it be better if you became my pet?"
A terrifying strike:
The demoness takes a sudden, near-fatal blow. She stands up with difficulty, her body bleeding heavily.
Demoness (confused):
"What just happened…?"
Xu Jian (quiet and menacing):
"Nothing important… Except you're far weaker than I expected."
---
The arrival of Ethan:
Suddenly, five powerful demonic figures descend before Xu Jian. One of them, the leader, absorbs the body of the slain demoness.
Ethan (with a deep voice):
"You're very strong… but you won't defeat us all. Let me entertain you a little."
Xu Jian (confidently):
"Five? Ten? A hundred? It doesn't matter. If you seek death—come!"
---
Arthur and Melina enter:
Arthur joins Xu Jian, his sword crackling with electricity.
Arthur (smirking):
"Did you start without me? I thought you liked team games."
From the other side, Melina prepares to face three demons. The forest is dark, full of monsters.
Events begin after the carriage driver falls and Xu Jian kills the demoness in one blow. But the tension increases with the arrival of Ethan and his four allies. Xu Jian looks at Ethan with confidence, while blood drips from his hand.
---
Dialogue between Xu Jian and Arthur:
Arthur:
"Xu Jian, are you going to use your technique?"
Xu Jian (calmly):
"It's useless. My technique doesn't work on those at my level or stronger."
Arthur:
"Then who's going to face the leader?"
Xu Jian (with a confident smile):
"Of course, the esteemed one here will take care of it."
---
The buildup:
Xu Jian pushes his hair back and throws his torn coat aside. Suddenly, he charges and delivers a powerful punch at the leader—the air tears from the force. The leader takes the attack.
---
Tense battle atmosphere:
A dark demonic aura spreads, choking the air. Terrifying screams echo, as if the fallen are crying from another world. Xu Jian glares at Ethan, his expression hardens, his voice sharper.
Xu Jian:
"Are you underestimating me? Show me your demon transformation now… or…"
Ethan (mockingly):
"Or what? Show me you're worthy of seeing it, or there's no point."
Rage flares within Xu Jian. Pain erupts in his head. His eyes turn into deep black voids, like gates to nothingness. His voice becomes deeper and more feral:
Xu Jian (dark voice):
"I'll kill you… and bury you in the darkness you call your domain."
---
The battle scene:
Xu Jian dashes toward Ethan at incredible speed, delivering fast and chaotic but devastating strikes. Sharp punches and precise kicks shake the ground beneath them. His Absolute Domain presses hard on Ethan, forcing him to retreat for the first time since the fight began.
Ethan feels frustration and anger. Dark veins glow on his body. He lets out a deep roar like that of a beast.
Ethan (furiously):
"This is extremely annoying… If you want to see the real me—then so be it!"
---
Demonic transformation begins.
Ethan's body bends unnaturally, bones shifting in bizarre ways. Darkness surrounds and consumes him. His form transforms into a pitch-black creature with a terrifying aura that forces everyone back.
Arthur (terrified):
"This isn't from our world… I feel something catastrophic is coming."
He rushes to finish his opponent with a killing blow, then heads to assist Xu Jian.
Chapter Title: The Soul Ignites
"This thing… it's not of this world… I feel something catastrophic is coming," Arthur muttered in terror.
The demonic transformation begins. Ethan's body twists unnaturally, bones shifting in ways no human could endure. Darkness engulfs him entirely. His form mutates into a pitch-black creature, surrounded by a horrifying aura that forces everyone to retreat.
Arthur, panicking, tries to finish off his opponent quickly and then rushes to help Xu Jian.
The confrontation with the transformed Ethan begins.
Xu Jian smiles fiercely. "Oh… come on, show me your power."
Before he can finish his sentence, Ethan appears in a blink and slashes at him with a blade-like arm. But Arthur moves with lightning speed, pulling Xu Jian away and taking the blow to his own back.
Xu Jian, furious: "Why, you fool?! I told you he was mine!"
Xu Jian raises his fist, ready to punch Arthur, but the latter screams back:
Arthur: "You idiot! You almost died—and risked our entire mission. Now we're in deep trouble. Tell me… what will you do now?"
A moment of silence.
Xu Jian is about to speak, but stops. The oppressive aura intensifies, silence fills the air. Everyone feels that whatever decision Xu Jian makes now… will change the course of the battle.
Inside his mind, Xu Jian's rage boils.
"Is this mockery? Am I weak? No… no. This is nonsense. I won't accept being seen as weak!"
Suddenly, a demon appears behind him, trying to attack—but Xu Jian's rage explodes. His Absolute Domain intensifies horrifyingly, crushing the demon's body before it even touches him.
Ethan smirks. "Oh… interesting."
Xu Jian kneels beside Arthur, who is gravely injured, and places a hand on his chest, channeling healing energy.
Arthur opens his eyes weakly. "What happened…?"
Xu Jian: "I healed you. Now… let's finish this."
Arthur gives a faint smile. "Heh… that's not like you. But alright…"
They both stand in battle stance. But then—
Xu Jian suddenly looks at Arthur coldly, speeds toward him, and knocks him out with a blow to the back of the head. He gently tosses Arthur toward the prince.
Xu Jian (to the prince): "Take him. Get back to the city."
Melina: "I'll help you fight! I won't leave you alone!"
Xu Jian, eyes glowing with fury: "Go with them. Protect them."
Melina: "You're not my commander."
He stares at her with terrifying intensity, making her take a step back.
Xu Jian (firmly): "I'll say this only once. Go with them. And don't let any of them get hurt. Do your job well."
She senses the seriousness in his tone and decides to leave—though the tension is written all over her face.
Suddenly, Ethan moves at impossible speed, heading straight toward the prince and Melina to kill them. But Xu Jian appears in front of him, stopping the strike with his palm, glaring with pure rage.
Xu Jian: "Don't mess around. I'm your opponent. Kill me first… then you can try to get to them. But you won't get that far. Unleash everything you have… and prepare to die. Even if I must destroy myself—I'll shatter your body… and your pride."
A wide grin spreads across Ethan's face as his dark aura doubles in size.
---
Next Chapter: When Souls Ignite
Xu Jian stands in the battlefield. His body is weary—but his black eyes burn with strength and determination. He stares at Ethan, who now appears as a fusion of demon and absolute power, having absorbed his allies. Ethan's energy warps the very air, weighing on everyone's chest. But Xu Jian does not flinch.
Ethan: "Hahahaha! Let's see if you can survive this new power. This is your end… human."
Xu Jian (calmly, confidently): "Talk all you want. Let's finish this."
Their auras rise and clash—light and shadow filling the sky. Xu Jian slowly raises his hand. A strange glint flickers in his demonic eye. His aura expands, covering a vast space, shaking the earth. All living beings across the continent tremble in fear.
Ethan: "W-what… what is this power?!"
Xu Jian (with a terrifying smile): "This… is the Eye of the Demon—beyond the limits of your imagination. This is the end."
The battle escalates.
Xu Jian vanishes and reappears across the battlefield, launching a flurry of lethal blows that forces Ethan to retreat for the first time. The Absolute Domain becomes a cage, trapping the demon and limiting his movement.
Ethan (furiously): "You can't break me that easily!"
Ethan tries to strike, but the Spirit Shield around Xu Jian absorbs the damage and reflects it. Suddenly, Xu Jian activates his new technique—"World-Ending Flame."
Black flames erupt around him, merging with his condensed soul energy to form a towering demonic figure—like something from the ancient legends.
Ethan: "No… this can't be! This is beyond anything I imagined…"
Without a word, Xu Jian turns coldly, then charges. The black inferno strikes Ethan with overwhelming force, burning deep into his chest. Ethan's scream shakes the heavens.
And then—something strange begins to happen…