The spray of the ocean was cold, but the blood painting the jagged reef was scalding hot. Sect Leader Hua Yimei lay crumpled on the unforgiving black stone, her breath coming in ragged, wet gasps. The bone-anchor of the Old Monster Crimson Shark had shattered her sonic barrier and crushed her ribs on the left side. Every inhalation was a jagged knife twisting in her chest.
Through the haze of pain and the strange, burning heat that was beginning to cloud her mind, she saw the shadow of the monster looming over her. The Crimson Shark grinned, his serrated teeth dripping with anticipation, his hand reaching out to claim his prize.
'Is this how it ends?' Hua Yimei thought, despair clawing at her soul. 'My daughter trapped... my sect leaderless... and me, a plaything for a demon?'
Suddenly, the heavens roared.
