Tianlan's right hand swung down in a sharp, decisive arc.
"—Sky‐Cleave Slash!!"
That strike drained the last of his strength.
The blade hammered into Kuang Yan's chest with brutal force—
the black scales split apart, and blood sprayed into the air.
The nine clan heads were all stunned speechless.
Their shock wasn't merely because Tianlan had wounded Kuang Yan.
Magus Clan Head Cang Song frowned and turned toward Sword Saint Clan Head Yao Feng.
"Hey, Xiao Feng… that move—wasn't that from your clan?"
Yao Feng exhaled slowly.
"Yeah. No doubt about it.
Though the power is nowhere near Jianchen's earlier strike—and he didn't even use a sword—
but the movement itself is definitely Sky-Cleave Slash."
Bow God Clan Head Feng Yu immediately snapped:
"Each clan is only allowed ONE contestant.
Sword Saint clan—are you cheating?!"
Yao Feng held up both hands.
"Nope. He's not ours. I don't know him at all."
Crimson Lotus Clan Head Hong Jin narrowed his eyes.
"But that was clearly your clan's technique.
We've fought each other for years—you can't fool us."
Yao Feng forced a wry smile.
"I don't get it either.
But he's really not one of ours.
And if I were to send a second fighter…
I have plenty stronger than him. I wouldn't pick that kid."
Cang Song nodded.
"Fair. But sorry—I'm not doubting you.
We just need an explanation for everyone."
Yao Feng shrugged.
"It's fine. I'm curious myself."
Cang Song raised his hand.
"Anrui—go investigate that boy.
I want everything about his background."
The man behind him—leader of the clan's shadow agents—bowed.
"As you command."
Then his figure dissolved into the air, vanishing completely.
(Shadow Agents are secret operatives possessed by every clan, responsible for intelligence, assassinations, and all tasks that must never be seen by daylight. All of them undergo a brutal special training conducted by the mysterious Ghost-Sting Clan.
Some clans pay enormous sums or offer rare treasures for this privilege; the Magus Clan, however, provides high-grade concealment and defensive barrier arrays on Ghost-Sting territory as payment.
Because of this arrangement—and because even trainees never know how they are transported—the location of the Ghost-Sting Clan remains one of the greatest mysteries in the world.)
Fist Emperor Clan Head Zhen Yue let out a low whistle.
"Forget whether he's from Yao Feng's side or not—
breaking through Kuang Yan's black scales without magic…
That kid's something else!"
But Crimson Lotus Clan Head Hong Jin murmured coldly:
"Impressive or not… he's finished."
Just as Tianlan felt a surge of joy for finally injuring Kuang Yan—
A suffocating killing intent flooded over him.
And the next instant—
BOOM!!!
A massive claw of condensed dark magic slashed across the battlefield!
The razor-sharp talons raked across Tianlan's chest—
blood blasted out like water forced from a burst pipe.
His body was hurled away like a ragdoll, smashing through tree after tree before crashing to the ground.
Kuang Yan's form had completely transformed.
His body was covered in black scales, his frame larger and leaner, limbs stretched long, fangs gleaming, and a thick tail whipping behind him like a living whip.
He had fully turned into a Black-Scaled Demon Leopard.
Clutching the wound Tianlan had carved into him, Kuang Yan let out a thunderous roar, then turned away—
charging off in search of his next prey.
The hunt had begun.
Tianlan lay where he had crashed, having broken several trees in his flight.
He slumped against a trunk, blood flooding from his chest as his life faded rapidly.
A figure darted through the forest toward him—
Xuan Ye.
He immediately pressed a glowing hand against Tianlan's mangled chest, pouring healing magic into him.
Xuan Ye muttered irritably:
"Tch… still too slow.
This is way beyond what my healing can fix.
I told you… you shouldn't have come here."
A short while earlier—
When Kuang Yan and the giant ape began their violent clash,
Xuan Ye noticed Tianlan heading toward the danger.
Reading his book, he sighed softly to the empty air:
"You shouldn't go there…"
After a moment of hesitation, he closed the book and stood up.
He truly intended to help Tianlan—repaying the unexpected kindness from the other day.
But his movement speed was too slow.
By the time he arrived, Tianlan was already on the brink of death.
Then Jianchen arrived as well.
He had followed the surge of kuang Yan's violent aura—curious who could possibly force Kuang Yan to "get serious."
But by the time he reached the scene, Kuang Yan was gone.
Seeing Tianlan barely clinging to life, Jianchen's eyes widened.
"What happened…?
This wound—he was fighting Kuang Yan?"
He frowned.
"That shouldn't be possible… with his strength, he shouldn't be able to force Kuang Yan to even care."
He turned to Xuan Ye.
"You know what happened?"
Xuan Ye answered plainly:
"Isn't it obvious?"
Jianchen's brows knitted.
"I'm not asking who hurt him—I want to know what happened between them.
You can tell this kid shouldn't have been able to make Kuang Yan attack like this."
Xuan Ye shook his head.
"He was already like this when I got here.
I wanted to… never mind. Too late."
Jianchen sighed.
"No point digging into it now.
But you—coming out of your shell to help someone?
You two know each other?"
Xuan Ye nodded slightly.
"We've had a little contact.
And you? You seem to know him too."
Jianchen shrugged.
"Just met him for a day.
Don't even know his name."
After exchanging what they learned about Tianlan—
Jianchen spoke bluntly:
"You know your healing magic can't save him.
So—give him a clean end.
If you can't do it, I will."
Xuan Ye was silent for a long moment before answering.
"...Yeah. But let's ask him first."
He leaned close to Tianlan.
"Hey. Can you hear me?
If you can, move a finger."
Tianlan's fingers trembled faintly.
Xuan Ye continued:
"If you want us to end it—raise one finger.
If you want to keep fighting—raise two.
But know this: my healing will only buy you a little time.
You will die soon.
And you must be in incredible pain—"
Before he even finished—
Tianlan struggled painfully and raised two fingers.
Xuan Ye sighed.
"...Alright."
He resumed healing, knowing full well it only slowed the inevitable.
"I don't know how long he can last.
Hanging on like this… isn't a solution."
Jianchen suddenly said:
"Normally I'd insist on ending it quickly…
But for some reason, I've got a feeling—
the trial's about to end soon.
Let him be.
He's the one suffering, not us."
Xuan Ye nodded.
"You sensed Kuang Yan beginning a full-on hunt, right?
Yeah… it's the fourth day now.
There shouldn't be many contestants left."
He looked down at Tianlan.
"I don't know what you did to that crazy leopard…
but maybe his 'overreaction' will end up saving your life."
He tried to encourage him.
But Tianlan's consciousness was slipping.
Their voices grew faint—
farther… and farther…
Until one familiar voice echoed through the darkness:
"...Tianlan…"
Calling out to him.
(To be continued)