Chapter 18: Flames in the Mountain, Shadows in the Heart

Molana stood atop her tower balcony in the royal palace, the sunlight illuminating her silken black dress, yet her expression was dark. The breeze carried with it the scent of the kingdom—sweet fruit, hot stone, and... power slipping through her fingers.

"Another failure?" she hissed.

The report on her desk said it all: Shadowblade, dead. Han, crippled. The boy—missing.

Rodgers, her favored plaything and informant, stood quietly nearby. She turned her heated gaze toward him.

  "I gave you chances, and what did you do? Watch the brat kill one assassin after another?"

Rodgers flinched. "My queen, he's left Moon Lotus City. I've planted eyes in three regions. We will find him—"

Her voice sliced through him.

  "Enough. If we can't find him, we'll lure him. The king is still breathing, and that won't do."

She turned to the shadows of the room. Her eyes gleamed.

  "Poison him faster. And call my father. If we want the throne, we take it before this so-called prince becomes a storm we can't control."

Meanwhile: In the Mountains

Jin's breath curled in the morning air. His cloak fluttered behind him as he scaled the jagged slopes, his goal simple: more beast cores, more insights, more strength.

With the system dormant, he relied on instinct and technique.

He practiced his Paragon Heaven Manual, aligning his body to the wind. Every punch left a ripple in the air, every movement swifter than the one before. The Tyrant Body flexed with new power, strengthened from his brutal battle days ago. He meditated briefly on the Frost Requiem but would return to it later. The storm within his bloodlines was calm for now.

Then he heard it—a muffled voice. A cry.

He darted through the trees and arrived at a clearing. There, a group of five rogue cultivators surrounded a girl. Her robes were torn, her face flushed unnaturally. Her eyes were hazy with desperation and shame.

She was chained by a talisman glowing faint red.

One of the men licked his lips. "Even drugged, she's resisting. Seal her spirit again. Her fire beast will fetch us more coin once she's—"

He didn't finish.

A gust of wind cleaved through the clearing, followed by the dull thud of a head hitting the earth.

The remaining four turned to see a figure cloaked in silver. Eyes cold. Aura crimson.

Jin.

  "You want to play with someone unconscious?" His voice was low, lethal.

They attacked without words, drawing swords and casting fire arts.

But Jin didn't flinch.

He surged forward, fists smashing through earth shields, wind swirling around his steps. His strikes were surgical—breaking bones, shattering ribs.

Blood sprayed.

As the last fell, gasping for breath, Jin's Blood Demon Bloodline stirred. The scent of betrayal was thick in the air.

Without intending to, his body reacted.

Dark red mist coiled around him. Blood qi flowed into his dantian. He groaned as strength surged through his veins. His bloodline progressed. +2% Blood Demon Awakening.

A pulse of instinct followed.

[New Skill Gained – Blood Devour Sutra]

Allows passive absorption of blood qi from slain enemies. Temporary stat boosts on kill. Increases cultivation speed when surrounded by death.

He blinked.

  "That... wasn't supposed to happen."

Then he noticed the girl. Unconscious, her skin burning up, her breath erratic.

He picked her up. Her beast—a crimson Fire Lion cub—was bound nearby. He freed it and stored it with her in the system's inventory.

  "Let's get you help."

Back at Camp: Earlier Than Expected

Lana wiped her forehead as she stirred a pot over a fire. Arielle diced vegetables, humming softly.

"This surprise meal will cheer him up," Lana said with a proud smile.

Arielle nodded. "He's been doing too much. Let's give him a reason to relax."

But then they saw someone approach.

Jin.

Dust-covered, expression grim, and carrying someone in his arms.

They rushed forward. Arielle gasped. "Who is she?"

"She's Sarah… from a party I once joined. Her team tried to assault her. I killed them."

He placed the girl down gently. The Fire Lion emerged, curling protectively around her.

Lana covered her mouth in shock. Arielle looked at the girl again, then at Jin.

Her voice was calm.

  "Did you… do anything with her?"

Jin shook his head. "No. She's poisoned with an aphrodisiac. She's been resisting it. I'll help her when she wakes."

Arielle gave a small nod. "Alright."

Sarah stirred just before evening. Her eyes fluttered open, and she grabbed Jin's hand weakly.

  "Th-Thank you… They… they drugged me. I don't remember much—just heat. I tried to fight it, but…"

She looked at Lana and Arielle and bowed weakly. "I'm sorry… I didn't mean to impose."

"It's okay," Arielle said softly, pouring her a cup of cool tea.

Sarah tried to sit but winced. "The drug is still in me. I'm suppressing it with my fire qi… but it won't last long…"

The air turned awkward.

Everyone knew what might have to be done if it worsened.

Jin remained silent. Arielle helped Sarah lie down again.

No more words were spoken.

That Night

Jin sat outside by the fire, sharpening a blade while the Fire Lion slept nearby.

He looked at the mountains.

In two days, he would enter the Dragon Inheritance Grounds. But not yet. He needed to be ready.

Inside, Lana and Arielle prepared sleeping mats. Lana leaned close and whispered:

  "Do you like that girl?"

Arielle blushed. "Not like that… I just… understand her pain."

The night was silent.

Jin stayed awake, watching the flames.