THE HUNT HAD BEGAN

Butler Oda stood at the helm of the small elite force, leading the charge with the First Shah and Second Shah flanking him on either side. The remaining pillars followed close behind, their footsteps silent against the uneven terrain.

They moved as specters, unseen, unheard — warriors trained to vanish into the night.

This was no ordinary mission.

Solaris was not a target that could be approached casually, not an enemy that could be cornered without absolute precision.

Dark Arts cultivators did not run — they prepared.

And preparation meant one thing: death was coming for someone.

Oda's eyes flickered toward the narrow passage ahead. Hidden Valley was close.

"We'll reach the valley before dawn," he murmured, voice barely above the breeze.

The First Shah tightened his grip on the hilt of his blade.

"Solaris won't stay still if he knows we're coming," he muttered.

The Second Shah exhaled slowly, gaze sharp.

"Then we must ensure he never sees us coming."