The Crimson Lair – Betrayal and Retribution

The cold night air was thick with tension as Li Feng's silver eyes flickered with urgency. A familiar oppressive presence bore down on her.

"Jue'er, let's go! We can't fight them like this. They're both at my level… and I'm injured," she said, gripping his wrist tightly.

Li Jue gritted his teeth but nodded, frustration burning in his chest.

They burst out of the cave, sprinting across the rocky terrain of the Misty Forest. The dense foliage blurred past them as they pushed their bodies to the limit. Behind them, a terrifying aura closed in.

A deep voice, calm yet mocking, echoed behind them.

"It seems the Sect Master still hasn't recovered," the middle-aged man sneered.

The vixen-like woman chuckled, her tone laced with amusement. "And she has a weak, unfamiliar aura running alongside her. How interesting."

Li Jue felt his blood boil. Weak? If he had the strength, he would rip these two apart!

He turned his gaze to Li Feng as they ran, his voice low but firm. "Feng'er, why are they after you? They injured you so badly before… and they're still chasing you now?"

Li Feng's brows furrowed, a troubled look flashing across her face. "I didn't want to tell you. I wanted to keep you out of this… but I've already dragged you into my mess."

Li Jue didn't hesitate. He reached for her hand mid-stride, gripping it firmly.

"You're my woman now. If I don't protect you, who will?"

Li Feng's steps faltered for just a split second. A soft pink hue crept up her pale cheeks, but she sighed and squeezed his hand back, a complicated light in her silver eyes.

"…Alright. Listen carefully."

She took a deep breath before speaking, her voice filled with bitterness.

"The two chasing us… they're Great Elders of my Sect. Second only to me in rank."

Li Jue's expression darkened. Traitors?

"We came to the Misty Forest because of a rumor. A heavily injured Golden Space Dragon and Silver Void Dragon had appeared here. If we could help them recover, we might earn their favor and convince them to become our Sect's guardian beasts."

Her fists clenched. "But…"

Li Jue could already tell where this was going. "Something went wrong."

Li Feng's voice was laced with fury.

"When we arrived at the cave… the dragons were heavily injured. Their bodies were covered in wounds, but… they were protecting something with their last bit of strength."

Li Jue's eyes narrowed. "What was it?"

"These two traitors got curious and tried to move closer to see. The dragons went berserk. They attacked us, but it wasn't to kill—it was to repel us."

She let out a shaky breath.

"I ordered them to stop. I didn't want to agitate the dragons further. So I moved forward alone while they stayed behind. I left behind some high-level healing herbs, divine-grade beast cores, and medicinal pills near them. I wanted to show them… that we weren't there to hurt them."

Li Jue's grip on her hand tightened. "Then what happened?"

"The dragons hesitated… then accepted my offering. They ate the pills, absorbed the beast cores, and their wounds began healing. But as they moved away from what they were protecting… we saw it."

She took a deep breath before revealing the truth.

"Two massive Dragon Eggs—one golden, one silver."

Li Jue's eyes widened. "Dragon eggs?"

Li Feng nodded grimly.

"The moment the eggs were exposed… those two bastards lost all self-control. They ignored my orders and tried to move closer to take the eggs for themselves."

She clenched her fists, her nails digging into her palm.

"The dragons attacked again—this time with lethal intent. They weren't just trying to repel us anymore. They were furious."

Li Jue's voice was filled with killing intent. "And those two pushed you forward to take the brunt of the attack, didn't they?"

Li Feng's expression darkened. "…Yes."

Her voice trembled with anger. "Not only that—they used sneak attacks to seriously injure me while I was blocking the dragons' attack. I was caught between both assaults… and I was critically wounded."

Li Jue's fury ignited.

If he had power, he would have killed those bastards on the spot!

Li Feng continued, her voice laced with pain. "Once I was out of the fight, the two of them turned on the dragons. The dragons had already exhausted their strength defending their eggs, and after their final attack, they had nothing left…"

Li Jue's heart sank. "They were slaughtered."

She nodded, her voice barely above a whisper.

"They killed them. Without mercy. Even when the dragons could barely stand."

She gritted her teeth. "But those greedy scum weren't satisfied. They tried to store the eggs in their storage rings. But the eggs had a forbidden array cast upon them."

Li Jue tensed. "A protective barrier?"

"Yes. The moment they tried to store them, the ban formation activated, dealing a severe recoil attack."

Her lips curled into a cold smile.

"I took that opportunity. I used the last of my strength to launch a sneak attack on them. It wasn't enough to kill them… but it was enough to wound them."

She exhaled.

"And before they could recover… the ban formation broke. The eggs were no longer sealed. I took them into my storage ring and escaped."

Li Jue's fists were trembling with rage.

"…That's why the serpent attacked you."

"Yes. It must have sensed the eggs' aura leaking."

Li Jue gritted his teeth, his entire being burning with frustration.

"If only I were stronger, I'd kill those traitorous bastards myself for daring to touch you!"

Li Feng's eyes softened.

She gently placed her hand over his trembling fist, her warmth soothing his rage.

"…It's not your fault, Jue'er," she whispered. "I was careless. But…"

Her gaze became tender. "I'm happy… that you care so much about me."

Li Jue felt his heart race.

For the first time in his life, he wanted power not for himself—but for her.

To protect her.

To make sure no one would ever hurt her again.

—

The thick canopy of the Misty Forest shrouded the land in eerie twilight. The scent of damp earth mixed with the distant growls of lurking demon beasts, adding an oppressive atmosphere to the chase.

Li Feng and Li Jue sprinted through the ancient trees, their breath steady despite the urgency of their escape. The heavy **Void Suppression Auras** of the two elders loomed ever closer.

"Jue'er, we can't outrun them for long," Li Feng's voice carried a sharp edge. "Even if I was at full strength, fighting both of them at once would be difficult. Right now… it's impossible."

Li Jue clenched his jaw, frustration boiling in his chest.

"Then what do we do?"

Li Feng's silver eyes gleamed with determination. "We set a trap."

Li Jue's eyes narrowed. "A trap?"

She nodded, her grip on his wrist tightening. "There's a **Demon Beast Den** nearby. A **Tier 7 Crimson Bone Ape** is rumored to dwell there."

Li Jue's expression darkened. **A Tier 7 Demon Beast?!** Even peak Void Tribulation experts would struggle against such a foe!

"You want to lure them inside?"

Li Feng smirked. "Exactly."

Li Jue's eyes flickered with understanding. "You're counting on their arrogance."

Li Feng's smile turned cold. "Those two always underestimate others. They'll assume we're running blindly in desperation. They won't realize we're leading them straight into a slaughterhouse."

Without another word, they altered their course, heading towards the ominous cave in the distance.

The entrance of the **Crimson Bone Ape's Lair** was carved into a steep cliffside, jagged rocks and scattered bones painting a grim picture. The lingering scent of blood and rotting flesh filled the air.

Li Jue's grip on his sword tightened. "Once we're inside, how do we make sure the beast attacks them and not us?"

Li Feng smiled and retrieved a shimmering **black jade pendant** from her storage ring.

"This is the **Void Phantom Veil**—a high-legendary grade artifact. It can mask both our auras and physical presence for a short time, making us completely undetectable."

Li Jue's eyes widened. "That's… incredible."

Li Feng winked. "Perks of being a Sect Master."

The two of them hurried inside the cave, their figures vanishing as the **Void Phantom Veil** activated. The world seemed to blur around them as their presence faded into nothingness.

Moments later, two powerful figures descended upon the entrance.

The **first elder**, a middle-aged man with a stern face and long gray robes, sneered as he scanned the area. "They ran in here? Fools. They've cornered themselves."

The **second elder**, a fox-like woman with a seductive smirk, licked her lips. "A beast's lair, huh? They must be truly desperate."

She flicked her fingers, conjuring a blood-red **Soul Tracking Flame** in her palm.

"Their scent still lingers. They're inside."

The man grunted. "Hmph. If they think hiding in a cave will save them, they're gravely mistaken."

Without hesitation, the two elders strode into the cave, their auras radiating absolute confidence.

Deep inside the cavern, Li Feng whispered to Li Jue. "Now."

With precise control, she **fired a silent energy blast** at the sleeping **Crimson Bone Ape**, striking its massive chest before retreating further into the darkness.

The beast's eyes **snapped open**.

A monstrous roar **shook the cavern walls**, and the air **trembled** with killing intent.

The two elders froze.

"Damn it!" the man cursed. "A Tier 7 Crimson Bone Ape!"

The vixen-like woman's expression darkened. "Did they… lead us here on purpose?"

But before she could contemplate further, the massive **crimson-furred demon ape** charged at them, its **clawed fists glowing with brutal demonic energy**.

"ROOOAAAARRR!"

The **battle erupted** in an instant.

The middle-aged elder dodged sideways, conjuring his **Heavenly Thunder Palm**—a mid-legendary grade technique that crackled with electric destruction.

**BOOOM!**

The attack struck the beast's shoulder, sending sparks flying, but the ape barely flinched.

The female elder's figure blurred as she invoked her **Phantom Mirage Steps**, an advanced movement technique that left afterimages in her wake. She flicked her fingers, unleashing a barrage of **Scarlet Moon Needles**, **high-legendary grade poison artifacts**, aimed directly at the beast's eyes.

The **Crimson Bone Ape** roared in fury, swinging its colossal arm and **shattering the incoming attack** with brute force.

Li Jue and Li Feng watched from the shadows, their presence hidden.

Li Jue's eyes gleamed with excitement. "This is working better than I thought."

Li Feng smirked. "Let them struggle. Once they exhaust themselves… we'll strike."

The **battle intensified** as the beast went berserk. The cave walls trembled under the force of its attacks. The two elders found themselves forced onto the defensive.

The male elder conjured his **Sky Splitting Spear**, a **low-divine grade weapon**, and slashed at the beast's neck.

The attack landed—blood sprayed across the cave floor.

But it wasn't enough.

The **Crimson Bone Ape retaliated instantly**, smashing its fist into the elder's ribs with a sickening **crack**.

"Gahhh—!" The elder **spat blood**, his body crashing into the cavern wall.

The vixen woman's expression turned grim. "Useless fool."

She conjured her **Moon Devouring Blade**, a **high-legendary grade artifact**, and **unleashed a crescent-shaped energy slash**.

The attack **sliced through the beast's thigh**, leaving a deep wound.

The ape let out a **furious howl** and **went berserk**, its aura erupting with untamed power.

The two elders, now wounded and weary, exchanged glances.

"This isn't worth it," the man spat, wiping the blood from his lips. "Let's kill this thing quickly and be done with it!"

The woman nodded.

They prepared to launch their finishing moves.

But in that **very moment**—

**Two silent figures struck from the darkness.**

Li Jue and Li Feng **moved as one**, their bodies concealed by the **Void Phantom Veil**.

Li Feng's **Snow Lotus Sword**—a **high-legendary grade weapon**, gleamed with chilling frost as she slashed at the **vixen woman's neck**.

At the same time, Li Jue **unleashed his Eclipse Sovereign Slash**, a deadly fusion of **yin and yang energy**, aimed directly at the **male elder's exposed back**.

Their attacks were **perfectly timed**.

Before the elders could even **sense the danger**—

**SLASH!**

**The cave was filled with the sound of tearing flesh.**