Chapter 4: Night Guard’s Domain

The quiet rustle of leaves and the soft crunch of boots against the forest floor filled the air as Ishar made his way along a narrow path. Fei followed behind him, his steps hurried and unsteady, while the two skeletons flanked them silently. The new recruit had barely said a word since Ishar allowed him to join, and Ishar preferred it that way.

"Are you certain about this?" Fei finally asked, his voice trembling slightly.

"If you want power, you'll learn to take it," Ishar replied coldly. "This is how you prove yourself. Speak again only when necessary."

Fei clenched his fists, swallowing his protests as they continued forward.

They had been traveling for hours, following a rumor Ishar had overheard in the village. The Night Guard, a militia tasked with protecting the region, operated a training ground deep in the forest. It was said to be a place where aspiring cultivators were tempered through rigorous training—a place where Ishar could test his limits and perhaps acquire more resources.

The forest opened into a wide clearing, and Ishar's sharp gaze swept over the area. The Night Guard's training grounds were larger than he had anticipated. Wooden dummies lined the edges of the field, while rows of makeshift tents surrounded a central platform where a group of guards sparred under the guidance of a towering figure.

"Captain Long," Fei whispered, his voice barely audible. "He's the leader of the Night Guard. They say he's at the peak of the Body Tempering Realm. He's… strong."

"Not strong enough," Ishar said, his tone dismissive. His eyes lingered on Captain Long, who barked orders at the trainees. The man's movements were precise and powerful, but Ishar saw through the facade. Mortal cultivators, no matter their realm, were still bound by the limitations of life. Ishar was not.

The guards noticed Ishar's approach, their hands going to their weapons. Captain Long turned, his sharp eyes narrowing as he took in the stranger's tattered robe and the skeletal warriors flanking him.

"Who are you?" Long demanded, stepping forward. His voice carried the weight of authority, and the guards behind him tensed, ready to act at his command.

"A traveler," Ishar said, his voice calm and measured. "I've heard of your Night Guard. I'm here to test your strength."

A ripple of confusion and unease passed through the guards. Long's eyes narrowed further, his hand resting on the hilt of his sword. "Test our strength? You dare challenge the Night Guard?"

Ishar smirked. "You'll find I am not like your usual opponents."

Long's expression hardened. "Very well. If you wish to test yourself, I'll grant your request. But know this: I hold nothing back."

He turned to his guards and motioned for them to step back. The trainees hurried to the edges of the clearing, their eyes wide with anticipation. Fei stood frozen, watching as Ishar stepped forward, his skeletons following closely behind.

The air grew heavy as Long drew his blade, its edge glinting in the sunlight. Ishar raised his hand, and the skeletons moved into formation, their iron-coated weapons at the ready.

"Come," Ishar said, his voice a cold challenge.

Long charged, his sword glowing faintly with qi as he struck at the nearest skeleton. The undead warrior met the attack head-on, its iron-reinforced bones withstanding the blow. Sparks flew as blade met blade, and the other skeleton moved to flank Long, swinging its axe with mechanical precision.

Long deflected the strike with a grunt, his movements swift and practiced. He unleashed a flurry of attacks, each one faster and stronger than the last. Yet, no matter how many times he struck, the skeletons pressed on, their unnatural resilience keeping them in the fight.

Ishar watched intently, his mind analyzing every movement. Long was skilled, his mastery of qi evident in the way his blade cut through the air. But the man was tiring. Mortal cultivators relied on their stamina and qi reserves, both of which were finite. Ishar, however, had no such limitations.

"Is that all?" Ishar asked, his voice taunting.

Long's eyes flashed with anger, and he unleashed a powerful strike, his sword glowing brighter as he poured more qi into the attack. The blow shattered one of the skeletons, its bones scattering across the field. The trainees cheered, their confidence momentarily restored.

But Ishar remained unfazed. He raised his hand, summoning another skeleton to replace the fallen one. The new warrior stepped forward, its iron-coated blade gleaming in the sunlight.

Long's breathing grew labored as he realized the futility of his efforts. Ishar took a step forward, his pale eyes glinting with cold determination. Shadows began to gather around him, coiling like serpents.

"Enough," Ishar said, his voice a command. He extended his hand, and tendrils of shadow erupted from the ground, wrapping around Long's legs and arms. The captain struggled, his qi flaring as he tried to break free, but the shadows held firm.

Ishar approached slowly, his skeletal warriors flanking him. He stopped just out of Long's reach, his gaze piercing.

"You fought well," Ishar said, his tone devoid of mockery. "But your strength is limited. Your reliance on life makes you weak."

Long's jaw tightened as he glared at Ishar. "What… are you?"

"Your superior," Ishar replied. With a flick of his wrist, the shadows released Long, who collapsed to his knees, his sword falling from his grasp. Ishar turned and walked away, his skeletons following closely behind.

Fei hurried after Ishar as they left the training grounds, his face pale. "You defeated him… so easily," he said, his voice trembling. "How? How can I become strong like that?"

Ishar glanced at him, his expression unreadable. "Strength is earned, not given. If you wish to follow me, you will endure trials far harsher than what you saw today."

Fei swallowed hard but nodded. "I… I understand."

"Good," Ishar said. "Then prepare yourself. This is only the beginning."

As they disappeared into the forest, the trainees of the Night Guard gathered around their fallen captain, their murmurs filled with fear and uncertainty. In the distance, storm clouds gathered, and the faint rumble of thunder echoed through the land.