Chapter 3: The Journey Begins

The night was as dark as ink, the stars twinkling faintly in the vast sky. A gentle breeze swept through, stirring up dust from the ground. At the village entrance, Nightshade stood tall, his silver-white hair flowing in the wind, his gaze deep and unwavering as he looked into the distance.

He knew—he had to leave.

This village could no longer contain him.

Behind him, the very same yokai who had once scorned and belittled him now stood in fearful silence, not daring to utter a single word. They had witnessed his true power, and their former mockery and contempt had long since turned into sheer terror.

"Nightshade, do you really have to go?"

A hesitant, youthful voice broke the silence.

Turning back, Nightshade saw a frail young yokai standing at the village gate, his eyes filled with a complex mix of emotions.

It was Little Stone—the only one in the village who had never bullied him.

Nightshade gazed at him, a faint smile tugging at his lips. "If I stay, I will only bring trouble."

Little Stone opened his mouth as if to say something, but in the end, he merely clenched his fists and lowered his head.

Nightshade said no more. With a final glance at the village, he turned and strode forward, his figure gradually swallowed by the darkness.

The dense forest stretched endlessly before him.

Nightshade moved forward alone, his destination unknown, his future uncertain. But there was one thing he knew for sure—he had to grow stronger.

"The power of Phantom Night…"

He murmured to himself, his fingers unconsciously tightening.

His bloodline was different from ordinary yokai. Since birth, he had been treated as an outcast. Now, he had finally revealed his strength—but this was only the beginning.

He was far from being strong enough.

Suddenly, a faint rustling sound emerged from the underbrush ahead.

Nightshade's eyes sharpened in an instant. In a blink, he melted into the shadows, holding his breath as he focused his senses on the approaching presence.

Footsteps, steady and deliberate.

He could feel it—a presence that was different.

"A yokai… no, a cultivator."

His expression darkened slightly.

This forest was fraught with dangers—not only from yokai but from human cultivators as well. These hunters roamed the wilderness, preying on yokai to extract their essence for power. If they found him, a battle would be inevitable.

Silently, Nightshade waited.

Under the moonlight, a group of figures in black robes advanced cautiously, their weapons gleaming with a cold, deadly light. Their eyes, sharp as a hawk's, scanned the surroundings with vigilance.

"There's a yokai presence up ahead," one of them muttered.

Another sneered, gripping his sword tightly. "Let's hope it's something worthwhile this time."

Nightshade's gaze turned icy.

These people were clearly seasoned yokai hunters.

He adjusted his breathing, ready to counterattack at a moment's notice.

But before either side could make a move, an even stronger aura suddenly surged from deeper within the forest.

The cultivators halted, their faces tensing with wariness.

Nightshade's brows furrowed as well.

This yokai aura… was far beyond anything he had encountered before.

A storm was about to break in the heart of the night.

The oppressive air thickened as the monstrous aura loomed closer.

Nightshade rose from his hiding spot, narrowing his eyes as he assessed the situation. The cultivators had already formed a defensive formation, their postures tense and battle-ready.

"This power… it's not an ordinary yokai," the leader muttered, his grip tightening around his sword.

Nightshade remained still, knowing that the best course of action was to wait and observe.

Then, the ground trembled.

Heavy footsteps echoed through the night. With each step, the earth quivered beneath its weight.

A pair of blood-red eyes gleamed in the darkness.

"ROAR—!"

A deep, guttural growl reverberated through the trees. A violent gust of wind howled as a massive yokai emerged from the shadows.

Its body was clad in jet-black scales, each one as hard as forged steel. A glowing ancient rune pulsed on its forehead, and its razor-sharp fangs gleamed menacingly under the pale moonlight.

The cultivators' faces twisted in shock.

"A Blackflame Hell Tiger?!"

"How is that possible?! These beasts dwell deep in the mountains—why would one appear here?"

Nightshade's eyes gleamed with intrigue.

The Blackflame Hell Tiger—a high-ranking yokai, known for its monstrous strength and eerie speed. Even skilled cultivators faced near-certain death when confronting one unprepared.

Nightshade remained motionless, analyzing the creature's movements.

Its glowing red eyes flickered with hostility.

The cultivators, unwilling to retreat, readied their weapons. The leader took a deep breath and barked an order, "Form the array!"

The others responded instantly, shifting into position. Streams of blue light surged between them, weaving into a protective barrier meant to restrict the beast's movements.

Nightshade scoffed under his breath.

"So they've chosen to fight head-on?"

He could leave now. But something told him that this battle might present him with an opportunity.

The Blackflame Hell Tiger, enraged by the challenge, let out an ear-splitting roar and charged forward like a thunderbolt.

The battle ignited in an instant.

Swords clashed, spiritual energy crackled, and the forest trembled beneath the shockwaves.

Nightshade's eyes locked onto the battlefield.

The tiger's raw power was overwhelming. Despite their combined efforts, the cultivators struggled to hold their ground.

His pulse quickened.

Tightly clenching his fist, dark energy swirled around his palm.

An opportunity had arrived.

Without hesitation, Nightshade vanished into the shadows.

The Blackflame Hell Tiger suddenly sensed danger. It turned sharply, its crimson eyes scanning the darkness—searching for the predator lurking beyond the battlefield.

"ROAR!!"

It swung its massive tail, forcing the cultivators back.

"Dodge it!"

The leader's warning came too late. Several cultivators were sent flying, crashing into the ground with agonizing cries.

Nightshade seized the moment.

Emerging like a phantom from the tiger's blind spot, his palm wreathed in black energy, he struck at the beast's nape.

Boom!

The tiger roared in pain but did not fall. Its armored scales had dulled the blow.

"Such incredible defense…"

Nightshade's expression darkened. But retreat was not an option.

The beast's rage erupted. It inhaled deeply, and the air around them ignited with heat.

"It's about to unleash Blackflame!"

The cultivators paled in terror.

Nightshade knew he had to act fast.

With an explosive burst of speed, he dashed forward, dark energy surging through his veins.

The tiger's maw flared with searing black fire—

Nightshade struck.

His claws, infused with boundless yokai power, tore through the beast's defenses.

Blood splattered. The tiger let out a final, earth-shaking roar before its massive form crashed to the ground.

Nightshade exhaled sharply, his body covered in sweat and grime.

The cultivators stared in stunned silence.

"He… actually won…"

No one had expected this outcast to triumph.

Without a word, Nightshade turned and strode away into the shadows of the forest.

This was only the beginning of his journey.