Chapter 4: The Tracker in the Dark

The night was as dark as ink. In the depths of the forest, Ye Huang moved swiftly through the shadows, his steps light and silent. The cold moonlight filtered through the treetops, casting his slender figure onto the ground.

The corpse of the Blackflame Demon Tiger had already turned cold, and the remnants of the battle still lingered in the air. Ye Huang knew that such a commotion would inevitably attract certain beings. He couldn't stay for long—he had to leave quickly.

However, just as he was about to venture deeper into the forest, a faint presence flickered within his perception.

"Someone's here?"

Ye Huang's brows furrowed slightly. His perception was extraordinarily sharp; even the subtlest disturbance in the wind couldn't escape his notice. Holding his breath, he cautiously moved toward the source of the presence.

Beneath the shadow of a tree ahead, a figure crouched, seemingly observing something. It was a young man clad in a gray cloak, gripping a curved blade in his hand. His eyes were sharp, revealing the composure of an experienced hunter.

Ye Huang's gaze sharpened, but he refrained from acting rashly, choosing instead to observe from the darkness.

The hunter's eyes were fixed on the fallen Blackflame Demon Tiger, and a faint, knowing smile tugged at the corner of his lips, as if this scene was within his expectations.

"So, someone actually managed to take down that beast."

His murmuring was soft, but Ye Huang heard it clearly.

A thought stirred within Ye Huang's mind. It seemed this person wasn't just passing by—he had deliberately set up an ambush here.

Who was he? And why was he here?

Ye Huang didn't make a move immediately. Instead, he silently retreated, intending to reposition himself for a better vantage point to uncover the man's true purpose.

However, just as he stepped back, the gray-cloaked hunter suddenly turned his gaze directly toward Ye Huang's hiding spot.

"No need to hide. I knew you were there from the start."

Ye Huang's heart sank. He hadn't expected the man's perception to be this sharp.

Since he was already exposed, there was no need to conceal himself any longer.

Stepping out from the shadows, his silver-white hair shimmered faintly under the moonlight. His gaze was cold and unwavering as he locked eyes with the hunter.

"Who are you?"

The hunter chuckled softly, slowly sheathing his curved blade. His tone was casual.

"Me? Just a spectator here to enjoy the show."

Ye Huang wasn't fooled by this perfunctory answer. He knew that since the man had shown himself, he was far more than just an idle observer.

The air grew tense, an undercurrent of danger surging between them. Ye Huang subtly adjusted his stance, ready to fight at any moment.

"You were watching from the shadows. Who were you waiting for?"

The hunter sighed lightly and shrugged. "Looks like you're not going to let this go."

In the next instant, his figure flickered like a specter, lunging straight at Ye Huang!

Ye Huang's eyes gleamed coldly, locking onto the swiftly approaching hunter. His speed was astonishing—almost instantly, he closed the gap between them.

"Hmph." Ye Huang let out a cold snort, stepping aside in a flash to evade. At the same time, his right hand rose, gathering a surge of inky-black demonic energy into his palm, forming a razor-sharp Night Blade.

The hunter's eyes flashed with surprise; he hadn't expected Ye Huang's reaction to be this swift. But he didn't falter—his body spun, and his curved blade slashed through the night like a gust of wind, aiming directly for Ye Huang's shoulder.

Ye Huang didn't block head-on. Instead, he stepped back, dodging the strike while countering with a swift swipe of his Night Blade. The blade tore through the air, sending out a chilling wind.

"Clang!"

Steel clashed against steel, sparks flying as the impact sent ripples through the air.

"Not bad." The hunter's lips curled into a faint smile, his eyes glinting with anticipation.

Ye Huang remained silent. He knew this man was no ordinary opponent. From that single exchange, he could tell that the hunter possessed extensive combat experience—each move carried lethal precision.

The surrounding shadows shifted subtly. Ye Huang's sharp gaze swept the area, detecting other hidden presences slowly closing in.

"You're not alone," he murmured, keeping his guard up.

The hunter smirked, seemingly unconcerned that his secret had been exposed. "You're quick to catch on. But so what? Do you really think you can leave here alive?"

Ye Huang's lips curled into a faint, icy smile. His silver-white hair danced in the night wind.

"That depends on whether you have what it takes."

As he finished speaking, his figure blurred into motion, a dark shadow streaking toward the hunter like a specter!

The hunter's smirk faltered slightly, his curved blade rising swiftly to intercept. But Ye Huang's speed surpassed his expectations.

"Boom!"

Ye Huang struck the ground with his palm, triggering a powerful shockwave. Dust and debris erupted into the air, obscuring visibility.

"Damn it!" The hunter cursed, leaping back to create distance.

Yet just as he took to the air, a dark silhouette burst from the dust cloud—Ye Huang's Night Blade, imbued with surging demonic energy, slashed straight for the hunter's throat!

The blade carved a deadly arc through the darkness. The hunter reacted instantly, twisting his body in midair and bringing up his curved blade to parry.

"Clang!"

Weapons clashed once more, the impact sending visible shockwaves rippling through the air. Ye Huang took half a step back, sensing that the hunter's strength was on par with his own.

"Not bad." Ye Huang's eyes narrowed slightly, a cold smirk playing on his lips. "But it's still not enough."

Before the hunter could respond, Ye Huang vanished into the darkness again.

The hunter's pupils contracted. He had lost sight of Ye Huang completely, forced to rely on instinct to brace himself.

"To my left?"

He swung his curved blade in a swift arc, slicing through the night air—only to hit nothing.

"Damn it!"

Realizing his mistake, he tried to adjust his stance, but it was too late. A chilling presence surged behind him.

"Too slow."

Ye Huang's voice murmured against his ear. A blackened hand shot out from the darkness, pressing against the hunter's back.

"Boom!"

A surge of demonic energy exploded, hurling the hunter backward. He slammed into an ancient tree, blood spilling from his lips.

Ye Huang slowly withdrew his hand, his gaze cold and indifferent.

The hunter clutched his chest, his expression a mix of shock and unwillingness.

"Who... are you... really...?"

Ye Huang lifted his head slightly. His silver-white hair swayed in the wind, his golden eyes shimmering faintly.

"I am the one forsaken by the night."

The hunter's expression shifted, as if realizing something, but his consciousness faded before he could speak.

Ye Huang stood in silence, watching his fallen opponent. After a long pause, he turned and walked back into the darkness.

This hunt was far from over.