Chapter 8: The Beginning of the Journey

Nightfall had descended. The wind whispered through the trees as Ye Huang took his first steps away from the village. His silver-white hair swayed gently in the breeze. Turning back, he cast one last glance at the land that had nurtured him, emotions swirling within him. But in the end, he stepped forward with unwavering resolve.

Under the shroud of night, distant mountains loomed in a faint mist. A winding path stretched into the unknown. Taking a deep breath, Ye Huang pressed on.

It wasn't long before he sensed an unusual presence behind him. His footsteps halted, ears attuned to the faint sounds of movement. Someone was following him.

"Come out."

His voice was calm, yet carried an undeniable authority.

A brief silence followed before a small figure emerged from the shadows.

"...It's you?"

Ye Huang frowned slightly. He recognized the figure—a young demon from the village who had always been overlooked. His name was Chi Tong.

Chi Tong kept his head lowered, his expression tense, yet he stood firm before Ye Huang.

"I… I want to follow you."

Ye Huang remained silent for a moment, studying the frail-looking youth before him.

"Why?"

Chi Tong clenched his fists and bit his lip. "No one in the village ever cared about me. I'm nothing to them… But you're different. You dared to fight back, to grow stronger! I don't want to live in anyone's shadow forever. I want to become strong too!"

Ye Huang gazed into his eyes, then sighed softly. "Suit yourself."

Chi Tong's eyes lit up with a trace of joy, and he quickly followed after Ye Huang.

Their journey had only just begun.

As they ventured deeper into the mountains, the night forest was eerily silent, only occasionally interrupted by the distant growls of beasts. Chi Tong was visibly nervous but never once retreated, staying close behind Ye Huang.

Ye Huang's gaze remained steady. He knew he had to grow stronger—and this unknown world would undoubtedly be full of challenges.

Just as they were about to rest, a rustling sound came from the depths of the jungle.

Ye Huang's brows furrowed. He raised his hand, signaling Chi Tong to stop.

"Something's approaching."

The air carried a faint scent of blood. Ye Huang slowly drew the short blade from his waist, readying himself.

From the darkness, a pair of scarlet eyes gleamed ominously, filled with savage intent.

Chi Tong held his breath, his body trembling instinctively. His instincts screamed at him—this was an extremely dangerous creature.

Ye Huang remained composed, his grip on his blade steady, his gaze sharp as a knife.

"Don't move."

He issued a low warning, adjusting his stance slightly.

The dense jungle ahead trembled as a massive beast emerged—a creature resembling a tiger, its entire body covered in dark red scales. Its blood-red eyes locked onto them, saliva dripping from its fangs.

Chi Tong swallowed hard, his voice shaking. "Th-this is a Bloodshadow Beast…?"

Ye Huang's eyes narrowed. Though he had never encountered one before, he had heard of its terrifying reputation. The Bloodshadow Beast was ferocious, incredibly fast, and adept at ambushes. Its most lethal weapon—razor-sharp claws—could tear through demons of the same rank with ease.

"Looks like our luck isn't great," Ye Huang muttered.

The beast lowered its body, ready to pounce. The air grew heavy with tension.

"I'll test its strength," Ye Huang said.

The moment his words fell, he lunged forward like a shadow, his speed blistering. His short blade aimed directly for the beast's eye.

However, the Bloodshadow Beast reacted just as swiftly. Its body shifted, anticipating his strike, and its deadly claws slashed downward, slicing through the air with a piercing sound.

Ye Huang twisted in mid-air, barely dodging the blow, and landed some distance away, sliding to a halt.

"As expected… troublesome."

Chi Tong's heart pounded. He had seen it clearly—Ye Huang's attack had missed, and the beast's counterattack had nearly struck him down.

With a deep growl, the Bloodshadow Beast suddenly launched itself forward, moving like a streak of crimson lightning.

Ye Huang took a steady breath. A glint of battle intent flashed in his eyes.

As the beast closed in, its claws gleamed under the moonlight, poised to strike.

Ye Huang's gaze sharpened. Instead of retreating, he met the attack head-on, leaping forward with his blade flashing.

"Clang—!"

Blade met claw. Sparks flew as a shockwave of force burst outward.

Chi Tong watched in stunned silence. Despite the overwhelming difference in speed and strength, Ye Huang had managed to clash with the beast without being instantly overpowered.

"Damn… I'm still too slow!" Ye Huang cursed internally.

The impact sent him skidding backward, his hands trembling from the force. The Bloodshadow Beast let out a low growl, its eyes gleaming with a cruel glint.

Chi Tong's worried voice rang out. "Ye Huang, are you okay?!"

Ye Huang didn't answer. His focus remained locked onto the beast, mind racing for a strategy.

The Bloodshadow Beast tensed, its predatory gaze unwavering.

Ye Huang steadied his breath. He replayed the earlier exchange in his mind—the beast's attack patterns, its movement speed, and its sheer ferocity.

"I can't match its strength… but there must be a weakness."

He tightened his grip on his blade, lowering his stance.

The Bloodshadow Beast roared and pounced again, its claws slicing through the night air.

"Now!"

Ye Huang sidestepped at the last moment, dodging by a hair's breadth. His blade flickered as he struck out, slicing across the beast's side, drawing a thin line of blood.

The beast recoiled with a furious snarl, eyes now filled with wariness.

Ye Huang smirked slightly. He had finally found an opening.

Chi Tong, fists clenched tightly, watched with bated breath.

"Can Ye Huang… really win?"

Ye Huang had no time to consider anything else. His focus remained entirely on the beast, his battle spirit burning fiercely.

"I have to win this fight."

The Bloodshadow Beast snarled, its crimson eyes flickering with an even greater bloodlust. It crouched low, preparing to unleash another devastating attack.

Ye Huang inhaled deeply, his grip tightening on his blade. This time, he wouldn't just dodge.

The beast lunged—

And Ye Huang charged straight into it!

In that instant, time seemed to slow. Ye Huang could see every detail—the beast's fur, the gleam of its claws, the wild look in its eyes. He could feel the wind rushing past, smell the faint scent of blood in the air.

His golden eyes shone brightly. His blade trembled slightly, infused with his demonic energy. As he spun in mid-air, the force of his rotation amplified his strike.

"Haaah—!"

With a powerful roar, Ye Huang's blade clashed against the beast's claw.

Sparks exploded upon impact, but the beast's claw remained unbroken.

The beast roared and lashed out with its other paw, striking Ye Huang with a crushing force.

"Damn—!"

Ye Huang was sent flying, crashing into the ground with a dull thud.

"Ye Huang!" Chi Tong cried out in alarm.

Gritting his teeth, Ye Huang slowly pushed himself up, blood trickling from the corner of his mouth.

"This thing… is tougher than I thought."

The Bloodshadow Beast glared at him, now treating him as a true opponent.

"I can't fall here… I have to win."

A surge of power ignited within Ye Huang's body.

His silver hair fluttered, and deep within his golden eyes, a fierce light began to shine.