Chapter 16: Encroaching Shadows

The night in Moltenstone Town was as dark as ink. Thick clouds smothered the moonlight, and the few remaining lanterns on the streets swayed violently in the howling wind, their creaking cries like an omen of misfortune.

Inside the inn, Lin Jin sat cross-legged on the bed. Having just finished refining the Source Flame Crystal, his breath was steady, and the faint fluctuations of a first-stage Flame Master pulsed from his body. Purple flames flickered at his fingertips, casting a sharp light on his resolute features. The Source Flame Crystal, now reduced to the size of a fingernail, had lost its golden glow, nearly drained of energy. He tucked it away, took a deep breath, and prepared to consolidate his newfound strength.

At the window, Su Yao narrowed her bright eyes as she peered into the pitch-black night. Having recently broken through to the fourth stage of the Initial Flame Realm, wisps of green flame coiled around her body. Though light and agile, her aura carried a resilient force. Suddenly, she frowned and murmured, "Lin Jin, something's off. The wind… it's wrong. I think something's moving outside." Her crisp voice, though hushed, held a trace of alertness.

Leaning against the door, Duan Hao rested his broad-backed blade against the wall. His rugged face was still damp with sweat, his aura surging—he was at the peak of the ninth stage of the Initial Flame Realm, just a step away from becoming a Flame Master. Hearing Su Yao's words, he straightened abruptly, grabbed his blade, and growled, "Damn right it's off! This town's too quiet—hell, even the dogs aren't barking." His rough hands clenched the hilt tightly, red flames flickering along the blade's edge, his eyes flashing with battle intent.

Lin Jin opened his eyes, retracting his purple flame as his gaze swept toward the window like a blade. He stood up and spoke in a low voice, "Flame Soul Ancestor, what's out there?" His voice was calm, but a hint of tension lingered beneath the surface.

A voice echoed in his mind, ancient and laced with cold severity. "Killing intent. Five Flame Master auras, less than three miles away, closing in fast. The hounds of the Skyflame Pavilion have good noses—they've found us quicker than expected." The Flame Soul Ancestor's tone carried a trace of disdain, clearly unimpressed by their relentless pursuit.

Lin Jin's pupils contracted. His fists clenched tightly. "Five… Flame Masters?" He had just stepped into the first stage himself—he might stand a chance in a one-on-one fight, but against five? That was a death sentence. Su Yao was only at the fourth stage of the Initial Flame Realm, and Duan Hao, despite being strong, had yet to break through. Together, they didn't stand a chance. He gritted his teeth. "We need to leave. Now."

Su Yao spun around, her large eyes widening. Her lithe form tensed as she gripped the hilt of her short sword. "Leave? Where? If they got here this fast, we might not even make it out of town!" Her sharp gaze darted between Lin Jin and the door, her green flames swirling like mist, lending her an air of determined ferocity.

Duan Hao hefted his blade onto his shoulder and scoffed. "Hah! Run or fight, we do it together! Those bastards from Skyflame Pavilion—I've been itching to cleave a few of them apart!" With a fierce kick, he sent the door flying open. His crimson flames roared to life, an unmistakable declaration of battle.

Lin Jin inhaled deeply, pushing down his anxiety. "No chance in a fight. Five Flame Masters—we won't even have time to run if we get surrounded. The Moltenflame Valley map still has clues we need. We head deeper into the Scorching Flame Domain, find a place to hide, and come back stronger." He snatched up his pack, gripping his wooden staff tightly as his gaze swept over them. "Move, now! Before they lock down the town!"

Su Yao nodded, her nimble figure flickering as she grabbed supplies from the table and stuffed them into her pack. "Alright! I know the hidden paths—we take the side roads!" She strapped her pack to her back, short sword ready, and sprinted out the door.

Duan Hao followed, blade in hand. "I'll cover the rear!" His burly frame blocked the doorway, red flames surging as he readied himself for any sudden attack.

The three of them dashed out of the inn. The streets of Moltenstone Town were eerily empty, the wind howling like the wails of spirits. Dust and grit whipped at their faces, forcing them to squint. Lin Jin activated his Flame Step, purple fire igniting beneath his feet as he shot toward the western path. Su Yao followed closely, her Azure Luan Flame Art transforming her into a streak of green light, surprisingly swift. Duan Hao brought up the rear, his blade sweeping outward in a blazing arc, leaving behind scorching trails in the dirt, a warning to potential pursuers.

They had barely covered half a mile when a deep rumble echoed from beyond the town. Five blazing streaks of light tore through the night sky, heading straight for them.

The leader, a middle-aged man wielding a crimson spear, burned the brightest—none other than the one they had encountered in Moltenflame Valley. His aura was even stronger now, bolstered by reinforcements. Behind him, four figures followed, each radiating distinct power: one wielding a black whip, his second-stage Flame Master aura coiling like a venomous serpent; another carried twin blades, his first-stage presence razor-sharp; a third's palms crackled with eerie green flames, exuding poisonous energy; the last was clad in heavy armor, a fortress-like presence, his strength at the first stage.

"There they are!" The spear-wielding man barked. With a flick of his weapon, a colossal Flame Tiger materialized, roaring as it lunged toward them. Two stories tall, wreathed in searing flames, it scorched the ground black with its mere presence.

"Dodge!" Lin Jin roared. He shoved Su Yao aside and met the tiger head-on. Devouring Netherflame Art erupted at full force, his purple flames condensing into a vortex to swallow the beast's power.

Yet, the difference in strength was clear. The tiger's sheer force shattered his defenses, sending him hurtling backward. He crashed into a withered tree, which splintered on impact. A mouthful of blood spurted from his lips, pain wracking his chest.

"Lin Jin!" Su Yao's cry rang out as she dashed to his side, green flames forming a protective whirlwind to block the tiger's lingering embers. She grabbed his arm, eyes full of worry. "Are you alright?"

"I'm fine!" Lin Jin wiped the blood from his lips, forcing himself upright. "Run! If they catch up, we're dead!" Gritting his teeth, he dragged Su Yao forward.

Duan Hao bellowed, swinging his massive blade in a Blazing Earthsplitter Slash. A blazing arc cleaved through the flame tiger, dispersing it. He turned, face alight with savage defiance. "Go! I'll hold 'em off!"

"Duan Hao!" Su Yao hesitated, but Lin Jin pulled her away.

"He'll make it! Move!" Lin Jin commanded. He reignited his Flame Step and shot toward the western forest, Su Yao close behind. Behind them, Duan Hao's furious roars and the clash of steel filled the night.

The dense forest loomed ahead, shadows flickering as the wind howled through the trees. Lin Jin and Su Yao pushed forward, breath erratic. Su Yao's keen eyes scanned their surroundings before pointing ahead. "There! A canyon—narrow, hidden! We can hide!"

Lin Jin nodded. The canyon walls were steep, the river below rushing violently. They dove behind a boulder, pressing themselves against the cold stone.

Footsteps approached. The enemy was close. The whip-wielding man sneered, venomous flames seeping from his weapon. "You can't hide forever."

Lin Jin clenched his fists. "Flame Soul Ancestor, what now?"

"Hold your breath. Devour the poison flames. Stall for time—Duan Hao might still escape."

Lin Jin exhaled slowly, purple mist rising as he readied himself.

Outside, the spear-wielding man raised his weapon. "Enough. Burn them out."

Flames surged, surging toward the canyon's depths.

The trap was set. The hunt was closing in.