A soft breeze carried the scent of snow blossoms as Ethan and Elena emerged from the glacial cavern, the warmth of their newly forged bond pulsing gently beneath their skin. Both stood more attuned to the flow of natural energy, their breathing synchronized, their cultivation steadier than before.
But peace was fleeting.
A dark presence stirred just beyond the tree line.
A shadowy figure stepped out, clad in crimson robes etched with golden fire sigils the mark of the Crimson Sun Sect.
Elena Rivers,
The man's voice hissed, your clan's sins echo across generations. Today, justice is paid in blood.
Elena's eyes widened.
Ethan stepped forward, hand resting on the hilt of the Dragon Slayer Sword,
If you seek blood, you'll have to get through me.
The assassin narrowed his eyes,
You're not even at the Transcendence Phase. Don't overestimate yourself.
The assassin raised a fiery spear conjured from inner flame. The moment it formed, Ethan dashed in, meeting the blazing edge with a frost-imbued slash.
Steel and flame collided.
The battle exploded.
Ethan moved like lightning through forest shadows, redirecting fire strikes with precision. The assassin, a mid-Transcendence cultivator, conjured flame serpents and sunburst shields, forcing Ethan to adapt quickly.
Elena stood back, recovering her Qi but her gaze never wavered.
Ethan activated his Qi disruption technique, lowering the assassin's flame output by targeting his core pulses with silver needles. The advantage tilted.
But the assassin growled,
You think that's enough?
He drew a forbidden jade flame talisman and slammed it into his chest. Flames burst from his body green, ancient, and consuming.
Jade Flame Incineration Technique!
Elena gasped.
The technique devoured energy from everything nearby.
Trees wilted. Ice evaporated.
Ethan gritted his teeth and switched to defense, using the Dragon Slayer Sword to absorb and deflect bursts of destructive fire. Still, the heat seared his robes and singed the ground beneath him.
As he began to tire, a memory flickered—the immortal legacy he had obtained.
He couldn't unleash it fully, but he could use one of the three charges left.
No not yet, he whispered.
I can beat him without it.
With a deep breath, he focused.
In one fluid motion, he executed Shadow Crescent Flame, the new technique gained from the frost and fire fusion within the cavern.
The sword curved with icy fire, catching the jade flames off guard.
The assassin screamed as the technique ruptured his inner flame veins, sending him flying backward into a tree trunk that exploded on impact.
Ethan stood panting, smoke rising from his shoulders.
Elena ran to him,
You're burning up
He gave a half-smile
Just a warm-up.
She laughed, eyes bright,
Idiot.
But as the ashes settled, Ethan noticed a sealed scroll left by the assassin.
It pulsed.
Ancient. Dangerous. Hidden knowledge of the Crimson Sun Sect.