Around Quincy, freed cultivators added their voices, first a murmur, then a swelling roar that echoed off the quarry walls. “We will heed your orders, Immortal Lord!”
“Take us under your protection!”
“Command us, and we will lay down our lives!” Jared swept his gaze over the bruised, dust-covered cultivators who now crowded the ruined hall. Through the grime and exhaustion, could still see their hearts, soft embers of kindness refusing to die in all that darkness.
“Very well. If you choose to follow me, I’ll take you in, but on one condition. Swear that from this moment on, you will never again lift your power for evil. Devote every breath to mercy and good deeds instead.”
“We swear! No more cruelty, only good from this day forward!” Quincy and the others uttered in unison, “From this day on, we will never do evil again. We’ll devote ourselves to doing good!”
Jared gave a small, satisfied nod. “Good. Stay here for now, I still have business to settle.” With that, turned, boots grinding on shattered stone as started toward the exit.
“Immortal Lord, where are you going?” Quincy called, hurrying after him.
“To find Immortal Lord Nimbus,” Jared replied, his voice calm yet edged with iron. “I intend to see exactly what game he’s playing.”
Quincy’s brow tightened. “His strength is formidable. Please, be careful!”
Jared offered a faint, almost playful smile. “I’ll be fine. Besides, I have a feeling he’ll come looking for me soon enough.”
Quincy tilted his head. “Why are you so certain?”
“Because I’m about to do something that will force out of hiding.” Jared turned toward Quincy and the rest. “Quincy, will you and the others help me free the rest of the cultivators in the quarries?”
“Wherever you go, we go!” Quincy answered without a heartbeat’s pause.
Around him, voices rose, eager, brittle, brave.
“We’ll follow you, Immortal Lord!”
“Lead us! We will free our people!”
“Command us, and we’ll serve!”
Jared’s eyes warmed. “Excellent. Then we leave now!”
He sprang skyward, robes snapping like banners in a storm. Quincy and the others followed, streaking after until their figures vanished against the pale horizon.
Their first destination lay close to Obsidian Stone Sect, Quarry No. 8.
They descended beside the pit, and the sight mirrored everything they’d seen at Quarry No.7.
Human and beast race cultivators toiled under a pitiless sun, backs bent and spirits fraying, while Demonic Cultivators prowled behind them, whips lashing at any slowed movement.
Fury flared in Quincy’s chest; lunged a step forward, fists clenched, ready to strike.
Jared lifted one hand. “Wait…”
“Why wait?” Quincy hissed, barely holding his temper. “They’re suffering right now!”
“Patience,” Jared said, a quiet blaze in his eyes. “I want these Demonic Cultivators to understand what true power looks like.”
He surged upward, leaving a rippling wake of light, and dropped into the quarry’s center like a falling star.
“Stop!” The single, thunderous word echoed off the rock walls.
Tools fell silent. Every prisoner, every demon guard, turned toward the lone figure now standing at the heart of the pit, cloak billowing in the settling dust.
A solitary figure hovered several yards above the ravaged camp, white robe rippling like moonlit water.
When the torchlight finally caught his face, the prisoners gasped, Jared had arrived.
“Who in blazes are you, and why stick your nose in our affairs?!” snarled a Demonic Cultivator in black plate, his voice rattling across the yard like Iron chains.
“My name doesn’t matter,” Jared replied, his tone mild yet unyielding. “What matters is this, every captive beneath your banner walks free today.”
“Insolence!” the Demonic Cultivator bellowed, veins pulsing at his temples. “This is Twin Ridge Stronghold. Cause one more stir and you die where you float!”
Hearing their leader roar, other Demonic Cultivators closed in. eager to flaunt their strength before him.
“Last warning, brat! Crawl away while you still have a spine!”
“Yes, Twin Ridge Stronghold isn’t some roadside tavern you can overturn and stroll out of!”
“We’ll show you exactly how unforgiving Twin Ridge Stronghold can be!”
