Metal rang like a bell, the golden shield quivered but held. Jared’s voice out through the clash. “With tricks that weak you dare play highwayman?”
Jared snorted, and the Dragonslaying Sword streaked forward like a shard of light, punching straight through the wolf demon-masked brute’s shoulder.
The man howled, staggered back with blood pouring between his fingers, and stared at Jared in terror. “W-Who are you?”
“Only a wandering cultivator,” Jared said calmly. “If you value your life, move…”
The thug glanced at his injured crew, then at the sword humming in Jared’s hand. Realizing was hopelessly outclassed, gathered his men and fled.
Flaxseed watched them go and gave a low whistle. “That lot folded faster than I thought beast cultivators would…”
Jared slid the blade back into its sheath. “They’re just front-line grunts. The true threat is inside Blackwind Stronghold, so stay sharp and keep moving.”
They pushed deeper into the Mistwood Forest. After roughly fifteen minutes, the fog began to thin, and a fortress loomed ahead like a slab of night. Black walls of massive stone blocks rose high above them, draped with black banners bearing a snarling wolf demon’s head.
Two bear demon beasts, each easily three stories tall, stood before the gate, iron hammers resting on their shoulders, yellow eyes tracking every passerby.
Flaxseed murmured, “So that’s Blackwind Stronghold…”
Jared studied the sentries. “Each bear demon beast is roughly second-tier Earthly Immortal Realm…”
“How do we get in?” Flaxseed asked.
“We walk,” Jared replied. “Claim we want to join, then listen.”
At the gate, the bear demon beasts crossed their hammers. “Halt! State your business!”
“We seek a place under Blackwind Stronghold’s banner,” Jared said, pressing a few immortal stones into the nearest paw.
The bear weighed the payment, grinned, and Iumbered off. He returned moments later. “The chief will see you. Follow me!”
Inside, the stronghold bustled with life. Wolves bargained, tigers boasted, and serpents coiled through the crowd, the air thick with demon musk.
At the center stood a vast council hall. Two fox demons, beautiful, sword-armed, and ice-eyed, guarded its doors. Their ursine escort stopped.
“The chief waits within. Enter!”
Jared and Flaxseed stepped inside.
A man in a black robe sat on a throne of dark wood, his features sharp, his smile colder than winter rain, Baldric Blackwind, master of Blackwind Stronghold.
More than a dozen elite beast cultivators flanked him, their combined aura bending the air itself.
“So, you would pledge yourselves to me?” Baldric asked, his gaze cutting like steel.
“We would, Chief Blackwind,” Jared answered with a respectful nod. “We’ve heard of Blackwind Stronghold’s strength and wish to offer our own in service…”
Baldric reclined in his great carved chair, eyebrow arched. “Oh? And what exactly can the two of you do for me?”
Jared stood tall. “We know a few spells, enough to break a path for you whenever the fort needs steel at its tip.”
“Hahaha!” Baldric roared, laughter rumbling through the hall. “Two strays like you think you‘re worthy of Blackwind Stronghold? I don‘t shelter dead weight!”
“If you doubt us, give us a chance to prove it,” Jared replied, voice steady.
“Very well! One chance,” Baldric said. “We have unfinished business with Greenscale Gorge to the east. Bring me their leader’s head and you can stay.”
