The man in black’s next step landed like a hammer on every watching heart. His aura detonated, an oceanic shockwave racing straight for Jared.
The weight of an Earthly Immortal Realm Level Two descended, a thousand-pound millstone intent on crushing lungs and hope alike.
Around them, the Demonic Cultivators collapsed to their knees, bodies quivering uncontrollably. They could not lift their heads, as though an invisible hand nailed each skull to the ground.
Quincy and the others turned chalk-white. Every breath felt like glass, their leaden legs barely holding them upright.
“Listen up!”
“I am the Enforcer of Malevolent Path Hall.” The man in black’s snake-cold gaze flicked across the crowd. “By decree, I oversee the refining of celestial gems here in Cardinal Realm. You disrupted our plans and even laid hands on Nathaniel, proof you know nothing of fear!
“If you value what little life you possess, leave Cardinal Realm at once. Drop every celestial gem you stole on the ground. Refuse, and I will scatter you to ash, no reincarnation, no second chance!”
The moment the words “Malevolent Path Hall” rang out, the Demonic Cultivators trembled with feverish zeal. In their eyes burned the light of long-dreamed revenge.
Voices exploded around the scene. “Malevolent Path Hall, ruler of the lower realms!”
“Sir, strike down! Avenge us!”
“He cant possibly beat the Enforcer-our salvation is here!”
Their chanting shook the air, a tide of adoration for the man in black and hatred for Jared that threatened to drown all reason.
Jared blinked, momentarily stalled.
So Malevolent Path Hall is involved, and these Demonic Cultivators know its name far too well…
It was unsettling enough to see disciples of Celestial Palace marching behind the cultivators of Malevolent Path Hall, their shared shadow sprawling across Cardinal Realm.
Quincy felt the weight of it first. A cold anchor dropped inside his chest, tugging his hopes under. Around him, every comrade wore the same hollow stare.
They had heard the rumors, Malevolent Path Hall frightened even the immortals, and now the nightmare stood in flesh and smoke before them.
The man leading those shadows was an Enforcer already at Earthly Immortal Realm Level Two. They thought Jared couldn’t possibly overcome that kind of storm.
“Malevolent Path Hall?” Jared let the name float on a lazy breath, then laughed. The sound was light, almost casual, as though had just recalled a pleasant joke told over coffee.
“I expected a giant… Turns out you’re nothing but an ant, and an ill, trained one at that…”
The man in the black went slate-gray with rage, clouds gathering behind his eyes. “Brat, you dare spit on Malevolent Path Hall? I’ll paint the sky with your arrogance and teach you where the heavens truly sit!”
The man in black thrust his arm forward. Black mist knotted together, swelling until it became a mountain-sized demon claw. It cut the air with a howl, diving for Jared.
Every shred of Earthly Immortal Realm Level Two power roared inside that strike. Space wrinkled like a wet canvas, sparks hissing as the very air ignited beneath the claw’s passage.
Demonic Cultivators lined the ridge, eyes wide with savage delight. They could almost taste the blood they believed was moments away.
Grins cracked open across their faces, each one certain Jared would soon be torn into a red storm of flesh. Quincy and the others shut their eyes. They could not bear to watch hope die.
