Juwon moved swiftly through the dense forest, his senses sharpened as he followed the winding path toward the valley.

  The moon hung low in the sky, casting pale silver light over the towering trees.

  He kept his Qi suppressed, knowing that the dangers lurking in these woods extended beyond the wolves Lao Chen had warned him about.

  As he neared the valley, the atmosphere grew heavier, an unnatural stillness settling over the land. He paused, crouching low to examine the disturbed soil.

  Deep claw marks marred the ground, evidence of territorial disputes. Something had changed five days ago.

  A low growl echoed through the trees. Juwon tensed, his breath slowing as his eyes darted around the darkened terrain.

  Then, he saw them—wolves, larger than any he had encountered before, their eyes glowing faintly with an eerie, golden hue.

  They moved differently, their bodies tense with an aggression that felt almost unnatural.

  He had no time to dwell on it.

  A rustling in the distance caught his attention, followed by the sound of approaching footsteps.

  He ducked behind a fallen log, focusing his Qi sense.

  A group was moving through the forest—not just any group, but men clad in the dark uniforms with their insignias glinting under the moonlight. Juwon exhaled slowly, his jaw tightened, and his breath came out in a sharp hiss. "Hei Long!!" he spat, the name dripping with disdain.

  From his hiding spot, Juwon observed the approaching figures.

  At the center of the formation were two men—Ren Shi, the younger, a scrawny figure with shoulder-length black hair that framed his sharp, fox-like features, his smirk dripping with arrogance.

  His older brother, Ren Jiao, stood beside him, a heavily muscled warrior with a chiseled jaw and a neatly trimmed beard, his cold, calculating gaze betraying no emotion.

  Brothers.

  Ren Jiao, clad in the signature dark robes of Hei Long operatives embroidered with silver insignias, let out a low chuckle.

  "All this effort for one man? Almost makes me think he's worth something."

  He turned to his brother." "This mission should be easy enough," he mused.

  "Capture Seo Juwon alive, and I might finally get that promotion. If nothing else, the company will reward me with two Blood Essence Pills. Imagine what that will do for my cultivation.

  "What do you think, Ren Shi?

  Ren Shi rolled his eyes, flicking his unkempt hair back.

  "This is absurd. We brought all these people for what? Some common archaeologist guy? If I had known we were hunting a history professor, I would've brought a book instead of a sword." He sneered.

  "Still, he's just an outsider. He doesn't even understand the cultivation world. He's not even a martial artist! What could he possibly do?" "This is ridiculous." He crossed his arms but then sneered.

  Juwon's grip on his blade tightened. He let out a low chuckle, shaking his head.

  He thought to himself, All this effort, all these people… for me? Damn, I didn't realize I was this important. Should I start signing autographs?

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  His smirk widened, his amusement barely masking the sharp focus in his eyes.

  He needed to act fast. Eight Foundation Establishment cultivators and a mid-Qi Refinement powerhouse stood between him and survival.

  A direct fight was out of the question.

  Juwon tilted his head, his smirk widening. His eyes flicked toward the wolves closing in.

  "Let's see who's really the prey here." Time for them to fight someone else instead.

  Juwon deliberately rustled the leaves around him before vanishing deeper into the forest.

  As expected, the younger brother and half the group reacted instantly, following the sound.

  But the wolves had already sensed them.

  Snarls erupted from the darkness as the massive beasts lunged at the pursuers, drawn by their Qi signatures.

  "W-Where did all these wolves come from?"

  Chaos followed—shouts, steel clashing against fangs, bodies hitting the ground.

  Juwon didn't waste time watching. He bolted in the opposite direction, but his moment of relief was short-lived.

  A pulse of Qi sent a chill through his spine. The mid-Qi Refinement cultivator had seen through his deception.

  A powerful force struck him from behind, sending him tumbling through the underbrush.

  Ren Jiao's Hell's Devouring Palm,

  a technique that not only carried brute strength but also drained Qi on impact. Juwon barely rolled to his feet before another blow came—a palm strike aimed at his chest.

  He twisted, dodging at the last second, but the sheer difference in strength was clear.

  "Running won't save you," the Ren Jiao sneered, stepping forward. "Your tricks might work on my subordinates, but they won't work on me."

  Juwon gritted his teeth.

  Dragon Fang Void Break,

  but his opponent anticipated it, sidestepping effortlessly.

  A powerful kick slammed into Juwon's stomach, sending him crashing against a tree. He spat blood, vision blurring. He had to retreat—he had no other choice.

  But before he could escape, another strike hit him. Faster. Stronger. Merciless.

  A barrage of strikes raining down his upper torso.

  Juwon constantly spitting blood each strike.

  His ears had started ringing.

  His vision blurry.

  Juwon's body was failing. His Qi reserves were draining.

  Damn it… My body won't hold out. If I don't do something fast, I'm done for."

  "I thought you demonic dogs only hunted in packs. Guess even that isn't enough against him."

  Clang!!

  Ren Jiao was pushed back.

  A figure dropped from the treetops, sword gleaming under the moonlight.

  Zhang Yuxian.

  He stood between Juwon and the Hei Long enforcer, his aura fierce, unwavering.

  "I sensed a spy outside our Wudang sect branch office," Yuxian said, eyes narrowing. "What are you vile demons doing in Wudang territory?"

  Ren Jiao's expression darkened. "You Wudang dogs just keep meddling, don't you?"

  Yuxian smiled thinly. "Call it what you want. But your fight with him is over."

  Around them, Wudang disciples emerged from the trees, clashing with the remaining Hei Long members. One disciple weaved through enemy attacks using Cloud-Stepping Steps, while another unleashed Tai Chi Palm, redirecting an incoming strike with precise, effortless force.

  The fight ignited in an instant.

  As juwon narrowly survived the older brother,

  Ren Shi lunged, his blade slicing through the air in a deadly arc, his unpredictable movements a hallmark,

  Heavenly Demonic Swordplay.

  Juwon's eyes flicked to his footwork, anticipating the feint—then twisted his body just in time, sidestepping the strike. He exhaled sharply, his stance tightening.

  His expression calm. "You swing that thing like you're trying to impress someone. but easy there, you almost made me break a sweat."

  "Let me handle this weakling!" Ren Shi growled.

  Juwon staggered slightly, his ribs screaming in protest, but he forced a smirk anyway.

  No way he'd let them see weakness.

  He wiped the blood from his mouth and scoffed, "Weakling? That's funny—so far, all I see is a spoiled brat who wouldn't last a day without his brother watching his back."

  Ren Shi Swung again, this time faster. "You arrogant little prick!"

  Juwon ducked low, feeling the wind of Ren Shi's blade pass inches from his scalp.

  His breath was ragged, his vision blurred at the edges, but his smirk never faded. 'That all you got? "You really don't know when to stop embarrassing yourself, do you?"

  Ren Shi scoffed, "So what if you know martial arts. You think knowing some fancy techniques makes you my equal? Pathetic. You are still peak Qi Awakening realm while I am peak Foundation Establishment realm. It is impossible for you to beat me. I will show you what the gap in our cultivation realms bring "

  Juwon titled his head, "Cultivation realm?"

  Ren Shi sneered, shaking his head. "Wait… you mean to tell me you are a martial artist, yet you don't even know your own cultivation realm? This just keeps getting better."

  Juwon's eyes narrowed. "Cultivation realms, huh? That's what you're so proud of?"

  Ren Shi groaned, dragging a hand down his face. "This is pathetic. Fighting you is a waste of my time."

  He dashed forward again. Juwon braced himself.

  Their real fight was about to begin.

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