The forest floor cracked under Jin's feet as he stepped into the clearing by the cave entrance. Mist coiled like tendrils around twisted trees. The sky above was ink-black, no stars, no moon.
He had come here alone. On purpose.
He heard the soft whistle behind him before the figure revealed itself.
A white mask. A long black robe. And a chilling aura of silence.
Shadowblade.
"You're smarter than I thought," the assassin said. "Coming here, away from your little mother hen. Did you think it would save her?"
Jin didn't flinch. He merely looked at him, unimpressed.
"You talk too much for someone that's going to die."
The assassin's smile faltered.
"You insolent—!"
He charged, daggers flashing silver.
Jin exhaled.
[Tyrant Body – Bronze Form: Activated]
His skin shimmered. Muscles swelled. Veins bulged like iron cords beneath bronze-lit flesh.
The assassin struck—aimed straight at Jin's heart.
Steel met muscle.
Blood burst, but Jin didn't budge.
[Warning: Physical strain exceeding recommended threshold]
He responded with a brutal elbow to the assassin's face—missed by a hair's breadth. The assassin danced back.
"You're strong… but not enough."
Jin smirked.
"Then let's add wind to the fire."
He stomped the ground, eyes glowing.
[Paragon Heaven Manual: Wind Surge Technique – Activated]
A sudden blast of compressed wind spiraled around him, boosting his speed.
The forest shook.
A flurry of movement followed. Jin dodged, struck, parried. The assassin was faster—but Jin hit harder. They clashed across trees, blades flashing and fists flying.
The moment Jin's guard faltered—
the dagger stabbed into his ribs.
But that was all he needed.
He grabbed the assassin's wrist, pulled him close.
Then—
[Blood Demon Bloodline – Awakened: 1% → 3%]
His eyes turned crimson.
His veins pulsed black.
A terrifying aura exploded outward.
The assassin froze.
And Jin didn't waste the chance.
One final punch, infused with wind, fury, and bloodline rage, shattered the assassin's mask—and his skull with it.
Silence.
Then the assassin's body collapsed in a heap, blood soaking into the moss.
[System Notice: Shadowblade Eliminated]
[Target was a cultivator of Earth Spirit Realm – Bonus EXP Awarded]
[EXP Gained: +900]
[Level Up Achieved → Level 7]
[+2 Attribute Points Granted]
[Loot Acquired: Spirit Beast Cores ×4, Assassin's Storage Ring, 1 Hidden Dagger (Spirit Grade)]
Jin stood panting, blood dripping from his hands.
His legs nearly gave out.
But he had to get back.
Back… to her.
The Burning Night
His heart thundered in his ears as he collapsed into her arms, skin searing, muscles twitching.
The room spun, not from pain anymore—but from the scent of her hair, the soft curve of her body against his.
Arielle gasped as she caught him. Her cheeks flushed, not from modesty, but from the overwhelming yang essence pouring into the air.
Her eyes met his.
"Jin… your body… you're burning."
His hands clenched at her waist unintentionally, not out of lust—but from the instinctual pull of survival. Every fiber of his being screamed for release. His bloodline, awakened and ravenous, had no restraint. He tried to pull away—but it was already too late.
A pulse.
A breath.
A soft moan escaped her lips.
The spiritual compatibility between them ignited like fire meeting dry grass.
And in that moment—there were no words, only sensation.
Her palm pressed to his bare chest. The heat between their bodies surged and collided. His head fell into the crook of her neck, trembling, trying to resist. But her voice whispered softly—
"Let it go… Jin…"
He surrendered.
Their qi interwove. Her Yin Constitution embraced his Yang rampage. Their breaths became one. Their energy spiraled like celestial flames.
A night passed.
Sweat and steam clung to silk sheets. The candles had long since burned out. Somewhere in the stillness, their fingers had become entwined.
He awoke at dawn, sore… but alive.
Wrapped in Arielle's arms, the backlash was gone.
And something new lingered in his soul.
System Notification – Update
[Blood Demon Overload – Successfully Neutralized via Dual Cultivation]
[Partner Detected: Arielle – Dual-Yin Ice Lotus Constitution]
[Affection Level: 40% – Spiritual Trust Formed]
[New Tab Unlocked: Bonded Companions]
[New Skill Gained: Lotus Pulse]
Description: A passive skill gained from resonance with a Yin-natured constitution. Grants gradual healing and resistance to internal injuries. Also enhances control over chaotic qi during backlash.
[Constitutional Absorption – 3% of Arielle's Spirit Physique integrated]
Vitality +1 | Magic Power +5 | Resistance +10% to backlash events
[EXP Gained: +100 (Dual Cultivation Bonus)]
[Tyrant Body – Bronze Form Mastery: 22% → 26%]