In the meantime, Purple Night and Fall Night moved a good distance away from the other members of Quiet Storm. Neither of them said much as they traveled until they encountered a Tier 1 ferocious beast—the Golden Bear cub.
The Golden Bear cub stood close to the peak of the Human Realm in terms of cultivation.
What made the Golden Bear deadly was its incredible endurance and high defense. Its defense came primarily from its thick, tough fur. However, its fur was more than just a natural defense. Hidden among the thick strands were small, sharp hairs capable of damaging the nervous system of its target.
Even for a cub, its fur was not merely a means of protection. During a prolonged battle, it could become the critical factor that allowed it to defeat faster opponents.
"Fall Night, you will handle this cub. It should be at the peak of the Human Realm."
Purple Night's tone carried a hint of mockery.
"Please demonstrate why the Midnight Clan holds such high prestige and why its members are capable of achieving such feats. Hehehe."
Purple Night softly giggled, her voice possessing a seductive quality that could tempt even a strong-willed man.
"No problem."
Fall Night maintained a steady and even breathing pattern.
"This should be fun."
There was a slight trace of excitement in his voice.
When Fall Night moved, most people would not have even been able to register his motion. It wasn't because of sheer speed alone—he was using the [Nine Extinction Steps], and the first step, known as the Half-Step, was nearly imperceptible.
That subtle movement was what made it so deadly. Even a seasoned cultivator could easily miss it, much less a beast that relied primarily on instinct.
Purple Night watched the battle between the Golden Bear cub and Fall Night with a focused gaze.
She could feel it.
Something about him had changed.
He was more aggressive now. More daring. Almost playful in the way he toyed with danger.
*Fall Night's personality shifts the moment combat begins,* she thought.
*It's almost as if he treats battle like a game. Hmmm... that could become a problem if it goes unchecked.*
Her eyes narrowed slightly as she studied him further.
*His fighting prowess sits around the middle stage of Refinement, yet the control he has over his body is remarkable. That kind of precision means his combat ability might outpace his cultivation.*
*Useful in the short term, but dangerous if the gap grows too wide.*
While Purple Night observed the battle, Fall Night suddenly unleashed a palm strike that erupted like a fierce dragon leaping from the water.
The moment the Golden Bear cub witnessed the attack, a sudden chill spread throughout its body.
The cub attempted to retreat while raising its defenses against the incoming palm strike.
However—
Boom!
The palm strike landed.
The force ripped through the thick fur and cut directly into the flesh beneath it.
The Golden Bear cub released a roar of pain as its massive body was forced backward. It stumbled several feet before regaining its footing.
The cub roared again, this time in fury and anger.
Realizing that its opponent would be troublesome, the Golden Bear cub began calling for its parents to protect it from danger.
*Damn. I guess I need to finish this beast before the mother or father arrives. I can't handle that while Purple Night is watching me from the distance.*
Fall Night let out a soft sigh.
The Golden Bear cub suddenly lunged forward and swung one of its massive claws.
Fall Night easily dodged the attack and slipped toward its back.
He unleashed a triple palm strike.
Bang! Bang! Bang!
He continued attacking, repeatedly striking the cub's body and wearing down its already impressive defenses. He patiently waited until its high defense reached the point where he could unleash a stronger attack.
Fall Night slipped past another swipe from the cub, his movements fluid and precise.
As the beast lunged toward his midsection once more, Fall Night leapt into the air.
His body twisted mid-flight like a spinning drill.
A dark, black-reddish aura began surging from his arm.
The aura was cold and piercing, like winter steel.
In the next instant, that aura coalesced into a massive spectral claw.
"Immolation Claw."
The enormous claw tore through the air and descended upon the Golden Bear cub.
The cub barely had enough time to roar.
The spectral claw cleaved straight through its skull, silencing it in a single, brutal moment.
Silence descended over the area.
Purple Night froze.
For a moment, she was genuinely stunned by what she had witnessed.
She couldn't identify the technique he had used, but its power and savagery were undeniable.
Her eyes narrowed behind her mask.
*That attack... whatever it was, it wasn't ordinary.*
*I'll have to be ready the next time Fall Night decides to show his claws.*
Fall Night's victory left Purple Night momentarily dazed.
Meanwhile, Fall Night calmly searched through the Golden Bear cub's remains until he found its beast core.
He then began skinning the cub, carefully removing its fur.
Much of the fur remained intact, making it suitable for use as an improved cloak against the cold.
Once he finished removing the skin, Fall Night placed the remaining parts of the beast into his dimensional pouch.
Purple Night finally snapped out of her daze.
By the time she realized what had happened, almost nothing remained of the Golden Bear cub.
Fall Night approached her with a serene aura.
Behind her mask, Purple Night smiled.
She couldn't help but admire how quickly Fall Night had completed everything.
"We should keep moving before the parents of that cub arrive. That's something I'd like to avoid."
Fall Night spoke calmly.
"I agree."
Purple Night's eyes glowed softly behind her demonic mask.
"What was the last attack you used on the Golden Bear cub?"
"That last attack I used is called Immolation Claw. It is a basic technique of the Midnight Clan."
"Oh?"
Purple Night raised an eyebrow.
"That's a pretty strong attack. What was the attack you used before the last attack?"
Fall Night tilted his head, a mocking smile hidden behind his black mask.
"It was a simple palm strike, Purple Night."
Fall Night let out a soft chuckle and waved his hand dismissively.
"You are so petty and stingy. Why can't you tell me? Huh, Fall Night?"
"Purple Night, it was just a simple palm strike."
"I don't doubt that, Fall Night. That palm strike was not simple by any means."
"Purple Night, you really have a charming side. Let's keep moving."
"You are definitely a petty one, Fall Night."
Both Fall Night and Purple Night continued moving toward the Misty Rain Forest.
Several days later, Purple Night and Fall Night stopped just before entering the Misty Rain Forest.
"Fall Night, what do you know about this forest?"
"Not much, really, Purple Night. What I do know is that the Misty Rain Forest is not a place for the weak."
Fall Night simply shrugged without any fanfare.
"That's really helpful, Fall Night. And here I thought a person from a big clan like yourself would have more intel about this forest."
"Let's wait for Death Sword and Jagged to get here. Then we can rest before splitting up again."
"That's not a terrible idea, Fall Night. Let me ask you something."
Purple Night smiled with mirth behind her mask.
Fall Night gestured for her to continue.
"What is the rule in this unit, Fall Night?"
"Strength, Purple Night."
"Now, do you have the strength to command me, Fall Night?"
Fall Night pondered the question for a moment.
"No."
Purple Night suddenly moved very close to Sifir, like a wife about to seduce her lover.
She placed one hand against Fall Night's chest.
Without hesitation, Sifir moved away from Purple Night.
However, a large wound was visible where Purple Night's hand had been.
Purple Night inclined her head and laughed mockingly.
She stood there, staring coldly at Sifir.
"Who told you to move, Fall Night?"
*This crazy...*
Fall Night thought to himself.
"I am not interested in playing this game, Purple Night."
Fall Night narrowed his eyes behind his black mask.
A cold aura slowly leaked from Sifir's body.
"Do you think this is a game?"
Purple Night adjusted her stance.
"Fine! Let's play a game, Fall Night."
Purple Night raised three fingers.
"If you can defend against three of my attacks, I may forgive you."
Her voice carried a dangerous edge.
"If you cannot defend against my attacks, you will be mine for the rest of your life."