The ground trembled.
A deep, thunderous roar rolled through the Hawk Clan territory, shaking the cave walls and sending loose stones crashing to the floor. The air grew heavy, oppressive—mana so dense it made breathing difficult.
Six-star.
Lin Yue clutched his belly as pain flared across his pregnancy mark, the symbol burning bright gold beneath his skin.
"It's here…" Feng Lihan said grimly, red wings spreading instinctively. "A six-star demonic beast."
Before he could move, Mo Shan staggered.
He dropped to one knee, gripping his chest as his breath turned ragged. Dark veins crawled briefly along his arm—the lingering corruption from the tainted power stone he had absorbed earlier.
"Mo Shan!" Lin Yue cried, rushing to his side.
Pain tore through Mo Shan's core. The corrupted mana inside him surged wildly, clashing with his own power. His vision blurred.
"I—I can't control it," he growled. "It's rejecting me."
Lin Yue's hands trembled as he reached out, tears spilling freely from his eyes. One tear fell—then another—landing on Mo Shan's bloodstained arm.
The moment his tears touched Mo Shan's skin, golden light exploded outward.
Warm. Pure. Ancient.
The corruption screamed.
A brilliant golden glow flowed from Lin Yue's hands, pouring into Mo Shan's body like a cleansing river. The dark mana recoiled violently, then shattered, dissolving into nothingness.
Mo Shan gasped.
The pain vanished.
His wounds sealed before their eyes—torn flesh knitting together, blood drying, strength surging back into his limbs. The tainted power stone's influence was completely erased, replaced by something far stronger… and far purer.
The golden light didn't stop.
It surged up Mo Shan's arm, burning harmlessly, power roaring through his veins.
Crack.
A sharp sound echoed in the cave.
On Mo Shan's arm, the glowing star mark shifted—four stars blazing brightly… then a fifth ignited with blinding light.
Five-star.
Mo Shan stared at his arm in disbelief. "I… broke through?"
Feng Lihan's eyes widened slightly—rare shock crossing his face. "Not just broke through. You were purified mid-absorption. That shouldn't be possible."
Lin Yue swayed, exhausted, but smiling through tears.
Mo Shan pulled him into a tight embrace, holding him as if afraid he might disappear. "You saved me," he said hoarsely. "Again."
Lin Yue buried his face against Mo Shan's chest, trembling. "I don't care about stars or ranks. Just don't scare me like that again."
For a single heartbeat, everything felt warm. Safe.
Then—
BOOM.
The cave entrance exploded inward.
Feng Lihan spun instantly, wings flaring as debris rained down. "Enough," he snapped sharply. "Let go of him."
Mo Shan stiffened.
"Outside," Feng Lihan continued coldly. "The six-star beast is attacking now."
Another roar shook the heavens.
Trees screamed as they were crushed. The ground cracked open as something massive moved closer, its aura flooding the land like a tidal wave.
Mo Shan gently released Lin Yue, his expression shifting—no longer weak, no longer conflicted.
Only fierce.
"Stay here," Mo Shan said softly, brushing his thumb across Lin Yue's cheek. "No matter what."
Lin Yue grabbed his wrist. "Both of you—come back alive."
Feng Lihan paused at the entrance, then spoke without turning around. "We will."
Outside, the forest burned.
The six-star demonic beast emerged from the smoke—towering, armored in obsidian scales, eyes glowing with ancient hatred. Each step it took crushed the earth beneath it.
Mo Shan stepped forward, five-star aura exploding outward, dark power now balanced and controlled.
Feng Lihan rose into the air, red wings slicing through smoke and fire, killing intent sharp as a blade.
"Together?" Mo Shan asked.
Feng Lihan's eyes burned crimson. "Together."