The battlefield had turned into hell.
The six-star demonic beast reared back, its obsidian scales cracked but far from broken. Black blood steamed where Feng Lihan's earlier strike had torn into its chest, yet its aura only grew more violent—rage feeding its power.
Mo Shan stood before it, shoulders heaving.
Five-star.
Against six-star.
Every instinct in his Snake Clan blood screamed retreat.
But he didn't move.
Behind shattered rocks, inside the half-collapsed cave, Lin Yue watched.
His hands clutched the stone wall so tightly his fingers bled. His golden pregnancy mark pulsed violently beneath his skin, reacting to every surge of power outside.
"Mo Shan…" he whispered, voice breaking.
"Feng Lihan…"
The demonic beast struck first.
Its massive claw slammed down like a falling mountain.
Mo Shan shifted instantly—his body twisting with serpentine fluidity, scales flashing across his skin as Snake Clan blood awakened fully. He barely avoided being crushed, the shockwave throwing him across the ground.
He rolled, coughed blood, and forced himself up.
"Stay focused," he muttered. "I won't fall."
The beast lunged again—
—and fire split the sky.
Feng Lihan rose from the crater, blood streaking down his temple, wings torn but burning brighter than ever. Crimson flames wrapped around him, sharp and lethal.
"Mo Shan," he said coldly. "Don't die before this ends."
Mo Shan smirked despite the blood on his lips.
"Same to you, Hawk King."
They moved together.
Perfectly.
Mo Shan struck low—his body coiling, shadowed fangs of mana ripping into the beast's legs. Dark energy wrapped around its limbs like chains, slowing it by force.
The demonic beast roared, muscles bulging as it tried to break free.
That was the opening.
Feng Lihan descended from above, wings slicing downward like execution blades. His flames burned through cracked scales, driving deep into flesh.
BOOM—
The beast crashed into the earth, screaming.
But it wasn't over.
With terrifying strength, the six-star demonic beast forced itself upright, corrupted mana exploding outward. Mo Shan was thrown back hard, slamming into a tree trunk with a sickening crack.
"MO SHAN!"
Lin Yue screamed his name.
Mo Shan slid to the ground, vision blurring. His five-star core trembled violently, veins burning as the pressure crushed him from within.
"…So strong," he growled. "Damn monster…"
The demonic beast raised its head, gathering power for a killing blow.
Feng Lihan flew in front of Mo Shan without hesitation, wings spread wide despite the damage.
"I won't let it pass," he said quietly.
Lin Yue stumbled out of the cave.
"NO—!" he cried, golden light leaking uncontrollably from his body. "Stop—both of you—!"
The demonic beast froze.
Its gaze locked onto Lin Yue.
Ancient fear surged again.
Mo Shan saw it.
Realized it.
"…It's afraid of him," he whispered.
With a roar, Mo Shan forced himself up, Snake Clan blood igniting fully. His shadow power surged, wrapping around Feng Lihan's flames—not opposing, but merging.
Dark coils and crimson fire twisted together.
"Together," Mo Shan said hoarsely.
Feng Lihan's eyes hardened.
"End it."
They charged.
The final clash shook the heavens.
Shadow fangs pierced deep.
Crimson fire detonated inside the wound.
The six-star demonic beast screamed—a sound filled with terror and fury—as its massive body collapsed, earth splitting beneath it.
Silence fell.
Smoke drifted.
The beast twitched… then stilled.
Mo Shan dropped to one knee, exhausted beyond measure.
Feng Lihan landed heavily, wings trembling.
Both alive.
Barely.
Lin Yue ran to them, tears falling freely as he grabbed Mo Shan's shoulders, then Feng Lihan's sleeve. "You're idiots," he sobbed. "Both of you… absolute idiots…"
Mo Shan laughed weakly, pulling Lin Yue into his arms.
"…Worth it."