A sudden gust of wind swept through the courtyard.
Everyone looked up.
Karin was in the air.
For a moment, no one spoke. Flight like that wasn't normal. Only those in the Monarch Realm could do it naturally, and even then it wasn't common. For someone at her level, it shouldn't have been possible.
She landed calmly, the wind settling around her.
The tension in the courtyard disappeared almost instantly.
Karin explained what had happened, clearing up the misunderstanding. The elders who had tried to take advantage of her absence didn't argue anymore. They backed down without pushing further.
Even the guardian looked surprised, but after hearing everything, she didn't question it.
Karin didn't waste time.
With access to the previous Heavenly Demon's teachings, her path forward had changed. She returned to training immediately.
In the desert kingdom, Rune sat across from Ross.
He explained everything that had happened over the past months. Ross listened without interrupting.
When he finished, Ross shook his head. "You're not ready to face him."
Rune ignored that. "What's he planning?"
Ross sighed. He knew there was no stopping him.
"There's a group," he said. "Southern Justice Fragments. They operate in the shadows. If anyone can help you, it's them."
"You know where they are?" Rune asked.
Ross shook his head. "No one does. They find you."
Rune didn't reply.
Instead, he pulled out the object he had received earlier.
The key.
Ross paused when he saw it.
"…Looks like they already did."
Rune looked at it again.
"I don't know where it leads," Ross continued. "But that's probably your way in."
Rune nodded slightly. "That's enough."
He stood up.
"I'm going to use the S-4," he said.
Ross's expression changed. "That's your mother's project. You're serious?"
"It's unfinished anyway," Rune replied. "Might as well use it."
Ross didn't argue further.
"I'll see you later," Rune said, already walking out.
It was still dark outside.
Just before dawn.
Deep in the forest, Isshin moved carefully.
Every step mattered.
The forest was dense, unnatural. The trees stretched high into the sky, blocking most of the light. It was easy to lose direction.
Isshin relied on his system.
Every tree, every patch of ground, every detail was tracked. His mind processed everything at once, mapping the area to avoid walking in circles.
The pressure was constant.
His thoughts moved faster than normal, calculating paths and outcomes instantly.
Level: 149Health: 73Strength: 75Stamina: 74Mana/Qi: 71Intelligence: 58Available Stat Points: 1Cultivation: Nascent Soul Realm – 4th Stage
Even with the system, it wasn't easy.
Raijin could have handled it effortlessly, but he didn't step in.
Isshin had to do it himself.
After a while, he reached something unexpected.
A wall.
Old stone, covered in age, with no visible entrance.
Breaking it wasn't an option. The forest wasn't empty. Strong beasts were nearby, some far beyond his level.
So he climbed.
The surface was rough enough to hold onto, but it took time. Eventually, he found a small opening near the top.
He looked inside.
Ancient structures.
Ruins.
Sunlight entered from above, lighting parts of the area. In the distance, there was an altar.
Isshin slipped through the opening and landed inside quietly.
Then he heard voices.
He moved immediately, hiding behind a pillar.
Two men walked past.
Same clothing. Same group.
"We need to take the egg before the wyvern returns," one of them said.
Isshin stayed still.
He wasn't planning to get involved.
Then—
A roar echoed through the structure.
The two men froze, then ran.
Too late.
Something dropped from above.
The wyvern landed on the altar with force, shaking the ground.
Dust filled the air.
Isshin didn't move.
The creature was only a few meters away.
And now, there was nowhere to go.