Chapter 43: Identity, Fleeing

“With such a technique, there’s no doubt it’s you,” the figure in silver armor declared, gazing at the crimson clouds standing suspended in the distance. Moonlight flashed dangerously in his eyes as he thrust his massive sword downward once more. The barrier surrounding him expanded, rebounding outward on either side.

His opponent had not summoned his own apparition to counter, so the barrier suffered only minor depletion, not true harm. Witnessing this, the crimson clouds hesitated not at all. With a flick of five fingers, the previously dispersed river apparition gathered once more, transforming into a mighty river of sword energy that surged to engulf the silver-armored man.

But this was no lasting solution. Sensing as much, the silver-armored figure’s thoughts stirred. The jade rabbit apparition beneath him raised the round moon it cradled high above its head. As moonlight cascaded downward, the entire river of sword energy froze in place.

The moonlight quivered gently, causing countless sword rays to tremble, and at last, they shattered to the ground.

“Be careful, Brother Yun! This is one of the signature skills of the Yinshade Moon Rabbit clan: the Moon of Stillness!” cried Bat Yue, who had been watching, entranced by the spectacle. Seeing the tide turning, he hurriedly offered a warning. “This moonlight can paralyze you—its effect rivals the most exalted Nirvana-level apparitions. Once caught by it, escape is nearly impossible. Do not be careless!”

As Bat Yue spoke, he noticed a piercing gaze sweep toward him. His heart jolted, and he fled, vanishing dozens of miles away in a single breath.

“What a formidable technique. It must be the power of the Yinshade Moon Rabbit apparition,” Crimson Clouds murmured, admiring his opponent’s composure. Yet he did not relent. Smiling, he stretched out his hand, conjuring the apparition of the great river to swirl around him anew.

He pressed two fingers to his brow, drew a mote of moonlight, and tossed it into the water. As the ripples calmed, a moon was born upon the surface.

“You’re not the only one who can wield the moon’s power,” he declared, eyes fixed on the orb held by the opposing apparition. With a thought, the waterborne moon took on substance and began to rise, shining with its own light. Under its glow, the river surged, brimming with grandeur, as if the heavens themselves were crashing down.

Without further delay, Crimson Clouds unleashed every ounce of his apparition’s power, launching himself in attack.

“That’s… the famed Twin Apparitions of the Surging Moon Sect—the Moon Surges, the River Flows!” cried Bat Yue from afar, his doubts dissolving. No wonder this Brother Yun was always so secretive—he was a half-demon cultivator who had mastered the Surging Moon Sect’s techniques.

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Yet what skill! Many half-demons could reach the Treasure Body realm using human cultivation arts, but those who attained Nirvana were truly rare.

This was the border between the Roc King’s domain and the Cat King’s lands. The Roc King and Surging Moon Sect were sworn enemies. To master such an apparition here, caution was wise, for most demon clans distrusted half-demons. Besides, the Lord of Moonlight Manor’s elder was about to undergo tribulation, which would certainly attract a Nirvana-level half-demon...

While Bat Yue’s mind raced, the silver-armored figure was momentarily startled by the Moon Surges, River Flows apparition. He leaped down from his own apparition, letting the two forces cancel each other out.

He stood firm, watching Crimson Clouds from afar, dark aura swirling about his silver armor—enough to send shivers through any onlooker.

With their apparitions in deadlock, to force the issue would risk serious harm. It was time for other means.

Crimson Clouds saw the silver gleam intensify around his foe, the aura spilling down like a cloak. He grew calm, drew his long sword, and stood at the ready, eyes closed.

Their energies clashed, invisible yet fierce.

In the next instant, both moved at once, radiance spilling from their forms—two beams of moonlight colliding in the night.

When sword met massive blade, a thunderous crash shook the air.

In that same moment, Crimson Clouds’ eyes snapped open, gaze strange and piercing, as if seeking to see straight into his opponent’s soul.

It was his newly awakened talent: the Eyes of Calamity.

Nor was this his only gambit.

As his opponent faltered, Crimson Clouds drew a crescent moon blade from his sleeve and brought it down hard on the silver mask.

A sharp metallic screech rang out. The mask shattered, and a shockwave burst forth from its wearer.

Crimson Clouds’ expression grew odd as he raised sword and blade to shield himself, retreating swiftly.

He stopped, staring in disbelief at the wild-haired figure before him.

“Lord of Moonlight Manor—White Velvet?”

“Yes. It is I.” The shards of silver armor did not fall, but instead gathered, reforming the mask over her face.

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“You know my identity, then you must understand the gravity of what happened that day. Since I cannot keep you here, you would do well to leave, and far,” she said.

Crimson Clouds studied the silver mask, as if trying to read the expression beneath. After a moment’s thought, he sheathed his weapons.

“You’re letting me go?”

“I am. Go quickly. It would be a shame for a worthy rival like you to fall to my father’s hand.”

The old Lord himself would intervene?

At this, Crimson Clouds steeled himself. With a sweep of his sleeve, he erased all traces of his presence, and in the blink of an eye, vanished miles away.

A few swift leaps brought him to Bat Yue’s side. He took the box in hand and hurried on, head down.

“Bat brother, we must go! The old lord will come once his business is finished—this woman only stalled for time!”

Bat Yue was genuinely alarmed, not daring to ponder the truth of it. He fled beside Crimson Clouds.

“Thank you for the warning, Brother Yun. I have long heard of the old lord’s cunning—let’s get out of his domain as fast as we can.”

...

“Those eyes just now… truly left me both fearful and entranced,” White Velvet whispered, watching his distant figure disappear.

“No word of this man until now. Judging by the crescent moon, his bones can’t be more than fifty years old, yet he’s reached this realm—he’s not one to offend lightly. Who knows what trump cards he may have? Few half-demons ever master the Surging Moon Sect’s Nirvana methods.”

It never crossed her mind that Crimson Clouds was not half-demon, but pure human.

And who could blame her? Who would expect a human to stride so boldly through demon territory?