When Xue Ji awoke, most of the forest’s demonic beasts had already dispersed—except for the still-unconscious Explosive Bear. After coaxing Lilith to sleep and regaining control of her body, Xue Ji found only a few remaining “animal friends” lingering nearby: the Elder Ape, the Wolf King, the Monarch Stag, the comatose Explosive Bear, and Scar-Eye, the Wolf King’s younger brother who had arrived at some unknown time.
The Wolf King remained on high alert, its sharp gaze fixed warily on Xue Ji. Scar-Eye, overwhelmed by the presence of so many powerful beasts, could only mimic his sister’s vigilance. The Elder Ape leisurely munched on a bunch of bananas, a crude, fragrant wine jar beside it. When it noticed Xue Ji waking, its hand—originally reaching for another banana—fumbled and dipped into the wine instead.
Yet none of these formidable beasts made any further moves. Because the hundred-meter-tall Monarch Stag had not yet spoken.
As Xue Ji faced the towering Monarch Stag with her own senses, her suspicions were confirmed. This forest in City A had already been replaced by a dungeon—one so dangerous it bordered on a high-level dungeon, a forbidden zone that current human military forces would struggle to conquer.
Strangely, though, they didn’t seem hostile. Aside from the unlucky Wolf King, who had suffered Lilith’s torment all day, none of the other beasts showed outright aggression toward Xue Ji.
Steeling herself, Xue Ji approached the Wolf King.
The moment she drew near, the Wolf King immediately dropped into a sprinting stance. After its recent evolution, it exuded an innate nobility—but the dark corruption Lilith had left behind now marred its once-sacred form. The inky tendrils coiled around it like chains, reminding Xue Ji uncomfortably of a defeated princess from some fairy tale.
To distract herself from the odd thought, Xue Ji averted her gaze.
As she closed the distance, the Wolf King’s fury gradually gave way to confusion. This white-haired human before it felt entirely different from the chaotic, terrifying entity from before. Now, Xue Ji seemed nothing more than a delicate, ethereal girl—a far cry from the world-wrecking demon it had faced.
“Wolf King, I apologize for my earlier actions.”
Whether she liked it or not, Lilith was part of her. This was a sin Xue Ji had to bear.
The Wolf King’s wrath flared anew, its expression twisting into something vicious. “You think a mere apology is enough, brat?”
Xue Ji had expected this. Without haste, she raised a hand—and a massive heart materialized in her grasp.
Though no longer beating, the heart pulsed with immense frost energy, as if a demonic god’s essence still lingered within. The moment it appeared, every beast’s attention snapped toward it—even the previously indifferent Monarch Stag turned its gaze.
The Wolf King could feel it. This heart belonged to a powerful kin. An irresistible pull tugged at its very blood, every fiber of its being screaming to claim the heart for itself.
Muscles straining, the Wolf King tore itself free from the heart’s allure and locked eyes with Xue Ji once more. This time, it lowered its guard.
“This is my compensation—the heart of a wolf as mighty as a demonic god,” Xue Ji said sincerely. “Beyond that, I’ll also cleanse the dark marks Lilith left on you.”
The Wolf King was clearly tempted, but its pride refused to let it accept so easily. The humiliation of the past two days still burned fresh. It needed an outlet—a fight, one that would settle things properly.
“Keep the heart for now. There’s something more important first.”
With those words, the Wolf King’s aura shifted. Moonlight shimmered across its fur as it leaped back, putting distance between them.
“Another fight? Fine by me.”
This time, Xue Ji wouldn’t hold back. Even weakened as she was, a freshly evolved C-rank monster stood no chance against her.
Her white Sage’s robes materialized around her, and in her right hand, a staff crafted from World Tree wood gleamed. Though her current mana reserves were only at a beginner Awakener’s level, her true combat prowess remained formidable.
Not enough mana? Then she’d borrow some.
The Sage’s robes granted her unlimited use of low-tier spells, and the World Tree staff amplified their power. Even with minor magic, crushing the Wolf King would be effortless.
As Xue Ji began gathering ambient mana, a storm of energy whirled around her. Unlike Awakeners, who needed to absorb mana internally, mages could bypass that step—controlling external mana to simulate their own spellcasting. In other words, she could cast spells far beyond her current capacity… at the cost of extra time.
The Wolf King reacted instantly, lunging to interrupt her.
Moonlight flared as it vanished—reappearing mid-charge, a streak of silver hurtling toward Xue Ji. The glow intensified with every second, and when the Wolf King leaped skyward, the forest dimmed momentarily before brightening again.
The beasts below looked up—and saw a second moon hanging in the sky.
The Wolf King, bathed in radiant silver, shone so brilliantly it nearly eclipsed the real moon.
Xue Ji couldn’t help but marvel at the sheer spectacle. This wasn’t some crude monster’s attack—it was practically magic.
Meanwhile, the mana around her had thickened considerably. A massive magic circle unfurled beneath her feet as she chanted rapidly. Then—heat.
A colossal fireball blazed to life above her, a miniature sun roaring into existence. The Elder Ape, now thoroughly drunk, hastily scooped up Scar-Eye and the still-unconscious Explosive Bear, stumbling away before collapsing in a clumsy heap.
Noticing their predicament, Xue Ji prepared a protective spell—but before she could act, a shimmering barrier of cyan light enveloped the battlefield.
The Monarch Stag had intervened.
Freed from concern, Xue Ji unleashed her enhanced Fireball.
Two forces of destruction—one lunar, one solar—surged toward each other. The clash painted a surreal scene: sun and moon sharing the sky.
Witnessing this, the Monarch Stag’s eyes burned with rare excitement.
“The bright moon hangs high, the shadows return. Amidst the verdant woods, sun and moon vie for brilliance.”
The prophecy’s words echoed in its mind. Without a doubt… this was the moment.
When the crimson and silver collided, the world whited out.
Even the Monarch Stag was forced back several steps by the shockwave. The entire dungeon trembled from the impact.
Yet when the light faded… neither force had prevailed.
Instead, the two opposing energies—locked in stalemate—began to resonate.
And then… they merged.