Heroines, I'm Really not the Devourer
Chapter 50: Are you trying to die faster ?

Chapter 50: Are you trying to die faster ?

Unlike the other continents, the Eastern Continent offered mortals unique opportunities to increase their power, beyond mere family lineage. Although, just like the gods of other continents, the immortal families here were not only more powerful but also possessed artifacts and elixirs accumulated over centuries. This is why humans had gathered into a vast coalition: the Immortal Clan. This organization brought together sects, families, the merchant guild, the alchemist brotherhood, and hundreds of other groups, united to face the overwhelming forces of the ancestral families. They were represented by the Council, which ensured the balance was maintained.

Thus, destroying an insignificant sect was akin to incurring the wrath of the alchemists, the merchant guild, and many others. Problems that even the most arrogant families preferred to avoid.

In this ruthless world where the strong prey on the weak, humans had learned to evolve through cultivation, creating breathing methods and, above all, techniques. There were techniques of Earthly, Celestial, Divine, and Primordial ranks. They seized every opportunity to survive and enhance their abilities.

And it was in the Eternal Ruins, one of these opportunities, that Yaochuan stood, his gaze determined. He was in the heart of a dense forest, where the gigantic trees seemed to whisper ancient secrets. The shadows moved on their own, as if animated by a will of their own. He was in the Whispering Forest, an area infested with spectral monsters that attacked the mind more than the body.

But nothing could hold him back. From a declining family, his only chance of survival was to join the Immortal Clan. Unfortunately, they did not accept outcasts. Yaochuan had therefore entered the Eternal Ruins, determined to make a name for himself. It was crucial. But...

"My little sister paid the price..." he muttered, his teeth clenched. He looked at her, his heart heavy. Meili lay beside him, struck full force in the chest. Her face was pale, and sweat beaded on her forehead. Her breathing was weak, almost imperceptible.

"Damn! Don’t worry, Meili, I’ll protect you."

Yaochuan scanned the surroundings, his erratic eyes desperately searching for where the next attack might come from. The darkness seemed to thicken around them, and his sweaty hands gripped his weapon tightly. Every breath, every rustle of leaves made him flinch. He knew danger lurked in the shadows, ready to strike.

The whispers, those incessant murmurs, had transformed into a dull, almost suffocating hum.

Before him, level two spectral monsters slowly materialized, their blurry humanoid forms undulating with prominent claws.

Yaochuan knew he was no match. Barely at the initial stage of spiritual refinement, he had only rudimentary control over his Qi. Yet, he could not retreat. Not with Meili behind him, unconscious and vulnerable.

"Come on, come at me!" he shouted, his voice trembling but determined.

The first spectre lunged at him. Yaochuan narrowly dodged its claws, feeling the air tear where he had been a second ago. He retaliated with his sword, a simple but well-sharpened blade, but it passed through the spectre without resistance, as if he had struck fog.

"Damn!" he cursed, stepping back.

The spectres seemed to laugh, a grating sound that resonated in his mind rather than his ears. They danced around him, their movements fluid and unpredictable. Yaochuan felt panic rising, but he forced himself to breathe deeply, to focus.

His sword trembled slightly, enveloped in a faint white glow. It was all he could do with his Qi, but it was better than nothing.

Yaochuan raised his sword, and this time, the Qi-wrapped blade bit into the mist. The spectre let out a piercing scream, its body partially disintegrating before reforming.

"It works!" he thought, a surge of hope crossing his mind.

But that hope was short-lived. The spectres seemed to realize he was a threat and attacked as a group. Three of them rushed him. Yaochuan dodged the first, blocked the second with his sword, but the third tore into his shoulder.

"Aaaah!" he screamed, feeling a burning pain shoot through his arm. Blood flowed freely, but he had no time to worry about it.

He spun around, sweeping the air with his sword to push the spectres back. Every movement cost him, his Qi dwindling rapidly, and he felt his focus weakening.

"Meili... I have to hold on for her."

He glanced quickly behind him. Meili was still unconscious, lying on the ground, her pale face covered in sweat. He extended his free hand toward her. A faint glow enveloped her body, forming a rudimentary Qi shield.

"Stay safe, little sister."

Yaochuan fought with everything he had, but he was overwhelmed.

A spectre slashed his left arm, and he felt his muscles tear. His hand released the sword, which clattered to the ground.

He tried to pick it up, but another spectre struck his back, sending him crashing to the ground. He spat blood before rolling away, narrowly avoiding a claw that could have torn off his head. His vision blurred, and he felt his Qi draining. But he could not give up. Not now.

With a roar of rage, he got back up, grabbing his sword with his right hand. His left arm hung uselessly at his side, but he had no time to worry about it.

"Come on!" he bellowed, charging the spectres with wild determination.

He struck one of them full force, his Qi-wrapped sword piercing its spectral body. The monster screamed, disintegrating into a misty rain. But the others were already on him.

A claw tore into his thigh, sending him to his knees. Another slashed his torso, and he felt blood running down his body.

"I... I can’t..." he whispered, feeling his strength abandon him.

But as he looked up, he saw Meili, helpless, her shield already broken. She was all he had left.

"You’ve always been more talented than your incompetent big brother. Sorry to leave you this burden. But I hope you’ll cultivate diligently and make a name for yourself." He said, rising one last time.

He charged the spectres, his sword sweeping the air in a desperate motion, each strike fueled by the fury of a cornered man.

"Are you trying to die faster?" A mocking voice echoed behind him, tinged with cruel amusement.