Step by step, the grim reaper closed in.

  The prey lay still as if giving up all struggles. Death seemed to be set in stone.

  But just when Du Ge breached melee range…

  The possum woke up! The stillness shattered!

  “Go to hell!”

  The hidden talisman whipped out and the igniting paper heralded the death that was to come!

  But all it took was a swift kick to its owner’s hands to send it wide.

  Fwoom! The roaring jet of flame lit up the faces of the predators, setting off the prelude to counter-ambushes...

  Lightning fingers struck out at an acupoint on Du Ge’s sole anchored foot.

  Zap. Du Ge instantly felt his foot go numb and lost his balance!

  In a split-second, his kicking foot snapped back to stabilize himself, and a surge of Qi circulated down to free the paralyzed acupoint…

  All happened in a fleeting moment, but it was enough for his foe to seize the tempo and lunge up like a tiger!

  The viper’s body shifted left ever so slightly, but failed to completely escape from the cold, death-seeking dagger.

  Time seemed to slow…

  Du Ge took the merciless plunge into the right chest, but his smiley face showed zero panic.

  "Sah… I guessed an actor like you wouldn't bow out so easily. But let this... be your last act!"

  The predator’s sleeves unfolded, revealing the hidden hands holding out a fist-sized metallic orb with pinholes all over like a porcupine.

  Click. The mechanical gears whirred. The deathly hollows sang! Psshh!

  In the blink of an eye, needles fired out from every single pinhole, fanning out like raindrops updrafted by a storm!

  “Hundred Poisons Style: Needle Execution! Die!”

  The gap between both sides was too close. There was no room to dodge!

  The victim’s pupils already shrank to pinpricks and raw despair was frozen all over his face!

  Is this the end?

  That’s what most would believe.

  Du Ge also believed so, especially when he saw the needles piercing into his prey from head to toe.

  But when the hunter believed he saw certain death, the needles... pierced all the way through everything.

  The smiley face became stiff, and out of nowhere, the tip of a sleek sword drove right out from his heart as if pointing a middle finger at the heavens.

  “What—?!”

  Du Ge grabbed the bloody blade, but a cruel twist let blood bloom, splattering through the panicking face and popping the bubble called truth.

  In front, the untouched existence wavered, while another crouching tiger blurred into existence, back to back against his own.

  Squeesh! The grim reaper’s reverse-grip sword whipped out in one go, painting a beautiful arc of red in the air to complete the death sentence with style.

  It all happened in a flash.

  When time flowed once more, the blood rose blossomed across the ground, and the fading still-image mocked the former predator just like elusive death.

  Du Ge bitterly coughed up a mouthful of purplish-green blood. “Sah… illusion? Well-played.”

  The prey then fell forward toward the dark abyss…

  Stolen from its rightful author, this tale is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

  But even in death, that smile was glued to his face.

  Above.

  Watching the battle conclude, Ma Pei smiled and pridefully stroked his beard. “Hoho... Illusory Beast Steps, is it? Not bad. Didn’t know the cheap brat was still hiding this trick.”

  Beside him, Mo Badao unhurriedly blew over his porcelain teacup. “Just some little tricks that can deceive beginners at best. This level... hmph. It’s not even half as good as my lazy cat.”

  Ma Pei’s beard bristled and jabbed his partner.

  “Old devil, how can these two be compared? For a little brat waddling through the Qi Refinement realm, this novice level is already quite impressive!”

  “If it was others, with your cat’s teaching level, give her a decade and she won’t teach anything but a pig that knows how to meow!”

  After calmly taking a sip of his tea, Mo Badao coolly countered, "A pig taught by my cat is still better than those in a pig farm."

  No names were mentioned, but Grand Elder Jia Wunan’s muscles got tickled, and he shot a pointed glance over.

  “Now, now... there’s no need to disparage pigs. Aren’t they all just tonic in the end? Whether it’s a fat sow or your little fortune cat, it all boils down to a matter of price, don’t you think?”

  Those words seemed to have touched a reverse scale.

  The tea savoring Mo Badao almost crushed his teacup and his sharpened eyes warily stared at the Grand Elder.

  “My cat isn’t for sale. Took me a fortune to get her off that blasted ship isle. Even if that lazy cat of mine only knows how to eat, sleep, and meow around all day, I’ll be happy to dote on her.”

  The crook Tai Yinjun chose this moment to butt in.

  “Doting? Aye, such a sweet way to put it. But aren’t you still dreaming of raising a Beast King to turn into your tonic? Be careful, lest the fire burns down the house, oh.”

  Mo Badao fired a wary look back. “Old thief, what would you know? Just keep your nosy eyes where it belongs and stick to playing with your broken dolls.”

  Crossing his bony arms, Tai Yinjun gave an exaggerated "Gahn!" of indignation.

  "Like anyone wants to pay attention to your stinky cat! I’d rather go out and carry back a saintess or two."

  Eyes darted between the bickering peers, and the smiling Jia Wunan finally took the chance to mediate.

  “Now, now, it’s unbecoming of us to bully juniors. We wouldn’t want those self-righteous hypocrites stirring up another so-called alliance against us again, would we?”

  Tai Yinjun let out another derisive snort.

  "Gah, you might let others off, but what about that hypocrite’s daughter? Word is, she’s involved with that dollie who brought us all no small headache. You’re not going to let that slide, are you?"

  The Grand Elder’s eyes flashed with an unmistakable light of ferocity, but didn’t say anything to refute.

  Beside him, Jia Gufan couldn’t hold back and slapped the armrests of his throne.

  “The blood debt of younger brother Dahu will be settled sooner or later!”

  Oom! The pressure of a golden core weighed down, baking the sun disc like a sauna...

  But a hand suppressed the shoulder of the volcano.

  “Patience, Second Brother Gufan. All things must look at the bigger picture. The time will come, but not now.”

  The volcano cooled, but the aura of the strong already silenced the rest.

  Satisfied with this round’s show of power, Grand Elder Jia Wunan gestured back to the arena down below.

  “That young sprout is pretty quick on his hands and feet, not like someone affected by poison at all. Seems he should have no problem going another round…”

  A palm passed over the incense burner and lit the incense stick.

  “Old Yinjun, next should be yours?”

  Tai Yinjun’s crooked frame straightened slightly.

  When he met the Grand Elder’s eyes, a snicker broke out on the puppeteer's face.

  “Aye, aye, I’ve already got it all arranged. Everyone, please clean your eyes and watch closely. Next will be a fun show! Old fart, I hope you won’t mind your precious dollie drinking the cold, northwest wind this round!”

  The scoundrel’s face said he was up to no good.

  Ma Pei furrowed his brow and scanned the arena.

  Noticing a certain doll-challenger combo, Ma Pei’s face darkened. “Your mother! Old thief, you actually passed her all the way down! Can you get any more shameless?!”

  “Gah! Don’t be so stingy. It’s just a little toy. Can’t blame me if you’re unwilling to fork out magic tools for your dollie.”

  “Just a toy?!” Ma Pei got so worked up he almost pulled off a few tufts of beard.

  “Don’t we all know her depths after using her for so many decades? I thought you’ll keep her as a collection. Who knew you would throw her here to be a spear for your junior! Are you trying to crush a sapling before it even has a chance to take root?”

  Tai Yinjun smoothly shot back. "Don’t worry. If the sprout dies, at least he’ll fertilize the soil for the next generation."

  “Listen to him! Old Devil, you say something!”

  Mo Badao calmly sipped his tea and shot a glance over. "Old Stallion, there’s no need to get so worked up."

  Ma Pei’s face went stiff, somewhat confused why the devil wasn’t standing on his side today.

  Tai Yinjun’s snicker deepened into a full-blown cackle, irking Ma Pei further. “Hoh! You all-”

  Just when the old man’s bellows were about to blow…

  “Enough.” Grand Elder Jia Wunan silenced everyone with a glance. “There’s no need to hurt our harmony over a children’s fight. Let’s do it by the old rules. Second brother?”

  Jia Gufan flexed his muscles and grinned. “Adversity builds character. That’s what I believe.”

  The Grand Elder nodded with a smile. Skipping over the Taiyin duo, he looked over to the ladies. “Feng Elders, your opinions?”

  “No objections.”

  Seeing Feng Lupeng agree, Feng Huajin nodded along. “Sister’s opinion is my own.”

  The eyes of Jia Wunan finally landed on Mo Badao, who gave Ma Pei a meaningful smile.

  “Old Stallion, you know me. I still want to see what’s so special about this brat you’re vouching for.”

  “Humph.” Ma Pei huffed but said no more.

  “Then, it’s decided.” Jia Wunan nodded like a sage and steepled his fingers together. “We’ll watch and let the roots weather this storm on their own.”

  Tai Yinjun clapped happily. “Gahaha! That’s right. Just let the squabble between juniors go with the flow.”

  “Shameless thief.” Ma Pei cursed under his breath and set his sights back down below.

  Cheap brat, the stage is already set up for you. Better show some balls or don’t blame these old bones for not doing anything to save you.