Renegade Knight

The demon lands stretched across rugged plains, a vast expanse of desolate beauty with jagged cliffs that tore through the barren soil, casting ominous shadows under the dim sky. This was a place where light dared not linger, where the air was thick with the scent of sulfur and a sense of foreboding draped every rock and shadow. Through these lands, Feng Zhu flew, his dark wings slicing through the air with incredible speed, leaving trails of swirling energy that dissipated into the gloom behind him.

His wings were large and bat-like, an embodiment of his dark powers. They flared with each powerful beat, blackened as night and edged with shadows that seemed to consume the air around him. His sharp, piercing gaze swept across the land as he soared, noting the landscapes beneath him—the cracked earth, the twisted trees, the occasional flicker of life in the form of beasts lurking below. Feng Zhu's expression remained calm, almost bored, until he spotted the thick forest ahead.

Dark trees with twisted branches loomed, the forest a realm of its own within the demonic lands. It was dense, ancient, and wild, where light fought a losing battle to break through the thick canopy. Feng Zhu swooped lower, gliding through the trees as they blurred past him, almost like dark spirits reaching out with crooked fingers to grasp him. He navigated with effortless grace, moving swiftly between branches and shadows.

Then, suddenly, a piercing scream shattered the silence of the forest. It was distant but clear, carrying with it a tone of desperation. Feng Zhu slowed his flight, his curiosity piqued. A smirk tugged at the corner of his lips as he followed the direction of the sound. He wasn't one to meddle in the affairs of others, but he did enjoy a bit of amusement.

The scream led him to a clearing where a battle was underway. A group of five cultivators fought a monstrous beast—a massive, gorilla-like creature, towering over them with muscles like boulders, thick matted fur, and a set of blood-red eyes that gleamed with primal rage. The beast roared, shaking the forest around it as the cultivators tried in vain to subdue it. The ground trembled under its weight, each step sending tremors through the clearing.

Feng Zhu settled on a tree branch above the scene, crossing one leg over the other as he leaned back casually, folding his wings close against his back. He watched with an amused grin as the cultivators clashed with the creature, assessing their abilities and weaknesses. Among them, one stood out—a young woman leading the charge. Her aura was formidable, her stance poised, as she wielded her sword with precision, her strikes swift and relentless.

Her name was Fei Yue, and she was clearly the strongest among them, her power at the middle foundation building stage. Feng Zhu's gaze lingered on her; there was a fierce determination in her eyes, an energy that caught his attention. She was graceful yet fierce, her movements calculated yet relentless. Her companions worked in tandem with her, using artifacts and techniques to distract and slow the beast, giving her the opening she needed to strike.

Fei Yue's voice rang out, commanding her team with authority as they attacked the beast together. The creature let out another ear-splitting roar, swinging its massive arms in wide arcs as it tried to swat them away. Her sword flashed as she struck, a powerful blow that cut into the beast's hide, making it stumble back with a bellow of pain.

Feng Zhu watched with intrigue, leaning forward slightly as Fei Yue moved in for the final strike, her blade aimed at the creature's heart. Just as she was about to deliver the killing blow, the beast's eyes flared with a sudden, violent light. It let out a blood-curdling scream, unleashing a surge of energy that pulsed outward in a massive shockwave. The blast hit all five cultivators, sending them flying across the clearing.

Fei Yue's body crashed against the ground, her leg twisted painfully beneath her. Her expression twisted in pain, but she struggled to rise, her injured leg betraying her efforts. The huge gorilla-beast lumbered toward her, each step making the earth quake. She watched as it approached, knowing she was too injured to defend herself. Her teammates called her name, their voices frantic, but the beast was upon her too quickly.

Fei Yue's breathing slowed as she accepted her fate. She closed her eyes, feeling a sense of calm settle over her. Her teammates' voices faded, their pleas turning into distant echoes. She braced herself, ready for the end.

But the killing blow never came.

Instead, there was a pause, followed by a low, rumbling growl. Fei Yue dared to open her eyes, and what she saw left her speechless. A hand—strong, dark, and emanating a chilling power—had stopped the beast's massive paw mid-swing. Feng Zhu stood there, his expression one of mild amusement as he held the creature's strike effortlessly. He turned to the beast with a smile, his voice dripping with mock politeness.

"You should show some respect to ladies," he said, his tone light yet laced with danger. "Especially if they're this beautiful."

Before the creature could react, Feng Zhu's free hand shot forward, connecting with the beast's chest in a powerful punch. The impact was devastating. The beast hurtled through the air, crashing into a distant mountain with such force that the ground shook, dust and rubble cascading down as the mountain itself cracked from the force. The massive creature lay slumped against the rocks, unconscious and defeated.

Feng Zhu dusted off his hands, turning to see the reactions of Fei Yue's companions. They stared at him, wide-eyed and trembling, their faces pale with fear. One of them, clutching a weapon tightly, stammered out, "A dark energy user…"

The recognition in his voice was thick with terror. Feng Zhu's smile faded as he glanced at the group, his gaze cold and unreadable. He seemed almost indifferent to their fear, his attention drawn instead to the wounded figure lying at his feet.

Crouching down beside Fei Yue, he inspected her injured leg, his fingers lightly tracing the wound. She winced, a gasp escaping her lips as pain flared through her body. Feng Zhu's touch was surprisingly gentle, a contrast to the raw power he had just displayed. He glanced up at her, his voice a quiet murmur. "Bear with me for a moment, alright?"

Fei Yue, still dazed by the events, could only stare up at him in shock, her mind racing. She barely registered his words, her senses overwhelmed by his presence and the aura of power surrounding him. Feng Zhu lifted her into his arms with ease, his grip firm yet gentle. He turned away from the others, preparing to leave.

One of her teammates, finally regaining his courage, drew his sword, pointing it at Feng Zhu with a trembling hand. "Put her down, you evil villain!" he shouted, voice wavering with a mixture of fear and anger.

Feng Zhu halted, turning his head slowly to face the challenger. The space around them darkened, shadows gathering as he released a fraction of his true power. With a single glance, he unleashed a dark spiritual attack. A massive dragon, formed of pure dark energy, surged forward from his aura, its jaws snapping at the man. The sheer force of the illusion sent him reeling, blood spurting from his mouth as he fell to his knees, his spirit momentarily shattered.

The others rushed to his side, shouting his name as they tried to tend to him. Feng Zhu paid them no mind, his gaze lingering only on Fei Yue as he prepared to depart. He unfurled his dark wings once more, the shadows around him swirling with anticipation.

One of the remaining cultivators, driven by desperation and anger, ran after him, shouting, "You'll pay for this!"

Feng Zhu glanced over his shoulder, a smirk playing on his lips. "I'll be waiting," he replied, his voice low and filled with quiet menace. Then, with a powerful beat of his wings, he took to the sky, Fei Yue held securely in his arms as they soared above the forest, leaving her team staring helplessly after them.

Fei Yue's consciousness faded, the events swirling in her mind like a strange dream as darkness claimed her. Feng Zhu flew steadily, his thoughts unreadable as he carried her away into the shadows, his destination known only to him.