Deceit and Sacrifice

After the shaman's enigmatic disappearance, Danny's body finally succumbed to the accumulated exhaustion from the relentless battle. He lowered himself to the ground, taking labored breaths and struggling to recover from the physically and mentally taxing confrontation. Coughs wracked his frame, and his mouth bore the scarlet stain of the struggle he'd endured.

Aquilla picked up the black orb left on the ground after the hybrid had disintegrated. It was the Demon Beast core of the Pseudo Rank 4 Dark Crow, a highly valuable item for cultivators seeking to increase their strength or for alchemists looking to create potent pills for cultivation or other purposes.

Aquilla landed near Danny, who had just reverted to his normal self. She tossed the black orb into his outstretched hand, and he caught it, examining the valuable item with a mixture of exhaustion and curiosity.