Each motion Kurome made. Each breath she took.
She was already within Tian Lu’s reach.
Kurome’s ears gave a small twitch.
This wasn’t just a tracker. It was something deeper.
A presence that weighed every heartbeat, measuring her right to exist.
Tian Lu didn’t move.
He simply stood there, silent and steady.
Letting her feel it.
Even if the darkness swallowed the world, his blade would still find her.
Off to the side, a pair of bright red eyes gleamed in the dark.
The small rat crouched motionless.
Little Sneak squinted harder, the patterns in his pupils spinning gently, blooming into a blood-red lotus.
He tilted his head, and followed it with a slow nod.
’This human’s pretty good.’
A smug little smirk stretched across his tiny whiskered face.
’Not quite as good as me, of course. My tracking technique is way more elegant.’
He puffed his chest slightly.
’But still, not bad. It can do the job.’
While the entire storage area was drowning in pitch-black shadow, Little Sneak could see everything with perfect clarity.
To him, this domain wasn’t a veil.
It was home.
Shadow was his territory too.
And watching the friendly match play out was no different than watching a sparring match under a sunny sky.
His sharp eyes never blinked as he followed every move.
Every twitch of Kurome’s paws. Every flicker of Tian Lu’s aura.
’Big Sister needs to go a bit further if she really wants to win this spar.’
’Her new ability is great. I like the concept. Covers everything, makes it hard to see, feel, or even breathe properly.’
He scratched his chin like a little sage.
’But someone experienced like that guy? It’ll only catch them off guard once. Next time, they’ll be ready.’
’Unless they’re stupid. Then it might work twice.’
He nodded again.
’The base structure is solid. Definitely has her flavor. Clean, direct, and overwhelming. Just like Big Sister when she gets serious.’
’But she’s holding back.’
His red eyes narrowed.
’If this were a real fight, she wouldn’t stop after a single attack. She’d strike again and again until nothing was left.’
’That’s how she fights. Not to win. But to kill.’
Even the shadows around him seemed to shiver a little at that thought.
Little Sneak’s tail flicked once.
He looked up toward Kurome with curiosity.
’Still… where did Big Sister get the idea for this move?’
’It’s refined. Smart. Definitely made with a purpose.’
“Did Big Sister come up with it on her own, or was she inspired by someone?”
His nose twitched.
For a brief second, Little Sneak’s bright red eyes shifted toward the main store area.
’Could it be that scheming human’s influence?’
He settled back into the shadows with a soft squeak. ’Hmm. I’ll have to ask her later.’
On the field of shadow –
The fight had barely reached its midpoint.
Tian Lu spun to his left, both arms raised.
A low rumble echoed beneath his feet.
From the very floor, a mass of huge black limbs exploded out – each one shaped like a beast’s claw, fingers stretching longer than a grown man’s arm.
Shadow Grasping Limbs.
Dozens of them.
All crawling, twisting, reaching from the veil Kurome had created.
The limbs chased Tian Lu with unnatural speed, reacting to his steps before he even completed them.
Tian Lu clicked his tongue.
He flung his twin chakrams high into the air.
The chains followed behind like silver streaks of light, dancing overhead.
Then, he moved.
His feet kicked off the ground.
One limb shot toward his left leg – he twisted, pivoted, spun mid-air, and barely landed between two grasping claws.
Another limb rose from behind.
Too close.
Tian Lu let his body drop low, rolling under its swipe as his chain scraped along the floor in a spiral.
The limbs surged again.
He couldn’t dodge them all.
So –
He stopped running.
The chakrams above responded.
Tian Lu slammed his palm into the ground.
“Crimson Arc Reversal.”
A sudden burst of red qi erupted outward.
His flying chakrams whipped down like twin comets. They spun in opposing arcs, forming a blazing ring that tore through three limbs at once.
Clang. Swish. Clang.
The sound of slicing shadow and grinding metal filled the room.
In that same moment, Kurome narrowed her eyes.
One limb nearly caught Tian Lu’s shoulder – until his chain looped around it, dragging the limb toward the floor.
She jumped from the side, claw raised.
He didn’t move.
Her attack halted a finger away from his neck.
His chakram, too, hovered right behind her ear, its edge spinning slowly.
They both stopped.
From the other side of the storage, soft footsteps padded across the stairs.
Mo Xixi shuffled in, still half-asleep.
Her hair was a mess, and her eyes were barely open, a faint spiritual qi flickering in her body as she adjusted her senses, but not enough to fully wake her up.
She wasn’t the type to need sleep, but once she found herself nestled in her warm, cozy bed, it was like the world melted away, and even a cultivator of her caliber couldn’t resist the allure of rest.
“Mmnh… what’s going on down here…?”
She squinted into the lingering darkness, blinking slowly.
’…Did we go broke or something?’
She yawned again, rubbing one eye with the back of her hand.
’Don’t tell me boss removed the lights to save crystals…’
She paused mid-step, finally sensing the heavy air and shadow qi clinging in the storage area.
She immediately turned and walked right back up the stairs.
’Nope. Not dealing with this.’
As Mo Xixi’s footsteps disappeared upstairs, the veil of darkness began to lift.
The shadows faded, peeled away like mist.
Light crept back into the storage area.
Kurome’s paw trembled slightly but did not strike.
Tian Lu’s breath was calm, though sweat lined his brow.
“Draw?”
Kurome blinked once. Then nodded.
’…Draw.’
’Thank you, Tian. For indulging me in this sparring.’
’I have learned much today.’
Tian Lu nodded slightly, his tone simple but full of respect.
“Amazing.”
“Technique.”
Kurome’s tail flicked behind her.
’Your agility is extraordiary. You truly are an impressive opponent.’
“Good.”
“Fight.” Tian Lu finished, his words a rare compliment.
Both of them stood in silence, eyes meeting.
As guardians of the Dimensional Convenience Store, they both knew their role.
They were the first line of defense, the shield between the store and any who dared disrupt its peace.
There was an unspoken understanding between Tian Lu and Kurome – no need for conversation.