Zhao Tian’s body was dragged through the dimly lit corridors as his chains clanked loudly against the cold stone floor.
Every movement sent jolts of pain through his limbs, but Kaelith showed no mercy.
His vision blurred, yet he forced himself to remain conscious.
Every fiber of his being burned with exhaustion, yet he clinged onto the remaining strength he had.
The deeper they went, the stronger the scent of dampness and decay became.
The oppressive darkness seemed to stretch endlessly, broken only by the occasional flickering of crimson lanterns lining the walls.
The eerie glow bathed the path in a blood-red hue, casting long shadows that danced with malice.
Then, they emerged into the open.
The Citadel.
A colossal structure of dark stone and jagged spires loomed over him.
Its towering walls seemed to stretch toward the skies, and at its center stood a vast open courtyard.
The air was thick with the presence of them.
The Vampires.
Rows upon rows of them stood in the courtyard, their crimson eyes gleaming with hunger and curiosity as they watched him being dragged forward.
Some whispered amongst themselves, others merely smirked, their lips curling to reveal sharp fangs glistening under the pale moonlight.
A spectacle. That’s what he was to them.
Kaelith continued forward, hauling Zhao Tian’s battered form until they reached the very center of the vast open space.
Thick, black chains coiled around a massive stone pillar, and their surface pulsed faintly with crimson runes.
Without hesitation, Kaelith slammed Zhao Tian down onto the stone, yanking the chains taut.
They wrapped around his arms and legs, binding him in place.
The cold metal bit into his skin and the runes flared with crimson energy that seeped into his body, suppressing every last trace of his astral energy.
Zhao Tian barely had the strength to lift his head.
But when he did, he saw the sea of vampires surrounding him, their gazes filled with anticipation.
Then, Kaelith stepped forward.
He unsheathed a long black sword as its edge gleamed under the pale moonlight.
Without a word, he raised the blade high.
For a brief moment, time seemed to slow.
Then—
SHLICK!
The blade plunged deep into Zhao Tian’s abdomen.
A wet, sickening sound filled the air as steel tore through flesh.
"GUH!" Zhao Tian’s breath hitched and his entire body stiffened as his muscles locked in sheer pain.
A violent, searing pain erupted from his core, radiating outward like wildfire.
A fierce kick struck her stomach, sending her sprawling across the ground.
Her body convulsed as pain laced through her every nerve, yet she refused to let out a single cry of pain.
Selena stood over her as her expression twisted with pure hatred.
"Not so tough now, are you?" She sneered, her heeled boots clicking against the floor as she circled Yao Jing’s trembling body.
She crouched down, gripping Yao Jing’s bloodstained face, forcing her to look up.
"Where is that arrogance now?" Selena whispered, her fingers tightening against Yao Jing’s jaw as her nails dug into her bruised skin.
Yao Jing didn’t respond.
Selena’s lips curled in disgust.
"Still glaring at me?" She scoffed.
Her fingers uncurled, and she grabbed Yao Jing’s hair, yanking her up before throwing her across the room.
*THRASH* Yao Jing’s body crashed into a wooden table, shattering it into pieces as splinters dug into her flesh.
"Urgh..." A strangled groan escaped her lips, but she quickly bit it back.
Selena stepped forward, her high heels crushing the broken fragments of wood beneath her as she knelt beside Yao Jing’s trembling body.
Her fingers ran down Yao Jing’s arm before tightening around her wrist.
Yao Jing clenched her teeth and her body twitched in pain, but her mind was still unwilling to submit.
Selena’s grip tightened, her nails drawing fresh streams of blood.
Then, her other hand pressed against Yao Jing’s abdomen... right where her core was.
A slow, cruel smile spread across Selena’s lips "You don’t deserve cultivation."
Yao Jing’s eyes widened in horror and before she could react, Selena struck.
A devastating force erupted from the vampire’s palm, slamming directly into Yao Jing’s core.
A sharp, piercing pain ripped through her body... worse than anything she had ever felt before.
It was as if something was being shattered from the inside out.
"ARGHHHHH!!" Yao Jing’s body arched violently and a scream tore from her lips as cracks formed across her core.
Her cultivation... years of effort, pain, and dedication... was being destroyed.
She struggled, gasping for breath, but it was useless.
Selena’s power surged through her, twisting and crushing the core until—
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CRACK!
It shattered.
"Huff..." Yao Jing let out a weak, ragged gasp as her body collapsed to the floor.
Cold.
Empty.
She felt empty.