The Familiar Aura

A grunt escaped Liao Ren’s lips. After consuming three people, his senses began to return. But then, a presence he would never forget surged into his awareness, instantly throwing his aura into chaos.

Years had passed since he’d last sensed this aura. He had believed he’d never face it again, resigned to burying it deep within his heart. And now… yet, yet… Hahaha! Long time no see!

The faint clarity in his eyes evaporated, replaced by a vacant stare. His bloodshot eyes fixed on the direction from which Bai Chen was coming. At the sight of that long-lost familiar silhouette, Liao Ren’s body shook with agitation.

Seeing this, Bai Chen drew a sharp breath. This man had grown even more savage. But how had his strength risen so fast? That was a concern Bai Chen usually reserved for foes like Mo Xiao or other superior Kings. Yet Liao Ren’s current presence radiated danger—not solely from his berserk state, but from his fundamental cultivation. A mere berserker could be dealt with after the frenzy faded, but now… Bai Chen’s eyes clouded with gloom.

With a thunderous roar, Bai Chen narrowly evaded a colossal wave of spiritual energy. He tumbled across the ground twice, casting a quick look at the building that had disintegrated into particles. Sucking in a breath, he rolled away at breakneck speed, reducing everything in his path to dust. Luckily, the crowd had long been evacuated; no one else was injured.

Bai Chen stretched out his hand, and a sword materialized from nothing. Digging his right foot into the earth, he launched himself skyward, the blade shimmering with a blue radiance.

A metallic clang rang out. There was no sound of a blade cutting through flesh, nor the whoosh of a missed strike. Liao Ren’s other sword intercepted Bai Chen’s. Bai Chen’s brow twitched. Neither in reports nor in their prior encounters had Liao Ren ever wielded a sword. Clearly, he had advanced considerably over the years.

Bai Qiao remained rooted, gazing upward at the entangled duel. She had expected Bai Chen to swiftly dispatch his foe, yet he appeared increasingly on the defensive. She yearned to act, but the frenetic pace and masterful skills of both combatants left her no opening. In her fluster, her gaze darted to the left front. There… Bai Qiao’s eyes flew wide. “Dad?!”

From his vantage point, Bai Chen naturally spotted Bai Zhou below. His sharp eyes caught the expression in Bai Zhou’s gaze… concern? A tremor ran through Bai Chen’s heart. This was an emotion he had never felt before.

Sensing Bai Chen’s distraction and noticing the man below, Liao Ren smirked. You… come share the suffering I endured. He freed his left hand, condensing a small spiritual energy wave in his palm. For an ordinary person, that level was more than sufficient.

With a swoosh, Bai Chen, as expected, deflected the strike swiftly.

A grunt escaped Bai Chen. The abrupt change in position left his intense assault riddled with gaps. Liao Ren seized the opportunity, plunging a keen-edged sword into Bai Chen’s shoulder.

Bai Chen’s brow furrowed. He swiftly retreated, yanking the blade from his shoulder. Blood poured out immediately, drenching his shoulder in crimson.

“I thought… the merciless King Bai would look away as usual.” Liao Ren’s deep voice came laced with a bewitching allure.

“Tch!” Bai Chen frowned. If it were the old him, he would have unhesitatingly abandoned anyone who threatened him. But now… what had changed? When had this shift happened?

Several rapid whooshes sounded. Bai Chen’s brief lapse left room for Liao Ren, who hurled attacks in all directions, some aimed straight at Bai Zhou.

No, no! Bai Chen couldn’t intercept every strike. Was this newfound familial connection about to be lost? A rending ache gripped his heart. For the first time, he thought he understood Liao Ren’s anguish from years past…

“What?” Liao Ren exclaimed as Bai Zhou vanished from sight. Bai Chen’s gaze shot into the distance—Bai Qiao. A slight smile, which Bai Chen himself didn’t notice, tugged at his lips. He breathed a sigh of relief. Then, he turned, sword aimed at Liao Ren.

“It’s me you hate, isn’t it? Leave others out of this. We’ll settle this elsewhere.”