Wenwu was solely focused on the Gray Church and Assassins Union members, oblivious to his own state.

His right sleeve had turned to ashes unnoticed. Obvious burns covered his entire right arm, spreading toward his right chest. Yet Wenwu showed no reaction—as if unaware of the changes on his body.

Wenwu slowly turned his head toward Amia, a creepy smile on his face. Instinctively, Amia dropped her dagger and tried prying his fingers off, struggling to escape his grip.

But it was futile. Wenwu’s grip only tightened. Amia’s breathing grew rapid until she passed out from lack of oxygen.

“Ah!”

Silver let out another scream.

“Can’t die… Silver is mine… Can’t die… Silver is mine…”

Wenwu kept repeating these words.

Due to Amia’s petite figure, Wenwu held the unconscious girl in one hand. Step by step, he walked toward Silver, swinging Blazing Edge. Sword aura left smoldering embers wherever it struck. Soon, Black Street blazed with flames.

Auston, skilled only in spatial magic, saw Wenwu like a demon from hell and dared not block him.

“Mas… save… uh…”

Silver managed fragmented words.

Wenwu suddenly stopped. He leaped into the air, hovering mid-flight with Jade Star’s Wind Spirit incantation. Scanning around, he spotted Silver and Black Scorpion.

Wenwu dove rapidly toward Silver. Black Scorpion reacted swiftly, darting away as Wenwu descended.

“Boom!”

Wenwu landed with force rivaling Greg’s earlier impact.

Tears marred Silver’s clothes, revealing bluish bruises beneath. Black Scorpion held a short whip. The truth was obvious.

“My Silver… mine…”

Black Scorpion sensed this Wenwu was different. The earlier Wenwu, though weaker, still showed humanity. Now, he felt like a hellish fiend.

“Master actually… summoned… Blazing Edge…”

Forgetting his pain, Silver stared at Wenwu with the same shock as Black Scorpion.

“What do you mean?” Black Scorpion asked, ignoring their opposing stances.

“I once heard Master say Blazing Edge is his fire-attribute Sword Spirit. But it has a strong will. Though powerful, it erodes the user’s mind and body until death. I’ve never seen him use it,” Silver explained.

Burns had already covered Wenwu’s right chest, spreading to his back.

A strong opponent isn’t scary. A mindless killing machine is.

This kid reached me after breaking through Auston and Greg’s joint blockade. If even they couldn’t beat him, how could I win? Black Scorpion decided to avoid the fight.

He shoved Silver toward Wenwu and fled the opposite way.

Pushed forward, Silver stumbled before Wenwu. Wenwu glanced at him but moved to chase Black Scorpion.

“Master!” Silver hugged Wenwu, staring into his lifeless eyes. “Master, do you remember me? I’m Silver!”

Wenwu kept walking forward with Silver clinging to him.

Seeing no clarity in Wenwu, Silver gritted his teeth. He grabbed Blazing Edge’s blade, slicing his palm lightly. Blood quickly coated his hand.

“Slap!”

Silver slapped Wenwu hard. “Master, please, wake up!”

This… the smell of blood? How… Silver?

“Silver?”

“Master, you recognize me?” Silver cried, tears welling.

“What… happened?” Wenwu looked at the flames. “Hiss… my body hurts.”

As Wenwu regained consciousness, Blazing Edge dissolved into flames and vanished. The burns finally made him feel the pain.

“Master, you recognized me, you finally—”

“People of Black Street! This is the Imperial Guard. Riots caused fires threatening stability. The Empire will investigate. Do not obstruct us.”

A voice boomed through the night like a broadcast.

“Master, we must leave! Imperial soldiers are coming. If caught, it’ll be trouble,” Silver urged.

Wenwu didn’t know the consequences of capture, but trusting Silver felt right.

As he prepared to carry Silver away, he noticed something else in his hand. “Amia? How is she here?” He couldn’t recall earlier events.

“Master, don’t worry—just go!” Silver pressed anxiously.

Wenwu thought: Amia knew much. Taking her made sense. Resolved, he carried Amia in one arm and Silver in the other. Using Jade Star’s Wind Spirit incantation, he vanished into the night. He was grateful both had petite figures.

Wenwu didn’t notice a familiar rabbit-eared girl watching from the shadows.

Elven Village.

“Luna, what… did you say?” The Elf Queen asked in shock.

“Brother Wenwu said an Elven friend passed away. He wanted to pay respects, so I took him to the graveyard,” Luna replied.

Confirming Luna’s words, the Elf Queen’s mind went blank. She nearly collapsed.

“Could it be… he changed?”

She realized the person she trusted had schemed against her people. Regret sank deep.

“Your Majesty, regret won’t help. We must retrieve the Divine Tree Seed first,” Celeborn advised.

“Fu!” The Elf Queen rallied.

A handsome, long-haired elf approached. “Your Majesty, your orders?” Fu bowed.

“Fu, you’re our finest warrior. Retrieve the Divine Tree Seed for me.” She touched his forehead. “This mark will guide you to it.”

“Yes. Fu will bring back the seed.”

Imperial Palace.

Desmona stood on the platform, gazing at Black Street’s fiery glow. She smiled. “Wenwu, I wonder if you’ll live to claim your reward.”

Black Street.

Imperial Guards patrolled endlessly. Combined with Wenwu’s rampage, it left Greg seething.

“Seems you didn’t get what you wanted either.” Black Scorpion approached Greg and Auston.

“Hmph.” Greg snorted in disgust.

“Hey… how about we team up for a job?” Black Scorpion suggested.

Though Wenwu left Black Street, it wasn’t over. This was only the beginning.