The Wu Province was located near the eastern frontier of Ivory Continent. Although it was not in direct conflict with demons, many demons would sneak in and havoc the province. In response, the House of Wu would slaughter these demons. However, this was a rare instance when they couldn’t kill every demon and too many were let loose. This was an embarrassment to the House of Wu, but nonetheless, a great training opportunity for many young magi. 

 

The demons fled into the East Wu Mountain Range, which was just around the border of Wu Province. Some tried to escape, but were ultimately killed, and many chose to stay in the mountain, waiting to be slaughtered. 

 

“Attention!” An elder of the House of Wu stood atop a high, floating platform at the base of the mountains. “As you may already know, many demons have fled into these mountains. Most of them are around the Marker level, but many of them are as strong as Virtual Aspect level and Manifest Aspect level magi. Today, we have a total of ten Manifest Aspect magi and a few dozen Virtual Aspect magi; the rest of you are Markers. I suggest that you form teams, otherwise, when those demons come in flock, you’ll be the one left for dead. The House of Wu does not take responsibility for anyone’s death.” 

 

“As you know, you can get additional rewards for killing demons and taking their demon heart. Each demon heart will be given points based on their quality with Marker-level demon heart as one point, Virtual Aspect-level demon hearts as ten points, and Manifest Aspect-level demon heart as a hundred points. Simple enough? Good. You have an hour to prepare.” 

 

The young magi from the Ivory Royal Institute and the House of Wu started mingling. However, many Markers avoided Yang Yang and Princess Jasmine. While Yang Yang was attractive in both looks and battle power, the hostile air around Princess Jasmine overwhelmed them. She was a seventh-step Marker, making her one of the stronger Markers present. 

 

“Young Miss, I’m only so capable. We should really team up with some people here,” said Yang Yang. 

 

“I know.” Princess Jasmine remained unmoved. Yang Yang sighed. 

 

“Hey there,” someone said behind them, “Would it be okay if you two join our group?” 

 

A black-haired young man in a sand-colored, cloud-designed robe led a group of other magi toward them. “Judging from your robes, you must also be legacy students, right? I’m Wu Wamu, a legacy student and a member from the House of Wu.” 

 

“Oh?” Princess Jasmine stepped up. “I am Jasmine. This is my butler, Yang Yang. ” 

 

Outside the royal city, Princess Jasmine’s features were unknown to most people. It was even more so for Yang Yang, who was one of the few Life Magic magus on the whole continent. Since their identities were largely a secret, there was not a lot of reason for them to not use their real names. 

 

“Ah?” Wu Wamu was startled when Princess Jasmine spoke first. He assumed that Yang Yang was the leader of the pair, but it turned it out he was a butler. Then, Wu Wamu sized them both, and was slightly shocked at their cultivation level. 

 

Something clicked in his mind. “These two must be from one of the noble houses.”

 

”May I ask which noble house you are both from?”

 

”My apology, the elders from my house did not permit me to tell that information.” 

 

Wu Wamu smiled, but inside, he grumbled. However, the young miss’ speech indicate that she was from a prestigious family. 

 

“Yang Yang, what do you say?” Princess Jasmine asked. Yang Yang said, “Young Miss, I believe it is best if we team up with our fellow students.” 

 

An hour later, the group departed to the East Wu Mountain Range. 

 

......

 

Deep within the East Wu Mountain Range, moving shadows zoomed across the slopes and up to the peak. "My lady, the humans have come prepared." 

 

On the top of a particular mountain was a man-made cave. A voice spoke out from the cave. "Prepare the men. Make sure they remain alive, and don't try to kill too many humans. The longer we hold out, the better." 

 

"How much longer, my lady?" 

 

"Two more weeks. I should be able to recover within two weeks. Then, I'll take everyone out and we can all leave." 

 

"Yes." The shadows retreated back into the mountain. Within the cave, light moans and little grunts resounded throughout. The sulter air mixed with the sound of wetness created a strange atmosphere in the cave. Suddenly, a loud grunt sounded, followed by silence. 

 

“Weak. So weak. None of these creatures are suffice for my desire.” Bones broke and tendons tore. The scent of blood gave a flavor of horror to the moist, sultry air. It was as though something bewitching lurked in the cave, but turned out to be monstrous as well. 

 

“All of this life force is not enough. I need more. I need more! If enough of those magi come into here then I’ll be able to...Wait. What is this? This scent...” 

 

A pink shadow shot out of the cave and into the dense trees of the mountain. “So much life force. Such pure blood. Such exquisiteness.  This could only be from a Life Magic magus. It’s so...” 

 

“My Lady, the humans have started climbing up. There seems to be a particular human that...”

 

“I know. I can smell him too. Change of plan. Relay it to everyone here. No matter what you have to do, capture that human. Especially alive, understand? Get to as many demons as possible throughout the mountain range and tell them to bring that human to me!” 

 

“Yes, my lady.” When the demons left, the pink shadow returned to the cave. Huffs and puffs echoed through the cave, along with  moans and giggles. 

 

“This is it. This is the opportunity I needed. As long as that human comes here, I’ll quickly return to my cultivation level and leave this place with everyone else in a few days. Ah, but that scent...” 

 

The scent of blood and desire thicken. The sound of wetness and hunger deepen. 

 

“It was just so, so sweet.”