The crimson threads fell.
Fast.
Sharp.
Like a net of blood descending from the sky.
Li Tian didn't hesitate.
"Split!"
He moved left instantly.
Mei went right.
The threads slammed into the ground between them—
CRACK!
The earth tore open slightly as the red strands dug deep into mud and stone.
Not just binding.
Destroying.
Li Tian's eyes narrowed.
Direct contact… means death.
The marker stood above on the platform, his fingers moving in slow, controlled patterns.
Every movement—
Precise.
Cold.
Calculated.
Behind the outpost, the reserve guard rushed forward.
Heavy steps.
A brute.
Large build.
Not fast—
But powerful.
Two enemies.
Two styles.
Perfect.
Li Tian exhaled slowly.
No panic.
No rush.
This wasn't survival anymore.
This was execution.
The system flickered.
[Target Priority: Mark Source]
[Secondary Threat: Physical Guard]
[Suggested tactic: Divide and isolate]
Li Tian's gaze shifted.
He made his decision instantly.
"Mei," he said calmly.
"The brute is yours."
Mei didn't argue.
Didn't hesitate.
She moved immediately.
Low.
Fast.
Cutting across the muddy slope toward the charging guard.
The brute roared and swung a heavy blade downward.
Mei slipped to the side—
Barely avoiding it.
The blade struck the ground—
THUD!
Mud exploded.
Heavy.
Slow.
Predictable.
Mei's eyes sharpened.
"Too easy…"
She muttered.
Li Tian had already moved.
Straight toward the platform.
The marker's gaze locked onto him.
"You came alone?"
His voice was amused.
"Brave."
Li Tian didn't respond.
The threads snapped toward him again.
Faster this time.
Li Tian stepped forward instead of back.
Closing distance.
The threads struck—
He twisted his body—
One brushed his arm.
A sharp pain cut through him.
Blood surfaced instantly.
Not deep.
But dangerous.
He ignored it.
He needed to get closer.
The marker's strength was range.
Distance.
Control.
Break that—
And he loses half his advantage.
The system pulsed.
[Controlled Absorption ready]
Li Tian's breathing steadied.
Not yet.
Wait for the right moment.
Another thread shot forward—
Aimed at his legs.
Li Tian jumped—
Landing hard against the edge of the platform.
His body protested.
Pain surged.
But he forced himself up.
The marker's eyes narrowed.
"Fast…"
He stepped back slightly.
Maintaining distance.
Smart.
Very smart.
The threads retracted and formed around him again.
Guarding.
Waiting.
Li Tian stepped onto the platform.
Slowly.
Deliberately.
"You rely too much on distance," he said quietly.
The marker smiled faintly.
"And you rely too much on getting close."
Both true.
That's why—
Only one of them would win.
Behind them—
Mei and the brute clashed again.
CRASH!
Her dagger cut across his arm—
But barely slowed him.
The brute swung again—
Wild.
Powerful.
Mei ducked—
But her movement slowed slightly.
She was fast.
But not strong enough to end it quickly.
Time mattered.
Li Tian saw it.
If this drags—
They lose.
He moved.
Suddenly.
Closing the gap.
The marker reacted instantly—
Threads exploded forward—
Li Tian didn't dodge.
He stepped inside them.
Letting one slice across his side—
Blood spilled—
Pain surged—
But he reached him.
Close.
Too close.
The marker's expression changed.
Just a little.
Li Tian grabbed his wrist.
Tight.
Controlled.
The system activated.
[Controlled Absorption]
This time—
Stronger.
Deeper.
The flow wasn't chaotic.
It was focused.
Directed.
The marker's eyes widened.
"My blood—?!"
His control faltered.
The threads trembled.
Weakened.
That moment—
Was everything.
Li Tian drove his sword forward.
Straight toward the chest.
The marker twisted—
Avoiding a fatal strike—
But the blade still pierced deep into his shoulder.
THUD.
He staggered back.
Pain flashing across his face.
Real pain.
For the first time.
Li Tian didn't stop.
He stepped forward again.
Relentless.
The marker slammed his rod into the ground—
A burst of red energy pushed outward.
Li Tian was thrown back—
Sliding across the platform.
His body slammed hard.
"AGH—!"
The connection broke.
The absorption stopped.
The threads snapped back—
Faster.
More aggressive.
The marker's face had changed.
No more calm.
Now—
Danger.
"You… bastard…"
His voice dropped cold.
"You think you can cut my mark?"
Li Tian slowly stood.
Blood dripping.
Breathing steady.
"Yes."
The marker raised both hands.
The threads multiplied.
More.
Denser.
Deadlier.
The air itself seemed to tighten.
Below—
Mei finally created an opening.
She slid under the brute's swing—
And drove her dagger into his knee.
CRACK.
The brute roared and dropped slightly.
Slowed.
Not dead.
But weakened.
Good.
That was enough.
Li Tian's eyes locked onto the marker.
Everything slowed.
Every movement clear.
Every risk visible.
He stepped forward.
Again.
The threads shot out—
A full net—
No escape.
Li Tian didn't stop.
Didn't dodge.
Instead—
He focused.
Every ounce of control.
Every drop of remaining strength.
[Controlled Absorption – Maximum]
The moment the threads touched him—
He grabbed them.
Not physically—
But through the connection.
Through blood.
The system reacted violently.
[Link established]
Li Tian felt it.
The marker's power.
His control.
His blood.
Flowing—
Into him.
Not all.
Not enough to kill.
But enough to break balance.
The marker's eyes widened.
"No—!"
His control shattered.
The threads collapsed.
Falling uselessly.
Li Tian moved instantly.
No hesitation.
No second chance.
The sword pierced forward—
Clean.
Direct.
THUD.
This time—
It went through.
Straight through the chest.
Silence.
The marker froze.
His body stiff.
Eyes wide.
The red glow faded.
Slowly.
Then—
Gone.
The system pulsed sharply.
[Mark Source Eliminated]
[Hunter Mark Removed]
Li Tian staggered slightly—
But did not fall.
His breathing heavy.
But controlled.
Done.
Behind him—
Mei finished the brute with a final strike.
Silence returned to the ridge.
For a moment—
Everything stopped.
Then—
The system flickered again.
[Bloodline Stability Increased]
[New Stage Approaching]
Li Tian looked down at his chest.
The burning mark—
Gone.
Finally.
He exhaled slowly.
"We're free…"
Mei stepped beside him.
Her gaze sharp.
"From the mark."
A pause.
"Not from everything else."
Li Tian didn't reply.
He already knew.
Because far beyond the ridge—
In the darkness of the forest—
More torches had appeared.
More voices.
Stronger ones.
And somewhere—
Watching.
Waiting.
Someone else had noticed.
Someone far more dangerous.
🔥 The Dragon's Ancestral Legacy 🔥