The Forsaken Villager’s Rise

Blood Refinement

The forest grew unnaturally quiet. Even the birds had fled. Ethan crouched low, one hand pressed against the damp soil, his senses stretched thin.

The System’s reminder echoed in his mind:

[Hidden Trial: Blood Refinement Pool.]

[Progress: 0/3 Tier 2 blood collected.]

[Time Remaining: 44 hours.]

He exhaled slowly. “Three Tier 2… within two days. If I fail, I’ll stay weak… and weakness means death.”

Not far away, a team of three hunters moved silently through the undergrowth. Each wore dark crimson cloaks stitched with the sigil of a bleeding hawk. Their eyes glowed faintly red, a sign of blood-enhanced cultivation.

“Target’s nearby,” whispered the leader, a tall man with twin curved blades. “Orders are clear. No survivors. Remember—he’s Forsaken, but reports say he wields phoenix fire. Don’t underestimate him.”

The others grinned savagely, hungry for the kill.

Ethan struck first.

From the treetops, his flames burst downward like a shower of meteors. The forest floor ignited, cutting off their retreat. The hunters snarled, their cloaks whipping as they leapt through the blaze.

“Found you, boy!” the twin-blade leader roared. His speed was monstrous—faster than Ethan expected.

Their blades clashed. Sparks and fire exploded between them, illuminating the night. Ethan’s arms trembled under the impact, but he gritted his teeth and pushed back, his flames roaring hotter.

The second hunter circled around, launching blood-forged darts that hissed through the air. Ethan twisted aside, one grazing his shoulder, sizzling his flesh with corrupted energy.

“Damn…” he hissed, forcing himself to keep moving. His phoenix fire clashed with the hunters’ blood energy, creating a storm of crimson and gold light.

The System chimed.

[Blood Acquired: 1/3.]

The first hunter fell, his corpse consumed in fire. Ethan staggered, his vision blurred, but a wild grin spread across his face.

“One down… two to go.”

But the twin-blade leader only laughed, his aura swelling, blades dripping with crimson mist. “Good. You’re not prey anymore—you’re a challenge.”

The ground trembled as he unleashed his full cultivation, blood energy rising like a tide. Ethan’s fire flared in answer, but deep inside, his bloodline surged violently, threatening to break free.

Liora, hidden in the shadows, covered her mouth in horror. She had followed him despite his warnings—and now, she could see it clearly.

Ethan wasn’t just fighting to survive.

He was evolving.