Chapter 13: The Second Stage

Two days had passed since their battle with the Earthfang, and outside of traveling, the group had spent their time recovering and training within the World Marble. The eternal daylight bathed the landscape in a warm glow, the air crisp and filled with the scent of grass and blooming flowers—flowers that Issei had planted for Wu Xiao.

At the back of the Wu sisters’ house, hidden within a grove of small trees, Issei and Wu Lan sat across from each other, their hands clasped together as they focused on their breathing. A faint shimmer of energy surrounded them, an unseen current flowing between them as they cultivated together.

Inside the house, Wu Ying sat in silent meditation, legs crossed, eyes closed, deep in her own cultivation.

A short distance away, Ddraig lay lazily in the grass, occasionally flicking his tail while Wu Xiao played with Luna, the Silver Wolf, and a group of smaller creatures they had captured. The animals were slowly being tamed, responding to her with surprising affection. Luna, ever the proud guardian, sat still as Wu Xiao braided wildflowers into its fur, occasionally huffing in mild irritation.

But back to Issei—his body trembled.

Something inside him shifted.

The warmth of energy that had always circulated through his body now surged, growing denser, heavier—like a flood pressing against the boundaries of his being. His heartbeat pounded in rhythm with the power rising inside him, his veins pulsing as though filled with liquid fire.

Wu Lan, eyes still closed, furrowed her brow as she felt the shift. “Issei… your energy is surging.”

“I know.” He grit out, feeling heat coil in his core. His breathing grew ragged, sweat forming on his brow. “Something’s happening…”

The power swelled, roaring like an untamed beast inside his chest. The world around him blurred—his senses expanded and contracted all at once. He could hear the faint rustling of the wind, the soft hum of life in the World Marble, and the distant heartbeat of Wu Lan echoing against his own.

Then—

A burst of invisible energy exploded outward from Issei’s body.

The air around him ignited, crackling as the ground trembled beneath him. His aura expanded like a wildfire, his muscles tightening, his skin tingling with newfound power.

Inside the house, Wu Ying’s eyes snapped open as she felt the shift within the World Marble. Without hesitation, she ran outside, her expression shifting from mild curiosity to genuine surprise.

Wu Xiao, still holding a fluffy white rabbit, gasped. “Big Bro?”

Luna let out a low growl, ears twitching, sensing the sudden change in the air.

Issei clenched his fists, feeling the transformation complete. He wasn’t just stronger—he felt different. Lighter, faster, more attuned to the energy coursing through his body. His skin tingled with raw strength, the boundaries of his previous limit completely shattered.

Wu Lan finally opened her eyes, a small, knowing smile gracing her lips. “You’ve broken through.”

“Second Stage…” Issei muttered, looking down at his hands. He flexed his fingers, feeling the rush of power flowing through his veins. It wasn’t just an increase in strength—it was a fundamental shift in the World Marble. His body had adapted, refined itself. His Qi now moved with greater efficiency, his movements feeling effortless.

Wu Ying crossed her arms, huffing accusingly as she glanced between him and Wu Lan’s still-joined hands. “What happened?”

Wu Lan quickly pulled her hands away. “Ahh! Nothing, Issei simply broke through.”

Wu Ying’s narrowed gaze didn’t waver. “And how did he accomplish that without a manual?”

“You know… by training,” Issei said, scratching the back of his head. A terrible lie.

Wu Xiao ran over, practically bouncing in excitement. “Big Bro, does this mean you’re super strong now?”

Issei grinned, rolling his shoulders. “I dunno about super strong… but I definitely feel different.”

Wu Lan nodded, her voice calm but firm. “Your body has refined itself. Every cultivator experiences it differently, but you should take time to adjust to your new strength. Try moving around—get used to it.”

Issei smirked. “Sounds like you want me to show off.”

Wu Ying scoffed. “We’re just making sure you don’t trip over yourself like an idiot.”

Ignoring her, Issei took a deep breath and vanished from where he stood.

Or at least, that’s what it felt like to him.

To the sisters, he had simply moved much faster than before, but not fast enough to escape their trained eyes.

One moment, he was standing still—the next, he was on the other side of the clearing, his body reacting before his mind could catch up. He stumbled slightly, surprised by his own speed.

“Whoa—”

Wu Xiao clapped excitedly. “Big Bro is fast now!”

Wu Ying narrowed her eyes. “Your movement speed increased. That’s common for Second Stage Fighters.”

Wu Lan stood, watching him closely. “You should test your strength as well. Try hitting that boulder.” She gestured toward a large, jagged rock near the clearing’s edge.

Issei cracked his knuckles, stepping forward. With a deep inhale, he pulled back his fist, his muscles coiling like a spring.

BOOM.

His punch struck the boulder with explosive force, a shockwave rippling outward. The stone cracked instantly, deep fissures forming before the entire thing shattered into dust.

Wu Lan smiled. “You’re adapting quickly.”

Issei stared at his own fist, feeling the residual vibrations in his arm. His power wasn’t just enhanced—it was refined, concentrated. His body had changed in ways he didn’t even fully understand yet.

Then, a familiar voice rumbled through the air as Ddraig finally lifted his head, his massive form stirring as he came to investigate. His steps sent tremors through the ground.

(Well done, partner.)

Issei flexed his hand, his expression shifting into a confident smirk. ‘So this is what a breakthrough feels like.’

(Your body has now adapted to the energies of this world. You’re finally starting to tap into your true potential. But this is only the beginning. Keep pushing forward, and you’ll unlock even greater power.)

Issei exhaled, clenching his fist with renewed determination.

(Hmm. How about we test how much your body can handle the Boosted Gear with your new strength?)

With a flicker of energy, the red gauntlet materialized on his arm.

Boost!

A pulse of power surged through him. With just one Boost, his strength matched that of a Third-Stage Fighter.

Boost!

The second Boost activated. His strength was now comparable to Di Ren, the man they had previously struggled against.

Boost!

A third pulse of power. The force flowing through him now rivaled the Earthfang itself. But along with it, he felt the first traces of strain creeping into his body.

Boost!

The fourth came, surpassing his past limit. His muscles tensed, his Qi surging wildly. Without question, he could now crush the Earthfang with a single punch.

But the strain hit him hard.

Pain lanced through his body, his muscles aching, his breathing ragged.

(Seems you still need more training. You can barely hold this state for long.)

The sisters felt the oppressive weight of his power pressing down on them, the suffocating force making even Wu Ying take a step back.

Reset.

The power faded in an instant, leaving Issei gasping, his body sore but intact.

He exhaled sharply. “Damn… that was intense.”

Wu Ying crossed her arms, raising an eyebrow. “You looked like you were about to fall over.”

Issei laughed, still catching his breath. “Hey, progress is progress.”

Wu Lan smiled, watching him closely. “Then let’s make sure you keep improving.”

— — — — — — —

After Issei’s breakthrough and power test, the group settled down for breakfast in the World Marble. They gathered around a simple wooden table outside the house.

The scent of freshly cooked meat and herbs filled the air, courtesy of Wu Lan’s cooking, while Wu Xiao happily munched on a roasted fruit she had picked earlier. Luna, the Silver Wolf, lay nearby, ears twitching as she kept mauling her food . Ddraig lay sprawled lazily on a sun-warmed patch of grass, occasionally opening an eye to watch them.

Issei stretched, still feeling the residual heat of his earlier Boosts. “Man, I didn’t realize how hungry I was after all that.” He picked up a chunk of roasted meat and took a hearty bite.

Wu Ying scoffed. “That’s because you pushed yourself too far. You’re lucky you didn’t break anything.”

Wu Lan, ever the peacemaker, smiled. “That just means he needs to refine his control. But for now, let’s focus on our journey.” She placed a simple map from the village elder on the table, tracing a path with her finger.

“Our next stop will take us through three more towns before we reach the main road leading to the capital.”

Issei swallowed his food and leaned in. “How long do you think that’ll take?”

Wu Lan thought for a moment. “If we keep a steady pace, maybe a week, assuming we don’t run into trouble.”

Wu Xiao perked up, swinging her legs as she chewed on her fruit. “Are we gonna find more Ranked Beasts? That Earthfang was scary, but we got a lot of stuff from it!”

Wu Ying nodded. “Yeah, speaking of which, we need to go over our spoils.” She gestured toward a collection of items piled near the house—various weapons, herbs, and a few mysterious objects taken from the remains of Di Ren’s group.

Issei rubbed his chin. “Right, we got weapons, some herbs… but what’s with these talismans and pills?” He picked up a small jade bottle containing round, dark pills and raised an eyebrow. “Any idea what these are?”

Wu Lan took the bottle, examining it carefully. “They must be cultivation pills that father told us about, but without knowing their origin, we can’t risk taking them.”

Wu Ying picked up one of the talismans, frowning at the unfamiliar symbols etched into its surface. “And these? Are they charms?”

Issei shrugged. “I dunno, but if those guys had them, they must be important.”

Ddraig, still lounging, finally spoke. (From my long memory. Mostly from eastern magicians. Some talismans can be used to store magic, others enhance attacks or defenses. But without testing them, you won’t know their effects.)

Wu Lan nodded. “Then we’ll have to ask around when we reach the next town.”

Issei smirked. “Or we could just activate one and see what happens.”

Wu Ying shot him a glare. “Or you could not, idiot.”

Wu Xiao giggled. “Maybe Big Bro will summon a giant explosion by accident!”

Issei paled slightly. “Okay, maybe we save that for later.”

“Let's finish our food and continue our journey.” Wu Lan says putting order.

The group continued eating, their conversation drifting between planning their journey, selling their spoils, and deciding their next steps. Though the road ahead was long, they had each grown stronger.

— — — — — — — — — — —

As the group of four, continued their travel. The dirt path stretched before them, winding through thick groves of trees, the rustling leaves their only company

Then, the smell hit them.

The coppery stench of blood. The acrid bite of charred wood. A lingering, foul presence that made Issei’s stomach churn. His steps quickened.

“Something happened here.” His voice was low, his posture shifting as his senses sharpened.

Wu Lan immediately reached for her bow, notching an arrow as she scanned the treeline. Wu Xiao, still atop Luna, tensed as the wolf let out a low growl. Issei soon started going to the smell.

Wu Ying, lagging behind with her arms crossed, let out an exasperated sigh. “Why are we even getting involved? It’s not our problem.”

Issei shot her a glance. “Because someone might need help.”

She rolled her eyes but said nothing, trailing behind as they pushed forward.

Then, the scene unfolded before them.

A ruined caravan lay in the dirt. Wagons overturned, their wooden frames splintered and charred. The smell of burnt cloth lingered in the air. Bodies littered the ground—travelers, merchants, even armored guards—cut down where they stood. Blood soaked the earth, pooling around discarded weapons.

Wu Xiao slid off Luna, her small hands curling into fists as she took in the sight. Wu Lan approached one of the fallen, kneeling beside a merchant whose lifeless eyes stared at the sky. She ran her fingers over to check for a pulse.

Issei crouched near a dying man, the merchant’s chest rising and falling in short, shallow breaths. His skin was pale, his lips cracked. At their approach, his eyes fluttered open.

“B—Bandits… ambushed us…” His voice was hoarse, barely above a whisper. He weakly grasped at Issei’s wrist, trembling. “Not… ordinary bandits… they took the cargo… took the others… you must—”

His voice faded as his strength gave out. His hand went limp.

Issei clenched his fists. Survivors. They had taken prisoners.

He stood abruptly, his gaze hardening. “We’re going after them.”

Wu Ying groaned. “Of course we are.”

Before anyone could respond, the forest shifted.

The snap of a twig.

A shadow flickering between the trees.

A blade slicing through the air.

Wu Lan’s eyes widened. “AMBUSH!”

Arrows rained from the treetops, forcing them to scatter.

Boost!

 Issei activated his Boosted Gear, the crimson gauntlet flashing into existence. He deflected two arrows in quick succession, the clang of metal ringing through the air. Wu Lan rolled behind an overturned wagon, loosing an arrow toward the unseen attackers.

Wu Xiao leaped back onto Luna, the wolf dashing between the wreckage as she threw a knife toward the treetops. A cry of pain confirmed her hit.

Then the bandits emerged.

Dark leathers. Masked faces. They moved with precision, formation, discipline.

Wu Ying unsheathed her sword, eyes gleaming with excitement despite her earlier complaints. “Fine. If they wanna play, let’s play.”

A bandit lunged at Issei, twin daggers flashing in the morning light. Issei sidestepped with a few close calls, his fist slamming into the man’s chest with the force of a hammer. The bandit flew backward, crashing into a broken cart.

Another rushed Wu Xiao—only for Luna’s fangs to sink into his arm. The bandit screamed as Wu Xiao finished him off with a swift, clean slash across the throat.

Wu Lan remained on high ground, her bow a blur as she loosed arrow after arrow. Each shot found its mark, piercing throats and shoulders before the bandits could close the distance.

Wu Ying met a pair of enemies head-on, her blade carving through them with effortless precision. She weaved between their attacks, cutting deep, her movements a blend of grace and lethal efficiency.

Issei’s gauntlet pulsed.

Boost!

A surge of power shot through his limbs. He charged forward, locking eyes with a scarred man standing at the center of the chaos—a leader, judging by the way the others instinctively moved around him. He wielded a curved saber, his stance firm.

Their weapons clashed, sending a shockwave through the air.

The leader sneered. “You’re not ordinary travelers.”

“Neither are you,” Issei shot back, forcing him back with a powerful strike. Even with two Boost the man kept up.

The leader chuckled darkly. “You have no idea what you’re getting yourself into.”

Then, he whistled sharply.

More shadows emerged.

Reinforcements.

They weren’t just more bandits—their armor bore insignias. A jagged fang enclosed in a crimson circle. This was an organized force as each man was a cultivator. The strongest man that was fighting Issei was clearly a Four Stage Fighter.

Wu Ying’s eyes narrowed. “This isn’t just a random gang. These guys are too organized.”

Wu Lan’s expression darkened. “Then we need to end this quickly.”

Issei’s blood pumped fiercely, the thrill of combat surging through him as he faced off against the bandit leader.

The scarred man grinned, twisting his saber with practiced ease. “You’re strong. Stronger than some of my men, even.” His stance shifted, weight balanced, his presence unnervingly calm despite the fight.

Issei’s grip tightened on his gauntlet. “And you’re too skilled to be some backwoods thug.”

The leader smirked. 

Then he moved—fast.

His curved saber sliced through the air in a precise arc, aiming for Issei’s throat. Issei barely managed to block, sparks flying as metal met the red scales of his Boosted Gear.

CLANG!

The force of the blow sent vibrations up Issei’s arm, but he held his ground. The bandit leader twisted mid-attack, following up with a low sweep aimed at Issei’s legs.

Issei leaped back, landing smoothly. 

“Who are you people?” He demanded.

The leader didn’t answer. Instead, he whistled sharply again.

The reinforcements suddenly shifted tactics—instead of pressing the attack, they fell back, their movements coordinated and precise. It wasn’t a retreat.

It was a regrouping.

Wu Xiao, still atop Luna, narrowed her eyes. “Something’s wrong.”

Then, a new presence emerged.

A tall figure stepped out from the shadows of the trees, draped in dark robes, their face obscured by a hood. The air grew heavier, an almost suffocating aura radiating from them.

Wu Ying stiffened. “That’s… not normal.”

The figure raised a hand. A faint, purple mist coiled around their fingers, dark and unnatural.

Issei felt it instantly—the energy was wrong, unlike Qi, unlike anything he had sensed before.

Wu Lan’s expression turned serious. “Father told me about this. A Demonic cultivator.”

The hooded figure’s voice was calm, yet chilling. “You weren’t supposed to interfere.”

Issei clenched his fists. 

The figure turned to the scarred leader. “We have what we came for. There’s no need to waste more time here.”

The leader clicked his tongue, sheathing his saber. “Tch. A shame. I was having fun. And these women would fetch a good price”

Wu Ying scowled. “Cowards. Running already?”

The hooded figure let out a low chuckle. “No. We just don’t need to fight you.”

Then, they vanished—a dark mist enveloped them, and in a blink, the entire group of enemies disappeared into the forest.

The tension in the air refused to fade, even as the enemies vanished into the forest’s shadows. Issei’s fists remained clenched, his body still thrumming with the remnants of combat energy. His breathing was steady, but beneath the surface, his mind raced.

That wasn’t an ordinary battle.

Wu Xiao slid off Luna, gripping her dagger tightly. “They just… disappeared.” She looked around, eyes darting between the trees as if expecting them to reappear at any moment.

Wu Ying scowled, sheathing her sword. “Tch. Cowards. They knew they couldn’t win, so they ran.”

Wu Lan’s expression remained calm, but her sharp eyes betrayed her unease. “No. They weren’t running. They left because they got what they came for.”

Issei turned to her. “The prisoners.”

Wu Lan nodded. “If they were only after loot, they wouldn’t have taken survivors.”

His jaw clenched. He knew she was right. That scarred leader and the demonic cultivator—they had a goal. And whoever the prisoners were, they played a part in it.

Ddraig’s voice rumbled in his mind, his tone uncharacteristically serious. (You’ve stepped into something dangerous, partner. That energy from the hooded one—it felt nothing like the others you've met. Reminded me almost as if we were in the presence of a devil.)

Issei exhaled, his grip tightening around his gauntlet. “Wu Lan. You said ‘demonic cultivator.’ What does that mean?”

The eldest sister hesitated for a moment, as if debating how much to say. Then, her voice came steady and controlled. “My father told me about them. They are cultivators who walk a dark path, choosing to use forbidden techniques that corrupt their Qi.”

Wu Ying crossed her arms. “The short version? They steal life force instead of cultivating their own. It makes them stronger—faster—but warps their bodies and minds. And if they’re involved…” She exhaled sharply. “This just got a lot more complicated.”

Wu Xiao furrowed her brows. “Then we have to stop them, right?”

Wu Lan sighed. “It’s not that simple.”

Issei turned to her. “Why not?”

She met his gaze, her voice level. “Demonic cultivators are usually more dangerous than normal. If one appeared here, then there might be more. We don’t know how large their group is, what their goals are, or if they have stronger cultivators backing them.”

A cold realization settled in. They weren’t just fighting a group of bandits anymore.

This was bigger.

And far more dangerous.

A moment of silence passed between them. The only sounds were the rustling of the trees and the distant chirp of birds—oblivious to the bloodshed that had stained the earth minutes before.

Then, Issei spoke, his voice firm. “We’re still going after them.”

Wu Ying pinched the bridge of her nose. “Of course we are.”

Wu Lan sighed. “You really are stubborn.”

Wu Xiao smiled, despite the tension. “Big Bro wouldn’t be Big Bro if he wasn’t.”

Issei smirked. “Damn right.”

Wu Ying clicked her tongue. “Fine. But we don’t charge in blind. We need information first.”

Wu Lan nodded. “Agreed. If we’re going after them, we need to be smart about it. We should head to the next town—there’s a chance someone there knows who they are or where they might be headed.”

Issei rolled his shoulders, feeling his strength returning even after expending energy in the battle. “Then let’s move.”

They turned toward the path ahead, leaving behind the wreckage of the ruined caravan.

As they walked, Issei stole one last glance at the darkened forest, his gut twisting with an uneasy feeling.

This wasn’t the end of their encounter with the demonic cultivators.