Heavenly Rebellion: The Human Race's Rise to Prominence

Feng forced his body to move, his legs carrying him forward despite the pain raking through every fiber of his being.

Each step felt like fire coursing through his veins, but he knew that stopping meant certain death.

Behind him, the shadows of his pursuers loomed, and the eerie silence of the Blackwood Forest seemed to mock his desperation.

"System, how are my injuries?" Feng managed to ask between heavy breaths, his voice ragged from exhaustion.

[The host's chest injuries are reopening. Due to being caused by the Crimson Fang Heaven's Pact, the healing process is significantly slower, and the wounds are causing substantial pain.]

[Higher-level medicinal pills are required for effective treatment. The host's shoulder injury is also flaring up, alongside numerous cuts caused by the Black Rope Heaven's Pact.]

"Can I survive this?" he asked, his voice trembling slightly as his feet pounded against the forest floor.

The thick trees and undergrowth blurred around him, their dark forms a constant reminder of the danger he was running into—and away from.

[The host must find a location to rest and recuperate immediately. The spiritual energy obtained from your previous kill will now be distributed to replenish your reserves.]

A sudden surge of spiritual energy coursed through Feng's body, flooding him with vitality.

For a brief moment, the exhaustion weighing him down seemed to lift, but the relief was fleeting.

The pain in his chest throbbed more intensely, as if mocking the contrast between his growing spiritual energy and his deteriorating condition.

"What do I do?" Feng muttered through gritted teeth.

He could hear the faint rustle of leaves and the distant but unmistakable sound of footsteps.

"If I don't think of something, they're going to catch me!"

His mind raced as he considered his options.

He couldn't face them head-on; even with his Heaven's Pact, he was in no condition to fight.

He needed a plan—no, a gamble.

"I have to head toward the center of the forest," he decided aloud, his voice steady despite his fear.

"The territory of the forest's ruler. From what I've heard, even Elder Zhou rarely goes inside there unless it's absolutely necessary.

If I can make it that far, they won't follow me."

It was a gamble, one with a slim chance of survival.

The ruler of the Blackwood Forest was a spiritual beast of immense power, capable of crushing Qi Condensation cultivators like insects.

If Feng encountered it in his current state, he would undoubtedly die if he ran into it.

But staying meant certain death at the hands of his pursuers.

As he ran, a sharp thwang echoed through the forest.

Daggers whizzed past him, slicing cleanly through the trees ahead.

One of the massive trunks toppled with a deafening crash, narrowly missing Feng as he threw himself to the side.

"They're already catching up?!" he cursed, pushing his body harder despite the agony.

His improved senses from his Heaven's Pact were the only reason he managed to dodge the deadly projectiles.

"Feng!" A deep voice called out from behind him, calm yet filled with authority.

"I don't know what happened to you after you left the village, but it seems you've gained some strength.

From what I can tell, you're still at the fifth level of Qi Condensation, yet you've managed kill Ren on your own, someone who was as strong as the sixth level of Qi Condensation.

Impressive, but that won't do you much good against someone like me."

Feng glanced over his shoulder and felt a chill run down his spine. 

The man pursuing him was tall and muscular, with a stoic, unyielding expression that seemed carved from stone.

His aura exuded danger, far surpassing anyone Feng had faced before.

Even Ren, whose power had pushed Feng to the brink, paled in comparison.

"If you surrender now and explain yourself, I may be able to plead your case to Elder Zhou," the man—Yuta—continued, his tone measured.

"You might even be allowed to rejoin Raincloud Village.

With your newfound Heaven's Pact, you could serve as a hunter."

Feng didn't respond.

He knew better than to trust Yuta's words and he felt a bit odd about hearing the same words over and over again.

Slowing down, even for a moment, would mean death.

He gritted his teeth and kept running, every step sending fresh waves of pain through his battered body.

Seeing Feng's silence, Yuta's expression remained impassive, but his voice grew colder.

"So that's your answer, then?" He raised his hand, and translucent daggers materialized around him, their edges shimmering ominously.

"Heaven's Pact – Misty Dagger."

The daggers shot forward with blinding speed, tearing through the air like vengeful spirits.

BOOM!

A line of trees exploded in front of Feng, their trunks splintering as the daggers tore through them effortlessly.

This time, Feng wasn't fast enough to avoid them all.

One dagger grazed his left shoulder, and he staggered as pain lanced through him.

Blood poured down his arm, staining his tattered clothes.

The dagger vanished after a few moments, but the damage was done.

Feng bit down on his lip, refusing to cry out as he forced his legs to keep moving.

He could feel his strength waning, the loss of blood and the relentless pain taking their toll.

But he couldn't stop. Not now.

Yuta watched him with a hint of admiration.

"You're persistent, I'll give you that," he muttered, his tone almost contemplative.

"But it's pointless. You can't outrun me, and you can't fight me. Just give up already."

Feng ignored him, his focus solely on the path ahead. The trees grew denser, the air heavier.

He was getting closer to the ruler's territory, but he could feel the oppressive aura even from here.

It pressed down on him, making it harder to breathe.

"Come on," he whispered to himself, his voice barely audible. "Just a little further."

Behind him, Yuta sighed. "Very well. If you won't stop, I'll end this now."

He raised his hand again, summoning another barrage of daggers.

Feng's vision blurred as he pushed his body beyond its limits.

The pain was unbearable, and every breath felt like knives stabbing into his chest.

But he couldn't stop. Not yet.

"Almost there," he thought, his mind clinging desperately to the faint hope of survival.

The ground beneath him suddenly changed, the soil darker and the vegetation thicker.

The oppressive aura grew stronger, and Feng knew he had crossed into the ruler's territory.

He didn't dare slow down, but he could feel Yuta's hesitation behind him.

"Let's see if you're willing to follow me here," Feng muttered, a grim smile tugging at his lips.

Yuta slowed his pursuit, his expression darkening. "Does this guy have a death's wish?," he spat.

"Do you really think the ruler of the Blackwood Forest will let you live?"

But Feng didn't respond. He had made his choice, and there was no turning back now.