Heavenly Rebellion: The Human Race's Rise to Prominence

Ren narrowed his eyes, his demeanor shifting as he took the situation more seriously than before.

The air hung heavy in the clearing, the echoes of Jun's defeat still reverberating in the tense silence. His lips curled into a faint, predatory smile.

"It seems something interesting happened to you the moment you left the village," Ren remarked, his tone calm but tinged with curiosity.

"You got yourself a Heaven's Pact—and a pretty strong one at that.

How is it possible for someone who couldn't form a pact for fifteen years to suddenly acquire one so powerful?"

His voice remained steady, yet he couldn't completely mask the glint of greed in his eyes.

Feng's expression grew serious as he squared his shoulders, clearly feeling the oppressive pressure emanating from Ren's aura.

"Fifth level of Qi Condensation?" he asked, his voice low but steady.

"That's right," Ren replied with a nod.

"And judging by the strength you've shown, you're at least at the peak of the fourth level of Qi Condensation. Impressive for someone they called a waste."

His tone remained calm, though it carried an undercurrent of menace.

"But don't think brute force alone will guarantee victory when using a Heaven's Pact."

Ren stepped forward, his movements deliberate.

In his hand, a short sword materialized, its blade glowing with a malevolent crimson hue.

Intricate runes danced along its surface, pulsing faintly as though alive.

"This is Crimson Fang," Ren said, tilting the blade to catch the light.

"My partner.. Now that you have one too, it's only fair you get a good look before you die."

Before Feng could respond, Ren's figure blurred, moving with lightning speed as he closed the distance between them.

The short sword lashed out, its edge cutting through the air with deadly precision.

Feng barely had time to react, twisting his body just in time to evade the strike.

The blade missed by a hair's breadth, slicing through a lock of Feng's hair as he leapt backward.

Ren's expression remained calm as he raised his sword.

"Raincloud Art: Misty Drizzle."

Out of nowhere, a sinister red mist materialized, spreading rapidly and enveloping the area.

Feng's eyes widened in shock as the crimson fog thickened around him, obscuring his vision.

He instinctively began backing away, but the mist seemed to follow, swallowing him whole.

"Did you really think I was like that trash Jun?" Ren's voice echoed through the mist, cold and mocking.

"Unlike him, I've mastered the cultivation techniques of our Raincloud Village."

Feng's breath quickened as he tried to locate Ren, but the crimson fog was impenetrable.

Suddenly, a blade light flashed through the mist, grazing his cheek.

Blood trickled down as he staggered back, narrowly avoiding a more lethal strike.

"Missed," Ren said, his voice devoid of concern.

"Listen well," he continued, his tone almost conversational.

"A Heaven's Pact is unique to each individual.

Only those ancient clans with extremely long heritage possess similar pacts due to their bloodlines.

Even then, there are always subtle differences.

A person's cultivation techniques strengthen their connection with the heavens, enhancing their Heaven's Pact.

But as one grows stronger, the Heaven's Pact's influence on their power diminishes."

Another flash of crimson light erupted, and this time, blood sprayed from Feng's chest and legs.

He stumbled, his body trembling as he fell to his knees, panting heavily.

The pain was intense, but the greater danger lay in the suffocating fog that concealed Ren's movements.

"I have to do something," Feng thought, his mind racing. "If I don't, I'm going to die."

Summoning his resolve, Feng activated his Heaven's Pact.

Darksilver energy surged from his body, coalescing into the spectral form of a Blackwood Alpha Wolf.

The wolf's image loomed behind him, its silver-streaked fur glinting in the crimson haze.

It let out a powerful howl, shaking the air and sending ripples through the mist.

A surge of strength coursed through Feng's body, steadying his stance.

Ren paused, his eyes narrowing as he observed the transformation. "So that's the secret," he mused.

"This forest was once teeming with Blackwood Wolves. Their sudden disappearance made no sense.

While I was exploring, I smelled blood—a lot of it. Now it all makes sense.

You must have killed those wolves and claimed their Alpha as your Heaven's Pact.

Am I wrong, Feng?"

Feng's heart pounded in his chest, but he refused to show fear.

His eyes burned with determination as he met Ren's gaze.

"Impressive," Ren admitted, his tone tinged with a grudging respect.

"But it won't save you. Raincloud Art: Raincloud Tempest!"

The red mist surged, swirling violently as if responding to Ren's call.

Blades of crimson light erupted from the fog, slashing at Feng from every direction.

But this time, the spectral wolf behind him moved in tandem, intercepting the strikes with its claws and fangs.

Each clash sent shockwaves rippling through the clearing.

Feng gritted his teeth, pushing his newfound strength to its limits.

The wolf's energy shielded him, but the relentless assault was taking its toll.

His mind raced as he searched for an opening.

"I can't let him control the battlefield," Feng thought, his eyes flickering with resolve.

"I have to end this quickly."

Drawing upon his connection with the Blackwood Alpha Wolf, Feng channeled his energy into a single, concentrated attack.

The wolf's spectral form grew more defined, its silver streaks glowing brighter as it prepared to strike.

"AHHHHH!!" Feng roared, his voice echoing through the mist.

The wolf lunged forward, its fangs shimmering with darksilver energy.

The crimson fog parted as the spectral beast charged at Ren, who barely managed to react.

Crimson Fang met Feng's Blackwood Alpha Wolf in a blinding clash of power, the impact shaking the ground and sending shockwaves rippling outward.

Ren staggered, his calm demeanor finally breaking as he struggled to hold his ground.

Blood dripped from the corner of his mouth as he glared at Feng, his eyes blazing with fury.

"That Heaven's Pact is a real hassle," Ren admitted through gritted teeth.

"But I'm pretty sure you're in an even worse condition that I'm in"

Feng didn't respond, his gaze becoming.

He could feel the toll the battle was taking on his body, but he refused to back down.

The image of the Blackwood Alpha Wolf behind him remained steady, its presence bolstering his resolve.

"I can't die here, if I do, everything will have been for nothing"

As the crimson fog began to dissipate, the two combatants stood facing each other, their breaths heavy and their auras clashing in the clearing.