The forest grew quieter.
Not naturally.
But unnaturally—
As if something had been fed.
---
No one spoke.
Not after what happened.
---
Three remained.
Shen Luo walked ahead now.
Not by decision.
Not by agreement.
---
It just… happened.
---
Behind him—
The leader.
The aggressive one.
And the silent observer.
---
Each step they took felt heavier than before.
Not because of the forest.
But because of each other.
---
### **The Weight of Silence**
The aggressive one finally spoke.
"…We had no choice."
---
No one answered.
---
"We didn't," he insisted, voice sharper. "It was him or us."
---
Still—
Silence.
---
The leader's grip tightened around his weapon.
"…Then why does it feel like we lost something?"
---
Shen Luo heard them.
Of course he did.
---
But he didn't turn.
---
"…Because you did," he said calmly.
---
They froze.
---
"You lost the illusion," Shen Luo continued.
"That you were different."
---
The words hit harder than any blade.
---
"…Shut up," the aggressive one snapped.
---
Shen Luo smiled faintly.
But still didn't turn.
---
### **The Observer**
The silent one had been watching.
Carefully.
From the beginning.
---
Now—
He stepped closer.
---
"…You planned that," he said quietly.
---
The air tightened.
---
The other two looked at Shen Luo.
---
Waiting.
---
For denial.
---
For anything.
---
Shen Luo stopped walking.
---
Slowly—
He turned.
---
For the first time—
His eyes met theirs fully.
---
"…Yes," he said.
---
No hesitation.
No excuse.
---
Just truth.
---
### **The Crack Widens**
"…Why?" the leader demanded.
---
Shen Luo tilted his head slightly.
---
"…Because it worked."
---
The answer was simple.
Brutal.
---
The aggressive one stepped forward.
Anger boiling over.
---
"You think you can use us?!"
---
Shen Luo didn't move.
---
"…You're already being used," he said softly.
---
"…By fear."
---
The aggressive one froze.
---
"…And by yourselves."
---
Silence fell again.
---
Because deep down—
They knew.
---
It was true.
---
### **The Turning Point**
The observer's eyes narrowed.
---
"…You're dangerous."
---
Shen Luo smiled slightly.
---
"…So are you."
---
A pause.
---
"…That's why you're still alive."
---
The meaning was clear.
---
The observer understood.
---
The others didn't.
---
Not yet.
---
### **The Beast Arrives**
A low growl rolled through the forest.
Deep.
Ancient.
---
The ground trembled.
---
Branches snapped.
---
Something was coming.
---
Fast.
---
### **The Spirit Beast**
It emerged from the trees—
Massive.
Twisted.
---
A wolf-like creature.
But wrong.
---
Its fur was dark as night.
Its eyes—
Glowing red.
---
Spiritual energy pulsed from its body.
Heavy.
Oppressive.
---
"…Mid-stage Qi Condensation," the leader whispered.
---
Too strong.
Far too strong.
---
### **Fear Returns**
"…Run," someone said.
---
But no one moved.
---
Because they all knew—
Running wouldn't save them.
---
### **Shen Luo's Mind**
His thoughts moved quickly.
Cold.
Precise.
---
"…Four people," he calculated.
"…No… three."
---
His eyes flicked across them.
---
"…One useless."
"…One unstable."
"…One dangerous."
---
Then—
The beast roared.
---
And charged.
---
### **The Clash**
Chaos exploded.
---
The leader stepped forward.
Blocking.
---
The aggressive one attacked.
Wild.
Uncontrolled.
---
The observer—
Hung back.
Watching.
Waiting.
---
Shen Luo moved.
---
Not toward the beast—
But around it.
---
### **The Pattern**
He watched.
---
The beast's movements.
Its rhythm.
Its aggression.
---
"…Predictable," he thought.
---
Not weak.
But predictable.
---
### **The First Fall**
The aggressive one screamed.
---
A claw tore through his shoulder.
Blood sprayed.
---
He stumbled.
Fell.
---
"…Help me!" he shouted.
---
No one moved.
---
Not immediately.
---
### **The Choice Again**
Shen Luo saw it.
---
The same moment.
The same decision.
---
Save—
Or use.
---
### **The Decision**
"…Hold it," Shen Luo said calmly.
---
The leader reacted instantly.
Stepping in.
Blocking again.
---
"…Now," Shen Luo whispered.
---
He moved.
---
Fast.
---
Closing the distance.
---
His hand struck—
Not the beast.
---
The injured disciple.
---
A push.
---
Directly into the beast's jaws.
---
### **The Second Sacrifice**
A scream—
Cut short.
---
The beast stopped.
---
For a moment.
---
Distracted.
Feeding.
---
### **The Opening**
"…Now," Shen Luo said.
---
This time—
They all moved.
---
The leader attacked.
The observer struck.
---
And Shen Luo—
Stepped in last.
---
His hand landed on the beast.
---
### **Devouring Pulse**
Energy surged.
Violent.
Wild.
---
The beast roared.
Thrashing.
---
But Shen Luo held on.
---
"…Stronger," he thought.
"…Better."
---
Pain shot through him.
But he didn't let go.
---
### **The Kill**
The leader's blade struck.
The observer followed.
---
The beast collapsed.
---
Heavy.
Still.
---
### **Aftermath**
Silence.
---
Only two remained now.
---
The leader.
The observer.
---
And Shen Luo.
---
### **The Realization**
They looked at him.
---
Different now.
---
Not as a teammate.
---
Not as an ally.
---
But as something else.
---
"…You did it again," the observer said quietly.
---
Shen Luo didn't deny it.
---
"…Yes."
---
### **The Truth Finally Seen**
The leader's voice trembled.
---
"…You're not surviving."
---
Shen Luo met his gaze.
---
"…No."
---
A faint smile appeared.
---
"…I'm choosing who doesn't."
---
Silence.
---
Heavy.
Final.
---
### **End of Chapter 7**