Prologue Chapter Two: The Invasion of the Demonic Clan

“I don’t believe that rumor at all! After all, his eldest brother Yifeng has been missing for a long time... But whatever you do, don’t mention his brother’s name in front of Yixin. Otherwise, that elegant and gracious prince with his ever-charming smile might just lose control!”
The camera wavered between the crowd, but Black Feather had already disappeared.
“Where’s Black Feather? Well, I lost track of him.”
Ling Xiao Tears turned onto the western street, steadying the camera as she went.
“Since we’ve made it to the commercial district, why not take a stroll? If you walk to the far west end of this street, you’ll find the most bustling night market in the Holy City. That area is known as ‘Nevernight City’, and the ‘Demon Empire’ bar we frequent is right there.”
On either side of the street, outdoor tables dotted the sidewalks, where people enjoyed their afternoon tea in refined ease, chatting idly.
“Boom!”
Suddenly, a thunderous noise erupted in the distance, and thick smoke billowed up behind a row of houses. The camera captured it all.
“Heavens! I smell a story!”
Ling Xiao Tears quickly steadied the camera, running while speaking into the lens. “My dear camera, I knew spending all my savings on you was the right choice! I’m sure I’ll catch something explosive with you! So excited...”
Explosions rumbled on, dust clouds rolling across the ground, with arcs of black lightning flickering within the smoke.
People screamed and fled, all rushing away, but only Ling Xiao Tears ran toward the chaos. The camera jolted wildly, and heavy, labored breaths were audible.
“I’m exhausted... Still a ways to go, but my stamina’s running low...”
Suddenly, a sweep of white cloth drifted across the lens, blocking it entirely.
“Hey there, beautiful! We meet again!”
Standing before her was a tall, handsome young man in a white medical coat, carrying a medicine case, his silver hair flowing gracefully as he faced the camera.
“Oh? Is it recording? Can you capture my dashing look?”
“Move it, can’t you see I’m in a hurry?”
Ling Xiao Tears tried to push him aside, but he deftly dodged.
“What a coincidence, I’m in a hurry too. But you’d better not follow me, or I’ll think you’re up to something.”
With a flourish, he turned and dashed toward the site of the incident.
“You—”
Ling Xiao Tears rolled her eyes, helplessly running after him.
“In the Holy City, if trouble breaks out, it’s not the Guard who arrives first—it’s people like me, news enthusiasts, and... well, alchemists.”
She continued her narration:
“The man ahead is Bai Shengye, an alchemist said to be exceptionally skilled... You’ll see for yourself. We’re here.”
Ling Xiao Tears found a safe spot at the edge of the crowd, setting up her camera.
“Beautiful, I told you to stop following me. If you invite me to dinner, I might find the time—otherwise, after this is over...”
“Ah! Demons!”
Before Bai Shengye could finish, a cry of alarm echoed through the crowd.
That shout was no ordinary one—even the worldly Bai Shengye paled, forgetting his playful banter and urgently looking up. Demons—a race that vanished from the continent five thousand years ago—how could they appear here?
“Move aside—”
Ling Xiao Tears angrily pushed Bai Shengye out of the way, raising her camera to focus on the sky. There, a man with black wings and horns hovered in midair. A demon, a true demon. Apart from Black Feather, it was her first time seeing someone with black wings.
The demon’s forehead bulged with veins, his face ashen, sharp fangs jutting from pale blue lips. He held a trident-shaped weapon, his entire being radiating an ominous darkness, eyes fixed menacingly on the ground.
Below, the outdoor canopy of a restaurant had collapsed, smoke pouring out. Several tables lay in ruins, their patrons huddled together in terror, silent, while a middle-aged man in an apron—presumably the owner—cowered beneath a table, trembling.
“Roar!”
The ruins shook, and from beneath the collapsed canopy, the massive head of a crimson dragon emerged, shaking off shards of wood. Its scales scraped together with a sound like blades. Injured, it panted heavily.
“Dragonkin...” Bai Shengye gazed at the dragon in the debris, frowning slightly. The Dragonkin were a mysterious race from the distant southern continent—rarely seen.
“Ahh! It’s too terrifying! Where are the mages? Where’s the Holy City Guard?”
The crowd screamed, running about like headless chickens. Accustomed to peace, unused to turmoil, they could only pin their hopes on the mages.

Just then, the dragon on the ground struggled to stand, unfurling its wings—the colossal shape rising like a tower.
With a low, thunderous growl, it sprang into the air, lunging at the demon with razor-sharp claws, fierce and unyielding!
The demon remained calm, his icy face unmoved. As he waved his hand, a streak of black light formed, his demeanor tinged with bloodthirsty indifference.
The black light struck the dragon’s belly; the beast howled in agony, its body thrown backward, wings splayed, crashing heavily to the ground. Dust exploded upward, the shockwave sending the crowd reeling, all tumbling back like drifting water plants.
“Ah—”
Ling Xiao Tears, at the front, was hit first. Her camera toppled sideways; she instinctively reached out to save it, losing her balance and falling backward.
Bai Shengye reached out, but before he could touch her, her shoulder was caught by someone passing behind.
“Steady now,” the person said quietly.
She looked up, her gaze meeting a pair of black eyes—cold only when serious. It was Black Feather.
“Black... Black Feather?!”
Her shoulder trembled involuntarily as she regained her footing.
Black Feather brushed past her, striding forward with composure. In his right palm appeared the dark Shura Wood staff, and a pair of wings, black as midnight, unfurled behind him. In an instant, twin whirlwinds rose; Black Feather soared skyward, confronting the uninvited guest.
“Wow...”
Ling Xiao Tears hadn’t seen him spread his wings in ages, her eyes unable to look away. In the Holy City, the Lord of Red Flame forbade him from unfurling his wings, let alone flying, and the use of dark powers was strictly prohibited.
“Today’s a windfall—sure to make the headlines!”
Ling Xiao Tears wiped her mouth, hastily grabbed the camera, zooming in closer.