Chapter 2.6 Raven the Phoenix
"Silver, I'm bored..."
Raven whined softly, tracing lazy circles on his chest with her finger, her pout exaggerated and utterly shameless. Silver could only let out a helpless sigh, his hand rising to gently stroke her hair to comfort her.
His eyes glowed a deep, bright red as they lingered on the two bite marks on her neck, which were slowly closing. Guilt gnawed at him, he had been feeding on this "naive" disciple of his, who always offered herself so willingly.
Yet he could not stop.
Ever since the first time he tasted her blood, he had yearned for more. No other human's, no animal's blood could satisfy him anymore—only hers.
Perhaps this was what they called a guilty pleasure.
"Don't worry, you'll get to have your fun tomorrow. Did you practice the Manual I gave you?"
Silver noticed the frown on her face. His hand rose to gently caress her hair, and she slowly calmed under his touch.
"Hmmm... I've already practiced it. I'm at the final layer now, but I can't seem to break through it."
Raven's pout softened into pleading eyes as she looked up at him.
"But tomorrow... will you be there?"
Silver's lips curved in faint amusement.
"Hmm? Don't worry, I'll be there. But the Guardians aren't allowed inside the Dark Forest. I'll wait for you outside... and I'll be waiting for your safe return." His voice grew serious, his gaze fixed on her with quiet worry.
The Dark Forest was a dangerous place, filled with monsters and demons from another world. They lived there because the forest was thick with dark qi and endless miasma, which they used to grow stronger.
That was why the sects and Guardians sent their disciples there—it was the perfect place to train, even if it was deadly.
"Of course it's me, Raven! You just wait there, I'll bring you victory!" she said with a proud grin.
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"Disciples, ready yourselves. Today, you will step into the Dark Forest."
The Guardian's voice was steady, carrying across the hall.
"To win this trial, you must survive for three days and two nights inside. Your task is to find and bring back a horn piece from the Ever Night Horned Beast Steed. Only then will your victory be complete."
He raised a hand, showing the red talisman.
"Each of you has been given one of these. It is linked to your Guardian. If you can no longer continue, or if you wish to give up, crush the talisman, and your Guardian will come for you. But remember this—once you use it, your trial ends, and you forfeit the match."
The room grew quiet. The disciples could almost feel the weight of the forest waiting for them, its shadows, its monsters, and the danger that would test not only their strength, but their courage.
Raven stood beside Silver as they listened to Gillha's explanations.
At the same time, Silver kept slipping her one life-saving talisman after another, along with artifacts and pills. Raven could only sigh, knowing how biased her hubby was. She was well aware that the other disciples hadn't even been given a single pill by their Guardians, yet here she was, drowning in supplies.
It's not like she was going to war or anything.
"What would happen if we forfeit the match?" Lotus asked, raising her hand.
"If you forfeit, you won't lose anything."
Gillha explained with a polite smile.
"That's why it's recommended to do so if you can't stay in the Dark Forest any longer. But remember, if you forfeit, you won't be able to claim the winner's reward. Still, your life is more important than any prize, right?"
"Then... will the Guardians be watching us once we enter the Dark Forest?"
A silky, soft voice asked from among the disciples.
Everyone turned their heads in the same direction. A woman dressed in pure white stood smiling as she asked Gillha her question. This woman in white was none other than the so‑called favored disciple—Yuka.
Gillha furrowed his brow, hesitating before he answered.
At last, he let out a sigh.
"It's unfortunate, but we can't..."
Gillha's voice trailed off.
"The Moon Artifact we always used to observe situations like this has been broken. That's why we strongly recommend that if you find yourself in danger inside the Dark Forest, you must immediately call for your Guardian. Otherwise, we won't know if you're in trouble."
"I see..."
Yuka's lips curved into a gentle smile, but behind that smile burned jealousy and rage. From the corner of her eyes, she spied Raven and Silver together.
Her chest tightened with envy—Raven, showered with life‑saving talismans, artifacts, and pills, while she, Yuka, who was supposed to be special, had only been given a single pill... and she had to beg for even that.
Her smile never faltered, but her thoughts turned dark.
'Enjoy it while it lasts, Raven... ' Yuka seethed inwardly, as the seed of an evil plan began to take root in her mind.
Raven, who was also watching Yuka, curved her lips into a dark smile.
Think you're that powerful? Let's see who ends up crying when I'm done with you, she thought, smirking to herself.
"Cici, did you remember what I told you? Don't worry about the reward—just come back safe. If you want an artifact, I can give you as many as you want, so—"
"Silver, I'm not a kid anymore."
Raven cut him off before he could start his long list of do's and don'ts again.
"I know what I'm doing. If I can't hold on any longer, I'll forfeit. Happy now?"
Silver sighed softly, his voice dropping to almost a whisper.
"You know I'm just worried about you, Cici."
"I know... even if you don't say it."
Raven's cold face softened as she looked at him with warmth in her eyes. Every day she spent with Silver, she found herself falling deeper in love.
How could she not? He was sweet, gentle, and endlessly caring. She would never trade him for anything—not even the world itself.
"Silver~ Are you and your disciple done already? It's starting soon, you know. Hehehe..." Gold giggled creepily as his eyes lingered on the two of them.
Raven rolled her eyes and shot him a sharp look. Of all people, why did it always have to be Gold who ruined her sweet moments with Silver? He even reminded her of someone from her past life—annoying then, just as annoying now.
"Hmmm... thank you, Gold, for reminding me."
Silver's tone was calm, though his eyes stayed on Raven.
"Cici, be safe."
If it were allowed, he would have gone into the Dark Forest with her himself, but rules were rules.
"Don't worry, Silver. I'll be back soon."
Raven gave him her brightest smile, reluctant as she turned away and walked toward the starting line.
"My, my... isn't our Silver so worried about his little Raven? Hehe... you two really are a perfect match. Tsk, too bad you like her. If not, I would have—haha... I-I'm just joking, don't look at me like that!"
Gold's laughter broke off as he caught the dangerous glint in Silver's eyes.
He quickly backed away, shivering under the weight of that dark gaze. He had never seen Silver angry before—especially not over a woman.
"I'd better stop joking about him and his disciple."
Gold kept to himself, wiping the cold sweat from his brow.
"Or else... I might not even know what killed me."
Silver watched Gold retreat with furrowed brows, his eyes burning with anger, glowing faintly red in the dim light.
His pupils narrowed into slits as dark thoughts filled his mind, just the idea of his Cici in another man's arms was enough to ignite a fury he could barely control. He didn't understand where this feeling came from, or why it grew stronger each time, but one thing was certain.
"I won't let anyone take Cici away from me. She is mine... mine alone," Silver muttered in a low, dangerous tone.
His ruby eyes locked onto the figure of the woman with unruly peach‑colored hair as she slowly stepped into the shadows of the Dark Forest. His gaze was sharp enough to pierce through her back, a silent vow burning in his heart.
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Raven shivered, a strange chill running down her spine. It felt as if something bad was about to happen. She sensed eyes on her back and quickly turned around—only to see Silver. He was waving at her, his expression soft.
Relieved, Raven smiled and waved back. Silver waved even harder, as if trying to etch her image into his memory. For a long while, she kept waving, until finally, after half an hour, she lowered her hand and turned toward the looming entrance of the Dark Forest.
She looked back one last time, giving Silver a bright, reassuring smile. Then, with steady steps, she entered the lion's cave known as the Dark Forest.
The forest lived up to its name.
Shadows clung to every tree, and a heavy miasma hung in the air.
At the entrance, the miasma was thin, almost harmless, but the deeper she went, the thicker it became, curling like smoke and pressing against her skin.
For most disciples, it would have been suffocating.
But Raven was the Phoenix.
The dark energy could not touch her, not with the spells and artifacts Silver had armed her with before she stepped inside.
She pressed forward, her eyes sharp.
According to one of the books Silver had given her, the Ever Night Horned Beast Steed made its lair at the very heart of the Dark Forest. If that was true, then her path was clear—she had to reach the center.
As Raven made her way deeper into the Dark Forest, she encountered all kinds of beasts and demons. Each one lunged at her with bloodthirsty roars, but none could withstand her blade.
With a single strike, she cut them down, their bodies falling in two. Even when groups of demons tried to surround her, Raven's power was overwhelming—nothing could stop her advance.
"Finally... I'm almost at the center." Raven muttered as her steps carried her into a barren stretch of land.
The air was heavy with silence.
Everywhere she looked, there was only death—withered plants, rotting trees, and piles of bones scattered across the ground.
"It looks like I'll be sleeping with death tonight."
With a faint smirk, Raven leaped onto one of the lifeless trees. Its branches creaked under her weight, but it held. She leaned back against the rough bark, closing her eyes as the miasma swirled around her.
For tonight, this graveyard of a forest would be her bed.
But as her breathing slowed, the forest did not rest.
From the shadows, pairs of glowing eyes flickered to life—watching, waiting.
The sound of claws scraped faintly against stone, then vanished.
The air grew colder, heavier, as if the darkness itself was holding its breath.
Raven's lips curved into a small, knowing smile even in her sleep.
Come if you dare...
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After Raven and the other disciples left, the Guardians, no longer bound by formality, began to chatter among themselves.
With a casual motion, Silver reached into his spatial ring and drew out a massive mirror. Its polished surface gleamed faintly under the light, runes etched along its frame glowing as if alive.
"Silver, let us watch!" the group of Guardians said eagerly as they took seats beside him.
"Having Silver around is really convenient. Whatever you need, he has it! It's like he's carrying an unending bag of magical things," Gold commented as he leaned back lazily in his chair.
"Stop crowding me. I'm only watching my disciple in this mirror, no one else," Silver said seriously, shooing them away.
"Oh, come on, let us watch too," Jade pressed.
Silver furrowed his brows, clearly annoyed, but with a flick of his hand he pulled out another mirror from his spatial ring—this one smaller than the one he was using. "Here. Use this."
"Hmp! So stingy." Gold muttered as he settled down to watch the smaller mirror.
Slowly, the images of their disciples began to appear.
Silver paid no attention to the others' disciples. His eyes were fixed only on Raven. The moment her image came into focus, his expression shifted. There she was, locked in a one‑versus‑ten battle against a group of demons.
"Waahh... your disciple is really unlucky." Gold commented when he peeked at Silver's mirror and saw Raven surrounded.
"..." Silver's sharp glare was enough to silence him. His face showed worry at first, but that concern quickly turned into surprise—and then pride—as he watched what unfolded next.
Raven cut through the demons as if they were nothing but blocks of tofu, her strikes clean and merciless. One after another, they fell before her blade.
Gold's jaw dropped as he stared at the mirror, his mouth hanging wide open.
"Wow... she's strong!"
The commotion Gold was making soon drew the attention of the other Guardians. Curious, they leaned in and took a peek at Silver's mirror.
Like Gold, they were stunned by what they saw, a red figure moving gracefully among the demons. Raven's strikes were sharp and fluid, her crimson robes swirling like flames. She was like a red rose blooming against a black canvas, vivid and impossible to ignore.
For a moment, the Guardians were silent, captivated. In their hearts, they could not help but praise her.
"You have chosen a good disciple, Silver," Gillha finally said.
"I sure did." Silver's voice was steady, but his eyes betrayed the pride and love he felt as he watched Raven. "I chose the right person."