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Tyler flinched at the harshness of his father\'s words, but he held his ground. "Because I\'m your son," he said quietly. "And I know I\'ve failed, but I\'m asking for one last chance. Please, Father. Just send someone to protect me while I find this inheritance. If I fail again, then you can turn your back on me, but I have to try."

Kirk was silent for a long time, his expression unreadable. Tyler\'s heart pounded in his chest as he waited for his father\'s decision.

Finally, Kirk sighed and turned away, walking toward the window. "The Mountain of Shadows..." he murmured, almost to himself. "It\'s a dangerous gamble, Tyler. One that could very well cost you your life."

Tyler stepped forward, his voice urgent. "I know the risks, Father. But if I don\'t go... if I don\'t at least try, I\'ll have nothing. I\'ll be nothing."

Kirk was quiet for another long moment before he finally nodded. "Fine," he said, his voice low. "I will assign one of my top guards to protect you. But understand this, Tyler—this is your last chance. If you fail again... I will not help you anymore."

Tyler felt a rush of relief flood through him, though he knew the weight of his father\'s words. This was it. His last chance.

"Thank you, Father," Tyler said, bowing deeply. "I won\'t fail."

Kirk didn\'t respond, his back still turned to Tyler. After a moment, he waved his hand dismissively. "Prepare yourself. You leave at dawn."

Tyler prepared himself that night, his mind filled with anticipation and fear.

Morning came, and the first light of dawn crept through the windows. Tyler stood ready, his meager belongings packed, and his eyes betraying a determination he hadn\'t felt in a long time.

His father, Kirk Tsei, true to his word, had assigned five bodyguards to protect him on this perilous journey.

Each of them was in the Nascent Soul realm, their presence a silent reassurance, with the highest-ranking guard being at the Fifth Stage.

Tyler walked over to meet them before they set out. Their leader, a stern-faced man named Yun Zhan, nodded in acknowledgment. "Young Master," he said, his voice deep and unwavering. "We are here to ensure your safety. The journey to the Mountain of Shadows will not be easy, but we are prepared."

Tyler nodded, feeling both grateful and somewhat useless. Without his cultivation, he was relying entirely on these men for his survival.

"Thank you, Yun Zhan. I\'ll need all the help I can get," Tyler said, his voice betraying the sense of vulnerability he hated to admit.

The guards exchanged glances but said nothing. They knew the risks of this journey, and they were well aware that their young master had become a mortal, stripped of his cultivation and, in their eyes, his dignity. But they had a duty to protect him, and they would fulfill it.

They soon mounted a grand carriage and set off on their journey toward the Mountain of Shadows.

For a week, they traveled by carriage through dense forests, narrow mountain paths, and desolate plains. The journey was mostly uneventful, but each night, as Tyler lay awake in the confines of the carriage, the voices grew louder.

Finally, they arrived at the entrance of Sun Ming City, the closest city to the Mountain of Shadows. They disembarked from the carriage and decided to continue their journey on horseback, leaving the bustling streets of Sun Ming City behind as they ventured deeper into the wilderness.

After another day of riding, the air grew heavier, colder. They were approaching the Mountain of Shadows. As they neared its base, Tyler could feel a chill run down his spine.

The mountain loomed before them, a dark and jagged peak that seemed to pierce the sky itself. The surrounding forest was thick with gnarled trees, and an eerie mist clung to the ground, curling around their legs as they dismounted their horses.

The guards became more cautious, their eyes scanning the surroundings for any signs of danger. "We go by foot from here," Yun Zhan instructed, his voice low. "Stay close, Young Master. The Mountain of Shadows is notorious for its dangers—ghouls and spirits roam these parts, waiting for the unwary."

They moved forward cautiously, hiding their tracks as best they could and dealing with the occasional small beasts that crossed their path. But despite their careful progress, the tension in the air grew thicker. The forest seemed to close in around them, the shadows lengthening, and the whispering voices in Tyler\'s head became louder, more insistent.

Then, without warning, a wailing cry pierced the air. A dense fog rolled in, obscuring their vision, and from within the mist, dark, twisted shapes emerged.

"Spirits!" one of the guards shouted, drawing his sword.

The ghastly forms of ghouls and malevolent spirits materialized from the shadows, their hollow eyes glowing with a sickly green light. They rushed toward the group, their spectral claws swiping at the air, hungry for the living.

Tyler, standing at the back of the group, felt a wave of terror wash over him. As a mortal, he was powerless against these creatures. His heart pounded in his chest as the first ghoul lunged toward him, its clawed hand reaching for his throat.

"Protect the Young Master!" Yun Zhan commanded, and the guards sprang into action.

The Nascent Soul guards formed a protective barrier around Tyler, their swords flashing as they cut through the ghouls.

Spiritual energy crackled in the air as they unleashed their techniques, slashing through the spirits with ease, but the sheer number of the ghouls was overwhelming.

One by one, the spirits fell, but more seemed to rise from the mist. Tyler backed up against a tree, his breath coming in short gasps as he watched the battle unfold. He was completely helpless, unable to defend himself. His thoughts raced—what would happen if the guards fell? What if these spirits overwhelmed them?

Just then, one of the ghouls broke through the line of guards, charging straight for Tyler. His heart skipped a beat, and for a split second, he thought this was the end. But in a flash of steel, Yun Zhan appeared, cutting the ghoul down before it could reach him.

"Stay behind us!" Yun Zhan barked, his eyes fierce. "We\'ll deal with these creatures."

Tyler nodded, trembling as he huddled behind the guards. He could do nothing but watch as the battle raged on.

His hands clenched into fists, the sense of uselessness gnawing at him. He had once been a cultivator, once held power in his hands, but now he was nothing but a burden, relying on others to save him.

The fight dragged on, the guards cutting down ghoul after ghoul, their spiritual energy slicing through the spirits\' ethereal forms. But the more they fought, the more spirits seemed to rise from the shadows.

Finally, after what felt like hours, the last of the ghouls dissipated into the mist, their shrieks echoing into the night as they faded away.

The guards stood panting, their weapons bloodied and their spiritual energy drained, but they were victorious.

"Let\'s keep moving," Yun Zhan said, wiping the sweat from his brow. "We need to find shelter before more of them show up."

Tyler followed in silence, his mind reeling from the encounter. He couldn\'t shake the feeling that this was only the beginning of the dangers they would face in the Mountain of Shadows.

The voices in his head whispered again, louder than ever.

"Come to us, Tyler... come to us..."

Whatever awaited him in that mountain, he knew it would either restore his strength—or end his life.

Meanwhile, Aric returned to Lei\'s estate after the exchange ended.

During this time, he was fully indulging in the rewards of his efforts.

Every day, the members of the Nine-Tailed Fox Clan, including their Matriarch, Ava Nightshade, served him in bed.

Ava, once a proud and powerful leader, had completely succumbed to Aric\'s control. Their nights together were filled with wild passion as Aric reveled in the feeling of owning such a prestigious woman.

His nights with her were intense, each encounter leaving him more satisfied than the last. But Aric\'s hunger for pleasure didn\'t stop there.

The other women of the Nine-Tailed Fox Clan—elders, younger women, all of them—were his to command. He took full advantage of their beauty, making sure they fulfilled his every desire.

For days, his estate had been a den of pleasure, a sanctuary where he could enjoy the fruits of his conquests.

Aric woke to find Ava still wrapped around him, her tails curled protectively over their bodies. He kissed her gently, waking her from her slumber.

"Young Master Aric…" Ava sighed sleepily, her fingers brushing against his cheek. "Will you be gone for long this time?"

"I won\'t be far," Aric replied, his tone softer than usual. "I have business in the mountains. But don\'t worry, I\'ll be back before you know it."

Ava nodded, still feeling the warmth of his presence. "Be safe," she whispered, her eyes filled with emotion. "And come back to me soon."

"Let\'s see what these mountains have for the protagonist." Aric thought