Divine Harem: My Sect of Heavenly Beauties

The canyon was a deep, rugged stretch of land, its walls towering on both sides like giant stone walls reaching up toward the sky. The rocks were rough, colored in shades of dusty red and brown, and cracks ran along the sides like old scars.

The ground was dry and uneven, with small stones scattered everywhere, making each step risky and loud. Giants rocks rested on the base of the walls, broken in various shapes.

The air felt heavy and tense, with the sun casting long shadows that made the narrow path through the canyon feel dark and confined. The sound of distant footsteps and whispers echoed off the stone walls, making it hard to tell where exactly people were hiding or waiting. High up, jagged rocks jutted out, as if they were sharp teeth ready to trap anyone below.

At the far end of the canyon, a group of people huddled together, tense and alert, their backs to the wall as they watched every movement, knowing they were surrounded. It was a place where every corner felt dangerous, where every shadow seemed to hide something—or someone—waiting to strike.

Hastor watched at it from the tall stone he was sitting on. His eyes held a strange resignation as if he had already seen the outcome of the ambush.

He looked at the communication stone and smiled.

'Live well, Young Miss. You have finally found someone who can treasure and protect you. I'm happy for you, but it looks our journey ends here. I'm happy to have a chance to serve you.'

Unlike his companions, he knew the enemy they were facing and that was why he had already given up hope. He knew the only outcome facing this Spiritual Creature was death, so he didn't even tell Qing Zhiyan about it.

With a heavy sigh, he stood up. Even though he had resigned to his gate, it didn't mean he would go down without a fight. If he just surrendered then a fate worse than death awaited him and he certainly didn't want that.

His gaze then landed on his companions and he realised another sigh. They were just innocent mercenaries he had hired to escort Qing Zhiyan but he didn't expect to meet such a situation.

'It isn't their fault.'

Thinking of that, he jumped down and said in his commanding voice.

"Come here!"

Hearing his voice, it was as if the mercenaries had found a backbone as they sighed in relief and went towards him. Their face still filled with fear but they were better than before.

When everyone was standing before him, Hastor nodded and said.

"The enemy we are facing is the Skinwalker, a Tier 4 Spiritual Creature who wears human skin to wreck havoc. Because of hosting so many human bodies, it has become intelligent and is no different than humans."

He furrowed his brows and continued.

"I was only able to detect it through special means. But I think you all understand from how dangerous it is even though it is just a Early-Stage Tier 4 Spiritual Creature."

Hearing his explanation, the mercenaries lost whatever strength they had left. They had heard of Skinwalker and knew of the dread it created among the humans.

Humanity was terrified just by the name of it. Who wouldn't be frightened when suddenly their lover, who they had spent their whole life, turned out to be a Spiritual Creature? Many people were even in trauma because of the Spiritual Creature.

This wasn't even the most terrifying aspect of Skinwalker. It could actually use multiple bodies and to their peak strength at that. It was a walking one man army.

This was also one of the reasons it was still alive as nobody could tell where the real body was. And as long as the real wasn't killed, the terror of Skinwalker would continue to spread.

Fortunately, it was still weak and never went completely berserk so the Four Major Sects had also never tried their best to annihilate it. It would only come occasionally for some bizzare purpose.

The mercenaries began to question their luck for meeting such a terrible Creature like this. Now, they were bound to become one of the many bodies it controlled.

Hastor kept silent, as he looked at everyone's expression. He knew very well what was going through their head and he couldn't even blame them for it.

He cleared his throat and said.

"You guys don't need to worry. Since I am the one who hired you all then your protection is also my responsibility. So, I will make some time for you so escape quickly. And if anyone asks about princess, say that I helped her in escaping so she is also safe."

The mercenaries instantly dropped on their knees as they began to show their gratitude. And right after that, they ran away the way they came as fast as they could. They didn't even question why Hastor didn't just send the princess with them.

Hastor looked at them and shook his head. He obviously didn't do this because of some responsibilities. He just knew Skinwalker well enough to know that running was impossible for him.

The Skinwalker always targetted strong people to take their bodies so even if he ran away, the Skinwalker would just come after him.

He cracked his neck and walked forward, his face showing determination and killing intent burst out from his body. Every step he took made the land shake as the aura he emitted began to grow more dangerous and terrifying.

Just then, a shadow fell on him from his sides, whom he didn't even pay attention and simply slapped away like a bug. Only after doing that, he looked at the figure who had attacked him.

But now, it was only a mangled corpse with it's head gone and bones snapped in unnatural forms.

"Hmph!"

A snort sounded as Hastor raised his leg, and stomped the ground with full force. The powerful impact shattered the rocky ground and made web like cracks in a large area around him.

Even the rocks resting on the sides of the walls were effected and shattered immediately.

Just then, the ground burst into a small explosion and threw Hastor in the air, making a giant hole where he was standing. When the dust settled, Hastor who was hovering in air could see giants spikes in the hole.

He sighed and shouted.

"Can you stop with these childish games? Just fight me directly and stop wasting time."

A light chuckled sounded, echoing in the silent stretches of the canyon. It was low, but carried a strange coldness which sent shivers down Hastor's spine.

"There is no need for any rush, is there? I'm just here to play, after all."

Then, there was a period of silence as Hastor just waited for any attacks, sweat forming on his forehead. Even though Skinwalker had not shown anything powerful yet, he didn't dare underestimate the calamity that had haunted humanity for years.

The voice once again resounded, this time filled with a clear disappointment.

"Tsk! You're no fun. And here I thought I'll get to fight Nascent Soul Realm expert and will also be able to have some fun in the princess's body."

Hastor's body trembled as he realised Skinwalker's goal. It was not a coincidence that it had ambushed them, but it had done it deliberately to get Qing Zhiyan's body.

He couldn't even began to fathom the chaos that would have followed if Skinwalker was successful in getting Qing Zhiyan's body.

'But how? The trip back to capital was so sudden so nobody should know of this. Even the mercenaries I hired randomly and they are not foolish enough to actually....'

Suddenly, a thought crossed his mind that he didn't want to be true. It would be a disaster if it was true.

'I-Impossible!'

His hand shivered as he tried to find courage to fight the thing before him but the realisation had shaken him to core.

"Huh? Why are you pissing in your pants, baldy? I didn't do that even when I was a baby."

Hastor took heavy breaths as he tried to calm down. He raised his head and looked at the top of the canyon, from where the voice was coming.

At the top of the canyon, a young man sat with his legs dangling in the vast chasm of the canyon. His eyes were empty, yet they carried a strange wrongness that couldn't be described in words.

Just by looking into those eyes, Hastor felt his soul shaking. Just what kind of Creature was this to even make a Nascent Soul tremble in its presence.

The young man smiled at him, when he felt his gaze and said.

"I want you, baldy."

Before Hastor could properly understand the meaning of his words, felt his scalp going numb. He tried to dodge but it was too late.

A heavy impact sent him flying to the walls, making even his bones feel the pressure.

Hastor groaned, as he tried to understand what just happened. It was then he felt a powerful aura filling the Grand Canyon and shivered.

This was the reason he hated Skinwalker.

A Tier 4 Spiritual Creature controlling a Tier 5 Spiritual Creature was just pure crime.