Dao of Money

What on Earth?!

Chen Ren crouched amidst the bloodied earth, his breath shallow, his fingers brushing the remnants of the crimson-soaked soil.

Above him, the sky churned, a mushroom-shaped cloud of thick smoke spiralling outward, its tendrils curling into the sky like dark fingers reaching for an unseen foe. The scent of sulfur and burning metal was sharp in the air.

He closed his mouth with his hand as the smoke filled his lungs, a cough willing to escape. But he didn’t want to—

The ground trembled beneath him, quaking with the force of distant explosions. One after another. Each of the blasts seemed to tear the world asunder, its echoes drowning out the shouts, screams, and frantic voices that mingled with the chaos. A part of his body froze, caught in the noise of everything.

He knew. His senses weren’t dull enough to ignore the unmistakable signs. He had just passed by the demonic cultivator and the smoke was rising from the Feng Clan’s estate.

He stared at the smoke, his heart sinking as he considered the fate of Feng Ming. With that much sound and impact, he doubted anyone within the estate area could have survived. Not even a cultivator would stand against such destruction. At least not a body forging realm one.

Should he go and help? The thought ran in circles around his mind, but he knew he wouldn’t be able to do anything. His power was growing, sure, but it was still a far cry from what was needed to face a demonic cultivator of such monstrous strength.

Chen Ren looked at the cat who’d huddled beside him. He knew for a fact that even if Yalan took charge, the rift between her and the demonic cultivator would tear the very air they breathed. If he stayed, he risked being crushed between their forces.

Yalan’s fur fluffed out in agitation and her amber eyes moved between Chen Ren and the chaos.“Yalan,” Chen Ren whispered. His voice almost didn’t come out due to the fear that crept at his insides. At his voice, Yalan’s eyes stuck on his. “We should run.”

Without another thought, the cat nodded and they started to run, leaving the bodies behind.

“I don’t know the demonic cultivator’s strength either… but it’s better to steer clear. There’s no point in risking it with you here,” Yalan said, jumping over a wall and running on top of it.

Just as Chen Ren opened his mouth to agree, a scream sliced through the commotion. A loud, animalistic shriek that rattled the very earth and sent a ripple of dread down his spine. He halted as his eyes snapped toward the source.

God, what is that?

Chen Ren squinted his eyes.

The thick smoke parted, revealing monstrous shapes emerging from the gloom.

Ethereal beastly bodies revealed themselves, their massive forms glistening in the haze like phantoms of flame. Their red-glowing outlines pulsed with an annoying light, their large bodies almost transparent, as though they were born from the very smoke itself.

They resembled rhinos and his eyes widened as he took the sight in.

There were seven in total, their monstrous roars reverberating through the air like the cries of spirits trapped in a nightmare.

The ground trembled beneath their weightless forms as they surged forward, their ethereal hooves striking sparks from the stone. Three of them, larger than the others, veered toward Chen Ren’s position, their ghostly bodies gliding over the earth.

Chen Ren’s heart plummeted.

He didn’t need to see more to know what was coming. His legs tensed, ready to spring into motion, but his mind struggled to form a plan.

“Chen Ren, run!” Yalan’s voice broke through his shock.

Without waiting another second, Chen Ren shot forward, his feet pounding the stone streets, propelling him faster than he’d ever moved before. The city around him was chaotic, voices rising in panic, but they were all swallowed by the continuous thunderous roars of the etheral rhinos that chased him. Their haunting cries shattered the air, leaving only the sound of his laboured breaths as he pushed himself onward.

I need a plan. Something… something to put them off.

His thoughts churned as adrenaline peaked.

He immediately shifted directions in a blur to throw them off, his body flickering in and out of sight, moving with unnatural speed as his [Lightning Step] technique took hold. His legs screamed in protest as he used it at its full ability, every step a jolt of pain, but the technique was a lifeline, allowing him to leave streaks of afterimages.

The strain was unbearable, but his heart raced with desperation. Despite all his efforts, the rhinos continued to chase after him, like shadows that would never be outrun.

“Chen Ren, look to your right.”

Yalan’s voice echoed in his mind, cutting through his panic. He didn’t hesitate, turning instinctively to the side just as a massive, ethereal ivory-horned rhino surged toward him, its glow an obnoxious black that leached into the very air around it.

The aura it radiated was suffocating, and by its sheer presence, Chen Ren could tell it was a qi refinement realm beast. An early stage Tier 2 monster.

Chen Ren’s mind raced. Fighting wasn’t an option. Not against something like this. Yet... he couldn’t just run. His qi surged as he prepared to unleash [Thundering Punch], but before he could, an intense heat touched his chest and started spreading throughout his body. He immediately turned to his right.

Yalan.

Purple light erupted from Yalan’s claws, streaking through the air with the ferocity of a storm. Flames danced along her tail like the first time he’d seen her, fiery tendrils licking the air. With a fluid motion, she hurled the flames at the charging rhino, catching it mid-surge. The flames scorched its ethereal hide, throwing it off course, before her claws dug deep into its flesh, tearing through its form with ease.

The creature let out a strangled whimper, its body writhing, but not a drop of blood spilt from the wound. Chen Ren’s heart skipped as he saw it falter. She had injured it.

But just as quickly as the relief came, it vanished. A second rhino, larger and more ferocious than the first, charged at him from behind, its black-tipped horns gleaming with murderous intent. Chen Ren’s instincts kicked in. He twisted, leaping backwards just as the rhino’s horn grazed the air where he had been a heartbeat ago.

Before the beast could charge again, Yalan’s fiery aura enveloped it. Her short frame suddenly looked bigger and her amber eyes looked cold—too cold. She threw herself into battle with the second rhino, her claws glowing purple and slicing through the air with impossible precision.

“Chen Ren, run. I will handle these two. Get to safety.”

The words hit him like a slap. He opened his mouth to protest, but her voice cut through, unwavering.

“If you think I can be defeated by creatures like these, you are sorely mistaken. Just run. You aren’t strong enough yet.”

For a moment, Chen Ren stared at her, his heart heavy. He wanted to argue, to stay and fight alongside her, but deep down, he knew the truth. Yalan was far stronger than these ethereal beasts. She wasn’t as fragile as a normal feline. If anything was fragile here, it was him.

Though her words cut him sharp, she was right. He wasn’t strong enough—not yet. Right now, he was a burden to everyone around him.

If you discover this narrative on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the violation.

He could only pray that Yalan’s strength was enough to keep them both alive. If he ever wanted to stand on his own, to protect those he cared about, he had no choice but to run.

And so, he ran.

The pounding of his feet against the stone streets was the only sound in his ears, but even that was swallowed by the noise of destruction behind him. The sound of battle echoed across the city—shouts, screams, and the vicious roars of beasts. He couldn’t help but know, deep down, that Yalan was holding her ground, her flames lashing out as she fought back the rhinos.

He aimed for the Tang Clan compound, hoping that it would offer some kind of sanctuary, but just as he neared the edge of the street, the ground beneath him trembled violently.

He turned instinctively, just in time to feel the wind of a projectile whizz by his cheek, missing him by a hair’s breadth.

A chill ran down his spine as he looked back. Standing in the street was another large rhino, its eyes fixed on him like a predator eyeing its prey. Its ivory horn glowed with an eye-blinding black light, sending shivers through his bones. Chen Ren felt his heart race, and before he could react, the rhino fired another volley of projectiles.

He barely managed to twist his body, using [Lightning Step] to dodge.

Golden lightning surged through his legs, sending him darting to the side as the deadly projectiles sliced through the air where he’d been a moment before.

The rhino didn’t relent. With a deafening roar, it charged forward, its massive form blurring toward him like an unstoppable force. Chen Ren’s mind screamed at him to move, but he knew that he couldn’t outrun this one. Not head-on. He needed another way.

His eyes moved through the street before an idea struck him. His gaze hardened.

He pushed his qi to the surface, flooding his body with power and planted his feet. With a deep breath, his fists tightened, and with a raw, thundering force, he slammed them into the ground. The shockwave rippled through the earth, and cracks splintered outward, tearing through the stone beneath his feet.

The rhino’s charge faltered as one of its hooves caught on the crack, causing it to stumble and slide awkwardly. For a brief moment, it was off balance—long enough for Chen Ren to seize the opportunity.

Without hesitation, he turned and bolted, changing direction entirely, his mind racing.

Another roar split the air.

Looking over his shoulders, he saw the rhino regain his footing and start to give chase. Chen Ren’s heart fell, mind racing for a way to lose it.

He couldn’t keep running in circles, couldn’t stay out in the open for long.

His eyes shot up to the horizon suddenly, where a dense mist began rolling in, creeping over the city like a living thing. A spark of inspiration flared in his mind. The mist. If he could make it there, if he could blend into the fog, maybe—just maybe—he could lose the rhino.

He pushed himself harder, his feet moving faster, silent as the wind, as he sped toward the encroaching mist. Lightning danced around his legs.

The rhino followed, undeterred, its roar reverberating through the streets. It got closer and closer every second.

Chen Ren could feel its presence like a shadow looming behind him, waiting for the moment when he would slip up.

He took a deep breath as he neared the edge of the mist and pushed his focus inward. His steps softened to near silence, every muscle working in harmony to create as little noise as possible. His lightning extinguished to not attract attention.

He moved like a ghost, his body practically blending with the shifting mist.

The world around him became a blur of grey and white as he entered the fog, each footstep deliberate and controlled. He couldn’t afford a single misstep.

Chen Ren glanced back, watching the ethereal rhino charge into the mist after him.

His heart hammered in his chest, but he remained calm. If the rhino had no way to see through the mist, he might have a chance. The dense fog swallowed him whole, obscuring his figure from the creature’s sight.

Just keep moving, he thought, using the sentence as a mantra in his mind.

Behind him, the sound of the ethereal rhino crashing through the mist echoed like thunder, its roar wild and desperate.

He saw it turning in a different direction than where he stood due to the shine of its horn.

Chen Ren couldn’t help but smile to himself. Just as he’d suspected, the rhino was nothing more than a mindless beast—a shadowy creature driven by instinct. If it couldn’t see him, it couldn’t do anything at all.

Stupid bastard—a big ball of flesh.

With that thought, Chen Ren moved carefully through the fog, each step measured and silent. The mist, thick and oppressive, offered him the perfect cover. Slowly, the silhouette of the rhino materialized through the haze, its massive body huffing as it searched for him. Looking here and there. Chen Ren’s heart raced as he crept closer to the creature’s rear.

Without hesitation, he gathered all his remaining strength and unleashed a [Thundering Punch] directly onto the rhino’s back. The ground beneath him cracked as the force of the blow reverberated, sending a shockwave through the earth. The monster let out a bone-rattling roar, its body shuddering from the impact.

But by the time it turned around, Chen Ren was already gone, slipping away like a shadow in the mist. The rhino, disoriented and enraged, madly charged back and forth, trying to catch the elusive figure that had struck it. But Chen Ren was already on the move again, hitting the same spot on the creature’s back, again and again, and again.

The rhino’s movements grew sluggish as it staggered, its form dimming in the mist. Chen Ren’s confidence grew with each successful hit. One more strike, he thought to himself, and I’ll be able to get out of here.

He rushed forward, gathering his remaining qi and unleashing his [Lightning Frenzy] on the rhino, his fists crackling with power. This time, however, the rhino seemed to sense the change. With surprising agility, it turned just in time to meet his strike. Chen Ren’s fist landed with a deafening impact against its face, and the rhino screamed in pain, its body jolting backwards.

But before Chen Ren could make his escape, the rhino retaliated. Its ivory horn shot forward, slashing across his shoulder with a sickening burn. Pain exploded through him, but he gritted his teeth, pushing through the agony. Adrenaline surged as he leapt over the creature, narrowly avoiding its follow-up attack.

The rhino roared and charged again, but Chen Ren was already moving. By now, he had a solid grasp of where he was. He could feel the edge of the city in the distance. The boundary was near.

And then, just as he expected, the city’s walls loomed before him, rising up from the mist. The rhino, relentless as ever, continued its charge, its eyes locked on him. But Chen Ren was ready. With a powerful burst of speed, he kicked off the ground, his foot landing solidly on the city wall and jumped.

The rhino, too caught up in its rage to stop, slammed into the wall with a bone-shaking impact. It’s horn got caught in the stone. It let out a painful whimper as it struggled to free itself.

This was it. Chen Ren didn’t hesitate. He got back on the ground and summoned the last of his energy, his qi surging through his body. Destructive lightning surged through his fist, and with one final roar, he unleashed it at the rhino’s face.

The moment his punch connected, the ethereal beast seemed to dissolve. Lightning covered its whole body and its form shattered into just air of glowing particles, mixing with the mist and vanishing into the atmosphere like smoke.

Chen Ren staggered back, panting heavily, his shoulder searing with pain.

He barely had time to register the victory before his exhaustion hit him all at once. His legs gave out, and he dropped to his knees, breathing heavily, eyes locked on the mist as the last remnants of the rhino disappeared.

Chen Ren squinted at the fading remnants, his mind racing with confusion. That’s weird. I’ve never seen such a beast before.

His gaze swept across the mist that seemed to cling to the ground, but no one else was in sight. The silence of the city had settled into an eerie calm, a complete one-eighty to the chaos he had just fled.

Then, like a wave crashing over him, the pain hit. Double and triple the pain he felt before.

His entire body screamed in protest—the deep, gnawing ache in his shoulder where the rhino’s horn had grazed him, the weariness in his legs that felt like they were made of lead from the continuous use of his [Lightning Step] technique, and the raw tenderness in his arms, which had taken the brunt of the rhino’s tough hide. His breath came in short gasps, each movement sending tremors of agony through him.

He couldn’t afford to stay here. Not now. There were no sign of Yalan, and he needed to move, to find safety.

Chen Ren gritted his teeth and forced himself to stand, pushing against the searing pain. His legs felt unsteady, but his determination was unshakable. If he were to pass out here, no one would know he died. And he would be disappointing Yalan who had given him the opportunity to escape.

He would never get the chance to fulfil the potential of his dao and uncover the mysteries of this world.

He clutched his shoulder and walked, each step sending a jolt of pain all over his body. But he endured and moved further and further.

The smoke plumed from every corner, the air thick with the screams of panicked citizens and the bellowing roars of beasts still terrorizing the streets. As he moved, every step felt like a battle in itself.

But he couldn’t afford to collapse now.

When he finally reached the Tang Clan compound, the sight of guards and familiar faces gave him a brief moment of solace. Tang Xiulan was among them, her eyes scanning the crowd, but when she spotted him, her face blanched. Without a second thought, she rushed toward him, her footsteps quick as if she feared the worst.

“Young Master Chen Ren!” she shouted, her voice filled with panic as her eyes took in his condition.

His body, weakened and drained from the battle, faltered. As she reached him, Chen Ren had no strength left to hold himself upright. His body sagged, and with a soft, almost defeated sigh, he collapsed into her arms, his vision beginning to blur.

”I have no energy left... Please take care of me,” he murmured, his words barely above a whisper, heavy with exhaustion.

He gave in to the darkness that clouded his vision. The dots drew a full blank and numbness clouded his entire body.

***

A/N - You can read 30 chapters (15 Magus Reborn and 15 Dao of money) on my patreon.