Cultivator of the End: I Refine My Own Death - Chapter 49 – The Sky That Bleeds

“Go Yohan, you really are a terrible bastard.”“I can’t help it. Bullying is more fun than being bullied.”Despite his outer appearance of a kind model student, Kang Jun was filled to the brim with an inferiority complex.As he advanced into his second year, he grew closer to Go Yohan, who was in the same class as him.“I’ll treat you especially different.”At some point, as if it were only natural, Go Yohan claimed his seat at the very summit of the pyramid inside the school.He, whose second nature seemed to be ignoring and suppressing others, showed interest in Kang Jun.Kang Jun, who was subtly ignored by his friends for being weak, didn’t dislike Go Yohan’s interest, but…Eighteen, the period where one’s pride took the lead and held fear of crossing the line.Kang Jun had to make a choice to survive.A very wise choice.

Xi Nan had loved Cheng Yi for ten years.After graduating from college, she confessed her feelings but faced rejection.Eventually, one went abroad and the other ventured into the entertainment industry.Five years later, Xi Nan became a highly sought-after celebrity in the entertainment circle, and Cheng Yi rose to be the youngest head of the Cheng family, known as a business genius by the media.An arranged marriage contract reconnected them once again.Rumors had always spoken of Cheng Yi, the CEO of Yi Feng Group, as decisive and aloof, a unique figure with almost no romantic scandals, yet he attracted countless admirers.However, the latest news drove all the high-society ladies in Jing City mad.Reports claimed that Cheng Yi was secretly married and had even commissioned a famous international jewelry designer for a priceless engagement ring.One day, as Xi Nan was watching television at home, Cheng Yi called her, asking her to retrieve a document from his study.Finding the document on the desk was easy for Xi Nan.But at the same moment, she discovered Cheng Yi’s secret—a small black box inside a cabinet.It contained a diamond ring, easily seven to eight carats, fittingly described as a 'pigeon's egg'.Xi Nan tried the ring on, and it fit perfectly.In that instant, something deep within seemed to blossom, her eyes swirling with a layer of subtle surprise and bewilderment.

The day the city fell, Feng Yun was treated by her father as a spoil of war and presented to the enemy general.Everyone pitied her, soon to be a captive, plunging into a fiery pit.Yet she veiled the little donkey cart that took her out of the city tightly, daring not to let anyone see the secret delight in her heart…As a child, she behaved oddly and spoke startling words, once predicting a war in which the whole army was wiped out, nearly being burned to death by her clan as a demon.When she grew up, her beauty was out of the world, but she was rejected by her husband's family.In the period of chaos and disorder everywhewe, where could a female captive go?“I do not seek a devoted partner to grow old with; I merely wish to rule unrivaled in this life.”In her previous life, Feng Yun was always the one being scorned by others; in this life, she decided to strike first, turning the tables on each and every one of them, those so-called unreachable flowers and beasts in gentleman's clothing, those degenerates… all to be scorned in return.

Elia is a poor university student until the night she’s taken to the world of the Anima—ruled by humans whose ancient hearts pulse with the blood of animals. There she’s forced into a battle to the death. But when Elia survives, and refuses to kill her final opponent, the King must either kill Elia himself, or take her as his mate.

Reth, the brutal King of the Beasts with the blood of lions, shocks everyone when he chooses the weak, human Elia to become his Queen. He promises her every comfort of his wealth and position—but he is clear: She will not warm his bed. He chose her to defeat those that were trying to corner him into blending his Leonine line with the Wolves.

Elia needs the help of the Anima to become stronger and rule them well. But the vengeful Wolves see only a weak human that brought them shame. As Elia and Reth grow closer, the wolves are determined to destroy her. Will Reth and Elia admit their feelings for each in time to fight for the Kingdom—and their lives—against the villainous wolf-tribe? Or will the wolves kill Elia and steal the throne?

[Mature content - no sexual violence]

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He stalked towards her, chin low so the shadow cast by his hard jaw cut across the thick fur collar of his vest. His hair had fallen over his eyes in the scuffle, so he peered at her through it like a lion in the grass. With each step, his graceful, rolling gait reminded her of a predator stalking its prey. Despite the forest floor littered in twigs and leaves, he didn’t make a sound.

“Wh-who are you?” Elia stammered, backing away, her hands up. He met her step for step until she came up hard against the tree behind her—and didn’t stop until he loomed over her, so broad his shoulders and chest made a wall in front of her. She could feel the heat rising off his skin in the cool, night air.

“I am the Leonine King.” His voice was a dark, husky gravel. Behind him a chorus of wheezes, howls, and chirps of agreement rose from the people watching. “And you are?”

“Elia,” she breathed.

“Elia,” he growled, leaning in closer, bringing with him the scent of pine and rain and the musk of something distinctly male. “I am Reth.” He said the name with a strange, guttural roll in his throat. “I am King of Beasts. I am Clan Leader, and I am Alpha of WildWood.” Several snarls rose from the crowds behind him then, but he ignored them.

Elia swallowed as he leaned in until the scruff on his jaw rasped her cheek. “I am the King,” he said, “And you will be my mate.”

The forest behind him erupted.