Lan Hua's blade danced through the air, cutting down the cultists who were chanting, their dark rituals empowering Shen Mu. As each cultist fell, Shen Mu's overwhelming aura began to waver, the dark energy surrounding him growing unstable. Xianwu seized the opportunity, a cold fire burning in his eyes as he pressed the attack.
"Celestial Ascension Technique!" Xianwu roared, his Qi blazing as he unleashed the full extent of his power. The force of his strikes battered Shen Mu, each blow carrying the weight of Xianwu's determination. Shen Mu's laughter, once filled with arrogance, turned into a snarl of desperation as he struggled to keep up, his dark energy flickering like a candle in the wind.
With a final, powerful strike, Xianwu drove his sword forward, piercing through Shen Mu's defenses. Shen Mu's eyes widened in shock as the blade sank into his chest, his body convulsing as the dark energy that had empowered him was torn apart by the celestial light. Xianwu pulled his sword free, and with a swift motion, he unleashed a burst of energy that erupted in a brilliant explosion, engulfing the cultists and leaving the cavern in silence.
The dust settled, revealing the aftermath of the battle. The cultists lay scattered across the cavern floor, either dead or unconscious, their dark power extinguished. Shen Mu, once the fearsome leader of this branch of the Demon Sect, was now lying motionless, defeated.
Xianwu, his energy spent, dropped to one knee, breathing heavily. He knew he had pushed himself to the limit, but there was something else—a sensation deep within him, a shift in his very core. He closed his eyes, allowing himself to sink into a meditative state. The energy from the battle, the life-and-death struggle, had triggered something within him, pushing him past a barrier that had held him back. His cultivation was advancing—he could feel himself breaking through into the Qi Refining Realm.
Lan Hua and Yun Wei stood at a distance, their eyes fixed on Xianwu as he entered his meditation. They exchanged a worried glance, the tension of the battle still weighing on them. "Is he alright?" Yun Wei asked, his usual carefree demeanor replaced by genuine concern.
Lan Hua's gaze remained on Xianwu, her brow furrowed. "He's... advancing," she said, her voice barely a whisper. She could sense the change in Xianwu's aura, the powerful surge of Qi that enveloped him as he sat there, motionless.
The hours turned into a day, and still Xianwu remained in his meditative state. Lan Hua and Yun Wei kept watch, their concern growing with each passing moment. They had fought alongside Xianwu, witnessed his strength, but this was something different. His aura was growing stronger, more refined, as if the battle had forged him anew.
At last, after what felt like an eternity, Xianwu's eyes snapped open. He took a deep breath, his gaze steady as he looked at Lan Hua and Yun Wei. They rushed to his side, their faces a mixture of relief and curiosity.
"You're finally awake," Yun Wei said, a grin spreading across his face. "We were starting to think you'd never get up."
Lan Hua let out a sigh of relief, her eyes softening as she looked at Xianwu. "You've been meditating for an entire day. We were worried about you."
Xianwu nodded, a faint smile on his lips. "I had to consolidate my breakthrough," he said. "I've advanced to the Qi Refining Realm."
Lan Hua's eyes widened in shock. "You're only just reaching Qi Refining?" She stared at him, her mind struggling to process what she had just heard. "With your strength, I thought you were already beyond that. I've been in the Qi Refining Realm for two years, and yet..." Her voice trailed off, the realization of Xianwu's incredible power despite his lower cultivation level leaving her speechless.
Yun Wei let out a low whistle, shaking his head in disbelief. "You're a monster, Xianwu. Advancing like that, in the middle of a battle... No wonder the Demon Sect is after you."
Xianwu's expression remained calm, his eyes betraying none of the turmoil that had once gripped him. He had fought for this power, had taken it by force, and he would not apologize for it. "The path of cultivation is filled with obstacles," he said, his voice steady. "I will do whatever it takes to overcome them."
Lan Hua nodded slowly, her eyes still on Xianwu. There was a determination in him that she could not deny, a willingness to do whatever was necessary to achieve his goals. It was both inspiring and frightening, a reminder of the harsh reality of the world they lived in.
"While you were meditating, the city's guards came to secure the cavern," Yun Wei said, changing the subject. "They've taken Shen Mu into custody and confiscated the stolen artifacts. It seems the Five Rivers Trading Company will be pleased."
Xianwu stood, his movements deliberate as he stretched, feeling the newfound power coursing through him. "Good," he said, his voice cool. "Shen Mu may have answers we need. The Demon Sect won't stop here—this is just the beginning."
Lan Hua looked at him, her eyes searching his face. "What do we do now?"
Xianwu's gaze was unyielding, his expression hardened by the battles he had faced. "We move forward. The Demon Sect has shown their hand, and we will not let them continue their plans unchecked. We will find them, and we will end this."
Lan Hua and Yun Wei exchanged a glance, a sense of determination settling over them. They had come this far, and there was no turning back now. The fight against the Demon Sect was far from over, and they would face whatever challenges lay ahead—together.