Xianwu sat in silence, his eyes half-closed as he meditated on his recent breakthrough. The power of the Qi Refining Realm coursed through his veins, stronger and more refined than before. But despite his progress, unease gnawed at him. This world, the one he had returned to, was different from the one he remembered. The Demon Sect had never been this powerful in his previous life, never this organized or influential. Something had changed—and he needed to understand why.
Was he truly in the past, or was this some twisted version of the world he once knew? The questions haunted him, the answers just out of reach. He knew one thing for certain: he needed to grow stronger, far faster than he had initially planned. His current pace would not be enough to uncover the truth behind the changes he had noticed. The Azure Cloud Sect, while offering him refuge, lacked the resources and knowledge he needed. It was holding him back.
He needed to join one of the great sects—the powerful factions that held sway over Murim. Only there would he find the resources and the secrets necessary to piece together the puzzle before him. The path of cultivation demanded sacrifice, and he would do whatever it took to achieve his goals, even if it meant leaving behind the Azure Cloud Sect and the people who had stood by him. He couldn't afford to be sentimental. Sentimentality was a weakness, and in the world of cultivation, weakness led to death.
His thoughts were interrupted as Lan Hua and Yun Wei approached. "We're heading back to the city," Lan Hua said, her voice pulling him out of his reverie. "Leader Wen wants to speak with us."
Xianwu opened his eyes and nodded, standing up. "Let's go. There's no time to waste."
The three of them made their way back to the Five Rivers Trading Company, the sprawling complex of buildings bustling with activity as merchants and guards moved about. The opulence of the place was unmistakable—a testament to the wealth and influence of the trading company. They were led through the grand halls to a meeting room where Leader Wen awaited them.
Wen Haiyan stood by the window, his expression thoughtful as he turned to greet them. "You've returned," he said, his voice carrying a hint of relief. "I heard about your success in the cavern. The Demon Sect's presence has been purged, at least for now."
Xianwu inclined his head, his face expressionless. "The cultists have been dealt with, but there's more to this than just a single outpost."
Wen nodded, a frown creasing his brow. "Unfortunately, all the cultists we captured have taken their own lives. It seems they were prepared for this possibility." He paused, his gaze shifting to Xianwu. "All except for Shen Mu. He remains alive, though he has refused to speak. We've tried various methods, but he remains defiant."
Lan Hua's eyes narrowed, her concern evident. "So, Shen Mu is our only lead. If we can get him to talk, we might learn more about their plans."
Wen looked at Xianwu, his expression serious. "You've already proven yourself capable of handling the Demon Sect. Would you be willing to try? Perhaps you can succeed where we have failed."
Xianwu's gaze was cold, his resolve clear. "Take me to him. I'll make him talk."
Wen nodded, gesturing for the guards to lead the way. The group made their way through the city, the streets bustling with life as if unaware of the dark forces lurking beneath the surface. The people of the city were blissfully ignorant of the true dangers that surrounded them, and Xianwu couldn't help but feel a sense of detachment. The struggles of ordinary people seemed insignificant compared to the threats he faced.
The city's prison was a stark contrast to the wealth of the trading company—a grim, foreboding structure that loomed over them as they approached. It was a place devoid of hope, where only the echoes of despair remained. The heavy stone walls seemed to absorb the light, casting long shadows that enveloped the group as they entered.
They were led inside, the air growing colder as they descended into the lower levels. The sound of their footsteps echoed through the narrow stone corridors, the oppressive silence adding to the tension. The dim torchlight flickered, casting eerie shadows along the damp walls. The guards stopped in front of a heavy iron door, nodding to Xianwu before pushing it open.
Inside the cell, Shen Mu sat shackled, his eyes closed in meditation. His face was battered, bruises covering his skin from the earlier attempts to break his will. He opened his eyes as the door creaked open, his gaze settling on Xianwu, Lan Hua, and Yun Wei as they entered.
Xianwu stepped forward, his expression unreadable as he looked down at Shen Mu. "You will tell me everything you know about the Demon Sect," he said, his voice cold and commanding. Shen Mu's lips curled into a mocking smile, his eyes filled with defiance.
Lan Hua and Yun Wei stood behind Xianwu, their expressions tense. They knew what Xianwu was capable of, and they had seen the lengths he was willing to go to in order to achieve his goals. But this—this was something else. The air in the cell seemed to grow colder as Xianwu's aura darkened, his resolve evident in his gaze. Yun Wei swallowed hard, glancing at Lan Hua, who was visibly uneasy. The ruthlessness that Xianwu exuded was both terrifying and awe-inspiring.
Shen Mu chuckled, his voice dripping with disdain. "You think you can intimidate me? I've faced pain beyond anything you can imagine. Your threats are meaningless."
Xianwu's eyes narrowed, his patience wearing thin. He leaned closer, his voice low and menacing. "You have no idea what I am capable of. I will not hesitate to do whatever it takes to extract the information I need."
Lan Hua's heart pounded as she watched Xianwu. There was something different about him, something that set him apart from the others she had known. His determination was beyond anything she had ever witnessed—his willingness to cross lines that others wouldn't dare approach. It made her question just how far he was willing to go.
Yun Wei shifted uncomfortably, his normally cheerful demeanor replaced by a somber expression. He knew Xianwu was strong, but the coldness in his eyes now made Yun Wei wonder just how much of Xianwu's humanity remained. The silence in the cell was broken only by the ragged breathing of Shen Mu, who stared defiantly at Xianwu, as if daring him to act.
Xianwu took a step back, his eyes never leaving Shen Mu. He turned to Wen, his voice as cold as ice. "Leave us. This will require a... different approach."
Wen hesitated for a moment, then nodded, gesturing for the guards to follow him out of the cell. Lan Hua and Yun Wei exchanged glances, their unease evident. "Xianwu, are you sure about this?" Lan Hua asked, her voice barely a whisper.