Chapter 24: The Hidden Sect's Deception
The tranquil atmosphere around Xiao Feng's villa was abruptly shattered as subtle but sinister energies began to stir in the shadows. Unbeknownst to him, his rapid rise in power had drawn the attention of a hidden sect that had long operated in the dark corners of the world. This sect, known for its ruthless methods and deep connections, was determined to eliminate any threat to its dominance, and Xiao Feng was now squarely in their sights.
The sect's spies, scattered throughout the region, had been monitoring Xiao Feng's every move. However, their information was outdated. They believed Xiao Feng was still at the Nascent Soul Realm, unaware of his recent breakthrough to the Spirit Sovereign Realm. Confident in their mistaken assumptions, they devised a plan to use his family connections to lure him into a deadly trap.
Among those connections was Xiao Feng's beloved Aunt Mei and her daughter, Xiao Chi. The sect saw them as perfect bait to draw Xiao Feng out. They concocted a devious scheme to stage a kidnapping, hoping that the desperate situation would force Xiao Feng to reveal himself and ultimately lead to his demise.
One fateful evening, Aunt Mei and Xiao Chi were ambushed as they returned home from a market visit. Cultivators from the hidden sect swiftly overwhelmed them, whisking them away to their hidden stronghold, leaving behind a trail of chaos. The news of the attack reached Xiao Feng quickly, igniting a fierce determination within him. He could not allow harm to come to his family.
As Xiao Feng approached the sect's hidden stronghold, he activated his Void Step, vanishing from sight and reappearing at the entrance in an instant. The guards barely had time to react before he dispatched them with swift, decisive strikes, leaving a path of destruction in his wake.
Inside the stronghold, the atmosphere was tense. Aunt Mei and Xiao Chi were bound to chairs in a dimly lit chamber, fear etched across their faces. When they saw Xiao Feng enter, Aunt Mei screamed, "Don't come here! They will kill you! Don't worry about us!" Her voice was filled with both desperation and love, a testament to her fierce protectiveness. Xiao Chi remained silent, her wide eyes filled with a mix of fear and awe.
Xiao Feng felt a surge of warmth at his aunt's words, understanding how deeply she cared for him. He reassured them with a glance before turning his attention to the impending battle. With renewed resolve, he advanced further into the stronghold.
The sect members, unaware of the storm about to be unleashed upon them, were caught off guard. As Xiao Feng began to fight, Aunt Mei and Xiao Chi watched in astonishment. They struggled against their bindings, unable to comprehend the speed at which he moved—it was as if he were teleporting. His movements were a blur, an ethereal dance of power and precision.
Xiao Feng unleashed his wrath upon the sect, cutting through the ranks of disciples with ease. The disciples fell like leaves in a tempest, unable to withstand his onslaught. With each defeated foe, Aunt Mei and Xiao Chi's expressions shifted from fear to awe, realizing just how powerful Xiao Feng had become.
As the noise of battle echoed through the stronghold, the elders of the sect sensed the danger and quickly gathered to confront the intruder. They unleashed their combined power, hoping to subdue Xiao Feng. But to their shock, they found themselves facing a cultivator far beyond their expectations. Each elder that engaged with him fell swiftly, like ants crushed beneath a giant's heel, unable to comprehend the magnitude of Xiao Feng's strength.
Finally, the sect leader—a formidable figure feared throughout the land—stepped forward, confident that his experience would turn the tide. He unleashed his most powerful techniques, aiming to crush Xiao Feng and maintain his sect's reputation. But Xiao Feng was already upon him, moving with the grace and power of a true master.
In a final, desperate attempt, the sect leader gathered all his remaining strength for one last attack, but Xiao Feng was unfazed. With a single, decisive strike, he shattered the sect leader's defenses, sending him crashing to the ground.
As the dust began to settle, Xiao Feng quickly moved to free Aunt Mei and Xiao Chi from their bonds. The moment they were free, Aunt Mei rushed to him, tears of relief in her eyes. "You're safe!" she exclaimed, pulling him into a tight embrace, while Xiao Chi stood by, her heart swelling with pride for her courageous cousin.
With the sect's destruction, Xiao Feng knew he had sent a clear message to anyone else who might dare to challenge him. He was no longer a mere cultivator; he was a force to be reckoned with, a rising power in a world that had yet to fully grasp his true potential.
But even as he stood victorious, Xiao Feng knew that this was only the beginning. More challenges awaited him, and with each one, he would grow stronger, edging ever closer to his ultimate goal. The path ahead was fraught with danger, but Xiao Feng was ready. No one, no matter how powerful, would stand in his way.