The forest remained eerily silent after Liu Chen left the lifeless body behind, his steps barely making a sound as he moved deeper into the darkness.
The night had grown colder, more oppressive, as if the very air had become charged with the sinister energy Liu commanded.
The power of the Black Soulstone pulsed faintly from within his robes, radiating with the strength of the spirit it had just absorbed.
With each step, Liu could feel the stone's energy syncing with his own, feeding his ambition.
He knew his path was not just about gathering strength.
It was about controlling every force, every entity, and bending them to his will.
To reach the pinnacle, he needed more than brute strength, he needed knowledge, and more importantly, followers willing to sacrifice everything for his cause.
As he ventured further, Liu came upon a small clearing, the trees surrounding it gnarled and twisted unnaturally.
He stopped, sensing something in the air. His sharp eyes scanned the surroundings, noticing the subtle movements of figures lurking in the shadows.
A low chuckle escaped his lips.
Out of the darkness stepped three men, each one dressed in the dark robes of rogue cultivators, their auras pulsating with sinister energy.
These were not ordinary men, they were cultivators who had fallen to the temptations of dark cultivation, just like the young man who had perished earlier.
They were ruthless, driven by their hunger for power, and willing to eliminate anyone in their way.
"You're Liu Chen, aren't you?" The tallest of the three spoke, his voice thick with malice.
"Word travels fast. They say you've mastered dark arts even we haven't seen before. But it seems like you're still alone... and weak."
Liu's expression didn't change, but his eyes gleamed with amusement.
"Is that what you think?" he said softly, his tone mocking.
"Cut the arrogance," another cultivator spat.
"Hand over the Black Soulstone and whatever techniques you've stolen, and we might just let you live. Otherwise..."
The man let the threat hang in the air as he drew a long, jagged blade, its edge shimmering with a poisonous sheen.
The third man, silent until now, stepped forward, his eyes glowing with hunger.
"We've heard of your methods, Liu Chen. You're ruthless, but you're still just one man. If you refuse... well, I'm sure your soul will make a fine addition to our collection."
Liu Chen watched them closely, his lips curling into a faint smile.
These men were beneath him, he could tell by their reckless confidence that they had no idea what they were truly dealing with. Fools, he thought.
They had walked right into his trap.
Without a word, Liu extended his hand, the Black Soulstone slipping out from his robe and floating above his palm.
Dark energy swirled around it, thickening the air with a malevolent force that made the rogue cultivators hesitate.
"You want this?" Liu asked, his voice a dangerous whisper.
"Come and take it."
For a brief moment, the three men hesitated, their greed warring with the instinctive fear the stone exuded.
Then, as if on cue, all three surged forward, attacking Liu in unison, blades flashing with lethal intent.
But Liu was ready.
With a flick of his wrist, the Black Soulstone pulsed violently, releasing a wave of dark energy that spread through the clearing like a storm.
The air became thick with the stench of death as shadowy tendrils shot out from the stone, wrapping themselves around the rogue cultivators.
Their movements slowed as the shadows began to drain their life force.
Panic spread across their faces as they realized they were no match for Liu's power.
"Do you really think you can take what belongs to me?" Liu's voice was cold and merciless as he stepped forward, his eyes glowing with a sinister light.
"You are nothing but fuel for my ascent."
The tallest cultivator screamed as the tendrils tightened around him, pulling him toward the stone.
His body convulsed violently, his soul ripped from his flesh, absorbed into the stone in a horrifying instant.
The remaining two struggled, trying to break free, but it was futile. One by one, they were consumed by the same fate.
When it was over, only silence remained, broken by the faint hum of the Black Soulstone as it fed on the souls it had claimed.
Liu Chen stood over the ashes of his enemies, his eyes glowing with satisfaction.
Liu Chen could feel the surge of energy from the newly captured souls coursing through him.
His power had grown again, just as he had expected.
But this was only the beginning.
He knew there were far more powerful enemies in the world, and if he wanted to achieve true dominance,
he needed to continue his relentless pursuit of dark knowledge and strength.
Suddenly, Liu felt a presence approaching. He turned his gaze to the edge of the clearing, where a figure emerged from the shadows.
It was an old man, his face lined with age but his eyes sharp and full of intelligence.
Liu recognized him immediately, Old Master Xian,
a renowned dark cultivator who had disappeared years ago, believed to have perished in the wilderness.
But clearly, Old Master Xian was very much alive.
"I see you've grown stronger since we last crossed paths," the old master said, his voice raspy but filled with amusement.
"But you've also made enemies, Liu Chen. Dangerous ones. You think absorbing a few weak souls will protect you from what's coming?"
Liu narrowed his eyes, assessing the old man carefully.
"What are you talking about?"
Old Master Xian chuckled darkly.
"The Sect of the Eternal Abyss has taken notice of your... activities. They don't take kindly to someone amassing power without their blessing. If you continue down this path, they'll come for you."
Liu Chen's gaze hardened, but his voice remained calm.
"Let them come. I'll crush anyone who stands in my way, including them."
Old Master Xian stepped closer, his smile widening.
"That's exactly what I wanted to hear. You're on the right path, boy, but you'll need allies if you're going to survive what's coming. The sect is powerful, and they won't fight fair."
Liu Chen paused, considering the old master's words.
He was no stranger to manipulation, and he knew Xian wasn't offering his help out of kindness.
But still, an alliance with someone as cunning as Xian could prove useful, at least for now.
"And what do you want in return for your... assistance?" Liu asked, his tone cautious.
Old Master Xian's eyes gleamed with a hunger that mirrored Liu's own.
"I want a share of the power you're gathering. Together, we can bring down the Sect of the Eternal Abyss. And when we do, there'll be enough power for both of us to ascend."
Liu Chen smiled, a dark, knowing smile.
"Very well, Old Master. For now, our goals align."
But in the back of his mind, Liu was already plotting.
He would use Xian for as long as it suited him. and when the time was right,
he would make sure that the old man's soul would become just another stepping stone on his path to ultimate domination.
For Liu Chen, alliances were temporary. Power was eternal.
…