The sun dipped behind the mountains, painting the sky in hues of orange and purple. The open expanse echoed with the sounds of rustling leaves and distant bird calls, creating a serene backdrop for the secretive meeting.
Jiang Lu stood tall, his curly black hair catching the last rays of sunlight, while his bronze skin glistened with a sheen of sweat. His dominating aura filled the air as he faced a mysterious figure who had appeared from the shadows. This was Tariq Zihar, the head of the Zihar family, his angular features sharp against the fading light.
"Have you prepared the thing we agreed on for our cooperation?" Tariq's voice sliced through the calm, sharp and precise.
Jiang Lu, calm and composed, nodded as he reached into his cloak. "Here," he said, pulling out a carefully wrapped bundle. He extended it towards Tariq, his gaze unwavering. "Now do you agree?"
Tariq's eyes gleamed with anticipation as he accepted the cloth. With deft fingers, he unwrapped it, revealing a thick, aged book. His laughter echoed off the mountains, resonating with disbelief and delight. As he lowered the cloth from his head, his appearance was revealed: dark brown short hair, a trimmed beard, and light skin, accentuated by his intense brown eyes.
"What do we have here?" Tariq asked, his voice sharp and probing as he scrutinized the cover. "Void Reflection Technique, you say?"
Still chuckling, he regarded Jiang Lu with a mixture of admiration and curiosity. "Although I have what I want for our cooperation, I must ask—where did you acquire this Heaven-ranked cultivation technique?"
Jiang Lu met his gaze with unflinching resolve. "You'll find out when we establish our sect. I will be the sect master, and you will be the vice sect master, as we planned."
"Your ambition is commendable, Jiang Lu," Tariq acknowledged, a smirk forming on his lips. "I've been stuck at the 5th stage of Nascent Soul for too long. This technique might finally help me break through to the late stages."
"What matters to me is my cultivation," Tariq continued, his tone shifting from playful to serious. "I've gathered resources from the Hung family and forged alliances to cultivate further. I see many of my contemporaries creating clans and sects; our masters did the same."
"I didn't join any clan or sect because of the limited resources they offer," Jiang Lu replied, his voice steady. "Now, you're offering me both, while allowing me to manage my current clan. Why would I refuse?"
Tariq chuckled again, the sound rich with mirth. After a moment of contemplation, he nodded. "So what now, sect master?"
---
Wu Cheng's pavilion, where opulence met somber reflection. Rich wooden furniture adorned the room, and the air was infused with the aroma of polished wood and fine wine. A candela flickered on the table, casting a warm glow, while a lantern swung gently from the ceiling, creating dancing shadows that painted the walls in hues of gold and amber.
Wu Cheng reclined in an ornate chair, swirling a cup of deep red wine, the liquid glimmering like blood under the soft light. His expression was contemplative, each sip measured, revealing the wisdom of a seasoned leader.
Before him knelt Wu Chen, his head bowed. The tension in the air was palpable as Wu Cheng's scrutinizing gaze weighed heavily upon him. The silence stretched, thick and oppressive, broken only by the crackle of the fire in the hearth.
"So this is the whole story, father," Wu Chen said, his voice steady yet tinged with anxiety.