The next morning, Xiaojun set out early, his steps deliberate as he walked toward the mountain temple. The map he had been given felt heavy in his cloak, and each glance reminded him of the task ahead. The sun barely peeked through the thick canopy of trees, casting mottled shadows across the path. It was quiet—too quiet.
Xiaojun couldn't shake the uneasy feeling that had settled in his chest after his encounter with the masked man the night before. There was something about how the man had warned him—"Be careful who you trust." It echoed in his mind, and it left him questioning everything. Who was the woman from the village? What was her true agenda?
For all he knew, she was playing him like a puppet, but for now, she was his only lead. He'd figure out what to do with her once he had the Crimson Soulstone in his possession. But one thing was certain—he couldn't afford to trust anyone here.
The path soon became steeper as he approached the base of the mountain. The air grew cooler, and the trees thinned out, giving way to rocky terrain. Far in the distance, Xiaojun could see the towering peaks of the mountains ahead, their jagged outlines stark against the brightening sky.
He glanced at the map again. According to the masked man, the hidden entrance was on the eastern side of the mountain, where the temple was supposedly nestled in a secluded valley. The sects were likely guarding the main entrances, but this side passage should allow him to slip in unnoticed.
As he climbed higher, Xiaojun kept his senses sharp, scanning the surroundings for any signs of movement. The landscape had changed significantly—trees gave way to boulders and craggy cliffs. He could hear the faint sound of rushing water nearby, likely a stream that cut through the mountainside.
He felt the shift in energy before he saw it.
Something—or someone—was watching him.
Xiaojun halted, his hand instinctively going to the hilt of his dagger. He listened carefully, tuning into the subtle vibrations in the air. It wasn't an animal, and it wasn't the wind. The presence felt…human. But whoever it was, they were skilled enough to remain hidden.
"Show yourself," Xiaojun called out, his voice steady despite the growing tension.
For a moment, there was nothing but silence. Then, slowly, a figure stepped out from behind a boulder further up the path. It was a man, dressed in dark green robes with intricate embroidery. His face was calm, almost serene, but his eyes told a different story. They were sharp, calculating, and unblinking as they locked onto Xiaojun.
"I wasn't expecting to see anyone this far off the main road," the man said, his voice smooth but with an underlying edge. "Especially not a rogue cultivator like yourself."
Xiaojun didn't respond immediately. He sized the man up, noting the way he carried himself—balanced, poised, ready to strike at any moment. This wasn't someone who had wandered up here by accident. He was deliberate, dangerous, and likely tied to one of the sects.
"Just passing through," Xiaojun said, keeping his tone casual. "I could say the same about you."
The man's lips curved into a slight smile. "Perhaps. But this area is under the protection of the Jade Serpent Sect. Strangers aren't usually welcome."
Xiaojun remained still, mentally running through his options. If this guy was from the Jade Serpent Sect, it meant the sects had expanded their patrols farther than he'd anticipated. Getting into the temple would be more difficult than he thought.
"I didn't realize I was trespassing," Xiaojun said, inching his foot back, preparing to bolt if necessary. "I'll be on my way then."
But the man didn't move aside. Instead, he shifted slightly, his posture more defensive. "I don't think you understand. You're not leaving."
Before Xiaojun could react, the man lunged forward, his movements swift and precise. A flash of green Qi radiated from his body, enveloping his fists as he aimed a punch directly at Xiaojun's chest.
Xiaojun barely had time to summon his own Qi, channeling it into his arms as he raised them in a defensive stance. The impact of the man's punch sent a shockwave through his body, forcing him back several steps. The force behind the strike was impressive—this guy wasn't a low-level cultivator.
"You should have stayed out of this," the man said, his voice cold as he prepared for another attack. "You don't know what you're getting yourself into."
Xiaojun gritted his teeth, his mind racing. He couldn't afford to waste time on this guy, not with the temple so close. He needed to end this quickly.
As the man charged again, Xiaojun dodged to the side, narrowly avoiding a blast of green Qi that tore through the ground where he had just stood. With lightning-fast reflexes, Xiaojun retaliated, summoning a bolt of lightning-infused Qi and directing it toward the man.
The crackling energy struck the man's side, sending him stumbling backward with a grunt of pain. It wasn't enough to take him down, but it gave Xiaojun an opening. He dashed forward, using the momentum to land a solid punch to the man's chest, knocking the wind out of him.
The man collapsed to the ground, gasping for breath, but Xiaojun wasn't done. He pressed the dagger against the man's throat, his eyes cold and unyielding.
"Who sent you?" Xiaojun demanded, his voice low and dangerous.
The man winced, blood trickling from the corner of his mouth. "No one… sent me," he rasped. "I… protect the temple… like the others."
"Others?" Xiaojun's grip tightened on the dagger.
The man chuckled weakly, coughing up blood. "There are more of us… patrolling the mountain… you won't make it far."
Xiaojun cursed under his breath. If this guy was telling the truth, the mountain was crawling with Jade Serpent Sect disciples. There was no way he could take them all on alone. But he couldn't back down now—he was too close.
With a swift motion, Xiaojun knocked the man out cold, then stood up, scanning the area. He needed a new plan, and fast.
Looking at the map again, he realized there was a secondary route—one not marked by any main pathways. It was a narrow crevice that led through a series of underground caverns beneath the mountain, eventually connecting to the temple's lower levels. It wasn't ideal, but it might help him avoid the bulk of the sect's patrols.
Deciding to take the risk, Xiaojun made his way toward the hidden entrance. It took him another hour of careful climbing and navigating treacherous terrain before he found it—a small, unassuming crack in the mountainside, just big enough for him to squeeze through.
The air inside was damp and cold, the walls of the cavern slick with moisture. Xiaojun moved cautiously, using the faint glow of his Qi to light the way. The tunnel was narrow, and he had to crouch in some places to keep moving forward, but after about thirty minutes of crawling through the claustrophobic space, he emerged into a larger chamber.
The cavern opened up into a massive underground passage, the walls lined with ancient, glowing runes. The air hummed with latent energy, and Xiaojun could feel the power thrumming beneath the surface.
He was close. He could feel it.
As he moved deeper into the passage, he noticed the faint flicker of torches up ahead. Voices echoed off the stone walls, and Xiaojun pressed himself against the nearest outcrop, listening.
"They say the Red Sky Sect is planning something soon," one of the voices said, low and conspiratorial. "If we don't secure the Soulstone first, we'll lose our advantage."
"We can't let that happen," another voice replied. "The sect leader has given strict orders. We guard the chamber with our lives."
Xiaojun's heart pounded in his chest. The Crimson Soulstone was just ahead, and it was heavily guarded. He would need to be smart, quick, and precise if he wanted to pull this off without getting caught.
Taking a deep breath, he readied himself. The next move would be critical. There was no room for mistakes.