The journey back to the Li Clan estate felt heavier than when they had first set out. The negotiations with the Ironwood Sect were still unresolved, and Li Wei could feel the weight of uncertainty pressing down on him. The elders had been cautious, and while they showed some interest, there was no guarantee they would agree to an alliance. Li Wei knew that he needed to prove himself, not just to them but to his own clan.
The wind picked up as they rode through the mountain pass, the air turning colder as the sun began to set. The trees rustled, their branches swaying in the breeze, but there was an eerie stillness that hung over the path.
Li Wei's thoughts were interrupted when Li Huang, riding beside him, slowed his horse. "Do you feel that?" Li Huang asked, his eyes scanning the darkening forest.
Li Wei's senses sharpened, his hand instinctively moving to the hilt of his sword. He hadn't noticed it at first, but now that Li Huang had mentioned it, he could feel it too—an unsettling presence lingering just out of sight, watching, waiting.
"We're not alone," Li Wei said quietly, his voice tense.
Li Yan, who had been riding ahead, pulled back to join them, her bow already in hand. "I've noticed it for a while now. Someone's been following us."
Li Wei's gaze hardened. It was too soon for another attack—he had thought they would have more time to prepare. But his enemies were relentless, and the threat to the Li Clan was greater than he had imagined.
"Stay alert," Li Wei ordered. "We don't know how many there are or what they're after, but we can't let them catch us off guard."
The three of them rode in silence for a few more minutes, their eyes darting from the trees to the shadows along the path. The tension grew with every step, and Li Wei's heart pounded in his chest.
Suddenly, a blur of motion erupted from the trees, and a group of masked figures lunged at them, swords drawn and eyes gleaming with cold intent.
An Ambush in the Shadows
The first attacker came at Li Wei with incredible speed, his blade cutting through the air with lethal precision. Li Wei barely had time to raise his sword to block the strike, the force of the blow sending a shockwave through his arms.
He gritted his teeth and pushed back, his movements sharp and practiced. The Heavenly Sword Art was still beyond his full control, but he had been training tirelessly, learning to incorporate its basic forms into his combat style. He could feel the energy of the technique guiding his blade, each movement flowing with the natural rhythm of his Qi.
"Sword of Flowing Heavens," Li Wei whispered under his breath as his sword moved in a graceful arc, each strike flowing seamlessly into the next. His opponent's strikes were fast, but Li Wei's movements were fluid, almost like water. His sword danced between the attacks, redirecting the force with precision.
His blade found an opening, slicing cleanly through the attacker's defenses. The man staggered back, clutching his wounded side.
But more enemies poured from the shadows, their swords flashing as they rushed toward Li Wei and his companions.
Li Huang and Li Yan had already engaged the other attackers, their movements swift and deadly. Li Huang's heavy strikes shattered his opponent's defenses, while Li Yan's arrows found their targets with precision, her movements fluid as she darted around the battlefield.
The attackers were relentless, and more of them appeared from the shadows, surrounding Li Wei and his companions.
"This isn't just another test," Li Wei muttered under his breath, his eyes scanning the attackers. "They're here to kill us."
His heart pounded as he fought off another wave of strikes. His mind raced, calculating their chances. They were outnumbered, and despite their training, they couldn't afford to be overwhelmed here. Not when they were so close to home.
Li Wei knew he had to do something.
Pushing Beyond the Limits
The air around Li Wei seemed to hum with tension as he steadied his breathing, focusing on the energy within him. He could feel the power of the Heavenly Sword Art, still incomplete but pulsing with potential. The masked leader's words echoed in his mind—"You're still too weak." But Li Wei refused to accept that.
He couldn't afford to be weak. Not now.
With a sharp exhale, Li Wei shifted his stance, allowing the Qi to flow through him, guiding his movements. The Heavenly Sword Art wasn't just about raw power—it was about balance, precision, and control. He had been struggling to master it, but in this moment, he had no choice but to push himself beyond his limits.
His sword moved faster, the strikes more fluid as he wove through the attackers, his blade cutting through the air with lethal efficiency. He could feel the energy of the Heavenly Sword Art enhancing his movements, his connection to the technique growing stronger with each passing second.
"Sky-Cutting Slash," Li Wei murmured, channeling his Qi into his sword. With a powerful swing, he released a wave of force that cleaved through the attackers in front of him, sending a shockwave through the battlefield. The impact knocked several of them off balance, giving Li Wei a moment to catch his breath.
But the attackers weren't done yet. They regrouped quickly, and more of them surged forward, their eyes filled with murderous intent.
Summoning every ounce of strength he had, Li Wei poured his Qi into his sword, the energy crackling along the blade. With a powerful shout, he unleashed Celestial Ripple Strike, sending out waves of sword Qi in a circular motion. The ripples of energy disrupted the flow of Qi in his opponents, weakening their strikes and leaving them vulnerable.
The masked attackers faltered, their movements slowing as they struggled to regain control of their Qi. Li Wei didn't waste the opportunity. He darted forward, his sword cutting through the air with a deadly precision that sent his enemies sprawling.
Li Huang and Li Yan had taken down several of their opponents, but the attackers kept coming. Li Wei knew they couldn't keep this pace forever. They needed to end the fight quickly.
Summoning more of his Qi, Li Wei poured everything he had into one final strike—Heavenly Edge of the Void. His sword glowed with a faint, ethereal light as he unleashed the technique, slicing through the defenses of his enemies as if they were nothing.
The masked men were thrown back, their swords shattering as the energy tore through their ranks. For a moment, the battlefield was silent, the force of Li Wei's attack still resonating in the air.
One of the masked attackers stepped forward, his voice low and dangerous. "You've grown stronger, Li Wei. But this is far from over."
Without another word, the attackers melted back into the shadows, disappearing as quickly as they had appeared.
A Narrow Victory
Li Wei sheathed his sword, his body trembling with the aftereffects of the battle. His muscles ached, and his mind raced with a thousand thoughts. The ambush had been too well-coordinated to be a simple test of strength. Whoever was behind these attacks wanted him dead—and soon.
Li Huang and Li Yan approached, their faces grim but relieved.
"We drove them off, but that was close," Li Huang said, wiping the sweat from his brow. "They were more skilled than the last group."
Li Wei nodded, his thoughts still swirling. "Whoever they are, they're not just testing us anymore. They're serious about wiping out the Li Clan."
Li Yan looked at him, concern in her eyes. "We need to get back to the estate. The clan needs to be prepared for what's coming."
Li Wei agreed. He could feel it—something larger was at play. The attacks were becoming more frequent, more dangerous, and whoever was behind them wasn't going to stop until the Li Clan was erased from the region.
But Li Wei wasn't about to let that happen.
As they mounted their horses and continued the journey home, Li Wei's resolve hardened. He had pushed himself further than ever before in that battle, and while he had come close to unlocking more of the Heavenly Sword Art's power, he knew there was still much to learn.
He would continue training, continue seeking alliances, and continue growing stronger. The Li Clan would rise again—but only if he could survive the storm that was fast approaching.
End of Chapter 6