The forest behind them, Li Wei and his team emerged onto a wide, open plain bathed in the warm glow of the setting sun. The battle with the Shadow Fang Sect still lingered in their minds, but there was no time to dwell on past victories. Ahead lay their next challenge: crossing a stretch of land that served as a neutral meeting ground for travelers, traders, and cultivators from every walk of life.
The plains were known as the Silver Grass Expanse, a place of relative peace, where cultivators adhered to an unspoken rule to avoid direct conflict. However, such peace was always fragile, and trust was a rare commodity.
Li Yan walked beside Li Wei, her sharp eyes scanning the horizon. "This place has a reputation for attracting wanderers and mercenaries. We should stay vigilant."
Li Wei nodded. "Agreed. Neutral ground doesn't mean safe. Let's keep moving."
As they moved across the expanse, they passed clusters of travelers—traders hawking wares, lone cultivators meditating under the open sky, and small groups huddled around campfires. Whispers followed them, hushed voices that seemed to carry both curiosity and caution.
"The Li Clan," one traveler murmured to another. "I heard they fought the Shadow Fang Sect and won."
"They're looking for something," another said. "Ancient relics, I think. But their rise is stirring trouble."
Li Wei kept his gaze forward, ignoring the chatter, though he couldn't deny the weight of their growing reputation. With every battle and fragment claimed, the Li Clan was becoming a name that could no longer be ignored.
A Mysterious Encounter
As dusk fell, they decided to camp near a quiet stream on the edge of the expanse. While Xin Ren and Li Yan scouted the area, Li Huang and Jian Ming began setting up a fire. The quiet was a welcome reprieve after the chaos of the forest.
Li Wei sat cross-legged, the fragment in his pouch humming faintly with energy. He focused his Qi, allowing it to flow through him as he meditated on the lessons of the Heavenly Sword Art. Each fragment deepened his understanding, but the full picture remained elusive, just out of reach.
His thoughts were interrupted by a faint sound—a soft rustling in the grass. He opened his eyes to see a figure approaching, their steps slow and deliberate. The stranger wore plain robes, their face partially obscured by a hood.
Li Wei rose, his hand on his sword. "Who are you, and what do you want?"
The figure stopped a short distance away, raising their hands in a gesture of peace. "I mean no harm. My name is Lan Fei, a wandering cultivator. I heard whispers of the Li Clan's journey and sought you out."
Li Yan, returning from her scout, stepped up beside Li Wei, her bow at the ready. "You've been following us?"
Lan Fei inclined their head. "Not following, but listening. Your name spreads quickly, and I couldn't resist the chance to meet the leader of a clan on the rise."
Li Wei studied the stranger carefully. Lan Fei's Qi was steady but not overwhelming, their posture calm and nonthreatening. Yet something about their presence felt carefully calculated, as though they were used to navigating delicate situations.
"What do you want from us?" Li Wei asked.
Lan Fei smiled faintly. "Perhaps to offer assistance. The path you walk is dangerous, and I have some knowledge of the trials you seek. Perhaps we could be of use to one another."
A Test of Trust
The team gathered around the fire, discussing Lan Fei's unexpected arrival. While Lan Fei claimed to be a neutral party, their sudden appearance raised questions.
"I don't trust them," Li Yan said bluntly. "They know too much about us, and we know nothing about them."
Li Huang crossed his arms. "True. But if they're being honest, their knowledge could be valuable."
Lan Fei sat quietly, unbothered by the discussion. When they finally spoke, their voice was calm. "I understand your hesitation. Trust is earned, not given freely. So let me prove myself."
Li Wei arched a brow. "And how would you do that?"
Lan Fei gestured to the plains beyond. "There's a place nearby—a shrine long abandoned but still rich with Qi. It holds a fragment of a technique, though it's guarded by a beast said to test the worthiness of any who approach. Allow me to guide you there. If I'm lying, you'll know soon enough."
Xin Ren leaned forward, her gaze sharp. "And what's in it for you?"
Lan Fei smiled faintly. "Perhaps I seek nothing more than to witness history in the making. Or perhaps I see the potential of aligning myself with a rising clan."
Li Wei considered their words carefully. He glanced at his team, seeing a mix of skepticism and intrigue. Finally, he nodded. "We'll give you this chance. But if you betray us, you'll regret it."
Lan Fei bowed slightly. "Fair enough. Shall we begin?"
The Shrine of the Roaring Sky
Under Lan Fei's guidance, the team traveled through the plains until they reached a rocky outcropping, where an ancient shrine lay hidden among the stones. The air around it was thick with energy, and faint carvings adorned the weathered stone, depicting images of storms and lightning.
"This is it," Lan Fei said, their tone reverent. "The Shrine of the Roaring Sky. The beast within is said to test those who seek the fragment it protects."
Li Wei felt the energy of the fragment within the shrine, its presence faint but undeniable. He stepped forward, motioning for the team to follow.
As they entered the shrine, a low rumble filled the air, and the temperature dropped sharply. The energy within the chamber seemed to crackle, as though a storm were brewing inside. At the center of the chamber, a massive creature stood—a wolf-like beast with fur that shimmered like silver and eyes that glowed with electric blue light.
The beast growled, its gaze locking onto Li Wei. It spoke, its voice deep and resonant. "Those who seek the power of the Roaring Sky must prove their strength and resolve."
Li Wei unsheathed his sword, his voice steady. "We accept your challenge."
Trial of the Roaring Sky
The beast lunged, its movements swift and deadly, electricity arcing around it as it attacked. Li Wei dodged, countering with Celestial Ripple Strike, the wave of energy clashing with the beast's storm-infused Qi.
Li Yan circled the chamber, her arrows striking the beast's flank, though its hide seemed to absorb the blows. "It's resilient," she called out. "We'll need to break its defenses."
Xin Ren moved in with silent precision, her strikes targeting weak points in the beast's movements. Li Huang anchored the team, drawing the beast's attention with his unyielding stance while Jian Ming supported with swift, coordinated attacks.
Lan Fei observed from the edge of the chamber, their expression unreadable. They didn't intervene but watched closely, as if assessing the Li Clan's strength.
As the battle raged, Li Wei saw an opening. Channeling his Qi into a powerful strike, he unleashed Heavenly Edge of the Void, his blade cutting through the beast's defenses and driving it back. The beast howled, its form shimmering before it dissipated, leaving behind a faint, glowing fragment.
A Fragile Alliance
Li Wei approached the fragment, feeling its energy merge with the others he carried. The storm-like essence of the Roaring Sky resonated with the Heavenly Sword Art, deepening his understanding of its power.
He turned to Lan Fei, who gave a small bow. "You've proven yourselves. And now you see that my guidance was genuine."
Li Wei nodded, though his expression remained cautious. "You've earned a measure of trust. But this alliance is far from permanent."
Lan Fei smiled faintly. "Fair enough. For now, our goals align. Let's see where this path takes us."
As the team left the shrine, Li Wei felt a growing sense of purpose. The challenges ahead would test them further, but with each trial, the Li Clan grew stronger—and their legend continued to rise.
End of Chapter 26