Lin Tian stayed motionless, eyes sharp, as he listened to the soft rustling sounds nearby. The presence was unmistakable, and his senses heightened. "Come out," he said in a low voice. "I know you're there."
Silence fell, thick and heavy, until finally, a figure emerged from the shadows of the trees. Qiu Wei stepped forward, his smirk taunting. Eight figures joined him, each radiating an aura of strength at the seventh or eighth level of Body Refining. Qiu Wei himself stood out—a peak Body Refining warrior, his power and confidence filling the space around him.
Lin Tian's heart raced. He was alone, outmatched, surrounded by nine enemies with clear killing intent. For a moment, he felt panic creeping in. But along with the fear was a thrill, a rush of excitement. A normal warrior would flee, but Lin Tian's nature was different; he thrived under pressure. This was the perfect chance to test his limits.
Qiu Wei's voice broke through his thoughts, mocking and arrogant. "You really thought you could get away from me? Lin Tian, you're a fool." He looked at his followers, chuckling. "This will be entertaining. Teach him a lesson he won't forget."
With a nod from Qiu Wei, the warriors advanced. The first two dashed toward Lin Tian, their fists radiating a blazing energy as they activated Burning Palm, a powerful technique that could sear flesh on contact. Lin Tian barely sidestepped the attacks, feeling the heat of their strikes scorch the air beside him. He knew that a direct hit would leave him badly injured.
Drawing on his Ghost Step, Lin Tian blurred, slipping around one attacker to strike with a swift counter. His blade flashed, aimed at an opening, but his opponent was ready, activating Iron Body, a defensive technique that made their skin as hard as steel. Lin Tian's blade met resistance, barely cutting through as the warrior sneered.
Two more warriors advanced, one thrusting his hands forward to release a wave of pressure through Mountain Crush, a technique meant to destabilize opponents and make them stumble. Lin Tian felt the impact, his footing thrown off, and had to grit his teeth to stay upright. But before he could regain his stance, another warrior was already on him, using Gale Fist, a rapid-strike technique that sent a flurry of punches his way, each hit like a hammer blow.
Lin Tian ducked and twisted, his body moving in sync with Ghost Step as he evaded the blows, but the relentless pressure was starting to wear him down. Despite his best efforts, he was alone against nine opponents, and their combined assault was overwhelming. For every strike he dodged, two more seemed to come his way, and he knew that he couldn't keep this up forever.
As he continued fighting, a question gnawed at the back of his mind. What does it mean to be a shadow? He had trained tirelessly, but he felt as though he was missing a crucial insight, something that would change the course of this battle.
His wounds began to accumulate—cuts along his arms and legs, a sharp pain in his ribs from a near-miss strike. The pain fueled his determination. He wouldn't let himself be defeated here, not by these warriors.
Seeing an opening, he lunged forward, his blade slicing toward one warrior's neck. But before he could land the hit, the warrior activated Thunder Burst, a technique that emitted a shockwave from the body, sending Lin Tian staggering backward. The warrior grinned, confident, but Lin Tian used the momentum to pivot, circling around him and delivering a well-timed strike to the back of his knee. The warrior fell, giving Lin Tian just enough time to eliminate him with a precise slash.
The remaining warriors were enraged, and they attacked with even greater intensity. One of them activated Rock Maul, a technique that summoned jagged, stone-like projections from the ground that surged toward Lin Tian, attempting to crush him under their weight.
Lin Tian narrowly evaded the brutal assault,but the delay left him open, and another warrior took advantage, executing Serpent Fang Slash. The warrior's blade surged forward, wreathed in spiraling Qi that extended its reach like the strike of a viper. Lin Tian reacted, but not quickly enough—his opponent's sword sliced across his arm, leaving a deep wound.
Blood trickled down his arm as he pulled back, breathing hard. The warriors closed in, relentless and well-coordinated. Each technique they used was precise and deadly, a testament to their rigorous training.
Lin Tian's skill and speed held them at bay, but the sheer number and variety of techniques being hurled at him pushed him dangerously close to his limit.
Yet, despite the intense situation, Lin Tian felt his excitement grow. Each clash of techniques, each moment he dodged or parried, brought him closer to understanding the essence of his own fighting style. A shadow was elusive, adaptable, and ever-present—a concept he began to embody as he fought.
With a swift movement, he activated Shadow Blade, his strike leaving an afterimage that confused one warrior for just a split second. It was all he needed. His blade found its mark, cutting through the warrior's defenses, and another enemy fell. But he was running out of strength, and the injuries were starting to weigh him down.
Seeing three of their own fall to Lin Tian's skill, Qiu Wei's fury erupted. No longer willing to stand aside, he activated Blazing Fury, an offensive technique that engulfed his fists in flames. With a roar, he charged at Lin Tian, his attacks blistering and fierce. Lin Tian blocked the first blow, but the heat burned his hand even through his grip on the sword.
Qiu Wei's strikes came faster, each punch infused with fiery energy. Lin Tian's defenses began to falter. He was outnumbered, surrounded, and the pain was becoming unbearable. Realizing he couldn't win this confrontation head-on, Lin Tian decided on a different approach. With a burst of speed, he broke free from the circle of warriors and dashed deeper into the forest.
"After him!" Qiu Wei's voice was sharp, laced with anger. Without hesitation, he and his followers gave chase, their footsteps pounding through the underbrush.
Lin Tian pressed on, his heart pounding as he ran deeper into the darkness of the forest. The thrill of the hunt, the thrill of survival, and the strange, exhilarating sense of clarity filled him as he fled, formulating his next move.