Liang's breathing quickened as the cloaked figure stepped forward, the shadows of the forest clinging to them like a living thing. Despite the still air, their black robes billowed faintly, and the aura radiating from them pressed down on him like a mountain.
His hand instinctively tightened around the small knife in his grip, though it felt pitifully inadequate against such an overwhelming presence.
"What do you want?" Liang demanded, forcing his voice to stay steady despite the cold fear creeping into his chest.
The figure's head tilted slightly, as if amused. "What all cultivators want: power. And you, boy, are in possession of something extraordinary."
The Azure Bloom's sigil on Liang's hand pulsed faintly, as though responding to the figure's words. He took an involuntary step back, his mind racing. Whoever this person was, they clearly knew about the Azure Bloom—and they wanted it.
"You're wasting your time," Liang said, trying to muster some bravado. "The Azure Bloom chose me. It's not something you can just take."
The figure let out a low chuckle, their voice dripping with condescension. "Naive. The world is ruled by strength, not destiny. Treasures like the Azure Bloom don't belong to the weak."
They raised a hand, and the air around them shimmered with Qi. The pressure grew heavier, forcing Liang to his knees. His knife slipped from his grasp, clattering to the ground.
"I'll give you one chance," the figure continued, their tone icy. "Surrender the Azure Bloom, and I'll spare your life."
Liang gritted his teeth, the sigil on his hand burning brighter as if in defiance. "I won't," he said through clenched teeth.
The figure sighed. "Foolish. So be it."
With a flick of their wrist, a blade of dark energy materialized in their hand. They lunged forward, faster than Liang could follow.
In that moment, time seemed to slow. The Azure Bloom's power surged through Liang, and the system screen appeared before his eyes.
Warning: Lethal Attack Incoming.
Countermeasure Available: Qi Burst (Emergency).
Activate?
"Yes!" Liang shouted, instinctively willing the power to activate.
The sigil on his hand flared brilliantly, and a wave of azure energy erupted from his body. The force collided with the cloaked figure, sending them hurtling backward. They landed gracefully, their dark aura flickering like a wounded flame.
Liang staggered to his feet, his entire body trembling from the effort. The burst of power had drained him, but it had also saved his life.
The figure straightened, their posture tense. "So, the Azure Bloom grants you some measure of defense," they muttered. "Interesting. But raw power without control is meaningless."
They extended their hand, and the shadows around them began to coalesce, forming tendrils that writhed and reached toward Liang. He tried to move, but his limbs felt sluggish, as though the energy burst had sapped his strength.
As the shadowy tendrils closed in, another presence suddenly filled the air—a sharp, commanding aura that sliced through the oppressive darkness like a blade.
"Enough," a deep voice rang out.
The shadows dissipated instantly, and the cloaked figure froze. Liang turned toward the source of the voice and saw a man step into the clearing. He was tall and broad-shouldered, with a stern face framed by streaks of gray in his dark hair. His robes were simple yet elegant, marked with the emblem of a sect Liang didn't recognize.
The newcomer's gaze swept over Liang, then fixed on the cloaked figure. "You disgrace yourself by attacking a fledgling cultivator," he said, his tone cold. "Leave, or face me."
The figure hesitated, their aura wavering. After a moment, they let out a low growl. "This isn't over," they said, their voice filled with venom. In a swirl of shadows, they vanished, leaving the clearing silent once more.
The man turned to Liang, his expression softening slightly. "Are you hurt?"
Liang shook his head, though his legs threatened to give out beneath him. "Who… who are you?" he asked.
"My name is Master Yuan," the man said. "I am a wandering cultivator. I sensed a disturbance in the forest and came to investigate." His sharp eyes lingered on the glowing sigil on Liang's hand. "It seems I arrived just in time."
Liang's chest tightened. "That person… they wanted the Azure Bloom," he said. "They said I was too weak to keep it."
Master Yuan nodded solemnly. "They weren't wrong. A treasure as rare as the Azure Bloom will draw enemies like moths to a flame. If you wish to protect it—and yourself—you must grow stronger."
Liang looked down at his trembling hands. The fear and exhaustion threatened to overwhelm him, but deep beneath it all was a spark of determination.
"Will you teach me?" he asked, his voice steady despite the weight of the question.
Master Yuan studied him for a long moment, then nodded. "I can guide you, but the path of cultivation is not an easy one. You will face pain, hardship, and sacrifice. Are you prepared for that?"
Liang met his gaze, the memories of the fight still fresh in his mind. He thought of the Azure Bloom, of the power it had granted him, and of the responsibility that came with it.
"I am," he said firmly.
Master Yuan smiled faintly. "Then let us begin."
As the two walked away from the clearing, Liang glanced back at the forest, where the faint traces of the cloaked figure's dark aura still lingered. He didn't know who they were or why they wanted the Azure Bloom, but he knew one thing for certain: this was only the beginning.
And he would not stop until he was strong enough to face whatever lay ahead.