The valley fell into an uneasy quiet after Xiao Tian's decisive victory over the Ancient Abyssal Beast. As he walked away, the oppressive weight of the battle began to fade, replaced by the steady hum of the Void Compass in his hand. Its runes glowed faintly, indicating the direction of his next journey.
Behind him, the cultivators whispered among themselves, their voices tinged with awe and suspicion.
---
Lingering Tensions
"He's not like us," the woman with twin daggers muttered, her sharp green eyes fixed on Xiao Tian's retreating figure. "That power... it's unnatural."
Jian Feng, the silver-armored leader, sheathed his sword, his gaze following Xiao Tian. "Unnatural or not, he saved us. But we can't ignore what we've seen. Someone like him could upset the balance of this realm."
Another cultivator, a lanky man clutching a broken spear, nodded. "If the sects find out about him, they'll either try to recruit him... or kill him."
Jian Feng's eyes narrowed. "We'll keep this encounter to ourselves—for now."
---
The Next Step
Xiao Tian moved swiftly through the valley, the Void Compass guiding him toward an ancient ruin nestled within the jagged cliffs. The air here was thick with spiritual energy, and the faint whispers of past battles echoed through the stones.
As he approached the ruins, he felt a faint presence trailing him. Without breaking stride, he spoke. "You're not very good at hiding."
From the shadows, the woman with twin daggers emerged, her expression wary. "You're quick."
"I don't have time for games," Xiao Tian said coldly, his hand resting on the hilt of his blade. "Why are you following me?"
She hesitated, her gaze flicking to the Void Compass. "That artifact... it's guiding you, isn't it? To more power."
Xiao Tian's silver eyes narrowed. "And?"
"I'm offering a deal," she said, twirling one of her daggers. "We both want strength. Help me claim the treasures in these ruins, and I'll make sure no one interferes with you."
Xiao Tian studied her for a moment, then turned back toward the ruins. "Stay out of my way, and you can do what you want."
---
The Ambush
The ruins were a labyrinth of crumbling walls and shattered statues, their surfaces etched with runes long since faded. Xiao Tian moved with purpose, the Void Compass pulsing faintly as it led him deeper into the maze. The woman followed at a distance, her movements silent but purposeful.
As they approached the center of the ruins, the air grew colder. Xiao Tian stopped abruptly, his instincts flaring. "We're not alone."
From the shadows, a group of cultivators stepped forward, their weapons drawn. Their leader, a burly man with a scar running across his face, sneered. "We saw what you did to that beast, stranger. You've got power—but not enough to handle all of us."
The woman stepped back, her daggers raised. "A trap," she muttered, glaring at Xiao Tian. "They've been watching us."
Xiao Tian remained calm, his hand on his Void Qi blade. "You made a mistake showing yourselves."
The scarred man laughed. "You're outnumbered. Surrender the artifact, and we might let you live."
Xiao Tian's silver eyes glinted. "You should have stayed in the shadows."
---
The Fight
The attackers charged, their techniques lighting up the ruins with bursts of fire, lightning, and wind. Xiao Tian activated Void Steps, flickering between them with deadly precision. His blade struck swiftly, cutting down two cultivators before they could react.
The scarred man roared, summoning a massive axe wreathed in flame. He swung it with brutal force, shattering the ground where Xiao Tian had stood moments before. Xiao Tian countered with a precise slash, deflecting the attack and driving his blade into the man's side. The scarred man staggered but didn't fall.
The other cultivators regrouped, their attacks growing more coordinated. Xiao Tian dodged their strikes effortlessly, his movements like a shadow. Summoning Void Chains, he ensnared three of them, pulling them into each other before delivering a powerful blow that left them unconscious.
The woman joined the fray, her daggers flashing as she targeted the weaker attackers. "Don't think I'm doing this for you," she said, her voice strained.
Xiao Tian didn't respond, his focus locked on the scarred man. With a burst of Void Qi, he shattered the man's defenses, driving his blade through his chest. The man fell, his axe clattering to the ground.
---
The Aftermath
The ruins fell silent as the last of the attackers lay defeated. Xiao Tian lowered his blade, his breathing steady despite the intensity of the fight. The woman leaned against a crumbling pillar, her expression a mix of relief and frustration.
"Why didn't you tell me they were here?" she demanded.
"I didn't know," Xiao Tian said, his tone flat. "But it doesn't matter. They're dealt with."
The Void Compass pulsed again, its light brighter than before. Xiao Tian turned his attention to a hidden chamber revealed by the battle's destruction. Inside, a faint glow emanated from a pedestal.
The woman followed him, her eyes widening as she saw the artifact resting on the pedestal—a crystalline shard radiating pure Void energy. "Is that what you're after?"
Xiao Tian ignored her, stepping forward and placing his hand on the shard. The energy surged into him, his Void Core resonating with its power. His aura grew sharper, the chaotic energy within him stabilizing further.
---
A Warning
As Xiao Tian turned to leave, the woman blocked his path. "You're strong, I'll give you that. But strength like yours attracts attention. You'll be hunted."
"I already am," Xiao Tian replied coldly, brushing past her.
The Void Compass pulsed again, guiding him toward his next destination. He disappeared into the shadows, leaving the woman standing alone in the ruins.