The towering trees of the mist-shrouded forest stretched endlessly, their canopies blotting out the sun. Xiao Tian moved silently through the undergrowth, the Void Compass pulsing faintly in his hand. Its glow guided him deeper into the realm, but the weight of danger lingered in the air.
His silver eyes scanned the surroundings, sharp and vigilant. Though the artifact he had absorbed strengthened his cultivation, it had also painted a target on his back. The sects wouldn't let his actions go unchallenged.
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The Shadows Close In
A faint rustling broke the forest's silence. Xiao Tian paused, his hand resting on the hilt of his Void Qi blade. The subtle shift in the air signaled the presence of others—watching, waiting.
"They've found me," he muttered, his voice low.
From the trees above, figures descended, their movements swift and precise. Dressed in dark robes embroidered with crimson sigils, they surrounded him, their weapons glinting in the dim light. At their center stood a tall, imposing man with cold eyes and an aura of authority.
"You must be the one they've been talking about," the man said, his voice calm but laced with menace. "The rogue who dares to take what belongs to the sects."
Xiao Tian's expression remained impassive. "If it belonged to you, you would have claimed it."
The man's lips curled into a smirk. "Clever words won't save you. Hand over the artifact, and I might let you leave in one piece."
Xiao Tian's gaze didn't waver. "Leave, or die."
The man's smirk vanished, replaced by a steely glare. "So be it."
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The Ambush
The cultivators attacked in unison, their techniques lighting up the forest with bursts of elemental energy. Xiao Tian activated Void Steps, flickering out of the way as a bolt of fire scorched the ground where he had stood. His Void Qi blade appeared in his hand, its faint glow slicing through the dim light.
His first strike was swift, cutting down a cultivator before they could react. The others hesitated for a moment, startled by his speed. Xiao Tian didn't give them time to regroup. Using Shadow Veil, he vanished into the darkness, reappearing behind two attackers. With a single, fluid motion, he ended their fight.
The remaining cultivators rallied, their techniques converging in a coordinated assault. Xiao Tian summoned Void Chains, binding three of them mid-attack. Channeling Void Qi into his blade, he delivered a devastating slash that shattered their defenses, leaving them sprawled on the forest floor.
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The Leader's Power
The tall man stepped forward, his aura flaring as he drew a massive glaive etched with glowing runes. "You're skilled," he admitted, his voice steady. "But let's see how you fare against me."
He moved with surprising speed, his glaive slicing through the air in wide arcs. Xiao Tian dodged effortlessly, his movements a blur as he countered with a precise strike. Their blades clashed, sending a shockwave through the forest.
"You're strong," the man said, pushing Xiao Tian back. "But strength alone isn't enough."
The man's glaive radiated a crimson glow as he unleashed a flurry of attacks, each strike carrying the weight of his cultivation. Xiao Tian parried skillfully, his silver eyes narrowing as he analyzed his opponent's movements.
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The Turning Point
The battle intensified, their strikes creating bursts of light and sound that echoed through the forest. Xiao Tian noticed a slight hesitation in the man's footwork—a flaw he could exploit.
Activating Void Steps, Xiao Tian flickered behind the man, his blade striking toward the exposed gap in his defenses. The man spun around, narrowly deflecting the attack, but Xiao Tian pressed the advantage. His strikes grew faster, more precise, forcing the man onto the defensive.
Desperation flared in the man's eyes as he unleashed a powerful technique, his glaive creating a wave of fiery energy that swept across the clearing. Xiao Tian raised his Void Qi Shield, absorbing the brunt of the attack before countering with a surge of his own energy.
With a final, decisive strike, Xiao Tian broke through the man's defenses. His blade pierced the man's chest, and the glaive fell from his hands.
The man staggered, blood staining his robes. "You... you're not human," he muttered, collapsing to the ground.
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A Warning Left Behind
As the remaining cultivators fled into the forest, Xiao Tian sheathed his blade, his breathing steady. The Void Compass pulsed again, its light brighter than before. Turning his attention to the direction it pointed, Xiao Tian resumed his journey, his steps unhurried.
The wind carried faint whispers of danger, the promise of more enemies waiting ahead. Xiao Tian welcomed the challenge, his silver eyes gleaming with resolve. "Let them come," he said coldly. "The Void has chosen me, and I will not fall."