Tang Xiu's victory in the tournament spread throughout the school like wildfire. People spoke of his unexpected strength, his calm demeanor, and the way he made even the most experienced fighters look like amateurs. But even as the rumors continued to swirl, there was something deeper in the air—an unease that Tang Xiu couldn't ignore.
As he walked through the school halls the following week, Tang Xiu noticed that many of the students were giving him a wide berth. Some whispered behind his back, while others simply avoided eye contact. He had become a legend in his own right, but with that fame came the sense that something was shifting beneath the surface.
It wasn't just the students who were watching him. He could feel the presence of older, more experienced martial artists, lurking around the school like shadows. Their interest wasn't born out of curiosity—they were sizing him up, testing his strength, wondering what had changed in him so quickly.
Tang Xiu couldn't help but feel a sense of foreboding. His victory over Zhang Wei and his gang hadn't just made him a hero in the eyes of the students—it had drawn attention from forces beyond the school's walls.
One afternoon, while walking home from school, Tang Xiu encountered someone who would change the course of his journey. As he passed through a narrow alley, he saw a figure standing by a streetlamp, cloaked in a long black coat. The man was tall, his face obscured by the shadows, but his presence was unmistakable.
"Tang Xiu," the man's voice was low and smooth, but it carried an air of authority. "We need to talk."
Tang Xiu stopped, his eyes narrowing. He didn't trust strangers, especially those who knew his name without introduction.
"Who are you?" Tang Xiu asked, his tone sharp.
The man chuckled, a sound that seemed both amused and dangerous. "I'm someone who's been keeping an eye on you. Your recent performance hasn't gone unnoticed. You've attracted quite a bit of attention, boy."
"I don't need your attention," Tang Xiu replied coldly. "Get lost."
The man's smile faded. "You misunderstand me. I'm not here to cause trouble. In fact, I'm here to offer you something."
Tang Xiu raised an eyebrow. "What kind of offer?"
The man stepped closer, lowering his voice. "You've been dabbling in martial arts, but you've barely scratched the surface of what's truly out there. There's a world beyond this one—hidden from the eyes of ordinary people. I can show you that world. In exchange, I need your help."
Tang Xiu studied the man carefully. His instincts told him the man was no mere street thug. There was power in his words, something ancient and deep, like the echo of a distant storm.
"What do you want from me?" Tang Xiu asked, his curiosity piqued despite his better judgment.
The man's eyes gleamed in the dim light. "There's a powerful clan in this city. They've been secretly watching you, testing your limits. I want you to join me, and together we can take them down. In return, I'll help you unlock your true potential."
Tang Xiu's heart skipped a beat. This was the opportunity he had been waiting for—a chance to learn more about the hidden world, about the power that was locked within him. But the offer seemed too good to be true.
"What's the catch?" Tang Xiu asked, his voice steady.
The man's smile returned, but it was full of mystery. "The catch is that once you accept, there's no turning back. You'll be forced to walk a dangerous path, one that will test everything you are. But if you succeed, you'll gain strength beyond your wildest dreams."
Tang Xiu considered the offer. He had no intention of wasting his life on petty rivalries or school tournaments. He was here to rise above, to reclaim what was rightfully his. But to do that, he needed allies. Real allies, not just random street fighters.
"Fine," Tang Xiu said after a long pause. "I'm in. But I want to know everything—no secrets."
The man nodded, as though he had been expecting this response. "Of course. I'll introduce you to the world you've been blind to. But be prepared—this is only the beginning."
The man introduced himself as Xu Liang, a former disciple of an ancient martial arts sect. He explained that the martial arts world was divided into hidden factions, clans that had existed for centuries, secretly pulling the strings of the world's greatest powers. Most people were unaware of these factions, living their lives with only a shallow understanding of what true martial arts could achieve.
"The clan I want you to target is called the Dragon's Fang," Xu Liang said, his voice low. "They're one of the oldest and most dangerous factions in this city. They've been monitoring you since your victory in the tournament. They're not interested in you as a person—they see you as a threat to their power. But that's where you come in."
Tang Xiu listened intently. He had already suspected that the Dragon's Fang clan might be involved, but now he had confirmation. This was the break he needed.
"You want me to take down the Dragon's Fang?" Tang Xiu asked, his voice calm.
Xu Liang nodded. "Exactly. But you can't do it alone. I'll train you, show you the techniques you need to know. Together, we'll disrupt their operations and weaken their influence. Once they're out of the picture, the city will be ours to control."
Tang Xiu's mind raced. The idea of taking down a powerful clan was tempting, but it came with risks. Yet, the thought of finally stepping into the true martial world, where he could regain his strength and make a name for himself, was too appealing to pass up.
"I'll need time to prepare," Tang Xiu said, determination in his eyes.
Xu Liang smiled. "Time is what we have. But remember, this isn't just about fighting. It's about strategy, about learning the ways of the hidden world. And once you're in, there's no going back."
As the days passed, Tang Xiu began to train under Xu Liang's guidance. The techniques he learned were unlike anything he had encountered before. These were ancient martial arts, refined over centuries by masters who had unlocked the deepest secrets of the human body and mind.
But even as he trained, Tang Xiu could feel the weight of his decision pressing on him. The path ahead was fraught with danger, filled with unknown enemies and risks. He would have to confront the Dragon's Fang, but he couldn't do it alone.
And yet, deep down, he knew that this was his only chance to truly reclaim his place in the Immortal World. The time for small victories and school tournaments was over. The real battle was about to begin.
Would you like to continue exploring Tang Xiu's training and strategy development, or would you prefer to focus on the next phase of his confrontation with the Dragon's Fang clan