The trio moved swiftly through the dense forest, the chaotic remnants of the Shadow Sect's camp far behind them. The night was eerily quiet now, the earlier destruction leaving an unnatural stillness in the air.
Tang Xiu's sharp gaze darted through the trees as they pressed forward. "We'll find a safe place to rest soon. Stay alert—there might still be pursuers."
Lei Xian patted the hilt of his blade. "Let them come. After all that running around, I've got enough energy for another fight."
Xu Liang shot him an annoyed look. "This isn't a game. If they catch up, they'll come with full force. We're lucky we escaped with our lives."
Tang Xiu remained silent, his mind racing. The destruction of the altar was only a temporary setback for the Shadow Sect. They wouldn't stop hunting him until they reclaimed the pendant—or worse.
As dawn approached, the trio stumbled upon a small, abandoned temple nestled in the heart of the forest. Its once grand structure was now overgrown with vines, the stone walls cracked and weathered by time.
"This will do for now," Tang Xiu said, leading the way inside.
The interior was simple—a single chamber with a crumbling altar at its center. Tang Xiu sat down against one of the walls, his expression grim as he began to examine the black pendant.
Lei Xian leaned against the doorway, keeping watch. "So, Boss, what's the next move? The altar's gone, but those Shadow Sect freaks won't let this slide."
Tang Xiu's eyes didn't leave the pendant as he spoke. "They'll regroup and come back stronger. We need to prepare."
Xu Liang sat across from him, frowning. "Prepare how? We're three people against an entire organization."
Tang Xiu's fingers tightened around the pendant. "The Shadow Sect's power comes from corrupted qi, but they're not invincible. If we can gather allies—real allies—we'll stand a chance."
Lei Xian raised an eyebrow. "And where exactly are we supposed to find these 'real allies'?"
Tang Xiu finally looked up, his gaze sharp. "There are people out there who hate the Shadow Sect as much as we do. Rogue cultivators, martial clans, even hidden sects. We just need to find them before the Shadow Sect does."
Before anyone could respond, a faint noise echoed from outside—a rustling of leaves, followed by the sound of footsteps.
Tang Xiu's expression darkened. "We're not alone."
Lei Xian drew his blade, a grin spreading across his face. "Finally, some action."
Xu Liang rolled his eyes but stood, his own weapon at the ready.
Tang Xiu gestured for silence, his sharp senses stretching outward. The footsteps grew louder, accompanied by low voices.
"They went this way," a harsh voice muttered. "Spread out. They couldn't have gotten far."
Shadow Sect scouts.
Tang Xiu signaled for the others to stay low as he moved toward the doorway, his movements silent and precise. Peering out, he spotted a group of five men clad in dark robes, their faces hidden by masks.
"They're searching for us," Tang Xiu whispered. "Five of them. We'll have to deal with this quietly."
Lei Xian's grin widened. "Quietly, huh? I'll try my best."
Tang Xiu gave him a warning look before stepping outside, his figure melting into the shadows of the forest. Xu Liang and Lei Xian followed close behind, their weapons at the ready.
The first scout didn't even see it coming. Tang Xiu appeared behind him in an instant, a precise strike to the back of the neck rendering him unconscious.
Xu Liang and Lei Xian handled the next two with similar efficiency, their movements quick and calculated.
But as they approached the remaining two scouts, one of them turned abruptly, his sharp eyes catching Lei Xian's movement.
"Over here!" the scout shouted, drawing a blade.
The forest erupted into chaos as the last two scouts charged, their dark qi flaring dangerously.
Tang Xiu stepped forward, his expression calm as he raised a hand. With a swift motion, he unleashed a concentrated burst of energy, sending one of the scouts flying into a tree.
The remaining scout hesitated, clearly realizing he was outmatched. But before he could retreat, Lei Xian lunged forward, his blade cutting through the air with deadly precision.
The fight was over in moments.
Tang Xiu surveyed the scene, his gaze cold. "They'll send more once these scouts don't return. We need to move—now."
Lei Xian wiped his blade clean, his grin unfazed. "Let them come. I could do this all day."
Xu Liang shot him a glare. "This isn't a joke, Lei. We're running out of time."
Tang Xiu nodded. "Xu Liang's right. We need to leave the forest and head to the nearest town. There's someone there who might be able to help us."
Lei Xian raised an eyebrow. "Another one of your mysterious plans?"
Tang Xiu smirked faintly. "Something like that. Trust me."
Without another word, the trio set off, leaving the abandoned temple behind. As they moved deeper into the forest, Tang Xiu's mind was already focused on the next step of their journey.
The Shadow Sect's reach was vast, but Tang Xiu's determination was greater. No matter how many enemies stood in his way, he would rise again.