The forest began to thin as the trio emerged onto a narrow dirt road, the first rays of dawn peeking over the horizon. Tang Xiu led the way, his sharp eyes scanning the area for any signs of danger.
"We'll reach the town by midday," he said without looking back. "Once we're there, don't draw attention. Blend in as much as possible."
Lei Xian sighed. "You make it sound like I go around picking fights everywhere."
Xu Liang scoffed. "Because you do."
Tang Xiu ignored their bickering, his focus on the path ahead. The town they were heading to, Clear Spring, was a hub for travelers and merchants, but it also had a darker side. Hidden among its bustling streets were informants, mercenaries, and rogue cultivators—all potential allies or enemies.
Tang Xiu had one goal in mind: to find an old acquaintance, someone who owed him a debt from his previous life. If this person was still alive and in the area, they could provide the support he desperately needed.
Clear Spring was a bustling town nestled at the base of a mountain. The streets were filled with vendors shouting out their wares, children running through the crowds, and travelers haggling over prices.
The trio entered the town cautiously, their simple clothes helping them blend in. Tang Xiu's sharp eyes took in every detail—the layout of the streets, the placement of guards, and the subtle signs of hidden power lurking beneath the surface.
"We'll head to the northern district," Tang Xiu said. "There's a tavern there called the Rusty Blade. That's where we'll find him."
"Him?" Lei Xian asked, raising an eyebrow.
"A friend," Tang Xiu replied vaguely. "Or at least, he used to be."
The group weaved through the busy streets, avoiding attention as they made their way to the northern district. The Rusty Blade was an unassuming building, its wooden sign creaking in the wind.
Inside, the tavern was dimly lit, the air thick with the smell of ale and smoke. Rough-looking men sat at the tables, their voices low as they exchanged whispers and glances.
Tang Xiu walked to the bar, his expression calm. "I'm looking for the owner."
The barkeep, a burly man with a scar running down his cheek, raised an eyebrow. "And who might you be?"
"Tell him an old debt is due," Tang Xiu said evenly. "He'll understand."
The barkeep studied him for a moment before nodding. He disappeared into a back room, leaving the trio standing at the bar.
Xu Liang shifted uneasily. "Are you sure this is a good idea? This place doesn't exactly scream 'friendly.'"
Tang Xiu's lips curled into a faint smirk. "Trust me. If he's who I remember, we'll have nothing to worry about."
Minutes later, the barkeep returned, followed by a tall man with graying hair and piercing eyes. He wore a simple black coat, but there was an air of authority about him that made the room fall silent.
His gaze landed on Tang Xiu, and his eyes widened in recognition. "You…"
"It's been a long time, Old Hu," Tang Xiu said, his voice calm.
Old Hu stepped closer, his expression a mixture of shock and disbelief. "Tang… No, it can't be. You…" He hesitated, as if struggling to find the words.
Tang Xiu's gaze was steady. "It's me. And I've come to collect on the favor you owe me."
Old Hu stared at him for a long moment before letting out a heavy sigh. "I never thought I'd see you again. Not after what happened."
"You owe me, Old Hu," Tang Xiu said firmly. "And I need your help now more than ever."
Old Hu glanced around the room before motioning for them to follow him. "Come with me. We can't talk here."
In a private room upstairs, Old Hu poured himself a drink before sitting down. His sharp eyes studied Tang Xiu, as if trying to piece together the impossible.
"You shouldn't be alive," Old Hu said bluntly. "Not after what the Shadow Sect did to you."
Tang Xiu's expression didn't waver. "A lot has happened since then, Old Hu. Let's just say I'm not the same person I was before."
Old Hu's grip tightened around his cup. "You've always been full of mysteries, Tang Xiu. I thought the Shadow Sect wiped out everyone tied to the old ways, and yet here you are."
Tang Xiu leaned forward slightly, his tone calm but commanding. "I don't have time to explain everything. What matters is this: I'm back, and I need your help. The Shadow Sect is on the move again, and they won't stop until they've destroyed everything in their path."
Old Hu's face darkened. He leaned back, taking a long sip of his drink before speaking. "You're right about one thing—the Shadow Sect never truly disappeared. They've been lurking in the shadows, growing stronger. Their influence has spread across the martial arts world like a plague. If they know you're alive…"
"They already know," Tang Xiu interrupted. "They've been hunting me since I returned. That's why I'm here. I need allies—people I can trust to stand against them."
Old Hu let out a bitter laugh. "Trust? In this world? You're asking for a miracle."
Tang Xiu's gaze hardened. "I'm not asking, Old Hu. I'm demanding. You owe me, and I intend to collect."
The room fell silent as Old Hu stared at him, his jaw clenched. Finally, he let out a heavy sigh. "You haven't changed a bit, have you? Fine. Tell me what you need."
Tang Xiu's voice was steady. "Information, resources, and connections. I need to know who's still out there—hidden sects, rogue cultivators, anyone with a grudge against the Shadow Sect. And I need a safe base of operations."
Old Hu rubbed his temples, clearly conflicted. "You're asking for a lot, Tang Xiu. If the Shadow Sect finds out I'm helping you—"
"They won't," Tang Xiu said sharply. "At least not until it's too late. I have a plan, Old Hu, but I can't do it alone. The Shadow Sect isn't invincible, and I've already dealt them a blow. If we act quickly, we can turn the tide."
Old Hu studied him for a long moment before nodding slowly. "Alright. I'll help you—for old times' sake. But you'd better have more than just a plan, Tang Xiu. You're going to need strength, strategy, and a hell of a lot of luck."
Tang Xiu's lips curved into a faint smirk. "Luck is for the unprepared. I've survived worse than this, Old Hu. Trust me, the Shadow Sect has no idea what's coming for them."
That evening, Old Hu led the trio to a hidden chamber beneath the tavern. The room was filled with weapons, scrolls, and artifacts—remnants of a time when cultivators still walked the earth openly.
"This is what I've managed to salvage over the years," Old Hu said. "Most of it is outdated, but there are a few treasures here that might be useful to you."
Tang Xiu's eyes scanned the room, his expression thoughtful. His gaze lingered on a set of ancient scrolls lying on a table.
"What are these?" he asked, picking one up.
Old Hu shrugged. "Old techniques from the martial clans. Most people can't make use of them anymore, not with how scarce qi has become."
Tang Xiu unrolled the scroll, his eyes narrowing as he read. A faint smile tugged at his lips. "These aren't just techniques. They're fragments of an ancient cultivation method—one I recognize."
Xu Liang peered over his shoulder, frowning. "Can you actually use them? Earth's qi is practically nonexistent."
Tang Xiu's smile widened. "That's the problem most people face. But I'm not like most people. With my knowledge, I can adapt these techniques to work even in a barren land like this."
Lei Xian crossed his arms, grinning. "So, what's the plan, Boss? Are we finally going to hit back?"
Tang Xiu's gaze was cold and determined. "Not yet. First, we strengthen ourselves. Then we find the Shadow Sect's weaknesses—and when the time is right, we crush them."
Old Hu chuckled dryly. "You always did have a way of making impossible things sound simple."
Tang Xiu's expression didn't waver. "The path of cultivation was never meant to be easy, Old Hu. But this time, I'll succeed. The Shadow Sect has no idea what they've unleashed."
As the group began preparing for the battles ahead, a storm was already brewing in the distance. The Shadow Sect wouldn't wait idly, and neither would Tang Xiu. The stage was set, and the war was about to begin.