The journey out of the valley was quiet. The earlier tension had faded, leaving behind a heavy silence as Tang Xiu, Xu Liang, and Lei Xian trudged through the forest path. The air was fresh now, free from the oppressive mist that had plagued their senses earlier. Yet Tang Xiu's sharp instincts told him they weren't alone.
His grip tightened around the Soul Nourishing Pearl hidden in his robe. While Xu Liang and Lei Xian walked with a sense of relief, Tang Xiu's eyes scanned the surroundings, his spiritual senses on high alert.
"Don't let your guard down," he said, his tone calm but firm.
Lei Xian groaned. "We just fought off an army of creepy shadows, and now you're saying there's more trouble? Can't we catch a break?"
Xu Liang smirked, pulling his bow over his shoulder. "Tang Xiu's paranoia usually saves our lives. I'd listen to him if I were you."
Tang Xiu didn't respond. He felt it—a faint presence lurking in the shadows, too subtle for ordinary senses to detect. Someone was following them.
As they reached the edge of the forest, Tang Xiu abruptly stopped. "We're being watched," he said simply.
Lei Xian stiffened, his hand instinctively going to his spear. "Where? How many?"
Tang Xiu turned slowly, his piercing gaze scanning the trees. "At least three, maybe more. They've been following us since we left the valley. They're skilled, but not skilled enough to hide from me."
Xu Liang knocked an arrow, his posture tense. "What do we do? Fight or keep moving?"
Tang Xiu's lips curled into a cold smile. "We'll make them come to us."
Without another word, he stepped off the main path and into a small clearing surrounded by tall trees. He gestured for the others to follow.
"Set up here," he said. "They're after the treasure. Let's see if they're brave enough to face us head-on."
Minutes passed in tense silence. Xu Liang crouched low with his bow drawn, his eyes scanning the treetops. Lei Xian stood beside Tang Xiu, his spear ready to strike at a moment's notice.
Finally, a rustle came from the bushes, and three figures stepped into the clearing. They were cloaked in dark robes, their faces hidden behind masks. The one in the center spoke, his voice smooth and mocking.
"You're sharp, kid. Most people wouldn't have noticed us until it was too late."
Tang Xiu remained unfazed, his expression calm. "If you were trying to hide, you failed miserably."
The man chuckled. "No need for insults. Let's keep this simple. Hand over the treasure you found in the valley, and we'll let you leave in one piece."
Xu Liang scoffed. "You think we're just going to hand it over? Dream on."
The man's tone turned icy. "You're outnumbered. Don't make this harder than it has to be."
Tang Xiu stepped forward, his hands clasped behind his back. "Outnumbered? I only see three of you. That's barely a warm-up."
The man hesitated, sensing the confidence in Tang Xiu's voice. "You're arrogant for someone so young. Do you even know who we are?"
"I don't care," Tang Xiu said coldly. "You're just corpses in my eyes."
The man's patience snapped. "Kill them!" he barked, and the three masked figures charged.
The fight was swift and brutal.
The first man lunged at Tang Xiu with a curved blade, but Tang Xiu sidestepped effortlessly, his palm striking the man's chest with a burst of energy. The attacker flew backward, crashing into a tree with a sickening thud.
Xu Liang's arrows found their marks, pinning one of the attackers to a tree. The man struggled for a moment before slumping lifelessly to the ground.
Lei Xian roared, his spear sweeping in a deadly arc. The final attacker tried to dodge, but Lei Xian's speed was too much. The spear pierced through the man's defenses, leaving him sprawled on the forest floor.
Within moments, the clearing was silent once more.
Tang Xiu walked over to the leader, who was groaning in pain but still conscious. He crouched down, his eyes cold and unforgiving.
"Who sent you?" he demanded.
The man glared at him, blood dripping from his mouth. "You'll regret this… You don't know who you're dealing with."
Tang Xiu's expression didn't change. He pressed his hand against the man's chest, a faint glow emanating from his palm. The man screamed as Tang Xiu's energy invaded his body, forcing the truth from him.
"Stop! Stop! I'll talk!" the man gasped.
"Then start talking," Tang Xiu said, his voice like ice.
The man shuddered. "We're from the Black Cloud Society. We were hired… hired to retrieve the Soul Nourishing Pearl. That's all I know!"
Tang Xiu stood, his gaze thoughtful. "The Black Cloud Society. Interesting."
Lei Xian frowned. "Who are they? Another group of treasure hunters?"
Tang Xiu shook his head. "No. They're a shadow organization that deals in rare artifacts and information. If they're after the pearl, it means word of its existence has already spread."
Xu Liang grimaced. "So what now? Do we destroy it? Hide it?"
Tang Xiu's eyes gleamed. "We keep moving. Let them come if they want. Each one that comes for this treasure will only help me grow stronger."
He turned, walking back toward the path without another glance at the defeated attackers. Xu Liang and Lei Xian exchanged uneasy looks before following.
Though the fight was over, Tang Xiu knew this was just the beginning. The Soul Nourishing Pearl was a treasure too valuable to go unnoticed, and its presence would draw enemies like moths to a flame.
But Tang Xiu didn't fear them. If anything, he welcomed the challenge. Every step he took brought him closer to reclaiming his rightful place at the pinnacle of the world.