The trio continued along the forest path, the silence between them heavy with unspoken thoughts. The trees swayed gently in the breeze, their rustling leaves the only sound as the group pushed forward. The earlier encounter had left Xu Liang and Lei Xian on edge, but Tang Xiu walked calmly, his expression as unreadable as ever.
"Are we going to talk about what just happened?" Lei Xian finally broke the silence, his voice low.
Tang Xiu didn't stop walking. "What is there to talk about? They attacked. We dealt with them. End of story."
Xu Liang glanced over at Tang Xiu. "It's not that simple. The Black Cloud Society is no small group. If they're after the Soul Nourishing Pearl, they won't stop with just a few men. They'll send more, and they'll be stronger."
Tang Xiu's lips curled into a faint smile. "Good. Let them come. The more they send, the better I'll understand their strength."
Lei Xian groaned. "You're too calm about this. Aren't you worried at all?"
Tang Xiu stopped and turned to face them. His eyes, sharp and cold, seemed to pierce through their worries. "Worried? About what? A group of greedy fools chasing after something they don't understand? Let them come. I've faced worse in my time."
Xu Liang hesitated. "You talk like you've been through wars or something."
Tang Xiu didn't respond. Instead, he turned and kept walking, his hands clasped behind his back. The truth was, he had been through worse—millennia of battles, betrayals, and struggles that none of them could imagine. Compared to the Immortal World, this was nothing more than a small ripple in a calm pond.
By the time they reached the outskirts of a small village, the sun was beginning to set, casting the sky in hues of orange and pink. The village was quiet, its narrow streets lined with modest homes and a few small shops.
"This place looks peaceful," Xu Liang said, scanning their surroundings. "We should rest here for the night."
Tang Xiu nodded. "Agreed. We'll need our strength for whatever comes next."
The group found an inn near the edge of the village, a simple but clean establishment run by an elderly couple. The innkeeper greeted them warmly, his wrinkled face lighting up with a kind smile.
"Travelers, eh? You've come at a good time. We've got fresh stew and warm beds. Come in, come in!"
Lei Xian's stomach growled loudly, making Xu Liang chuckle. "Looks like someone's excited for dinner."
As they sat down in the small dining area, the innkeeper's wife brought out bowls of steaming stew and fresh bread. Tang Xiu ate quietly, his mind elsewhere, while Xu Liang and Lei Xian chatted about the village and its surroundings.
But Tang Xiu's senses remained sharp. He could feel the faint presence of qi lingering in the village—not enough to be threatening, but enough to catch his attention.
After they finished their meal, Tang Xiu stood. "I'm going for a walk. Stay here and rest."
Lei Xian frowned. "A walk? You're not planning to leave us to fight off more assassins, are you?"
Tang Xiu smirked. "If I were, you'd never know."
Before Lei Xian could protest further, Tang Xiu slipped out into the night.
The village was quiet, the streets illuminated by the soft glow of lanterns. Tang Xiu wandered aimlessly at first, his steps slow and deliberate. But his mind was focused, his spiritual senses stretching outward as he searched for the source of the faint qi he had felt earlier.
It didn't take long for him to find it. At the far end of the village, behind an old shrine, a small gathering of people stood in a circle. They were chanting softly, their voices blending with the sound of rustling leaves.
Tang Xiu stayed hidden, watching carefully. The group appeared to be performing some sort of ritual, their hands moving in synchronized patterns. At the center of the circle was a small altar, atop which sat a glowing jade token.
His eyes narrowed. The qi emanating from the token was weak, but it was unmistakably connected to the cultivation world.
"Interesting," he muttered to himself.
Suddenly, one of the figures turned sharply, as if sensing his presence. Tang Xiu moved quickly, stepping back into the shadows. But it was too late.
"Who's there?" a voice called out, sharp and commanding.
Tang Xiu stepped out of the darkness, his expression calm. "Just a traveler, passing by."
The group turned to face him, their eyes wary. The man who had spoken was tall and muscular, his gaze filled with suspicion.
"This is sacred ground," the man said. "Outsiders aren't welcome here."
Tang Xiu's lips curled into a faint smile. "Sacred, you say? That token on your altar… It's not something an ordinary village would have. Where did you find it?"
The man's eyes narrowed. "That's none of your business."
Tang Xiu stepped closer, his gaze unwavering. "I'm making it my business. That token doesn't belong to you, does it?"
The man bristled, his hand going to the hilt of a blade at his waist. "Leave. Now."
Tang Xiu sighed, shaking his head. "I don't want to hurt you. Just tell me where you got the token, and I'll be on my way."
The man didn't respond. Instead, he drew his blade and charged.
The fight was over in an instant.
Before the man could even swing his blade, Tang Xiu moved. His hand shot out, grabbing the man's wrist and twisting it with a sharp crack. The blade fell to the ground as the man cried out in pain.
The rest of the group backed away, their faces pale.
"Anyone else want to try?" Tang Xiu asked, his voice cold.
They shook their heads, their fear evident.
Tang Xiu released the man and stepped toward the altar. He picked up the jade token, examining it carefully. Though its qi was faint, he could feel traces of a powerful formation embedded within it.
"This token… It's a key," he murmured.
A key to what, he didn't yet know. But one thing was clear: his journey was far from over.