The alliance with the Black Lotus Sect was now in full motion, and Lin Tian's path grew darker by the day. He could feel the weight of the decision pressing down on him. Xue Ling had promised them the power to defeat the guild, but the cost of such an alliance was something far more dangerous than mere power—it was the price of the soul.
But as he stared into the flickering flames that night, the faces of those he had lost flashed before his eyes. His heart hardened. The guild had destroyed everything he held dear, and he would pay any price to ensure their downfall.
Li Yue noticed the shift in Lin Tian. "Are you sure about this?" she asked quietly, sitting beside him by the campfire. Her eyes were filled with concern, her voice low but steady.
Lin Tian nodded, his face set in stone. "The guild won't stop coming after us. And I'm not going to sit by and wait for them to strike. If we don't act now, they'll destroy us. We need allies, we need information. The Black Lotus Sect has both, and they know how to get things done in the shadows."
Li Yue's hand found his, and for a brief moment, her touch was a grounding force. "Just… don't lose yourself in this, Lin Tian. Remember who you are. You're not just a weapon. Don't become like them."
Her words were a plea, but Lin Tian could feel the weight of the promise he had made to himself—and to the people he loved. "I won't forget. But I will do whatever it takes to make sure the guild falls."
The days passed quickly as Lin Tian and his group prepared for the mission ahead. Xue Ling had given them a plan, a blueprint for striking at the heart of the guild's operations. Their first target was a small but vital guild stronghold hidden deep within the Eastern Territory—a place where they stored both money and powerful artifacts, guarded by some of the guild's most dangerous cultivators.
Xue Ling had given them information on the layout, the guards, and the weaknesses. Lin Tian and his companions, along with a few trusted members of the Black Lotus Sect, were ready. This mission would send a message to the guild, a warning that Lin Tian was no longer someone to be underestimated.
As they made their way toward the stronghold, the air grew colder, and the forest around them seemed to close in. Xiao Fang, ever watchful, growled quietly, his senses sharp. The Black Lotus Sect members moved in complete silence, their presence barely noticeable. Even Zhang Wei, though still recovering from his previous injuries, was ready.
It wasn't long before they reached the perimeter of the stronghold, the towering walls coming into view through the dense trees. The sound of muffled voices could be heard from within, the clinking of metal, the faint hum of cultivators in meditative cultivation. But they were too confident, too complacent. Lin Tian's heart beat with excitement.
"We hit them hard and fast," Lin Tian whispered to his group. "No hesitation. We wipe them out before they can alert the rest of the guild."
Xue Ling nodded in agreement, her cold eyes gleaming. "You'll need to be careful. The stronghold might appear weak, but it's a trap. The guild knows you're coming. They always know."
Infiltrating the Stronghold
The first stage of their attack went smoothly. Xue Ling's plan was flawless. They scaled the outer walls under the cover of night, using the shadows to conceal their movements. Lin Tian's senses were heightened—his newly gained power from the trial allowing him to see through the darkness with ease.
They moved like shadows themselves, silent and swift, eliminating any guards in their path with brutal efficiency. Lin Tian's dagger flashed in the dark, and each strike was precise, taking out foes before they even realized they were under attack. Xiao Fang moved alongside him, tearing through enemies with savage speed, while Li Yue handled the remnants with grace and deadly precision.
It wasn't until they reached the central courtyard that the first signs of trouble appeared. A surge of spiritual energy washed over Lin Tian, and he knew immediately that something was off.
"Get ready," Xue Ling hissed. "It's a trap. We've been surrounded."
The Guild's Wrath
Lin Tian's instincts kicked in immediately. He could feel the pulse of the surrounding cultivators as they prepared for battle. It was a trap—one they had walked right into.
Dozens of guild cultivators appeared from the shadows, their eyes gleaming with malice. They had been waiting for them. But Lin Tian didn't hesitate. He charged forward, his dagger flashing with deadly intent, the power of the Ancients coursing through him as he struck with the precision of a predator.
But the guild wasn't the only force in play. From the back of the courtyard, a figure emerged, tall and cloaked in dark robes, their aura suffocating. The cultivators around them seemed to part as if they were nothing more than mere shadows before this person.
Xue Ling's eyes narrowed as she recognized the figure. "It's him."
Lin Tian's heart skipped a beat. The man before them was no ordinary cultivator. His aura was overwhelming—heavy with dark energy. He was a leader, one who commanded respect. But more than that, there was something familiar about him. The way he carried himself, the sharpness in his eyes—it was all too reminiscent of the guild's highest echelon.
"You're brave," the man said, his voice smooth, almost mocking. "But you're nothing more than a child playing in a world of giants."
Lin Tian clenched his fists, his mind racing. "Who are you?"
The man smiled, and the smile sent a chill down Lin Tian's spine. "My name is Lei Jun. And I'm here to make sure you never see the light of day again."
Battle in the Shadows
The air crackled with energy as the two forces collided. Lin Tian was quick, moving through the crowd of enemies with the skill of a seasoned warrior, cutting down opponents left and right. He felt the power coursing through him, but Lei Jun's presence weighed heavily on him, like an oppressive force trying to crush his every movement.
The Black Lotus Sect members fought with precision, but even they couldn't stand up to the overwhelming power of the guild's elite cultivators. Xue Ling was at Lin Tian's side, her movements fluid, deadly, as she struck down enemies with ease, but she kept her distance from Lei Jun.
Lin Tian's focus narrowed. He needed to deal with the threat that was Lei Jun. The guild leader was powerful, but Lin Tian wasn't the same person he had been when he first entered this fight. His core, strengthened by the power of the Ancients, burned with an intensity he hadn't felt before.
"Lei Jun!" Lin Tian shouted, his voice carrying across the battlefield. "I'll make you regret underestimating me!"
Lei Jun's eyes flickered with something akin to amusement. "You're brave, I'll give you that. But this is where your journey ends."
The battle intensified as Lin Tian and Lei Jun clashed, spiritual energy crackling in the air between them. Lin Tian's heart pounded, but he was focused, the weight of his vengeance and the lives of his comrades driving him forward.
But as the two forces collided, the true nature of the battle began to unfold. This wasn't just a fight for survival—it was a fight for control of everything Lin Tian had lost. And with each strike, he knew the price of his ambition would rise higher.