Chapter 18: The Gathering Storm
The tension in the alley thickened as Bai Yuan studied the man before him. Dark hair streaked with silver, piercing golden eyes, and an aura of someone who had seen far too much—this stranger was not ordinary. And yet, there was something eerily familiar about him.
"You claim to owe my mother a debt," Bai Yuan said, keeping his tone measured. "What kind of debt?"
The man's lips curled into a knowing smile. "One that cannot be repaid with mere words. But first, introductions—I am Feng Yao."
Ling Xi's eyes narrowed. "Feng Yao? The Wandering Shadow?"
Feng Yao chuckled. "Ah, so you've heard of me. That makes this easier."
Bai Yuan exchanged a glance with Ling Xi. The Wandering Shadow was a name whispered in hushed tones among cultivators—a rogue master of stealth and assassination, a man who had defied entire sects and vanished without a trace.
"If you truly seek to aid me," Bai Yuan said, "speak plainly. What do you know of the Black Veil Assassins?"
Feng Yao's expression darkened. "They are not just assassins. They are hounds bound to an ancient pact with the Bai Clan. Their methods are ruthless, their loyalty unshakable. They will not stop until you are dead."
Ling Xi frowned. "Then avoiding them is impossible?"
Feng Yao shook his head. "Not impossible. But difficult. You need more than just strength to survive them—you need strategy, deception, and allies."
Bai Yuan considered his words carefully. His path had already been fraught with danger, but this was different. If the Bai Clan had truly sent the Black Veil after him, then his survival would require more than just cultivation. It would require wit, unpredictability, and power beyond his current reach.
"What do you propose?" Bai Yuan asked.
Feng Yao smirked. "A partnership. I know their methods, their weaknesses. And I have resources that can help you. But I don't do charity—I expect something in return."
Bai Yuan crossed his arms. "And what is it you want?"
Feng Yao's golden eyes gleamed. "There is something hidden within the Bai Clan's ancestral grounds. A relic of great power. I want it."
Bai Yuan's breath slowed. His clan's ancestral grounds were among the most heavily guarded locations in the Nine Mystic Heaven Realm. Even if he wished to return, the chance of survival was slim.
"You expect me to waltz back into the Bai Clan and steal from them?" Bai Yuan said, his tone edged with skepticism.
Feng Yao chuckled. "Not now. Not yet. But you will grow stronger, and when the time comes, we will strike together."
Ling Xi shot Bai Yuan a wary glance. "You sure about this?"
Bai Yuan inhaled deeply. This was dangerous. But then again, everything in his life was dangerous now. He had already defied fate once—why stop now?
"Fine," Bai Yuan said at last. "We have a deal."
Feng Yao extended a hand, and Bai Yuan clasped it firmly. The pact was sealed.
The following morning, Bai Yuan, Ling Xi, and Feng Yao departed the village, heading towards the next destination: the city of Yunlan. It was a place teeming with cultivators, sects, and hidden dangers. If they were to make a stand against the Bai Clan's forces, they needed allies—and Yunlan City was the first step.
As they traveled, Bai Yuan felt the nanobots within his body hum softly. They had remained dormant since his last battle, but he could sense something shifting within them. An evolution was taking place.
Ling Xi, walking beside him, nudged his shoulder. "So, what's the plan?"
Bai Yuan's smirk returned. "We raise some hell in Yunlan City."
Ahead, the towering silhouette of Yunlan City loomed against the horizon, its walls glowing under the morning sun.
The storm was coming. And Bai Yuan was ready to meet it head-on.