The next day, after the encounter with the mysterious figure, Xiao Shao and Mei Hua continued their journey. A feeling of unease continued to haunt them, as if something was watching them from afar. The forest that had previously seemed so beautiful and peaceful now felt more terrifying. Every step they took seemed to be sucked into the darkness around them.
Xiao Shao couldn't help but think about the words of the forest lord. The power within him still felt like it had yet to be fully revealed, but there was something unsettling. Something bigger and darker than just the Black Shadow, something that was waiting to be discovered.
"Something bigger… darker…" Xiao Shao muttered to himself. Beyond his increasingly powerful body, there was a deep feeling that pushed him to continue forward, even though the fear was also there.
Mei Hua walked beside him, her eyes slightly closed as if in contemplation. "I know what you're thinking," she said in a low voice. "We're already far from home, and we don't know what we'll encounter. But we can't turn back now. I have to find my brother."
Xiao Shao looked at Mei Hua with a determined gaze. "I understand. We will find a way, no matter what."
Along the way, they encountered several groups of merchants resting by the side of the road. Although they did not seem suspicious, Xiao Shao felt something strange. One of the merchants stared at them for quite a while, making Xiao Shao feel that something was wrong. The look seemed to contain hidden information.
"Is everything okay?" one of the merchants asked kindly, though his sharp eyes showed an unconcealed discomfort.
Mei Hua smiled, though her face showed doubt. "We were just passing by. There's nothing wrong."
The merchant nodded, but his gaze remained on them. The tension was growing, and Xiao Shao could sense that there was something hidden behind their friendly demeanor.
"Don't stay on this road for too long," the merchant said in a more serious tone, though he was smiling. "This road is not always safe, especially around nightfall."
Mei Hua felt uneasy with those words, but she tried to remain calm. "Thank you for the warning," he replied simply, pulling Xiao Shao along to continue their journey.
However, before they could go too far, Xiao Shao paused. He felt a strange vibration in the air—a very familiar feeling. It seemed to be the same aura they had felt in the forest a few nights ago. Something was lurking, but this time, Xiao Shao felt more prepared.
"Mei Hua," he said softly, "something is not right. That merchant… he knows more than we thought."
Mei Hua nodded quickly, her eyes focused on the merchants who were now moving further away. "I sense it too. They are not just ordinary merchants."
However, before they could go any further, the sound of footsteps could be heard behind them. Not just one, but several. Quickly, Xiao Shao and Mei Hua turned around, ready to face whatever came.
From behind the trees, two figures appeared, clad in black robes, with extremely powerful auras. They did not look like ordinary people—they were cultivators. One of them stepped forward, his face tightly covered by a hood, only a pair of eyes visible from within.
"Your path ends here," the figure said in a deep and heavy voice, as if it possessed incredible power. "You have gone too far. No one can interfere with our plans."
Xiao Shao frowned, his eyes immediately focused on them. "Who are you? What do you want?"
The figure smiled coldly, but there was no hint of warmth in his smile. "We are guards. And you, it seems like you ask too many questions."
Xiao Shao felt tension surging through his entire body. This situation was unavoidable. They had to fight, and Xiao Shao felt that this battle would be a great test for him.
With a swift movement, Xiao Shao circulated the energy within his body, concentrating all the power he had. As soon as he moved, his body flashed with incredible speed, utilizing the technique he had learned. Each step he took was accompanied by an aura of deadly power, and the first attack he unleashed shot towards the guard at an extremely high speed.
However, the guard seemed to be prepared. With practiced movements, he dodged and retaliated with a counterattack that came at an incredibly fast speed. The black sword gleamed in the guard's hand, slashing sharply through the air, giving rise to the sound of howling wind.
Xiao Shao was forced to retreat,leaping to the side to avoid the attack, and throwing out a counterattack. With his increasing strength, Xiao Shao felt his body becoming stronger—every movement becoming more refined. He knew that he was fighting an opponent far stronger than before.
On the other side, Mei Hua was also engaged in a fierce battle against the other guards. Although her body was not as strong as Xiao Shao's, her speed and agility allowed her to keep up with the attacks of her opponents. The small knife she wielded spun nimbly, slashing and stabbing with great precision.
However, despite their fierce fighting, the guards seemed to show no mercy. They moved with excellent coordination, blocking Xiao Shao and Mei Hua's every move. Xiao Shao could sense that this was not just an ordinary attack—there was something much greater and more terrifying underlying all of this.
"Xiao Shao, be careful!" Mei Hua shouted as one of the guards tried to attack Xiao Shao from behind with a sharp sword.
Xiao Shao turned around swiftly, blocking the attack with his hand that was imbued with cultivation energy. The collision made a loud sound, but Xiao Shao stood his ground, his face full of determination.
"I will not retreat," he said, his tone full of passion and courage. "If we must go through this, we will go through this together."
With that spirit, Xiao Shao launched another attack, this time faster and more powerful. With every move he made, the energy within him increased, as if he was beginning to touch the limits of his true abilities. Yet even as he charged forward with all the strength he had, there was a sense that this was only the beginning of something far greater and more dangerous.