Chapter 28: Into the Shadows

After the fall of Angel Gene, Li Wei and Raven knew it was only a matter of time before the remnants of the organization and their allies sought revenge. To prepare for the inevitable backlash and to strengthen their resolve, they decided to go into hiding.

Li Wei chose a remote, mountainous region far from the eyes of the world. He found an abandoned temple, hidden deep within the forest, and made it his training ground. The temple, once a place of worship and meditation, now served as his sanctuary for honing his newfound powers.

Every day, Li Wei pushed his limits. He practiced his stealth arts, refining his ability to move unseen and unheard. His mastery of power restoration arts allowed him to recover from intense training sessions rapidly, ensuring he could maintain a rigorous schedule. He focused particularly on his third eye, learning to harness its destructive potential with precision and control.

One morning, as the sun rose over the mountains, Li Wei sat in deep meditation, his mind focused on his goals. "I can feel my power growing," he thought. "But I need more. There's a larger force at play here, and I need to be ready."

His training wasn't just about physical and mystical arts. He also delved into the information he had gathered about the hidden forces controlling the world. Raven had been tirelessly working in the background, decrypting files and tracing connections. One name kept surfacing: The Light.

The Light was a secretive, powerful syndicate rumored to control significant portions of the global underworld. Unlike Angel Gene, which focused on genetic manipulation and unethical experiments, The Light wielded influence through financial power, political manipulation, and sheer force.

Li Wei and Raven maintained contact through secure channels. One evening, Raven contacted him with urgent news. "Li Wei, I've uncovered something significant. The Light is more extensive than we thought. They have connections in every major government, controlling both legitimate and illegitimate enterprises."

Li Wei listened intently as Raven continued. "There's a particular individual, a shadowy figure known only as The Luminary. They're said to be the true leader of The Light, orchestrating everything from behind the scenes."

"Do we have any leads on this Luminary?" Li Wei asked.

"Not yet," Raven replied. "But we've found a few key operatives within The Light's hierarchy. They might lead us to The Luminary."

Li Wei knew that facing The Light would require more than just brute force. He needed to understand their operations, anticipate their moves, and outsmart them at every turn. He decided to intensify his training, focusing on the new arts he had learned from the biochip's ancient knowledge.

Over the following months, Li Wei learned advanced elemental control, manipulating fire, water, earth, and air with increasing skill. He practiced energy manipulation, channeling his internal power into devastating attacks. The more he trained, the more he realized the true potential of his abilities.

One night, as he stood on the temple's roof, gazing at the stars, Li Wei felt a sense of clarity. "I will dismantle The Light," he vowed. "I will find The Luminary, and I will end their reign of darkness."

His resolve was strong. He knew that true power lay not just in strength but in wisdom. He would use his gifts wisely and strategically.