Dark Currents Stirring

Yunxiao Sect, Outer Sect.

The night was deep, and a cold breeze swept through the martial training grounds. Wang Quan stood silently in the center, his gaze sharp. Since defeating Li Daoguang, the atmosphere within the outer sect had shifted drastically. Many disciples, who once regarded him with disdain, now looked at him with a mix of uncertainty and awe. Outwardly, Wang Quan's status had risen, granting him access to more resources, but he knew all too well that the real danger had only just begun.

"Li Cang..." Wang Quan muttered to himself, his expression turning grim. Li Daoguang was merely a minor obstacle. The real threat lay with his older brother, Li Cang, an inner sect disciple who had reached the seventh stage of Qi Refining. Li Cang held considerable influence within the sect, both in terms of power and resources, and had cultivated a loyal following, both inside and outside the sect.

It wouldn't be long before word of Li Daoguang's severe injuries reached Li Cang. Wang Quan knew that he had now become a thorn in Li Cang's side, and once Li Cang returned, the outer sect would no longer be peaceful.

However, for the moment, Wang Quan had a stroke of luck — Li Cang had not yet returned to the sect. From the chatter among the disciples, Wang Quan had learned that Li Cang had been sent out on a mission by the sect and would not be back for some time.

"My time is limited. I must take advantage of this window to accumulate strength."

Wang Quan understood that a confrontation with Li Cang was inevitable. Though he had grown stronger, he still lagged behind Li Cang in terms of raw power. That was why he needed to use the time while Li Cang was away to rapidly increase his cultivation and weaken Li Cang's influence within the outer sect, gaining more control over the situation.

"Wang Shixiong!"

A hurried voice broke through Wang Quan's thoughts. Several outer sect disciples rushed over, their faces filled with alarm. One of them stepped forward and whispered urgently, "Yan Qing, Li Cang's subordinate, is coming with a group."

Yan Qing was one of Li Cang's most trusted men in the outer sect, a cultivator at the fourth stage of Qi Refining. He managed Li Cang's affairs in the outer sect and, while not as powerful as Li Cang, he was still among the strongest in the outer sect. Yan Qing, notorious for his cunning and cruelty, had often worked with Li Daoguang in their bullying. Wang Quan had anticipated that Yan Qing would seek him out sooner or later, but he hadn't expected it to happen so quickly.

Wang Quan looked up and saw Yan Qing approaching from a distance, leading a group of outer sect disciples, each of them exuding hostility. Yan Qing's face was dark, his gaze locked on Wang Quan with a murderous intensity, as if he wanted nothing more than to tear him apart on the spot.

"Wang Quan!" Yan Qing stopped, his voice cold and venomous. "You've got some nerve, severely injuring Li Daoguang. Do you really think you can do whatever you want in the outer sect now?"

Wang Quan ignored the provocation, his expression calm. Though Yan Qing was much stronger than Li Daoguang, Wang Quan's awakening of the Defiant Bloodline had given him a clear understanding of his own strength. He wasn't afraid.

Seeing Wang Quan's silence, Yan Qing sneered, "You seem confident, but you should know that behind Li Daoguang is Li Cang. You think you can just walk away after injuring him? Do you really believe Li Cang will let this go?"

Wang Quan's eyes remained cold, and he spoke calmly, "Li Daoguang came to provoke me. If he lost, it's because he wasn't skilled enough. If you want to try your luck, feel free."

Yan Qing's face darkened slightly, surprised at Wang Quan's composure. He had expected Wang Quan to be reckless, assuming his victory over Li Daoguang had been a fluke. But now, it seemed Wang Quan was far more dangerous than he had anticipated.

"Fine. Let's see what you're really made of." Yan Qing's sneer deepened as murderous intent flickered in his eyes. "Since you're so eager, I'll see if you can handle me."

Before the last word left his mouth, Yan Qing's spiritual energy surged forth, filling the air with a suffocating pressure. The outer sect disciples nearby immediately felt the weight of his power and backed away, fear flickering in their eyes.

"A cultivator at the fourth stage of Qi Refining is indeed no small threat."

Wang Quan assessed his opponent. Despite his own cultivation being only at the second stage of Qi Refining, the awakening of the Defiant Bloodline had given him abilities far beyond ordinary cultivators. His spiritual energy flowed faster, and his years of rigorous training had honed his combat skills. He didn't feel at a disadvantage.

Yan Qing's killing intent flared as he darted toward Wang Quan with blinding speed. The spiritual energy around him surged violently, his fist aimed directly at Wang Quan's face, carrying a fierce wind with it.

Wang Quan's eyes narrowed as he lightly tapped his foot, his body gliding backward just in time to avoid the strike.

"Hmph, you're quick!" Yan Qing sneered, pivoting sharply to launch another attack. This time, he didn't hold back, his fist filled with even more violent spiritual energy.

A flash of cold light passed through Wang Quan's eyes. His iron sword gleamed as it sliced through the air, aiming for Yan Qing's chest. The sword, infused with spiritual energy, moved with incredible speed, striking at Yan Qing's weak spot.

Bang!

Their blows collided mid-air. Yan Qing felt his arm go numb, the impact sending him stumbling backward. The sharpness of Wang Quan's sword and the speed of his attack had caught him off guard, nearly landing a direct hit.

Yan Qing's expression changed, shock flashing through his mind. He hadn't expected Wang Quan to be so powerful. The speed of his sword and the strength of his spiritual energy far surpassed what was normal for someone at the second stage of Qi Refining.

"Damn it! How did this brat get so strong?" Yan Qing cursed under his breath, cold sweat beading on his forehead. He now realized that Wang Quan was hiding a power far greater than what appeared on the surface.

"I can't afford to hold back!" Gritting his teeth, Yan Qing channeled his spiritual energy throughout his body, his speed increasing as he prepared to go all out.

Wang Quan remained calm, continuing to dodge and evade with precise movements, waiting for an opportunity to strike. The power of his Defiant Bloodline coursed through him, making his movements faster and more agile than his opponent's.

The two exchanged blows at blinding speed, their figures a blur to the disciples watching from the sidelines. Though Yan Qing's attacks were ferocious, Wang Quan skillfully dodged each one, occasionally countering with strikes that made Yan Qing flinch.

Bang!

After another fierce exchange, Yan Qing was finally forced back by Wang Quan's sword. His face turned pale as he stumbled several steps, shock and disbelief written across his features.

"You… you actually…" Yan Qing stammered, unable to believe that he, a cultivator at the fourth stage of Qi Refining, had been overpowered by someone at the second stage.

Wang Quan coldly regarded him, his sword still dripping with blood. "If you don't leave now, I'll gladly make sure you follow in Li Daoguang's footsteps."

Yan Qing's face twisted with rage, but he knew Wang Quan was no longer an opponent he could easily defeat. Clenching his fists, he turned on his heel and left in a hurry, his men following closely behind in shame.

As Wang Quan watched Yan Qing's retreating figure, his expression remained cold. Though he had dealt with this immediate threat, he knew that the real danger was still ahead. Li Cang's influence reached far and wide, and although Wang Quan had temporarily repelled Yan Qing, the challenges were only beginning. Only by rapidly increasing his cultivation could he hope to stay ahead of the coming storm.