Gathering Storm

The moon hung low over the forest as Kairos and Xia Muren raced through the dense underbrush. Their footsteps barely touched the ground, moving with the speed and grace of trained cultivators. Behind them, the valley they had fought so hard to conquer was far behind, but the danger was far from over.

The air was tense, thick with the presence of powerful cultivators who had sensed the Fallen Star's descent. Every moment Kairos expected to feel the oppressive auras of those high-level cultivators closing in. The system had warned him—this power would not go unnoticed. Now, with the Fallen Star's essence coursing through him, he had painted a target on his back.

Beside him, Xia Muren moved with effortless grace, her silver hair flowing like water in the wind. There was a certain coldness to her, an unspoken distance that reminded Kairos she was not an ally but a potential threat. Yet for now, their paths were aligned—both of them knew that surviving the coming storm was more important than any rivalry.

As they sprinted deeper into the forest, the system flickered to life once more.

[System Notification: Quest Update]

Survive the Pursuit of High-Level Cultivators

Recommended Action: Escape to the Outer Wastes

Time Limit: 12 hours

Reward: Skill Points +2, Temporary Cloak of Invisibility"

The Outer Wastes?" Kairos muttered under his breath. It wasn't the ideal place to hide—it was a barren, desolate stretch of land at the edge of the Celestial Territories. Few ventured there willingly, as it was home to dangerous rogue cultivators and savage spirit beasts. But it might just be their only option to lose the pursuing enemies.

Xia Muren glanced at him out of the corner of her eye. "You're muttering again, Kairos Lin. Care to share your thoughts?"

Kairos sighed. There was no point in hiding it now. "We need to head to the Outer Wastes. It's the only way to avoid the cultivators who are coming after us."

Xia raised an eyebrow. "The Outer Wastes? That's suicide. No sane cultivator would venture there willingly."

"Exactly," Kairos said, a small smile tugging at his lips. "Which is why they won't expect it."

She narrowed her eyes, clearly weighing her options. After a moment, she gave a slight nod. "Fine. I trust you know what you're doing."

Kairos wasn't entirely sure he did. But the system had never led him astray, and if it recommended heading to the Outer Wastes, there had to be a reason. He didn't have time to think it over. The pulse of high-level cultivators was getting closer, each one more dangerous than the last.

Far behind them, a group of five cultivators stood at the edge of the valley, their auras radiating power and dominance. Each wore the colors of different sects, but their common goal united them—claiming the power of the Fallen Star.

At the front of the group stood Elder Wen, a stoic man with a sharp jawline and eyes that gleamed with ambition. He was one of the elders of the Thousand Shadows Sect, known for its mastery over stealth techniques and assassinations. He had been tracking the Fallen Star for weeks and wasn't about to let anyone else claim it.

"It was here," Elder Wen muttered, his sharp eyes scanning the charred ground. "But someone has already claimed its power."

One of the cultivators behind him, a young man from the Red Moon Sect, sneered. "Then we hunt them down. No one survives absorbing the star's power. They die, or they give it to us."

Elder Wen nodded, his aura flaring with a deadly intensity. "Find them. I want them alive—but only just."

Back in the forest, Kairos felt a chill crawl up his spine. The pressure from the pursuers was getting heavier. He could almost feel their killing intent brushing against his skin. It wouldn't be long before they caught up.

"We need to move faster," Kairos said, picking up speed. The forest began to thin out as they approached the edge of the territories. The ground turned from soft soil to jagged rock, the air growing colder and more hostile.

Xia Muren, ever the stoic warrior, barely broke a sweat as she matched his pace. "I can sense at least three strong auras. One of them is close—too close."

Kairos cursed under his breath. He wasn't ready for another fight. The power of the Fallen Star had elevated him, sure, but he wasn't invincible. He needed time to learn how to control his newfound abilities. Facing high-level cultivators now would be suicide.

As if sensing his thoughts, the system chimed again.

[System Notification: Temporary Cloak of Invisibility Available]

Duration: 5 minutes

Warning: Ineffective against spiritual sense above your cultivation level.

"Not perfect," Kairos muttered, "but it'll have to do."

Without warning, he grabbed Xia Muren's wrist, pulling her to a stop. "We can't outrun them forever. But we can hide. For a little while, at least."

She looked down at his hand gripping hers, a faint eyebrow raised in question. "Hide?"

Kairos didn't have time to explain. He activated the Cloak of Invisibility, feeling the faint shimmer of energy envelop both of them.

It wasn't true invisibility—just a trick of the shadows that would make them harder to detect for a few minutes. It was better than nothing.

Xia's icy demeanor didn't waver, but she seemed to trust him for the moment, allowing him to pull her into the cover of a large, twisted tree that grew near the edge of a cliff. They crouched low, their bodies pressed against the rough bark, the cloak masking their presence.

Moments later, the air grew heavy with a menacing pressure.

Elder Wen appeared, stepping into the clearing just a few feet from where they hid. His dark eyes scanned the area, and the aura he emitted was suffocating. Kairos held his breath, his heart hammering in his chest. If Elder Wen unleashed his spiritual sense, they were done for.

Elder Wen's cold gaze swept over the area once more. He paused, his brow furrowing as if sensing something, but after a few seconds, he shook his head and continued moving forward.

As soon as the oppressive aura faded, Kairos exhaled, his muscles relaxing slightly.

"That was too close," Xia Muren whispered, her voice unusually soft.

Kairos nodded, his body tense. "We don't have much time. The cloak won't last long, and they'll realize we doubled back soon enough."

"We'll need to move fast," Xia agreed. "You've bought us some time, but the Outer Wastes will only delay them. Once they realize where we're headed, they'll come after us with even more force."

Kairos knew she was right. The moment Elder Wen realized they had slipped past him, the real hunt would begin. And it wouldn't just be Elder Wen's group. The news of the Fallen Star's absorption would spread like wildfire. Every major sect would send their best disciples and elders to claim the power for themselves.

But Kairos had something none of them expected—something even Xia Muren hadn't fully grasped yet

He had the Eclipse System

The thought gave him a brief surge of confidence. It had saved him time and time again, offering him abilities, quests, and power-ups just when he needed them most. And now, with the Fallen Star's essence inside him, he felt like he could take on the world.

But arrogance was dangerous, and he knew it. There was still much to learn, and far too many enemies who would happily crush him the moment he slipped up.

"We need to reach the wastes before they regroup," Kairos said, pushing himself to his feet. "There's an old hermit there. If anyone knows how to hide from these high-level cultivators, it's him."

Xia Muren didn't question him. She stood and nodded, her usual calm returning. "Lead the way."

They sprinted forward, the forest thinning out as the landscape became more treacherous. The Outer Wastes loomed in the distance—a jagged, barren land filled with danger, but also with hope. It was their only chance.