The Flames of Deception

The night was still, save for the faint rustle of leaves in the forest. Lin Tian approached the bandit camp with silent steps, his gaze fixed on the main tent where the bandit leader sat, his broad frame illuminated by the flickering campfire. This man, bearded and imposing, held a dark medallion, turning it over in his hands with frustrated determination. The leader's brows furrowed as he poured his Qi into the medallion, a faint glow flickering before dying down.

"Spirit Condensation…" Lin Tian muttered to himself, crouching in the shadows. "He needs to be at Spirit Condensation Realm to even activate it. How fortunate for me that he isn't." A small smirk formed on his lips.

With that knowledge, Lin Tian knew he wouldn't be able to just barge in and fight them all directly; he needed a plan. "Alright, time to bring a little chaos to this place," he whispered, slipping back into the forest to set his plan into motion.

His mind went to a dangerous creature he'd heard rumors about: the Silverhorn Boar. Known for its brutal strength and razor-sharp tusks, the boar was a terrifying presence in the area—a beast at the second level of Qi Refining. If anything could cause a big enough distraction for him to slip into the camp, it was this beast.

The boar's lair was nestled deep within the forest, marked by a series of massive clawed footprints and torn-up tree roots. The creature itself lay sprawled in the clearing, its silver-streaked horn gleaming under the moonlight as it slept.

Lin Tian paused for a moment, taking a steadying breath. "Let's see how fast you are when you're angry," he muttered, picking up a large stick and hurling it at the beast's flank.

The boar awoke with a furious roar, its beady eyes snapping open to focus on Lin Tian. Its nostrils flared, and in an instant, it charged at him, kicking up clouds of dirt and debris as it barreled forward.

Lin Tian's heart raced as he darted through the trees, keeping just ahead of the enraged creature. He could feel the ground trembling with each step the boar took. As he approached the edge of the camp, he slowed just enough for the boar to gain on him, leading it straight into the bandit territory. At the last moment, he leaped to the side, slipping behind a thick tree trunk and allowing the boar to charge directly into the heart of the camp.

The bandits had little time to react before the massive beast tore through tents and supplies, tossing barrels aside with a furious shake of its head. Bandits scrambled, shouting orders and drawing weapons in confusion. The bandit leader leaped to his feet, bellowing to his men to surround the beast.

"Kill that thing!" he roared, brandishing his sword. "Don't just stand there!"

In the ensuing chaos, Lin Tian slipped toward the main tent, his movements silent and precise. His eyes caught sight of the leader wielding a strange aura, a dark, swirling Qi that pulsed with sinister energy. Lin Tian's expression darkened. "Demonic Qi? In these parts?" he muttered, growing even warier of the man.

With the bandits occupied in a fierce battle against the Silverhorn Boar, Lin Tian crept closer to the main tent. The leader's cabin was cluttered but organized, with weapons lining the walls and a few scattered scrolls on a low table. There, lying on a makeshift altar, was the medallion he sought—the key to whatever mysterious inheritance lay beyond the bandit's reach.

Quickly, he grabbed the medallion, its cold weight heavy in his hand. He slipped it into his robe and turned to leave, casting one last look around the room. "Guess this belongs to me now," he whispered to himself, a grin forming.

Before leaving, he grabbed a bundle of dried kindling and a small flask of oil he'd noticed on a shelf. He spread the oil around the room, lighting it with a spark from a flint stone. Flames danced across the walls, quickly growing into a roaring fire that spread toward the camp. Outside, the bandits were still occupied with the boar, their yells rising in panic as they noticed the smoke.

Taking advantage of the mounting confusion, Lin Tian moved like a shadow, his steps swift and silent. The peak Body Refining bandits were too preoccupied with the fire and the boar to notice him slipping behind them, striking them down one by one with swift, lethal precision.

His heart pounded as he moved, the thrill of danger heightening his focus. The bandits were beginning to sense something was wrong beyond the boar's attack, and their confusion turned to dread as they saw their comrades falling. Lin Tian evaded each frenzied attack with ease, his agility leaving them scrambling to keep up.

As the fire grew, the bandit leader finally turned to find his cabin engulfed in flames, his eyes widening with a fury as he realized what was happening. He barged into the burning cabin, coughing as he tore through the smoke-filled room. Desperation etched on his face, he searched frantically, overturning tables and tearing apart shelves. His eyes darted wildly around, until he realized the medallion was gone.

"Who dares to steal from me!" he bellowed, his voice thick with rage. He gripped his sword tightly, his demonic Qi flaring up around him, casting a sinister aura through the smoke. "Whoever you are, I will hunt you down! You'll regret crossing me!"

Outside, Lin Tian watched the inferno from the safety of the shadows, his lips curving into a smirk as he clutched the medallion. "Good luck with that," he whispered, turning to disappear into the night, leaving only the flames and the enraged bandit leader behind.