A Hidden Threat

The sun had begun its descent, painting the valley in hues of orange and gold, yet the air remained heavy with the aftermath of the battle. Li Wei sat on a jagged rock, his breath still uneven, as Xuan Tian paced nearby, his expression grim.

"That wasn't just an ordinary attack," Xuan Tian muttered, his eyes scanning the horizon. "Li Jun was sent by someone. Someone who knew about you."

Li Wei wiped the sweat from his brow, trying to process the events. "Why would anyone care about me? I'm just… a guy trying to build a sect."

Xuan Tian stopped pacing and turned to face him. "That's exactly why. The moment you chose to revive the Heavenly Cloud Sect, you painted a target on your back. There are forces out there who don't want to see this sect rise again."

Li Wei swallowed hard. "What forces? Like… shadowy cabals? Secret organizations? Cults of angry cultivators with too much time on their hands?"

Xuan Tian sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose. "Stop joking for a moment and listen. The Heavenly Cloud Sect was once a dominant power, feared and respected across the continent. Its downfall left a void that many factions scrambled to fill. If they catch wind of your ambitions… you'll face enemies far stronger than Li Jun."

Li Wei slumped back against the rock, staring at the sky. "Great. So not only do I have to rebuild a sect from scratch, I also have to fend off a bunch of ancient grudges and overpowered lunatics. No pressure."

Xuan Tian's lips twitched, almost forming a smile. "You wanted to be a sect master, didn't you? This is part of the job."

"Yeah, but no one told me the job came with a death sentence," Li Wei shot back, his tone dripping with sarcasm.

Xuan Tian shook his head and sat down beside him. "It's not hopeless, Li Wei. You have potential. I wouldn't have stayed if I didn't believe in you. But you need to grow stronger—fast. The next attack won't be so easy to handle."

Li Wei glanced at him. "And how exactly do I do that? I've been running on sheer luck and a lot of yelling."

Xuan Tian's gaze softened. "You've barely scratched the surface of your own power. The system you have, the spiritual energy within you—it's untapped potential. But that's not enough. You need allies, resources, and above all, discipline."

Li Wei groaned, tilting his head back dramatically. "Discipline? Sounds boring. Can't I just shout a cool technique name and become super strong?"

Xuan Tian smirked. "That only works in stories."

Before Li Wei could respond, a faint rustling reached their ears. Both men froze, their senses sharpening instantly. The sound grew louder, coming from the dense forest bordering the valley.

"Stay alert," Xuan Tian whispered, rising to his feet.

Li Wei scrambled up, his heart pounding. "Please don't tell me it's another masked lunatic. I've hit my quota for today."

The rustling stopped, and a figure stepped out of the shadows. It was a young woman, her long black hair tied back in a simple braid, her clothes dusty and torn. She looked around cautiously, her eyes widening when she saw them.

"Help me," she said, her voice trembling. "Please… they're after me."

Li Wei blinked, glancing at Xuan Tian. "Well, this doesn't scream 'trap' at all."

Xuan Tian's expression darkened as he stepped forward. "Who's after you? Speak quickly."

The woman staggered closer, clutching her side. "Bandits. They attacked my village… killed everyone. I barely escaped."

Li Wei frowned. "Bandits? In this backwater region? What are they even stealing, dirt?"

"Focus, Li Wei," Xuan Tian said sharply, his eyes scanning the forest behind her. "Where are they now?"

As if in answer, the sound of heavy footsteps and clinking armor filled the air. Moments later, a group of men emerged from the trees, their faces scarred and twisted with malice. Their leader, a hulking brute with a greatsword slung over his shoulder, sneered at them.

"Hand over the girl," the leader growled, his voice rough. "And we might let you live."

Li Wei stepped back instinctively, his palms sweating. "Yeah, sure, let me just roll out the welcome mat for you psychos."

Xuan Tian's aura flared, a sharp, oppressive energy radiating from him. "Leave now, or you'll regret it."

The bandit leader laughed, a deep, mocking sound. "You think you can scare me, old man? We outnumber you. And from the looks of it, the kid isn't much of a fighter."

Li Wei bristled. "Hey! I'll have you know I just fought a masked psychopath and survived. Barely."

The bandits laughed, their jeers grating on Li Wei's nerves. Xuan Tian didn't respond, his eyes narrowing as he studied their formation.

"Li Wei," he said quietly. "This is your chance to prove yourself. Take the lead."

Li Wei's jaw dropped. "What? Me? Against them? Are you insane?"

"You want to be a sect master," Xuan Tian said calmly. "Then act like one. Show them what you're capable of."

Li Wei gulped, his hands trembling as he stepped forward. The bandits laughed harder, clearly unimpressed by his nervous demeanor.

"Alright," Li Wei muttered to himself. "You've got this. Just… don't die."

He raised his hand, focusing on the faint stirrings of spiritual energy within him. The system's interface appeared in his mind, offering him options and advice.

Task: Defeat the bandits and protect the woman.

Reward: 50 Sect Points.

Li Wei's lips twitched into a shaky grin. "Alright, system. Let's do this."

With a deep breath, he charged forward, his energy flaring to life. The bandits moved to intercept him, their weapons gleaming in the fading sunlight.

"Here goes nothing!" Li Wei shouted, his voice filled with both determination and panic.