Chapter 34: Clash with the Blood Shadows

The battle erupted in an instant, the Blood Shadows moving with deadly precision. Their leader, cloaked in black, raised his hand, and a crimson mist spread through the room. The oppressive aura made it hard to breathe, and the weaker members of Tang Xiu's group staggered under its weight.

"Careful!" Tang Xiu shouted, his sharp gaze analyzing the mist. "It's poison qi. Don't breathe it in!"

Xu Liang leapt forward, daggers flashing. He slashed at the nearest Blood Shadow, but the figure dodged with inhuman speed, countering with a knife aimed at Xu Liang's chest. Tang Xiu flicked his wrist, sending a sharp wave of energy that deflected the attack.

"This poison qi won't last long against me," Tang Xiu said coldly, his voice steady despite the chaos. He raised his hand and channeled a powerful technique from his vast cultivation knowledge. A faint golden light began to emanate from his body, pushing back the crimson mist.

The leader of the Blood Shadows sneered. "Impressive, but let's see how you handle this." He clenched his fist, and the mist condensed into crimson tendrils that shot toward Tang Xiu like deadly snakes.

Tang Xiu moved faster than the eye could follow, dodging the tendrils with ease. With a flick of his fingers, he sent a burst of golden energy that shattered the tendrils into nothingness.

Meanwhile, Lei Xian was locked in combat with two Blood Shadows. Though he lacked Tang Xiu's finesse, his raw strength was a sight to behold. His fists crashed into his opponents like hammers, forcing them to retreat.

"You think you can take me down?" Lei Xian growled, wiping blood from his lip. "You'll need more than fancy tricks!"

Old Hu joined him, his sword moving in precise arcs. Together, they held their ground, fighting back with sheer determination.

Xu Liang, now freed from the immediate danger, focused his attention on the weaker Blood Shadows. His movements were swift and ruthless, each strike aimed to disable rather than kill.

"Stay sharp," he muttered to himself, his eyes darting around for openings. "These guys aren't normal fighters."

As he fought, he noticed something strange. The Blood Shadows didn't bleed when struck; instead, their wounds emitted the same crimson mist that filled the air earlier.

"They're using some kind of forbidden technique!" Xu Liang called out to Tang Xiu. "These aren't normal humans anymore!"

Tang Xiu narrowed his eyes. "That explains the poison qi. They've sacrificed their humanity for power."

The leader of the Blood Shadows, seeing his subordinates faltering, stepped forward. He pointed at Tang Xiu, his eyes glowing with a blood-red light.

"You're strong, Tang Xiu, but you're only delaying the inevitable," the leader said, his voice echoing unnaturally. "This is your last chance. Surrender now, and I might let your lackeys live."

Tang Xiu's lips curled into a cold smile. "Save your breath. I don't make deals with dead men."

The leader roared in anger, his body surging with crimson energy. He charged at Tang Xiu, his fists glowing like molten iron. Tang Xiu met the attack head-on, their clash shaking the entire building.

The leader's strikes were heavy and relentless, but Tang Xiu parried each one with calculated precision. With a sudden burst of speed, Tang Xiu landed a palm strike on the leader's chest, sending him flying backward.

"Is this all the Shadow Sect has to offer?" Tang Xiu taunted, his voice filled with disdain.

The leader coughed up blood but refused to back down. "You'll regret underestimating me!"

He chanted something in an ancient language, and his body began to transform. His muscles swelled, his skin darkened, and horns sprouted from his forehead.

"A blood demon transformation," Tang Xiu muttered, recognizing the forbidden technique. "So this is how desperate they've become."

The transformed leader launched himself at Tang Xiu with terrifying speed, his claws tearing through the air. Tang Xiu dodged narrowly, countering with a series of precise strikes aimed at the leader's weak points.

Despite his immense strength, the leader's movements were sloppy, driven by rage and bloodlust. Tang Xiu exploited every opening, landing blow after blow.

Finally, Tang Xiu summoned a powerful technique from his past life. Golden energy surged through his body as he unleashed the Heavenly Dragon Palm, a move so powerful it shattered the leader's defenses and sent him crashing into the wall.

The leader slumped to the ground, his body reverting to its human form. He looked up at Tang Xiu with hatred in his eyes. "You… won't… escape the Shadow Sect's wrath…"

Tang Xiu stood over him, his expression cold. "If this is all the Shadow Sect can send, they're not worth my time." With a swift motion, he struck the leader's neck, rendering him unconscious.

The remaining Blood Shadows, seeing their leader defeated, fled into the night. Tang Xiu let them go, knowing they would spread fear of his power back to the Shadow Sect.

As the group gathered to assess their injuries, Xu Liang shook his head. "We won this time, but they'll be back."

"They can come as many times as they want," Tang Xiu said firmly. "Each time, we'll make them regret it."

Old Hu nodded. "Still, we need to be smarter. We can't keep fighting them like this forever."

Tang Xiu glanced at the pendant hanging from his neck, its faint glow a reminder of his ultimate goal. "I have a plan," he said, his voice resolute. "But first, we need to get stronger. This is just the beginning."

As the first rays of dawn broke through the darkness, Tang Xiu's group stood battered but unbroken, ready to face whatever challenges lay ahead.