Chapter 35: The Path to Strength

The air was still heavy with the aftermath of the battle. Broken furniture and cracked walls bore silent testimony to the fierce clash with the Blood Shadows. Tang Xiu stood in the center of the ruined room, his eyes distant as he thought about their next move.

Lei Xian leaned against the wall, holding a cloth to a cut on his arm. "Boss, I don't know how much longer we can keep this up. These guys are relentless."

Xu Liang, sitting cross-legged on the floor, sharpening his daggers, added, "They'll come back, and next time, it'll be worse. The Shadow Sect won't take this humiliation lying down."

Tang Xiu nodded slowly. "I know. That's why we can't stay weak. If we want to survive, we need to grow stronger—faster."

Old Hu, who was tending to his sword, glanced at Tang Xiu. "But how? Earth isn't like the world you came from, Tang Xiu. There's no abundant spiritual energy here. Cultivation is slow, and resources are scarce."

Tang Xiu's lips curled into a faint smile. "True, this world lacks spiritual energy, but it isn't completely barren. There are hidden veins of qi, ancient treasures, and secret techniques that still exist here. We just need to find them."

The next morning, Tang Xiu gathered his team for a strategy meeting.

"We've shaken the Shadow Sect," Tang Xiu began, his tone calm yet commanding. "But we can't rely on defensive battles. If we stay here and wait, they'll overwhelm us sooner or later. It's time we go on the offensive."

"Offensive?" Lei Xian raised an eyebrow. "We're barely holding our ground, and you want to attack?"

Tang Xiu nodded. "Not directly. First, we'll focus on strengthening ourselves. There are three things we need: cultivation resources, ancient techniques, and allies."

"Cultivation resources?" Xu Liang asked.

Tang Xiu pointed to a map spread out on the table. "I've been studying Earth's history. There are legends of ancient ruins hidden in remote areas—places where remnants of spiritual energy might still exist. These ruins could hold treasures that will help us advance quickly."

Old Hu stroked his beard thoughtfully. "And the techniques?"

Tang Xiu tapped the pendant around his neck. "I've inherited countless techniques from my past life. I'll teach you some of them, ones that suit your strengths. But you'll need to be ready to push yourselves to the limit."

"And allies?" Xu Liang leaned forward, intrigued.

Tang Xiu's expression darkened slightly. "The martial arts clans and hidden sects. Most of them are weak, but a few still have potential. We'll need to recruit those who are willing to join us—and crush those who stand in our way."

Lei Xian whistled. "You're planning to shake up the entire martial world. Bold move, Boss."

Tang Xiu's gaze hardened. "Bold moves are the only way to survive."

Their first target was a rumored ancient ruin located in the mountains several miles outside the city. According to legends, the ruins were the remnants of an old sect that had vanished centuries ago. Tang Xiu believed it might still hold valuable artifacts or cultivation resources.

The journey to the ruins was treacherous, the narrow mountain paths often forcing them to move single file. Xu Liang, always alert, scouted ahead, his sharp eyes scanning for traps or ambushes.

"Looks clear so far," he called back after a while.

Tang Xiu nodded, but his instincts told him otherwise. "Stay alert. Places like this are rarely as quiet as they seem."

As they approached the entrance to the ruins—a massive stone archway covered in moss and vines—Tang Xiu suddenly raised his hand, signaling them to stop.

"What is it?" Lei Xian asked, gripping his weapon tightly.

Tang Xiu knelt and brushed his fingers over the ground. His eyes narrowed. "Footprints. Fresh ones."

Xu Liang cursed under his breath. "Someone beat us here?"

"Or they're still inside," Old Hu said grimly.

Tang Xiu straightened, his expression calm but serious. "Let's proceed carefully. If they're friendly, we'll negotiate. If not…" His voice trailed off, but the meaning was clear.

The inside of the ruins was dark and cold, the air thick with the scent of damp stone. Their footsteps echoed eerily as they moved deeper into the labyrinth of corridors and chambers. Strange carvings adorned the walls, depicting scenes of battles and rituals from a long-forgotten era.

Tang Xiu paused in front of one carving, studying it closely. "This was once a powerful sect," he murmured. "But they fell due to internal betrayal. Typical."

Lei Xian shivered. "Creepy place. Feels like something's watching us."

Xu Liang stopped abruptly, holding up a hand. "Wait. Do you hear that?"

A faint sound echoed through the corridor—a mix of chanting and whispers. Tang Xiu's eyes narrowed. "We're not alone. Prepare yourselves."

As they entered a large chamber, they saw a group of robed figures gathered around an ancient altar. The air hummed with faint traces of energy, and on the altar lay a glowing crystal pulsing with light.

One of the robed figures turned, revealing a face painted with strange symbols. His sharp eyes locked onto Tang Xiu and his group.

"Who dares disturb our sacred ritual?" the man bellowed, his voice echoing in the vast chamber.

Tang Xiu stepped forward, his expression calm but commanding. "This ruin doesn't belong to you. What's more, you're tampering with something beyond your understanding."

The leader of the robed figures smirked. "Bold words for a group of intruders. Leave now, and I might spare your lives."

Lei Xian snorted, cracking his knuckles. "Spare us? Looks like you don't know who you're talking to."

Xu Liang rolled his eyes. "You always have to say something, don't you?"

Tang Xiu raised a hand to silence them. His sharp gaze focused on the crystal on the altar. "That's a Soul Nourishing Crystal," he said, his tone laced with recognition. "A rare treasure. No wonder you're performing such a crude ritual. You want to extract its energy for yourselves."

The leader's smirk faltered, replaced by a flicker of unease. "It doesn't matter what you know. You won't leave here alive!"

With a wave of his hand, the robed figures sprang into action. Dark energy swirled around them as they chanted in unison, creating shadowy forms that lunged toward Tang Xiu's group.

Tang Xiu reacted instantly, his body surging with golden energy. "Stand your ground!" he commanded, stepping forward to face the attackers.

Xu Liang moved with lightning speed, weaving through the shadows and striking at the robed figures with his daggers. His blades glinted in the dim light as he disabled two of them with precise cuts.

"Amateurs," he muttered under his breath.

Lei Xian charged into the fray like a battering ram, his fists smashing through the shadowy forms. "These things are weak!" he shouted, grinning. "Is this all they've got?"

Old Hu stayed back, guarding their rear and watching for any unexpected attacks.

The leader of the robed figures growled in frustration, his hands glowing with dark energy. "You think you can ruin everything? You'll regret underestimating us!"

He raised his hands, and the entire chamber began to shake. The carvings on the walls lit up, and the shadows grew thicker, forming a massive beast with glowing red eyes.

Tang Xiu's eyes narrowed. "A shadow construct. Impressive, but flawed."

The beast roared, charging at Tang Xiu with terrifying speed. He stood his ground, his golden energy flaring brighter. As the beast lunged, Tang Xiu struck out with his palm, meeting its attack head-on. The clash sent shockwaves through the chamber, but Tang Xiu remained unmoved.

With a sharp motion, he channeled a powerful technique, slicing through the beast with a wave of golden energy. The shadowy form dissipated into nothingness, and the chamber fell silent.

The leader of the robed figures stumbled back, his face pale. "Impossible… Who are you?"

Tang Xiu stepped closer, his cold gaze locking onto the man. "Someone you shouldn't have provoked."

The leader tried to retaliate, but Tang Xiu moved faster. In a single motion, he struck the man's chest, rendering him unconscious. The remaining robed figures fled in terror, their ritual abandoned.

As the group approached the altar, Lei Xian whistled. "That was intense. What's with this crystal?"

Tang Xiu studied the glowing crystal carefully. "The Soul Nourishing Crystal is a rare treasure. It can amplify spiritual energy and strengthen the soul. With this, I can accelerate my cultivation and teach all of you a better way to grow stronger."

Xu Liang eyed the crystal warily. "Will it attract more trouble?"

Tang Xiu smirked. "Probably. But trouble is inevitable. The stronger we become, the easier it will be to deal with it."

Old Hu nodded. "Then we take it. No point leaving something this valuable behind."

Tang Xiu carefully removed the crystal from the altar, its glow dimming slightly as he held it. "This is just the beginning. There are more treasures out there, and we'll find them."

As they left the ruins, the first rays of dawn lit the sky. Though the battle had been fierce, they had emerged victorious, one step closer to their ultimate goal.

Tang Xiu glanced at the crystal in his hand, a determined glint in his eyes. "The Shadow Sect, the martial clans, the entire world—they'll all know that Tang Xiu is not someone to be trifled with."