Chapter 37: A Storm Brewing

Tang Xiu's voice carried a weight of authority as he addressed the group. "The Shadow Sect will come for us. They'll want revenge for what happened at the ruins. We need to be ready when that happens."

Xu Liang leaned against the wall, spinning one of his daggers between his fingers. "Do we know how strong they are? It's better to strike first if they're a real threat."

Tang Xiu shook his head. "We don't know their full strength yet. But they won't send just anyone. They'll want to make an example of us. That's why we'll turn this into an opportunity."

Lei Xian tilted his head, frowning. "An opportunity? Boss, you have a scary way of seeing danger as a good thing."

Tang Xiu smiled faintly. "Every fight is an opportunity to grow. But we won't wait blindly. We'll force them to reveal their cards."

Old Hu crossed his arms. "How do you plan to do that? They're probably licking their wounds and regrouping right now."

Tang Xiu's gaze sharpened. "We'll bait them. The Shadow Sect thrives in the dark, but they can't resist when their interests are threatened. If we shake their foundation, they'll come crawling out of their hiding places."

That evening, Tang Xiu and the group began their reconnaissance in the city. The Shadow Sect wasn't just some random cult; they had ties to local gangs, businesses, and even martial arts clans.

Tang Xiu's plan was simple: disrupt their operations, make them angry, and force them to react.

The first target was a warehouse on the outskirts of the city. It was rumored to be a hub for smuggling rare artifacts and illegal weapons, many of which ended up in the hands of the Shadow Sect.

As the group approached the warehouse under the cover of night, Xu Liang scouted ahead. He returned moments later, his expression grim.

"Boss, it's guarded, but not heavily. Looks like they don't expect trouble."

Tang Xiu smirked. "Good. That'll make this easier."

The group moved quickly and quietly, disabling the guards at the entrance without raising an alarm. Inside, they found rows of crates filled with weapons, pills, and what appeared to be stolen artifacts.

Lei Xian whistled softly. "These guys were sitting on a goldmine."

Tang Xiu ignored the comment, his eyes scanning the room. "We're not here to steal. We're here to send a message."

With precise movements, they began destroying the contents of the warehouse. Crates were smashed, pills ground into powder, and weapons rendered useless.

Xu Liang worked quickly, his daggers slicing through anything in his path. "They'll feel this loss for sure," he muttered.

As they worked, Tang Xiu's attention was drawn to a small box tucked away in the corner. When he opened it, his eyes narrowed. Inside was a black jade pendant carved with strange symbols.

"This isn't ordinary," he murmured, picking it up.

Old Hu glanced over. "What is it?"

Tang Xiu studied the pendant closely. "It's a tracking device. They probably use it to monitor their shipments. We'll take it with us. It'll lead them straight to us."

Lei Xian blinked. "You want them to find us?"

Tang Xiu's smirk returned. "It's faster than hunting them down."

They left the warehouse in ruins, the pendant safely tucked away with Tang Xiu. By the time the Shadow Sect discovered the destruction, the group was long gone.

Back at their hideout, Tang Xiu examined the pendant further. His fingers traced the symbols as he activated a small surge of qi. The pendant began to glow faintly, emitting a pulse of energy.

Xu Liang watched from the side, his brow furrowed. "Are you sure this is safe, Boss? What if it leads them here too quickly?"

Tang Xiu's voice was calm. "Let them come. We've already taken the first step. Now it's their move."

The next day, news of the warehouse attack spread quickly among the city's underground circles. The Shadow Sect was furious, and their members scrambled to uncover who was responsible.

Meanwhile, Tang Xiu and his group prepared for the inevitable confrontation.

Lei Xian trained tirelessly, his punches splitting wooden targets in half. "I hope they bring their best," he said, grinning. "I'm ready for a real fight."

Xu Liang sharpened his daggers, his expression focused. "Let's hope you don't bite off more than you can chew."

Old Hu worked on reinforcing their hideout, setting up traps and barriers to slow down any attackers.

Tang Xiu, however, remained calm and focused on cultivating. With the Soul Nourishing Crystal, his strength had grown significantly, but he knew it wasn't enough. The Shadow Sect wouldn't be an easy opponent, and he needed to be ready for anything.

Late that night, Tang Xiu sat cross-legged in meditation, his senses heightened. The air around him felt different, charged with tension.

His eyes snapped open. "They're coming."

The rest of the group tensed, their hands moving to their weapons.

Lei Xian cracked his knuckles. "Finally."

Xu Liang adjusted his daggers. "Let's see if they're as tough as they think they are."

Tang Xiu stood, his gaze steady and unshakable. "Stay sharp. This is only the beginning."

As footsteps approached in the distance, the stage was set for the next battle in their journey.