Chapter 73: A Storm Brewing

The night was quiet as Tang Xiu and Lei Xian made their way through the dense forest surrounding the ruins. The air felt heavy, as if the battle earlier had left a mark on the very environment. Lei Xian trudged behind Tang Xiu, his body aching from exhaustion.

"Boss, can we take a break? I think my legs might give out any moment now," Lei Xian groaned, clutching his side.

Tang Xiu glanced back, his expression unreadable. "If you can't keep up, you'll only slow me down. Rest here, but don't cry if something eats you in the dark."

Lei Xian's eyes widened, and he immediately straightened, his exhaustion forgotten. "On second thought, I'll keep going. The forest is too creepy to stay in alone."

Tang Xiu shook his head, a faint smirk tugging at his lips. "Then stop whining. We're almost out of here."

The two continued in silence until they reached a clearing. The moonlight illuminated the area, and Tang Xiu stopped, his eyes scanning the surroundings.

"This place will do," he said, dropping to a seated position on the ground. "I need to examine the crystal properly before we move on."

Lei Xian sighed in relief and collapsed onto a nearby rock. "Finally. I thought you'd never stop."

Tang Xiu ignored him, pulling the glowing crystal from his robe. It shimmered in the moonlight, its energy pulsing faintly. Tang Xiu's gaze sharpened as he focused on it, his spiritual sense probing its depths.

The crystal resisted at first, its chaotic energy lashing out like a wild beast. Tang Xiu frowned, tightening his control. He could feel the immense power within it, but it was unstable, like a storm waiting to be unleashed.

"Boss, is it safe to mess with that thing out here?" Lei Xian asked, his voice tinged with concern.

Tang Xiu didn't look up. "Safe? Nothing about cultivation is safe. If you want safety, you're in the wrong world."

Lei Xian swallowed hard, deciding to keep quiet.

As Tang Xiu continued to probe the crystal, he began to notice something strange. Hidden deep within its chaotic energy was a faint thread of order, like a guiding light amidst the storm. He followed it, his spiritual sense carefully navigating the turbulence.

Suddenly, a sharp pain shot through his mind, and he grimaced. The crystal's energy surged, threatening to overwhelm him.

"Boss!" Lei Xian shouted, leaping to his feet.

Tang Xiu held up a hand, his expression calm despite the pain. "Don't interfere. I've got this."

He focused harder, pushing through the resistance. Slowly, the energy began to settle, bending to his will. The chaotic storm within the crystal grew quieter, its power condensing into a single, stable form.

When Tang Xiu finally opened his eyes, the crystal's glow had changed. It was no longer wild and untamed. Instead, it radiated a soft, steady light, like a beacon of hope.

"Did you… tame it?" Lei Xian asked, his voice filled with awe.

Tang Xiu nodded, a faint smile on his lips. "This crystal is more than just a source of power. It's a fragment of something much larger. If I can find the rest, I might uncover the truth behind this world's decline."

Lei Xian blinked. "The truth? You mean, why there's no spiritual energy anymore?"

"Exactly," Tang Xiu said. "Something happened to this world, something that drained its vitality. This crystal is a clue, and I intend to follow it."

Lei Xian scratched his head. "That sounds… complicated. Can't we just use the power to get stronger and leave it at that?"

Tang Xiu gave him a sharp look. "Short-sightedness like that is why so many cultivators fail. Power without understanding is nothing but a ticking time bomb. If you want to survive in this world, you need to think beyond immediate gains."

Lei Xian lowered his head, feeling chastised. "I get it, Boss. I'll try to do better."

Tang Xiu stood, tucking the crystal away. "Good. Now let's move. This clearing is too exposed. We need to find a safer place to rest."

The two continued their journey, the forest growing darker and more oppressive with every step. Tang Xiu's sharp senses picked up faint traces of movement in the shadows, but he didn't alert Lei Xian.

He knew they were being watched.

Finally, they reached the edge of the forest, emerging onto a dirt path that led to a small village in the distance. The faint glow of lanterns lit the way, and the sound of murmured voices carried on the wind.

"We'll stop there for the night," Tang Xiu said, his eyes scanning the horizon.

Lei Xian frowned. "A village? Do you think it's safe? What if those clan people are still looking for us?"

Tang Xiu smirked. "Let them look. If they come, they won't leave alive."

Lei Xian shivered at the cold confidence in Tang Xiu's voice. He was beginning to understand just how terrifying his boss truly was.

As they approached the village, Tang Xiu's sharp eyes caught something unusual. The villagers moved with an air of unease, their gazes darting around nervously.

"Something's not right," Tang Xiu muttered.

Lei Xian looked at him, confused. "What do you mean?"

Tang Xiu didn't answer. He could feel it—an undercurrent of fear, like a storm brewing just beneath the surface. Whatever was happening in this village, it wasn't normal.

And he was determined to find out why.