Chapter 45: Lord Voss Downfall

Xavier and Raiden swiftly eliminated the remaining six guards with quiet precision. Once the camp was clear, Xavier turned to Raiden.

"You've done well," Xavier said with a nod. "Now, stay hidden among the trees. You've proven yourself. But the real challenge might be inside."

Raiden gave a small grin, his pride evident, and melted into the shadows, his figure disappearing among the thick trees as Xavier moved further into the camp.

Xavier's sharp gaze scanned the area as he entered the heart of the hideout. His Dragon Eye flared to life, cutting through the darkness and revealing the true nature of the encampment. Unlike the common soldiers, there were signs of more valuable resources and hidden areas—places that only the highest-ranking members of the Crimson Cult would know about.

Xavier moved swiftly, gathering anything that could be of use to the Soul Clan. His Dragon Eye picked up the faint glimmer of storage rings on the fallen guards, and he moved quickly to collect them, making sure to not miss a single one. Each ring was meticulously placed in his storage, ensuring none of the Crimson Cult's valuable assets went unnoticed.

As Xavier continued his search, he came upon a bunker, half-hidden beneath the ground. The door was heavy, reinforced with layers of metal. But with the strength he had gained from his recent breakthroughs, opening it was no challenge. The moment he stepped inside, the room revealed a treasure chest buried beneath the dirt and debris.

Xavier's heart quickened as he approached it, his instincts telling him that this was a key prize in the mission. He opened the chest to find an impressive stash of resources: 100 Earth-grade pills and 10 million silver coins. The sheer wealth was staggering, enough to push his clan into a much stronger position.

Quickly, Xavier placed the items into his storage rings, making sure to secure everything before leaving the bunker. As he made his way back toward Raiden's position, he felt the weight of the resources in his rings and knew that this was only the beginning of the true power he was about to wield.

Xavier turned to Raiden, signaling for him to move out. The mission had been successful, but they still had to leave without drawing attention. As the two made their way back through the forest, Xavier reflected on the success of their first mission. The Crimson Cult hideout was only one of many challenges they would face, but tonight, the Soul Clan had gained a significant boost.

Xavier's senses tingled, an all-too-familiar aura hanging heavily in the air. His mind immediately focused, narrowing in on the unmistakable presence. Could it be?

He turned to Raiden, his voice low but steady. "This person, you'll watch me slay along with his companions. Know this—I've struggled against him before, but tonight, the outcome will be different. I want you to stay in the trees and observe. Strength alone doesn't win battles—strategy does."

Raiden nodded, understanding the importance of the lesson Xavier was about to impart. He blended into the shadows, hiding as Xavier called out with a clear voice. "Voss! Show yourself!"

The stillness of the night was shattered as Lord Voss and four other warriors—each at the 7th Earth grade—emerged from the darkness, their auras sharp and menacing. Lord Voss's eyes glinted with a cruel confidence. "This time, Xavier, you won't escape as easily. We have you outnumbered."

Xavier's expression remained calm, a stark contrast to the reckless energy Voss and his companions exuded. "It's not the number of enemies, but how well you handle them," he said, his voice barely a whisper, yet filled with unshakable confidence.

Without hesitation, the five warriors attacked, their movements swift and coordinated. But Xavier, ever composed, moved like water—dodging, countering, and cutting down one opponent after another with precise, calculated strikes.

Raiden watched from his hidden vantage point, marveling at Xavier's fluidity and control. Each move was a lesson in how to break through an opponent's offense with minimal exertion. He could see how Xavier's strategy, honed through countless battles, was the key to overpowering those stronger in raw strength.

Xavier deflected a strike aimed at his side and swept the legs of one of the attackers, taking him down in a single motion. The next one came charging at him, but Xavier sidestepped, using the opponent's momentum to throw him into the path of the others. With brutal efficiency, he incapacitated the remaining two, each attack sharp and calculated.

Finally, it was just Xavier and Lord Voss, standing face to face. Voss sneered, his eyes filled with rage. "You think you can beat me like this?" he spat, drawing a wicked-looking blade from his side.

Xavier's expression remained unchanged. "I don't need to beat you with strength. I just need to ensure you're never a threat again."

Before Voss could even react, Xavier surged forward with terrifying speed. In one clean motion, he sliced through Voss's neck, severing his head from his body. Voss's lifeless form crumpled to the ground, his eyes wide with the shock of his sudden defeat.

The remaining four warriors, now leaderless, hesitated. They could feel the overwhelming difference in power. But before they could make a move, Xavier's voice rang out, calm yet authoritative.

"You are free to leave if you value your lives," he said, his gaze sharp and unwavering.

One by one, the remaining warriors retreated into the shadows, their bravado gone. They had learned a valuable lesson tonight.

Xavier turned to Raiden, who had witnessed the entire exchange. "This is the difference between strength and strategy. 

Xavier sat down briefly, going through the twelve storage rings he had collected during his time in the Crimson Shadow Cult hideout. He carefully examined each one, making a list of the spoils he had obtained:

List of Items Collected from Storage Rings:

1. Earth Grade Pills (Total: 130)

2. Silver Coins (Total: 12,000,000)

3. Spirit Crystals (Total: 15)

4. Mystic Weapons (1x Dual Sword, 1x Warhammer, 1x Spear, 1x Longbow)

5. Cultivation Manuals (1x "Crimson Flame Technique," 1x "Bloodlust Blade Method," 1x "Shadow Step")

6. Dark Armor Pieces (2x Light Armor Set, 1x Heavy Plate Set)

7. Rare Materials (2x Fire-Infused Steel, 1x Ice Crystal, 3x Dragon Bone Fragments)

8. Demonic Artifacts (1x "Dagger of Eternity," 1x "Cloak of the Shadow King")

9. Dark Elixirs (5x "Crimson Fury Elixir," 3x "Reaper's Soul Essence")

10. Scrolls of Summoning (2x Lesser Demon, 1x Dark Beast)

11. Cultist Documents (2x Detailed Cult Plans, 1x Map of Sacred Sites)

12. Specialized Training Tools (1x Martial Arts Dummy, 1x Combat Simulation Crystal) 

After reviewing everything, Xavier felt satisfied with the haul. The riches, resources, and powerful artifacts would give the Soul Clan a considerable edge. His Dragon Eye was satisfied with his strategic acquisition—every item would serve to strengthen his position.

He turned to Raiden, who had been silently following, learning from Xavier's movements and his approach. "What have you learned today, Raiden?" Xavier asked as he began walking back toward the academy, his steps steady and purposeful.

Raiden thought for a moment, then responded with a hint of respect in his voice, "I've learned that strength isn't just in power, but in knowing when and how to act. You showed me how to strike at the right moment, control the battle, and when to withdraw. The ability to outthink an opponent and stay calm, even in overwhelming situations—that's true mastery."

Xavier nodded, pleased with the answer. "Good. Strength will only get you so far. But knowledge, strategy, and patience—that's what truly makes a warrior unstoppable. Remember this, Raiden. The future of the Soul Clan depends not only on your physical strength, but on your ability to lead with wisdom."

The two continued walking, the weight of the journey ahead settling on their shoulders. Xavier felt more confident than ever, knowing his clan was growing stronger, both in numbers and in spirit.