Chapter 5 - The mysterious old man

"You flee quickly, but no matter where you run, there's no place for you!" Patriarch Zhao Wudi launched attack after attack, utilizing his extraordinary Nescent Soul Initial Stage power. A dark blue aura surrounded his body, unleashing a massive force that destroyed everything in its path. Each attack he launched was like a devastating storm that threatened Yuxian's life.

Yuxian, panting, tried to dodge, but his body grew weaker, and his energy began to dwindle. In desperation, he attempted to block one of Patriarch Zhao Wudi's attacks, but his body wavered, and he couldn't avoid the massive attack that came crashing down.

"This time, you won't escape!" Patriarch Zhao Wudi sneered, closing in.

However, just as the attack was about to hit Yuxian's body, a flash of white light appeared in front of him, halting the attack mid-air.

"Back off!" a authoritative voice commanded, startling Patriarch Zhao Wudi.

Unexpectedly, an elderly man dressed in white with an emblem on his chest appeared before Yuxian. With agility, the old man deflected Patriarch Zhao Wudi's attack using a shining white sword, and the energy emanating from the sword effortlessly stopped Patriarch Zhao Wudi's attack with extraordinary power.

"Who are you?!" Patriarch Zhao Wudi shouted, his eyes wide with surprise as he gazed at the elderly man who had suddenly appeared before him. "Why are you interfering with me?"

The elderly man, despite his advanced age, radiated an incredibly strong aura. His eyes were sharp, filled with authority and confidence. The sword he wielded shone brightly, and the energy emanating from it seemed to carry destruction. Each of the old man's movements appeared elegant and controlled, indicating that he was not an opponent to be underestimated.

"Are you not ashamed of your current realm, chasing after a young man?" the elderly man said with a deep, authoritative voice, directing his gaze sharply at Patriarch Zhao Wudi.

Patriarch Zhao Wudi glared at the elderly man with anger. "Who are you to speak to me like that?! I am the Patriarch of the Zhao family! No one can stand in my way!" his voice trembled with rage, but behind his words, he felt a hint of doubt. This old man was clearly not an ordinary opponent.

The elderly man remained calm, even smiling slightly. "Your realm is indeed high, but someone like you shouldn't be chasing after a young man who's fleeing for his life. Especially not just to satisfy your desires."

His gaze grew sharper, as if piercing directly into Patriarch Zhao Wudi's heart. The old man smiled thinly, his eyes cold and piercing.

"I'm only doing what's right. No matter how high your status, I won't let you do something dishonorable."

Zhao Wudi felt his anger surge, but he tried to restrain himself. His hand gripping the large sword tightened, his sharp eyes fixed on the elderly man.

"So, you're siding with a young man who doesn't even know what's happening in this world? Don't you feel ashamed?" Zhao Wudi asked with a hoarse voice, trying to hide the anxiety rising within him.

The elderly man remained calm, unaffected by the challenge. "I'm not siding with the young man, but I won't let someone with power as great as yours assert your honor just out of burning hatred. I'll stop you here, Zhao Wudi."

Their conversation grew increasingly tense, like two opposing forces clashing. Zhao Wudi desperately wanted to unleash his anger, but he knew the elderly man was not an opponent to be underestimated. Although he was in the Nescent Soul realm, the old man was clearly no ordinary person and possessed sufficient power to stop him.

"Don't try to stop me further," Zhao Wudi warned, the large sword in his hand shining sharply, ready to be unleashed.

"If you want to stop me, then prepare to experience my true power."

However, the old man did not move an inch. "I'm not interested in fighting you, but if that's what you wish…" With a swift motion of his hand, he summoned energy from the sky, as if it were merging with him, creating an immensely powerful and terrifying aura.

Suddenly, it was as if the world had changed. As the old man moved, Zhao Wudi felt his body surrounded by an overwhelming force, unable to move. Despite being at the Nascent Soul Initial Stage, the power of this old man far exceeded his expectations. The anger in his eyes was now replaced with astonishment.

"What is this?" Zhao Wudi growled softly, feeling the immense pressure constraining his entire body. He struggled to move his sword, attempting to resist the old man's power.

The old man smiled with confidence, yet his voice remained calm and low. "This is merely a warning. Leave now, or better yet, abandon this path forever."

For a moment, Zhao Wudi was at a loss for words, though his ego and rage demanded vengeance. Deep down, he knew that fighting this old man would be unwise.

With a deep breath, Zhao Wudi finally took a step back. He lowered his sword and cast one last gaze at the old man, his expression filled with lingering anger and confusion.

"This isn't over," Zhao Wudi said coldly before turning away and vanishing into the darkness of the night.

The old man did not chase him, merely standing still, watching Zhao Wudi's retreating figure. "If you do not learn from this warning, your journey will end sooner than you think."

As Zhao Wudi disappeared into the shadows, the old man remained motionless, his gaze solemn. The cold night wind brushed against his face, but he did not move, as if lost in his thoughts.

"I can only give a warning… the rest is up to them," the old man muttered softly before turning to look at Yuxian, who was still panting, exhausted yet standing tall despite his trembling body.

Yuxian, who had been silent the entire time, finally shifted his gaze toward the old man, his eyes filled with gratitude but also uncertainty. "Thank you… Without your help, I wouldn't have lasted much longer."

The old man gave a small nod, his demeanor as calm as ever. "Don't thank me yet. This was only the first warning. In this world, far greater dangers await, and the path you've chosen is not an easy one. Don't let your guard down too soon."

Yuxian took a deep breath, trying to gather his thoughts. The old man's warning echoed in his heart, resonating with a deep truth. Even though he had escaped this time, he knew the real battle had only just begun. Yet, the old man's words also brought another realization—how could he continue to survive in a world filled with such powerful forces? Was he truly strong enough to face everything ahead?

"What should I do next?" Yuxian asked in a quieter voice, as if seeking guidance from the old man who had saved him.

The old man studied him for a moment before speaking with a more serious tone. "You must first understand the power within you. You have gained much, but you have yet to truly master it. Do not let your emotions control your actions. Everything you do now, even the transformation you have undergone, will come with consequences. Think carefully about your next steps."

Yuxian nodded, though his heart was still clouded with uncertainty. He wanted to respond, but the weight of the old man's words pressed heavily upon him, like a burden he had to carry alone. Only now did he realize how little he truly understood about this world, and about true power.

"Go, young one. There is still time for you, but only if you can control yourself." The old man finally spoke again, gesturing for Yuxian to continue his journey.

With heavy steps, Yuxian nodded once more before walking away. He did not know what lay ahead, but one thing was certain—this journey was far from over, and what he had just experienced was merely the beginning of what was to come. Everything was still shrouded in uncertainty, but one undeniable truth remained: this world was full of battles, and he had to be ready.

The old man watched as Yuxian moved farther away and let out a long sigh. "Young one, you must be prepared for what lies ahead. Strength is not just about defeating your enemies, but also about controlling yourself."

With that, the old man turned and vanished into the shadows of the night, leaving Yuxian to ponder his words and the path he must now take.However, the old man did not move an inch. "I'm not interested in fighting you, but if that's what you wish…" With a swift motion of his hand, he summoned energy from the sky, as if it were merging with him, creating an immensely powerful and terrifying aura.

Suddenly, it was as if the world had changed. As the old man moved, Zhao Wudi felt his body surrounded by an overwhelming force, unable to move. Despite being at the Nascent Soul Initial Stage, the power of this old man far exceeded his expectations. The anger in his eyes was now replaced with astonishment.

"What is this?" Zhao Wudi growled softly, feeling the immense pressure constraining his entire body. He struggled to move his sword, attempting to resist the old man's power.

The old man smiled with confidence, yet his voice remained calm and low. "This is merely a warning. Leave now, or better yet, abandon this path forever."

For a moment, Zhao Wudi was at a loss for words, though his ego and rage demanded vengeance. Deep down, he knew that fighting this old man would be unwise.

With a deep breath, Zhao Wudi finally took a step back. He lowered his sword and cast one last gaze at the old man, his expression filled with lingering anger and confusion.

"This isn't over," Zhao Wudi said coldly before turning away and vanishing into the darkness of the night.

The old man did not chase him, merely standing still, watching Zhao Wudi's retreating figure. "If you do not learn from this warning, your journey will end sooner than you think."

As Zhao Wudi disappeared into the shadows, the old man remained motionless, his gaze solemn. The cold night wind brushed against his face, but he did not move, as if lost in his thoughts.

"I can only give a warning… the rest is up to them," the old man muttered softly before turning to look at Yuxian, who was still panting, exhausted yet standing tall despite his trembling body.

Yuxian, who had been silent the entire time, finally shifted his gaze toward the old man, his eyes filled with gratitude but also uncertainty. "Thank you… Without your help, I wouldn't have lasted much longer."

The old man gave a small nod, his demeanor as calm as ever. "Don't thank me yet. This was only the first warning. In this world, far greater dangers await, and the path you've chosen is not an easy one. Don't let your guard down too soon."

Yuxian took a deep breath, trying to gather his thoughts. The old man's warning echoed in his heart, resonating with a deep truth. Even though he had escaped this time, he knew the real battle had only just begun. Yet, the old man's words also brought another realization—how could he continue to survive in a world filled with such powerful forces? Was he truly strong enough to face everything ahead?

"What should I do next?" Yuxian asked in a quieter voice, as if seeking guidance from the old man who had saved him.

The old man studied him for a moment before speaking with a more serious tone. "You must first understand the power within you. You have gained much, but you have yet to truly master it. Do not let your emotions control your actions. Everything you do now, even the transformation you have undergone, will come with consequences. Think carefully about your next steps."

Yuxian nodded, though his heart was still clouded with uncertainty. He wanted to respond, but the weight of the old man's words pressed heavily upon him, like a burden he had to carry alone. Only now did he realize how little he truly understood about this world, and about true power.

"Go, young one. There is still time for you, but only if you can control yourself." The old man finally spoke again, gesturing for Yuxian to continue his journey.

With heavy steps, Yuxian nodded once more before walking away. He did not know what lay ahead, but one thing was certain—this journey was far from over, and what he had just experienced was merely the beginning of what was to come. Everything was still shrouded in uncertainty, but one undeniable truth remained: this world was full of battles, and he had to be ready.

The old man watched as Yuxian moved farther away and let out a long sigh. "Young one, you must be prepared for what lies ahead. Strength is not just about defeating your enemies, but also about controlling yourself."

With that, the old man turned and vanished into the shadows of the night, leaving Yuxian to ponder his words and the path he must now take.