An Unexpected Battle

That night, the previously calm city seemed to change. As Xiao Shao and Mei Hua left the Black Shadows' base, a sense of tension rose in the air. Although they had managed to escape, the feeling of danger still lurked in every corner of the great city. The Black Shadows would not remain silent after this incident. In the battle that had just taken place, they knew that the organization would not give up so easily.

Xiao Shao looked at Mei Hua, who was walking beside him. Although her face looked calm, her sharp eyes showed worry. "They will come after us," Mei Hua said, her tone colder than usual. "We don't have much time."

Xiao Shao nodded, feeling the trembling rising within his body. "We have to get out of here and find a safe place. I know the Black Shadows will not give up easily, and they will definitely send more people after us."

Mei Hua looked at him intently. "You are right. But I cannot escape without finding my brother. I know he is still alive, and I will find him even if I have to face them."

Xiao Shao understood the determination behind Mei Hua's words. Even though they had just faced a dangerous battle, the sense of solidarity between them grew stronger. They were not only fighting for themselves, but also for something greater—a goal beyond mere survival.

---

A few days after the battle at the Dark Shadow base, Xiao Shao and Mei Hua finally arrived at a remote village far from the city. The place was located at the foot of a high mountain, far from the attention of the masses. They decided to rest in the village, hiding for a while and planning their next move. However, even though they felt relatively safe for the time being, a feeling of unease still haunted Xiao Shao.

That night, as the two of them sat around a campfire outside the house where they were staying, Xiao Shao decided to speak. "Mei Hua," he said in a calm voice, "what are you really looking for in this world? What makes you so persistent in searching for your sister?"

Mei Hua fell silent for a moment, her eyes staring at the blazing campfire, her face looking like she was remembering something far away. "I… don't know where to begin. My sister was everything to me. We grew up together, and we both knew what to do to survive. But then one day, she disappeared. I know she was involved with the Dark Shadow, but I don't know why she chose that path. I just want to know what happened to her, and if there's a way to get her out of there."

Xiao Shao listened intently, feeling closer to Mei Hua. Although he knew she had a very strong sense of purpose, Xiao Shao could sense that there was something deeper inside her—something very personal and perhaps very painful. "I understand," she said softly. "I will help you find your sister, Mei Hua. We will get through this together."

Mei Hua smiled, though there was sadness evident in her eyes. "Thank you, Xiao Shao. Without you, I don't know what would have happened. You've been a great help."

---

The next day, they decided to continue their journey. Their temporarily safe village was no longer a place they could stay in. They had to return to the big city and face greater challenges. However, this time, they both knew that they were not just fighting against the Black Shadow, but against a world filled with dark forces and untold mysteries.

Their journey brought them back to the city, but with more preparation. Xiao Shao trained himself harder, focusing on mastering a deeper cultivation technique. He wanted to make sure that he was ready for any dangers that might come their way. Meanwhile, Mei Hua continued to investigate information about her brother and the Black Shadow, trying to find any clues that could lead them closer to their goal.

One day, after several weeks of traveling, they came to a place that was very different from anything they had seen before. In an abandoned area on the outskirts of the city, they found an old building that appeared to be a storage place. Mei Hua paused for a moment, her eyes gleaming sharply. "This is the place I'm looking for," she said in a low voice.

Xiao Shao looked at the building carefully. "What's inside?"

Mei Hua nodded. "I'm sure this is where the Black Shadows hide information about the people they've captured. If I can get information about my brother here, this will be a big step."

The two of them entered the building carefully, observing their every move. Inside, it was dark and dusty. Items were scattered all around, some of them looking like they had not been used for a long time. However, at the back of the room, they found a large desk covered in tightly sealed documents.

Mei Hua quickly scanned through the documents, her eyes flashing as she found something important. "This is it! It's a clue to my brother!" she exclaimed in a trembling voice.

Xiao Shao approached, looking closely at what Mei Hua had found. "What is it?"

Mei Hua sighed, opening one of the documents carefully. "My brother—he's in a secret facility, deep in the northern mountains. The Black Shadow hid him there. I must go there and bring him out."

Xiao Shao looked at Mei Hua, a sense of anxiety welling up inside him. "This will be very dangerous. We must be prepared for whatever is in there."

Mei Hua nodded firmly, her eyes filled with determination. "I know. But I have no choice. I will bring him home."

Xiao Shao knew that this was a great test for both of them. They would not only fight the Dark Shadow, but also face a power greater than they had ever imagined. However, Xiao Shao felt that their journey was not over—in fact, this was just the beginning. If they could get through this, they would gain more than just power. They would find meaning in every step they took together.

Their adventure into the northern mountains began.