Chapter 49: The Watchful Eyes

Jiang Cheng stood still, his instincts sharpening as he gazed toward the distant treetops. Someone was there—watching, waiting.

His fingers twitched over his sword hilt. The cultivators he had just defeated were nothing compared to this presence.

A gentle breeze rustled the leaves, but no sound came from the figure above. Whoever it was, they were skilled—far too skilled to be an ordinary spy or scout.

"You've been watching for long enough," Jiang Cheng said, his voice calm but edged with challenge. "Come out."

For a moment, there was silence. Then, with effortless grace, a figure stepped out from the shadows.

A man clad in flowing dark robes, his eyes sharp like a hawk's, landed softly on the ground. His aura was restrained, yet the sheer presence he emitted sent a tingle of warning down Jiang Cheng's spine.

This was no ordinary cultivator.

"Impressive," the man spoke, his voice smooth. "Very few could sense me."

Jiang Cheng's gaze remained steady. "And yet you didn't interfere. Watching me fight—what are you after?"

The man smirked. "Curiosity. You are not like the others. I wanted to see for myself whether the rumors were true."

"And?"

"They were wrong."

Jiang Cheng raised an eyebrow. "Oh?"

The man chuckled. "The rumors underestimated you."

Jiang Cheng's grip on his sword didn't loosen. "Enough talk. Who are you?"

The man studied him for a moment before speaking. "Ling Tian."

Jiang Cheng's eyes flashed. That name… one of the rising legends in the martial world. A rogue cultivator with no allegiance, known for walking his own path and defeating sect geniuses.

But what was he doing here?

"And why are you here, Ling Tian?" Jiang Cheng asked.

Ling Tian's smirk didn't fade. "To see if you're truly someone worth fighting."

Before Jiang Cheng could respond, Ling Tian moved.

Fast.

A silver streak—his sword was already slashing toward Jiang Cheng's throat.

Jiang Cheng's instincts roared. Cloudstep!

He pivoted, barely dodging the strike as Ling Tian's blade sliced through the air. A test.

Jiang Cheng countered immediately, unsheathing his sword in a single motion. Lightning Serpent Draw!

CLANG!

Sparks erupted as their blades clashed.

Ling Tian grinned. "Good reflexes."

He twisted his sword, forcing Jiang Cheng back a step.

Jiang Cheng smirked. "That all you got?"

SHING!

The battle began.

Both figures blurred as they exchanged rapid strikes, the wind howling from the force of their movements. Ling Tian's swordplay was refined, elegant—yet unpredictable.

But Jiang Cheng was unfazed.

With a sharp step, he closed the gap—Heaven Blitzing Step!

Ling Tian's eyes widened as Jiang Cheng's sword came inches from his chest. Barely dodging, he flipped backward, landing lightly on his feet.

"Hah!" Ling Tian laughed. "Not bad at all!"

Jiang Cheng exhaled, lowering his blade slightly. This wasn't a real fight.

Ling Tian's stance was relaxed. He wasn't fighting to kill—only to test.

Jiang Cheng scoffed. "Had enough?"

Ling Tian grinned. "For now."

He sheathed his sword and tilted his head. "Until we meet again, Jiang Cheng. And next time, I won't hold back."

With that, he vanished into the forest, leaving only a faint trace of his energy behind.

Jiang Cheng remained still for a moment before shaking his head.

"Another troublesome rival, huh?"

He smiled and turned away. There was no time to waste—greater challenges awaited.