"Shadows of Power."

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The sounds of the fight didn't last long.

Wei Yuan waited a good while, and only when the clamor outside completely subsided did he cautiously step back onto the street.

A crowd had already gathered, their gazes fixed on the scene with a mixture of morbid curiosity and apprehension.

The street was a grim tableau of the conflict, with the still forms of several bystanders tragically caught in the crossfire.

Jagged holes marred the facades of nearby buildings, evidence of the raw power unleashed.

At the very center of the ravaged area lay a man, utterly drenched in crimson.

His limbs were contorted at unnatural angles, and in places, the damage was so severe that bone gleamed through torn flesh.

He looked utterly destroyed. Wei Yuan approached cautiously, recognizing him as the combatant from moments ago.

Clearly, he was the loser. Yet, the victor was nowhere to be seen, having simply walked away after the brutal display.

More people continued to converge, maintaining a respectful distance and murmuring about the defeated figure on the ground.

Wei Yuan subtly edged closer, straining to catch their hushed words.

"Master Ye's disciple lost. Master Hong's disciple won."

Before long, two young men in white jackets sprinted towards the scene.

With practiced efficiency, they worked together to lift the injured man and carry him away.

As the spectacle concluded, the crowd gradually dispersed, returning to their daily routines.

The innocent lives lost in the mayhem, however, were simply an unfortunate consequence, it seemed. A few wailed over their dead—mothers clutching lifeless children, elderly parents mourning offspring who had preceded them in death.

Some onlookers offered fleeting expressions of sympathy, but the majority seemed indifferent, many still animatedly discussing the intensity of the fight.

What truly snagged Wei Yuan's attention was the complete absence of any official presence.

Despite the chaos and fatalities, no one in authority arrived to investigate.

Did this world operate without a government? What kind of structure could allow such blatant violence to go unchecked? Surely there had to be some form of governance.

These questions swirled in his mind.

But a more immediate concern tugged at Wei Yuan's thoughts.

The astonishing martial arts he had just witnessed were on an entirely different plane of existence.

Given that this was a world apparently plagued by man-eating Buddhas (a chilling thought that sent a shiver down his spine), mastering such formidable skills might be his only path to survival.

The idea took root, and his determination to find this Li Degui solidified.

Lost in this unfamiliar town, Wei Yuan knew he needed information.

He spotted a small food stall where an elderly couple was diligently serving porridge and steamed buns. Leading his mule by its reins, he approached the stall and settled at a vacant table.

The old man running the stall came over, his face etched with the lines of time.

Wei Yuan offered a few copper coins.

"One bowl of porridge, one basket of buns, please."

Soon after, the simple meal arrived.

As the old man turned to leave, Wei Yuan called out,

"Uncle, excuse me, could I ask you something?"

The stall owner paused, his gaze questioning.

Wei Yuan continued, "Is there someone named Li Degui in this town? I heard he's quite skilled in martial arts.

Have you heard of him?"

"Li Degui? Ah, you mean Master Li?" the owner chuckled, a warm sound.

"Who in Cai Xu Town hasn't heard of Master Li? He's famous!"

"Master Li?" Wei Yuan frowned slightly. "Are there many 'masters' in Cai Xu Town?"

The old man let out a hearty laugh. "Masters?

Not many, young man. Just four of them. Ye, Hong, Liu, and Li. They're like the four pillars of this town.

Only they have the standing to take on disciples and teach martial arts.

Why? You looking to become one of Master Li's students, perhaps?"

Wei Yuan laughed sheepishly, feeling a blush creep up his neck.

"So, who's considered the strongest among those four?" he asked.

"That's a difficult thing to say," the old man replied, stroking his chin thoughtfully.

"Anyone who's qualified to teach martial arts here isn't weak, that's for certain."

Wei Yuan nodded, accepting the non-answer. "Do you know where Master Li lives?"

The old man pointed southward. "Just follow this road all the way down, and you can't miss the Li residence.

It stands out from all the other buildings. You'll recognize it immediately."

Wei Yuan thanked him. Then, another question surfaced. He lowered his voice.

"By the way… is there any kind of temple in Cai Xu Town?"

The old man paused, a flicker of something unreadable in his eyes.

"There used to be a local Earth God temple, but… something happened, and it was torn down.

That was many years ago, though." Wei Yuan fell silent, his mind racing with these new pieces of information.

Once he had finished his meal, he rose, took the reins of his mule, and stepped back onto the bustling street.

As he navigated the throng, he noticed signs indicating different districts: Yongle Street, Anping Street, Changmen Street, and Hongyun Street.

The sheer size of the town became apparent; it easily housed tens of thousands of people.

Beyond the town's borders, he could see vast stretches of fertile land and seemingly endless acres of farmland, confirming its status as a significant agricultural center.

Wei Yuan couldn't help the first tendrils of a plan beginning to form in his mind.

"....."