Two Days Later - Longshen City
The sun dipped beneath the horizon, casting a golden hue across Longshen City as James stood alone in the training grounds, his fists clenched in quiet triumph. After days of relentless training, he had successfully stepped into the first stage of Qi Refinement (Mortal Stage). Though he remained uncertain of what lay beyond the ninth stage, this breakthrough filled him with pride. Staring at his hand, he felt the pulse of Qi coursing through his veins his first real step toward strength in this world.
Satisfied with his progress, James decided to retire for the night. However, as he walked toward his room, an unsettling sensation pricked at his senses. He was being followed.
Rather than heading directly to his quarters, he subtly altered his path, veering towards the dense forest bordering the training grounds. His pursuers followed, their movements careful but not imperceptible. When James finally stopped, so did they. A murmur passed between them, their voices suppressed through Qi techniques.
A tense silence stretched between them before his pursuers revealed themselves. Cloaked in black, their faces obscured by masks, they radiated a chilling killing intent.
"You have a bounty on your head," one of them said, his voice devoid of emotion.
James narrowed his eyes. "Who sent you?"
"Dead men don't need to know." The assassin lunged, dagger gleaming in the dim light.
Without hesitation, the assassin lunged, dagger gleaming in the dim light. James dodged swiftly, twisting his body to the side as the blade sliced through empty air. His attacker stumbled slightly, but before he could recover, James struck with a precise kick to the ribs, sending him crashing into a tree.
The second assassin moved in, slashing downward with a curved blade. James parried the attack with his forearm, his Qi reinforcing his bones just enough to withstand the impact. Seizing the moment, he twisted the assassin's wrist, forcing the weapon free, and drove his knee into the man's stomach. As the attacker gasped for air, James grabbed the fallen dagger and plunged it into his throat. A gurgled cry escaped before he collapsed.
The final assassin hesitated, realizing the battle was not as simple as expected. He attempted to retreat, but James was already moving. With a burst of speed, he closed the gap and delivered a crushing elbow to the assassin's chest, knocking the air from his lungs. As the man staggered back, James grabbed him by the head and twisted sharply. A sickening snap echoed through the silent forest.
Minutes later, the dust settled. His enemies lay motionless at his feet, their masks removed, revealing unfamiliar faces. These men were not from the Li family. Then who sent them? And why?
James wiped the blood from his hands, his expression unreadable. This was his first kill, yet the weight of it did not shake him as much as he expected. Was he already adapting to this world's ruthless nature? Silently, he vanished into the night, returning to his room before any unwanted attention could be drawn to the scene.
As he lay on his bed, staring at the ceiling, thoughts swirled in his mind. Someone wanted him dead. But who? The Li family? Or someone else entirely? Sleep eventually claimed him, though his mind remained restless.
Li Forest
Not long after James left, four figures emerged from the shadows, arriving at the site of the battle. They surveyed the aftermath as three bodies, masks removed, weapons still clutched in stiffening hands.
"What happened here?" one of them muttered, his eyes scanning the scene.
Another figure stepped forward, kneeling beside a corpse. He examined the wounds with a deep frown. "These men were at the third stage of Qi Refinement... yet they were killed by someone at the first stage."
A heavy silence settled over the group.
"Impossible." One of them scoffed, folding his arms. "A first-stage cultivator taking down three third-stage fighters? No ordinary person could pull that off."
"Then who in our clan possesses such skill?" another asked, his tone wary.
The man inspecting the bodies slowly stood up, dusting off his hands. "There's only one possibility."
The others exchanged glances before one of them spoke with certainty. "It must be Young Master Li Shi."
They nodded in agreement. "No one else could have done this." someone said.
Without another word, they moved swiftly, burying the bodies and erasing any traces of the battle. As far as the world was concerned, this skirmish never happened. Once their task was complete, they disappeared into the night, heading to report their findings to their superiors. If James still here and heard what they said he would have died from laughter.
The Arrival of the Ying Sect Seniors
At sunrise, Longshen City was abuzz with excitement. The esteemed seniors of the Ying Sect had arrived, their presence sending ripples through the city. Every young cultivator dreamed of being chosen, and gaining the opportunity to join the sect and ascend to greatness.
James, however, remained indifferent, he had far more pressing concerns than impressing Ying sect seniors. Yet fate had a way of intertwining paths. Whether he sought it or not, the Ying Sect would soon take notice of him and when they did, his journey would take a turn he never expected as he headed to the City square where the Sect battle for selection competition will take place.