Reincarnation of the Celestial Bastard

Chapter 69: Shadow Walk

The dawn light streamed through the windows, casting a warm glow over the room. Li Tian stirred, blinking awake as the events of the previous night flooded his mind. Liu Mei lay peacefully beside him, her soft breathing the only sound breaking the morning's silence. He couldn't help but feel a sense of satisfaction—not just from the intimacy they shared but from the connection that had deepened between them.

Li Tian carefully slipped out of bed, not wanting to disturb her. As he dressed and fastened his robes, the system's familiar tone chimed in his mind.

[System Message: Task Completed.]

[Reward: Shadow Walk Technique.]

[You have learned Shadow Walk: A technique that allows the user to blend into the shadows and move undetected, perfect for reconnaissance and stealth-based attacks.]

Li Tian smirked, satisfied with the new technique. This would prove useful in the future, especially considering the strange presence he had sensed near the estate the night before. He had a feeling that danger was still lurking, and he needed to be prepared.

After a quick glance back at Liu Mei, who still slept soundly, he left the room. The estate was already buzzing with activity as servants went about their tasks and his family members prepared for the day ahead. As he walked through the halls, his thoughts turned to the recent events. The shadow beast, the system's quest, and now the Shadow Walk technique—it was all connected, but he couldn't quite piece together how.

Just as he was lost in thought, he heard footsteps approaching quickly. Turning around, he saw his younger sister, Li Xue, hurrying toward him. Her eyes were wide, and there was a sense of urgency in her expression.

"Brother Tian!" she called out, her voice laced with concern. "Father wants to see you. Something important has come up."

Li Tian frowned slightly, but nodded. "Alright. Do you know what this is about?"

Li Xue shook her head. "I don't know the details, but Father seemed... troubled."

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That piqued his interest. His father, Li Feng, was not a man easily shaken. If something had disturbed him, it was worth investigating. Li Tian gestured for Li Xue to lead the way, and together they made their way toward the main hall.

When they arrived, Li Feng was standing near the large table in the center of the room, his hands clasped behind his back as he stared out of the window. His posture was rigid, a sign that something was indeed bothering him. Several elders of the family were also present, all of them looking grave.

Li Tian's entrance drew their attention. His father turned around, his sharp eyes locking onto his son.

"Tian," Li Feng began, his voice measured but carrying a heavy weight. "We have received word from our scouts. There's been movement from a rogue faction near the borders of our territory."

Li Tian's brow furrowed. "Rogue faction? Are they a threat?"

"Potentially," one of the elders interjected. "They've been spotted in areas close to the shadow beast you encountered. We believe they may be connected."

The mention of the shadow beast made Li Tian's mind race. The system's task had mentioned a shadowy presence near the estate, and now this rogue faction had been detected near the same area. There had to be a link between them.

Li Feng's voice interrupted his thoughts. "I've already sent some of our best warriors to investigate, but we may need more reinforcements if the situation escalates. Tian, I want you to prepare."

Li Tian nodded, his mind already working through the possibilities. "I'll head out immediately and scout the area myself. With my new technique, I can move undetected."

Li Feng raised an eyebrow. "A new technique?"

Li Tian smirked. "I've been keeping busy."

His father gave a slight nod of approval. "Good. Be cautious, and don't take unnecessary risks. We can't afford to lose you now, especially with everything at stake."

"I understand," Li Tian replied, his voice calm but determined.

As the elders and his father continued discussing strategy, Li Tian turned to leave. He had already made up his mind—he would get to the bottom of this rogue faction and their connection to the shadow beast. Whatever threat they posed, he would neutralize it before it could cause harm to his family.

Later that afternoon, Li Tian stood at the edge of the estate, his senses on high alert as he prepared to use the Shadow Walk technique for the first time. He focused his energy, channeling it into his body as he activated the technique. The world around him shifted, and within moments, he felt himself blending into the shadows, becoming one with the darkness.

It was a strange feeling—moving unseen, unnoticed by the world around him. But it was exhilarating too. With the technique active, he began his journey toward the area where the rogue faction had been spotted.

The forest was eerily quiet as Li Tian moved through the trees, his footsteps silent. He kept his presence hidden, his body slipping between the shadows with ease. As he approached the area in question, he could feel the energy in the air shift—there was something dark and foreboding here.

Ahead, he saw a small group of people gathered near a clearing. Their robes were black, and their faces hidden beneath hoods. They moved with purpose, speaking in low voices, though Li Tian couldn't make out what they were saying.

He crouched low, using the shadows to his advantage as he observed them. There was something unsettling about the way they carried themselves, as if they were waiting for something—or someone. Li Tian's eyes narrowed as he focused on their leader, a tall figure who seemed to radiate a dark energy.

Before he could move any closer, the system chimed again.

[System Message: Bonus Objective Detected.]

[New Quest: Defeat the rogue faction's leader.]

[Reward: Dark Flame Palm Technique.]

Li Tian smirked. A new technique was always a tempting reward, but he wasn't about to rush in recklessly. He needed to gather more information first.

As he continued to observe the group, one of the members suddenly looked in his direction, their eyes scanning the area as if sensing something was off. Li Tian tensed, but remained perfectly still, his presence masked by the shadows.

After a few tense moments, the figure turned away, seemingly convinced that nothing was there. Li Tian let out a quiet breath, relieved that his technique had held up. But it was clear—these people were dangerous, and he would need to be careful.

He stayed in the shadows, watching and waiting, determined to strike at the perfect moment. The storm was approaching, and Li Tian was ready to face it head-on.