Reincarnation of the Celestial Bastard

Chapter 83: Web of Shadows

Li Tian left the hidden gathering hall with a clear objective. The cult's activities ran deep in Yunhai, and their next target was the Awakening Ritual—something of great importance to them, from what he could gather. The dark energy he sensed had been concentrated, yet chaotic, hinting at something immense yet unstable. Whatever they were planning, it had to be stopped, and if it required multiple strongholds to perform, they likely didn't have much time before their next move.

As he walked through the quiet streets, the system chimed once again.

[Quest Update: Infiltrate Cult of Shadows' Strongholds]

[Objective: Disrupt the Awakening Ritual to prevent the cult's next major operation.]

[Reward: Divine Shadow Veil Technique - enhances stealth by masking the user's aura and presence even from higher-tier cultivators.]

Li Tian smirked. The Divine Shadow Veil was precisely the type of technique that would make his infiltration more effective, especially if he had to move through increasingly fortified locations. He could feel the system's intentions guiding him—granting tools that matched the escalating challenges. It was as if the system knew the balance of power here was about to shift dramatically.

But he would need allies, or at least information from trusted sources, to get an accurate understanding of where to strike next. With a new plan forming in his mind, he headed toward a well-known informant's tavern on the outskirts of the city, a place that boasted contacts far-reaching enough to know the cult's movements.

Upon arriving at the tavern, Li Tian slipped into a corner booth. Moments later, a wiry man with sharp eyes and a smirk approached him, looking him over as if assessing a valuable item.

"Fancy seeing you here, Li Tian," he greeted, his voice low and rough. "Word on the street is that Yunhai's been getting... lively lately. Are you here for business, or is this a social call?"

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Li Tian chuckled. "A bit of both, Jin. Let's say I'm in need of some information on certain... underground gatherings."

Jin leaned in, intrigued. "You're talking about the cult, aren't you? Dangerous business."

"I thrive on danger," Li Tian replied smoothly. "They're hosting a ritual soon—something called the Awakening. I need locations, movements, and whatever else you've got on their main figures."

Jin scratched his chin thoughtfully, his eyes narrowing. "That ritual is high-stakes for them, and you'd be crazy to go up against it. But I might have something for you. There's a stronghold northeast of here, disguised as an herbalist guild. It's small, but they use it to channel energy between sites. Destroy that, and you'll disrupt their network enough to delay the ritual."

Li Tian's interest piqued. "Perfect. Anything else?"

"A woman named Lady Yara runs it. She's powerful and loyal to the cult, but even the cultists fear her methods," Jin warned. "You're in for a fight."

Li Tian thanked Jin and slipped out into the night, his path set. His next destination: the herbalist guild northeast of the city.

When he arrived at the guild, Li Tian activated the Divine Shadow Veil, his presence melting into the shadows. The guild looked unassuming, a small building lit dimly by paper lanterns, a simple banner with herbal symbols fluttering by the door. But as he neared, he felt the faintest ripple of energy seeping out—darker, unnatural. The cult's influence was woven deep into this place.

Silently, he slipped past the guards stationed outside and into the guild, his aura concealed entirely. Inside, the building was far larger than it appeared, revealing corridors lined with scrolls, dried herbs, and strange symbols carved into the wood. The air was thick with energy, and Li Tian could sense it being channeled toward a specific room at the back.

He made his way down the dim hall, his footsteps soundless. Just as he reached the source of the energy, a door slid open, revealing a woman with an icy gaze and long, dark robes. Lady Yara stood before him, her aura sharp as a blade, seemingly unaffected by his stealth technique.

"So, the intruder finally arrives," she sneered, folding her arms. "You think you can walk into my guild and disrupt the Awakening? Foolish."

Li Tian didn't respond with words, instead drawing his sword. Lady Yara's eyes narrowed, and her aura flared, filling the room with pressure. Shadows leaped from the walls, swirling around her as she unleashed her technique.

They clashed, his blade meeting her shadows with a metallic clang, sparks flying as their energies collided. Lady Yara was relentless, her strikes swift and calculated. She moved as though born of the darkness, each attack aimed at critical points. But Li Tian was faster, dodging and countering with precision.

"You underestimate the strength of your own enemy," Li Tian said, his voice calm. "This place—your entire network—it's weak. I'll cut through it all."

With a final burst of speed, he broke through her defenses, his blade grazing her side. Lady Yara staggered, blood staining her robes, but she managed a cold smile.

"Enjoy your small victory," she hissed. "The Awakening cannot be stopped, not by you or anyone else."

Li Tian didn't waste any more time. With a swift, final strike, he ended her life and set to work dismantling the guild's core. Energy conduits were embedded in the walls, each one glowing faintly. He poured his own energy into them, destabilizing the network and causing the dark energy to dissipate.

Moments later, the building trembled as energy released in a burst of light, signaling the cult's link here had been severed.

[System Alert: Stronghold Destroyed. Ritual Delayed by 48 hours.]

[Reward Unlocked: Moonlit Storm Technique - harnesses moon energy for a powerful attack.]

The system's words filled him with satisfaction, but the time constraint was clear. He had gained a small victory, but the cult was still active, their plans barely hindered. Each move he made had to be calculated and decisive, or the cult would resume its operations soon enough.

Back in the city, Li Tian retired to a secluded inn to practice the Moonlit Storm Technique. Under the moonlight streaming through the window, he felt his energy attune to the silvery glow. As he practiced, he realized the technique drew on the moon's cycles, its power peaking under the full moon.

He smirked, the new ability adding a layer of depth to his growing arsenal. He knew the cult was likely regrouping, even more determined to protect their ritual. But he had momentum on his side, and with each strike, he was one step closer to exposing and obliterating them.

With the cult on high alert, he was in for a ruthless chase. But that suited him perfectly.