Reincarnation of the Celestial Bastard

Chapter 90: Shadows in the Night

Tension gripped Yunhai City like an invisible shroud, with power shifting beneath the surface in ways only a few could sense. Li Tian moved through the city with heightened awareness, each encounter with the Cult members confirming his suspicion that a greater battle lay ahead. His confrontation with Jiang Min had barely scratched the surface of their influence, and he knew the Cult's roots in Yunhai ran deeper than anyone suspected.

On the streets, whispers of his recent actions spread, his name passing from merchant to customer, performer to audience, child to parent. People speculated on his next move, but Li Tian maintained his usual calm demeanor, moving among them with Liu Mei by his side. Though silent, they shared the understanding that every step forward was one closer to the coming storm.

"Every ally, every friend—if we're to survive this, we'll need everyone prepared for what's coming," he murmured, his gaze fixed on the far horizon.

Liu Mei gave a slight nod. "The Cult won't let you disrupt their plans unchallenged. They may even send stronger forces."

A grin played at his lips, dark and certain. "Let them come. I'm ready."

Later that evening, as Li Tian sat alone in meditation, focusing on refining his energy, a familiar chime echoed through his mind.

[System Notification: New Quest Activated.]

[Quest: Unearth the Sleeper Agents – Discover the Cult members hidden within Yunhai City's powerful families. Several have been compromised. Weakening their foothold here will disrupt their plans.]

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[Reward: Dragon Shadow Step – A movement technique allowing the user to vanish from sight, leaving an afterimage that moves independently for a few seconds.]

His eyes gleamed with interest. The quest was unexpected yet timely, and knowing that the Cult had agents among the city's families would make his task both complicated and dangerous. But the Dragon Shadow Step was precisely the type of technique he needed—perfect for dealing with stealthy operations like these.

Without hesitation, he began mapping out his next steps, marking which families held the most influence and had displayed unusual behavior lately. The first targets would be two powerful families rumored to have ties to the Cult: the Wen and Zhou families. Each had wielded power in Yunhai for decades and had the resources to move the city's tides if they chose.

Over the following days, Li Tian worked quietly, observing every detail. Disguised as a simple commoner, he drifted through the city's alleys, listening to rumors and paying close attention to the Wen family's actions. It didn't take long to spot subtle signs: nervous glances between family members, private meetings under cover of darkness, and guards whose vigilance was atypical of simple household staff.

One night, he circled the outer walls of the Wen estate, slipping through shadows until he reached a concealed side entrance where a thin stream of light filtered from within. A lone figure stood just inside, whispering into a communication device.

"Phase two is beginning. All members should prepare for the full moon," the voice said, low but tense.

Li Tian's eyes narrowed, committing every word to memory. This was more than a simple Cult faction—they were organized, moving with a purpose he hadn't fully anticipated. The stakes had just risen.

The Zhou family estate was next. He entered under the guise of a scholarly guest at a formal gathering. Amid the party's opulence, he quietly observed Mr. Zhou, a man who projected an unnerving charisma beneath his courteous demeanor. Their eyes met briefly, and Li Tian caught a flicker of recognition in the man's gaze.

When he later excused himself, Mr. Zhou approached him, his voice a low murmur. "I know why you're here, young Li. You think you can outmaneuver us, uncover our secrets. But our reach is far beyond anything you can imagine."

Li Tian held his gaze steady, matching the man's calm tone. "Then prepare yourself, Mr. Zhou, because I will tear down every root you've planted in this city."

A sinister smile touched the elder Zhou's face, his eyes appraising Li Tian with newfound interest. "Challenge accepted," he replied, slipping back into the crowd, leaving Li Tian with the confirmation he'd needed.

As he left the Zhou estate, a system notification chimed once more.

[System Update: New Threat Detected – The Cult has issued a bounty on your head. All agents within Yunhai and nearby regions have been alerted.]

[Reward for Survival: Phantom Mirage Technique – a skill allowing the user to split into three indistinguishable clones for short periods.]

Li Tian chuckled, the threat not fazing him. "So they've declared open war."

Determined, he returned to his quarters and entered deep meditation, honing his strength. Liu Mei entered the room quietly, her face clouded with concern.

"They've put a bounty on you," she said softly, her voice heavy with worry.

"Good," he replied, his tone unshaken. "Let them come. I'm tired of hiding."

In the days that followed, he and Liu Mei fortified their base, gathering their allies and preparing defenses. He trained relentlessly, mastering the Dragon Shadow Step until his movements became so swift and silent that even Liu Mei found it difficult to keep track of him.

Word of his resistance spread through the city, stoking the Cult's anger. Each time they set a trap, he outmaneuvered them, appearing like a ghost and striking with precision before vanishing again. His new abilities allowed him to turn the tables on them, moving swiftly and unpredictably, evading their grasp as rumors of his prowess rippled through the Cult's ranks.

As the full moon approached, it became clear that this was only the beginning. Standing on the city's walls under the pale moonlight, Li Tian knew he was ready for whatever awaited him. This was his city to protect, and he would see every last agent purged from Yunhai, no matter the cost.