Reincarnation of the Celestial Bastard

Chapter 95: Echoes of Dark Ambition

After the battle in the warehouse, news of the thwarted rebellion spread across Yunhai, igniting a mixture of awe and fear among the nobles and common folk alike. The city felt tense but obedient, like a beast cowed but not yet broken. Li Tian knew this calm was temporary; the Cult was bound to retaliate, and he intended to be ready.

As Li Tian sat in his study, reviewing potential weaknesses in his family's defenses, he heard a faint knock on the door. Before he could respond, Liu Mei stepped inside, her gaze intense.

"We may have crushed their core support, but I think we both know this was only the beginning," she said, her tone resolute.

Li Tian nodded. "Exactly. The Cult is weakened, but they'll regroup. And next time, they'll be smarter."

Just as he spoke, the system chimed, breaking the silence with a sudden message.

[System Notification: New Quest]

Quest: Preemptive Strike

Objective: Infiltrate the Cult's primary hideout in the nearby Fang Gorge and uncover their plans.

Reward: Dark Gale Technique – A stealth-enhancing ability that increases speed and precision in close combat.

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Liu Mei's brows lifted as she read the message over his shoulder. "That's... convenient timing."

Li Tian smirked. "The system always seems to know exactly when I'm about to make a move." He stood, his posture sharpening with anticipation. "I'll take Zhou Ming. We'll scout the hideout and gather intel before they have a chance to regroup."

Hours later, Li Tian and Zhou Ming were on horseback, riding through the moonlit forest towards Fang Gorge. As they approached, the dense trees cast long shadows that concealed their path. The gorge was notorious, with towering stone walls that hid countless caves where the Cult was rumored to operate.

After a quiet descent into the gorge, they dismounted, keeping their presence cloaked. Li Tian activated Phantom Step, while Zhou Ming moved with practiced stealth at his side. The silence was broken only by the faint echoes of murmuring voices from within a nearby cave.

"This must be it," Zhou Ming whispered, gesturing to the cave's entrance.

Li Tian nodded, signaling him to follow. Together, they slipped inside, maneuvering through the narrow tunnel until they emerged into a spacious cavern. The cavern was dimly lit, with torchlight flickering against the walls, casting ominous shadows across the faces of Cult members gathered below.

At the center stood a cloaked figure, their voice low but commanding. "Our attempt at Yunhai may have been foiled, but this is not the end. We must strike again, and this time, we will bring the Li family to its knees."

Zhou Ming leaned closer to Li Tian. "That's their leader. If we eliminate him here, we could cripple their entire operation."

Li Tian considered it, his grip tightening around the hilt of his Shadow Blade. But he shook his head. "Not yet. We need information on their network. If we take down this cell too soon, the Cult will scatter, and we'll lose our only lead."

As the Cult leader continued to address the crowd, Li Tian's focus sharpened. He activated Eagle Eye, a technique that allowed him to observe subtle movements and expressions, helping him gauge weaknesses. Through this lens, he noticed something—a series of maps spread on a table near the leader, marked with potential points of interest in Yunhai.

Just then, a guard turned their way, and Zhou Ming ducked behind a stalagmite, keeping their cover. Li Tian's breath stilled, his focus unwavering. The guard seemed suspicious, scanning the shadows, but after a tense moment, they turned back, oblivious to the intruders.

Li Tian leaned close to Zhou Ming. "We need a copy of those maps. Can you distract them?"

Zhou Ming nodded. "Leave it to me."

Moving with swift precision, Zhou Ming stepped into the periphery of the cavern, creating a faint rustling sound that immediately drew the guard's attention. While the guard moved to investigate, Li Tian slipped toward the table, his movements seamless as he studied the maps. He memorized every detail—the marked safehouses, the hidden pathways, and a particularly concerning note about a planned attack on Yunhai in two days.

Once they returned to the entrance, Li Tian spoke in a low, fierce tone. "We need to get back to Yunhai immediately. If they launch this attack, our family's defenses won't be enough."

Zhou Ming nodded, matching his pace as they mounted their horses. "Do you think they have enough strength left after we thinned their ranks?"

"It won't be the same force, but it's likely they've recruited allies, and some of the nobles might still be sympathetic." Li Tian's expression darkened. "They're playing a longer game than I anticipated."

As they rode back to the estate, the reality of the threat loomed larger. He would have to act swiftly to bolster defenses, coordinate his allies, and ensure Yunhai was prepared for the Cult's retaliation. The path ahead was uncertain, but with each challenge, his resolve only grew stronger.

Back at the estate, he and Zhou Ming briefed Liu Mei and Li Xue, laying out the details of the Cult's plans.

Liu Mei crossed her arms, her gaze sharp. "So they've managed to regroup this quickly. If they have allies within the city, we'll need a strategy to isolate them."

Li Tian's voice was steady. "That's exactly what we'll do. I have a few ideas on how to break their momentum."

[System Notification: Task Complete – Preemptive Strike]

Reward Received: Dark Gale Technique – Increases speed and precision, with a brief enhancement in agility. Perfect for infiltration and rapid close combat.