As they followed Sect Leader Zhao through the winding paths of the Moonlit Sect, Liè Renwǒ couldn't shake off the feeling of exhaustion. The trials had taken a toll on his body, and he was eager to rest.
Zhao, noticing their fatigue, declared, "You two need rest. Your trials have earned you a well-deserved break."
He led them to a grand hall filled with young cultivators, each sporting their respective tier symbols. The room buzzed with chatter and laughter, and Liè Renwǒ's eyes widened as he took in the lively atmosphere.
Xiǎo Wēi nudged him, grinning. "Looks like we're in for some excitement."
Just then, two mischievous twins, Jiǎo Lóng and Jiǎo Hǔ, burst into the room. With crystal core refining tier auras radiating from them, they proudly proclaimed, "We're the leaders of this room! No one can rival our cultivation!"
Xiǎo Wēi's eyes narrowed, and he charged at the twins, shouting, "Who do you think you are?"
But before things escalated, Liè Renwǒ intervened, grasping Xiǎo Wēi's arm. "Relax, Xiao. We don't want to fight them... yet."
Jiǎo Lóng sneered, "You think you can take us down? We're the strongest in this room!"
As the tension simmered, Liè Renwǒ shot the twins a warning glance. "We'll see about that. For now, let's focus on rest."
With a huff, the twins jumped onto their beds, using their Crystal Clarity power to destroy the beds, leaving Liè Renwǒ and Xiǎo Wēi to sleep on the floor.
Xiǎo Wēi glared at the twins. "Those two are going to be trouble."
Liè Renwǒ smiled wryly. "We'll deal with them soon enough. For now, let's focus on our own cultivation."
As they settled in for the night, the room grew quiet, with the sound of gentle snores and the occasional rustle of clothes. Liè Renwǒ closed his eyes, his mind already racing with strategies to take down the troublesome twins.
He drifted off to sleep, his dreams filled with visions of intense battles and ancient secrets waiting to be uncovered.
As the sun rose over the Moonlit Sect, Liè Renwǒ and Xiǎo Wēi stirred from their makeshift beds on the floor. Their bodies ached from the previous day's trials, but they knew they couldn't afford to rest. They had to train.
The two friends made their way to the training grounds, determined to push their limits. As they practiced, a figure appeared in the sky, watching Liè Renwǒ with keen interest. It was Grand Master Ryūjin, a man with a reputation for being ruthless.
Ryūjin's eyes narrowed as he observed Liè Renwǒ's rapid progress. He knew that Liè Renwǒ's potential was a threat to his own power, and he couldn't let that stand. With a calculating smile, Ryūjin descended onto the training grounds, his presence commanding attention.
"Ah, Liè Renwǒ, Xiǎo Wēi! I see you're both dedicated to your training. I commend you," Ryūjin said, his voice dripping with insincerity.
Xiǎo Wēi eyed Ryūjin warily, but Liè Renwǒ seemed oblivious to the ground master's true intentions.
"Xiǎo Wēi, why don't you practice for a while? I'd like to have a word with Liè Renwǒ," Ryūjin said, his eyes glinting with malice.
Liè Renwǒ's eyes flickered with curiosity. "What's this about, Master Ryūjin?"
Ryūjin chuckled, his smile sending shivers down Xiǎo Wēi's spine. "Oh, just a little chat. Come, Liè Renwǒ."
Ryūjin led Liè Renwǒ to his abode, a lavish pavilion surrounded by intricate gardens. As they sat down, Ryūjin used his mental control powers to conjure a wine cup from thin air.
"Let's celebrate your progress, Liè Renwǒ! This wine is a rare vintage, one that will grant you immense satisfaction," Ryūjin said, his eyes glinting with deceit.
Liè Renwǒ's eyes widened as he took the cup. "Thank you, Master Ryūjin! This is incredible!"
Unbeknownst to Liè Renwǒ, Ryūjin had laced the wine with a poison that would slowly drain his soul energy. Ryūjin's plan was to weaken Liè Renwǒ, making him easier to control.
As they sipped their wine, Ryūjin engaged Liè Renwǒ in conversation, probing for weaknesses. Liè Renwǒ, oblivious to the danger, lied through his teeth, trying to conceal his true intentions.
After their discussion, Ryūjin allowed Liè Renwǒ to leave, but not before calling upon two Martial Soul Fusion opponents to attack Liè Renwǒ from behind.
As Liè Renwǒ walked away, he suddenly felt a searing pain in his head, and his vision began to blur. The poison was taking effect.
The two opponents, hiding in the shadows, pounced on Liè Renwǒ, their attacks swift and merciless. Liè Renwǒ tried to defend himself, but his powers were dwindling, and he stumbled, falling to the ground.
Just as all hope seemed lost, a figure emerged from the trees, a Saint Realm cultivator with unparalleled strength. He was none other than Master Tianyang, a mysterious figure who had been watching Liè Renwǒ from the shadows.
Tianyang's eyes flashed with anger as he took in Liè Renwǒ's battered form. With a swift motion, he dispatched the two opponents and scooped up Liè Renwǒ, carrying him to his abode on the outskirts of the Moonlit Forest.
As Liè Renwǒ lay unconscious, Tianyang began to treat his wounds, using his mastery of healing arts to purge the poison from Liè Renwǒ's system.
Xiǎo Wēi, meanwhile, was frantically searching for Liè Renwǒ, but to no avail. Little did he know that his friend was in the care of a mysterious master.
The two opponents, battered and bruised, returned to Ryūjin's pavilion, their tails between their legs.
"What happened?" Ryūjin asked, his voice laced with irritation.
"We were ambushed by a mysterious master," one of the opponents explained. "He used a Soul Fusion technique to take us down."
Ryūjin's eyes narrowed. "A Soul Fusion master, you say? I'll need to take care of this."
Meanwhile, Liè Renwǒ slowly regained consciousness, his mind foggy and his body aching. As he sat up, he took in his surroundings, confusion etched on his face.
Suddenly, he heard the sweet melody of a flute, and his eyes landed on a figure seated on a nearby rock. It was Master Tianyang, his eyes closed in concentration as he played the instrument.
Liè Renwǒ's curiosity got the better of him, and he tried to stand up, but his legs gave way beneath him. He tumbled to the ground, and Tianyang's eyes snapped open.
"Who are you?" Tianyang asked, his voice firm but gentle.
Liè Renwǒ struggled to his feet, his eyes fixed on Tianyang. "I... I'm Liè Renwǒ. What about you? Why were those two beating me up? And... and what's going on with my body?"
Tianyang's expression turned serious. "You've been poisoned, Liè Renwǒ. A rare and potent toxin, one that could have killed you if I hadn't intervened."
Liè Renwǒ's eyes widened in shock. "Poisoned? Who would do such a thing?"