Chapter 35 - Midnight Secrets and Dangerous Games
Midnight approached, and Wang Li found himself standing outside the sect's boundary, staring at the abandoned temple in the distance. The ruins were ancient, overgrown with vines, and partially collapsed from centuries of neglect.
A perfect place for an ambush.
Wang Li tightened his grip on Shadowfang, the black dagger humming softly in his palm. He had no idea who sent the invitation, but one thing was certain—this wasn't a social call.
"I must be insane for coming here alone."
But deep down, he knew he had no choice. If he wanted answers, if he wanted to get ahead in this chaotic world, he needed to take risks.
Taking a deep breath, he stepped forward.
The Mysterious Stranger
The moment Wang Li crossed the temple's threshold, a chilling gust of wind swept through the ruins. The torches flickered, casting eerie shadows against the broken walls.
Then, a voice. Low, calm, and knowing.
"You came."
Wang Li turned sharply. A figure cloaked in deep crimson sat on one of the broken altar stones, legs crossed, their face hidden beneath a hood.
The same person from before.
"Of course I did," Wang Li said. "I'm not one to ignore cryptic invitations in the middle of the night. That would be rude."
The hooded figure chuckled. "Still sarcastic. Good. You'll need that when facing the Crimson Pact."
Wang Li narrowed his eyes. "What do you know about them?"
"More than you," the stranger said. "And you should be careful. The Pact doesn't make offers lightly. If they want you, it's not because they see you as an ally—it's because they see you as a tool."
Wang Li folded his arms. "Then why did you warn me? What do you want?"
The stranger finally lifted their head slightly, revealing a glimpse of a sharp jawline and piercing silver eyes.
"I want to see if you're worthy."
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Before Wang Li could react, the figure moved like lightning—a blur of crimson, faster than his eyes could track.
A dagger was suddenly at his throat.
Trial by Fire
Wang Li's instincts screamed, and he barely twisted away before the blade could slice his skin. He flipped backward, summoning his spiritual energy, but the stranger was already upon him.
Blades clashed. Sparks flew. The air pulsed with spiritual force as Wang Li fought with everything he had.
But his opponent was on a different level.
Every strike was precise, deadly, efficient. Their movements were refined, practiced—this was no ordinary assassin.
"Too slow," the stranger whispered as they slipped behind him, aiming for his back.
Wang Li gritted his teeth. Damn it. They were toying with him.
Fine. If skill alone wouldn't win, then he'd have to fight dirty.
He suddenly threw a handful of dirt into the stranger's face.
It barely slowed them, but it gave him one second—and that was enough.
Wang Li twisted, slamming his fist into their stomach. The impact sent the stranger skidding back, their cloak fluttering in the wind.
They coughed once, then... laughed.
"Interesting," they murmured. "I expected you to be weaker."
Wang Li straightened, panting slightly. "And I expected you to fight fair. Guess we were both wrong."
The stranger grinned beneath their hood. "Good. You're not stupid. That means you might survive."
An Offer of Power
The stranger lowered their blade and reached into their robes. They pulled out a small jade token, engraved with a strange sigil.
"Take this."
Wang Li hesitated. "What is it?"
"Proof of passage," the stranger said. "There are people beyond the sect—beyond this kingdom—who would see your potential realized. If you ever tire of playing the sect's games, come find us."
The implication was clear.
This wasn't just a warning about the Crimson Pact.
This was an invitation to something bigger.
Wang Li took the token, its cool surface pressing against his palm. He didn't know if he would accept the offer, but one thing was certain—his path was no longer as simple as it once was.
And then, in the blink of an eye, the stranger was gone.
The temple was silent once more, as if they had never been there.
Wang Li stared at the token in his hand.
What the hell had he just gotten himself into?