Xu Tiancai headed all the way north, his heart full of tension and unease. He looked back from time to time, terrified that people from the Black Soul Temple might be catching up. Though the path beneath his feet was rugged and uneven, he did not dare to slacken his pace in the slightest, clutching his pack tightly as he hurried forward.
The afternoon sun gradually slanted westward, stretching his shadow into a long silhouette. Beads of sweat covered Xu Tiancai's forehead; he reached out to wipe them away and continued on his journey. The scenery along the way slowly changed from lush woods to open fields, the distant mountain peaks looking magnificent in the glow of the setting sun.
After walking for I do not know how long, Xu Tiancai finally caught sight of the small town. Its outline loomed indistinctly in the twilight, like a tranquil harbor. He quickened his pace and walked toward the town.
Upon entering, Xu Tiancai found that the place was much livelier than he had imagined. Pedestrians bustled back and forth along the streets, and the shops on either side were brightly lit. He found an inn that looked rather modest and stepped inside.
The innkeeper was a plump middle-aged man who greeted him warmly the moment he laid eyes on Xu Tiancai. "Are you stopping for a meal, traveler, or staying the night?"
Xu Tiancai hesitated for a moment before replying, "Staying the night."
The innkeeper smiled, nodded, and led him to a room.
Although the room was small, it was clean and tidy. Xu Tiancai put down his pack, sat on the bed, and let out a deep sigh. His mind kept flashing back to his experiences in the tavern and the temple, leaving his heart filled with questions. Who on earth was that Gloomy Man? And what kind of conspiracy was the Black Soul Temple plotting?
Having spent a sleepless night, Xu Tiancai rose early. He decided to find out some information regarding the Black Soul Temple in this town. He went to the town market, which was bustling with a steady stream of people. He looked around anxiously, hoping to stumble upon some clues.
Suddenly, he spotted a fortune-teller in a corner. The fortune-teller wore a battered robe and a hat, his face covered in wrinkles. A thought stirred in Xu Tiancai's heart, and he walked over.
"Sir, by any chance do you know of the Black Soul Temple?" Xu Tiancai asked softly.
The fortune-teller raised his head, glanced at him, a strange flash in his eyes. "The Black Soul Temple? That is a wicked organization. Why are you inquiring about them?"
Xu Tiancai hesitated for a moment. "I was accidentally dragged into a matter involving the Black Soul Temple, and I'd like to understand their situation."
The fortune-teller remained silent for a moment. "The Black Soul Temple is powerful and ruthless. They will stop at nothing to achieve their goals. You would do best to stay far away from them, or you'll risk losing your life."
Xu Tiancai frowned. "Is there truly no one who can stand against them?"
The fortune-teller gave a faint smile. "Vast is the Jianghu; naturally, there are those who dare to challenge the Black Soul Temple. But that requires both courage and strength."
A wave of fighting spirit surged in Xu Tiancai's chest. "I must improve my own strength and rid the Jianghu of this scourge."
The fortune-teller looked at him, a trace of approval in his eyes. "Young man, having ambition is a good thing. But you must know that the path of the Jianghu is fraught with danger and challenges."
At that exact moment, Xu Tiancai suddenly sensed an unusual aura. He looked around alertly and noticed several strangers walking toward him. Their eyes revealed malicious intent, and Xu Tiancai's heart tightened. Could the people from the Black Soul Temple have tracked him down?
He turned to leave, but those people blocked his path.
"Kid, you must be Xu Tiancai, right? Come with us," one of them said.
Xu Tiancai grew extremely anxious. "Who are you? Why are you trying to seize me?"
Those men sneered. "Who we are doesn't matter. What matters is that you've provoked someone you shouldn't have."
Knowing he could not escape, Xu Tiancai could only secretly prepare to resist. He clenched his fists tightly, his eyes filled with determination. Just as those men were about to make a move, a dark figure suddenly flashed past, and the men collapsed to the ground one after another.
Xu Tiancai looked closely and saw that it was none other than the Gloomy Man. His face still bore no expression, but his eyes revealed a hint of concern.
"Why are you so careless? This place isn't safe either," the Gloomy Man said.
A wave of joy washed over Xu Tiancai. "Senior, why have you come?"
The Gloomy Man sighed. "I was worried about you, so I followed. The people of the Black Soul Temple will not let this rest; we must leave here as quickly as possible."
Xu Tiancai nodded and followed the Gloomy Man out of the town. They hurried all the way until they reached a secluded valley. The valley was shaded by lush trees and threaded by a murmuring brook, making it exceptionally tranquil.
The Gloomy Man stopped in his tracks. "We are safe here for the time being. You must seize the time to improve your strength, as the people of the Black Soul Temple could find us at any moment."
Xu Tiancai looked at him with gratitude. "Senior, I will certainly not live up to your expectations."
The Gloomy Man was silent for a moment before speaking. "I can teach you some martial arts, but you must remember: martial arts are not meant for showing off or fighting; they are meant to protect yourself and others."
Xu Tiancai nodded solemnly. "I understand."
From that day on, Xu Tiancai began rigorous training under the guidance of the Gloomy Man. He rose early and slept late every day, constantly tempering his body and will. The martial arts the Gloomy Man taught him were profoundly advanced, requiring Xu Tiancai to exert tremendous effort to master them.
Days passed by, and Xu Tiancai's strength steadily grew. His eyes were filled with confidence and resolve; he knew he had taken another step closer to confronting the Black Soul Temple.
Yet, just as he thought everything was moving in a favorable direction, an even greater crisis was quietly descending...