Lin Tian had no idea someone was watching him.
He simply adjusted the sword at his waist and continued walking deeper into the Black Mist Mountains.
The night was becoming colder.
A thick mist slowly covered the forest.
Every step felt heavier than the last.
Although he had broken through to the Third Stage of Body Tempering, he was still exhausted.
His fight for survival had only just begun.
“Master…” “Where should we go now?” The old man answered calmly.
“Head north.” “I can sense a cave.” “It should be safe enough for tonight.” Lin Tian nodded.
He followed his master’s directions.
About half an hour later, he found a small cave hidden behind thick vines.
The entrance was barely visible.
“This place?” “Yes.” “It will do.” Lin Tian entered carefully.
The cave was dry.
A few old animal bones lay in one corner, but nothing seemed to be living there now.
He gathered some fallen branches from outside and started a small fire.
The warm light pushed back the darkness.
For the first time that day…
He finally relaxed.
He looked at the ten Spirit Stones lying in his hand.
“They’re beautiful.” Each stone glowed with a soft blue light.
Pure Spiritual Qi flowed from inside them.
“Can I use them now?” The old man nodded.
“You may.” “But don’t absorb all of them.” “Your body is still adapting.” Lin Tian picked up one Spirit Stone.
He sat down and began circulating the Heaven-Devouring Eternal Art.
The Spirit Stone immediately trembled.
Streams of Spiritual Qi flowed into his body.
His Heaven-Forbidden Root absorbed the energy greedily.
Crack!
A tiny sound came from the stone.
A moment later…
It turned gray.
All of its Spiritual Qi had disappeared.
Lin Tian slowly opened his eyes.
“I absorbed it already?” The old man looked surprised.
“So quickly…” “Even I didn’t expect that.” Lin Tian smiled.
“This cultivation technique is incredible.” The old man laughed.
“I told you.” “The Heaven-Forbidden Root doesn’t cultivate like ordinary people.” “It devours.” Suddenly…
The old man’s expression became serious.
“Someone is nearby.” Lin Tian immediately stood up.
He grabbed his sword.
“Another black-robed cultivator?” “No.” “This aura is different.” Before Lin Tian could ask another question…
A voice came from outside the cave.
“You can come out now.” “I know you’re inside.” Lin Tian’s heart began to race.
He slowly walked toward the entrance.
Moonlight shone through the trees.
Standing a few meters away was a young woman dressed in light blue robes.
She looked about sixteen or seventeen years old.
Her long black hair moved gently with the wind.
A silver sword rested at her waist.
Her calm blue eyes met Lin Tian’s.
She wasn’t smiling.
But she didn’t look hostile either.
Lin Tian tightened his grip on his sword.
“Who are you?” The young woman looked at him quietly.
“My name isn’t important.” “What matters…” She glanced at the Spirit Stones inside the cave.
“…is that you’ve gotten yourself into serious trouble.” Lin Tian frowned.
“What do you mean?” She looked toward the dark forest.
“The people chasing you…” “They belong to the Blood Shadow Hall.” “They never give up.” Lin Tian had never heard that name before.
“Blood Shadow Hall?” The old man’s voice suddenly echoed in his mind.
“Be careful.” “I know that organization.” “They are killers.” “They will stop at nothing.” The young woman took a step forward.
“I’m not your enemy.” “But if you stay here…” “You’ll be dead before sunrise.” Lin Tian remained silent.
He had been betrayed once already.
Trusting strangers wasn’t easy.
The young woman sighed.
“You don’t have much time.” “The Blood Shadow Hall has already surrounded this mountain.” Lin Tian’s eyes widened.
“What?” Almost as if her words had summoned them…
Dozens of torches suddenly lit up in the distance.
Voices echoed through the forest.
“Search every cave!” “He must still be here!” “Find him!” The young woman drew her silver sword.
She looked at Lin Tian.
“If you want to live…” “Follow me.” The torches grew closer.
The sounds of footsteps echoed through the mountains.
Lin Tian had only seconds to decide.
End of Chapter 3