"Write down everything about both techniques. Every detail. Don't miss a single thing."Xiao Wei ordered.
The Shadow Soldier nodded in agreement and pick up the brush. His movements were deliberate as he began to write down the Martial Techniques in the books.
Xiao Wei, satisfied, turned to sit back down and continue his own Cultivation. The night passed quietly as he worked, and his Spiritual Energy grew steadily.
The next norning.
The sunlight poured into Xiao Wei's room through the window, casting warm rays across the floor. Xiao Wei slowly opened his eyes and the first thing he noticed was the Shadow Soldier standing in front of him, holding the four books.
Xiao Wei reached down and picked up the books, flipping through the pages one by one. The soldier had written everything down, and the clarity and precision were
impressive. The techniques were detailed with exact instructions on form and movement..
"Good job"Xiao Wei said, his voice steady as he looked towards the four manual.
He had asked the Shadow Soldier to document the techniques it had learned, and the result was exactly as he had hoped—an immaculate set of manuals that perfectly mirrored the martial arts of the Mo Clan. Each manual was written with painstaking care, the strokes of the brush clear and precise.
The first set of manuals contained the Mountain Fist technique, a Middle Tier Human Grade Martial Technique that was well-known within the Mo Clan. This technique was renowned for its power, utilizing the strength of the earth itself to crush and overpower enemies with a single, earth-shaking blow. It was a forceful technique, one that emphasized raw strength and the mastery of one's physical body.
The second set of manuals contained the Wind Steps technique, a Low Tier Human Grade Movement Technique. This technique was far more subtle, focusing on speed and agility rather than brute strength. Wind Steps allowed the user to move like the wind, using a series of rapid, flowing steps that made the practitioner difficult to track or hit. It was an advanced movement technique, one that required balance, timing, and an understanding of fluid motion. But it was not as good as the Water Flow Steps.
Both techniques were highly respected within the Mo Clan, each with its own unique strengths and applications. Xiao Wei had no doubt that, if mastered, they would provide him with an overwhelming advantage in battle. But now, thanks to the Shadow Soldier, he had copies of both techniques.
Xiao Wei's expression shifted as an idea began to take root in his mind. His grin widened, a look of excitement and madness flickering in his eyes. This was not just a simple improvement to his combat prowess—this was the beginning of something much greater.
Now that he had two copies of each technique, Xiao Wei's mind was already moving to the next step. He looked around his room, searching for something he could use to further hide the existence of his Shadow Soldier. After a few moments of rummaging through, he found exactly what he needed—two long black cloaks.
The cloaks were simple yet effective. They were made from a thick, coarse material and, more importantly, they covered the entire body from neck to toe, leaving only the eyes barely visible under the shadow of the deep hoods. Unlike ordinary cloaks that were meant for fashion or simple concealment, these were meant to truly obscure someone's identity.
A grin tugged at Xiao Wei's lips. He immediately tossed one of the cloaks toward the shadow soldier.
"Wear it"Xiao Wei ordered, his tone leaving no room for discussion.
The Shadow Soldier, obedient as ever, caught the cloak in one fluid motion and silently wrapped it around its body. The dark material seemed to merge with the soldier's already pitch-black form, making it almost look like a natural extension of him.
Xiao Wei nodded in satisfaction as he inspected the result. The cloak perfectly hid the unnatural features of the Shadow Soldier.
"Good. Now no one can tell whether he's even a real person or not."Xiao Wei muttered, circling around the shadow to check every angle.
This way, if anyone saw them, they would simply assume the shadow soldier was just a quiet, cloaked companion. Nothing unusual. In this world where countless strange Martial Cultivators and hired guards roamed freely, a cloaked figure wouldn't raise much suspicion as long as it didn't act too bizarrely.
Satisfied, Xiao Wei then instructed the Shadow Soldier to blend into his shadow once more. With a silent nod, the Shadow Soldier crouched low and melted into Xiao Wei's shadow, becoming nothing more than a faint ripple on the ground beneath his feet.
Without wasting another moment, Xiao Wei grabbed his own cloak, threw it over his shoulders, and exited his room. He left the Xiao Clan compound with swift steps, not bothering to greet anyone.
The guards at the gates barely glanced at him as he walked out. After all, Xiao Wei was still considered a 'trash' by many in the clan. No one expected him to be involved in anything important.
Xiao Wei left the bustling Xiao Clan grounds behind and made his way toward his true destination—Tiger Mountain.
The journey there was swift and uneventful. He knew the paths well now, after having spent the recent competition surviving its dangers. Xiao Wei avoided the deeper, more dangerous parts of the forest, sticking to familiar trails until he reached a clearing surrounded by ancient, towering trees.
Once he arrived deep enough into Tiger Mountain, Xiao Wei stopped and glanced around carefully. There was no one in sight, no auras of powerful beasts or humans.
Only then did he command.
"Come out."
From beneath his feet, the shadow twisted and rose, and within seconds the Shadow Soldier stood silently beside him.
Now, in the privacy of the forest, Xiao Wei pulled his own cloak more tightly around his body and adjusted his hood to cover most of his face. He then handed another similar cloak to the Shadow Soldier.
"Wear this too, so no one can see your face clearly"Xiao Wei instructed once more.
The Shadow Soldier responded with a nod and pulled the heavy fabric tighter, fully concealing itself under the cloak. The two now looked like wandering Martial Artists—or perhaps mercenaries—hiding their identities for some reason.
Xiao Wei once again inspected their appearances carefully, ensuring nothing was left exposed. Satisfied, he gestured silently, and together, they left the relative safety of the woods and began their journey back toward Mo City.
As they approached the city gates, Xiao Wei fell back a few steps, allowing the Shadow Soldier to take the lead. He walked a few meters behind, keeping his posture relaxed and his aura suppressed as much as possible. Meanwhile, the Shadow Soldier walked forward confidently but without attracting unnecessary attention.
The plan was simple—let people notice the cloaked figure first, drawing attention away from Xiao Wei himself. As long as they were careful and didn't act suspiciously, most would simply assume they were travelers or new Cultivators passing through.
And as expected, their entrance into Mo City did draw a few curious glances.
People on the streets paused whatever they were doing to glance at the two cloaked figures. Some narrowed their eyes, trying to guess their identities, while others simply whispered among themselves, wondering who these strange people were.
"A mercenary group?"one vendor muttered to another.
"Maybe assassins?"his companion replied with a shiver.
Despite all the staring, no one dared to approach or question them. After all, in a Cultivation World where strength reigned supreme, picking a fight with someone mysterious was as good as asking for death. Better to mind their own business.
Xiao Wei ignored the stares. His face was completely hidden under the hood, and his movements were calm and composed.
After walking deeper into Mo City, Xiao Wei's sharp eyes finally caught sight of a familiar symbol carved on an old but well-maintained shop. It was the mark of the Hu Clan.
Xiao Wei narrowed his eyes.
Hu Clan was one of the major clans in Mo City, known for their wealth and influence. They operated several businesses around the city, and this shop was one of them. To complete the next phase of his plan, Xiao Wei needed a buyer who had the means—and the guts—to buy stolen Martial Techniques without asking too many questions. The Hu Clan was greedy enough for that.
Without hesitation, Xiao Wei adjusted his cloak and motioned slightly with his hand. The Shadow Soldier, still cloaked, silently followed him as they approached the shop.
The store itself was bustling with activity. Customers browsed through various items—low-grade weapons, Cultivation resources, common pills.
As soon as he stepped inside, Xiao Wei deliberately raised his voice, letting it ring out with confidence.
"Who is the shop manager here?"Xiao Wei called, his voice calm yet authoritative.
The entire shop quieted down for a moment, with curious glances thrown toward the cloaked figures. Even the attendants behind the counters looked somewhat wary. However, within seconds, a middle-aged man appeared, pushing through a side door from deeper inside the building.