Reborn in a cultivation world with my Ex girlfriends-Chapter 28: A Rising Storm

The victory over Zhao Chen sent ripples through the entire sect. Wang Li's name was now on everyone's lips, and his status had skyrocketed overnight.

Even disciples who once dismissed him as an anomaly now regarded him with wary respect.

But Wang Li knew better than to bask in his victory. The duel had proven one thing—he was strong, but the road ahead was treacherous.

As he left the arena, Feng Yuling and Mu Qingling were already waiting for him.

"You were incredible," Mu Qingling said excitedly. "I mean, I knew you were going to win, but I didn't think you'd pull off that crazy shadow step technique."

Feng Yuling studied him for a moment before nodding. "You adapted well."

Wang Li wiped his brow, still feeling the lingering exhaustion from the fight. "I barely made it. Zhao Chen wasn't playing around."

"No, he wasn't," Feng Yuling agreed. "And that's the problem."

He raised an eyebrow. "What do you mean?"

She glanced around before lowering her voice. "Zhao Chen isn't the type to accept defeat easily. His pride took a hit today. He may not act immediately, but you can be sure he's already plotting his next move."

Wang Li sighed. "Great. Another person who wants to kill me."

Mu Qingling punched his arm lightly. "Well, at least you have us to watch your back."

That brought a small smile to his lips. "Yeah. Thanks."

But deep down, he knew trouble was already brewing.

---

A Shadow Looms

Later that night, Wang Li sat on the rooftop of his residence, gazing at the moonlit sky.

He should've been resting, but his mind was restless.

The duel had confirmed his strength, but it also exposed his weaknesses. He needed to grow—faster.

A gust of wind signaled an arrival.

He turned to see Lin Ruoyan stepping onto the roof. Her fiery-red hair glowed under the moonlight, and her expression was unreadable.

"Couldn't sleep?" she asked.

Wang Li smirked. "You too?"

She sat beside him, silent for a moment before speaking. "The elders are talking about you."

"That's nothing new."

New novel 𝓬hapters are published on freёwebnoѵel.com.

"This time, it's different," she said, her voice unusually serious. "You've drawn too much attention."

Wang Li frowned. "I thought attention was a good thing."

Lin Ruoyan shook her head. "Not always. Your rapid rise is making people uneasy—especially the higher-ups. Some see potential in you. Others see a threat."

A heavy silence stretched between them.

Wang Li sighed. "So what now? They send assassins after me?"

She chuckled. "Not yet. But don't be surprised if you start facing more 'tests' in the near future."

"Great," he muttered. "Because my life wasn't complicated enough."

Lin Ruoyan stood up. "Stay sharp, Wang Li. The storm is coming."

With that, she disappeared into the night, leaving him alone with his thoughts.

He exhaled slowly.

One battle had ended, but a new war was about to begin.

The night was eerily silent after Lin Ruoyan's departure. Wang Li remained on the rooftop, the weight of her warning pressing against his mind.

His rise in the sect had been meteoric, but now he was realizing the consequences. The world of cultivation wasn't just about strength—it was about power, influence, and the balance between them.

And right now, he was disrupting that balance.

A sudden movement in the darkness caught his eye. His instincts flared, and he rolled to the side just as a dagger embedded itself in the wooden beam where he had been sitting.

An assassin?!

Without hesitation, he flipped backward, landing gracefully on the ground below. A shadowy figure in dark robes emerged from the treetops, their face hidden behind a silver mask.

"Not bad," the masked figure said, their voice distorted. "No wonder Zhao Chen failed to kill you."

Wang Li's eyes narrowed. "Let me guess. You're here to finish the job?"

The assassin chuckled. "Something like that."

With a flick of their wrist, multiple black needles shot toward him. Wang Li's body reacted on pure instinct. He activated Shadow Step, his form blurring as he narrowly avoided the projectiles.

Fast!

The assassin wasn't an ordinary disciple—whoever they were, their cultivation was at least at the Golden Core Realm. That meant they had more experience, more refined techniques, and a reservoir of spiritual energy far deeper than his.

But Wang Li wasn't about to go down easily.

With a swift motion, he drew the Shadowfang Dagger, its dark edge humming with power.

"I don't suppose we can talk this out?" he asked casually, circling the assassin.

"I was paid to kill you," they replied. "Not negotiate."

"Figures."

The assassin moved like a phantom, their blade flashing in the moonlight. Wang Li barely had time to parry, the impact sending vibrations through his arms.

This guy is strong. Too strong.

If I fight head-on, I'll lose.

Thinking quickly, Wang Li ducked and activated Moonlit Mirage, a technique Feng Yuling had begun teaching him. A faint shimmer surrounded his body, distorting his movements like rippling water.

The assassin hesitated. It was all the opening Wang Li needed.

He lunged forward, aiming for the assassin's unguarded side. But the moment his blade connected—

CLANG!

The assassin's body vanished, revealing it to be an illusion.

Shit!

Before Wang Li could react, a sharp pain erupted in his shoulder. He gritted his teeth as blood trickled down his arm.

The assassin stood behind him, dagger dripping crimson.

"You're talented," they admitted. "But not quite there yet."

Wang Li exhaled sharply. He couldn't afford to drag this fight out.

"Fine," he muttered. "No more games."

Gathering his energy, he activated his trump card—Dragonblood Ascension. His veins glowed with fiery-red energy, his strength surging exponentially.

The assassin's posture shifted. "Oh? Interesting."

Wang Li didn't give them time to react.

With explosive speed, he closed the distance, his movements enhanced by raw, untamed power. His dagger clashed against theirs, but this time—

CRACK!

A surge of force shattered the assassin's weapon, sending them skidding backward.

For the first time, Wang Li saw hesitation in their stance.

"You..." the assassin hissed, gripping their broken weapon. "That technique... It's not ordinary."

Wang Li wiped the blood from his mouth, grinning. "Neither am I."

Before the assassin could recover, he gathered the last of his strength and unleashed a powerful palm strike, infused with his remaining spiritual energy.

The attack connected, sending the assassin crashing through the treetops and into the forest below.

Wang Li stumbled, breathing heavily. His vision blurred from exhaustion.

Did I... win?

The silence stretched. Then—

A dark chuckle echoed from the shadows.

"I see why they fear you now," the assassin said. "But this is far from over."

Then, without another word, they vanished into the night.

Wang Li collapsed to one knee, his body screaming in protest. He had survived... but just barely.

And now he had more questions than answers.

Who had sent the assassin? Was it Zhao Chen? Or someone else entirely?

And what did they mean by "why they fear you"?

As he sat there, staring at the blood on his hands, one thing became clear—

This was only the beginning.