Reincarnation of the Celestial Bastard

Chapter 59: An Unexpected Attack

Li Tian moved swiftly through the dense forest, his senses on high alert. The cold night air was sharp against his skin as he kept a close watch on his surroundings. He had left the estate earlier that day for a training expedition, pushing his cultivation to its limits and preparing for the upcoming challenges. But something felt off tonight—a sense of unease that he couldn't shake.

Suddenly, his instincts flared. Without hesitation, he sidestepped, narrowly avoiding a barrage of hidden projectiles that sliced through the trees where he had just been standing. His eyes flickered with surprise. "An ambush?" he muttered.

[Danger detected. Multiple hostiles in close proximity.]

The system's voice echoed in his mind, confirming what he had already sensed. His expression hardened. Whoever these attackers were, they weren't amateurs. Moving swiftly, Li Tian activated a defensive technique, creating a shield of energy around him just as several more projectiles came whizzing toward him from the shadows.

"Reveal yourselves!" he demanded, his voice calm but filled with authority.

From the darkness, figures cloaked in black emerged, their faces obscured by masks. There were at least five of them, their auras pulsing with malicious intent. Assassins. Li Tian's eyes narrowed. He had encountered many such threats in his past life, but to think they would come for him now in his newly reincarnated life...

The leader of the group stepped forward, brandishing a long, curved blade. "So, you're the famed Li Tian," the man sneered. "We've heard much about your recent accomplishments. Too bad it ends here."

Li Tian smirked, his posture relaxed despite the danger. "Is that so? I suppose you all want to test whether the rumors are true?"

Without warning, the attackers launched themselves at him in unison. Their movements were swift, coordinated—clearly trained to kill with precision. But Li Tian was faster. He unleashed a burst of energy that sent the closest attacker flying backward, crashing into a tree with a sickening thud.

The second attacker was upon him in an instant, but Li Tian moved like a shadow, dodging the strike effortlessly. He countered with a palm thrust, sending a shockwave through the man's chest, knocking the wind out of him.

The remaining three attackers hesitated, realizing they were facing someone far beyond their level. Their leader cursed under his breath and barked an order. "Regroup! Don't let him—"

Li Tian didn't give them the chance. In one fluid motion, he summoned his newly acquired technique, Heavenly Dragon's Descent. A radiant, dragon-shaped aura enveloped him, the power surging through his veins as he lunged forward with devastating speed. His fist, imbued with the force of the dragon's might, collided with the leader's blade, shattering it instantly.

The leader's eyes widened in horror as Li Tian's fist connected with his chest, sending him sprawling to the ground, blood spilling from his mouth. "W-what... kind of monster...?" the man choked out, his body trembling in pain.

Li Tian stood over him, his expression cold. "You underestimated me."

Before the other attackers could react, Li Tian dashed toward them, his movements a blur. In mere seconds, he incapacitated the remaining enemies, each one falling to the ground with minimal effort.

[Task Completed: Repel the Assassins] [Reward: Celestial Void Steps - A movement technique that allows the user to move through space with near invisibility.]

Li Tian's eyes lit up as the reward screen appeared. Celestial Void Steps was a rare and powerful technique that could turn the tide of any battle. He smirked, already feeling the power surge through his body as he absorbed the new knowledge.

But just as he was about to relax, a slow clap echoed through the forest. From behind the shadows, another figure stepped forward—this one different from the others. He wore no mask, his face pale and cold, with a malicious grin etched across his lips.

"I must say, I'm impressed," the man said, his voice smooth and condescending. "You've dispatched my men quite easily."

Li Tian's eyes narrowed. "And who are you supposed to be?"

The man chuckled, his eyes gleaming with amusement. "I'm merely a spectator... but you can call me Shen Wu. I've been observing you for quite some time, Li Tian. And I must say, your skills are remarkable. However," he continued, his grin widening, "there's something I want to know. How far will those skills take you against someone truly powerful?"

Without waiting for a response, Shen Wu unleashed a wave of dark energy, his aura swelling as the ground beneath him cracked. The power he exuded was on a completely different level from the previous attackers. Li Tian felt the pressure intensify, but rather than feeling fear, a spark of excitement ignited within him.

"Looks like I've found a worthy opponent," Li Tian muttered to himself, his body tense with anticipation.

Shen Wu's grin deepened. "Let's see if you're as strong as the rumors say."