The days that followed the destruction of the temple were filled with preparation. Ling Tian and Xiao Ning'er spent most of their time in the cave, recovering from the grueling battle, but they both knew their respite wouldn't last long. The forces that opposed them were not only numerous but growing stronger by the day.
Ling Tian sat by the fire, a map of the region spread out before him. His fingers traced the lines of the different cities, the known strongholds, and the territories of the Dark Guild. The more he studied it, the more he realized the full extent of the enemy's influence. They weren't just isolated pockets of power; they were spread out across the continent, ingrained in every aspect of life.
"They're everywhere," Ling Tian muttered under his breath. "We've barely made a dent."
Xiao Ning'er stood beside him, her arms crossed, studying the map with a sharp gaze. "The Dark Guild's power runs deep. But we can't take on every single stronghold at once. We need to strike where it hurts the most."
Ling Tian looked up at her, his eyes intense. "I know. We'll start with their major leaders—those who have the most influence. If we cut off the head, the rest of the body will fall."
Xiao Ning'er nodded in agreement. "But it's not just the Dark Guild. There are also the beasts. We've already seen what they can do."
Ling Tian clenched his fists. The image of the beasts attacking Glory City flashed in his mind. So many had died in that battle—his family, his friends. He couldn't let that happen again. He wouldn't.
"The beasts are a different kind of threat," he said, his voice low. "They won't stop coming. And every time we fight them, they grow stronger. We need to find a way to control them—or better yet, end the threat entirely."
Xiao Ning'er's gaze softened. "You've already given so much. Don't carry the weight of the world on your shoulders alone."
Ling Tian shook his head, his eyes hardening. "If I don't, who will? If I let up now, everything I've worked for... everything we've fought for... will be destroyed."
Xiao Ning'er reached out, placing her hand on his shoulder. Her touch was warm, a steadying force in the chaos of his thoughts. "Then we'll fight together. I'm not going anywhere."
Ling Tian met her gaze, his heart swelling with a mixture of gratitude and something deeper—something he hadn't allowed himself to acknowledge. "Thank you, Ning'er. I... I won't let you down."
The fire crackled between them, casting flickering shadows across their faces. But in that moment, there was no room for doubt or fear. They would face whatever came next, side by side.
As the days passed, Ling Tian and Xiao Ning'er began to gather allies. They reached out to those who could aid them—old friends, cultivators with powerful connections, and even a few disillusioned members of the Dark Guild who were eager to rebel. They needed every advantage they could get.
One afternoon, they met with an old acquaintance—a man named Wei Zhen, a former commander from Glory City who had managed to escape the devastation of the beast attack. He had been tracking the movements of the Dark Guild and had valuable intelligence on their plans.
Wei Zhen was a tall man, his posture rigid with the discipline of a warrior. His eyes, though, were weary, as though the weight of the world had settled on his shoulders. He sat across from Ling Tian and Xiao Ning'er, his expression grim.
"I've seen the signs," Wei Zhen said, his voice low. "The Dark Guild is preparing for something big. They've been gathering forces in the southern regions—training new soldiers, forging new alliances. I believe they're planning to strike at Glory City again."
Ling Tian's jaw tightened. "We can't let that happen. The city is still rebuilding from the last assault. If they strike now, it'll be the end."
Wei Zhen nodded. "I agree. But this time, it won't be just the beasts. The Dark Guild has their own forces—cultivators with dark powers that could tear through even the strongest defenses."
Xiao Ning'er frowned. "Then we need to be ready. We need to strike first."
Ling Tian met her gaze, determination flooding through him. "Yes. We'll strike before they have a chance to assemble their forces. But we'll need more than just our current allies. We need to gather the strongest fighters we can find—cultivators who are willing to fight for the future."
Wei Zhen's gaze shifted to the map on the table. "I know a few places where we can recruit. But time is running out. If we wait too long, it may be too late."
Ling Tian's fingers clenched into fists. "Then we leave at once. We don't have time to waste."
As they made their plans, Ling Tian couldn't shake the feeling that the storm was already upon them. Every decision they made now carried the weight of the future. And with every ally they gained, the enemy's response would be faster, more ruthless.
But one thing was clear—Ling Tian and Xiao Ning'er were no longer fighting alone. The world was starting to take notice, and as the gathering storm of war loomed on the horizon, they would be ready.