Rebirth of the Heavenly Beast Tamer

Chapter 35: The Shifting Shadows

The battlefield was a scene of destruction. Ash and dust filled the air, the remnants of battle scattered across the once-beautiful grounds of the Heavenly Beast Sect. Lin Tian stood, his golden flames now dimming, as he surveyed the aftermath. The clash with Bai Ying had left him drained, his energy expended in an all-out effort to protect his sect and his loved ones.

But despite the victory, the air felt heavy with uncertainty. The fall of the Black Lotus Sect's leader was a significant blow, but Lin Tian knew that it would not be enough to put an end to their threat. There were too many unanswered questions, too many hidden enemies lurking in the shadows. Bai Ying had been powerful, but her true motives were still unclear. The Black Lotus Sect was only one part of a much larger scheme.

Lin Tian turned toward his disciples, who were busy tending to the wounded and organizing the aftermath of the battle. They looked to him for guidance, their faces filled with concern but also with a deep sense of respect and loyalty.

"Stay vigilant," Lin Tian commanded, his voice firm but weary. "This victory is only temporary. The Black Lotus Sect will send more forces, and there are others who will take advantage of this moment of weakness. We must rebuild and strengthen ourselves."

Yue Ling stepped beside him, her eyes soft but filled with worry. "Lin Tian, you've done so much for us already. You need rest. You've pushed yourself beyond your limits."

Lin Tian shook his head, his golden eyes hardening with resolve. "I can't afford rest. Not now. Not while there are enemies like Bai Ying still out there. We have to prepare for what's coming next."

As he spoke, a flicker of movement caught his eye. In the distance, through the smoke and haze of the battlefield, a figure emerged. Lin Tian's sharp senses immediately honed in on the person. It was a woman—one of the Black Lotus Sect's disciples. She was alone, and from the way she moved, it was clear that she was not here to fight. She seemed to be looking for something—or someone.

"Who is that?" Lin Tian asked, his voice tense.

Yue Ling squinted in the direction of the figure. "She's one of the Black Lotus Sect's high-ranking disciples. But why is she here? Shouldn't she be retreating with the others?"

Lin Tian narrowed his eyes. "No. She's not here to retreat. She's here with a purpose."

Without another word, he began walking toward the woman, his every step measured and cautious. The woman noticed him approaching and stopped in her tracks, her posture stiffening with uncertainty. She was tall, dressed in the signature black robes of the Black Lotus Sect, her long dark hair cascading down her back. Her eyes, however, were not filled with the same venomous hatred that Bai Ying had carried—there was something different about her. Something almost… resigned.

"Stop right there," Lin Tian commanded, his voice calm but commanding.

The woman hesitated but did not flee. She lowered her head, her expression unreadable. "I have no intention of fighting you, Lin Tian," she said quietly, her voice tinged with sadness.

Lin Tian's eyes narrowed further. "Then why are you here? The battle is over. The Black Lotus Sect has been defeated. You should be retreating, not wandering the battlefield."

The woman raised her head slowly, and Lin Tian could see the weariness in her eyes. "I am not here to fight. I am here because of something I must tell you. Something about the true nature of the Black Lotus Sect… something you must know if you want to survive."

Lin Tian's instincts flared. There was more to this woman than met the eye. Despite her calm demeanor, her presence felt like a hidden danger, a force ready to explode if provoked. "Speak quickly," he said, his tone hardening. "What do you know?"

She glanced around nervously, as if ensuring no one else could hear them. "The Black Lotus Sect… is not just a sect. It is the arm of a much older, more dangerous force. Bai Ying… she was only a puppet, a leader who was manipulated by those who are far more powerful and far more ancient than you can imagine."

Lin Tian's heart skipped a beat. The revelation hit him harder than he expected. The Black Lotus Sect had always seemed like a formidable enemy, but this… this was on an entirely different scale. "Who are these forces?" he demanded.

The woman took a deep breath before answering, her gaze flickering toward the ground. "There is an ancient sect, long thought to be destroyed, that now seeks to return to power. They are known as the Shrouded Veil. And the Black Lotus Sect was only a stepping stone for their resurrection."

"Shrouded Veil?" Lin Tian echoed, his mind racing. "I've never heard of them."

"You wouldn't have," the woman replied, her voice laced with sorrow. "They were erased from history, their true existence hidden away. But they are coming back. And they will stop at nothing to reclaim the power they once held over this world."

Lin Tian's eyes sharpened. "And you're telling me this because…?"

The woman's face twisted in regret. "Because I can't be a part of it anymore. I was one of the Shrouded Veil's agents within the Black Lotus Sect. I've seen what they're capable of. What they plan to do. And I can no longer turn a blind eye to it. I was sent to spy on you, Lin Tian. To monitor your progress. But after witnessing what happened here… I realized the truth."

Lin Tian's mind spun. If what this woman was saying was true, then everything he had fought for—the battles, the sacrifices, the lives lost—had been part of a much larger and far more dangerous game. The Shrouded Veil was a force unlike any he had ever faced, and it was only a matter of time before they made their move.

"You say you've been spying on me," Lin Tian said, his voice cold. "But how do I know I can trust you? How do I know you aren't just another puppet of the Shrouded Veil?"

The woman's eyes flashed with pain. "I'm not asking you to trust me. I'm asking you to listen. The Shrouded Veil controls everything, from the shadows, pulling the strings of those in power. And Bai Ying's death—your victory—wasn't a blow to them. It was a test. A trial. They will come for you, Lin Tian. You won't be able to stop them with your current strength. You need to prepare yourself. You need allies. And above all… you need to know the truth behind the Shrouded Veil."

Lin Tian took a step forward, his gaze never leaving the woman's face. The weight of her words settled heavily on his shoulders, but he knew she was right. His journey had only just begun, and the storm on the horizon was unlike anything he had ever faced.

"You've given me something valuable," Lin Tian said, his voice unwavering. "But I can't do this alone. If you want redemption for your past, you'll help me. You'll help my sect prepare for what's coming."

The woman nodded, a flicker of relief crossing her face. "I'll do whatever it takes to stop them."

And just like that, the first piece of the puzzle had been revealed. Lin Tian turned to his disciples, who had been watching from a distance, their eyes filled with curiosity and concern.

"We have much to do," he said, his voice filled with determination. "The Shrouded Veil is real, and they're coming. We will not let them destroy what we've built. Gather everyone. We prepare for war."