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Chapter 103: Whispers of the Dragon’s Flame

"Li Tian," she said, looking up, "before we push forward, let\'s take a moment to rest and restore our strength. The battle ahead won\'t be won in haste."

Li Tian nodded, finding a place to sit by the water\'s edge. His mind drifted back to the altar and the vision of the dragon, its blazing eyes forever etched into his memory. He closed his eyes, focusing on the system\'s new notifications and the feel of the Dragon\'s Inferno Slash flowing through him.

[System Update: Enhanced Dragon\'s Inferno Slash - Level 2: Flame Power Increased, Duration Extended]

With the new upgrade, he could sense the technique\'s intensity even more vividly, the flame within him now a restless entity with its own pulse. The increased duration gave him an edge, allowing him to summon the power for longer in battle, a gift that could tip the scales in even the direst of situations.

While he meditated, a faint rustle in the bushes nearby caught his attention. His senses sharpened, and in one fluid movement, he was on his feet, blade drawn. Liu Mei looked up, sensing the tension in his stance.

From the shadows emerged a figure draped in dark robes, his face concealed. There was an undeniable aura of danger surrounding him, his steps deliberate and measured.

The stranger\'s voice was low and ominous. "Li Tian, son of the Li family. You\'ve made quite a name for yourself recently, haven\'t you?"

Li Tian\'s eyes narrowed. "And you are?"

"A humble messenger," the man replied, his tone laced with mockery. "But I bring a message from the Crimson Lotus. They are... eager to meet you once more."

Before Li Tian could react, the messenger flicked his wrist, and a dozen shadowy figures materialized from the trees, each brandishing weapons that gleamed in the dim light. Their presence was suffocating, their intent clear: they were here to end him.

Liu Mei stood, her stance poised and ready, her eyes locked onto the encircling threat. "Seems they don\'t take defeat well," she murmured.

"Good," Li Tian replied, his voice steady and fierce. "I was getting restless."

Without another word, he launched forward, summoning the Enhanced Dragon\'s Inferno Slash. His blade burst into flames, illuminating the forest in a fiery glow as he slashed through the first wave of attackers. His movements were swift and precise, each strike a deadly dance of fire and steel. Liu Mei followed suit, her ice techniques forming a shield around them as she launched shards at the approaching enemies, her movements as fluid as water.

The attackers were skilled, but they hadn\'t expected the raw power that Li Tian wielded. With every clash, he pushed them back, his blade a blur of flames. His opponents attempted to surround him, but he anticipated every move, sidestepping and countering with deadly precision.

One of the assassins, a large man wielding dual blades, rushed at him from the side. Li Tian sidestepped and swung his blade in an upward arc, flames trailing the movement as he cleaved through the man\'s armor. The assassin fell, his body dissolving into a wisp of smoke, a testament to the potency of Li Tian\'s strike.

The mysterious messenger watched from the shadows, his expression unreadable. He raised a hand, and a second wave of assassins emerged, their stances more coordinated, their skills sharper. Unlike the first group, these were elite warriors, their auras radiating strength and deadly intent.

"Impressive, Li Tian," the messenger called out, his voice carrying over the chaos. "But the Crimson Lotus has many more like these. They will not stop until you\'re brought down."

Li Tian wiped a trickle of sweat from his brow, his gaze fixed on the approaching elite assassins. His breath was steady, his resolve unwavering. "Then let them come. I have more than enough for each of them."

The second wave attacked with brutal coordination, their movements faster, deadlier. One lashed out with a flurry of strikes that pushed Li Tian back, while another attempted to flank him from behind. Liu Mei intercepted the flanker, creating a barrier of ice to block his path before hurling ice daggers at his exposed side.

In response, Li Tian summoned the Dragon\'s Inferno Slash once again, his blade roaring with intensified flames. He lunged forward, his strike cleaving through the first elite assassin\'s guard, leaving a searing wound across his chest. The assassin staggered, falling to his knees before collapsing, his eyes wide with shock.

The remaining assassins exchanged wary glances, their confidence shaken. The messenger\'s voice cut through the tension once more, a note of annoyance evident.

"Enough!" He stepped forward, his hand raised, summoning a dark aura that coalesced into a blade of shadow. His presence felt more oppressive than any of the others, and a sinister smile played on his lips.

"Allow me to handle this myself," he sneered, brandishing his shadow blade as he advanced on Li Tian. "Your little flames are no match for the darkness of the Crimson Lotus."

Li Tian\'s eyes narrowed, and he steadied his grip. "Let\'s see whose resolve burns brighter."

The messenger launched forward, his shadow blade slicing through the air with deadly precision. Li Tian met the attack head-on, their blades clashing in a burst of energy, flame against shadow. Sparks flew as their weapons collided, and for a moment, they were locked in a deadly stalemate.

But Li Tian felt the power of the Enhanced Dragon\'s Inferno Slash urging him forward, the flames in his blade growing hotter, brighter. With a fierce roar, he pushed back, breaking the messenger\'s stance and sending him stumbling. Seizing the opening, he lunged forward, his blade a streak of fire as it sliced through the air.

The messenger tried to parry, but the flames overwhelmed him, consuming his shadow blade and driving him back. His sneer turned into a snarl as he staggered, clutching his wounded arm, the burns vivid against his skin.

"This... isn\'t over," he spat, his eyes blazing with hatred. "The Crimson Lotus will not rest until you are dead, Li Tian."

With a final glare, the messenger dissolved into shadows, vanishing into the forest along with the remnants of his assassins.

As silence settled over the clearing, Li Tian lowered his blade, his breathing heavy but steady. He looked over at Liu Mei, who was already sheathing her weapon, her gaze softening as she met his eyes.

"That was... intense," she said, a small smile breaking through her usual calm demeanor.

Li Tian chuckled, wiping the sweat from his brow. "Seems the Crimson Lotus is more persistent than I thought. But they won\'t break me."

He glanced up at the darkening sky, the clouds swirling ominously. This was only the beginning. The Crimson Lotus had revealed its hand, but he was ready for whatever they threw at him next.