The night did not stay quiet.
Xu Tian felt it before he heard anything.
A shift.
Subtle.
But clear.
His eyes opened slowly.
The settlement was darker now, most lights dimmed, most people already inside.
But the air had changed.
"…They're back," he thought.
He didn't move immediately.
The children were still in his arms.
The boy slept weakly.
The girl was awake again.
Her gaze was already fixed in the same direction as his.
Xu Tian narrowed his eyes.
"…You feel it too."
This time, it wasn't just one presence.
It was several.
Stronger than before.
More controlled.
More dangerous.
Xu Tian stood up slowly.
Careful not to disturb the boy.
The girl didn't move.
Her grip on his sleeve tightened slightly.
Xu Tian stepped out from the shadow of the wooden structure.
The cold night air brushed against him.
Silent.
Still.
Then-
Footsteps.
Not hidden.
Not rushed.
Confident.
Xu Tian's gaze shifted forward.
Three figures stepped into view.
Different from before.
Their robes were cleaner.
Their presence heavier.
Behind them, two more followed.
Five in total.
Xu Tian's expression didn't change.
"…So they brought more."
One of them stepped forward.
Older than the last.
Calm.
But his eyes were sharp.
"You should have left," the man said.
Xu Tian met his gaze.
"I will," he replied.
"After I'm done here."
The man's eyes narrowed slightly.
His gaze moved to the children.
Then back.
"…You're still carrying them."
Xu Tian didn't respond.
There was no need.
The man exhaled slowly.
"…You injured one of ours," he said.
Xu Tian's voice remained calm.
"He attacked first."
Silence followed.
The other four spread out slightly.
Not surrounding him completely.
But close enough.
Their intent was clear.
Xu Tian adjusted his stance.
"…This won't be like before," he thought.
The pressure in the air began to build.
Heavier than before.
Not just one source.
Five.
Different.
But controlled.
Xu Tian felt it pressing against him.
Testing him.
Measuring.
He didn't step back.
The man in front raised his hand slightly.
"Last chance," he said.
"Come with us."
Xu Tian's eyes remained steady.
"No."
The answer was immediate.
The air froze.
Then shifted.
The five moved at once.
Faster than the previous group.
More coordinated.
Xu Tian reacted.
His body moved instantly.
Step.
Turn.
Avoid.
But this time, the attacks didn't come one by one.
They came together.
From different directions.
Xu Tian's eyes sharpened.
"…Better."
He stepped forward instead of back.
Breaking their rhythm.
His arm moved.
A strike.
One of them blocked.
But the impact still forced him to shift.
The formation broke for a moment.
That was enough.
Xu Tian moved again.
Fast.
Precise.
But the others adjusted quickly.
Too quickly.
A strike came from behind.
Xu Tian turned.
Blocked.
Another from the side.
He stepped back.
The pressure increased.
Heavier.
Sharper.
Xu Tian's breathing remained steady.
But his focus deepened.
"…This is different."
They weren't just strong.
They were working together.
The man in front didn't move yet.
He was watching.
Waiting.
Xu Tian saw it.
"…So you're the real one."
The next attack came.
Stronger.
Faster.
Xu Tian didn't dodge this time.
He stepped in.
His energy moved.
Clear.
Controlled.
The impact collided.
A sharp sound echoed through the night.
For a moment-
Everything stopped.
Then the force exploded outward.
Snow scattered.
The ground cracked slightly.
The attackers stepped back.
Not far.
But enough.
Silence returned.
Xu Tian stood in place.
Unmoved.
The man in front finally took a step forward.
His eyes locked onto Xu Tian.
"…Interesting," he said quietly.
Xu Tian didn't respond.
But his grip tightened slightly.
Because this time-
The real fight was just beginning.