Four months had passed since Xiao Wei left Mo City and the Xiao Clan behind. In that short span, the world around him had changed—yet, it was nothing compared to the transformation he himself had undergone.
Back in Mo City, the once-powerful Xiao Clan had vanished like a fleeting shadow. After their cowardly retreat under Xiao Fen's leadership, they left the city open for the Mo Clan to seize control. The Hu Clan, too, had abandoned their roots, fearing conflict. Now, only the Mo Clan stood tall, ruling the city unopposed. Their influence had grown rapidly, and they even recruited a new Guest Elder—a man named Shi Feng, whose arrival added weight to their dominance.
But Xiao Wei knew none of that in the moment.
He stood deep in the inner area of Tiger Mountain, face to face with a towering beast, a Tier 2 Level 1 Fire Bear.
The monster's massive frame was covered in reddish-black fur that shimmered with internal heat. Its crimson eyes glared at him with savage fury.
Fire Beat claws was few inches long, a single swipe could shatter stone, yet Xiao Wei didn't retreat.
His black robe was torn at the shoulder, and blood trickled from a shallow wound on his arm, but his eyes were calm—like a mountain before the storm.
"Hraaagh!"
The Fire Bear let out a roar and lunged forward with burning claws.
Xiao Wei's foot slid back half a step. The moment the bear's paw swept down, his body shifted with uncanny grace, avoiding the strike by a hair's breadth. His movement was swift yet fluid, like a river flowing through a forest—elegant and effortless.
Xiao Wei used his Water Flow Steps, Movement Technique which has reached Large Perfection.
His figure blurred, reappearing at the bear's side. Without hesitation, he raised his hand.
"Mountain Fist!"
A condensed surge of Spiritual Energy gathered at his fist. The moment it landed on the bear's ribs, a thunderous crack echoed through the clearing. The Fire Bear staggered, its growl turning into a pained bellow as it reeled from the impact. The blow had landed squarely, causing it to stumble to the side, gasping and confused.
Xiao Wei Martial Technique, Mountain Fist, has also reached Large Perfection. Xiao Wei's punch now carried the weight of an actual boulder, capable of breaking defenses and shaking even stronger enemies.
But he wasn't done.
Before the bear could recover, he dashed forward once more. His fingers curled into a claw, gathering Spiritual enyergy in a brilliant orange hue.
"Tiger Claw!"
A phantom tiger roared to life behind him. With a savage arc, his claw struck across the beast's abdomen, cutting through fur and flame alike. Blood sprayed across the trees as the bear screamed, staggering again, its power flickering.
Xiao Wei first Martial Technique, the Tiger Claw has finally reached Great Perfection. This Technique had become a part of Xiao Wei's very being—a savage, tearing force of destruction.
The battle was fierce, but precise. Xiao Wei didn't waste energy, didn't flinch. His movements were refined, his timing perfect, and his strikes devastating. He had not just grown stronger—he had evolved.
And though he stood at the Peak of the Eighth Layer of the Martial Apprentice Realm, he had deliberately held back from breaking through.
In the solitude of the mountain and after countless deep conversations with Shadow Ming, he had come to understand something vital.
Foundation was everything.
Those who rushed forward, chasing quick breakthroughs, might burn brightly—but briefly. They lacked the roots needed to reach true heights. Immortality was not a matter of speed, but of stability and potential. Xiao Wei wanted more than power. And for that, his foundation had to be unshakable.
Even now, though his Spiritual Energy was swirling violently inside him, on the verge of breaking into the Ninth Layer, he suppressed it. Each day, he refined his Spiritual Energy further. He trained with relentless discipline, fought Monster stronger than himself, and pushed his Martial Techniques to new heights.
He didn't just fight—he studied, experimented, and perfected every move.
Xiao Wei launched another Mountain Fist.
Boom!
The sound of impact echoed through the forest like thunder. Xiao Wei's Mountain Fist struck the side of the enormous Fire Bear, sending the beast skidding backwards several meters. Dust and leaves kicked up from the forest floor as the monster's massive body crashed into a nearby boulder, cracking it with the force of the collision.
But Xiao Wei didn't let up. Without giving the Fire Bear a moment to recover, he shot forward like a streak of shadow, eyes locked on his target.
"Tiger Claw!"
A spectral tiger roared behind him as his fingers extended into claw-like arcs, slashing down toward the Fire Bear's exposed flank. The attack tore through the creature's fiery fur and thick hide, ripping a bloody gash along its side. The bear let out a pained, furious howl as it stumbled, struggling to remain upright. Blood poured freely from its wounds, sizzling as it hit the scorched ground.
But the tide of battle had already turned.
Xiao Wei's movements were no longer hesitant or cautious. He fought like a predator—relentless, efficient, and merciless. His steps were fluid, each transition between offense and defense seamless. It was not the style of a novice Martial Apprentice, but the precision of a veteran fighter honed through countless battles.
Another strike.
Another roar.
The Fire Bear, once a towering symbol of strength and danger, was now trembling, staggering under the weight of its injuries. One more powerful Tiger Claw and the light in its eyes dimmed. With a final, breathless groan, the beast collapsed to the forest floor, unmoving.
Xiao Wei stood over its corpse, chest rising and falling steadily, his expression calm.
"Finally… I killed a Tier 2 Fire Bear"Xiao Wei murmured with a small smile, brushing a streak of sweat from his brow.
He crouched down and dug his hand into the Fire Bear's chest, carefully it's Monster Core, still warm and pulsing faintly with Spiritual Energy.
Shadow Ming, sat lazily on a mossy rock nearby, arms folded.
"You know, for someone who's only been Cultivating for a year, your movements are far too refined. The way you fight, it's like you've been battling monsters for decades."Shadow Ming said, his tone laced with curiosity.
Xiao Wei didn't respond. He merely stood up and looked at the Monster Core in his hand, the light from it reflecting in his eyes. There was a weight behind that silence—not one of shame or pride, but something deeper.
Because Shadow Ming wasn't wrong.
In his past world, Xiao Wei had fought monsters all his life.
Day after day, year after year, Xiao Wei had survived by killing. Every breath he took had once been fought for. The instincts, the reactions, the ruthless efficiency—they weren't just Techniques he learned recently. They were habits carved into his soul.
Shadow Ming, sensing the silence meant something deeper, didn't press the issue.
Xiao Wei placed the Monster Core in his Storage Ring and then slowly sat down on the grassy clearing, laying on his back beside the fallen Fire Bear. The sky above was clear and vibrant—a soft blue canvas streaked with the occasional white cloud.
He stared at it quietly, arms resting behind his head.
The forest was alive with sound. Birds chirped in the distance. Leaves rustled under the gentle breeze. Yet Xiao Wei's gaze remained fixed on the sky.
"It's been… more than a year, since, my constellation Lord Of The Netherworld transmigrated my soul in this Cultivation World"Xiao Wei muttered to himself softly, not speaking to anyone in particular, as he closed his eyes for a moment and took a deep breath.
Shadow Ming remained silent.
After several quiet minutes, Xiao Wei finally sat up.
He looked at his hands, slowly curling them into fists.
"Let's go"Xiao Wei said suddenly, rising to his feet with a renewed sense of purpose in his eyes.
Shadow Ming raised a brow.
"Go where?"Shadow Ming asked.
Xiao Wei looked into the distance, toward the mountain range that marked the edge of the forest, beyond which lay roads, cities, and opportunities.
"I know where I want to go now."Xiao Wei said, his voice was calm, but his tone was certain.
Shadow Ming grinned.
Without any word, his body melted into shadows and disappeared into the ground, merging smoothly with Xiao Wei's shadow. It flickered briefly beneath him, then stilled, as if nothing had changed.
The wind brushed past Xiao Wei face as he stepped forward, his mind no longer clouded by the weight of the past.
He had a path now.
He had purpose.
*****
[Author's Note]
And with that, Shadow Monarch: Lord of the Netherworld Volume 1 comes to a close. I want to sincerely thank you for joining me on this journey through Xiao Wei's first steps into the Cultivation World.
But this is only the beginning.
Xiao Wei's legend is far from over—in fact, it has only just begun. There are greater trials ahead, darker secrets waiting to be unearthed, and battles that will shape the fate of worlds. I hope you'll continue reading and follow Xiao Wei as he carves his path through the world and beyond.
Thank you for your support, and I look forward to sharing the next chapter of this epic novel with you.
Until next time—
Forgotten Wanderer