Chapter 22 - Chapter 22: The First Strike of the Alliance

The Humiliation Sect's brutal crackdown had tested the nascent Halo Sword Alliance, but it had not broken their spirit. Instead, it had hardened their resolve, forging their disparate wills into a single, unyielding blade. Li Ming, observing the devastation wrought upon their allies, knew that a purely defensive stance would only lead to their slow demise. They needed to strike back to show the Humiliation Sect that their defiance was not merely a fleeting spark but a roaring inferno. Intelligence gathered by the Swiftfoot Tribe revealed a critical weakness: a newly established supply depot deep within Humiliation Sect territory, responsible for funneling resources to their aggressive patrols. It was a bold target, heavily guarded, but its destruction would cripple their logistics and buy the Alliance precious time. This would be the Halo Sword Alliance's first coordinated offensive, a surgical strike designed to disrupt, not to conquer. Li Ming meticulously planned the operation. He selected a small, elite team: a dozen of the most skilled warriors from the Ironwood Clan, known for their resilience and close-quarters combat, and five agile scouts from the Swiftfoot Tribe, masters of infiltration and evasion. He would lead the charge, his Sword Halo a beacon of their collective will. The mission was clear: infiltrate the depot, destroy the supplies, and escape without heavy casualties. Under the cloak of a moonless night, the strike team moved like phantoms through the dense forests. The Swiftfoot scouts, their movements silent as falling leaves, neutralized the outer sentries with practiced ease. Li Ming, his Sword Halo pulsing with controlled intensity, led the main assault, his broken blade a silver blur in the darkness. The Humiliation Sect disciples guarding the depot were caught completely by surprise. The clash was swift and brutal. The Ironwood warriors, fighting with a ferocity born of past oppression, engaged the guards in close combat, their heavy weapons clashing against the sect disciples' swords. Li Ming moved through the fray like a whirlwind, his Shadowed Edge technique a dance of death and disarming. He didn't waste time on prolonged duels; each strike was aimed at incapacitating and at clearing a path to the supply stores. He confronted the depot commander, a grizzled elder of the Humiliation Sect, whose cultivation was at the sixth stage of the Body Tempering Realm. The elder, enraged by the audacity of the attack, unleashed a torrent of spiritual energy, his sword wreathed in a fiery aura. Li Ming met him with a calm, unwavering gaze, his sword halo flaring, its pure sword intent cutting through the elder's aggressive attacks. Their blades met in a symphony of sparks and clashing qi, each exchange a testament to their differing Dao. Li Ming, drawing upon the insights from the Sword Tablet, fought with a newfound fluidity. He didn't just parry; he redirected. He didn't just strike; he flowed. The elder, accustomed to overwhelming his opponents with brute force, found himself constantly off-balance, his attacks anticipated, his defenses breached. With a decisive thrust, Li Ming's broken blade found a gap in the elder's spiritual shield, forcing him to retreat, his face a mask of shock and disbelief. While Li Ming engaged the commander, the rest of the team systematically destroyed the supplies. Barrels of spiritual herbs were ignited, crates of weapons shattered, and vital communication scrolls torn to shreds. The depot, once a symbol of the Humiliation Sect's logistical might, was rapidly turning into a chaotic inferno. The mission was a resounding success. As the flames licked at the night sky, casting long, dancing shadows, Li Ming gave the signal to retreat. The strike team vanished back into the darkness, leaving behind a scene of utter devastation and a clear message: the Halo Sword Alliance was not to be underestimated. They were not merely a collection of desperate individuals; they were a unified force, capable of striking deep into enemy territory. From a safe distance, Li Ming watched the inferno rage, a grim satisfaction settling in his heart. This was their first strike, a bold declaration of war. The Humiliation Sect would now know that their shadow, once so oppressive, was being challenged by a new dawn. The whispers of the void still lingered at the edges of his perception, but they were drowned out by the roar of the flames and the triumphant thrum of his Sword Halo. The Alliance had taken its first step, and the path to true liberation, though fraught with peril, now seemed clearer than ever. The war had truly begun, and the Halo Sword Alliance had drawn first blood.