###
Several days had passed since Shiv's encounter with Su Yan. He had spent his time meditating, cultivating, and further refining his techniques, steadily increasing his strength. His progress was noticeable, and though he still remained in the **Body Tempering Realm**, Shiv felt himself approaching a breakthrough. The black book's presence in his consciousness continued to pulse with power, feeding him subtle insights and guiding his cultivation path.
As the sun began to dip below the horizon, casting a golden hue over the High Heaven Pavilion, Shiv decided to take a walk through the nearby forest. The dense woods around the sect provided a peaceful retreat, a place where disciples could train or reflect in solitude. Shiv often came here to clear his mind and strategize his next moves, but today, something felt different.
There was a tension in the air—a disturbance that made the hair on the back of his neck stand up.
Shiv paused, his sharp senses picking up on faint, frantic movements nearby. His instincts, honed by his memories of the future, warned him of an impending danger. Without hesitation, he followed the noise, his steps quick but silent as he moved through the trees.
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### A Desperate Struggle
It didn't take long for Shiv to come upon the source of the disturbance. In a small clearing, a young woman was fighting desperately against a group of rogue cultivators, their aggressive auras swirling around her. She was outnumbered and clearly outmatched, but there was a fierce determination in her eyes as she fought to defend herself.
It was **Hu Mei'er**.
Shiv recognized her immediately. She was the gentler of the Hu sisters, known for her kindness and soft-spoken nature, but this was no place for someone of her current strength. Hu Mei'er was only in the **Body Tempering Realm**, and the men attacking her were clearly stronger. Their sneering faces and cruel laughter made it clear they had no intention of letting her go.
One of the rogue cultivators lunged at Hu Mei'er with a wicked grin, his sword flashing in the dim light. Hu Mei'er barely managed to parry the strike, but it left her off-balance. Another attacker moved in from her blind side, ready to land a killing blow.
Without thinking, Shiv sprang into action.
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### The Hero's Arrival
In a blur of motion, Shiv appeared behind the rogue cultivator who was about to strike Hu Mei'er. His fist, infused with the strength of the Demon God Skeleton, slammed into the man's side, sending him crashing into a nearby tree with a sickening thud. The other attackers froze, momentarily stunned by the sudden arrival of this new opponent.
Hu Mei'er's eyes widened in surprise as she looked up to see Shiv standing protectively in front of her. She recognized him—he was the one people had been talking about, the disciple who had recently made waves in the sect. But why was he here? And why was he helping her?
Shiv glanced over his shoulder at her, giving her a reassuring nod. "Stay behind me."
There was no time for further explanations. The rogue cultivators, recovering from their initial shock, snarled in anger and charged at Shiv. They were confident in their numbers and strength, but Shiv remained calm, his mind sharp and focused.
He had dealt with worse before. Much worse.
---
### A Swift Resolution
The first rogue cultivator swung his sword at Shiv, but Shiv was already moving. He ducked under the blade, delivering a powerful strike to the man's chest, sending him sprawling to the ground. Another came at him from the side, but Shiv sidestepped the attack and countered with a brutal kick, knocking the man unconscious.
The last of the attackers hesitated, clearly unnerved by Shiv's swift and effortless takedown of his companions. Shiv's gaze locked onto him, cold and unyielding.
"Leave," Shiv said simply, his voice low and dangerous. "Or you'll end up like the others."
The rogue cultivator took one look at his fallen comrades and made the only smart choice—he fled, disappearing into the trees without a word.
As the dust settled, Shiv turned to Hu Mei'er, who was still breathing heavily from the fight. Her eyes were wide with a mix of relief and disbelief.
"You… you saved me," she whispered, her voice shaking slightly.
Shiv offered her a gentle smile, his dominant yet protective nature showing through. "It's not safe to be out here alone. Are you hurt?"
Hu Mei'er shook her head, though her exhaustion was clear. "I'm fine, just… thank you."
Shiv extended a hand to help her up. She hesitated for a moment, then took it, feeling a strange warmth and comfort from his touch. There was something about Shiv—something different from the other disciples. He was calm, strong, and in control, yet there was also a sense of care behind his actions.
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### A Growing Connection
As they made their way back toward the High Heaven Pavilion, Hu Mei'er couldn't help but glance at Shiv from time to time, curiosity and gratitude swirling in her mind. She had always known of him, but this was the first time they had truly met. And now, after what had just happened, she found herself intrigued by the mysterious disciple who had saved her.
Shiv, for his part, remained quiet but attentive. He knew that saving Hu Mei'er had likely set off a series of events that would lead to his eventual meeting with her twin sister, Hu Jiao'er. But more than that, he felt a growing sense of responsibility toward her. She was gentle and kind, and while she was not yet strong, Shiv knew she had potential—potential that he could help unlock.
As they neared the sect's gates, Hu Mei'er finally broke the silence. "Shiv… why did you help me? You didn't have to."
Shiv glanced at her, his expression softening slightly. "Because it was the right thing to do. No one should have to face something like that alone."
Hu Mei'er smiled, her heart fluttering at his words. "Thank you, again. I won't forget this."
---
### A Fateful Meeting
That night, as Shiv returned to his hut, he couldn't help but think about Hu Mei'er. Their encounter had been brief, but meaningful. He knew that the bond they had just formed would only grow stronger in the days to come, and it was only a matter of time before he met her twin sister, Hu Jiao'er.
But for now, Shiv's focus remained on his cultivation. The path to power was long and treacherous, but with each step, he grew stronger. And with each new connection he made, his influence within the High Heaven Pavilion grew as well.
The journey was just beginning, and Shiv was ready for whatever came next.
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