Xiao Ming's foot paced against the dense forest floor, his every step deliberate as he pushed forward. The Blood Ant General led the way, its hulking, crimson figure weaving through the towering trees with unerring precision. Behind him, Xue Mao perched lazily on his shoulder, its soft purring a strange contrast to the tension hanging in the air.
The secret realm's energy pulsed faintly, a rhythm Xiao Ming could almost feel beneath his skin. It wasn't chaotic, but neither was it welcoming.
The realm had its own will, and Xiao Ming knew he needed to attune himself to it if he wished to uncover its true secrets and let it accept him irregardless of the weakness he possessed due to the realm factor.
