Li Wei glances up again, then speaks. "There's a bird overhead that's been following us for quite some time."
Dao Feng looks up briefly and chuckles. "Probably nothing. I've never heard of a technique to control birds."
"This guy has a big ego. Just because his master never told him of such a technique doesn't mean it doesn't exist. I'll keep my eye on it. Better to be cautious than caught off guard."
The countryside stretches out around them, fields and distant hills passing by as they ride. The sun climbs higher, casting long shadows. The bird remains, circling overhead, an ever-present dot in the sky. Li Wei's unease grows. He trusts his instincts, and something about this feels wrong.
The road ahead is long and winding, the path not entirely clear. They ride through small villages and past scattered farms, the locals giving them curious glances. The journey feels endless.
"Better push the horse harder. That bird... might be paranoia, but better safe than sorry. I'll ride to the front and take the lead. Got to stay alert. Every rustle in the bushes sets me on edge."
He rides to the front, taking the lead. His eyes scan the surroundings constantly, every rustle in the bushes making him tense.
Lin Yue, riding close behind, speaks up. "Why don't we stop? We should have created enough distance by now."
"No," Li Wei replies, his voice firm. "I have a bad feeling."
Lin Yue scoffs. "What do you know? You're scared of birds"
Dao Feng, sensing the tension, interjects. "Fine, we compromise. Another day of riding, then we rest."
"Sure," Li Wei agrees.
"No, I'm not stopping for anything". He keeps his thoughts to himself, maintaining a neutral expression.
The landscape changes as they ride, the open fields giving way to dense forests. The sun sinks lower, casting long shadows. The bird remains a constant presence, flitting from tree to tree, always just within sight. Li Wei feels its watchful eyes, an unsettling presence that fuels his determination.
As dusk approaches, the forest thickens, the path narrowing. Li Wei's vigilance never wavers. His senses are heightened, every sound amplified in the growing darkness. He hears the distant call of an owl, the rustle of leaves, the occasional snap of a twig underfoot. The bird's silhouette against the darkening sky remains a constant reminder of potential danger.
Lin Yue grumbles from behind, but Li Wei pays her no mind. His focus is on the path ahead, the shadows that seem to move and shift with the waning light. He urges his horse onward, pushing through the fatigue that creeps into his limbs.
Night falls, the forest enveloped in darkness. They press on, the only light coming from the moon filtering through the canopy above. Li Wei's eyes darted around, catching glimpses of movement. The bird, now barely visible, continues its relentless pursuit.
Li Wei notices two figures moving at lightning speed from behind. The night is dark, and visibility is low, but the swift approach is unmistakable. He shouts, "WE HAVE COMPANY!" Dao Feng and Lin Yue turn their heads sharply.
"Split up, GO!" Dao Feng commands.
Li Wei takes the lead, veering left, urging his exhausted horse forward. He hears the pounding of hooves behind him, the sound growing closer. Panic surges through him, thoughts racing.
"This might be the end for me", he thinks, heart hammering in his chest.
His horse, already spent, struggles to maintain speed. Li Wei kicks harder, desperation fueling his actions. The forest blurs around him, shadows flickering in the moonlight. He can hear one pursuer, relentless and swift, closing in.
He navigates through dense trees, branches whipping past him. The sound of pursuit remains constant, a reminder of the imminent threat. He risks a glance back, barely making out the shape of his pursuer, a dark form against the night.
Sweat drips down his face, mingling with the dust kicked up by the frantic ride. His horse breathes heavily, its sides heaving with effort. Li Wei focuses on the path ahead, every sense alert. He knows he must find a way to lose the pursuer, to survive.
The terrain grows more rugged, the ground uneven. His horse stumbles slightly but regains its footing. Li Wei urges it on, hoping to outlast the chase. His mind races, considering options, searching for a way out.
The sound of pursuit shifts, the figure moving to flank him. Li Wei tenses, anticipating an attack. He pushes his horse harder, muscles burning with the effort. Activating his basic bone armour, he feels the faint layer form under his skin.
A sharp, hissing sound pierces the air. Li Wei turns around and sees three blue, luminous scythes headed his way. Hugging his horse tightly, he ducks as one scythe sails overhead. The horse shrieks and collapses, throwing Li Wei off.
The crash is violent. The horse's body hits the ground with a heavy thud, its legs buckling and skidding along the dirt, coming to a halt. Li Wei rolls clear, his body absorbing the impact. His bone armour cracks in places, offering minimal protection against the fall. He rises quickly, assessing the situation. The blue scythes have sliced through the horse's leg, leaving it shrieking in agony.
Li Wei feels the jolt as his horse collapses, the impact jarring him to his core. He hits the ground hard, the bone armour absorbing some of the shock but not enough to prevent pain from shooting through his body. Dirt and debris scatter around him as he rolls to a stop, quickly pushing himself up. The horse's leg is nearly severed, blood pouring from the wound as it lies on the ground, twitching and shrieking in agony.
The luminous scythes continue to hum with energy, casting an eerie glow on the forest floor. Li Wei's heart races as he takes in the scene, the reality of the situation crashing down on him. The rugged terrain offers little in the way of cover or escape. His mind races, trying to calculate his next move.
Standing up, Li Wei feels the strain on his muscles, every part of his body protesting the sudden movements. His bone armour, though cracked, remains intact enough to offer some semblance of protection. The figure who attacked him is still out there, and the forest around him seems to close in, the darkness pressing down.
He takes a deep breath, calming his racing heart. The night is silent except for the pained whinnies of his horse.
He realises the bone armour won't hold against an attack. The blue scythe's power is evident in the deep gashes it left on the horse.
Li Wei can barely make out the figure chasing him, save for the white robe that stands out in the night. "Senior, do we need to fight like this? I have not attacked you," he calls out, trying to negotiate.
"Die, vermin!" the pursuer yells, launching blue scythes at him. From the voice, Li Wei recognises it as the young one. Relief washes over him. "There's still hope for me yet", Li Wei consoles himslef.
Li Wei quickly launches his own bone shot, a flurry of bone shards aimed at his pursuer. He dives to the side, narrowly evading the deadly blue scythes. They slice through the air where he stood moments before, leaving a cold chill in their wake.
Regaining his footing, Li Wei scans the dark forest, his eyes darting between the trees. The blue scythes crash into the undergrowth, shattering branches and leaves. He moves swiftly, using the terrain to his advantage, his bone shot finding its mark, forcing the young cultivator to dodge.
The forest is a labyrinth of shadows and noise. Li Wei feels the strain of his exertions, the night's events taking their toll. Yet, he presses on, determined to survive. The young cultivator's anger is palpable, his attacks becoming more erratic but no less deadly.
Li Wei uses the chaos to create distance, darting behind a large tree. He peeks around the trunk, catching sight of his pursuer. The young cultivator's white robe glows faintly in the dim light, a beacon in the dark. The advantage of youth and speed is evident, but Li Wei remains focused, his mind calculating every move.
He waits for the next barrage of scythes, timing his movements. As they launch, he springs into action, zigzagging through the trees. His bone armour provides some protection, but he knows it won't hold against the scythe. He fires another bone shot, forcing the young cultivator to take cover.
Breathing heavily, Li Wei continues to manoeuvre through the forest. He can hear the young cultivator's frustrated grunts, the sounds of pursuit relentless. The darkness is both a shield and a hindrance, obscuring his view but also hiding him from clear sight.
Li Wei watches from his vantage point as the young cultivator edges closer, scanning the area but missing Li Wei's hiding spot. The moonlight catches the edge of the white robe, and the figure moves cautiously.
Li Wei presses his hand into the dirt, focusing his energy. Bone spires shoot up from the ground with a sudden, violent force. A scream of agony pierces the night as the spires impale the young cultivator. The sound echoes through the forest, filled with pain and shock.
The young cultivator is lifted off his feet, the spires protruding through his body. Blood pours from the wounds, glistening darkly in the moonlight. His limbs twitch involuntarily, the robe stained and torn. His eyes widen in horror, mouth agape as he tries to comprehend the sudden assault.
Li Wei remains crouched, watching the life drain from his pursuer. The sight is brutal and swift. The young cultivator's screams fade to a gurgle, his body going limp. The forest grows quiet once more, the violent struggle ending as abruptly as it began.
Relief washes over Li Wei. He breathes deeply, his chest heaving from the tension. The immediate threat is neutralised, and he allows himself a moment to absorb the reality of his narrow escape. The adrenaline coursing through his veins begins to subside, leaving a sense of calm in its wake.
He stands slowly, muscles aching from the exertion and stress. His eyes remain fixed on the lifeless figure impaled by the bone spires, a reminder of the dangers that still surround him.