The soft light of morning diffused through the trees, casting long shadows over the ground as Li Wei and his team ventured deeper into the heart of the Endless Forest. The mood was somber yet charged, each member attuned to the faint sounds of beasts and the subtle rustling of foliage around them. Every step brought them closer to both opportunity and danger. As they all knew, it wasn't just the beasts they needed to be wary of.
They skirted the edge of a rocky path when Li Wei's senses sharpened. A flash of movement in the distance caught his eye, prompting him to raise a hand to halt the group. Jin Rui and Zhou Wei immediately took defensive stances, while Mei Chen and Li Jun silently followed Li Wei's gaze.
Ahead, a group of five cultivators moved cautiously through the undergrowth, unaware they were being observed. Li Wei's system flickered to life, displaying the strangers' cultivation levels—each one at Qi Gathering Stage 3, far below Li Wei and his teammates. He noted the rough state of their robes and the hungry, almost desperate looks in their eyes.
"Stay alert," Li Wei murmured, his voice barely audible. "It seems we have some competition."
Jin Rui frowned. "Do you think they're hostile?"
Li Wei's gaze darkened. "That depends. Most would look at us and see only what they want to see—an opportunity. The temptation to eliminate rivals and steal our cores is strong, especially when resources in a place like this are hard-won."
As if on cue, one of the strangers, a wiry young man with a glint of malice in his eyes, turned and spotted them. His face lit up, and he motioned to his teammates, who immediately shifted into a more offensive stance, weapons at the ready.
The leader of the group, a man slightly older than the others, stepped forward, holding up a hand in mock civility. "Greetings, fellow disciples," he called out, his voice carrying an edge that belied his polite tone. "It seems we're not the only ones venturing into the depths of the Endless Forest. Would you care to join forces with us?"
Li Wei returned the man's gaze evenly, sensing the duplicity lurking beneath the words. He glanced at his own team, who stood at attention, ready for anything. The air between the two groups was tense, a palpable unease creeping into the silence.
"Strength in numbers, after all," the man continued, an insincere smile tugging at his lips. "The forest is dangerous, and who knows what could happen if we stay too far apart?"
Li Wei could see the fear flickering in his teammates' eyes, but he held his ground, projecting a calm that he hoped would settle their nerves. The other team was weaker—Qi Gathering Stage 3 was no match for them—but Li Wei knew the dangers posed by those who felt they had something to gain. It was human nature to covet what others had, to seek advantage wherever it could be found. And in this forest, where survival depended on strength, alliances could be as fleeting as a passing breeze.
"You're right," Li Wei replied carefully, his expression unreadable. "The forest is treacherous. We wouldn't want anyone to get hurt."
The leader's smile widened, but his eyes narrowed. "Precisely," he said. "It would be a shame if either of our teams encountered... unnecessary losses."
Li Wei stepped forward, positioning himself as a barrier between his team and the others. "Let's be clear—this competition is about strength and skill, not deceit. We've worked hard to reach where we are, and I'm sure you have too. But we're not interested in alliances based on empty words."
The man's face hardened, his pleasant demeanor slipping for a fraction of a second. He studied Li Wei's expression, as if trying to gauge how much of a threat he posed. After a tense silence, he forced a laugh, though it was devoid of warmth.
"Fair enough," he said. "But we all know that opportunities are scarce here. And sometimes... resources are best shared with those who can make the most use of them."
Li Wei's gaze sharpened. He recognized the glimmer of greed in the man's eyes, the barely concealed hunger to take what he could by any means necessary. He'd seen it countless times across his previous lives, the depths to which people would sink to satisfy their own ambitions. Greed was a powerful motivator, and in this competition, it was an ever-present threat.
"Then you're welcome to find your own resources," Li Wei replied, his tone as cold as the morning mist. "We won't hinder you, but we won't hand over what's ours, either."
The man's expression faltered, irritation flashing across his face. But before he could respond, one of his teammates—a young woman with a harsh sneer—spoke up.
"You're cocky for a team that looks as worn out as yours," she jeered, casting a critical eye over Li Wei and his team. "Who's to say you'll even make it out of this forest? Perhaps we'd be doing you a favor by... lightening your load."
The implied threat was clear, and Li Wei's team tensed, their hands drifting toward their weapons. Mei Chen's eyes narrowed, and Jin Rui clenched his fists, barely containing his anger.
Li Wei raised a hand, calming his teammates with a single glance. "There's no need for hostility. We're all here for the same purpose—to test ourselves and prove our worth. If you feel the need to rely on intimidation, then perhaps it's not us you should be concerned about."
The leader of the other team sneered, his voice dripping with disdain. "You talk a lot for someone so young. But words don't mean anything here. Power does."
Li Wei's eyes hardened, his gaze cutting through the man's bravado. "Then remember this," he said quietly, his voice barely more than a whisper. "True power isn't just about taking what you want. It's about knowing when to walk away."
A flicker of uncertainty crossed the man's face, but he quickly masked it with a scowl. "We'll see about that," he muttered, taking a step back and signaling his team to follow. "But if we meet again, don't expect us to be so polite."
The other team disappeared into the shadows, but Li Wei remained still, watching their retreat until he was certain they were gone. Only then did he turn to his team, his expression serious.
"Remember what you just saw," he said, his voice low but steady. "Not all enemies come at you with blades drawn. Some will wear a smile, offer friendship, and speak of alliances, but their intentions are anything but pure. Greed is as dangerous as any beast in this forest, and sometimes, it's the enemy you least expect."
Jin Rui looked troubled, his brow furrowing as he processed Li Wei's words. "Why didn't we just confront them? They were clearly weaker than us. We could've taught them a lesson."
Li Wei shook his head. "They may be weaker in cultivation, but underestimating others is a mistake. Power shifts quickly, and if we waste energy on needless fights, we risk our focus, our stamina, and perhaps our lives. Those who are truly strong know when to fight and when to let go. In this forest, we'll face worse than humans blinded by greed."
The others nodded, taking his words to heart. They had witnessed a glimpse of human nature, the kind of cunning and malice that could emerge under the strain of survival. Though Li Wei's experiences had made him wise to such matters, he knew his teammates were only beginning to understand the true cost of ambition and desire.
As they moved onward, the forest seemed to close in around them, shadows lengthening as they pressed deeper. Li Wei kept his senses sharp, aware that the encounter had stirred something in his teammates—an understanding that the beasts they hunted were not the only threats in the forest.
Human nature, he thought, was a far more complex, treacherous thing. It could drive people to greatness, but just as easily, it could drive them to ruin. And for Li Wei, who had lived many lives and seen many faces of ambition and desire, the lesson was one he carried like a shield, knowing it would protect him in the moments that mattered most.