The forest around them had fallen into an unusual quiet, the kind that made even seasoned cultivators uneasy. As night deepened, Li Wei and his team sat by their campfire near the river, the soft light casting shadows on their tired faces. Across from them, the royal team kept a respectful distance, their silhouettes barely visible beyond the flames. Despite the silence, a sense of alertness tinged the air—a wariness that came from the unknown.
Li Wei could feel his team's glances, each of them filled with questions they hadn't yet voiced. Their journey to this part of the forest had been no easy feat, marked by battles with beasts and the eerie silence that seemed to weigh down every step they took.
Mei Chen, unable to bear the tension any longer, leaned over and spoke in a whisper, her gaze fixed on Li Wei. "Li Wei… don't you find it strange that they're here?"
