The wilderness stretched out before Ling Yan like an endless sea of desolation. The remnants of his village lay far behind him, now nothing more than a fading memory. His feet sank into the shifting sands as he trudged forward, the weight of the Burning Sky Technique heavy in his hand. Though his body still ached from the trial he had endured, there was no time to rest. The world outside his village was vast and perilous, and he could not afford to be complacent.
The sun had already begun its descent, casting long shadows across the barren landscape. Ling Yan walked with a steady pace, his senses alert to the dangers that might lurk just beyond the horizon. He had no destination in mind, but he knew that his path would eventually lead him to a place where he could cultivate his newfound power. The Burning Sky Technique was a force unlike any other, and he needed to understand it fully if he hoped to harness it.
As night fell, the temperature dropped sharply, and the howling wind carried with it a bitter chill. Ling Yan wrapped his tattered cloak tightly around himself and sought shelter beneath a rocky overhang. He gathered a few dry twigs and managed to start a small fire, its warm glow flickering in the cold night air.
Sitting by the fire, Ling Yan stared into the flames, his mind filled with the knowledge he had absorbed from the Burning Sky Technique. The power within him still felt raw and untamed, like a beast that could break free at any moment. He closed his eyes and began to focus inward, attempting to circulate the spiritual energy within his body as the ancient voice had instructed.
The flow of energy was slow at first, sluggish and uneven, but as Ling Yan concentrated, he felt the warmth of the flames begin to spread through his meridians. The firelight flickered against his skin, and he could feel the power of the Burning Sky Technique stirring within him. The sensation was both exhilarating and terrifying.
Suddenly, a sharp sound cut through the night—a snapping branch, followed by the soft crunch of footsteps on the sand. Ling Yan's eyes shot open, his hand instinctively reaching for the short sword at his side. He quickly extinguished the fire, plunging the area into darkness, and crouched low against the rocks, his senses straining to identify the source of the noise.
For a long moment, there was nothing but silence. Then, out of the shadows, a figure emerged, cloaked in black and moving with a predator's grace. Ling Yan's heart raced—had the assassins from the Tian Xie Sect returned to finish him off? He tightened his grip on the sword, ready to strike if necessary.
But as the figure drew closer, Ling Yan realized that this person was not dressed in the garb of the assassins. The figure was tall and slender, with long hair cascading down their back, and their movements were fluid and deliberate. They seemed to be searching for something—or someone.
The figure suddenly paused, their head turning slightly as if they had sensed Ling Yan's presence. For a moment, the two were locked in a tense standoff, the only sound the wind howling through the rocks.
"Come out," the figure called, their voice low but commanding. "I know you're there."
Ling Yan hesitated for a brief moment, but he knew he had little choice. Stepping out from the shadows, he raised his sword cautiously, ready for a confrontation. "Who are you?" he demanded, his voice steady despite the tension in his body.
The figure lowered their hood, revealing a young woman with strikingly sharp features and cold, calculating eyes. Her expression was unreadable as she regarded Ling Yan, her gaze sweeping over him with an air of mild curiosity.
"I could ask you the same question," she replied coolly. "What is someone like you doing out here in the middle of the wilderness?"
Ling Yan didn't answer right away. He studied the woman carefully, trying to gauge her intentions. She didn't appear hostile, but her presence was unsettling. There was something about her that radiated power, though she kept it carefully controlled. Ling Yan couldn't afford to underestimate her.
"I'm traveling," he said finally, keeping his response vague. "Who are you?"
The woman raised an eyebrow, clearly unimpressed with his evasiveness. "You're a terrible liar," she said flatly. "But it's none of my concern. I'm not here to harm you—unless you give me a reason to."
Ling Yan relaxed slightly, though he kept his guard up. "Then what do you want?" he asked.
The woman crossed her arms, her gaze narrowing slightly as she considered her answer. "I sensed a powerful spiritual fluctuation in this area," she said after a moment. "It's rare to feel such energy out here in the wastelands. I came to investigate."
Ling Yan's heart skipped a beat. Had she sensed the Burning Sky Technique when he activated it? If so, this could be dangerous. He couldn't let anyone know the true nature of his power—not yet.
"I don't know what you're talking about," Ling Yan said, feigning ignorance. "I've just been passing through."
The woman stared at him for a long moment, her eyes searching his face as if she were trying to discern the truth. Finally, she let out a soft sigh and shook her head. "You're not a very good actor either," she remarked dryly. "But whatever you're hiding, I don't care. I'm not interested in your secrets."
Ling Yan was taken aback by her bluntness. He hadn't expected her to dismiss his lies so easily, nor had he expected her indifference. "Then why are you still here?" he asked, genuinely confused.
The woman's lips curled into a faint smile. "Curiosity," she admitted. "And perhaps a bit of caution. People who possess unusual power tend to attract trouble—whether they want it or not."
Ling Yan's expression darkened slightly. She wasn't wrong. He had already experienced firsthand the dangers that came with possessing a powerful technique like the Burning Sky Technique. But that didn't mean he had to trust her.
"I'm not looking for trouble," Ling Yan said cautiously. "I'm just trying to survive."
"Aren't we all?" the woman replied with a shrug. She took a step back and raised her hands in a gesture of peace. "As I said, I'm not here to cause problems. If you're truly just passing through, then we have no reason to fight."
Ling Yan watched her warily, still unsure of her motives. But there was no sense in starting a fight when he didn't need to. He nodded slowly, lowering his sword slightly, though he kept it within reach. "Fine. If you're not a threat, then we can part ways peacefully."
The woman gave him a curious look. "What's your name?"
"Ling Yan," he replied, still cautious.
The woman studied him for a moment longer, then nodded. "I'm Shui Yueyao," she said. "I'm from the Shui Sect—perhaps you've heard of us."
Ling Yan blinked in surprise. The Shui Sect was one of the five great sects that dominated the cultivation world, known for their mastery of water-based techniques and their ruthless competition among disciples. It was rare to encounter someone from such a powerful background in the middle of the wilderness.
"What are you doing out here?" Ling Yan asked, his curiosity getting the better of him.
Shui Yueyao's expression turned serious. "I'm training," she said simply. "There's only so much you can learn within the confines of a sect. Real growth comes from facing the unknown—and from testing yourself against real danger."
Ling Yan nodded in understanding. He could relate to that sentiment. He had left his village behind for the same reason—to grow stronger, to push himself beyond his limits.
"Be careful," Shui Yueyao added, her tone softer. "The wastelands are unforgiving, and not everyone you meet will be as accommodating as I am. The path of cultivation is filled with peril."
"I understand," Ling Yan said, his voice firm. "I have no choice but to walk this path."
Shui Yueyao regarded him for a moment, then smiled faintly. "I see. Well, Ling Yan, I wish you luck. Perhaps our paths will cross again."
With that, she turned and disappeared into the darkness, her presence fading into the night as though she had never been there at all.
Ling Yan watched her go, his mind racing. Shui Yueyao's words lingered in his thoughts, a reminder of the dangers that lay ahead. The world outside the village was vast, and it was filled with powerful cultivators like Shui Yueyao—people who could be both allies and enemies. He would need to be cautious in the days to come.
But as Ling Yan sat down beside his extinguished fire, he felt a strange sense of hope. The encounter with Shui Yueyao had been unexpected, but it had also reminded him that he was not alone on this journey. There were others out there who sought strength and purpose, just as he did.
For now, however, Ling Yan's focus remained on mastering the Burning Sky Technique. He closed his eyes once more, allowing the warmth of the flames to fill his mind as he resumed his cultivation. The night was still long, and the road ahead was treacherous. But Ling Yan was ready to face whatever challenges awaited him.