The days blurred together as Wei and Mei Lan continued their training, the looming presence of the Shadow Sect never far from their minds. Every strike, every movement, felt heavier with the knowledge that their enemy was not just watching, but preparing. The air in the town had taken on a different texture, thick with anticipation and unease. Even the people seemed to move more cautiously, their voices hushed, as if the storm had already begun to descend.
But despite the tension, Wei found solace in the routines he had established with Mei Lan. Together, they practiced the techniques from the ancient book, honing their skills in the small courtyard behind his home. The days were grueling, but their shared determination drove them forward.
