Feng Yunxian's breakthrough, while small, had shifted something fundamental. He now walked through the village with a subtle but palpable change in his aura. The villagers didn't notice; to them, he was still the quiet, unassuming boy who kept to himself. But those who were sensitive to the flow of energy, those who understood the world beyond the mundane, would soon take notice.
In the days that followed, Feng Yunxian made a point of venturing farther from the village. He needed to explore the world, to learn the rules of this realm. The energy here was thinner than in the Chaos, but it was still there, and it was enough for him to cultivate slowly. He had to adapt. If he could master cultivation in this mortal realm, it would make him stronger when he inevitably returned to the Chaos.
He found solace in the woods beyond the village, a place where the air was fresher, and the presence of energy more pronounced. Every evening, he would trek to a secluded clearing where he could meditate and practice in peace. The energy was still weak, but he could feel his strength returning bit by bit.
One evening, as he sat cross-legged in the clearing, a sense of unease washed over him. His senses, sharper than they had been in months, picked up something—an unusual disturbance in the flow of energy. His eyes opened, scanning the darkened woods.
"Who's there?" he called out, his voice calm but commanding.
Silence.
Then, the faintest rustle of leaves in the distance.
Feng Yunxian remained still, his senses fully alert. He could feel it now—there was someone, or something, watching him. Whoever—or whatever—it was, they were skilled at hiding their presence. But they were not skilled enough to escape the attention of someone like him.
"Come out," he said, his tone still even. "I won't ask again."
For a moment, there was no response. Then, slowly, a figure emerged from the shadows of the trees. It was a man, dressed in a simple brown robe that was frayed at the edges. His face was gaunt, his eyes sharp with a cunning gleam. There was something unnatural about him—something that set Feng Yunxian on edge.
"I didn't expect to find someone like you here," the man said, his voice raspy. "A boy, cultivating in a mortal village? How… intriguing."
Feng Yunxian's eyes narrowed. He remained seated, but every muscle in his body was coiled, ready to spring into action if necessary. "And who are you?" he asked, keeping his tone neutral.
The man smiled, though it didn't reach his eyes. "No one of importance. But you… you're different, aren't you? I've been watching you for some time now."
"I don't appreciate being watched," Feng Yunxian replied coldly.
The man chuckled. "Most people don't. But you… you're not like most people, are you? I can feel it—the energy around you. It's faint, but it's not of this world, is it?"
Feng Yunxian's pulse quickened. Whoever this man was, he knew more than he should. His instincts screamed that this was no ordinary mortal. There was something darker at play here.
"I don't know what you're talking about," Feng Yunxian said, keeping his expression carefully neutral.
The man's smile widened. "No need to pretend with me, boy. I've seen others like you before. People who don't belong in this realm… people who come from elsewhere." He took a step closer, his eyes gleaming with interest. "Tell me, what are you doing here? Hiding from something… or someone?"
Feng Yunxian stood slowly, his posture relaxed but ready. "I have nothing to hide."
The man's eyes narrowed, and for a moment, the air around them seemed to thicken. Feng Yunxian could feel the energy in the atmosphere shift, growing darker and more oppressive. This man wasn't just a wanderer—he was a cultivator, and a dangerous one at that.
"You're lying," the man hissed, his friendly facade slipping away. "But no matter. I'll find out the truth soon enough."
Feng Yunxian tensed, his mind racing. He couldn't afford to engage in a fight—not yet. He was still too weak. But running would only make him a target. He had to play this carefully.
"I don't want any trouble," Feng Yunxian said calmly, his voice betraying none of the tension he felt. "I'm just passing through."
The man chuckled again, though this time there was no humor in it. "Oh, but trouble has already found you."
Before Feng Yunxian could react, the man's hand shot forward, a dark energy coiling around his fingers like smoke. Feng Yunxian barely had time to move, twisting to the side just as the blast of energy streaked past him, leaving a smoldering mark on the ground where he had been standing.
The man's eyes gleamed with malice. "You're fast," he sneered. "But not fast enough."
Feng Yunxian's mind raced. He was no stranger to combat, but his body wasn't yet ready for this level of confrontation. Still, he couldn't afford to show weakness. He had to find a way out of this.
"You're making a mistake," Feng Yunxian said, his voice steady despite the rising tension.
The man's grin widened. "The only mistake is thinking you can hide from me. I can sense your power—weak as it is now, it's still there. And once I take it from you, I'll—"
But before the man could finish his sentence, something unexpected happened. The energy around Feng Yunxian flared, bright and sharp, a surge of power unlike anything the man had expected. For a brief moment, Feng Yunxian felt the connection to his past life burn within him—the spark of the Divine Immortal.
The man's eyes widened in shock as the force of the energy knocked him back, sending him crashing into a tree. He struggled to his feet, glaring at Feng Yunxian with fury and disbelief.
"What… what are you?" he spat, his voice filled with anger.
Feng Yunxian's eyes glowed with a cold light. "Someone you don't want to cross."
The man hesitated, his bravado faltering. He could sense now that he had misjudged his target. This boy was more than he appeared—far more. And whatever power he possessed, it wasn't something to be trifled with.
"You'll regret this," the man snarled, before turning and disappearing into the shadows of the forest.
Feng Yunxian watched him go, his heart pounding. He had won this round, but it was clear now that his secret was no longer safe. There were others who could sense his power—others who would come for him.
He needed to grow stronger. Fast.
The encounter had shaken him, but it also reignited the fire within him. Feng Yunxian returned to the village, his mind racing with plans. He could no longer afford to stay hidden. The world of cultivation was beginning to stir, and he would have to navigate it carefully.
The road ahead was fraught with danger, but Feng Yunxian had never shied away from a challenge. He would rise again, stronger than ever before.
And when he did, the world would remember the name of the Divine Immortal.