The air hung heavy with moisture as Li Yuan followed Lin Xue through the dense forest. Ancient trees stretched upward like sentinels, their thick canopies blotting out most of the sunlight. The sound of their footsteps mingled with the occasional chirp of unseen creatures, adding to the eerie atmosphere.
"Do you plan on staring at me the whole way, or are you going to keep your eyes on the path?" Lin Xue asked, not even bothering to look back at him.
Li Yuan's cheeks flushed. "I wasn't staring!" he protested, though he'd admittedly been watching her elegant strides as they navigated the uneven terrain.
Lin Xue chuckled softly, her tone teasing. "Right. Just like you weren't staring earlier by the pond, hmm?"
Li Yuan opened his mouth to argue but immediately shut it, realizing he had no defense. Instead, he focused on his surroundings, trying to push away the memory of her shimmering, moonlit skin and captivating gaze.
"Where exactly are we going?" he asked, eager to change the subject.
"There's a cave nearby," Lin Xue replied. "It's a safe spot I use when traveling through this region. We'll rest there and figure out our next steps."
"And what about the assassins? Why were they after me?"
Lin Xue glanced over her shoulder, her expression unreadable. "That's what I intend to find out. But one thing is certain—your mark and the power you displayed back there aren't normal. If anyone else sees it, you'll have more than assassins to worry about."
Li Yuan frowned, absently touching the sword-shaped mark on his forehead. "What do you mean by 'not normal'? Isn't everyone in this world supposed to have some kind of special ability?"
"Not like that," Lin Xue said, her voice dropping to a whisper. "Your power isn't something born from cultivation or martial spirits. It's ancient, primal. It feels… dangerous."
Her words sent a chill down his spine, and he remained silent as they continued onward.
---
They reached the cave just as the sun dipped below the horizon, casting the forest in twilight. The entrance was obscured by vines, but Lin Xue pushed them aside with practiced ease, revealing a surprisingly spacious interior.
"Stay here," she instructed, placing a small crystal on the ground. It emitted a soft glow, illuminating the cave. "I'll gather some firewood."
"Wait!" Li Yuan said, suddenly uneasy. "What if more assassins show up? Shouldn't we stick together?"
Lin Xue smirked, her expression playful. "Aw, worried about me? How sweet."
Li Yuan's face turned red. "That's not what I meant!"
She laughed, waving him off. "Relax. I won't be long. Besides, if anyone comes, just use that mysterious sword of yours. You seem to have a knack for it."
Before he could argue further, she disappeared into the forest, leaving him alone in the dimly lit cave.
---
The quiet of the cave was unsettling. Li Yuan sat near the glowing crystal, his thoughts racing. Who were those assassins? Why had they been after him? And what was this power inside him that seemed to frighten even Lin Xue?
He was so lost in thought that he almost didn't notice the faint whispering sound coming from deeper within the cave.
Li Yuan froze, his ears straining to catch the noise. It was faint, almost imperceptible, but it was definitely there—a soft, rhythmic murmur, like someone chanting.
Against his better judgment, he stood up and moved toward the sound, the glow of the crystal fading as he ventured deeper into the cave. The air grew colder, and the walls seemed to close in around him.
"Hello?" he called out, his voice echoing.
The chanting stopped abruptly, replaced by an eerie silence. Then, out of the darkness, a voice spoke—a deep, resonant tone that seemed to reverberate through his very bones.
"You bear the mark," the voice said. "The bloodline awakens."
Li Yuan's heart pounded in his chest. "Who's there?"
A figure emerged from the shadows—a spectral form, its features indistinct but its presence overwhelming. It floated a few feet above the ground, its translucent body shimmering with a faint red light.
"What do you mean, 'the bloodline awakens'?" Li Yuan asked, his voice trembling.
The figure tilted its head, as if studying him. "You are chosen. The mark binds you to the ancient pact. Destiny has brought you here."
"I didn't ask for any of this!" Li Yuan shouted. "I don't even know what's happening!"
The figure raised a hand, and the mark on Li Yuan's forehead began to glow, filling the cave with crimson light. Images flashed through his mind—visions of towering dragons, raging battles, and an ancient temple bathed in fire.
"You must seek the Temple of the Crimson Sky," the figure said. "Only there will you uncover the truth of your bloodline. But beware—the path is fraught with peril."
Before Li Yuan could ask anything else, the figure faded away, leaving him alone in the darkness.
---
By the time Lin Xue returned, carrying an armful of firewood, Li Yuan was sitting near the crystal, staring at the ground.
"You look like you've seen a ghost," she said, setting the wood down and starting a fire.
"Maybe I have," he muttered, recounting what had happened.
Lin Xue listened intently, her expression growing more serious with each passing moment. When he finished, she let out a low whistle.
"A spectral guardian tied to an ancient bloodline," she said. "That's… not something you hear about every day."
"So you believe me?" Li Yuan asked, surprised.
Lin Xue shrugged. "I've seen enough strange things in my life to know when someone isn't making things up. But if what it said is true, you're in even deeper trouble than I thought."
"What do you mean?"
"The Temple of the Crimson Sky is no ordinary place," she explained. "It's a legendary site said to hold unimaginable power—and unimaginable danger. If your mark is tied to it, every cultivator, sect, and empire on the White Continent will want a piece of you."
Li Yuan groaned, running a hand through his hair. "Great. Just what I needed."
Lin Xue smirked, her teasing tone returning. "Don't worry. You've got me to protect you."
"Why are you helping me, anyway?" he asked, genuinely curious.
She hesitated for a moment before responding. "Let's just say I have my reasons. And besides, you're kind of cute when you're clueless."
Li Yuan's face turned red again, and Lin Xue laughed, clearly enjoying his discomfort.
---
Later that night, as the fire crackled and the cave was filled with its warm glow, Lin Xue leaned back against the wall, her expression thoughtful.
"You know," she said, breaking the silence, "for someone who just arrived in this world, you're handling things surprisingly well."
Li Yuan shrugged. "I don't really have a choice, do I?"
"No," she admitted. "But still, most people would be a lot more… panicked."
He smiled faintly. "I guess I've always been good at adapting. And I've read enough stories about worlds like this to have some idea of what to expect."
Lin Xue raised an eyebrow. "Stories?"
"Never mind," he said quickly, realizing how strange that must sound.
She leaned closer, her eyes gleaming with curiosity. "You're a mysterious one, Li Yuan. I think I'm going to enjoy unraveling your secrets."
He chuckled nervously, unsure whether to be flattered or worried.
---
As the night wore on and Lin Xue drifted off to sleep, Li Yuan stared into the fire, his mind racing. The vision of the spectral figure and its cryptic message wouldn't leave him.
"The Temple of the Crimson Sky…" he murmured.
Whatever lay ahead, he knew one thing for certain—his life, or whatever passed for it in this world, was about to get a lot more complicated.