As Kellan struggled to speak, the creeping cold was tightening its grip, a constant reminder of how perilously close he was to losing consciousness. His vision blurred at the edges, the vibrant greens and deep shadows of the Mystfall Forest becoming smudges of color, barely recognizable in his weakened state. He felt like he was slipping away, each heartbeat a painful reminder of his dwindling strength. Just as he attempted to gather his thoughts, to say something, anything, a sudden voice cut through the silence like a blade.
"Yukino, you can't just kill someone willy-nilly; Father will get angry at you!"
The voice belonged to a man who landed softly on the forest floor, his presence somehow commanding yet carefree. Kellan's gaze managed to focus, and he found himself looking up at a young man with striking green hair, sharp eyebrows that framed intense eyes, and a chiseled face that seemed to reflect strength. But this wasn't all—Kellan sensed something overwhelming, a force hidden beneath that confident demeanor. It was clear that this man, Yuki, was stronger than anyone Kellan had encountered before, perhaps even more powerful than Shi Lin's father or Elder Wei back in the clan.
"But elder brother, he saw me bathing!" Yukino's voice wavered between anger and embarrassment, her cheeks flushed as she crossed her arms defensively.
Kellan's heart pounded; he hadn't expected her to take such offense, and yet, here he was, accused of something he hadn't meant to do. His cheeks warmed despite the poison chilling his veins, his embarrassment clashing with his desperation to stay awake.
"Aye, this kid is a member of the Shi Clan, and this is their territory. Technically, we are trespassing, Yukino," Yuki said, raising an eyebrow at his sister, who huffed in annoyance.
"Hmph! You're lucky my brother is standing up for you. If not, I would have cut off your arms and legs at the very least!" Yukino retorted, glaring at Kellan with a mixture of anger and frustration.
Kellan, however, could do little but stare. He tried to muster a response, but his lips barely parted before his strength left him entirely. The poison was ravaging his body, numbing his senses and making him feel as though he were drifting on the edge of a vast, dark sea. He was barely aware of Yuki approaching, a warm hand pressing against his chest as spiritual energy began to flow from Yuki's palm into his body.
"You're lucky I got here in time, kid. If not, you really would have died here." Yuki's tone was reassuring, though his smile hinted at how dire his injuries must be.
Kellan managed a faint smile in response, gratitude flickering in his weary eyes. "Thank you for saving me," he murmured. But deep down, a sense of shame lingered. This was the second time his life had hung by a thread due to his lack of strength—first, during the attack from the Nightshade Clan, and now, with Yukino's fury. He thought back to the glimpse he'd accidentally caught of her by the lake. Maybe she had a good figure, but that didn't mean he should die for it, right?
"What's a kid at the third level of the Blood Solidification Realm doing this deep in the Mystfall Forest?" Yuki asked, his tone both amused and mildly scolding. "Didn't the elders warn you about taking such risks?"
"I was… looking for red-tipped boars," Kellan replied, a hint of embarrassment slipping into his voice. "The clan tournament is coming up, and I thought I'd try to strengthen my physique by hunting and cooking the meat of one. The elder on task duty said it could help me improve…"
"Well, I just saved you from a pretty terrible fate, but I won't be here to do it again," Yuki said, his expression turning serious. "If you want to survive, you're going to have to train harder and think twice before venturing so far from safety."
Kellan glanced at his rescuer with determination creeping into his gaze, but before he could say anything, Yukino rolled her eyes and turned away.
"Are you guys done talking?" she said, clearly impatient. "If so, I'm leaving first!"
"Wait up, my dear sister! Father entrusted me with your safety, you know," Yuki called, quickly taking a few steps after her.
"Oh, sure! And if you were doing your job right, we wouldn't be in this situation," Yukino scoffed, shooting him a scathing look. "All you ever do is fool around. This is why Father keeps beating you up!"
Yuki laughed, an easygoing grin on his face. "Hey, life's more than just cultivating, Yukino. Sometimes, you need to enjoy the little moments. It's called balance!"
"Whatever." Yukino rolled her eyes, with annoyance as she turned away. "Let's just go," she muttered, already making her way deeper into the forest.
Just as she started to leave, she cast a cold glance at Kellan. "And you, kid from the Shi Clan—if I ever see you again, you're dead!" She spat the words out, her expression looked dark before she vanished into the shadows of the trees.
Yuki chuckled, draping an arm over Kellan's shoulders. "My sister's real strong, isn't she?" he said with a grin. "For someone her age, she's got quite a bit of strength. If she'd taken you seriously from the start, you wouldn't have had a chance to react.
Kellan's eyes widened. "What's her actual cultivation level?"
Yuki's grin faded slightly. "Early stage of the Bone Sacrifice Realm," he said, watching Kellan's reaction.
"Bone Sacrifice Realm? But… she looks as young as me!" Kellan's voice was barely a whisper, awe and disbelief mingling in his gaze.
"Well, talent has no age limit," Yuki replied, a hint of pride in his voice. "And you, kid—you have potential, too. I saw the way you passed through that array formation back there. That wasn't something just anyone could do."
Kellan nodded, his mind racing with thoughts of what happened previously. He clenched his fist, memories of recent humiliations flooding him. This world was brutal, and he was tired of being left at others' mercy.
"Work hard, and maybe you'll even have a shot with my sister one day!" Yuki joked, giving him a friendly shove before leaping into the air to catch up with Yukino.
Kellan stood there, watching them fade into the distance, his mind a tumult of emotions. He was grateful for his life, yet a gnawing frustration burned within him. Twice now, he had barely escaped death, each time a reminder of his own weakness. If he didn't change, he knew he would face even graver dangers in the future.
"I need to get stronger," he muttered, clenching his fists. The conviction in his voice was unshakeable.
First, he examined his injuries. His leg was numb with frostbite, the skin tinged green and painful to the touch, while dried blood marked his cheeks where Yukino's attack had lashed at him earlier. Gritting his teeth, he took a deep breath, bracing himself against the discomfort.