Wei Yu was stunned, staring wide-eyed at the handsome stranger in front of him. It was his first time meeting an outsider—an outsider who was actually a cultivator.
A real cultivator! Amazing!
The cultivator looked down at Wei Yu, who was gazing up at him with eyes practically brimming with adoration. They stood in silence for a moment, tension thick in the air, as the cultivator's face held a slight hint of confusion while Wei Yu looked ready to burst with excitement. Finally, Wei Yu couldn't hold back any longer and blurted out, "Immortal Gege, you were so amazing out there!"
The cultivator raised an eyebrow, his gaze softening slightly. "Hm… And why are you here alone, little one?"
Alone? Wei Yu hesitated, glancing away. He wasn't actually alone; his grandfather was nearby. But would Grandpa approve of him talking to an outsider?
Noticing Wei Yu's sudden silence, the cultivator nodded slightly and turned, his robe fluttering elegantly in the breeze. "It's fine if you don't want to share. After all, we're strangers."
Wei Yu's eyes widened, and he quickly shook his head. "No, no! Immortal Gege, I—I live here with my grandpa. Our house isn't far from here!"
Just then, a group of young cultivators came running up to them, looking flushed and excited. Wei Yu recognized them as the ones who had struggled to set up the formation earlier. He watched them swarm around the cultivator, who seemed entirely unfazed.
"Senior Brother Chen, that was incredible!" one of the young cultivators gushed, practically bouncing on his toes.
"Of course it was! Senior Brother's cultivation is already in the late stage of Golden Core—at such a young age!" another added, his voice full of admiration.
Wei Yu's smile faded as he took in the scene. These other cultivators seemed to know his "Immortal Gege" well, and his excitement was tinged with a pang of confusion.
He tugged lightly on the sleeve of the cultivator he'd come to idolize. "Immortal Gege… who are these people?" he asked, his voice small but edged with curiosity.
The cultivator, now identified as Yu Chen, glanced over his shoulder at Wei Yu, barely sparing him a second look. "They are my fellow brothers from the same sect," he replied simply, his tone distant.
Wei Yu's heart sank slightly. Somehow, the way he'd been looking at Yu Chen, like a hero from his wildest dreams, no longer felt quite as special.
Ah—but why would Senior Brother risk his life just for the corpse of a mere snake?" one cultivator exclaimed, shaking his head in confusion.
Another cultivator nudged him with a smirk. "Hah! Haven't you heard? Our Senior Brother might seem like a block of ice, but in reality, he's as hopeless a romantic as any other man!"
The first cultivator raised an eyebrow, intrigue sparking in his eyes. "A romantic? Senior Brother? Hmph… I wonder who managed to capture the attention of someone like him."
"Only the finest of women, of course," his companion whispered conspiratorially, glancing around before he continued, "She's our Senior Sister Rong. A peerless beauty, unmatched in grace and skill!"
A few heads nodded in agreement, admiration filling their gazes as they imagined the mysterious Senior Sister Ning.
But one cultivator suddenly noticed a figure standing silently at the edge of the group, watching them with pitch-black eyes. It was a young boy, clothed in faded, worn robes, his expression unreadable, yet his presence… unsettling. There was something almost otherworldly about him.
"Senior Brother, who… who is that child?" he asked, pointing. "He looks… strange."
Another cultivator frowned, sensing the same unease. "I've never seen him around before. He feels... different."
The boy's gaze shifted, meeting theirs for a brief moment, and an inexplicable chill ran down their spines.
Wei Yu stood before the group, fists clenched tightly by his sides as he fought to maintain his composure. He was only twelve, small for his age and unused to the piercing gazes of cultivators who loomed like giants before him. How was he supposed to handle such a situation? His throat tightened, and he could feel the heat rise to his cheeks. He glanced around, aware that they were all watching him fumble, embarrassment creeping into every corner of his mind.
"Senior Brother Chen, it's getting late," a voice finally broke the silence. It was a cultivator named Ling Xiao, a tall man with sharp, hawk-like features. "Perhaps we should find a cave or some shelter to settle for the night."
Yu Chen, the leader of the group, a man with a calm yet commanding presence, nodded in agreement. "Yes, let's—"
Before he could finish, Wei Yu suddenly blurted, "You can stay at our house!"
The cultivators turned to look at him, their eyes wide with surprise at the offer. Wei Yu's heart hammered in his chest. He hadn't meant to shout it out like that. What was he thinking? Now he was the center of attention again.
Swallowing hard, he took a deep breath and tried to explain, though his voice trembled. "A-actually, my house is not f-far from here. It's just me and my grandpa, so we have plenty of s-space." He could feel his cheeks burning again, but he forced himself to keep talking, his voice barely above a whisper by the end.
Yu Chen's stern expression softened, a small smile pulling at his lips as he looked at the boy. "Alright, Wei Yu. We will take you up on your kind offer, then."
Wei Yu's face lit up with excitement. "Oh, yes! I mean—y-yes, that's good! I can show you the way."
Ling Xiao chuckled under his breath as he watched the boy's eagerness. "Seems like this might be his first time meeting people outside his village."
Another cultivator nudged Ling Xiao with a grin. "What's the harm in that? He's practically bouncing with excitement." Turning to Wei Yu, the cultivator added with mock seriousness, "Well then, young sir, might I have the honor of knowing your full name?"
Wei Yu straightened, puffing his chest a little. "My name is Wei YuAn. But you can call me Wei Yu."
One of the cultivators snickered. "Wei Yu, huh? A bold name for such a small lad."
Ling Xiao gave the snickering man a nudge, silencing him. "Respect the young host," he said lightly, though there was an underlying firmness to his words.
Wei Yu looked between them, not entirely sure if he was being made fun of or praised. He tugged nervously at his sleeves. "Uh… we, uh… should get going. The sun is already setting, and the forest can get… scary."
"Lead the way then, Wei Yu," Yu Chen said kindly, gesturing for him to go ahead.
Wei Yu took a few hesitant steps, then, realizing they were actually following him, he picked up the pace, a surge of pride lifting his spirits. They moved through the forest, the twilight casting long shadows over the path, the trees whispering in the cooling breeze. Wei Yu darted a few glances back, watching in awe as the cultivators followed him, their robes rustling softly, their presence radiating strength and calm.
They reached a small clearing, where a modest house stood tucked against a gentle hill, smoke curling up from the chimney. An old man, weathered and stooped with age, stood by the entrance, his brows knitting in concern as he watched the strange group approach.
"Grandpa! I brought some guests!" Wei Yu called out, his voice bright with excitement.
The old man raised an eyebrow, looking between Wei Yu and the cultivators. "Guests, you say?" His voice was soft but firm, carrying the kind of quiet strength that comes with age. "And who might these guests be?"
Yu Chen stepped forward and gave a respectful nod. "Greetings, sir. I am Yu Chen , and my companions and I are cultivators passing through. Your grandson kindly offered us shelter for the night."
Wei Yu's grandfather looked at his grandson, a glint of pride and worry in his gaze, then nodded. "You are welcome in our home," he said. "Come inside before the night chill sets in."
The cultivators murmured their thanks and followed the old man inside. The house was small but warm, with a single main room lit by the glow of a small fire. Wei Yu scurried about, bringing out cushions for the guests to sit on, his eagerness to please shining through every movement.
Ling Xiao accepted a cushion with a warm smile. "Thank you, Wei Yu. You're quite the little host."
Wei Yu beamed. "It's nothing! I just… I wanted to help."
Yu Chen chuckled softly as he watched the boy, then turned to the old man. "Your grandson has a brave heart, sir. You must be proud of him."
The old man gave a soft nod, his eyes shining. "Yes, he is a good boy. Sometimes a little too good for his own safety."
Wei Yu ducked his head, cheeks flushed again, but he couldn't hide the small smile that played on his lips.
The night deepened, and the cultivators began to settle in, their laughter and voices filling the house. And for the first time in a long while, Wei Yu felt a warmth in his chest that was brighter than the fire's glow, a feeling that maybe, just maybe, he could belong among such strong and noble people someday.
Maybe one day he will become a powerful cultivator like them and protect his grandpa....
One day....
****
The night was deep, wrapped in shadows with only the silver moon hanging high, casting its soft light over the mountains. In front of it, a lone figure moved clumsily—a child struggling with a sword, his steps awkward and his grip tense. His swordplay was riddled with errors, and his posture was unsteady. Yet, there was a fierce determination in the way he swung his blade, a resilience that held even strangers in awe.
Hidden among the trees, Yu Chen observed, his expression unreadable as he watched Wei Yu's determined but messy movements. After a while, he stepped forward, the silence broken by the soft rustle of his robes.
"Your stance is wrong," Yu Chen's voice was low but gentle, startling Wei Yu, who stumbled slightly before turning to face him with wide, surprised eyes.
"Immortal Gege!" Wei Yu quickly straightened, bowing clumsily, his cheeks reddened with embarrassment.
"Don't be so tense," Yu Chen said with a faint smile. "If you grip the sword too tightly, you're fighting against it. You must flow with it instead. Let me show you."
With a graceful motion, Yu Chen unsheathed his sword, the blade gleaming beneath the moonlight. "This technique is called 'Willow.' Watch closely." His movements were fluid, each stroke as soft as a breeze but precise and sharp, like a willow bending yet unbreakable. The air seemed to hum with the gentle energy of his blade as he demonstrated.
Wei Yu's eyes sparkled, captivated by the effortless beauty of Yu Chen's skill. When Yu Chen finished, he handed his sword to Wei Yu. "Try it," he said with encouragement.
Wei Yu took a deep breath, his grip loosening just a bit, and began to mimic Yu Chen's movements. The awkwardness was still there, but there was an improvement—a spark of fluidity. Hour after hour, Wei Yu practiced, his posture becoming steadier, his strokes smoother.
Finally, as dawn's first light began to touch the sky, Wei Yu executed the 'Willow' technique perfectly, his blade cutting through the air with a newfound elegance.
Yu Chen smiled approvingly. "Good," he said, nodding. "You learn quickly, Wei Yu."
Encouraged by his progress, Yi Chen placed a hand on Wei Yu's shoulder, closing his eyes as he examined his spiritual root. "Ah," he murmured, feeling a unique balance of elements. "A rare mix of fire and water… such a blend is unusual."
He looked down at Wei Yu, his eyes gleaming. "You possess the Celestial Mist Root, a dual harmony of flame and flow. It's a gift not many have."
Wei Yu blinked, stunned. "The… Celestial Mist Root?"
Yu Chen chuckled. "Indeed. With such potential, you could accomplish much. How about joining me? Come cultivate with me in the sect. There, you'll have the guidance and resources you need to grow stronger."
Wei Yu's heart leaped with excitement, his eyes shining with gratitude. "I… I would be honored, Immortal Gege!!"
Yu Chen nodded, his smile widening. "Then let us prepare. You have a long journey ahead, young disciple."