The scent of rain hung heavy in the air as Liang and Master Yuan ventured deeper into the wildlands. The horizon stretched endlessly before them, painted in muted tones of gray and green, the storm clouds overhead casting an ominous shadow on the land.
Liang adjusted the Azure Bloom's position within his robes. Its presence felt more pronounced since the Crimson Serpent ruins. It no longer just pulsed faintly; now, it resonated, like a second rhythm syncing with his heartbeat. The system chimed occasionally, providing small insights and observations about their surroundings—information Liang was beginning to appreciate more and more.
"Pay attention to your surroundings," Yuan said, his voice cutting through the quiet. "This is where the true predators live. They don't just hunt—they wait."
Liang's footsteps faltered. "Predators like Qi beasts?"
Yuan didn't answer immediately, his sharp eyes scanning the terrain. "Sometimes. But the most dangerous predators are people."
They pressed forward, the tension between them thickening with every step. The rocky outcrops surrounding the path grew taller, creating natural choke points and hiding spots. Liang felt exposed, even with Yuan's unwavering presence nearby.
His instincts prickled, a subtle warning that he couldn't quite shake. It wasn't the faint hum of Qi in the air or the rustling of grass in the wind. It was the quiet—a suffocating stillness that made the wildlands feel more alive than ever.
"Something's wrong," Liang said, his voice barely a whisper.
Yuan nodded, his expression grim. "You feel it too. Good. You're starting to develop awareness."
"What is it?" Liang's hand instinctively moved to his waist, where a dagger Yuan had given him was sheathed.
"An ambush," Yuan said flatly. "Stay close and follow my lead."
Liang's pulse quickened. He scanned the rocks ahead, his eyes darting to every shadow, every crevice. The Azure Bloom responded to his rising anxiety, and the system interface flickered in his mind.
Danger Detected: Hostile Qi Signatures Nearby.
Number of Entities: 4.
Warning: One Cultivator at Mid-Core Formation Stage. Approach with Caution.
Liang's throat went dry. "There are four of them," he whispered. "And one's stronger than me—much stronger."
Yuan raised an eyebrow but didn't seem surprised. "Useful. Your system will give you an edge, but don't rely on it too much. Trust your instincts."
Before Liang could reply, a voice rang out from the rocks ahead—a low, mocking drawl.
"Well, well. What do we have here? A master and his little apprentice, wandering so deep into the wildlands?"
A man stepped into view, his lean frame wrapped in dark robes that rippled in the wind. His hair was unkempt, and a wicked scar ran down one side of his face. Three others emerged behind him, their weapons drawn and Qi flaring faintly.
"Travelers like you don't last long out here," the man continued, his eyes gleaming with predatory intent. "Hand over your valuables, and maybe we'll let you walk away."
Yuan sighed, his hand drifting to the hilt of his sword. "Bandits. How tiresome."
The man's smile faltered. "You should choose your words carefully, old man. The wildlands don't forgive arrogance."
Liang's heart pounded. The bandits' Qi signatures buzzed faintly in his senses, each one a threat he couldn't ignore. The leader's aura, in particular, loomed large—a heavy, oppressive force that made Liang feel like a rabbit staring down a wolf.
"Liang," Yuan said calmly, not taking his eyes off the bandits. "Focus. This is your next test."
Liang's eyes widened. "Test? But—"
Yuan's blade flashed, cutting the air with a sharp hiss. The sheer pressure of his Qi forced the bandits back, their confident smirks replaced with wary glares.
"I'll handle the leader," Yuan said, his tone leaving no room for argument. "You take the others."
Liang froze. The three remaining bandits were all older, their postures confident and their weapons gleaming. He could barely handle the Shadowfang, and now he was supposed to face three cultivators?
"Move," Yuan snapped.
Liang's body reacted before his mind could protest. He drew his dagger, summoning what little Qi he could muster. The bandits grinned, their eyes alight with malice.
The first bandit lunged, a short blade aimed directly for Liang's chest. Liang sidestepped, his movements clumsy but quick enough to avoid the strike. He retaliated with a swipe of his dagger