The afternoon sun bathed the forest in a golden glow as Liang, Mei, and Yuan pressed onward. After the ordeal with the Corrupted Spirit Core, Liang felt the weight of his newfound strength. His cultivation had advanced to the Core Condensation Realm, but the process had left him mentally and spiritually drained.
Despite his exhaustion, he felt a strange clarity—a deeper connection to his spirit energy. The Azure Bloom's interface confirmed his growth, displaying his updated stats in neat, glowing lines.
Name: Liang
Cultivation Stage: Early Core Condensation Realm
Strength: 23
Agility: 24
Spirit: 35
Potential Growth Detected: High
Liang couldn't help but smirk. For the first time, he felt like he was closing the gap between himself and his companions. Mei noticed his expression and nudged him with her elbow.
"Feeling stronger already, huh?" she teased.
"Stronger, sure," Liang replied. "But I'm also starving."
Mei laughed. "A big cultivation breakthrough always comes with a big appetite. Let's hope we reach that village before you keel over."
Yuan, walking a few paces ahead, glanced back at them. "We'll be there by sundown if we keep up the pace. Stay alert—Chen Yan's men may have scouts in the area."
The mention of Chen Yan sent a chill down Liang's spine. The mercenary leader's relentless pursuit weighed heavily on them all, and Liang couldn't shake the feeling that they were being watched.
The forest gradually gave way to rolling hills, dotted with small clusters of trees and rocky outcroppings. The path they followed wound through the landscape like a serpent, its edges worn smooth by countless travelers.
As the sun dipped lower in the sky, the group reached a vantage point overlooking a small village nestled in a valley below. Smoke curled from chimneys, and the faint sounds of life—voices, laughter, the clatter of tools—drifted up to meet them.
"There it is," Yuan said, his tone cautious. "We'll restock supplies and gather what information we can. But don't let your guard down."
Mei nodded, her hand resting on the hilt of her blade. "What's the plan if Chen Yan's men show up?"
"We avoid conflict if possible," Yuan replied. "But if they force our hand…" He left the sentence unfinished, his expression grim.
Liang scanned the village using the Azure Bloom's interface. The system highlighted faint traces of spirit energy among the villagers, but none of them seemed particularly strong. Still, the unease in his chest refused to subside.
"Potential threats detected," the Bloom chimed. "Energy fluctuations suggest presence of trained cultivators."
"Yuan," Liang said quietly. "The Bloom's picking up some unusual energy down there. Nothing overwhelming, but it's there."
Yuan frowned. "Not surprising. Small villages like this often attract rogue cultivators looking for easy prey or a place to lay low. We'll proceed carefully."
As they entered the village, the atmosphere was noticeably subdued. The streets were lined with modest wooden houses, and the villagers moved with a wary, subdued energy. Most avoided making eye contact with the newcomers, retreating into their homes as the group passed.
"Not exactly a warm welcome," Mei muttered.
Yuan stopped near the central square, where a small market was still active despite the late hour. "Liang, Mei, check the market for supplies. I'll see if I can learn anything about Chen Yan's movements."
Liang nodded, following Mei toward the market stalls. The vendors eyed them warily but didn't refuse their business. Liang focused on the essentials—dried meats, grains, and medicinal herbs—while Mei haggled for a bundle of arrows.
As they finished their purchases, a voice behind them caught Liang's attention.
"Strangers in town, eh? Not many of your kind come through here."
Liang turned to see an older man leaning against a post, a pipe in his hand. His eyes were sharp despite his weathered appearance, and his tone carried a hint of curiosity.
"We're just passing through," Liang said carefully.
The man chuckled, exhaling a plume of smoke. "Passing through, are you? Best keep moving, then. Trouble's been brewing lately. Not a good time to linger."
"What kind of trouble?" Mei asked, her tone sharp.
The man's smile faded. "Bandits, mostly. But there've been whispers of something worse. A group of cultivators came through a few days ago, asking questions about strangers on the run. Sound familiar?"
Liang's stomach dropped. "What did you tell them?"
The man shrugged. "Not much. Didn't want to get involved. But they were camped out in the hills west of here. If they're looking for you, they won't be far behind."
Mei's grip on her blade tightened. "Thanks for the warning."
The man waved them off, his expression unreadable.
Back at the square, Yuan rejoined them, his face tense. "Chen Yan's scouts were seen nearby. We need to leave tonight."
Liang's heart sank. "No rest?"
"Not here," Yuan said firmly. "They're closing in, and we can't afford to be caught off guard."
As they left the village, the tension in the air was palpable. The road ahead wound through the hills, the shadows growing longer as the sun dipped below the horizon.
Liang activated the Azure Bloom's scanning function again, his eyes darting to the glowing trails of energy that marked potential threats.
"Multiple energy signatures detected. Hostile intent likely."
"They're here," Liang whispered.
Yuan nodded, his hand on his sword hilt. "Prepare yourselves."
The first attack came from the left—a volley of arrows slicing through the air. Liang dove to the ground, rolling behind a boulder as the arrows struck the dirt where he had been standing.
Mei fired back with her own arrows, her movements swift and precise. Yuan charged forward, his blade flashing in the dim light as he intercepted a group of attackers emerging from the shadows.
Liang gritted his teeth, drawing his dagger. The Azure Bloom highlighted the enemies around him, their energy levels faint compared to the Abyssal Guardian but still dangerous.
"Recommended action: Target enemy leader to disrupt coordination."
Liang scanned the battlefield, his eyes narrowing as he spotted a figure standing atop a nearby ridge. The man was clad in dark robes, his aura radiating authority.
"That must be him," Liang muttered, breaking into a sprint toward the ridge.
The leader noticed him approaching and smirked, raising a hand to summon a burst of fiery energy. Liang dodged to the side, the flames scorching the ground where he had been.
"Bold of you to face me alone," the man taunted.
Liang didn't respond. He focused his spirit energy, channeling it into his legs for a burst of speed. The Azure Bloom's interface guided his movements, highlighting weak points in the man's stance.
With a sudden leap, Liang closed the distance, his dagger slicing through the man's guard. The leader staggered back, blood dripping from a shallow cut on his arm.
"You'll regret that," the man growled, summoning a surge of energy.
But before he could unleash it, an arrow struck his shoulder, the force knocking him off balance. Mei stood at the base of the ridge, her bowstring still vibrating from the shot.
"Nice shot!" Liang called, taking advantage of the distraction to deliver a final strike. His dagger found its mark, and the leader crumpled to the ground, his energy dissipating.
With their leader defeated, the remaining attackers fled into the night, their morale shattered. Liang collapsed to his knees, his chest heaving as the adrenaline drained from his body.
Yuan approached, his sword still drawn. "Good work, both of you. But this was just a scouting party. Chen Yan won't give up so easily."
Liang nodded, his mind already racing with questions about what lay ahead.
The road was only growing more perilous, and he couldn't shake the feeling that the worst was yet to come.