Teng Lin paced in front of the small inn, his hands clasped tightly behind his back. The early morning sun had barely risen above the tiled rooftops of Bluewood Town, and a light mist still clung to the ground. His thoughts swirled with worry.
"I'll have to leave for the valley," Teng Lin muttered to himself, glancing toward the inn's second floor where his companions were staying. "But Chen Bo just started recovering. Is it really alright to leave him now?"
Finally, he steeled himself and climbed the stairs to the room. Inside, Wei Jian was seated on a stool near the window, polishing a short blade with practiced precision. He looked up as Teng Lin entered.
"Morning," Wei Jian greeted, though his sharp eyes quickly picked up on Teng Lin's troubled expression. "What's on your mind?"
"I need to head out for a bit," Teng Lin said. "It's something I can't put off."
Wei Jian raised an eyebrow, setting the blade aside. "What's so important that it can't wait? And what about Chen Bo?"
"That's why I came to talk to you. Could you stay and keep an eye on him? Just until I get back."
Wei Jian leaned back, crossing his arms. "I guess I could. But honestly, there's not much to keep an eye on anymore."
He gestured toward the bed where Chen Bo lay. Teng Lin turned his gaze and froze.
Chen Bo no longer looked like the pale, exhausted man who had collapsed just a day ago. His complexion was clear, his breathing steady. Even in his sleep, he exuded an aura of vitality that seemed entirely out of place. His features had subtly shifted—his jawline more defined, his posture relaxed but regal, and his overall presence almost magnetic.
"Is… Is it just me, or does he look different?" Teng Lin asked cautiously.
Wei Jian smirked. "You're not imagining it. I noticed it this morning. The guy's a lot healthier than he should be, and… I don't know, there's something else."
"Something else?"
"An aura," Wei Jian said, his brow furrowing. "Can't quite put my finger on it. But people don't just wake up looking like that after being half-dead."
Teng Lin nodded, his unease growing. "All the more reason for me to go handle this quickly. I'll be back before nightfall."
Wei Jian gave him a knowing look but didn't press further. "Fine. But don't take too long. And don't worry—I'll make sure Chen Bo stays put."
Teng Lin nodded his thanks and left, his heart heavy. As he descended the stairs and stepped into the town's main street, the distant mountains loomed in the morning haze.
The trek back to the valley was uneventful at first. The path was familiar now, winding through patches of sparse woodland and rocky outcrops. Teng Lin quickened his pace, knowing the mission's timer was ticking down with every passing moment.
But as he approached the final stretch before the valley's entrance, an eerie stillness settled over the area. The usual sounds of birds and insects were conspicuously absent. Teng Lin slowed his steps, his instincts on high alert.
A low growl echoed through the trees.
He spun around, heart pounding, as a pack of wolves emerged from the shadows. Their fur bristled, their yellow eyes gleaming with hunger. At their center was a wolf unlike any Teng Lin had ever seen. It was larger than the others, its fur shimmering with a silver sheen that seemed to catch the light even in the dim forest.
The silver wolf stepped forward, its gaze locking onto Teng Lin. There was intelligence in its eyes—cold, calculating, and predatory.
Teng Lin's breath hitched. He took a cautious step back, then another. His mind raced.
"Stay calm," he muttered to himself. "If I can just—"
The silver wolf let out a low growl, and the other wolves began to spread out, forming a semicircle to cut off his escape.
Teng Lin panicked. He turned and bolted, his legs pumping furiously as he sprinted toward the valley. The wolves gave chase, their snarls and pounding footsteps growing louder behind him.
"Think, think!" Teng Lin gasped, his fear rising with every step.
The silver wolf's growl turned into a deep, almost mocking chuckle. Teng Lin glanced over his shoulder and saw it preparing to pounce. Its powerful legs coiled like springs, ready to launch itself at him.
Teng Lin's chest tightened in terror.
And then it happened.
A blinding wave of energy surged through the forest, accompanied by a thunderous roar. Teng Lin skidded to a halt, shielding his face as the wolves around him dissolved into blood mist. The metallic scent filled the air, and he could only stare in stunned disbelief.
When the mist cleared, a lone figure stood where the silver wolf had been. Su Xianyu's presence was as commanding as ever, his eyes cold and sharp. At his feet lay a single silvery bead, shimmering faintly in the sunlight.
"You," Su Xianyu said, his tone sharp and accusatory. "What are you doing here? Didn't I tell you to stay in town?"
Teng Lin swallowed hard, his hands trembling as he lowered them. "I—I had to come back to the valley. There's something I need to do."
Su Xianyu narrowed his eyes. "Something you need to do? You almost got yourself killed!"
Teng Lin lowered his gaze, ashamed. "I know. I'm sorry. But… I had no choice. I have to plant some seeds before the day ends."
Su Xianyu blinked, momentarily stunned. "Seeds? You risked your life for seeds?"
Teng Lin nodded earnestly. "It's important. I can't explain why, but it has to be done today."
Su Xianyu frowned, suspicion flickering across his face. But after a moment, he sighed and waved his hand. "Fine. I'll take you to the valley. Let's get this over with."
Before Teng Lin could react, Su Xianyu vanished in a blur, leaving behind a gust of wind.
Back at the inn, Chen Bo stirred under the weight of a thick quilt. His eyes fluttered open, and for a moment, he stared blankly at the wooden beams of the ceiling. The room felt different—sharper, brighter, more alive. He blinked again and sat up, the motion smooth and effortless, as though his body had never been weakened at all.
Wei Jian, seated nearby with a steaming cup of tea, nearly dropped it when he noticed Chen Bo moving.
"Chen Bo? You're awake?" Wei Jian stood abruptly, stepping closer. "Wait—how are you…?"
Chen Bo swung his legs off the bed, planting his feet firmly on the ground. He stretched, his joints crackling softly. "I feel fine," he said, his voice steadier and richer than before. He looked at Wei Jian, who now seemed to be scrutinizing him intensely.
"You don't just feel fine," Wei Jian muttered. "You look… completely different."
Chen Bo furrowed his brow in confusion. "Different?"
Wei Jian pointed to the small mirror mounted on the wall. "Take a look."
Chen Bo approached it hesitantly and froze when he saw his reflection. The face staring back at him was unmistakably his, but there were subtle, undeniable changes. His features were sharper, his skin smoother, and his eyes carried a depth that hadn't been there before. Even his posture seemed more regal, as though some hidden nobility had been awakened within him.
"I…" Chen Bo trailed off, unable to find the words.
Wei Jian stepped closer, his eyes narrowing. "You're taller too. And more… built. What happened to you?"
Chen Bo shook his head. "I don't know. I was unconscious this whole time. How could something like this—"
He stopped mid-sentence, his eyes widening. Tiny white specks floated in the air around him, barely visible but undeniably present. They danced and swirled like fireflies, gravitating toward him in slow, deliberate movements.
"Do you see that?" Chen Bo whispered, reaching out to touch one of the specks.
Wei Jian frowned. "See what?"
"The white specks," Chen Bo said, his voice trembling. "They're… everywhere."
Wei Jian glanced around the room but saw nothing out of the ordinary. "I don't see anything."
Chen Bo turned to him, his expression a mix of awe and unease. "They're moving toward me," he said, pointing at the specks. "But… they're avoiding you."
Wei Jian's eyebrows furrowed in concern. "Avoiding me? What does that mean?"
Chen Bo shook his head, his gaze fixed on the specks as they swirled closer to him, then seemed to sink into his skin. A strange warmth spread through his body, and for a moment, he felt an overwhelming sense of vitality.
"I don't know what's happening," Chen Bo admitted, his voice barely above a whisper.
Wei Jian placed a hand on his shoulder, steadying him. "Whatever it is, it's not normal. You're changing, Chen Bo. And we need to figure out why."
Meanwhile, in the valley, Su Xianyu and Teng Lin appeared in a flash of light, the former's robes billowing slightly from the sudden displacement of air. Teng Lin stumbled, unaccustomed to such rapid movement, and nearly fell before regaining his balance.
"Here we are," Su Xianyu said curtly, gesturing toward the transformed landscape. The once barren soil now radiated a vibrant energy, the ground black as night and exuding a faint, earthy glow. The air itself felt heavy with life, as though the valley had become a living entity.