Ren Liang sat under the canopy of ancient trees, the forest's shadows stretching across the forest floor. He'd spent the entire night sitting upright, his back pressed against the rough bark of a towering cedar. His body was still weak, his bandaged shoulder throbbing, but his mind refused to rest. His thoughts churned endlessly, replaying every humiliation, every sneer, and every whisper that had followed him throughout his life.
The faint hum of the shard resonated in his chest, a quiet reminder of the thing that had saved him. It wasn't just the Spirit Wolf—it was something far bigger. For the first time, Ren didn't feel like his fate was sealed. The power within him was weak now, but it was there, waiting to be understood. He just needed time. Time to grow stronger, time to make sense of what had happened, and time to figure out what to do next.
The first light of dawn bled through the canopy, painting the forest in soft gold and green. Ren rose unsteadily, gripping the tree trunk for support. His limbs felt like they were weighed down by lead, but the sharp pangs of hunger drove him forward. He hadn't eaten since yesterday, and even in his frail state, his body demanded sustenance.
The Jin River wasn't far, its waters visible between the gaps in the trees. Ren crouched by the bank, splashing cold water onto his face. His reflection wavered on the surface—a ghostly figure with pale skin and hollow eyes. It felt like he was looking at a stranger. Maybe that was for the best. The Ren Liang who'd been mocked and ridiculed his whole life needed to be left behind. This was a new beginning, and he couldn't afford to be weak anymore.
As he drank deeply, his stomach churned with emptiness. Ren scanned the riverbank for anything edible—wild fruits, roots, anything to stave off the ache. His eyes landed on a cluster of dark berries hanging from a low bush near the water. They looked ripe, their skin glistening in the morning light.
Ren hesitated. His uncle had warned him about eating wild berries, but he couldn't bring himself to care. Hunger gnawed at him, sharper than any fear of poison. He plucked a handful of berries and shoved them into his mouth, the tangy sweetness washing over his tongue. He ate cautiously at first, but soon he was devouring them, one handful after another, until the bush was stripped bare.
He leaned back against a rock, letting the food settle. The ache in his stomach dulled, but a new tension crept into his chest—a faint, pulsing sensation that wasn't entirely unpleasant. The shard's hum grew louder, more insistent, as if responding to the act of feeding. Ren frowned, his hand brushing against his chest. Was the shard... reacting to his hunger? Or was it feeding off him in return?
The thought unsettled him, but there was no time to dwell on it. The sound of approaching footsteps snapped him out of his thoughts, his body tensing instinctively. He turned toward the noise, his heart racing. Through the trees, a group of figures emerged, their robes marking them as cultivators.
Ren's breath caught in his throat. There were three of them, all wearing the dark green robes of the Verdant Cloud Pavilion, a sect known for their alchemy and beast-taming arts. Their presence here wasn't entirely surprising—the Jin River ran through the Verdant Lowlands, a region the sect often scoured for rare herbs. Still, it was the first time Ren had ever seen cultivators up close.
The leader of the group was a tall man with sharp features and an air of confidence. His long black hair was tied back neatly, and a sword hung at his hip. Behind him were two younger disciples, their eyes scanning the forest floor with practiced precision.
"There's something unusual nearby," the leader said, his voice carrying an edge of authority. "The energy in this area feels... unstable."
Ren's blood ran cold. He crouched low behind the rock, praying they wouldn't notice him. The shard's hum grew louder, its presence more pronounced, as if reacting to the cultivators' approach. Ren pressed a hand to his chest, willing it to quiet down, but the energy seemed to flare in defiance.
"Over there!" one of the disciples called, pointing toward the riverbank.
Ren's heart pounded as the cultivators moved closer. He glanced around desperately, searching for an escape route, but the open riverbank offered little cover. The leader's sharp eyes swept over the area, narrowing when they landed on Ren.
"A mortal?" he said, his tone laced with disdain. "What are you doing here, boy?"
Ren scrambled to his feet, his body trembling. "I... I was just gathering water."
The cultivator's gaze lingered on him for a moment before shifting to the forest beyond. "There's residual energy here. Something powerful passed through recently."
The younger disciples exchanged glances. "Do you think it's a spirit beast, Senior Brother? Or perhaps a treasure?"
"Either way, it's worth investigating," the leader said. He turned back to Ren, his expression cold. "You. Did you see or hear anything unusual in this area?"
Ren hesitated, his mind racing. He couldn't tell them about the shard or the shrine—not when he barely understood it himself. "No," he said quickly. "I didn't see anything."
The leader's eyes narrowed, as if weighing the truth of his words. Ren felt the weight of that gaze, sharp and piercing, like it could strip him bare. Finally, the man gave a curt nod.
"Very well. Stay out of our way, or you'll regret it."
With that, the cultivators turned their attention to the forest, their steps purposeful as they moved deeper into the trees. Ren didn't dare move until their voices faded into the distance. When he was sure they were gone, he sank back onto the rock, his entire body shaking.
The shard pulsed again, stronger this time, as if in warning. Ren closed his eyes, his hands clenched into fists. He couldn't stay here. The shrine's energy had drawn the attention of cultivators, and it was only a matter of time before others came looking. He had to leave Jinxi, weak as he was. The shard had chosen him for some reason, and staying in this village would only make him a target.
For the first time in his life, Ren felt the stirrings of something unfamiliar—hope, faint but undeniable. He didn't know what lay beyond the forest or how far his frail body could carry him, but he couldn't turn back. The shard's hum echoed in his chest, a quiet reminder of the power waiting to be unlocked.
Ren stood, his legs unsteady but his resolve firm. He would leave Jinxi behind and carve his path forward, no matter the cost.