Chapter 5: A Path Fraught with Danger
The Glowing Fern pulsed in Xia Yu's hand, its radiant energy merging with her Qi. She could feel its potency, a rare gift from the Verdant Grove. This herb would stabilize her cultivation and move her one step closer to the Qi Foundation Stage. However, its significance wasn't lost on her—this was no ordinary prize.
Epoch's voice rang through her mind, calm yet insistent: "Host, you have done well, but your journey is far from over. The Verdant Grove is but the first of many trials. Cultivators will seek to take what you've acquired. Be ready."
Xia Yu's expression hardened. She had expected as much. The world was not kind to those who walked the path of cultivation, and resources—especially rare ones like the Glowing Fern—were highly coveted. She could already sense the Qi of other cultivators in the distance, drawn by the aura of the fern. The challenge was just beginning.
She carefully tucked the fern into her satchel and turned, her instincts sharpened. Epoch had warned her of potential threats, and she wasn't about to be caught off guard. The tension in the air was palpable, and her senses were on high alert.
"Two cultivators are approaching," Epoch noted, its voice resonating with eerie precision. "They are strong, but not a threat to you. However, they are not alone."
Xia Yu frowned. She had no intention of underestimating anyone. She had learned from her previous battle with the beast that strength alone wasn't always enough. She needed to think ahead, to be strategic.
She took a step back, melting into the shadows of the trees. Her breath slowed, her heart steadying. The last thing she wanted was a confrontation unless absolutely necessary. If these cultivators sought to challenge her, she would be ready. But she would not engage unless they forced her hand.
The rustling of leaves signaled the arrival of the first cultivator. A man, tall and broad-shouldered, with a scar running down his face. His eyes gleamed with ambition, and his Qi was undeniable—Qi Gathering Stage 3, almost as strong as the man who had attacked her earlier. His gaze swept over the grove, but he did not seem to notice Xia Yu's presence.
"Keep your guard up," Epoch advised. "The other cultivators are closing in. They are aware of the valuable herbs in this area, and your presence has not gone unnoticed."
Xia Yu nodded silently, her grip tightening on the hilt of her sword. She wasn't afraid, but she was wary. Two cultivators were already here, and the atmosphere was thick with the promise of conflict. The Verdant Grove was no place for the unprepared.
The second cultivator appeared soon after—slighter in build, but her eyes were sharp, and her movements graceful, as though every step was calculated. She was a Qi Gathering Stage 2 cultivator, but her aura was strong and refined, suggesting that she had been cultivating for many years.
Together, the two cultivators surveyed the grove, their eyes narrowing as they spotted the Glowing Fern where Xia Yu had previously stood.
"It's gone!" the woman hissed, her voice tinged with frustration.
The man's eyes darkened. "Someone else must be here. We need to find them. Now."
Xia Yu stayed hidden, watching the two carefully. The situation was escalating, and it seemed like they were already aware of her presence. The moment they discovered she had the fern, they would surely demand it from her, or worse—take it by force.
She had little choice now. Confrontation was inevitable.
"Host," Epoch's voice was sharp in her mind. "They will not back down. If you are discovered, they will likely engage in battle. But you are prepared."
Xia Yu inhaled deeply, centering herself. She had been through battles before. She knew how to fight, and she knew how to win. But this wasn't just about strength. This was about survival. She had to be calculated, decisive.
She stepped out from behind the trees, her presence now unmistakable.
The two cultivators immediately turned, eyes locking onto her with varying degrees of interest and hostility.
"You," the man growled, his voice low with menace. "You took the Glowing Fern."
Xia Yu's expression was unflinching. "It was here for the taking. You didn't claim it in time."
The woman stepped forward, her eyes narrowing. "Give it to us. Now."
Xia Yu's hand tightened around her sword hilt. "I don't think that's going to happen."
The air around them crackled with tension. The cultivators were clearly considering their next move, and Xia Yu was ready. Epoch's calm voice continued to guide her: "Do not underestimate them, but do not back down. You are in the right."
Suddenly, the man lunged, his movements swift and precise. Xia Yu anticipated the attack, sidestepping just in time as his sword slashed through the air where she had stood moments before. Without hesitation, she retaliated, her sword cutting through the air in a swift arc, forcing the man to retreat.
But the woman was already on the move, her body a blur as she attempted to flank Xia Yu. Her speed was impressive, and Xia Yu knew she had to act fast.
"Host, use the Flowing Blade technique. Focus your Qi," Epoch instructed.
Xia Yu gathered her Qi, her body moving with newfound precision. The Flowing Blade technique flowed seamlessly from her, a surge of energy accompanying every strike. Her sword became an extension of her will, each slash deliberate, unrelenting.
The man and woman fought back, but Xia Yu's precision and speed gave her the upper hand. They were skilled, but they were not as powerful as she was now, and they soon found themselves on the defensive.
"Enough!" the man shouted, his face contorted with anger. "We'll deal with you later."
With that, they retreated, disappearing into the shadows of the grove.
Xia Yu stood still for a moment, her chest rising and falling as she caught her breath. She had won this battle, but the warning was clear—this world was filled with dangerous people, and the challenges were only going to become more formidable.
Epoch's voice echoed in her mind, more solemn now. "You did well, but remember, there are always others seeking to take what you have earned. This was a small skirmish. Greater threats are on the horizon."
Xia Yu sheathed her sword and took a deep breath, feeling the weight of what lay ahead. "I'm ready," she whispered to herself.
The path forward was fraught with danger, but she had come this far. She would face whatever came next.
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End of Chapter 5