Chapter 6: A Dangerous Proposition
Xia Yu left the Verdant Grove with measured steps, the Glowing Fern safely tucked away in her satchel. The weight of the confrontation lingered in her mind—not because she feared those cultivators, but because she realized just how ruthless this world could be.
Every step she took toward her goals would be met with opposition. Epoch's warnings echoed in her thoughts, yet they fueled her determination. She wasn't just surviving; she was thriving. But as the forest path stretched ahead, her instincts prickled once more. This time, it wasn't just an enemy she sensed—it was something far more elusive.
"Host," Epoch's voice cut through the silence, low and urgent. "A powerful presence is approaching. Their Qi is far beyond what you've encountered so far."
Xia Yu froze, her hand immediately moving to her sword. Her eyes scanned the dense underbrush, and she steadied her breath. Whoever—or whatever—it was, she would not allow herself to be caught off guard.
From the shadows emerged a figure cloaked in dark robes, their face obscured by a mask etched with intricate runes. The air around them seemed to ripple, as if their very presence distorted reality. Xia Yu's grip on her sword tightened.
"Who are you?" she demanded, her voice steady, though her heart raced.
The figure didn't respond immediately. Instead, they took a step closer, their movements eerily fluid. Finally, a deep voice emerged from behind the mask, calm yet commanding. "You have potential, girl. More than I've seen in most."
Xia Yu's eyes narrowed. She didn't trust compliments, especially from strangers whose aura reeked of danger. "What do you want?"
The masked figure chuckled softly. "Straight to the point. I like that. I'm here to offer you something—a proposition."
Epoch's voice whispered urgently in her mind. "Be wary, Host. This individual's Qi is volatile. They are not to be trusted."
Xia Yu didn't need the warning to know that. She stayed on guard, her body ready to strike at a moment's notice. "I'm not interested in games. Speak plainly."
"Very well," the figure said, spreading their hands as if in surrender. "The Glowing Fern you've obtained is valuable, yes. But it is merely the beginning. I represent a group that seeks individuals like you—those who are willing to do whatever it takes to rise above the rest. Join us, and you'll have access to resources beyond your imagination. Refuse, and... well, let's just say the Verdant Grove won't be so forgiving next time."
Xia Yu's mind raced. She had heard of such groups—secretive sects or alliances that operated in the shadows, offering power at a cost. But she had no interest in servitude, no matter how tempting their promises might be.
"What's the price?" she asked, her voice cold.
The figure tilted their head, as if amused. "Clever girl. The price is simple: loyalty. You follow our rules, complete our tasks, and in return, you gain power, wealth, and status. It's a fair trade, don't you think?"
Xia Yu's lips curved into a faint smirk. "Fair for whom? You? Or the ones who end up shackled by your so-called loyalty?"
The air grew heavier as the figure's Qi surged, pressing down on her like an invisible weight. "Careful, girl. Not many would dare speak to me in such a tone. I am offering you a way to survive in this cruel world. Do not mistake it for a kindness."
But Xia Yu stood her ground, her own Qi flaring in response. She had faced beasts and cultivators alike—she wouldn't cower before someone who relied on intimidation to get their way.
"I don't need your charity," she said firmly. "And I certainly don't need your chains."
For a moment, the figure was silent, the tension between them crackling like a storm. Then, to her surprise, they laughed—a low, almost approving sound.
"Bold," they said, their tone laced with something resembling admiration. "But boldness alone won't keep you alive. You'll regret this choice, girl. When you're on your knees, begging for a chance at survival, remember this moment."
With that, the figure turned and disappeared into the shadows, leaving behind an unsettling stillness.
Epoch's voice broke the silence. "You made the right decision. Such alliances are rarely as beneficial as they seem."
Xia Yu exhaled slowly, releasing the tension in her muscles. "I don't need shortcuts. I'll carve my own path."
Still, the encounter left a bitter taste in her mouth. Whoever that figure was, they wouldn't forget her rejection. She would have to stay vigilant—enemies came in many forms, and some were far more dangerous than others.
As the forest began to thin, revealing the faint outline of a mountain range in the distance, Xia Yu pushed the encounter to the back of her mind. Her focus now was on her cultivation. She had the Glowing Fern, and she needed to use it before anyone else tried to take it from her.
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That night, Xia Yu found a secluded cave, its entrance hidden by a curtain of vines. It wasn't much, but it was safe enough for her to begin refining the fern's essence. She sat cross-legged on the cold stone floor, the herb resting in her palms. Closing her eyes, she began to channel her Qi, drawing out the fern's energy.
Epoch guided her, its voice calm and precise. "Focus on the flow. Let the energy merge with your own. Do not rush."
The process was arduous. The fern's energy was potent, almost overwhelming, and Xia Yu's body trembled under the strain. Beads of sweat formed on her brow as she pushed forward, her willpower the only thing keeping her from faltering.
Hours passed, and finally, the energy stabilized. Xia Yu's Qi surged, stronger and more refined than before. She opened her eyes, her gaze sharper, her aura more powerful. She had taken another step forward—closer to the Qi Foundation Stage.
But as she stood, exhaustion tugging at her limbs, she couldn't shake the feeling that her journey was only growing more dangerous. The masked figure's words lingered in her mind, a reminder that power always came at a price.
"I'll face whatever comes," she whispered to herself, her resolve unshaken. "I won't stop. Not for anyone."
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End of Chapter 6