Mei Yun tightened her grip on her sword, her ears straining to catch the faint sound of approaching footsteps. She crouched low, ready to strike at a moment's notice. The rustling grew louder, and then two figures emerged from the shadows of the dense underbrush. Mei Yun blinked in surprise—it wasn't a beast or an enemy, but two women, both around her age, their robes marked with the insignia of a neighboring sect.
"Oh!" one of them exclaimed, startled to see Mei Yun. She had bright auburn hair tied into a braid and carried a spear slung over her back. Her companion, a shorter girl with cropped black hair, held a pair of daggers and looked equally surprised.
"You scared me!" Mei Yun said, exhaling in relief.
The auburn-haired girl chuckled nervously. "We didn't mean to. We're just practicing here."
Mei Yun lowered her weapon but didn't fully relax. "Practicing? In the Forest of Death? That's bold."
The shorter girl smirked. "Same could be said about you. What's your excuse?"
Mei Yun was about to reply when a loud rumble echoed in the silence. All three froze before realizing the sound came from the auburn-haired girl's stomach.
"Ugh, Yue Lin, really?" the black-haired girl said, rolling her eyes.
Yue Lin laughed sheepishly, holding her stomach. "I can't help it! I've been starving since we got here!"
Mei Yun burst into laughter, and soon, all three of them were laughing together. Yue Lin gestured toward Mei Yun's campfire. "Mind if we join you? That smells amazing."
Mei Yun smiled and gestured to the roasted boar. "Help yourselves. There's plenty left."
As they sat around the fire, roasting more meat, the three girls began to talk. Mei Yun learned their names: the cheerful, auburn-haired Yue Lin and her sharp-tongued companion, Lan Fei. Both were disciples of the Scarlet Moon Sect, a mid-tier sect located to the west of Mount Kōng.
When Yue Lin asked about Mei Yun's origins, she hesitated for a moment before answering. "I'm from the Mystique Void Sect."
The atmosphere shifted. Yue Lin and Lan Fei exchanged stunned glances.
"The Mystique Void Sect?" Lan Fei asked, disbelief in her voice. "But that sect… it doesn't exist anymore."
Mei Yun straightened, her gaze unwavering. "It does. It's just… not what it used to be. But I'll revive it. I'll make it stronger than ever."
The determination in her voice silenced them. Yue Lin softened, looking at Mei Yun with a mix of admiration and pity. Lan Fei sighed, her tone less sharp. "That's… a lot to take on."
"It's my duty," Mei Yun said firmly.
Yue Lin smiled, nudging her. "Well, if you're that determined, how about teaming up with us for a while? The Forest of Death isn't the safest place to be alone, even for someone as strong as you."
Mei Yun hesitated, then nodded. "All right. But don't slow me down."
Lan Fei smirked. "We should be saying that to you."
The next morning, the trio ventured deeper into the forest, moving in formation. They encountered smaller beasts along the way, easily dispatching them with their techniques. Hours later, a deep roar shattered the stillness of the forest. The ground trembled as a massive bear lumbered into view, its fur matted and its eyes glowing with an unnatural crimson light.
"That's a berserk bear!" Yue Lin shouted. "Be careful—it's crazed and incredibly strong!"
The bear charged, shaking the ground with each step. Mei Yun shouted, "I'll distract it! Void Steps!" Her figure blurred as she darted around the bear, slashing at its flanks. The bear roared, swiping a massive paw at her, but she leaped away, her movements fluid and precise.
Yue Lin thrust her spear forward, energy swirling around its tip. "Crimson Moon Pierce!" The spear struck the bear's shoulder, forcing it to stagger back. Lan Fei took the opportunity to leap in with her daggers, slashing at the bear's hind legs. "Shadow Fang Slash!"
The bear roared in fury, its movements becoming more erratic. Mei Yun seized the moment, gathering energy in her fist. "Void Fist!" Her strike landed on the bear's chest, sending it skidding backward. But the beast was far from defeated. It reared up on its hind legs, towering over them, and let out an earth-shaking roar.
Lan Fei cursed under her breath. "This thing's relentless!"
Yue Lin planted her feet firmly. "We need to hit it together! Mei Yun, follow my lead!"
The three girls coordinated their attacks, each using their techniques to strike at the bear from different angles. Yue Lin's spear blazed with crimson light as she shouted, "Scarlet Spiral Thrust!" Lan Fei darted in and out of the bear's reach, her daggers glowing with a faint, eerie light. "Shadow Veil Slash!" Mei Yun channeled all her energy into her sword, the blade humming with violet energy. "Void Burst Slash!"
Their combined attacks struck the bear simultaneously, creating a shockwave that sent debris flying. The beast let out a final, ear-splitting roar before collapsing to the ground.
The three girls stood panting, their clothes torn and dirtied but victorious. "That was… intense," Yue Lin said, wiping sweat from her brow.
Lan Fei smirked. "Not bad, Void Sect girl. You kept up."
Mei Yun sheathed her sword, a satisfied smile on her face. "You two aren't bad either. Maybe this teaming up thing wasn't such a bad idea after all."
As they approached the fallen bear, Mei Yun felt the weight of the moment. The beast was large, and the air was thick with the scent of blood and the earth. She crouched down, preparing to dissect the beast to obtain its core.
Yue Lin wiped her hands on her pants. "So, now we get the core, right?"
Lan Fei nodded, her expression turning serious. "That's the plan. It should be worth a good amount."
Mei Yun paused, then looked at them, a slight frown on her face. "I've never actually… harvested a beast core before."
Yue Lin gave her a playful grin. "Don't worry, we'll show you the ropes." She grabbed a sharp knife from her belt and knelt beside the bear. "First, you cut along the spine. You should be able to feel where the core is."
Mei Yun watched closely, mimicking Yue Lin's motions. As they worked, she couldn't help but feel a sense of camaraderie building between them. Despite the danger of the forest, despite their different origins, there was a bond forming through the shared struggle.
"So," Yue Lin said between cuts, "tell us more about your cultivation. I'm curious—how strong are you?"
Mei Yun stiffened, then relaxed. She hadn't expected to be asked about her cultivation. "I'm at the eighth level of Qi Cultivation," she replied, watching their faces closely.
Lan Fei raised an eyebrow. "The eighth level? And you fought like that against a berserk bear?"
Yue Lin's eyes widened. "You mean, you're at the eighth level of Qi Cultivation, but your fighting power is comparable to ours?"
Mei Yun shrugged. "I've trained hard, and I have techniques that give me an edge. Void Fist, Void Steps—they're strong if you know how to use them."
Yue Lin let out a low whistle. "Void Fist? I've heard of that move. But you're telling me you're still at the eighth level?"
Mei Yun's smile faltered. "I'm… behind. But I'll catch up."
The two girls exchanged another look, their surprise evident. Lan Fei nodded slowly. "You've got potential. I think we'll make a good team."
Just as they finished harvesting the bear's core, a rustling noise broke the silence. Two figures emerged from the forest's edge, their movements deliberate and confident.
Mei Yun's heart skipped a beat. They weren't animals. The taller figure, a man with dark hair and a cloak that shimmered in the moonlight, stepped forward, his eyes locking onto Mei Yun.
"Interesting," he said in a low, even tone. "Looks like we have some unwanted company."
Mei Yun's grip on her sword tightened. The tension in the air was palpable. Yue Lin's hand flew to her spear.
Mei Yun asked, her voice cautious, "Who are you?"
Yue Lin and Lan Fei exchanged uneasy glances, their expressions tense. They didn't speak, but their silence conveyed familiarity tinged with wariness.