The sun dipped below the horizon, casting long shadows over the dusty village of Qinghe. Liang Wei wiped the sweat from his brow as he finished stacking firewood outside the inn. At sixteen, he was used to the grueling work, but tonight felt different. A strange energy pulsed in his chest, like a coiled spring waiting to release. It had been happening more often lately—a tingling sensation that spread through his body whenever he was near certain people. He didn't understand it, but he knew better than to ask questions. In a small village like Qinghe, standing out was dangerous.

"Liang Wei!" a sharp voice called. It was Old Man Zhang, the innkeeper, his face red from too much wine. "Stop daydreaming and fetch more water! The guests won't wait all night!"

"Yes, sir," Liang Wei replied, grabbing the wooden buckets. He hurried toward the well, his bare feet kicking up small clouds of dust. The village was quiet, save for the distant chatter of travelers and the occasional bark of a dog. But as he approached the well, he noticed a commotion near the village square.

A group of travelers had arrived, their robes adorned with the emblem of the Azure Dragon Sect—a swirling dragon encircling a pearl. Liang Wei's breath caught in his throat. Cultivators. He had heard stories about them, of course—warriors who could harness Qi energy to perform feats beyond mortal comprehension. But he had never seen them in person.

Among the group was a girl who stood out like a lotus in a muddy pond. She was around his age, with long black hair tied into a high ponytail and piercing eyes that seemed to see straight through him. Her robes were simpler than the others', but the sword at her side marked her as someone important. Her name, he would later learn, was Mei Ling.

As Liang Wei filled his buckets, he couldn't help but steal glances at her. She was speaking to one of the older cultivators, her voice calm but firm. There was an air of confidence about her, a quiet strength that made his heart race. And then, as if sensing his gaze, she turned and looked directly at him.

Their eyes met, and for a moment, the world seemed to stop. Liang Wei felt a surge of energy, unlike anything he'd ever experienced. It was as if her Qi was calling to him, awakening something deep within. His chest tightened, and his vision blurred. He stumbled backward, nearly dropping the buckets.

"Are you all right?" a voice asked. It was Mei Ling. She had crossed the square in a few quick strides and was now standing in front of him, her brow furrowed in concern.

"I—I'm fine," Liang Wei stammered, his face burning. He could feel the eyes of the other cultivators on him, their expressions a mix of curiosity and disdain.

Mei Ling studied him for a moment, her gaze lingering on his face. Then, to his surprise, she reached out and placed a hand on his chest. Her touch was warm, and the energy he had felt earlier intensified, flooding his body with a strange, intoxicating warmth.

"You have a strong Qi presence," she said, her voice low. "But it's... chaotic. Untrained. Have you ever studied cultivation?"

Liang Wei shook his head, too stunned to speak. The sensation of her hand on his chest was overwhelming, and he could feel his heart pounding beneath her fingertips. He had never been this close to a girl before, let alone one as beautiful as Mei Ling.

Before she could say more, one of the older cultivators called out to her. "Mei Ling! We don't have time for this. We need to prepare for the journey ahead."

She hesitated, then withdrew her hand. "Be careful," she said softly. "There's something special about you. Don't let it go to waste."

As she walked away, Liang Wei felt a strange emptiness, as if a part of him had been taken with her. He didn't know it yet, but this encounter would mark the beginning of a journey that would change his life forever.