The forest came alive with the gentle rustle of leaves, their edges trembling in the faint breeze, and the distant hum of insects weaving through the air. Hidden beneath the sprawling canopy of a weathered cypress, Xue Mo sat in stillness, his breath slow and deliberate, barely disturbing the quiet.
The tree's ancient roots coiled deep into the loamy soil, resembling the skeletal hands of some forgotten titan, while its bark, rough and cool under his fingertips, carried the faint scent of resin and age. Overhead, a spider wove its intricate web between two fragile branches, the silken threads catching the slivers of sunlight that pierced the dense foliage, glinting like fragile glass.
Xue Mo observed its meticulous work with a detached curiosity, the spider's methodical grace echoing his own patient precision. Yet his true focus lay elsewhere—fixed on a solitary figure moving through the clearing ahead.
She appeared again, as she had before.
Clad in dark green sect robes adorned with delicate silver trim, the girl traversed the forest with an ease that suggested she was part of it. The fabric of her attire shimmered subtly as she moved, the silver embroidery flashing like stars glimpsed through a twilight sky.
Her steps were light, almost soundless against the carpet of moss and fallen leaves, each motion imbued with a quiet grace. She knelt beside a cluster of luminous nightgrass, its ethereal blue glow illuminating her hands as she worked. With practiced care, she plucked its slender stems, her fingers nimble and assured, the faint rustle of the plants blending with the forest's ambient chorus.
To any casual observer, she was merely an outer sect disciple diligently fulfilling a routine task, unremarkable, unassuming.
But Xue Mo saw beyond the surface.
She was the one Wei Zhi had encountered.
Since that moment, she hadn't sought Wei Zhi openly—not within the sect's bustling grounds or under the watchful eyes of its elders. Yet here she lingered, her presence in the forest more frequent, her paths winding through trails that led nowhere in particular.
She paused frequently, scanning her surroundings with the alertness of someone expecting to be followed.
Xue Mo narrowed his eyes, his gaze honing to a razor's edge. Her cultivation stood out, at least Qi Condensation Level Eight, unusually advanced for such a mundane errand. She moved with purpose, pausing at intervals to tilt her head, as if attuned to the forest's whispers, though he knew it was her being cautious.
She's cautious, he mused. But not cautious enough.
The forest enveloped him in its symphony—the sharp calls of birds echoing from distant branches, the skitter of small creatures through the undergrowth, the occasional drip of dew from leaves kissed by the morning's mist.
The air hung heavy with the scent of damp earth, mingling with the musty aroma of decaying foliage, a rich, grounding fragrance that settled in his lungs. Xue Mo remained motionless, his form melding into the shadows, as unobtrusive as the spider weaving above him.
---
Back at the outer sect compound, Wei Zhi sat cross-legged outside the mission board pavilion, a smooth stone cradled in his restless hands. Its surface, worn to a glossy sheen by years of touch, felt cool against his skin as he rolled it between his fingers—a nervous tic he couldn't shake.
The pavilion's wooden beams creaked faintly in the breeze, and the murmur of nearby disciples drifted like a low tide.
Liang Fu lounged beside him, gnawing on a dried root, its earthy tang lingering in the air as he squinted into the golden light filtering through the trees.
"You should talk to her," Liang Fu said, his tone casual, breaking the stillness.
Wei Zhi jolted slightly, his thoughts scattering. "Talk to who?"
Liang Fu didn't reply immediately, his sidelong glance carrying a hint of knowing mischief. "That senior sister. The one in green. You remember her, don't you? She spoke to you a few days back."
Wei Zhi shook his head, his brow creasing with confusion. "I, sort of. It's hazy. I can't pin down what we talked about."
Liang Fu arched an eyebrow, skepticism plain on his face. "Really?"
Wei Zhi pressed a hand to his temple, a dull throb pulsing beneath his skull. "I feel like it's there, but it slips away. Like a dream I can't hold onto."
Liang Fu leaned back, his expression turning pensive. "She's been asking about you, you know."
Wei Zhi's fingers paused on the stone, a flicker of unease sparking in his chest. "Who?"
"The senior sister," Liang Fu clarified, his voice low. "She's been subtle about it, but she's digging."
Wei Zhi frowned, the unease deepening. "Do you think I messed up somehow?"
"No clue," Liang Fu said with a shrug, popping the last of the root into his mouth. "But if you see her again, watch yourself. Not everyone here wears their intentions on their sleeve."
Wei Zhi nodded absently, his mind churning. "I haven't run into her since."
"She might be keeping an eye on you, though."
The words sent a shiver through Wei Zhi, an instinctive chill he couldn't rationalize.
---
By the following evening, Xue Mo had made his preparations.
Perched among the treetops, he watched as the girl approached the forest path skirting the compound's southern edge. The sky had deepened to a rich indigo, streaked with the fading embers of dusk, casting long shadows across the ground.
Then she halted.
She didn't face him, didn't betray any sign she knew he was there. She simply waited, her silhouette framed against the twilight.
Moments later, Wei Zhi emerged into the clearing, his steps tentative, hands clasped tightly behind his back.
"Senior sister," he began, his voice tinged with uncertainty. "You wanted to see me?"
She inclined her head, her gaze keen as it swept over him, assessing every detail. "You've been avoiding me."
Wei Zhi scratched the back of his neck, a sheepish gesture. "I didn't mean to. I've just been caught up, missions, training, the usual."
Her eyes remained steady, unyielding. "Do you recall what you said to me before?"
Wei Zhi faltered, his brows knitting together. "No. That's the problem. I've tried, but it's like it's gone. Was it something big?"
"You were upset. You spoke of something dangerous, blood moving in ways it shouldn't."
Wei Zhi's mouth parted, then closed, grasping for a memory that wouldn't come. "I said that?"
"You did."
"I trust you're telling the truth. But it's not there, not even a flicker. Just… a shadow I can't touch."
"You're certain?"
He nodded. "I wish I weren't. It's unsettling."
They stood in silence, the tension between them palpable.
"If anything comes back to you, anything at all, find me. No one else. Clear?"
Wei Zhi managed a faint smile. "Got it. I'll come to you."
She watched him retreat, her face unreadable.
High above, Xue Mo released a silent breath.
She suspected something.
---
That night, in the secluded stillness of a small cave, Xue Mo sharpened his weapon with steady, silent strokes. The space was cramped, its entrance veiled by thick vines and tangled brush. A single lantern flickered, casting shadows across jagged walls.
The blade's edge sang softly.
He paused mid-stroke.
She keeps digging. Wei Zhi's forgotten. But she hasn't. She will not stop.
When morning arrived, cloaked in a haze of mist, Xue Mo emerged from the cave, his demeanor as serene as ever. From the outside, he was no different than any other outer sect disciple.
But inside, he had already made his decision.
She had to die.