The Silver Forest seemed to hold its breath as Kai and Aina ventured deeper, the air growing heavier with spiritual energy. The trees here were older, their trunks gnarled and etched with faint runes that pulsed faintly in the twilight. The moss underfoot glowed brighter, casting an otherworldly light that made the forest feel alive, almost sentient. Kai's senses were on edge, every shadow a potential threat. Aina, however, seemed more relaxed, her steps light as she hummed a soft tune, though her eyes remained vigilant.
Their earlier success with the Minxin flowers had boosted their spirits, but the forest's eerie silence now weighed on Kai. He couldn't shake the feeling that they were being watched—not by a beast, but by something deeper, woven into the fabric of the forest itself. His thoughts drifted to Aina's earlier words about his recklessness. She had been right, and it stung. His time in the Shen Clan had made him paranoid, always expecting a blade in the dark. But Aina's concern, her willingness to stay by his side, chipped away at that armor. Could he trust her fully? Or was his paranoia justified?
Their banter resumed as they reached a small clearing, where silvery grass swayed like waves under the moonlight. Tiny spikes of Lunar Burdock dotted the field, their faint Qi barely registering. Aina sighed, disappointed. "Lunar Burdock. Only the spikes are useful, and they're for the weakest pills. We usually leave these to novices for practice."
She glanced at Kai, a mischievous glint in her eyes. "Since you're so good at finding flowers, how about a training session? You need to learn how to handle spiritual herbs."
Kai raised an eyebrow. "Training? You just want to see me fail spectacularly."
Aina laughed, the sound bright against the forest's stillness. "Maybe. But seriously, Kai, you can't keep burning everything with that fiery Qi of yours. Come on, I'll show you."
She knelt beside a burdock spike, demonstrating how to envelop it in a thin film of Qi. Kai tried to mimic her, but his first attempt sent a spark of flame that charred the spike to ash. Aina didn't laugh, but her lips twitched. "Try again. Focus on control, not power."
Kai gritted his teeth, frustrated. His fiery Qi was suited for battle, not this delicate work. He tried again, and again, each failure fueling his determination. By the tenth attempt, he finally succeeded, the spike separating cleanly without a trace of damage. He held it up, grinning. "Got it!"
Aina clapped, her smile genuine. "Not bad, barbarian. Only took you ten tries."
Their moment of triumph was interrupted by a rustle in the trees. Kai's senses flared, detecting a powerful spiritual signature—stronger than the panther, possibly Meridian stage. A massive wolf-like beast emerged, its fur shimmering with icy runes, its eyes glowing with malevolent intent. Kai's heart pounded. This was no ordinary foe.
"Aina, get behind me," he said, his voice low.
She shook her head, stepping beside him. "We handle this together."
The wolf lunged, its claws slashing through the air with a howl that shook the trees. Kai dodged, his sword igniting with fiery Qi. He aimed for its legs, hoping to cripple its speed, but the wolf was faster, its movements a blur. Aina raised a formation barrier, its runes flaring as the wolf's claws raked across it. The barrier held, but cracks began to form.
"Keep it distracted!" Aina shouted, her hands weaving a complex formation.
Kai nodded, darting around the wolf, his sword striking at its flanks. Each hit was a feint, drawing its attention while Aina prepared her attack. The wolf's spiritual energy surged, and a wave of icy wind blasted toward Kai. He countered with a burst of fiery Qi, the clash sending shockwaves through the clearing. Aina completed her formation, launching a barrage of icy needles that pierced the wolf's hide, slowing it down. Kai seized the opportunity, his sword slicing through its neck in a decisive strike. The beast collapsed, its body dissolving into motes of Qi.
Breathing heavily, Kai turned to Aina. "You okay?"
She nodded, her face pale but composed. "You're reckless, but you're not hopeless."
Their victory was short-lived. As they caught their breath, Kai's senses picked up a new signal—a pulsating archway covered in pale-blue ivy, radiating icy Qi. It stood at the edge of the clearing, its energy unlike anything in the forest. Aina's eyes widened. "That's the cultivation spot I told you about. It's safe, guarded by Master So Yun."
Kai approached the arch, his system interface flickering to life. A message appeared, revealing the arch's true nature: a spatial portal. His pulse quickened. He could sense the mechanism to activate it, a faint thread of Qi that called to him. But where did it lead? And why did his instincts scream of danger?