Jian Feng stood in my path, his green robes pristine against the frost-covered ground. The soft glow of dawn lit his face, making his expression seem carved from stone. He didn’t say anything at first, just held my gaze with that infuriating calm that only someone confident in their authority could manage.

“Move,” I said, my voice sharp, barely holding back the anger bubbling under my skin. I clenched my fists, nails biting into my palms. “I don’t have time for this.”

Jian Feng didn’t flinch. “And what do you intend to do?”

“Get Windy,” I snapped. “What else?”

His lips thinned, and he folded his arms, his posture blocking the path as effectively as any gate. “And then what? March into the forest alone, without a plan, against an unknown threat? Do you have any idea what’s out there?”

“I don’t care!” The words came out louder than I intended. “Windy’s out there, Jian Feng. Alone. Hurt, maybe worse. I’m not going to sit here while—”

“You will.” His voice cut through mine like a blade, low and firm, with no room for argument. “Because your recklessness will cost more than just yourself. Do you think this is about your pet alone?”

I bristled at his wording. Windy wasn''t just a pet. He was my friend. A companion that I treasured. “What’s that supposed to mean?”

“It means you have responsibilities that extend beyond your personal attachments,” he said evenly. “Your role as an alchemist is invaluable, Kai. Not just to the village but to the Verdant Lotus Sect and the Whispering Wind Sect. You asked for our help to protect this place, to secure its future. Now you’re willing to throw that away because you’re too emotional to see the bigger picture?”

My chest heaved, and I stepped closer, glaring at him. “So what? I’m supposed to twiddle my thumbs while—”

“You’re supposed to trust us,” he interrupted, his tone like ice. “We’ve already sent three disciples to scout the forest. They’ll find out what happened. Isn’t that why we’re here? To act as the shield for this village while you focus on what only you can do?”

I opened my mouth to argue, but the words caught in my throat. He was right, and I hated him for it. My shoulders sagged slightly, the fire in my chest giving way to a smoldering guilt. “I... I just can’t stand sitting here,” I muttered, my voice quieter now. “Windy’s family.”

His posture softened slightly, but his gaze remained unyielding. “And the village is counting on you, Kai. Don’t let your emotions blind you to your responsibilities.”

I exhaled heavily, my anger fading into a deep, gnawing frustration. “Fine,” I said through gritted teeth. “But what am I supposed to do in the meantime? It''s not like the ones scouting the forest know Windy''s gone. What are you going to do about that?”

He didn’t respond immediately, his eyes briefly scanning my face before he stepped aside. “Trust. And wait.”

Before I could respond, Tianyi’s voice cut through the air. “Then I’ll go.”

Both Jian Feng and I turned toward her. She stood a few paces away, her wings tucked neatly behind her, her expression calm.

“No,” I said immediately. “It’s too dangerous.”

Tianyi tilted her head, her gaze steady. “And yet, you were willing to go.”

“That’s different!”

“Why?”

“Because—” I faltered, unable to find the right words. “Because you don’t have to. I’ll find another way.”

She shook her head, a faint smile tugging at her lips. “Kai, I am not bound like you are. I act as I choose, and I choose to find Windy.”

Jian Feng frowned but didn’t speak, clearly uncertain how to respond to her autonomy. Tianyi glanced at him, her tone blunt. “You have no authority over me, so there is no reason to object.” ?aNo?ΕS?

He hesitated, then inclined his head stiffly. “Do as you wish.”

Her gaze returned to me, softening slightly. “Do not worry, Kai. I am stronger than they are. There is no need for concern.”

I opened my mouth to argue, to stop her, but the words wouldn’t come. She turned without another word, her wings unfurling slightly as she moved toward the forest.

“Tianyi!” I called after her, my voice tinged with desperation.

She paused, looking over her shoulder.

“Trust, Kai. Isn’t that what you just agreed to?”

And with that, she disappeared into the shadowy expanse of the trees, leaving me standing there, hollow and unsure.

The group began to disperse, the Verdant Lotus Sect disciples murmuring amongst themselves as they discussed what to do with the tiger’s massive carcass. Jian Feng’s voice rose briefly, directing a few of them to set up a perimeter while others prepared to move the body. The tension in the air lingered, but the urgency of their tasks began to take precedence over the uneasy silence.

“Kai!” Wang Jun snapped, his voice sharper now. “What’s going on with you?”

I blinked again, my eyes focusing on him for what felt like the first time. He was staring at me, his expression a mix of irritation and concern. Behind him, Elder Ming’s sharp gaze bore into me, his arms folded across his chest.

“I...” I started, but the words caught in my throat. What was going on? I glanced down at my hands, the faint tremor betraying the storm inside me. My fists clenched instinctively, the tension grounding me just enough to mutter, “Sorry.”

Wang Jun straightened, his brow furrowed. “Sorry? Kai, you’re sparring like you’re possessed. You’re faster. Stronger. What’s going on?”

Faster. Stronger. The words struck something in my mind, pulling up the events of the previous night.

“I...” I exhaled slowly, lowering my hands. “I broke through. Last night. My body to the second stage of Qi Initiation, and my qi to Essence Awakening stage. Made a new pill with the Golden Bamboo.”

Wang Jun’s eyes widened. “What? That’s—wait, what? That’s insane!” He grinned, the admiration returning to his face. “Congrats, Kai! No wonder you’re moving like this.”

But his enthusiasm didn’t stir anything in me. My chest still felt heavy, my thoughts still spiraled. I glanced at Elder Ming, who stepped closer, his eyes narrowing slightly as he studied me.

“Your movements are sharper,” he said, his tone measured. “More precise. This refinement has honed you well. But...” His gaze softened, just a fraction. “Your mind is elsewhere.”

Wang Jun tilted his head, clearly still trying to piece together my erratic behavior. “What’s going on? You just had a breakthrough. You should be—” He stopped, noticing the tension in my expression. His tone softened. “Kai, seriously, what’s eating at you?”

I sighed, running a hand through my hair. The weight of the situation pressed down on me like a millstone, and I could feel Elder Ming’s expectant gaze lingering. I wasn’t sure I wanted to drag Wang Jun into this, but keeping him in the dark felt unfair.

“It’s... complicated,” I said at first, trying to organize my thoughts. “Something happened at the outskirts this morning. A... spirit beast. A black tiger—dead.”

Wang Jun’s eyes widened. “Tigers? They don''t come up this close to the village.”

“That’s the question,” I muttered. “It wasn’t just dead. Something killed it, something strong enough to drive it out of its territory and leave it in pieces. And it''s just like what happened to the Iron Boar in Qingmu.”

Wang Jun’s expression darkened, the weight of my words sinking in.

"Windy''s gone. Left to challenge something in the forest, something the snakes called ‘the shadow.’ Jian Feng wouldn''t let me go look. Says I''m too valuable to send in there. And now Tianyi’s out there looking for him.” My fists clenched again as I continued to babble on. “She wouldn’t listen. She just—”

“Went,” Wang Jun finished, his tone sympathetic. "You''ve got your hands full. Sorry to hear about that."

I shook my head, the frustration bubbling back up. “And here I am, stuck sparring while she’s out there. It feels... wrong.”

“Of course it does,” He said, his voice firm. “You’re worried about them, Kai. Who wouldn’t be? You have every right to be frustrated. If Lan-Yin were out there, I would''ve been out before the first word came out your mouth. Nobody would''ve been able to stop me.”

“Enough,” Elder Ming interjected, his voice cutting through the tension like a blade. His gaze shifted between us, calm but unyielding. “Wang Jun, your loyalty to Kai is admirable, but don’t fan his emotions unnecessarily. He doesn’t need validation for his anger—he needs perspective.”

Wang Jun frowned but nodded reluctantly. Elder Ming’s attention shifted back to me. “The Verdant Lotus Sect has already dispatched scouts. This is their domain, and they’re equipped to handle the forest. Your frustration is understandable, but it changes nothing about what needs to be done.”

“That doesn’t make it easier,” I said, my voice quieter now. “It doesn’t make it easier to trust them when Tianyi is out there alone. Who knows where Windy is?”

Wang Jun’s lips twitched into a small smile, and he clapped a hand on my shoulder. “Hey, Kai. Don’t forget why Tianyi stopped coming to these morning practices.”

I glanced at him, confused. “What does that have to do with anything?”

“She stopped because she kept beating us so easily,” Wang Jun said, grinning. “Think about it. If she could trounce me, Lan-Yin, and even you without breaking a sweat, then whatever’s out there should be more worried about her than the other way around.”

I blinked, his words slowly sinking in. A faint, reluctant smile tugged at my lips. “She always did have a knack for showing us up.”

“Exactly,” Wang Jun said. “And look, if Tianyi and the scouts don’t return by tonight, I’ll go with you. We’ll find them together.”

I stared at him, the offer hitting harder than I expected. For a moment, the knot in my chest loosened just enough for me to breathe. “Thanks, Wang Jun,” I said quietly. “That... means a lot.”

He shrugged, his grin softening. “That’s what friends are for, right?”

Elder Ming didn’t say anything, but his expression had shifted ever so slightly, the faintest hint of approval in his sharp eyes.

As the sparring session came to an end, I sat on the edge of the courtyard, gazing toward the direction of the forest. The faint rustle of the trees carried on the wind, distant yet persistent. I closed my eyes, my mind quieting for the first time all morning.

“Just be safe,” I whispered, the words carried away by the breeze. “Both of you.”