The morning air was heavy with tension. Though the village of Qinghe resumed its daily rhythms, an undercurrent of unease rippled through the villagers. The tremor from the day before had left many shaken, their imaginations stirring with tales of restless spirits or angry gods. Li Feng kept his head down, avoiding lingering gazes as he moved through the square to deliver the herbs to Old Yan.

The glowing mark on his palm had dimmed, but its faint pulse remained, a constant reminder of the events in the forest. He dared not show it to anyone, not even Old Yan, who greeted him with his usual gruffness.

"You look like you've seen a ghost," the old man said, squinting at Li Feng. "Don't let these fools scare you. It was probably just a rockslide or some wild beast stomping about."

Li Feng nodded, forcing a weak smile. "I'm fine. Just tired."

The lie felt sour on his tongue, but he had no other choice. After handing over the herbs and collecting the promised coppers, he returned home. Every step felt heavier, the mark's weight more than physical—it tugged at his thoughts, demanding answers he didn't have.

By mid-afternoon, the tension in the village reached a boiling point. A stranger had arrived.

He was tall, his robes shimmering with faint traces of silver and black, and his presence seemed to suck the warmth from the air. His eyes, cold and piercing, scanned the gathered villagers with practiced ease. Behind him, two figures stood like shadows, their expressions hidden beneath hoods.

"People of Qinghe," the stranger began, his voice calm but commanding, "I am Yi Lan of the Silver Shadow Sect. Yesterday's tremor was no mere accident. Something powerful was awakened nearby, and we have come to ensure it poses no danger."

The villagers exchanged nervous glances. Li Feng, standing at the edge of the crowd, felt his heart plummet. He clenched his marked hand into a fist, hiding it within his sleeve.

"Step forward," Yi Lan continued, his gaze sweeping the crowd like a blade. "If any of you know of unusual occurrences or strange artifacts, reveal them now. Cooperate, and you will be rewarded. Hide the truth, and the consequences will be dire."

A tense silence followed. The villagers shifted uncomfortably, their fear palpable. No one dared speak, but Li Feng could feel Yi Lan's gaze lingering on him for a moment too long. His pulse quickened.

When no one stepped forward, Yi Lan smiled thinly. "Very well. My disciples and I will investigate ourselves." He turned sharply, his robes billowing like shadows in the wind. "Search the area. Report anything of value."

As the strangers dispersed, Li Feng knew he couldn't stay in the village. His instincts screamed at him to run, but his feet felt rooted to the ground.

"Feng?" His mother's voice broke through his thoughts. She had appeared at his side, her frail frame trembling. "What's happening? Who are these people?"

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"They're…" Li Feng hesitated, his voice caught in his throat. "They're looking for something. I'll explain later, Mother. Just stay inside and lock the doors."

Before she could protest, he turned and hurried toward the forest.

The wilderness felt different this time—alive, watchful, and charged with an invisible energy that prickled at his skin. Li Feng moved quickly, his eyes scanning for any sign of pursuit. He didn't know where he was going; he only knew he had to get away from the village.

The mark on his palm began to glow faintly, its pulse quickening as though guiding him. He clenched his fist, willing it to stop, but the sensation grew stronger with each step.

After what felt like hours, he stumbled upon a clearing. The air here was thick with qi, so dense it felt like walking through water. In the center of the clearing stood a small shrine, its stones moss-covered and cracked with age.

Li Feng approached cautiously. The shrine radiated the same energy as the monolith, though far weaker. The mark on his palm responded, glowing brighter as he drew near.

"What… what is this place?" he whispered, reaching out to touch the shrine.

Before his fingers could make contact, a sharp voice cut through the air.

"You've got guts, kid. Most mortals would've keeled over just standing here."

Li Feng spun around, his heart leaping into his throat. A woman stood at the edge of the clearing, leaning casually against a tree. Her robes were travel-worn, and a sheathed blade hung at her side. Her sharp, dark eyes regarded him with a mix of curiosity and amusement.

"Who are you?" he demanded, his voice trembling.

She smirked, pushing off the tree and stepping closer. "Name's Yan Wei. And you, little farmer boy, are either very lucky or very stupid to have survived this long."

Li Feng bristled at her tone. "I don't know what you're talking about."

"Oh, don't play dumb," Yan Wei said, crossing her arms. "That mark on your hand? It's practically screaming at me. I could feel its energy from a mile away."

Li Feng instinctively hid his hand behind his back. "I don't know what this is," he admitted. "It… it just appeared yesterday."

Yan Wei raised an eyebrow. "Yesterday, huh? Let me guess—you found something you shouldn't have, touched it, and now the Silver Shadow Sect is breathing down your neck?"

His silence was answer enough. Yan Wei sighed, rubbing her temples. "Great. Just great. I don't have time for this."

Li Feng took a step back, his fists clenched. "I don't need your help."

"Oh, you absolutely do," Yan Wei retorted. "Do you even know what that mark is doing to you? It's drawing qi into your body, unfiltered. If you don't learn how to control it, you'll burn out faster than a candle in a storm."

Her words sent a chill down his spine. "Burn out?"

"You ever hear of qi deviation?" she asked, her tone casual but her eyes serious. "It's what happens when someone like you tries to handle more power than they can control. Best case, you lose consciousness. Worst case… well, let's just say it's messy."

Li Feng swallowed hard. The mark on his palm felt heavier now, its glow an ominous reminder of the power within him.

Yan Wei studied him for a moment, then sighed again. "Look, kid. I don't know why the heavens decided to drop this mess in your lap, but you're in over your head. If you want to live, you'll need someone to teach you the basics. Lucky for you, I've got nothing better to do."

He hesitated, the weight of her words sinking in. "Why would you help me?"

She shrugged. "Call it professional curiosity. Besides, I'm not exactly a fan of the Silver Shadow Sect either. If they're after you, that makes us temporary allies."

Li Feng stared at her, the desperation in his chest warring with his distrust. Finally, he nodded. "Fine. Teach me."

Yan Wei smirked, drawing her blade. "Good. Lesson one: the wilderness doesn't care about your excuses. Show me what you've got."

Before he could protest, she lunged.