The forest seemed to breathe with life as Li Yun stood in the clearing, his hand still trembling from the lingering warmth of the orb. His mind raced as he tried to process what he had just heard. Starlight Shards. Abilities. Synchronization complete. The words rang in his ears like the toll of a distant bell, their meaning just out of reach. Yet, despite his confusion, one thing was clear—he had taken a step forward, no matter how small.

The shadows around him deepened as the orb's light faded entirely, leaving the clearing bathed in the faint, silvery glow of his crescent moon mark. He stared at his hand, watching the faint pulse of light in his palm as it flickered in rhythm with his heartbeat. The energy it held was comforting, yet alien—something he still didn't fully understand. His thoughts swirled as he wondered just how much he could rely on this mysterious power. It felt like a lifeline, but also like an enigma, one he would need to unravel piece by piece if he hoped to survive.

Li Yun exhaled slowly, forcing himself to calm down. The orb had spoken of abilities and shards, but none of that mattered if he couldn't figure out how to survive in this forest. The air was thick with tension, every rustling leaf and distant creak of branches putting him on edge. He felt like he was being watched, though no eyes revealed themselves in the surrounding darkness. Each sound made him flinch slightly, his body on high alert as though an unseen predator might pounce at any moment.

He glanced at the translucent stat screen hovering nearby, its cool glow standing in stark contrast to the oppressive gloom of the forest. It was as if the screen was waiting for him, daring him to delve deeper into its mysteries. His gaze lingered on the locked functions displayed in faint, grey text beneath his stats. They seemed like forbidden doors, their labels vague and unhelpful:

Skill Menu (Locked)

Inventory (Locked)

Cultivation Path (Locked)

Li Yun's brow furrowed as he stared at the greyed-out options. Each label seemed to mock him with its inaccessibility, a cruel reminder of how little progress he had made. He reached out tentatively, his finger brushing against the glowing screen, but nothing happened. The locks remained firm, unyielding.

"Great," he muttered, pulling his hand back. "More things I can't use."

He stepped back, the screen flickering slightly before settling back into place. His mind churned with questions as he scanned the surrounding forest. The air felt colder now, the mist heavier, as though the forest was responding to his movements. He needed to figure out where to go, what to do next. But no clear answers presented themselves, and he felt as though the forest itself thrived on his confusion.

The forest was an endless maze of gnarled trees and shifting shadows, and every step he took felt like it was being swallowed by the darkness. He walked slowly, his steps deliberate, his eyes scanning every inch of the path ahead. The mist clung to his legs like a second skin, its cold touch sending shivers up his spine. He couldn't shake the feeling that he was being led somewhere, though whether by the forest itself or the system, he didn't know. Perhaps it was his own desperation giving meaning to the random, twisting paths he followed.

As he walked, his gaze drifted back to the stat screen. His fingers brushed against it again, and this time, the screen flickered, displaying a new message:

"Unlocked: Energy Channelling – Crescent Blade."

Description: Manifest a blade of crescent moon energy. Effective against physical entities. High energy consumption."

Li Yun blinked at the description, his eyes narrowing. "Crescent Blade, huh?" he murmured. The faint memory of summoning the weapon earlier stirred in his mind. It had felt powerful, yet fleeting—a tool that drained him of energy almost as quickly as it formed. He knew it wasn't something he could rely on, not yet. The sheer weight of energy it pulled from him had left him nearly incapacitated, and the memory of that vulnerability was fresh in his mind.

"High energy consumption," he repeated, frowning. "Figures."

Shaking his head, he dismissed the screen and continued walking, his mind returning to the immediate problem of survival. The forest seemed to stretch endlessly, the trees twisting into grotesque shapes as the path wound deeper into the unknown. The oppressive silence weighed heavily on him, broken only by the occasional rustle of leaves or the distant howl of some unseen creature. Each sound sent a spike of adrenaline through his body, his nerves wound tight like a bowstring.

Li Yun's hand hovered near the crescent moon mark on his palm, a subconscious gesture of reassurance. He had no weapons, no cultivation stage, and no understanding of how this world worked. But he had the mark, and for now, that would have to be enough. His fingers brushed the mark as though it were a talisman, offering him courage in a place that seemed determined to break him.

His thoughts were interrupted by a faint sound in the distance—a muffled cry, quickly followed by the unmistakable growls of animals. Li Yun froze, his ears straining to catch the noise again. It came from somewhere up ahead, faint but distinct. Another cry, this one louder, more desperate. His stomach churned as he realized it wasn't just an animal's cry of pain—it was a human voice.

His pulse quickened as he broke into a jog, the sound of his footsteps muffled by the damp forest floor. The growls grew louder as he approached, and soon, he saw the source of the commotion: a small clearing where two figures—one man and one woman—were locked in a desperate battle against a pack of silver-furred wolves.

The man wielded a long spear, its blade glinting faintly in the dim light as he thrust it toward the wolves. His movements were quick and precise, but it was clear he was being overwhelmed. The wolves moved as a unit, their silver coats blending into the mist as they darted around him, their sharp teeth snapping dangerously close. Their coordination was unnerving, almost as if they shared a singular mind.

The woman stood a few feet behind him, her hands glowing faintly with blue energy as she channelled her qi into a defensive barrier. Her breathing was laboured, her face pale as blood dripped from a deep gash on her side. Despite her injuries, she maintained the barrier, shielding the man from the wolves' relentless attacks. Her lips were pressed into a thin line, her determination clear even as her strength waned.

Li Yun's eyes widened as he took in the scene. The wolves were unlike anything he had seen before—sleek, powerful creatures with glowing silver eyes that seemed to pierce through the darkness. Their movements were coordinated, almost too precise for wild animals, and their low growls sent a chill down his spine. He couldn't help but notice the intelligence in their glowing eyes, a sharpness that made his skin crawl.

The man let out a grunt as one of the wolves lunged at him, its claws raking across his shoulder before he managed to stab it with his spear. The wolf yelped and fell to the ground, but the others didn't falter. They closed in, their growls growing louder, their formation tightening like predators closing in for the kill.

Li Yun's heart pounded as he watched the scene unfold. The pair was losing. The man's movements were slowing, his injuries taking their toll, and the woman's barrier was flickering, her qi clearly running low. If he didn't do something, they wouldn't last much longer.

"Damn it," he muttered, clenching his fists. He didn't know these people. He had no reason to risk his life for them. But he couldn't just stand here and watch them die.

He stepped into the clearing, the crescent moon mark on his palm flaring to life as he summoned the energy within. The familiar warmth spread through his hand, and a blade of silver energy materialized, its crescent shape glowing faintly in the darkness. It hummed softly, the sound almost soothing despite the danger ahead.

The wolves turned toward him immediately, their glowing eyes narrowing as they sensed the new threat. Li Yun tightened his grip on the blade, his muscles tensing as he prepared for the fight. His pulse raced, every nerve in his body screaming at him to flee, but he stood his ground.

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"Hey!" he shouted, his voice cutting through the growls. "Over here!"

The wolves hesitated for a moment, their attention divided between him and the injured pair. Then, as if coming to a silent agreement, two of them broke off from the pack and charged at him.

Li Yun raised the Crescent Blade, its edge glinting as he swung it in a wide arc. The first wolf lunged at him, its jaws snapping, but he sidestepped and brought the blade down in a sharp slash. The wolf yelped as the blade cut through its neck, its body collapsing to the ground.

The second wolf didn't falter. It lunged at him with even greater ferocity, its claws outstretched. Li Yun gritted his teeth and thrust the blade forward, the crescent energy slicing through the wolf's chest. The creature let out a final growl before falling silent.

His breath came in short, sharp gasps as he turned back to the clearing. The remaining wolves were still attacking the man and woman, but their movements had grown more cautious, their ranks thinning. Li Yun charged forward, the Crescent Blade slicing through the air as he joined the fray.

One by one, the wolves fell, their silver bodies collapsing to the ground as the clearing grew still. When the last wolf was defeated, Li Yun stumbled back, the Crescent Blade flickering before fading completely. The energy in his body was drained, his legs trembling as he tried to catch his breath.

The man lowered his spear, his chest heaving as he turned to Li Yun. "Thank you," he said, his voice hoarse. "We would have died if not for you."

The woman sank to her knees, her hands clutching her injured side as blood seeped through her fingers. She looked up at Li Yun, her expression filled with gratitude. "Thank you," she whispered, her voice barely audible.

Li Yun swallowed hard, his gaze flicking to the woman's wound. The amount of blood was alarming, and he felt a pang of panic rise in his chest. "You're... you're hurt," he said, his voice trembling. "That's a lot of blood. What do we do?"

The man knelt beside the woman, his brow furrowed as he inspected the injury. "We need Wild Grass Ginseng," he said, his tone urgent. "It can be ground into a paste to stop the bleeding and prevent infection."

Li Yun's mind raced, the words barely registering. He was about to ask where to find it when the system's voice chimed in.

"Skill Unlocked: Herb Gatherer. Description: Allows the user to identify and locate basic medicinal herbs. Detailed descriptions included."

Li Yun blinked, his eyes widening as a faint glow surrounded his vision. For a moment, his senses were overwhelmed as countless glowing markers appeared, highlighting every herb in the area. The sheer amount of information was too much, and his vision blurred, his head pounding from the overload.

"Stop," he muttered, clenching his fists. "Just... focus on the Wild Grass Ginseng."

The markers in his vision shifted, most of them fading until only a few remained. A description appeared in his mind: Wild Grass Ginseng – Found in patches of tall grass. Used to stop bleeding and prevent infections when ground into a paste.

Li Yun nodded, taking a deep breath to steady himself. "I'll find it," he said, turning back to the pair. "Stay here. I'll be back."

The man nodded, his expression grim. "Please hurry."

Li Yun turned and ran, his gaze locked on the markers guiding him through the forest. The tall grass was easy to spot, and he quickly found the herb, its small, delicate leaves glowing faintly in the moonlight. He pulled it free and rushed back to the clearing, his heart pounding as he knelt beside the injured woman.

"Here," he said, handing the herb to the man. "What now?"

The man took the herb, quickly grinding it into a paste with a small stone. He applied it to the woman's wound, his hands steady despite the tension in the air. The woman closed her eyes, her breathing slowing as the paste took effect. Her hands glowed faintly as she began to circulate her qi, the energy weaving through her body to aid in her recovery.

Li Yun watched in stunned silence, his gaze fixed on the soft glow of her qi. It was unlike anything he had ever seen, a quiet power that seemed to defy explanation. For a moment, he forgot the exhaustion in his limbs, the fear in his chest, as he stared in awe.

The woman opened her eyes, her expression calm despite her injuries. "Thank you," she said, her voice stronger now. "You've saved us."

The man nodded, offering Li Yun a small smile. "We owe you our lives. I am Zhang Wei, and this is my companion, Mei Lan."

Mei Lan inclined her head, her movements graceful even in her weakened state. "I'm sorry for the trouble we've caused."

Li Yun shook his head, his lips curving into a faint smile. "It's fine. I'm just glad you're okay."

Li Yun took a step back, his eyes lingering on Mei Lan as she circulated her qi. The faint glow emanating from her body was mesmerizing, almost hypnotic, as her wounds gradually began to close. Despite her pale complexion and the blood-stained fabric of her robes, her features seemed to relax, the pain visibly ebbing away with each steady breath.

The silence in the clearing was heavy, interrupted only by the faint crackle of energy around Mei Lan and the distant rustling of the forest. Li Yun's fingers unconsciously brushed against the crescent moon mark on his palm, a gesture of unease and wonder.

"Is she going to be okay?" he asked, his voice quiet but laced with concern.

Zhang Wei glanced at Mei Lan before turning to Li Yun, his lips curving into a small, reassuring smile. "She'll be fine. The Wild Grass Ginseng will stop the bleeding, and with her circulating her qi, the internal damage will heal soon enough. Thank you again, Brother Li. Truly, we owe you our lives."

Li Yun waved his hand awkwardly, as if to dismiss the gratitude. "I just... couldn't stand there and watch. Those wolves were something else, though. They didn't seem normal."

Zhang Wei nodded gravely. "You're right. They were spirit beasts—silver-furred wolves like those rarely wander this far out of their territory. Something must've driven them deeper into the Demon Forest."

"The Demon Forest?" Li Yun echoed, his brow furrowing.

Mei Lan opened her eyes, her voice soft but steady as she spoke. "Yes. This forest is known for its dangers. Spirit beasts, cursed mists, and remnants of old battles have left it brimming with hostile energy. Most cultivators avoid it unless they're desperate or confident in their abilities."

Li Yun's gaze flickered to the trees, the dense, oppressive canopy above. The name fit; the forest felt alive with a malevolent energy, like it was always watching, waiting.

"You're not cultivators of this forest, are you?" Zhang Wei asked cautiously.

Li Yun shook his head. "No, I—" He paused, unsure how much to reveal. "I woke up here, that's all. I've been trying to find my way out."

Zhang Wei and Mei Lan exchanged a brief look before Mei Lan said, "That's... unusual. Most people who wander into this forest don't make it out alive, especially not without cultivating."

"Without cultivating?" Zhang Wei's expression darkened slightly as he scrutinized Li Yun more closely. "Brother Li, forgive me for asking, but what stage are you at?"

Li Yun hesitated, his mind scrambling for an answer. Before he could speak, the system's calm, mechanical voice chimed in:

"Dantian formation is ready to unlock. Conditions met: Initiate qi circulation to complete the process."

Li Yun blinked, the words echoing in his mind. "I... I haven't opened my dantian yet," he admitted, his tone tinged with embarrassment.

Zhang Wei's expression softened. "Ah, so you're just starting out." He chuckled, the sound light and reassuring. "That's nothing to be ashamed of. Mei Lan and I hadn't opened ours until we joined the Heavenly Cloud Sect. It's a natural step in the process."

Mei Lan smiled faintly, her face still pale but her demeanour warm. "If anything, it's impressive that you fought off those wolves without cultivating. Most beginners wouldn't have stood a chance."

Li Yun scratched the back of his neck, a sheepish grin tugging at his lips. "The Crescent Blade helped. But it drains me too much—I can't use it often."

Zhang Wei's eyes lit up with curiosity. "Crescent Blade? Is that a martial technique?"

"Something like that," Li Yun replied vaguely, unwilling to delve into the details of the mark on his palm.

"Well, whatever it is, it saved our lives," Mei Lan said softly. "Thank you, truly."

The conversation paused for a moment, the three of them sitting in the clearing, the tension gradually ebbing away. Finally, Zhang Wei broke the silence.

"Brother Li, if you don't mind me asking, what do you plan to do next?"

Li Yun exhaled slowly, his gaze distant. "I was just trying to get out of the forest. I don't have a clear plan beyond that."

Zhang Wei's expression shifted to one of consideration. "The Heavenly Cloud Sect is holding its recruitment period right now. If you don't have a destination, why not come with us? You'd be welcome to try your luck."

Li Yun blinked, surprised by the offer. "Heavenly Cloud Sect?"

Mei Lan nodded. "It's a fourth-class sect—nothing grand compared to the likes of Mount Hua or Wudang, but it's one of the best in its class."

"Fourth class?" Li Yun repeated, his curiosity piqued.

Zhang Wei chuckled. "The Orthodox Alliance has a system for ranking sects. The lowest are eighth-class sects, small and often struggling. The highest, first-class sects, like Mount Hua, Wudang, or even the Demonic Heaven Sect, are powerhouses. Their influence and strength are unmatched."

"Wait," Li Yun interjected, his brow furrowing. "Demonic Heaven Sect? Isn't that unorthodox?"

"It is," Mei Lan admitted. "But ranking doesn't discriminate between orthodox and unorthodox sects. Strength is all that matters in the rankings."

Li Yun processed this information in silence, his thoughts churning. A sect, even a fourth-class one, sounded like a lifeline—a place where he could learn to cultivate and gain the power he needed to survive.

After a moment, he nodded slowly. "If you're sure it's okay, I'll come with you. I don't have anywhere else to go, and learning to cultivate sounds like a good place to start."

Mei Lan smiled warmly. "Of course. Recruitment is open to anyone willing to put in the effort."

Zhang Wei grinned. "You'll fit right in, Brother Li. And don't worry about not having opened your dantian yet. We were the same when we joined. Honestly, it's a bit embarrassing that after a year, we're still third-class disciples."

The three of them laughed together, the sound lightening the oppressive weight of the forest around them.