The trio began their journey out of the Demon Forest at a steady pace. Li Yun glanced around as they walked, the dense foliage giving way to thinner clusters of trees. The oppressive atmosphere of the forest lightened gradually, but every so often, the sound of snapping twigs or distant growls would set him on edge. Even with the light filtering through the thinning canopy, the eerie silence seemed to press against his ears, broken only by the occasional rustle of leaves.
Zhang Wei led the way, his spear resting on his shoulder, his eyes scanning the surroundings for any signs of danger. Mei Lan followed closely behind, her hand occasionally brushing the deep gash on her side. Despite her earlier injuries, she moved with a quiet resilience, her expression calm but focused. Li Yun brought up the rear, his muscles aching from the earlier battle and his mind weighed down by the strange events of the day. He kept glancing at the crescent moon mark on his palm, as though it might offer him some kind of reassurance.
After some time, the trio came across a small stream cutting through the forest floor. The water sparkled in the soft sunlight that filtered through the thinning canopy, a sharp contrast to the dim, oppressive shadows they had left behind. Zhang Wei knelt by the edge of the stream and filled his hands with water, splashing it on his face and letting out a small sigh of relief. "We're making good progress," he said, his tone light. "If we keep this pace, we'll reach the village by nightfall."
Li Yun crouched by the stream, dipping his hands into the cool, refreshing water. He cupped some to drink, savouring the crisp taste that seemed to wake his body up, he was surprised how cool the water felt. As he straightened, the system's voice echoed in his mind:
"Congratulations! You have levelled up to Level 4."
The sudden announcement startled him, and he stumbled slightly, his hand instinctively going to his chest. His stat screen appeared before him, glowing faintly in the air. He opened it with a thought, his eyes scanning the familiar layout. To his surprise, a new stat had appeared:
Qi: 0
"Qi?" he murmured aloud, earning a curious glance from Mei Lan.
"Something wrong?" she asked, her tone soft but concerned.
Li Yun shook his head quickly. "No, just thinking about... how tired I am," he said, hoping to deflect her suspicion. Inwardly, his thoughts churned. The system must have added the Qi stat because of his encounter with Zhang Wei and Mei Lan, and the revelation left him both intrigued and uneasy. The realization made his fingers twitch with curiosity, but he resisted the urge to delve further into the screen. Now wasn't the time.
The beaten path that led to the village was uneven, bordered by wildflowers and patches of tall grass that swayed gently in the breeze. As they walked, Zhang Wei occasionally pointed out landmarks, his voice calm but tinged with caution.
"This path is safer than most in the Demon Forest, but it's not without its dangers," he explained. "Bandits sometimes hide in the underbrush, and there's always the chance of stray spirit beasts wandering too far from their territory. Stay alert."
Li Yun nodded, his gaze darting to every shadow and movement. The forest might have thinned, but the tension hadn't left him. Every rustle of leaves felt like a prelude to an ambush. Still, he followed closely behind the pair, his crescent moon mark pulsing faintly as if sensing his unease.
The sun dipped lower in the sky as they approached the village gates. The wooden structure was simple but sturdy, guarded by two men in patchwork armor. The guards straightened as the trio approached, their hands resting on the hilts of their swords. The air grew still, and for a brief moment, Li Yun felt a twinge of apprehension.
"Halt," one of the guards barked, his voice sharp. "State your business and show your identification."
Zhang Wei and Mei Lan exchanged a glance before pulling out small tokens from their robes. The guards' eyes widened as they inspected the tokens, and one of them let out a surprised gasp.
"Forgive us, esteemed disciples!" the guard stammered, bowing deeply. "We didn't realize you were from the Heavenly Cloud Sect. Please, proceed."
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As the gates creaked open, Li Yun followed Zhang Wei and Mei Lan into the village. His curiosity finally got the better of him. "What was that about?" he asked, glancing between the pair.
Mei Lan smiled faintly, brushing a stray strand of hair from her face. "Even as a fourth-class sect, the Heavenly Cloud Sect holds significant influence in places like this. Villages respect us, and our tokens are proof of our status."
"Even third-class disciples like us can carry some sway in more remote areas," Zhang Wei added with a chuckle. "Though it's nothing compared to the influence of higher-ranked sects."
As they walked through the village, Li Yun's stomach growled loudly, drawing laughter from the pair. Before he could apologize, the system chimed:
"Detected: Hunger. Please eat something soon, host."
Li Yun groaned, his face flushing with embarrassment. Zhang Wei clapped him on the shoulder. "Sounds like we've found our next priority. Let's find an inn."
"But I don't have any money," Li Yun admitted, his voice tinged with frustration.
Both Zhang Wei and Mei Lan stopped in their tracks, turning to look at him with wide eyes. "No money?" Zhang Wei repeated incredulously.
"But your clothes..." Mei Lan added, her gaze trailing over him. "We thought you were some wealthy merchant's son on a pilgrimage. That silk gown alone could feed a family for a year."
Li Yun's eyes widened, his hand brushing against the fabric of his robes. Snow-white silk, embroidered with golden dragon motifs along the waist belt—he hadn't even noticed.
"These?" he said awkwardly. "They're just... something I found. Not much of a story there."
The pair exchanged skeptical glances but didn't press further. As they continued walking, the system chimed again:
"Host is advised to find a mirror for a larger surprise."
Li Yun frowned, shaking his head. Whatever the system was hinting at could wait. For now, food and rest were all he cared about.
The Smoked Boar Inn sat near the village center, its wooden sign swaying gently in the evening breeze. The building had a rustic charm, with lanterns casting a warm glow over the entrance. Inside, the air was filled with the rich aroma of roasting meat and spices.
The innkeeper, a stout man with a bushy beard, greeted them with a grin. "Welcome! How can I help you?"
"Three rooms for the night," Zhang Wei said, sliding three silver taels across the counter. "And some dinner later."
The innkeeper nodded, handing them three keys. "Rooms are upstairs. Dinner will be ready in an hour."
As they climbed the stairs, Zhang Wei turned to Li Yun. "We'll meet you in the dining hall. Rest up while you can."
Li Yun nodded, his body aching as he entered his room. The space was small but clean, with a simple bed, a wooden chair, and a basin of water. He sank onto the bed, letting out a long sigh. His fingers traced the crescent moon mark absently, his thoughts drifting. Everything about this world felt overwhelming yet strangely thrilling. He wondered what lay ahead in the Heavenly Cloud Sect and whether he truly had what it took to survive here.
For the first time since waking in this world, he allowed himself to relax. His mind drifted to the system, the crescent moon mark, and the strange new world he found himself in. Everything felt overwhelming, but the warmth of Zhang Wei and Mei Lan's companionship gave him a sliver of hope.
After freshening up, Li Yun made his way downstairs. The dining hall was lively, filled with the chatter of travelers and the clinking of plates. He spotted Zhang Wei and Mei Lan at a corner table and greeted them with a hearty, "Hey!"
"Just in time," Zhang Wei said, gesturing to the steaming plates before them. "We ordered for you."
Li Yun sat down, his eyes widening at the feast before him. Roast pork, steamed buns, and bowls of fragrant rice filled the table. Without hesitation, he dug in, shoveling food into his mouth with an enthusiasm that made the pair burst into laughter.
"Slow down, Brother Li!" Mei Lan said, her eyes sparkling with amusement. "You'll choke at this rate."
Li Yun grinned sheepishly but didn't stop, determined not to leave a single crumb. The meal filled the hall with a warm, happy atmosphere, the trio's laughter blending with the sounds of the bustling inn.
After they finished eating, the conversation turned to the Heavenly Cloud Sect. Li Yun asked question after question, his curiosity insatiable. "What's the entrance exam like?" he asked.
"It changes every year," Zhang Wei replied. "Last year, it was a practical test of martial skills. But we won't know until we arrive."
Li Yun's heart sank slightly. "Martial skills, huh?" He forced a grin. "Well, I guess I'll figure it out when the time comes."
As the evening drew to a close, the trio exchanged goodnights and retreated to their rooms. Once alone, Li Yun opened his stat screen, desperation creeping into his voice. "System, how do I learn martial arts?"
The system's response was simple: "Shop."
Li Yun's eyes widened. "Shop?" he repeated, a flicker of hope igniting in his chest. If he could reach Level 5 before arriving at the sect, he might just have a chance.
With that thought in mind, he lay back, letting exhaustion take him. The morning would bring new challenges, but for now, he allowed himself the comfort of rest.
The first rays of sunlight filtered through the window as Li Yun woke. He stretched, the events of the previous day rushing back to him. Today, they would leave the village and head for the Heavenly Cloud Sect. He dressed quickly and headed downstairs, where Zhang Wei and Mei Lan were already waiting.
"Ready?" Zhang Wei asked with a grin.
Li Yun nodded, a determined look in his eyes. "Let's go."