Xing Wuye stood in front of the mission board, scanning the tasks with focused eyes. Each mission on display ranged from simple herb gathering to hunting down dangerous demon beasts in far-off lands. He needed a mission that could help him take the next step in his cultivation journey—something challenging enough to push him to the Dragon Transformation stage. His master, Li Zhang, had once mentioned that battling strong opponents and hunting demon beasts could help him progress, especially if he could acquire rare materials from such beasts.

As Xing Wuye studied the board, Mei Ling, ever at his side, glanced at him thoughtfully. She could sense the determination in him. He was always striving to become stronger, not just for himself but for the future he envisioned—one where no one could harm those he cared about, not like the village he lost.

"You're looking for something dangerous, aren't you?" Mei Ling said softly, a teasing smile playing on her lips. Wuye turned his head and saw her, and for a moment, a flicker of warmth crossed his otherwise composed face.

"Yes, I'm planning to hunt a demon beast. I heard there's one lurking near a village not too far from here. The pill I need for my next breakthrough requires the essence of such a creature."

Mei Ling's eyes sparkled with interest. "Let me help you. Two heads are better than one, and besides, I could use the experience too."

Wuye considered her for a moment. Mei Ling had always been strong-willed, and she had grown a great deal in the last few years since they entered the sect together. He also couldn't deny that her presence made him feel more grounded, more at ease, though he seldom expressed it. After a brief pause, he nodded. "All right, let's do it together."

The two of them soon headed to the sect's stables, where horses were kept for long-distance travel. They prepared their mounts, quietly saddling up before riding out of the sect gates. The wind was cool, and the ride to the village 100 li away from the sect was relatively peaceful. The sun dipped low on the horizon as they arrived, painting the sky in hues of gold and pink.

They entered the village by twilight, they entered the village discreetly, ensuring not to draw too much attention to themselves. It was a small, humble place—houses with thatched roofs, narrow dirt roads, and villagers who eyed strangers with mild curiosity but didn't ask too many questions. After settling down at a modest inn, they kept their identities under wraps, not wanting to flaunt their status as disciples of the Tianlong Sect.

The inn where they decided to stay was modest, with wooden beams that creaked as they stepped inside. The innkeeper, an older man with graying hair, greeted them warmly, not asking too many questions. It seemed like a quiet place, but the hushed whispers of the other patrons told a different story. Mei Ling and Xing Wuye exchanged a glance, both sensing the undercurrent of unease.

In the tavern portion of the inn, the scent of roasted duck filled the air, accompanied by the clinking of cups as villagers exchanged stories and gossip. Xing Wuye and Mei Ling sat at a corner table, choosing the roasted duck with steamed bun soup, along with Shaoxing wine to keep up appearances.

As they ate, they paid careful attention to the conversations around them, straining to catch any useful bits of information. It wasn't long before they heard murmurs of strange disappearances.

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As the inn filled with the scent of roasting duck, the stories of the villagers began to unfold. They overheard people speaking in hushed tones about mysterious disappearances—villagers who had wandered into the nearby forest, never to return. Others whispered about the demon beast, describing it as a creature that preyed on the weak and devoured the lost.

"...people wandering into the forest just vanish," one man whispered to his companion.

"Some say it's a demon wandering just outside the village," added another voice, his tone serious. "A foul creature, too. It preys on anyone who ventures too far into the woods."

Wuye and Mei Ling exchanged glances, both recognizing that this was the information they had been looking for. Still, they kept quiet, not wanting to reveal that they had come to hunt the beast.

Other conversations floated around the room—mundane gossip about crops, children, and small village squabbles—but those were of no interest to the two disciples.

Xing Wuye frowned. "It seems the rumors were true," he murmured to Mei Ling, who nodded in agreement, her eyes scanning the room.

"Demons often thrive on fear," she whispered back, her voice laced with concern. "Whatever is out there, we'll face it together."

As they finished their meal, the room around them seemed to grow quieter, the weight of the village's fear settling over them like a thick fog. Later that night, they returned to their rooms. Xing Wuye sat on the bed, his mind buzzing with thoughts of the upcoming battle. The demon beast would not be an easy opponent, but his desire to advance to the Dragon Transformation stage drove him forward.

His mind already shifting to cultivation, Sits cross-legged on the floor, he closed his eyes, letting the energy within him flow as he began pondering the Dao. His thoughts meandered through his experiences—the battle in the tournament, the sight of the sect leader's overwhelming strength, and the strange sense of fate that seemed to be pulling him toward something greater.

Just as he began to sink deeper into his meditation, he felt a presence outside his door. His sharp senses immediately caught onto it, and a moment later, there was a knock.

Opening his eyes, he stood up and approached the door, wondering who it could be. When he opened it, he was greeted by the sight of Mei Ling, her face slightly flushed, her usual confidence momentarily softened.

"Can I come in?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.

Wuye nodded and stepped aside, letting her enter. There was something in the air, an unspoken tension that hung between them. Mei Ling fidgeted for a moment, her fingers nervously playing with the hem of her sleeve.

"Wuye," she started, her voice trembling slightly, "there's something I've wanted to say for a while now..." Her cheeks were a delicate shade of pink, and Wuye could see how nervous she was. "I... I like you. I have for a long time."

Wuye's breath caught in his throat. He had long suspected Mei Ling's feelings, but he had never allowed himself to reciprocate, not fully. Every time he felt himself softening toward her, he would see the face of Mei, the young girl from his village who had perished in that terrible massacre. The guilt of not being able to save her had haunted him, making him hesitant to open his heart to anyone again.

But now, standing before Mei Ling, who had gathered the courage to finally confess, he knew it wasn't fair to her. She deserved more than his silence.

"I..." Wuye started, then paused, struggling to find the right words. He could feel his heart pounding in his chest, torn between the past and the present. But Mei Ling's sincerity, her vulnerability, reached him in a way nothing else had.

"I know," he said quietly. "I've known for a while."

Mei Ling's eyes widened slightly, and she took a hesitant step closer. "Then why... why haven't you said anything?"

Xing Wuye sighed, rubbing the back of his neck as he struggled to find the right words. "It's not that I don't care," he said, his voice low. "It's just... after what happened in my past, I thought I wasn't ready. I thought it wasn't fair to you."

Mei Ling shook her head, a small, sad smile playing on her lips. "It's not about being fair, Wuye. It's about being honest with yourself."

"I'm willing to try," he said, his voice steady. "For you. I'll try to open my heart, Mei Ling."

Her eyes lit up, joy and relief washing over her. Without a second thought, she stepped forward and wrapped her arms around him, and Wuye, after a brief hesitation, embraced her back. They shared a passionate kiss, a moment of warmth and connection that had been building for years.

But that was as far as they went. Mei Ling stayed with him that night, but they didn't cross any further boundaries"I'll stay with you tonight," she whispered, her voice calm and reassuring. "Just like this."

She watched him as he returned to his cultivation, the room filled with a serene, peaceful energy. For the first time in a long while, both of them felt a sense of calm, knowing that they had finally taken a step toward something real.

As he meditated, the weight of the past seemed to lift slightly, replaced by the warmth of Mei Ling's presence.