chapter 18: The beast forest (part 4)

As the well-dressed group disappeared into the depths of the forest, the air around Kai seemed to thicken. He stood still, his senses stretched to their limits. The hidden presence hadn't left. It lingered, a dark, oppressive aura hovering just beyond sight. For a brief moment, he considered tracking them down—following the prominent family and uncovering what lay behind those cold stares—but his instincts told him otherwise.

"Something's not right," Kai muttered under his breath, his hand resting on the hilt of his sword.

Yan Mei, still catching his breath beside him, looked at Kai with a raised brow. "What do you mean?"

Kai hesitated for a moment, unwilling to voice his suspicions aloud. "Nothing," he finally said. "Just a strange feeling."

Cheng Bao joined them, wiping sweat from his forehead. "That was intense. I didn't expect a beast like that so soon after entering the sect. It was a good warm-up though." He grinned, though there was a tinge of nervousness beneath his bravado.

Yan Mei nodded. "This forest has many mysteries. The sect uses it to weed out the weak."

Kai didn't respond, his mind still fixated on the lingering aura. The sect forest was known for its dangers, but this presence felt different—calculated, intelligent, and patient. It wasn't merely a beast waiting to pounce; it was something else entirely.

The three of them began to walk back toward the temporary camp the outer disciples had set up on the edge of the forest. The conversation turned to more mundane matters, the other two discussing the trials ahead and what the beast forest had in store for them.

"I've heard the next test involves hunting down specific beasts for their cores," Yan Mei said, adjusting the strap of his weapon. "It's how we'll earn our first set of contribution points."

Cheng Bao grunted. "And we'll need a lot of points if we want to stand out. The outer sect is huge, and we're at the bottom of the ladder right now. At least the dorms are decent enough. Can't complain about having a roof over my head."

Kai listened silently, absorbing the information. Contribution points, earned through tasks like beast hunting, were vital for climbing the sect's ranks. Everything within the sect—from access to cultivation resources to better living quarters—depended on them. The outer disciples were given next to nothing to start with: rough brown robes and tokens that were essentially worthless until they earned their keep.

Kai's mind drifted to the powerful families and the mysterious group they'd just encountered. How many of them had started from scratch like this? How many had their paths paved by wealth and influence? He clenched his fist, the familiar feeling of determination burning within him.

As they approached the camp, whispers from other disciples reached Kai's ears. They, too, had noticed the well-dressed individuals.

"I heard they're from the Feng family," one of the disciples whispered. "Their daughters were personally escorted to the Jade Lotus Sect. Apparently, they're entering the inner sect directly."

"Of course," another replied bitterly. "With connections like that, who needs to prove themselves?"

Kai caught the words but said nothing. He had no interest in competing with those who didn't face the same struggles as he did. His path was different, and that was all that mattered.

But then, out of nowhere, a cold shiver ran down his spine. The presence—it was closer now. Watching. Waiting. His muscles tensed involuntarily, and his hand instinctively moved toward his sword.

Yan Mei glanced at him. "Kai, you alright?"

Kai forced himself to relax, loosening his grip on the sword's hilt. "I'm fine. Just need some rest."

They reached the camp, where the other outer disciples were busy setting up their sleeping areas. Fires crackled as some of the more experienced members began preparing food. The atmosphere was tense, everyone clearly aware of the trials that lay ahead. Some whispered about the beast they had faced earlier, while others discussed strategies for earning contribution points in the coming days.

Kai, however, remained on edge. That dark presence had been trailing him since they left the altar. He could feel it, even now, as though it was just out of sight, lurking in the shadows. Whatever it was, it wasn't going to reveal itself easily. And it wasn't interested in the other disciples. No, its focus was solely on him.

He glanced toward the treeline, narrowing his eyes as he scanned the forest once more. The feeling of being watched persisted, but there was nothing visible—only the flickering shadows cast by the campfire.

Cheng Bao sat down near one of the fires, shaking his head. "Tomorrow's going to be rough. I can feel it. The beast forest isn't going to let us off easy. I heard someone say the sect elders are watching every move we make."

Yan Mei nodded in agreement. "That's how it works. They're testing us—seeing who's worthy of staying and who'll be weeded out."

Kai said nothing. His thoughts were elsewhere. He knew he wasn't here just to survive these trials. There was something deeper at play—something connected to the secrets of this world. And now, with that hidden presence haunting him, he felt more certain than ever that his journey wouldn't follow the ordinary path of a sect disciple.

As night fell and the camp settled into an uneasy quiet, Kai remained alert. His mind kept returning to the mysterious group they had seen earlier—the well-dressed individuals with their cold, emotionless gazes. They hadn't looked at him for long, but the woman's icy blue eyes had left an impression.

And then there was that presence. That overwhelming sense of danger that had followed him like a shadow.

He couldn't afford to let his guard down. Not now. Not ever.

Kai lay down near the fire, closing his eyes, but sleep eluded him. Somewhere in the darkness, the unseen threat was waiting.