Shadows Of The Forest

The forest was alive with the hum of cicadas and the rustling of leaves, casting long shadows under the fading light. Li Yuan followed Lin Xue along a narrow dirt path, his steps unsteady compared to her fluid grace. His mind was still trying to grasp the reality of his situation. This world was nothing like the one he had known—there were no towering skyscrapers, no airplanes, no reassuring hum of technology. Instead, there was the scent of damp earth, the weight of an unfamiliar robe on his shoulders, and a deep sense of uncertainty gnawing at him.

"You're awfully quiet," Lin Xue said without looking back.

"I'm thinking," he replied.

"That's dangerous," she said with a smirk. "Thinking too much in this world will get you killed."

He frowned. "And ignorance keeps you alive?"

She chuckled. "No. But hesitation will get you killed before you learn anything useful."

Her words lingered in his mind as they emerged from the dense trees onto a vast open plain. Before them stood an enormous gate of dark stone, towering high into the sky. Strange symbols glowed faintly along its surface, pulsating with an energy Li Yuan couldn't quite comprehend. Guards stood at attention on either side, their expressions unreadable beneath their silver helmets.

"So this is the Four Seasons Sect?" he asked.

"This is just the outer gate," Lin Xue replied. "Beyond this is where your real test begins."

He shot her a wary glance. "I thought I was already accepted into the sect."

"You're an outer sect disciple," she corrected. "Which means you're at the bottom of the food chain. No one cares if you live or die. Prove your worth, and you might climb higher. Stay weak, and you'll stay here—if you're lucky."

There was no malice in her voice, only cold truth. Li Yuan exhaled sharply, his fingers curling slightly as he stepped forward. One of the guards, a broad-shouldered man with a scar across his cheek, scrutinized them as they approached.

"Name and rank," he barked.

"Lin Xue, inner sect disciple," she said, producing a jade token.

The guard gave it a quick glance before shifting his gaze to Li Yuan. "And him?"

"New recruit," Lin Xue said casually. "Found him wandering near the Blood Pond. Figured I'd bring him back before he got himself killed."

The guard snorted. "You're too soft, Lin Xue. Most wouldn't bother."

"Maybe," she said with a shrug. "But I have a feeling about this one."

Li Yuan felt the guard's piercing gaze settle on him, searching for something. After a tense moment, the man waved them through without another word. As soon as they passed the threshold, Li Yuan felt a strange energy wash over him, like an unseen force scanning every inch of his being. His steps faltered for just a second, but Lin Xue didn't slow down.

The outer sect was more like a sprawling village than a grand sect. Wooden huts lined the dirt roads, their thatched roofs giving off a rustic charm. Disciples in plain robes hurried about, some carrying buckets of water, others engaged in heated sparring matches. The air smelled of sweat, damp earth, and faint traces of something metallic—perhaps blood.

"This is where you'll be staying," Lin Xue said as they walked. "Outer sect disciples fend for themselves. No one will hold your hand."

He studied his surroundings, feeling a strange mix of excitement and unease. "And you?"

"I'll be in the inner sect," she said. "We're not supposed to interact with outer sect disciples much, but..." She glanced at him, a small smile playing on her lips. "I'll check on you. Sometimes."

He wasn't sure why, but that made him feel slightly less alone. She led him to a small hut near the edge of the village, the wooden walls weathered but sturdy.

"This is yours," she said. "Rest tonight. Tomorrow, your real work begins."

The door closed behind her, leaving him in silence. Li Yuan sat on the cot, staring at the flickering candlelight. The events of the day replayed in his mind—his awakening in the stone chamber, the strange red mark on his forehead, the blood-red pond... None of it made sense. And yet, here he was.

The door creaked open. Lin Xue leaned against the frame, arms crossed.

"You're not asleep?" she asked.

"Too much to think about," he admitted.

She smirked. "Get used to it. This world doesn't wait for you to catch up."

She stepped inside, sitting on the edge of the table. Her gaze was piercing, studying him in a way that made him feel strangely exposed.

"You're different," she said.

He raised an eyebrow. "How so?"

"You're not like the other recruits. Most of them are desperate, power-hungry. You…" She tilted her head slightly. "You don't have the same look in your eyes. It's like you're searching for something else."

Her words struck a chord within him, though he couldn't quite place why. He deflected. "What about you? Why are you here?"

For a split second, something flashed in her eyes—something he couldn't read. Then, just as quickly, she smirked. "That's a story for another time." She pushed off the table and walked to the door. "Get some rest, Li Yuan. Tomorrow will be harder than you think."

The door shut behind her, leaving him alone with his thoughts once more. He lay back on the cot, staring at the wooden ceiling. His body still ached from whatever transformation he had undergone in the Blood Pond. He clenched his fists, feeling a faint warmth in his veins, like embers waiting to be fanned into flame.

He didn't know what awaited him in this world, but one thing was certain.

He had no intention of staying at the bottom forever.