An Unexpected Encounter

The moon cast its silver glow over the forest as Xu Tian and Shen Feng trudged forward. The mysterious pull of the glowing seal guided their steps like an invisible compass.

"Do you even know where we're going?" Xu Tian grumbled, clutching his hoe tightly.

"Not a clue," Shen Feng replied cheerfully. "But that's half the adventure, isn't it?"

"Adventure? This feels more like a death march," Xu Tian muttered.

As they pushed through the undergrowth, the sound of laughter reached their ears. It was a high-pitched, slightly deranged chuckle.

Xu Tian froze. "Please tell me that's just the wind."

Shen Feng raised an eyebrow. "The wind doesn't laugh like it just lost a bet."

Ahead of them, the trees parted to reveal a young man dressed in tattered robes. His hair was disheveled, and he was flipping a coin repeatedly, muttering to himself.

"Fifty-fifty," the man said. "Heads, I survive. Tails… well, not my problem!"

Xu Tian whispered, "Who's this weirdo?"

The man's head snapped up, his sharp gaze locking onto them. "Who dares disturb the calculations of the great—oh, just two mortals." He sighed dramatically. "Lucky for you, I'm feeling merciful."

Xu Tian exchanged a look with Shen Feng. "Is he threatening us or begging for help?"

"Hard to say," Shen Feng said. "Let's ask him!"

Before Xu Tian could protest, Shen Feng stepped forward, flashing his usual grin. "Hello there, friend! Fancy meeting someone as eccentric as you out here. What brings you to these woods?"

The man stared at Shen Feng for a moment, then at Xu Tian. His eyes landed on the glowing seal.

"Oh ho! What's this?" He pointed excitedly. "A divine mark? A celestial curse? Or… an over-glorified glow stick?"

Xu Tian instinctively hid his hand. "It's none of your business!"

The man smirked. "Everything is my business. Especially shiny, mysterious things. Name's Wei Ling. You?"

"Xu Tian," he said reluctantly. "This is Shen Feng."

"Charmed," Wei Ling said, flipping his coin again. "Heads, I join you. Tails, I leave you to die horribly."

Xu Tian paled. "What kind of decision-making is that?"

The coin landed in his palm, and Wei Ling grinned. "Heads. Looks like you've got yourselves a genius companion!"

"Lucky us," Xu Tian muttered.

Before they could argue further, the forest behind them erupted in chaos. Trees splintered, and a roar echoed through the night.

Xu Tian groaned. "What now?"

Wei Ling tilted his head, flipping his coin again. "Hmm. Heads, we run. Tails, we fight."

"Forget the coin!" Xu Tian shouted. "Run!"

The three of them bolted as a massive shadow crashed through the forest behind them. The creature's glowing red eyes pierced the darkness, and its thunderous steps shook the ground.

Wei Ling laughed as he ran. "This is more exciting than I expected! You two really know how to attract trouble."

Shen Feng smirked. "It's a gift."

The trio burst out of the forest into a rocky clearing, the beast hot on their heels.

"Any ideas?" Xu Tian panted, glancing at Shen Feng and Wei Ling.

Wei Ling flipped his coin again. "Heads, we climb. Tails, we—"

Xu Tian grabbed the coin mid-air. "Stop flipping that thing and think!"

Wei Ling blinked. "Fine, fine. Spoilsport. Climbing seems like a good plan."

The three scrambled up a rocky ledge as the beast crashed into the clearing. It snarled and clawed at the rocks, but it couldn't quite reach them.

Xu Tian slumped against the ledge, gasping for breath. "I hate this forest."

Shen Feng grinned. "Admit it, you're having fun."

Xu Tian glared at him. "Define fun."

Wei Ling chuckled, flipping his coin again. "This is going to be an interesting journey."

As the beast paced below, another sound echoed through the clearing—a slow, deliberate clap.

"Well, well," a voice drawled. "It seems fate has brought us together."

The trio turned to see a woman standing atop the ledge, her figure silhouetted by the moonlight. Her eyes sparkled with mischief, and a smirk played on her lips.

"And who might you be?" Shen Feng asked, intrigued.

She tilted her head. "Your best chance at survival. Or your worst nightmare. Take your pick."