The Path Begins

The sun rose higher, its golden rays casting long shadows across the land as Bai Meixiu moved with purposeful steps. The wind whispered around her, as if the world itself recognized the gravity of the moment. Lin Xuan, still cradled in her arms, slept peacefully, oblivious to the storm brewing on the horizon. His tiny chest rose and fell with each gentle breath, his soft features illuminated by the faint glow of his aura.

Bai Meixiu's heart weighed heavily as she walked, each step bringing her closer to the unknown. The valley was a place of peace, a sanctuary of sorts, but it was not where Lin Xuan's path was destined to unfold. She had no illusions about the dangers ahead—she knew that the forces closing in on them were powerful, relentless, and determined to capture or destroy the child. And yet, despite the looming threats, there was a flicker of hope in her heart. Lin Xuan was not an ordinary child; his very existence was a catalyst for change, and she could sense the immense potential within him.

As the hours passed, Bai Meixiu carried the child deeper into the wilderness. The landscape around them shifted from the lush forests of the valley to rugged terrain, where the earth was rough and unforgiving. The air grew cooler as they ascended the mountains, and the trees thinned, giving way to a vast, sweeping view of the world below.

The mountains were a barrier, a natural fortress that shielded the hidden paths leading to the Sky Sect. Bai Meixiu's eyes scanned the horizon, every muscle in her body taut with awareness. It was not just the journey she feared—it was what lay beyond. The Sky Sect was known for its powerful disciples, its ancient teachings, and its close ties to the ruling powers of the world. But it was also a place where the forces of darkness had begun to gather, drawn to the child who had yet to realize the true extent of his power.

Lin Xuan's fate, it seemed, was not his alone. The forces arrayed against him would shape the destiny of not only the child but the entire world.

As they trekked deeper into the mountains, Bai Meixiu's mind wandered back to the moment of Lin Xuan's birth. She had been there, hidden in the shadows, watching as the radiant orb cracked open and the child emerged, surrounded by a burst of energy that had sent shockwaves through the valley. She had known, even then, that Lin Xuan was destined for greatness, but she had also known that such power came with a price.

The winds howled around her as the peaks grew steeper, their jagged edges cutting into the sky like the teeth of some great beast. The air here was thin, the very atmosphere charged with an energy that seemed to pulse with life. Bai Meixiu's senses were on high alert, her every step measured and precise. The further they moved, the stronger the pull of the Sky Sect became, and with it, the sense of impending danger.

Suddenly, a movement caught her eye—a flicker of motion among the rocks to her left. Instinctively, she shifted Lin Xuan to her other arm, her body tensing as she scanned the area. Her eyes narrowed, her hand instinctively moving toward the sword at her side.

"I know you're there," Bai Meixiu called, her voice low but steady.

For a moment, there was silence. Then, from the shadows of the rocks, a figure emerged, cloaked in a dark hood. The figure moved with an eerie grace, his every step calculated and deliberate. His face was obscured by the hood, but there was an undeniable presence about him, an aura of power that seemed to crackle in the air.

"Are you following me?" Bai Meixiu asked, her voice sharp but controlled. "Or is this a chance encounter?"

The figure paused, his gaze fixed on her with a sense of knowing that sent a chill down her spine. He did not speak immediately, but there was a sense of recognition in his eyes, as if he had been waiting for this moment.

"I am here to help," the figure finally spoke, his voice soft but clear. "And to protect."

Bai Meixiu's eyes narrowed. She was no stranger to deception, and she had learned over the years to trust few. "Help? Or hinder?" she asked, her tone skeptical. "There are many who would wish harm upon this child."

The figure tilted his head slightly, his expression unreadable. "I am not one of them. My name is Wu Zhihao, and I have been watching over Lin Xuan for some time now."

Bai Meixiu's heart skipped a beat. Watching over Lin Xuan? The child had only just been born—how could anyone have known of him?

"Why?" she asked, her voice steady but her mind racing. "Why would you protect him?"

Wu Zhihao stepped closer, his eyes never leaving hers. "Because his fate is tied to mine. And because there are forces that will stop at nothing to control him."

Bai Meixiu's grip on Lin Xuan tightened, her instincts telling her to be cautious. "Who are these forces?" she asked, her voice low and dangerous.

Wu Zhihao's gaze flickered toward the mountains in the distance, his expression darkening. "The Dragon Clan. They are already aware of his birth. And they will come."

Bai Meixiu's heart tightened at the mention of the Dragon Clan. They were a force unlike any other—ancient, powerful, and ruthless. The very thought of them seeking Lin Xuan was enough to send a shiver through her spine. If they were truly aware of his existence, then time was running out.

"How do you know this?" Bai Meixiu asked, her tone edged with suspicion.

Wu Zhihao took a deep breath, his gaze never wavering. "I have been tracking their movements for years. And I know that they will stop at nothing to claim him for themselves."

Bai Meixiu studied him for a moment, trying to gauge his sincerity. There was something about him—something familiar, almost as if she had crossed paths with him before. She had learned long ago to trust her instincts, and right now, they told her that Wu Zhihao was not an enemy.

"Very well," she said, her voice steady. "You can come with us. But if you try anything, I won't hesitate to defend him."

Wu Zhihao nodded, his expression unreadable. "Understood."

And so, the unlikely trio continued their journey toward the Sky Sect. The path was dangerous, the stakes higher than ever, but Bai Meixiu knew that the time for hesitation had passed. Lin Xuan's future awaited him, and with it, the forces that would either shape him into a savior or destroy him altogether.

As they made their way up the mountain, Bai Meixiu's thoughts turned inward. She had never been one to rely on others, but there was something about Wu Zhihao that intrigued her. He had an air of familiarity about him, as if they had met in another time, another place. She could not shake the feeling that their paths had crossed before, though she could not recall when or where.

For now, however, there was no time for questions. The journey was far from over, and the dangers that awaited them were growing with each passing moment.

Lin Xuan stirred in her arms, his small hand curling slightly. Bai Meixiu smiled softly, her heart filled with a quiet determination. This child was destined for greatness, and no matter what the future held, she would see him through it. No matter the cost.

The path had begun