Chapter 25: Shadows of the Past

The sun was low on the horizon as Lin Yun and Yu Xian trudged through the thick snow, leaving the frozen marketplace behind. The shard was safely tucked away in Yu Xian's pouch, but its faint glow seemed to pulse against the cold, as if it were alive.

Lin Yun's body ached with every step, his muscles screaming from the grueling battle they had just survived. His mind, however, was restless, replaying the events over and over. The masked man's words lingered in his thoughts.

"You don't belong here…"

The statement had cut deeper than Lin Yun cared to admit. He was a stranger in this world—a reincarnated soul from Earth thrust into a realm of martial prowess, where survival depended on strength and cunning. And yet, despite his growing skills, moments like these reminded him how far he still had to go.

"Lost in thought?" Yu Xian's voice broke through his reverie.

Lin Yun glanced at her. "Just… reflecting. That masked man, he wasn't ordinary. He was strong, far stronger than I expected."

Yu Xian nodded. "He was. But strength alone doesn't guarantee victory."

"Still," Lin Yun said, his voice low, "if he had been a little more cautious, we might not have walked away."

Yu Xian gave him a sidelong glance. "Doubt won't help you, Lin Yun. You're alive because you made the right decisions when it mattered. Remember that."

Her words were meant to be reassuring, but they only served to fuel the fire burning in Lin Yun's chest. He clenched his fists, silently vowing to grow stronger—not just for himself, but for the path ahead.

---

As night fell, the pair set up camp in a sheltered grove, the trees offering some reprieve from the biting wind. Lin Yun sat by the fire, staring into the flames as he turned the events of the day over in his mind.

Yu Xian was on the outskirts of the camp, her keen eyes scanning their surroundings. She hadn't said much since they had left the marketplace, her usual calm demeanor giving way to a subtle tension.

"Something's bothering you," Lin Yun said, breaking the silence.

Yu Xian didn't turn around. "We're being followed."

Lin Yun's heart skipped a beat. "How long?"

"Since we left the village," she replied. "They're keeping their distance for now, but they're there."

Lin Yun rose to his feet, his hand instinctively going to the hilt of his sword. "Do you think it's the Obsidian Claw Alliance?"

"It's possible," Yu Xian said. "But I don't think they're directly tied to the masked man. These people… they're different."

"Different how?"

Yu Xian hesitated. "They're disciplined, but their movements are subtle. Whoever they are, they're professionals."

A chill ran down Lin Yun's spine, and it wasn't from the cold. "What do we do?"

"We wait," Yu Xian said simply. "If they make a move, we'll be ready."

---

The night passed uneventfully, but the tension in the air was palpable. Lin Yun barely slept, his hand never straying far from his sword.

When morning came, they broke camp and resumed their journey, heading south toward the next fragment's location. But as they moved through a dense forest, Yu Xian suddenly came to a halt.

"Show yourself," she said, her voice sharp.

For a moment, there was silence. Then, from the shadows, a figure stepped into view—a young woman clad in black robes, her face partially obscured by a mask. Her posture was relaxed, but Lin Yun could sense the latent power she carried.

"You're quite perceptive," the woman said, her voice smooth and even. "Most wouldn't have noticed me."

"Who are you?" Yu Xian demanded, her blade already drawn.

The woman raised her hands in a gesture of peace. "Relax. I'm not here to fight. If I wanted to kill you, I would've done it last night."

Lin Yun narrowed his eyes. "That doesn't answer the question. Who are you, and why are you following us?"

The woman tilted her head, her eyes gleaming with amusement. "You may call me Mei. As for why I'm here… let's just say I'm interested in the shard you're carrying."

Lin Yun's grip on his sword tightened. "If you're with the Alliance—"

"I'm not," Mei interrupted. "In fact, I despise them. My interest in the shard is purely… academic."

Yu Xian didn't lower her blade. "And we're just supposed to take your word for it?"

Mei smirked. "Of course not. But if you'll allow me, I can prove that I'm not your enemy."

Lin Yun and Yu Xian exchanged a glance. There was no trust between them, but they both understood the precariousness of their situation.

"Speak," Yu Xian said finally.

Mei took a step closer, her movements slow and deliberate. "The shard you're carrying isn't just a piece of the Seven Shards of Heaven. It's the Heart of Frost, an artifact that holds immense power. If you don't know how to control it, it will consume you."

"What are you saying?" Lin Yun asked, his voice laced with suspicion.

"I'm saying," Mei replied, "that you need someone who understands the artifact's nature. Someone like me."

---

The tension in the air was thick as Yu Xian weighed Mei's words. Lin Yun could see the conflict in her eyes—on one hand, Mei's knowledge could prove invaluable. On the other hand, trusting a stranger was a risk they couldn't afford to take lightly.

"If you're lying…" Yu Xian began.

Mei smiled faintly. "I know the stakes. Believe me, I have no interest in dying today."

After a long pause, Yu Xian lowered her blade. "Fine. But if you make one wrong move, you won't live to regret it."

"Fair enough," Mei said, her tone light.

Lin Yun watched as Mei joined their group, his unease growing with every passing moment. He didn't trust her, but he couldn't deny the possibility that she might be telling the truth.

As they continued their journey, Lin Yun couldn't shake the feeling that their encounter with Mei was only the beginning of something far more dangerous.