Chapter 26: Testing Boundaries

The sun rose slowly, casting long shadows across the forest floor as Lin Yun, Yu Xian, and their newest companion, Mei, pressed forward. The tension in the air was thick, especially between Yu Xian and Mei, whose mysterious motives continued to spark suspicion.

Lin Yun, however, found himself preoccupied with another matter. The shard in Yu Xian's possession was more than a fragment of power—it was a challenge. A test. If Mei's words were true, the artifact could consume its wielder if mishandled. He wasn't sure how much of that he believed, but the shard's faint, chilling pulse was enough to keep him wary.

As the group moved through the dense forest, Lin Yun spoke up. "If this shard is so dangerous, why would you want to study it?"

Mei glanced at him, her masked face betraying no emotion. "Knowledge is power. Artifacts like this have existed for centuries, shaping the balance of this world. Understanding them means understanding the rules of power itself."

"And what happens if you don't understand?" Yu Xian interjected, her tone sharp.

Mei smirked. "Then you learn the hard way—or you die trying."

The casual way she said it sent a chill down Lin Yun's spine.

---

Later that day, the group came upon a secluded clearing. Lin Yun took the opportunity to practice, his mind still fixated on the shard and its implications. Drawing his blade, he began a series of movements—a fluid dance of strikes, parries, and counters.

Yu Xian watched from a distance, her sharp eyes evaluating his form. "You've improved," she said finally. "But your footwork is still too rigid."

Lin Yun paused, lowering his blade. "Rigid?"

"You're too focused on executing the moves perfectly," Yu Xian explained. "Martial arts isn't about perfection—it's about adaptability. A single misstep can cost you everything."

Lin Yun nodded, though her words stirred a mix of frustration and determination in him. He resumed his practice, this time focusing on fluidity rather than precision.

As he moved, he felt a faint stirring deep within him—a whisper of power, like an ember waiting to ignite. It was subtle, but it was there, and it called to him.

"Good," Yu Xian said after a while. "You're starting to feel it."

"Feel what?" Lin Yun asked, pausing again.

"The flow," she replied. "It's the foundation of all martial techniques. If you can master that, everything else will follow."

---

Later that evening, as the group rested by a crackling fire, Mei decided to share her own insights.

"You're holding back," she said bluntly, looking at Lin Yun.

He frowned. "What do you mean?"

"You're afraid of your own potential," Mei continued, her tone matter-of-fact. "I've seen it before. You hesitate because you don't trust yourself. That hesitation will get you killed."

Lin Yun bristled at her words. "And what would you suggest I do? Throw myself into every fight blindly?"

Mei chuckled softly. "Not blindly. But you need to push yourself. Test your limits. How else will you know what you're truly capable of?"

Yu Xian frowned. "Careful, Mei. Recklessness isn't the same as courage."

"I'm not saying he should be reckless," Mei replied. "I'm saying he should stop holding back."

Lin Yun was silent, her words echoing in his mind. Was he holding back? And if so, why?

---

Their conversation was interrupted by a low growl, rumbling from the shadows beyond the firelight.

Yu Xian was on her feet in an instant, her blade drawn. Mei followed suit, her movements calm and deliberate.

Lin Yun gripped his sword, his heart pounding as the growl grew louder. From the darkness emerged a massive creature, its fur bristling and its eyes glowing like embers.

"A Shadowfang Wolf," Yu Xian muttered. "And a big one."

The wolf's lips curled back, revealing rows of jagged teeth. It was a predator, and it had found its prey.

"We can't outrun it," Mei said, her voice steady. "We have to fight."

Lin Yun's grip tightened on his sword. This was his chance to push himself, to test his limits as Mei had suggested.

The wolf lunged, its massive claws swiping at the group. Lin Yun dodged to the side, his blade slashing out in a counterattack. The wolf howled in pain as the blade bit into its flank, but it wasn't enough to slow it down.

Yu Xian moved in next, her strikes precise and unrelenting. Mei followed, her movements fluid and almost hypnotic as she darted around the wolf, searching for an opening.

Lin Yun watched them for a moment, studying their techniques. Then he took a deep breath and stepped forward, focusing on the flow Yu Xian had spoken of earlier.

This time, his movements felt different. Natural. Effortless.

He darted in and out of the wolf's reach, his blade finding its mark with every strike. The wolf roared in frustration, its attacks growing more erratic as it struggled to keep up.

Finally, Lin Yun saw his opening. He lunged forward, driving his blade into the wolf's chest. The creature let out one last, anguished howl before collapsing to the ground.

---

As the group caught their breath, Yu Xian looked at Lin Yun with a faint smile. "Not bad," she said. "You're starting to understand."

Mei, however, seemed less impressed. "It's a start," she said. "But you've got a long way to go."

Lin Yun didn't respond. He was too focused on the faint stirring within him—the ember that had flared into a spark during the battle.

He was growing stronger. Slowly but surely, he was starting to find his place in this world.

But as he looked at the wolf's lifeless body, he couldn't shake the feeling that this was only the beginning.

The road ahead would be long and treacherous, but Lin Yun was determined to walk it—no matter the cost.