Eyes in the Dark

The morning sun cast a pale light over the sect. Zhuan Ming stood among a group of disciples, his expression calm. He had been assigned to a team for the upcoming exploration mission to explore the Beast Mountain Range—a team that included Li Qingyue and four other disciples. The assignment was a hindrance to his plans. He had intended to fake an injury and explore the forest alone, where he could move freely and continue his clandestine activities without prying eyes. But now, with Li Qingyue's presence, his freedom would be severely limited.

As the team gathered, Zhuan Ming's sharp eyes scanned the group. Li Qingyue stood a short distance away, her ethereal beauty contrasting sharply with the weariness in her frost-like eyes. She had been watching him from time to time, her gaze lingering just a moment too long before she looked away.

"This girl is really into me…" Zhuan Ming thought with a sigh, though he didn't let his irritation show. He had more pressing concerns than a lovesick disciple. The other members of the team were unremarkable—two young men and two women, all of average skill and little threat to him. But Li Qingyue was different. She was strong, with a Rank 3 cultivation, and her presence was a complication he hadn't anticipated.

Li Qingyue walked silently among the group of disciples, her steps light but her mind heavy with a storm of thoughts. From time to time, her eyes flicked toward Zhuan Ming, though she tried to make it subtle, not wanting to draw attention. The forest loomed ahead, its shadows stretching like grasping fingers, and the air was thick with the scent of damp earth and the rich, earthy aroma of countless trees and plants. She had joined this team for reasons she couldn't fully explain, even to herself. It wasn't just curiosity—it was something deeper, something she couldn't quite put into words.

It had started the day she saw him stealing sect materials. At first, it was just a passing observation—why would a disciple risk so much for a few resources? But then, she noticed him become an inner disciple which made her even more interested in him. She couldn't deny his appeal—not just his looks, but the mystery surrounding him. She told herself it was just curiosity. She decided to gather information about him, and what she discovered only pulled her in further. He was an orphan, just like her. That revelation struck a chord deep within her, stirring a sense of connection. So from time to time she followed him, to find out his hobbies or interests, realizing he was rather bland, though in a way that also interested her even more. But then one day when she saw a warning posted up about disappearances in the forest, it was a perfect excuse to follow Zhuan Ming.

At first, she contemplated whether she would look like a stalker if he ever found out, but she still went with it, telling herself, "It's to protect him," knowing that Zhuan Ming often liked to venture into the forest alone. What she discovered, however, was something she never expected to see. Zhuan Ming wasn't just a thief or a loner—he was a killer. She had watched from the shadows as he took the life of another disciple, his movements cold and precise, his expression unreadable as if he had no emotions to speak of. The sight had shaken her to her core. The person she had been so drawn to, the one she had wanted to befriend and understand in the little time she had left, was a killer. It wasn't just the brutality of it that unsettled her—it was the eerie calm with which he had done it, the precision of his strikes, the absence of hesitation.

But that wasn't all. The scene had forced her to confront something far more personal, something she had been avoiding. If the time came for her to take a life, to exact her long-awaited revenge on the sect, would she be able to do it with the same cold efficiency? Could she truly become what she had always believed she needed to be? Or would she falter when it mattered most?

Now, as she walked through the forest, her thoughts churned like a restless sea. She glanced at Zhuan Ming again, her gaze lingering for a moment before she forced herself to look away. Part of her wanted to confront him, to demand answers, to understand why he did what he did. Another part of her wanted to run, to distance herself from the darkness he represented. But deeper still, there was a flicker of something else—a strange, almost reluctant connection.

"What am I even doing here?" she thought, her chest tightening with a mix of frustration and confusion. She had no real reason to care about him, no reason to put herself in danger for someone who was, by all accounts, a monster. And yet, she couldn't shake the feeling that there was more to him than met the eye. He was dangerous, yes, but he was also... fascinating.

Her thoughts were interrupted by a low rustling in the underbrush, and she instinctively reached for the hilt of her sword. The other disciples tensed, their eyes scanning the shadows, but Zhuan Ming remained calm, his expression somewhat tense as his hand also rested on the hilt of his sword. Li Qingyue watched him closely, her heart pounding in her chest. She didn't know what she was hoping for—a sign of humanity, perhaps, or a glimpse of the boy behind the mask. But even though he seemed normal and unimpressive on the surface, all she saw was the same cold, calculating gaze that had haunted her since that night.

"I should turn him in, or kill him myself. But..." she thought, her fingers tightening around the hilt of her sword. But she couldn't. Not yet.

"Even if I turn him in it would only interfere with my plan for revenge, alerting the clan and forcing them to strengthen their defences," she thought but before she could continue thinking of ways to deal with Zhuan Ming a Soul-Reaving Panther jumped out.

Before the others could react, Zhuan Ming stepped forward.

"What are you doing?!" one of the disciples hissed, but Zhuan Ming ignored them. He drew his sword, his movements sharp and deliberate, and charged at the beast.

The panther lunged, its claws slashing through the air sending. Zhuan Ming tried to dodge, but he slipped up and took a hit. The panther's attacks were swift and deadly, but he deflected most of the impact, escaping with only minor injuries—to both his body and soul.

Gritting his teeth, he launched an attack of his own, landing a solid strike. However, as the battle dragged on, something felt off. His movements were slightly erratic, his decisions uncharacteristically reckless—a stark contrast to his usual calculated precision.

"He must've gotten hurt worse than I thought," Li Qingyue realized. Watching his faltering stance, she knew she had to act.

The moment the panther lunged at him again, she intervened. Drawing her weapon, she leapt into the fray.

Her sudden attack jolted Zhuan Ming back to his senses, and he quickly regained his composure. Spotting an opportunity, he redirected the panther's attention toward Li Qingyue, using her as a distraction to create an opening. The beast turned its glowing eyes on her, moving so fast she barely managed to dodge its next attack.

"You're welcome," Zhuan Ming said dryly, his voice laced with sarcasm.

Li Qingyue shot him a glare but didn't respond. Instead, she focused on the panther. With a single decisive swing, she brought the beast down, showcasing the power of a Rank 3 cultivator.

The other disciples watched from the sidelines, their gazes filled with a mix of envy and admiration.