The Ambush

The sun hung low in the sky, casting golden streaks through the towering trees as Xiao Lian moved carefully along a narrow path. She had spent the night in hiding, conserving her strength, but now she needed to find resources, water, food, anything to keep her going.

Her instincts told her she wasn't alone. After salining Ji Ren last night. There was a shift in the air, a tension that made the hairs on the back of her neck rise. She slowed her steps, listening carefully. The rustling of leaves wasn't just the wind. Someone was following her.

No...multiple people. SIS flickered to life in her mind, its calculations sharpening her awareness.

[Enemy presence: Five. Positions: Three ahead, two flanking. Strategy: Classic entrapment. Escape routes: Limited.]

A trap.

Xiao Lian exhaled, keeping her face blank as if she hadn't noticed. She allowed herself to step forward naturally, just enough for them to think she was unsuspecting.

And then, A shadow burst from the bushes. The Attack. Three disciples leaped down from the rocks above, their weapons flashing in the dim light.

"Xiao Lian," one sneered. "You've been acting too arrogant lately. It's time someone puts you in your place."

She recognized them, outer sect disciples who had barely spoken to her before. But she also knew how the sect worked. Strength ruled, and jealousy festered in the weak. If they couldn't rise on their own, they would drag others down. SIS processed their strengths and weaknesses instantly.

[Opponent One: Heavy Qi user. Slow but powerful strikes. Weakness, low endurance. Opponent Two: Dual blade wielder. Quick but reckless. Weakness, overconfidence. Opponent Three: Support user. Strength in group tactics. Weakness, lacks individual skill.]

The other two were still hiding, waiting for her to panic. She wouldn't give them the satisfaction. Why will he be scared of his fellow man. He thought and then he smiled inside of him.

Instead, she smiled. "Oh? And how do you plan to do that?"

Her calm demeanor made them hesitate, just for a moment. And that was all she needed. Xiao Lian shifted her stance. The first attacker lunged, his sword aimed for her chest. She sidestepped smoothly, grabbing a small handful of dirt and throwing it into his face. He cursed, stumbling back as he tried to wipe his eyes.

The second one came in fast, slashing both blades toward her. She ducked under the first, then twisted her body so the second missed by inches. His momentum carried him forward, right into the first attacker, who was still struggling to see.

They collided, cursing. Xiao Lian seized the opportunity. She struck the second attacker's wrist, forcing him to drop one of his blades. With a quick kick, she sent it skidding out of reach.

Two down. The third, the support fighter, started weaving hand signs for a spell. Xiao Lian knew if he finished it, she would be in trouble. She didn't give him the chance. Dashing forward, she closed the gap between them before his Qi could stabilize. She grabbed his collar and yanked him forward, her knee slamming into his stomach. He gasped, eyes widening as the air was knocked from his lungs.

Before he could recover, she delivered a final blow to the back of his neck, knocking him unconscious. And just like that...Three enemies lay on the ground.

But Xiao Lian wasn't foolish enough to let her guard down. The other two attackers, the ones who had been hiding, made their move. One of them, a girl with long, dark hair, let out a sharp whistle.

A signal. From the cliffs above, boulders suddenly began rolling down. Xiao Lian's eyes widened. They weren't planning to fight her. They were trying to crush her.

She darted toward the edge of the ravine, calculating her escape. But before she could act, a sharp pain exploded in her side. The second attacker had struck. She barely had time to react before she was shoved backward.

The world tilted, She was falling. A Dangerous Landing, Xiao Lian hit the ground hard, pain jolting through her spine. She had landed at the bottom of the ravine, surrounded by jagged rocks. Above, the two attackers peered down at her.

"She should be dead," one muttered.

The other shook her head. "Better to be sure."

They leaped down after her. Xiao Lian groaned, pushing herself up. Her ribs ached, but nothing was broken. She had survived the fall. But now, she had to survive them.

The girl with dark hair smirked. "You're stubborn, I'll give you that. But it ends here."

She charged. Xiao Lian gritted her teeth. She was injured, but she refused to fall here. She dodged, barely avoiding the girl's strike.

But before she could counterattack, the second enemy grabbed her wrist, twisting it painfully. A cold blade pressed against her throat.

"I told you," the girl whispered. "It ends—"

Before she could finish, a sharp gust of wind cut through the air. A shadow dropped into the ravine. Ji Ren and the other from the outer sect, Qin Ziyan, tall light skin and dangerously handsome with long brown hair that's in a male bun.

'Oh C'mon, not these two again, I'm a dude, why are they all over me. Goddamit!" She muttered in between breathe. 'Am I suppose to be analyzing how handsome my fellow men are? Goodness, I forgot, the girls female git," She added.

The moment they both landed, the temperature shifted. Qin Ziyan presence was suffocating, his Qi wrapping around the space like a storm about to break. Ji Ren as usually has a louder Qi presence.

The two attackers immediately stepped back, their confidence faltering. Qin Ziyan's Violet eyes flickered with psychopathic amusement. "C'mon guys, she's a girl, pick on someone your own size!"

Ji Ren rolls his eyes at Qin Ziyan. Then added. "Cornering one person? That's a little pathetic, don't you think?"

The girl narrowed her eyes. "Stay out of this, Ji Ren."

He tilted his head. "Hmm. No."

And then he moved. Xiao Lian barely had time to react before Ji Ren struck.

His speed was terrifying. In one swift motion, he dodged the girl's attack, grabbed her arm, and wrenched it behind her back. She screamed as he twisted hard, making her drop her weapon.

The second attacker tried to run but Qin Ziyan didn't let him. With a flick of his wrist, he sent a sharp wave of Qi toward the fleeing disciple. It slammed into his back, sending him crashing into the rocks.

Ji Ren turned back to the girl, his grip tightening. "You really thought you could touch her?"

The girl whimpered. "P-please—"

Ji Ren let go, shoving her back. "Get lost."

She scrambled to her feet and ran. The second attacker wasn't far behind. Silence settled over the ravine. Xiao Lian exhaled, pressing a hand to her side. Her ribs still ached.

Ji Ren and Qin Ziyan turned to her, their expression unreadable. "You alright?" they said in unison which made Qin Ziyan growls with an eye roll.

She nodded. "I'll live."

Qin Ziyan gaze flickered over her injuries. "They got a few good hits on you."

Xiao Lian smirked. "I got more on them."

Ji Ren chuckled. "That's true."

For a moment, there was only the sound of the wind rustling through the trees.

Then, Ji Ren stepped closer. "You need to be more careful," he murmured.

Xiao Lian raised a brow. "I thought you said I was smart."

"You are," he admitted. "But even the smartest people get hurt when they trust the wrong ones."

She didn't know why, but something in his voice made her chest tighten. And it made her feel somehow, she's an He in a She's body.

For the first time since the trial began, She felt safe.

"Oh not this shit!" Qin Ziyan yelled in disgust. "Bye guys, and thanks to me for saying both of you," He said with a loud laugh before running into the woods.

Ji Ren sighed. "Come on. You're in no condition to fight more idiots today."

He offered his hand. After a brief hesitation, Xiao Lian took it. As he pulled her up, his grip was warm. Steady. And for the first time, she wondered, Maybe she wasn't alone in this battle after all.

SIS activated.

[Blood pressure 67%. Heartbeat 89%. Xiao Lian is your heart beating for a man?]

Oh, shut up, how can I fall for a man.