Chapter 5: The Wolf’s Jaws

Chapter 5: The Wolf's Jaws

The morning sun struggled to pierce the mist that cloaked Mistveil Valley, its light reduced to a pale glow as it filtered through the dense canopy. Ming You stood at the edge of the sect's herb gardens, his burlap sack slung over his shoulder, the familiar weight of the Threads of Chance jade slip pressing against his chest beneath his gray outer disciple robe. At twenty-one years of age, he had spent a week within the Mistveil Sect, his days filled with labor and his nights with quiet cultivation. The 1st stage of Qi Condensation hummed within him, a steady thread he sought to strengthen.

Elder Liu, the scarred recruiter who oversaw the outer disciples, approached with his usual curt demeanor. His voice rasped over the group of five recruits gathered before him. "You have done well enough with the gardens," he said, his single eye narrowing as it swept over them. "Today, you will gather herbs from the valley's outskirts. Mistroot and Silverleaf—bring back what you find. Stay together, and beware the beasts." He turned, gesturing toward the stone archway that marked the sect's boundary, expecting obedience without further instruction.

Chen Hao bounced on his heels beside Ming You, his enthusiasm undimmed by the week's toil. "Finally, something exciting!" he said, his grin wide. "I have never seen a spirit beast up close. Have you?" His patched tunic hung loosely on his frame, a stark contrast to the sect-issued robe Ming You wore with careful precision.

"No," Ming You replied, his tone even. "But I have read of them. Mistfang Wolves roam these parts—small, but vicious." He adjusted his sack, his mind already mapping the valley's terrain from his past herb-gathering trips. The task offered opportunity—resources to claim, knowledge to gain—but danger lurked alongside it. He welcomed both.

The group set out, following a winding path that descended from the sect's hillside perch into the valley proper. The mist grew thicker, curling around their ankles, its dampness seeping into their robes. The other three recruits—a broad-shouldered boy named Wei, a quiet girl named Lian, and a wiry youth named Tao—walked ahead, their steps hesitant. Chen Hao stayed close to Ming You, chattering about the sect's meals and his dreams of advancement, oblivious to the tension in the air.

Ming You listened with half an ear, his senses attuned to the valley. The metallic tang he had noticed before hung heavier here, mingling with the scent of wet earth and decaying leaves. The trees loomed taller, their bark scarred and twisted, as if shaped by forces beyond nature. His Qi stirred faintly, sharpening his perception, though it remained too weak to sense much beyond his own body.

They reached a clearing after an hour's trek, a patch of ground dotted with pale Mistroot flowers and shimmering Silverleaf plants. Ming You knelt beside a cluster, examining their roots with a scholar's eye. "These are mature," he said, plucking a Mistroot with care. "The sect will value them." He slipped it into his sack, noting the others' clumsy efforts nearby. Chen Hao mirrored him, his hands less precise but eager.

A low growl rumbled through the mist, freezing them in place. Ming You's head snapped up, his eyes narrowing as he scanned the clearing's edge. The sound came again, closer, accompanied by the rustle of undergrowth. Chen Hao stood, his grin fading. "What was that?" he whispered, his voice trembling slightly.

"Mistfang Wolf," Ming You said, rising slowly. "Stay calm." He stepped forward, positioning himself between Chen Hao and the sound, his mind racing. The manual had not prepared him for combat, but his Qi offered options—small, untested options. He focused, drawing the energy to his fingertips, its warmth a faint comfort.

The wolf emerged, its gray fur matted with dirt, its yellow eyes glowing through the haze. It was no larger than a village dog, but its fangs gleamed, and its muscles rippled with predatory intent. Wei shouted, stumbling back, while Lian and Tao froze, their sacks dropping to the ground. Chen Hao gripped Ming You's arm, his breath quickening. "What do we do?" he asked, panic creeping into his tone.

Ming You shook him off, his gaze fixed on the beast. It snarled, pacing closer, its claws digging into the soil. He had no weapon, no formation to wield, but he had his wits. Spotting a fist-sized rock half-buried nearby, he bent swiftly, scooping it up. The wolf lunged, aiming for Chen Hao, who stood paralyzed.

With a surge of will, Ming You infused the rock with his Qi—not enough to harm, but enough to guide it. He hurled it, the stone whistling through the air, striking the wolf's flank with a dull thud. The beast yelped, its charge faltering as it turned toward him, distracted. "Run!" Ming You barked, shoving Chen Hao toward the others. The group bolted, scattering into the mist, their footsteps pounding against the earth.

The wolf recovered, its growl deepening, but Ming You stood his ground, his heart steady despite the sweat beading on his brow. He drew his Qi inward, focusing it into his legs, and darted to the side as the beast lunged again. Its jaws snapped shut inches from his cloak, the rancid heat of its breath washing over him. He grabbed another rock, throwing it without Qi this time, aiming for its eyes. The wolf recoiled, shaking its head, and Ming You seized the moment, retreating into the mist.

He found Chen Hao and the others huddled behind a tree, their faces pale. The wolf's growls faded, its pursuit abandoned. Ming You exhaled, his body trembling faintly from the strain. The Qi within him surged, restless, and he felt a shift—a second strand forming, intertwining with the first. The ordeal had pushed him to the 2nd stage of Qi Condensation, a breakthrough born of necessity.

Chen Hao clutched his arm, his voice shaking. "You saved me," he said, awe replacing fear. "That was incredible! How did you know what to do?"

"Instinct," Ming You lied, his tone calm. He brushed dirt from his robe, concealing the thrill of his advancement. The others nodded, their gratitude unspoken but clear. They gathered their scattered herbs, their hands unsteady, and trudged back to the sect, the mist closing around them once more.

Elder Liu awaited them at the archway, his scarred face unreadable as they presented their haul. "A wolf, you say?" he grunted, inspecting the Mistroot and Silverleaf. "And you drove it off. Not bad for outer disciples." His eye lingered on Ming You, a flicker of interest breaking his stoicism. "Rest now. Tomorrow, you work harder."

The group dispersed to the hall, Chen Hao trailing Ming You with renewed admiration. "You are amazing," he said, flopping onto his mat. "I would have been dead without you."

Ming You sat, his expression impassive. "You would have managed," he replied, though he knew the truth. Chen Hao's survival was a means to an end—his loyalty, now deepened, a tool for later use. The Qi pulsed stronger within him, a quiet triumph. The valley had tested him, and he had emerged greater for it. He lay down, the jade slip's weight grounding him, his mind already plotting the next step.