The second day of travel began under a sky heavy with clouds.
Not dark, not threatening—just the kind that warned something was going to happen.
Lin Xuanji walked at the center of the group, hands tucked behind his back, trying to look like a wise sect leader.
The escorts walked ahead, cutting through brush and marking safe paths.
Behind them, the disciples marched in perfect formation.
Almost too perfect.
Kai Yun whispered to Feng Xiao,
"I feel like a soldier."
"You feel like a sword idiot pretending to be a soldier," Feng Xiao corrected.
Kai Yun held back a punch.
Progress.
Ruolan glanced up at the sky.
"It looks like rain…"
Mu Xiaofan shook his head softly.
"No. The wind isn't carrying moisture. It's carrying… noise."
Lin Xuanji blinked. "Noise?"
"Yes. A kind of… waiting noise."
Lin Xuanji stared at him.
"…You make everything sound ominous."
Mu Xiaofan shrugged.
"That's what the fox said."
Lin Xuanji massaged his temples.
"Of course it did."
They continued walking, but Tian Wen slowed his pace.
His eyes narrowed slightly.
"Something ahead."
The escorts tensed immediately.
The lead escort raised a hand.
"Hold."
Everyone stopped.
Lin Xuanji approached Tian Wen.
"Describe it."
Tian Wen's tone remained calm, but his eyes sharpened.
"Spiritual movement. A disturbance. Not aggressive yet."
Ruolan whispered,
"M-Monster…?"
"No," Tian Wen said. "Not monster. Not human either."
Kai Yun grinned.
"Let me punch it."
"No," Lin Xuanji and Feng Xiao said in unison.
Stonewall stepped forward, sensing the air.
"…A spirit storm."
Lin Xuanji frowned.
"A what?"
Ling Xueyin answered gently,
"A pocket of chaotic energy in nature. Harmless unless someone touches it. But dangerous if someone gets caught inside."
Lin Xuanji stiffened.
"Then we avoid it."
The escort shook his head.
"It's right across the main path. Too wide to go around without losing a day."
Kai Yun pointed her sword dramatically.
"So we cut it!"
"No cutting storms," Lin Xuanji snapped.
Kai Yun sulked.
Feng Xiao whispered,
"She really wants to cut something."
Ruolan nodded timidly.
The escort pointed ahead.
"We can wait for it to disperse. But that might take hours."
Stonewall looked at Lin Xuanji.
"Sect Master. You decide."
Lin Xuanji swallowed.
Me?
Decide?
Everyone's staring at me like I know what I'm doing…
He took a deep breath.
"Show me."
They walked closer until they reached a clearing—
and Lin Xuanji saw it.
A swirling sphere of pale green light hovered above the ground, spinning slowly like a cloud caught in a whirlpool.
Leaves hovered in the air around it.
The wind inside the storm howled in silence—felt, but not heard.
Ruolan grabbed Tian Wen's sleeve.
"I-I don't like this…"
Tian Wen squeezed his arm once—silent reassurance.
Mu Xiaofan watched the swirling energy with wide eyes.
"It's… pretty."
Kai Yun grinned.
"It's so cool!"
Feng Xiao rolled her eyes.
"You two are hopeless."
Lin Xuanji stepped forward and forced confidence into his voice.
"Alright. We're not waiting hours. We're a sect— we walk together."
The escorts exchanged surprised glances.
Stonewall nodded approvingly.
Ling Xueyin stepped closer to Lin Xuanji.
"Do not touch the core. If you do… it will cling to you."
"Cling?" Lin Xuanji asked, horrified. "Like a puppy?"
"No. Like a parasite."
Lin Xuanji made a face.
"Why does every spiritual thing try to eat, kill, or stick to me?"
Ling Xueyin didn't answer.
He swallowed and straightened his back.
"Everyone stay behind me."
Kai Yun whispered,
"Why are YOU going first—"
"BECAUSE I SAID SO."
She shut her mouth.
The group stepped toward the storm.
The air grew thick.
Their clothes fluttered.
Ruolan clung to the edges of his sleeves.
Feng Xiao steadied him.
Mu Xiaofan held his herbs close.
Tian Wen protected the back.
Lin Xuanji inhaled.
"Alright… just walk… quickly."
They moved as one.
The moment they entered the storm's edge, the world blurred.
Wind tugged at their bodies, pushing and pulling from all directions.
Ruolan stumbled—
Tian Wen caught him instantly.
Kai Yun tried to laugh at the sensation—
Feng Xiao slapped her arm, keeping her steady.
Mu Xiaofan nearly lost his herbs—
Stonewall steadied him with one hand.
Ling Xueyin guided Lin Xuanji, her presence like a quiet anchor.
Lin Xuanji clenched his jaw.
"We're nearly through—just a little bit—"
The wind suddenly surged.
A gust slammed into them.
Ruolan slipped again.
Kai Yun lost balance.
Mu Xiaofan skidded back—
Lin Xuanji reacted faster than he could think.
One step.
Two steps.
He grabbed Ruolan's wrist.
Caught Mu Xiaofan's collar.
Pulled Kai Yun upright.
And steadied Tian Wen with his elbow—all in one flowing movement.
Everyone froze.
Even the escorts stared.
Lin Xuanji blinked.
"…Huh?"
Stonewall narrowed his eyes.
"Your reflexes…"
Lin Xuanji panicked.
"I-I don't know! My body just—just moved!"
Ling Xueyin smiled softly.
"It's fine. Keep going."
Lin Xuanji swallowed and nodded, heart pounding.
They pushed through the last layer—
and finally stepped out of the storm.
The air settled.
Silence returned.
Normal wind blew across the trees.
Everyone exhaled together.
Ruolan wiped his forehead.
"T-That was… scary…"
Feng Xiao nodded.
"You did well."
Kai Yun threw her arms up.
"WE SURVIVED NATURE!"
Mu Xiaofan hugged the fox in relief.
"It was loud…"
Tian Wen looked around sharply.
"…Someone saw that."
Lin Xuanji stiffened.
"Someone?"
Tian Wen pointed toward the forest shadows.
"No killing intent. But eyes. Watching."
Ling Xueyin's gaze turned cold.
"Not the Bai Clan," she murmured.
"This feels… older."
The escorts exchanged worried looks.
Lin Xuanji clenched his fists.
"Whoever it is—they're not stopping us. We keep moving."
Tian Wen nodded.
"As you command."
And with new tension in the air,
Heavenly Peak continued walking—
unaware that this small storm
was only the beginning.