The path did not stay empty for long.
It never does.
Chen Xu walked without changing pace.
The road curved slightly to the left, hugging a low ridge. Trees thinned out, replaced by scattered stones and dry grass. The air felt… lighter here. Or maybe just less quiet.
He noticed it before he saw it.
A scent.
Faint.
Not blood.
Not flowers.
Something in between.
Then—
Voices.
Soft at first.
Then clearer.
Laughter.
Not loud.
Not restrained either.
Careless.
Chen Xu slowed.
Not to hide.
To listen.
Ahead, through the thin line of trees, figures began to take shape.
Four of them.
Women.
Robes light, flowing. Colors soft, but not plain. Movement smooth, almost practiced even when they stood still.
Cultivators.
Qi Condensation.
Three around Fourth to Fifth Stage.
One… stronger.
Sixth Stage.
She stood slightly apart.
Not leading.
But not following either.
The others talked around her.
Comfortable.
But careful.
Chen Xu stepped into the open.
No attempt to conceal.
The conversation stopped.
Not instantly.
A delay.
Half a breath too long.
Then silence.
The strongest among them looked first.
Her gaze landed on him—
and stayed.
Mei Hua.
Qi Condensation Sixth Stage.
Her posture didn't change.
But her fingers… shifted slightly along her sleeve.
Prepared.
The one closest to her leaned in.
Qingluan Disciple said softly someone's here.
Unnecessary.
Everyone already knew.
Another one whispered.
Qingluan Disciple said I didn't sense him.
That… mattered.
More than it should.
Mei Hua stepped forward.
Not fast.
Not slow.
Just enough to close distance without pressure.
Mei Hua said traveler.
A pause.
She tilted her head slightly, studying him.
Mei Hua said this path is not commonly used.
Chen Xu looked at her.
Then briefly at the others.
Then back.
Chen Xu said it is now.
A faint reaction.
One of them frowned.
Another suppressed a smile.
Mei Hua did neither.
She watched him longer than needed.
Not rude.
Intentional.
Mei Hua said you came from the forest behind.
Chen Xu said yes.
Mei Hua's eyes flickered slightly.
Something passed through them.
Quick.
Then gone.
Mei Hua said there was conflict there.
Chen Xu said there was.
Silence.
The others shifted.
Subtle.
Closer together.
Not formation.
Instinct.
One of them spoke.
Qingluan Disciple said did you see who fought.
Her voice held curiosity.
But something else too.
Caution.
Chen Xu answered.
Chen Xu said I passed by.
Not a lie.
Not the truth either.
Mei Hua noticed.
Of course she did.
Her gaze sharpened slightly.
But she did not press.
Instead—
Mei Hua asked you travel alone.
Chen Xu said yes.
Another pause.
Longer this time.
The wind moved through the open ground.
Soft.
Carrying that faint scent again.
Not flowers.
Something closer to incense.
Qingluan Pavilion.
It fit.
One of the younger disciples shifted her weight.
She looked at Chen Xu—
then quickly away.
As if looking too long would cause something.
Mei Hua finally stepped aside.
Just a little.
Not fully yielding.
Not blocking.
Mei Hua said the path ahead leads to a temporary resting point.
A pause.
Then—
Mei Hua added many people have gathered there recently.
Chen Xu looked past her.
Toward where the path continued.
Unclear.
Distant.
Chen Xu said then it will be crowded.
Mei Hua nodded faintly.
Mei Hua said it already is.
Another silence.
Thin.
Unfinished.
One of the disciples suddenly spoke.
Qingluan Disciple said senior… should we—
She stopped.
Because Mei Hua lifted her hand slightly.
Not a command.
But enough.
The disciple fell silent.
Mei Hua looked at Chen Xu again.
Something in her expression shifted.
Very slightly.
Not trust.
Not suspicion.
Recognition.
Not of who he was.
Of what he was not.
She spoke again.
Mei Hua said be careful.
A pause.
Then—
Mei Hua added some things cannot be seen.
The words lingered.
Light.
But not meaningless.
Chen Xu responded.
Chen Xu said then they are easier to ignore.
This time—
A reaction.
Small.
Mei Hua's brows drew together, just a fraction.
One of the disciples whispered.
Qingluan Disciple said that is wrong.
Another shook her head slightly.
Qingluan Disciple said or dangerous.
Mei Hua did not correct them.
She only watched Chen Xu.
A little longer.
Then—
She stepped back.
Giving the path.
Fully this time.
Chen Xu walked forward.
Passing them.
Close enough to feel their presence.
Their Qi… gentle.
Refined.
Different from the others he had met.
Not weaker.
Just… controlled.
As he passed—
one of them held her breath.
Not intentionally.
It just… happened.
Chen Xu did not look back.
But he noticed.
Behind him—
the whispers resumed.
Quiet.
Uneven.
Qingluan Disciple said did you feel that.
Another replied.
Qingluan Disciple said no… but something was off.
The younger one spoke again.
Qingluan Disciple said senior, what is he.
A pause.
Longer this time.
Mei Hua answered.
Mei Hua said do not define what you cannot measure.
Silence followed.
Not agreement.
But acceptance.
Chen Xu continued walking.
The path ahead stretched out.
Empty again.
But not the same kind of empty.
He exhaled lightly.
Chen Xu said inwardly they notice faster.
System responded.
System confirms sensitivity increase among spiritual cultivators.
Chen Xu said obvious.
A pause.
Then—
Chen Xu added but still insufficient.
System did not reply.
Because there was nothing to add.
The wind shifted again.
This time—
Colder.
Not physically.
Something else.
Subtle.
Almost—
Untraceable.
Chen Xu's steps slowed for a moment.
Just one.
Then resumed.
Because whatever it was—
It was not ready.
And neither was he.
Not yet.