Three days passed in a blur of marching feet and flying banners.
The Twin Leaf Peak Sect’s expedition moved like a colossal beast through the land—disciplined, unyielding, and constant.
Though the elders and Core Disciples walked without complaint, their expressions serene and energy undiminished, the sa could not be said for the vast majority of the Outer Court disciples.
Many of them were in the mid to peak Qi Refinent o realms—barely into true cultivation—and walking nonstop for three days across rugged terrain, through forests, hills, and winding paths had left them ragged.
Even with supportive talismans and dicinal pills, their limits were being tested.
Thus, when the distant banners of the Twin Leaf Peak Sect’s Southern Outpost ca into view, a collective sigh of relief passed through the Outer Court ranks.
Situated right on the edge of the sect’s official territory, the outpost was a fortified rest station carved into the mountainside, complete with high stone walls, beast-repelling formations, and several storage halls stocked with supplies for situations like this.
For the first ti in three days, the march ca to a halt.
The elders gave the order, and formation leaders moved swiftly to organize the camp. The outpost gates opened, and within an hour, thousands of tents had been erected, hearth fires lit, and supply chains moving smoothly.
Han Yu helped unload several crates of alchemy materials before heading to the temporary ss area, where large cauldrons of fragrant food stead into the cool evening air.
Unlike the basic grain pills and ergency rations they’d been eating on the road, tonight’s al was sothing special—roasted fla hare, spicy root stew, wild cloud mushrooms, and spirit rice infused with mild Qi rich broth that helped replenish stamina.
Sitting on a flat rock near the campfire, Han Yu shared a al with two familiar faces: Wu Shuan, tall and quiet, his sleeves tucked neatly and his sword resting by his side; and Fatty Kui Number One, already on his third bowl and threatening to go for a fourth.
"By the heavens," Kui groaned with satisfaction. "If all expeditions fed us like this, I’d be willing to march for another three days. No—four! Maybe even—"
"Don’t tempt fate," Wu Shuan said dryly, sipping from his bamboo cup of warm broth.
Han Yu chuckled as he poked at a chunk of spirit carrot in his stew. "This place is still within our territory. Once we cross the border... it won’t be so comfortable."
"Still." Kui leaned back, patting his belly. "Let dream for a night."
As the trio ate under the pale light of a crescent moon, Chitterfang darted out of Han Yu’s sleeve and scurried off into the shadows. Not out of alarm, but with purpose.
"Ti to search," the little rat had squeaked before vanishing into the night.
Han Yu had nodded. While the outpost was still part of sect lands and relatively safe, this was as good a ti as any to start surveying the region. He needed to identify remote, defensible spots where he could soday revive himself if the worst were to happen.
Places with natural energy, concealnt, and access to rare herbs. It was never too early to plan ahead—especially for soone cultivating with soul qi.
The hours passed, and the outpost slowly quieted.
Lanterns burned low.
The disciples, fed and comforted, slipped into restful slumber. Outer Court tents were clustered in the lower fields, Inner Court disciples had claid the rockier ridges, while Core disciples rested in one of the inner chambers of the outpost’s fortified walls.
Han Yu chose a quiet grove near the southern cliff face, stringing up a hammock between two trees. Chitterfang, having returned after an hour-long scouting trip, curled up under his arm with a soft purr.
He let his mind drift, lulled by the faint rustle of leaves and the occasional call of a night bird.
Then—
SQUEAK!
A shrill, sharp noise jolted Han Yu awake.
His eyes snapped open. His hand shot to his storage pouch, pulling free a talisman and his halberd in a single motion. He looked down.
Chitterfang stood on his chest, fur bristled, eyes glowing with a warning pulse of wariness.
Han Yu didn’t need words. He felt the urgency through their link. The sensation wasn’t confusion or curiosity—it was pure danger.
Sothing was wrong.
His spirit sense expanded outward like a wave. The peaceful night suddenly felt too still. The air had thickened, the insects had gone silent, and the nearby spirit trees had stopped rustling entirely.
"Formation suppression?" Han Yu whispered under his breath, sliding down from the hammock.
Chitterfang hopped onto his shoulder and pointed westward with his tiny claw, towards a section of trees just beyond the outer field of tents.
"Sothing ca close. Then vanished. Too fast."
Han Yu’s gaze sharpened. "A scout?"
He tapped his spatial pouch and pulled out a communication talisman. They had all been issued official communication talismans for tis like this.
If this was a threat, he needed to report it.
But before he could send the signal, a distant boom echoed from the tree line.
A flash of red light burst into the sky for an instant before vanishing. Several disciples woke up with cries of alarm.
Monts later, a loud, commanding voice thundered through the outpost.
"All Core Disciples to the front! Inner Disciples stand by! Outer Disciples remain in camp and activate defensive talismans!"
It was the voice of an elder—one from Sword Peak.
Han Yu clenched his jaw.
It seed they wouldn’t get to rest after all.
He turned to Chitterfang. "Find the highest vantage point nearby and stay hidden. I’ll need your eyes."
"Already gone," Chitterfang chirped and darted off into the trees once more.
Han Yu slipped his halberd back into the pouch and tucked the talisman under his sleeve. His spiritual senses remained active, scanning as far as they could.
Whatever had co close enough to trigger Chitterfang’s instinct—was skilled enough to avoid the elder’s formations.
He didn’t yet know if this was an enemy scout, a beast gone astray, or sothing more sinister.
But one thing was certain.
The real expedition had just begun.
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