With their assent, Elder Han turned and headed toward the winding dirt road that led away from the Silvermist Ravine Sect and into the surrounding forests.

  Elder Han walked at a leisurely pace, his hands clasped behind his back, his robes swaying gently with each step. Behind him, his three disciples followed, their eyes darting nervously to the dense woods that flanked the path. The air was thick with the scent of pine and damp earth, and the occasional chirp of birdsong broke the otherwise serene silence.

  The morning sun filtered through the dense canopy of the forests, casting dappled light on the dirt road that wound its way through the partially tamed wilderness.

  The areas around the sect were mostly pacified and the day passed quickly. Han Wei’s disciples staying quiet out of respect. For the first few hours at least.

  “Master,” Xiao Lan finally broke the quiet, her voice tinged with impatience. “How long will it take to reach the Verdant Sanctuary Canyons? Couldn’t we have ridden spirit horses? Or used a flying treasure?.”

  Han Wei glanced at her, a faint smile playing on his lips. “Patience, Xiao Lan. Should I wield your sword for you too? This is a training mission for you - it is not just about reaching your destination. It’s about making the journey and learning from it.”

  Never mind that Han Wei didn’t have access to any flying treasures, nor could remember whether he ever learned how to ride a spirit horse.

  “Look around you.” He continued. “What do you see?”

  Xiao Lan frowned, her sharp eyes scanning the forest. “Trees. Rocks. Dirt. What else is there to see?”

  Lan Feng, walking a few steps behind, hesitated before speaking. “The way the light filters through the leaves… it’s like the forest is alive. And the qi here—it’s so vibrant. It feels like the land itself is breathing.”

  Han Wei nodded approvingly. “Well said, Lan Feng. The natural world is a reflection of the Dao. To cultivate is not just to strengthen oneself but to harmonize with the world. Even the smallest details can hold profound insights.”

  Tie Zhu, who had been silent until now, grunted in agreement. “It reminds me of the mountains where I grew up. Beautiful, full of life, but dangerous. You learn to respect it, or it breaks you.”

  Han Wei’s smile deepened. “Exactly. The land has its own wisdom. It’s easy to forget that when you’re surrounded by the sect’s walls, where everything is controlled and refined. Out here, the balance is raw and untamed. It’s a good reminder of what we’re striving for.”

  Before they knew it they were setting up camp for the evening.

  "Master," Xiao Lan began, her voice tinged with both curiosity and impatience, "why must we travel so far for a training mission? Surely there are herbs closer to the sect that we could collect."

  Elder Han glanced at her, his expression calm but his eyes sharp. "The journey itself is part of the lesson, Xiao Lan," he replied. "The world beyond the sect's walls is not a safe haven. It is a place of opportunity, yes, but also of danger. Consider this mission not just a task, but a test of your awareness, your adaptability, and your ability to survive.

  “Besides, I said that you were going on a training mission. If it were that simple then why would I be coming with you?” Han Wei gave a cold smile. “As cultivators you should learn to listen to what is unsaid just as much as you listen to what is.”

  Over the next few days they quickly moved through and out of the pacified zone around the sect, the qi in the air lowering as they left the area affected by the Silvermist Ravine.

  The forest grew sparse as the ground became rocky and hard, and the lower spirituality stopped supporting the growth of the plants.

  As they continued, the forest began to change. The trees grew sparser, their leaves less vibrant, and the hum of qi grew faint. The road widened, but the land felt… diminished, as if it had been drained of its vitality. Han Wei paused, his gaze sweeping over the struggling forest.

  In his previous life, he would have thought this was normal. But now, after experiencing the richness of the sect’s lands, the difference was stark. It was like seeing a painting that’s lost its color.

  Han Wei hesitated, then shook his head. “This land may be struggling, but it still has its own beauty.” He only realised that he had spoken aloud when his disciples looked to him in askance. “Look closely. Even here, life persists.”

  The disciples followed his gaze, noticing the small details - the stubborn wildflowers pushing through the cracked earth, the determined saplings reaching for the sun, the faint traces of qi still lingering in the air. It was a humbling sight, a reminder of resilience in the face of adversity.

  Eventually the forest turned into scrubland, a blasted area that was barely more than desert, where the visibility opened up and they caught the first glimpse of their destination.

  It was a breathtaking sight.

  The Verdant Sanctuary Canyons appeared like veins of saturated green cut into the landscape. The greenery was supersaturated, and at first glance the canyons seemed so full of plant life that you could walk from one edge to the other.

  And yet barely a leaf poked above the walls of the cliffs into the qi desert above.

  Han Wei finally unleashed his spiritual senses and reached out as far as he could with his divine sense. Not a scrap of qi made it out of the canyons into the scrubland above - whatever natural formation kept the qi inside was clearly powerful.

  Han Wei turned to face them, his expression serious. “This place is special. The Verdant Sanctuary Canyons are a natural convergence of qi, a place where the boundaries between the physical and spiritual worlds are thin.”

  Elder Han paused and turned to face his disciples. "Listen carefully," he said, his voice taking on a lecturing tone. "Now that we can see our destination, I wish to ensure you understand what you will face.

  “The beasts of the wilds are not mere animals. They are creatures of spiritual energy, drawn to the qi of cultivators like moths to a flame. Before they gain sapience, they see us as nothing more than walking cultivation resources - prey to be devoured to strengthen their own bloodlines."

  Xiao Lan frowned, her bladed fans twirling idly in her hands. "So we kill them, then? If they're a threat, there's no point in showing mercy."

  "Not always," Elder Han countered. "Killing is one option, but it is not the only one. Some beasts can be chased off, their territorial instincts exploited to drive them away. Others can be tamed, their wild natures subdued through special techniques and formations. The key is to understand their behavior, their weaknesses, and their desires."

  Lan Feng's brow furrowed. "But how do we know which approach to take? What if we misjudge the situation?"

  Elder Han's lips curved into a faint smile. "That, my young disciple, is where experience comes into play. Observation is your greatest tool. Study the beast's movements, its aura, its reactions. A cornered beast will fight to the death, but one that is merely curious or territorial may be driven off.”

  Tie Zhu grunted, his deep voice breaking the silence. "Sounds like a lot of work. I'd rather go for the kill."

  Elder Han chuckled. "There is a time for fighting, Tie Zhu, and a time for strategy. A true cultivator knows when to use each. Now, let us continue. The entrance to the Verdant Sanctuary Canyons is not far, and I suspect we will have ample opportunity to put these lessons into practice."

  As they resumed their journey, and soon found themselves at a rough pathway that descended the side of the canyon leading into the greenery.

  Even taking a single step into the canyons changed everything. The air grew warm and humid, the qi surrounding them grew dense and oppressive, and after a few steps more the sunlight began to be filtered away by the thick canopy.

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  Elder Han's gaze sharpened as he scanned their surroundings, his divine senses alert for any signs of danger. His disciples, though still inexperienced, mirrored his vigilance, any earlier unease replaced by a growing sense of purpose.

  Xiao Lan walked with her usual poise, her bladed fans resting lightly in her hands. Lan Feng trailed slightly behind, his fingers brushing the hilt of his sword as if seeking reassurance. Tie Zhu brought up the rear, his spear resting on his shoulder, his expression stoic but alert.

  They had barely traveled an hour into the canyons when the first sign of trouble appeared. Han Wei dropped back even further, interested to see how his disciples would handle themselves.

  A low growl echoed through the air, followed by the rustle of underbrush.

  Five panthers lunged from the shadows, their sleek black forms a blur of motion, long tails merging eerily with the undergrowth. Razor-sharp teeth glinted in the dim light, and their eyes burned with a feral hunger.

  Xiao Lan was the first to react.

  “Move!” she shouted, her voice cutting through the tension like a blade. Her fans snapped open with a metallic shing, the edges glowing with wind-aspected qi. She leapt forward, her movements fluid and precise, like a dancer stepping into a deadly rhythm.

  The first panther barely had time to snarl before her fans sliced through the air, leaving a trail of shimmering wind in their wake. The beast yowled as the attack struck, its flank bleeding profusely as it staggered back.

  But the pack was already closing in. Three more panthers emerged from the shadows, their eyes locked on the intruders. Xiao Lan didn’t pause to think. She dove into the center of the pack, her fans whirling in a deadly dance.

  Each strike was calculated, her wind-aspected qi sharpening the edges of her weapons to a razor’s edge. The panthers scattered, their instincts driving them to avoid her relentless assault.

  Lan Feng, however, hesitated. His fingers tightened around the hilt of his sword, his breath coming in short, panicked gasps. The sight of the panthers - their fangs bared, their eyes gleaming with malice - sent a jolt of fear through him. He forced himself to step forward, his sword trembling in his hands.

  “Focus.” Han Wei’s voice cut through the noise. Lan Feng steadied himself and charged at the nearest panther, his sword flashing in the dim light.

  His movements were fluid, a testament to his training, but his strikes lacked conviction. The panther dodged his first swing, its claws raking the air inches from his face. Lan Feng stumbled back, his heart pounding, but he forced himself to press the attack.

  His next strike found its mark, the blade slicing deep into the panther’s shoulder. The beast howled in pain, its blood staining the ground, but it turned tail and fled before Lan Feng could deliver the killing blow.

  Tie Zhu, meanwhile, was a force of nature. The moment the first panther appeared, he had stepped forward, his spear held firmly in both hands. His metal-aspected qi surged through the weapon, reinforcing its tip until it gleamed like polished steel.

  He didn’t wait for the panthers to come to him - he charged straight at them, his movements powerful and deliberate.

  The first panther lunged at him, its jaws wide open. Tie Zhu didn’t flinch. He thrust his spear forward with pinpoint accuracy, the tip piercing through the roof of the panther’s mouth and out the back of its skull. The beast let out a gurgling cry before collapsing, its body twitching in its death throes.

  Tie Zhu yanked his spear free, his expression grim but determined. He turned to face the next panther, his stance unwavering.

  The battle was over almost as quickly as it had begun. The remaining panthers, realizing they were outmatched, dashed back into the shadows, their growls fading into the distance. The canyon fell quiet once more, save for the heavy breathing of the disciples.

  Han Wei stepped forward, his arms crossed as he surveyed the scene. The ground was littered with signs of the skirmish - trampled underbrush, splatters of blood, and the lifeless body of the panther Tie Zhu had killed. His disciples stood amidst the aftermath, their faces flushed with exertion and adrenaline.

  “It could be worse, as a first attempt.” he said, his tone neutral. “What exactly was your goal in engaging the beasts?”

  The disciples exchanged glances, hesitating.

  “Xiao Lan, you attempted to rush them to disrupt their cohesion and prevent them from attacking in a coordinated manner. This was effective, due to their lower strength, and this strategy alone would likely have driven them back to regroup before attacking again.

  “Lan Feng you engaged a panther at the edge of the pack attempting to capitalise on the distraction of Xiao Lan. You were aiming to whittle down the numbers of the pack to further increase your chances.

  “However instead of fighting you, it fled before you could finish it because its pack was thrown out of balance by Xiao Lan.

  “Tie Zhu, you were the only one successful in bringing down a spirit beast. You were aiming to kill the entire pack one by one, but you couldn’t engage any of the other beasts as after you killed the first one all of the others were either fleeing or simply moving away from you.

  “And if they hadn’t been, then you would have been surrounded.”

  Han Wei tried to keep the reproach in his voice to a minimum but could tell by their expressions that he wasn’t succeeding. “You did not work together at all and so all of your strategies clashed. I hope you manage better next time.”

  That evening, as they camped in a shallow cave at the edge of the canyons, it was clear to Han Wei that his disciples were dispirited. He struggled to find something encouraging to say.

  “In martial endeavours. There is a truth that is rarely spoken. A warrior is only as good as his last showing.” Han Wei had the attention of his disciples as he spoke, but they clearly didn’t understand where he was going.

  “If the best swordsman loses a single fight, then until he next succeeds he is no longer the best. And if you are unhappy with your own standing, then the only thing you can do is resolve to be better next time.” Han Wei nodded to them firmly.

  “I have faith that you will do better.”

  The next day the morning sun bathed the Verdant Sanctuary Canyons in a golden glow, that somehow filtered down through the pervasive greenery. The disciples moved cautiously, their senses heightened after the previous day’s encounter with the Shadowvine Panthers.

  It wasn’t long before the warning signs appeared. The forest grew unnaturally quiet, the usual chirping of birds and rustling of leaves replaced by an oppressive silence. Then came the low, rumbling growl that seemed to vibrate through the ground itself. Han Wei stopped in his tracks, his hand raised in a silent command to halt.

  “Jadeclaw Tiger,” he said, his voice calm but edged with tension. “Mid-level spirit beast. Jade-colored stripes, claws that can cut through steel. Stay focused. This won’t be like yesterday.”

  The words had barely left his mouth when the tiger emerged from the shadows, its massive form moving with a predatory grace. Its jade-colored stripes shimmered in the sunlight, and its claws glowed with a faint, deadly light. The beast’s eyes locked onto the group, its gaze filled with a primal hunger.

  Xiao Lan was the first to act. Her fans snapped open with a metallic shing, the edges glowing with wind-aspected qi. She leapt forward, her movements a blur as she unleashed a flurry of strikes. The tiger dodged with surprising agility, its claws slashing through the air in retaliation. Xiao Lan twisted mid-air, narrowly avoiding the deadly swipe, and landed gracefully, her fans whirling like a storm.

  Tie Zhu charged in next, his spear gleaming with metal-aspected qi. He thrust the weapon forward with precision, aiming for the tiger’s flank. The beast roared, its claws meeting the spear in a shower of sparks. Tie Zhu gritted his teeth, his muscles straining as he pushed back against the tiger’s immense strength. With a grunt, he twisted his spear, forcing the beast to retreat a step.

  Lan Feng, however, hesitated. He took a step backward, his mind screaming at him to run.

  The tiger, sensing his fear, turned its attention to him.

  With a deafening roar, it lunged, its claws glowing with deadly energy as it aimed for Lan Feng’s chest. Time seemed to slow as the disciple froze, his sword raised in a feeble attempt to defend himself.

  Elder Han moved before Lan Feng could even fully realise how much danger he was in.

  But before the tiger’s claws could strike, a flash of steel intercepted the attack. Han Wei’s sword blazed with spiritual energy as he deflected the tiger’s strike. The clash sent a shockwave through the air, the force of it knocking Lan Feng to the ground.

  Han Wei stood firm, his expression calm but his eyes blazing with intensity.

  Lan Feng stared at him, wide-eyed and trembling. “Elder Han, I—”

  “You hesitated,” Elder Han said, his voice sharp. “In battle, hesitation can mean death. Remember that.”

  Lan Feng nodded, his face pale, but Elder Han’s attention was already elsewhere. He stared at the sword in his hand, its blade gleaming with an otherworldly light. It was a weapon of exceptional quality, and one he had drawn from his spacial ring on pure instinct.

  The realization sent a chill down his spine. He had a spacial ring.

  Shaking himself back to the present, Han Wei extended a hand and pulled Lan Feng to his feet. The disciple nodded, his face flushed with shame.

  Han Wei turned to the others. “Xiao Lan, your speed is impressive, but don’t let it make you reckless. Tie Zhu, your strength is an asset, but don’t rely on it alone. Adaptability is key.

  “Lan Feng. I would suggest you pick up some ranged techniques when we get back to the sect.” He nodded to himself. “This will help you, until you overcome your difficulties at close range.”

  That night, as they made camp against the walls of the canyon once again, the disciples were subdued - shocked by how close to injury Lan Feng had come.

  Elder Han took the watch as usual, sitting cross-legged by the fire as his disciples slept - their cultivation not yet strong enough to replace sleep. The flames cast flickering shadows across his face and his thoughts focused on his spacial ring now that he finally had some privacy to investigate it.

  He had worn the plain ivory ring every day for over a month and never once looked at it with his spiritual senses. If he could overlook something this basic - this essential - then what else could he be missing? How much else had he forgotten?

  Quietly, he opened the ring’s storage space, his spiritual sense probing its contents. The interior was vast, filled with neatly organized compartments. Stacks of spirit stones glimmered like stars, their energy palpable. Shelves of talisman inks and papers suitable for capturing any technique, rows of medicinal pillboxes and jade boxes of alchemical ingredients.

  And a small collection of talismans set apart from the rest. He recognized those instantly - talismans he had crafted when he was still in the Core Refining stage, each one a masterpiece of spiritual engineering. They were powerful, capable of turning the tide of a battle in an instant.

  Elder Han’s lips pressed into a thin line. These tools could save his life, but they were also a reminder of how far he had fallen. He closed the ring with a sigh, his gaze drifting to his sleeping disciples. He only hoped that he was not overlooking something so fundamental with their training.