The morning air was crisp and cool as Li Xuan and Qing'er set out from the familiar confines of the Falling Leaf Sect. Li Xuan felt the subtle hum of his Body Tempering Realm (Stage 2 - 10% progress), his steps lighter, his senses keener. Qing'er, moving with the silent grace of a forest creature, was a nimble shadow beside him, her own cultivation now at Body Tempering Realm (Stage 2 - 85% progress). She was practically a natural, Li Xuan mused, and he knew she'd surpass him in raw cultivation speed.
He carried his Falling Leaf Spirit Sword sheathed at his hip, the cool weight a comforting presence. In his Sect Inventory, he had several pieces of the tanned rabbit fur and the badger hide, now fully processed into a tough, pliable leather. These were their initial offerings for the outside world.
They moved in the direction of the distant smoke plume, navigating the dense forest with caution. Li Xuan kept an eye out for game trails, but more importantly, for signs of human habitation. He checked for disturbed foliage, discarded items, anything that suggested proximity to others. He also kept his eyes peeled for any wild beasts that might be drawn to the scent of their processed meat.
Hours passed, filled with the rustling of leaves and the distant calls of unseen birds. The forest was thicker here, the trees older, their branches forming a dense canopy that dappled the sunlight. They crossed several small streams, refilling their water bottles from the purest spots.
Finally, after about half a day of trekking, Li Xuan signaled Qing'er to halt. The forest began to thin, and through a screen of trees, he could make out crude wooden structures. A village. Or rather, what looked like a small, struggling hamlet.
The smoke they had seen originated from several scattered hearths. The structures themselves were ramshackle, built from rough-hewn timber and mud, with thatched roofs that looked weathered and thin. There was no perimeter wall, no visible defenses, and only a few people moved about, their figures hunched, their movements slow. They looked like commoners, not cultivators.
Li Xuan studied the scene, his mind racing. This wasn't a grand city or a powerful sect. This was a struggling settlement, likely isolated and poor. He scanned for any signs of danger: no aggressive animals, no obvious bandits, no cultivators patrolling. Just quiet, weary life.
"Qing'er," he whispered, his voice low. "Stay here. Hidden. Observe. If anything happens, if I don't come back in a few hours, head back to the sect. Do you understand?"
Qing'er's green eyes, usually so keen, held a flicker of fear, but she nodded firmly. "Yes, Sect Leader Li Xuan. Be careful."
Li Xuan took a deep breath. This was it. His first step into the wider world, not as a desperate survivor, but as a representative of the nascent Falling Leaf Sect. He adjusted the furs he carried, trying to look presentable despite his still-grimy clothes. He took a few more steps, pushing through the last line of trees, and stepped out into the open.
He approached cautiously, trying not to startle anyone. A few villagers noticed him, their heads snapping up, their movements freezing. They were wary, their faces thin and etched with hardship. One man, older, with a weathered face and a crude wooden staff, stepped forward.
"Who are you, stranger?" the man asked, his voice rough but not immediately hostile. His gaze lingered on Li Xuan's unusual attire and the sword at his hip. "You bear the mark of the wild, and that blade... are you a bandit?"
Li Xuan held up his hands, palms open, to show he meant no harm. "Greetings," he said, trying to project sincerity and a hint of authority. "My name is Li Xuan. I am the Sect Leader of the Falling Leaf Sect." He paused, letting the words hang in the air. "We are... establishing ourselves in the ancient lands to the south." He didn't mention the current state of ruin.
The old man's eyes widened slightly at the mention of the "Falling Leaf Sect." It was clear the name carried some historical weight, even if the current reality was far from its former glory. "The Falling Leaf Sect?" the old man echoed, a flicker of surprise in his eyes, quickly replaced by suspicion. "That ruin? It's been abandoned for generations. There's nothing there."
Li Xuan felt a flush of embarrassment, but he maintained his composure. "It is indeed ancient," he conceded smoothly. "But it is being rebuilt. My disciple and I are working to restore it. And we have come across something of value that we believe your village might need." He held out one of the tanned rabbit furs. "For trade."
The old man's gaze fell upon the soft, neatly tanned fur. His eyes, previously hard, softened almost imperceptibly. He reached out a gnarled hand, running his fingers over the pelt. The look on his face was one of genuine need.
Li Xuan knew he had found his opening.