That afternoon, Arin, Naya, Saria, and Torin gathered to prepare for the journey. Torin stepped forward, his axe slung over his shoulder, his expression resolute. "I'm coming with you," he said, his voice firm. "I owe you that much." Arin clasped his shoulder, a silent acknowledgment of his loyalty. "We're stronger with you," he said, his voice steady. Saria nodded, her sword at her hip, her silver-streaked hair tied back. "We'll need every blade," she said, her voice fierce but warm.
Rylan offered to stay and protect the village, his guardian techniques bolstering their defenses. "I'll teach Kael and the others to maintain the Vajra Roots," he said, his blue eyes steady. "The village will be safe." Arin nodded, grateful for his wisdom, and turned to Naya, who was packing provisions—dried lotus seeds, Amrita Grain flatbreads, and a flask of Lotus of the Dawn tea. "We'll need your knowledge out there," he said, his voice soft. Naya smiled, her hand brushing his, a spark of warmth passing between them. "And you'll need my stubbornness," she said, her tone teasing but sincere.
Rylan approached Arin, his staff glowing faintly. "The Misty Peaks' qi storms are unpredictable," he said. "Let me teach you the Guardian's Veil—a technique to shield against wild qi. Focus your qi like a net, weaving it around you to stabilize the energy." Arin followed his instructions, closing his eyes and murmuring "Om Bhumi Namah," picturing the irrigation channels of his childhood. His qi flowed, forming a shimmering veil around him, its golden light steadying the air. "Good," Rylan said, his voice approving. "This will protect you in the peaks."
That evening, the village gathered for a send-off ceremony, a ritual to bless Arin and his companions. Kael led a prayer, his gnarled hands raised, his voice chanting a Murim blessing that blended with Indian melodies, the air humming with qi. The villagers formed a circle around the central field, their hands linked, channeling qi to create a radiant barrier of light, a protective blessing for the journey. Lila approached, her son by her side, offering a small talisman woven from lotus fibers. "For protection," she said, her eyes moist. "Come back safe, Jade Farmer." Arin tied the talisman around his wrist, its qi warm against his skin. "Thank you," he said, his heart swelling with gratitude.
Naya stood beside him, her own talisman—a gift from her mother—glowing faintly at her neck. She looked at Arin, her eyes reflecting the firelight, and for a moment, their gazes locked, a silent understanding passing between them. "We'll make it," she said, her voice soft but resolute, her hand squeezing his. The air was charged, their bond deepening with each shared challenge, a slow-burn connection that felt as natural as the land's heartbeat.
Saria and Torin joined them, their packs ready, their expressions determined. The villagers' chant grew louder, their qi merging with the field's, the Soma Lotuses and Amrita Grains glowing brighter, a beacon of hope. As the ceremony ended, Arin felt the land's gratitude, a warmth that spread through him like sunlight. He looked at the misty horizon, the peaks barely visible, their qi storms a distant rumble. The path ahead was uncertain, but with Naya, Saria, and Torin by his side, he felt ready to face it.
Far from the valley, in a shadowed grove cloaked in darkness, Veyra knelt before a figure shrouded in black, their qi immense and foreboding, a storm of power that dwarfed her own. The figure's face was obscured, but their voice was a low rumble, cold and commanding. "The Jade Farmer seeks the Heart of the Lotus," they said, their words dripping with malice. "Intercept them in the Misty Peaks. The relic must not fall into their hands."
Veyra's emerald eyes gleamed with venom. "And the farmer?" she asked, her staff glowing with dark qi. The figure's smile was cold, their qi flaring like a shadow swallowing light. "Kill him," they said. "The Eternal Seed's power will be ours." Veyra nodded, her heart racing with ambition, as the grove's shadows deepened, a plan taking shape that would test Arin's resolve like never before.