A crow cawed in the distance.
Ye Wuchen stirred beneath the cover of leaves, still half-dreaming. The forest around him was silent except for the soft rustle of wind moving through the branches.
It was the second morning since his awakening.
And he was being hunted.
> [System Alert: Unfamiliar energy signature detected – 1.4 km southwest. Movement pattern: deliberate.]
He sat up instantly.
> "Spirit Tower?"
> [Affiliation: Unknown. But target is tracking residual soul traces.]
> "So… someone's following the trail I left when I fused the ring."
He stood, brushing off loose dirt. The cave had protected him, but it couldn't hide the residual aura left during fusion. It clung to the soul particles in the area like smoke on cloth—especially visible to skilled hunters or spirit trackers.
> "How long until they reach this spot?"
> [Estimated: 30 minutes at current pace.]
He clenched his fists.
> "Time to move."
---
Deeper Into the Forest
Ye Wuchen kept to the shadows. His footwork was light, silent. The days of being an unnoticed student had trained him to walk like a ghost—those who were seen were often bullied.
Now, that skill became survival.
He moved between tree trunks, ducked under mossy overhangs, and leapt over roots. The underbrush thickened, but he didn't slow down.
> [System Status: Soul Power at 2.6 / 10. Shadow Step: Ready.]
After a half-hour of careful movement, he paused near a small ridge.
From here, he could see across a shallow valley filled with low-lying mist. Perfect for hiding. Dangerous to enter.
He didn't hesitate.
He leapt down.
---
Valley of the Silver Fog
The air in the valley was cold. Too cold.
Mist clung to his skin like fingers. His breath came out in visible puffs, even though the sun was high.
> [Environmental Status: Spirit-Depleting Fog – mild drain over time.]
> "Of course it drains soul power. Nothing is free…"
Still, he pressed on.
---
Elsewhere – The Tracker Arrives
A tall figure stepped into the clearing Ye Wuchen had just vacated.
Clad in dark gray armor lined with thin silver wires, the man kneeled near the faint scorch marks on the ground—the last trace of a soul fusion.
His eyes narrowed. A small lens dropped from a metal band on his forehead and scanned the particles.
> "Black ring energy. Dark elemental alignment. Unnatural density… Young."
He stood.
> "He's not experienced. But he's clever."
A thin smirk crossed his face.
> "Let's see how long clever lasts."
---
Back In The Valley
Wuchen crouched near a strange, purple-tinged bush and pulled out a flask. The water inside was stale, but still drinkable.
As he drank, the system spoke:
> [New passive condition developing: Shadow Resonance – Level 1]
Being in naturally dark or misty areas strengthens your recovery speed by 5%.
He raised an eyebrow. "So… even my environment is starting to respond to me?"
> [Correct. Your martial soul is part of your living essence now. The world interacts with you differently.]
> "Then the forest might protect me… or betray me."
> [Depending on how you treat it, yes.]
---
Footsteps
He froze.
Crunch. A step. Slow. Deliberate.
Not a beast. Beasts moved erratically. This one walked like a man.
Wuchen slipped back into the shadow of a fallen log. His heartbeat slowed. He didn't dare breathe loudly.
A figure appeared on the opposite slope. Tall. Armored. His footsteps were careful but confident. In his hand was a short dagger glowing faintly blue—a soul weapon.
> [Warning: This individual is a Soul Warrior – at least Stage 2. You are not equipped for direct combat.]
Wuchen slowly activated Shadow Step.
> [Skill Ready – Choose Direction.]
He watched the man descend slowly, checking the area with his lens.
> "Come on," Wuchen whispered. "Just a little closer…"
At the last second, the man paused and turned slightly—looking almost directly at Wuchen's hiding spot.
A bead of sweat rolled down Wuchen's neck.
> "Now."
He triggered Shadow Step, and in a blink, he vanished from under the log and reappeared behind a thick tree across the slope.
---
The man looked up sharply.
He moved forward, scanning rapidly.
But Wuchen was already running—quiet, fast, using the terrain.
> [Cooldown: 8… 7… 6…]
His heart pounded. The fog thickened around him, helping him vanish.
> [New Passive Effect Developing: Fog Adaptation – Level 1]
He smiled grimly.
> "Keep coming then. I'll make this forest my home before you catch me."
---