Li Xuan remained hidden behind the bamboo stalks long after the gray-robed man disappeared.
His back pressed against the cool bamboo.His heartbeat still uneven.His palms slightly damp.
The forest felt heavier now.As if someone had rearranged the air.
"Grand Immortal…" Li Xuan whispered internally, "what was that man?"
The Immortal's voice was unusually grave.
—Someone whose cultivation is beyond what this sect should contain.A pause.—He erased his presence completely. Even I could barely detect him.
Li Xuan took a slow breath.
He replayed the man's steps in his mind.Soft.Light.Almost lazy.
But that was what made him dangerous.
"I didn't feel any killing intent," Li Xuan whispered.
—A predator doesn't show killing intent until the moment it strikes.
Li Xuan's fingers tightened.
The Immortal continued:
—You cannot fight him. You cannot run from him. All you can do… is avoid drawing attention.
Li Xuan nodded slowly.
That man didn't act hostile.He didn't attack.He didn't question him.
He only said one word.
"…Interesting."
Why?
What did he see?
What did he sense?
Li Xuan stood slowly and brushed the dirt from his robes. He walked deeper into the bamboo forest until he reached a small, shaded patch where sunlight barely touched the floor.
He sat there, letting the quiet settle around him.
But peace didn't last long.
Footsteps approached — lighter, quicker, familiar.
Yan Ling emerged from between the bamboo stalks, her breathing slightly fast.
When she saw Li Xuan, she frowned sharply.
"You're still here?"
Li Xuan nodded. "Someone came."
Yan Ling's expression hardened instantly.
"…Describe him."
"Gray robe. No insignia. No aura. Quiet steps. Smiling."Li Xuan lowered his voice. "…He looked at me."
Yan Ling's eyes widened — not fear, but something closer to alarm.
"That's him."
Li Xuan's chest tightened. "Who is he?"
Yan Ling stepped closer, looking around as if making sure no one else was hiding in the bamboo.
Then she whispered:
"He is called Elder Ning."
Li Xuan blinked. "An elder? But—"
"No," Yan Ling cut him off. "Not a real elder. That's just what people call him because they don't know anything else."
Her voice lowered even more.
"Some say he guards the sect founder's legacy.Others say he's from a hidden branch of the sect.Some think he's a monster wearing human skin."
Li Xuan felt his throat tighten slightly.
"Which one is true?"
Yan Ling shook her head slowly.
"No one knows. Not even Elder Qiu."
Silence settled between them.
Yan Ling studied Li Xuan's expression, then asked softly:
"Did he speak to you?"
Li Xuan nodded once.
"What did he say?"
"…Interesting."
Yan Ling inhaled sharply.
"That's bad."
Li Xuan frowned. "Why?"
Yan Ling leaned close, her voice barely audible.
"Elder Ning doesn't show interest in people. Ever. If he looked at you long enough to speak… then he sensed something unusual."
Li Xuan felt a knot in his stomach.
"What does he do when someone 'interests' him?"
Yan Ling paused for a long time.
Then she answered:
"He watches them. Quietly. Without blinking. For days… or months."
Li Xuan's skin crawled.
Yan Ling continued:
"He never interferes. He never protects. But he never forgets either."
"So he's an observer?"
Yan Ling nodded.
"Yes. The most dangerous kind. Because his intentions are unknown."
Li Xuan looked down.
Another threat.Another set of eyes watching him.
Yan Ling crouched slightly and met his gaze.
"Listen carefully. You can deal with Elder Qiu.You can avoid Elder Fang.But Elder Ning… you cannot hide from him if he decides to watch you."
Li Xuan clenched his fist.
Yan Ling continued:
"For now… don't stand out.Don't show sudden changes.Don't make Elder Ning curious again."
Li Xuan nodded slowly.
But inside, he knew something:
Someone like Elder Ning didn't choose targets randomly.
If he looked at Li Xuan…
He already sensed something.
Yan Ling stood up and dusted off her robe.
"I'll keep watch from a distance," she said. "But you need to stay alert too."
She turned to leave —but Li Xuan spoke quietly:
"Yan Ling."
She stopped.
Li Xuan looked at her seriously.
"What are you?"
Yan Ling didn't move for a long moment.
Then she gave a small, unreadable smile.
"…You're not strong enough for that answer yet."
She disappeared into the bamboo shadows.
Li Xuan sat alone again, surrounded by the soft rustling of leaves.
The Grand Immortal spoke:
—Do not force answers. Focus on survival. Focus on strength. Focus on hiding.A pause.—You must reach Qi Refining Stage 2 soon. Before Elder Qiu moves. Before Elder Fang returns. Before Elder Ning grows curious again.
Li Xuan nodded slowly.
He stood up.
The forest felt colder now.
He looked through the bamboo, imagining Elder Ning's eyes watching from somewhere unseen.
A new storm had begun quietly.
And he was standing right in the center.