The alpha stagwolf bounds through the moonlit forest, hooves silent on damp earth, muscles rippling under glossy black fur. Rong Yuexi clings to Qiu Yan's waist, her breath warm against his back, silk robes whispering against his crimson layers with every stride. The wind carries faint howls in the distance – remnants of the tide, too scared to regroup.
Rong Yuexi (voice muffled slightly by the rush, but teasing) "You ride this thing like you were born to it. One day ago you were sect trash. Now you're taming kings. What's next? Heavenly tribulation as a pet?"
Qiu Yan (glancing back, smirk faint in the silver light) "Heavenly tribulation? Too noisy. I'd rather collect its echo and replay it as a lullaby for arrogant fools. This mount? Just a bonus. Keeps the pace up without complaints."
Rong Yuexi (laughing soft, grip tightening playful) "Lullaby? You'd sing the heavens to sleep? Careful, echo collector. A princess might get ideas. Like... what else you could tame."
Qiu Yan (chuckling low, eyes on the path ahead) "Ideas? Dangerous territory. Stick to beasts. They're honest. Growl what they mean. Humans? All bark, no bite... until the echo bites back."
The stagwolf crests a ridge. Below, Crimson Thorn Pavilion sprawls like a bleeding wound on the hillside – red-tiled roofs sharp as thorns, walls etched with blood-red runes, lanterns glowing angry orange. Guards patrol the outer walls, spears glinting. Laughter drifts up – loud, boastful. A tournament ground in the courtyard buzzes with disciples clashing blades, arrogant cheers rising with every victory.
Rong Yuexi (leaning forward, voice dropping serious) "There. Crimson Thorn. My empire's biggest headache. Those young masters think they own the borders. Chi Jing's the worst – spoiled rotten, sends assassins for slights. You sure about this? Infiltrating? One wrong word and we're skewered."
Qiu Yan (pulling reins gentle, stagwolf halting in shadows) "Sure? Nah. But echoes called me here. That ancient whisper in the valley? 'Thorn pavilion... crimson blood... arrogance unbroken... until the echo claimed it.' Sounds like a party I can't miss."
Rong Yuexi (sliding down, landing graceful, hand on sword hilt) "Party? With those vipers? Fine. But if it goes south, you owe me a real lesson. Not just palm waves. Something... personal."
Qiu Yan (dismounting, eyes locking hers a beat too long) "Personal? Bold, princess. Deal. But first... let's crash their show."
They tether the stagwolf in thick underbrush. Qiu Yan adjusts his robes, crimson threads catching moonlight. Rong Yuexi pulls her hood low, hiding moon-pale hair. They slip down the slope, shadows among thorns.
The outer wall has a service gate – unguarded, for supply carts. Qiu Yan presses a palm to the rune lock. Vibration hums. Lock clicks open without sound.
Rong Yuexi (whispering impressed) "Even locks echo? You're cheating at life."
Qiu Yan (grinning) "Cheating? Just listening to what they hide. Come on. Tournament's starting."
They weave through back alleys of the pavilion. Servants bustle with trays of spirit wine, ignoring two hooded figures. The courtyard opens wide – stone arena ringed by tiered seats. Hundreds of disciples cheer. At center, two fighters clash – blades sparking, qi flaring red.
Announcer (voice booming from high platform) "Next bout! Chi Jing of the main line versus outer challenger Li Wei! Place your bets! Who claims the thorn crown tonight?"
Crowd roars. Banners snap in wind – crimson thorns twisting like serpents.
Rong Yuexi (edging into shadows of a pillar) "Chi Jing. There. The one in gold-trimmed robes. Cocky as they come. Last month he 'challenged' one of my border scouts. Killed him for 'insolence.'"
Qiu Yan spots him. Tall, sharp-featured, gold embroidery gleaming on crimson silk. Chi Jing lounges on a raised dais, surrounded by fawning juniors. A fan in hand, tapping it lazy against his palm.
Chi Jing (voice carrying lazy, arrogant) "Li Wei? The outer dog? This'll be over before the wine warms. Bet high, friends. Losers buy the feast."
Junior 1 (laughing sycophantic) "Young Master Chi's Thorn Blood Palm is unmatched! One strike and the challenger's begging for mercy!"
The fight starts. Li Wei charges fierce – sword a blur. Chi Jing yawns. Steps aside casual. Palm strikes out – red qi thorns erupt, slicing Li Wei's arm deep. Blood sprays. Li Wei drops, clutching wound.
Chi Jing (snapping fan shut, voice mocking) "Done? Already? Pathetic. Someone drag this dog out. Next!"
Crowd cheers. Li Wei crawls away, humiliated.
Rong Yuexi (whispering furious) "See? That's him. Thinks blood's a game. We should leave. Or... you could... echo him right now."
Qiu Yan (eyes narrowing, voice low) "Not yet. Let him build it. Arrogance echoes sweetest when it's peaking."
A servant bumps Rong Yuexi in the crowd. Wine spills on her hood. She stiffens.
Servant (apologizing quick) "Forgive me, miss! Crowded night!"
Rong Yuexi (pulling hood back slight, voice sharp) "Watch it. Or you'll spill more than wine."
The servant freezes. Recognizes her.
Servant (eyes widening, bowing deep) "Princess Rong! Of Moon Tide? Here? Young Master Chi will want to know!"
He bolts toward the dais. Crowd parts.
Chi Jing (standing, fan folding slow, voice dripping honeyed poison) "Princess? In my pavilion? Unannounced? How... delightful. Come, join us. Or are you here to scout? Like that poor dog last month?"
Rong Yuexi steps forward. Hood falls fully. Moon-pale hair cascades. Crowd murmurs. Qiu Yan follows close, unnoticed in shadows.
Rong Yuexi (voice steady, chin high) "Scout? No. Here for borders. Your 'dogs' crossed into my territory again. Beasts stirred. Coincidence?"
Chi Jing (laughing light, stepping down) "Coincidence? Princess, your empire's borders are suggestions. My thorns grow where they please. As for beasts... perhaps they smelled weakness. Like your scouts."
Rong Yuexi (hand twitching to sword) "Weakness? You mean the ones you 'challenged' to death? For what? A sideways glance?"
Chi Jing (closer now, voice lowering intimate) "A glance? Insolence. And you... here alone? No guards? Bold. Or foolish. Join me for wine. Discuss... alliances. Or I could escort you home myself."
His juniors snicker. Rong Yuexi's eyes flash.
Rong Yuexi "Escort? I'd rather walk with beasts."
Qiu Yan steps out then. Casual. Hand in sleeve.
Qiu Yan (voice cutting clear) "Beasts have better manners. At least they growl honest."
Crowd turns. Chi Jing's eyes narrow.
Chi Jing (sneering) "And who is this? Your pet wanderer? Hooded rat? Speak, trash. Or are you mute like your princess's spine?"
Rong Yuexi (glancing at Qiu Yan, urgent whisper) "Don't. He's Resonance Forge Peak. Walk away."
Qiu Yan (smiling thin) "Pet? Nah. Just the echo. And you... Chi Jing? Your voice carries far. Like thorns in wind. Annoying."
Chi Jing (fan snapping open, qi thorns flickering at edges) "Echo? What nonsense. Guards! Drag this fool out. Break his tongue first."
Four guards advance. Spears low.
Qiu Yan (not moving) "Break my tongue? Yours first. Listen."
He flicks a finger. Hum starts low. Builds.
Chi Jing's own voice echoes back – from moments ago. Amplified. Twisted.
Chi Jing's Echo (his voice, mocking) "Princess... delightful... escort you home... weakness... insolence... pathetic dog..."
It loops. Louder. Chi Jing staggers. Fan drops.
Chi Jing (clutching ears) "What... my voice? Stop! This is trickery! Illusion array!"
Qiu Yan (stepping closer, casual) "Illusion? Nah. Echo. Your words. From your mouth. Just... repeating. Like they should."
The echo swells. Layers add – old taunts to servants, boasts to juniors.
Chi Jing's Echo (savage now) "Bold... or foolish... break his tongue... pathetic... face lost... sorry... sorry..."
Chi Jing (dropping to knees, voice cracking) "Make it stop! I didn't... I didn't mean... Princess, mercy! I'll withdraw the thorns! Borders! Anything!"
Crowd gasps. Juniors pale.
Rong Yuexi (watching, eyes wide, faint smile) "You... you did it again. With a flick. He's begging. Already."
Qiu Yan (to Chi Jing, crouching level) "Begging? Good start. But borders? Apologies? Too late. Your thorns pricked too many. Now feel the prick back."
He snaps fingers. Echoes cut. Chi Jing slumps, sobbing quiet.
Qiu Yan (standing, to crowd) "Anyone else got thorns to pull? Or words to echo?"
Silence.
[System] Ding!!
System [Hostile echo claimed. Reward: Thorn Blood Palm (Corrupted version) – Savage amplification unlocked.
Cultivation: Resonance Forge Mid Layer 2 → Late Layer 3. Dao of Echoes – Thorn harmony bonus.]
Qiu Yan (inner, satisfied) [Perfect. Their blood echoes sweet.]
Rong Yuexi (grabbing his arm, voice thrilled) "Let's go. Before they recover. That was... incredible. Teach me how you did that."
Qiu Yan (letting her pull, grinning) "Teach? Earn it. Next time, you slap first."
They slip out. Pavilion in chaos behind.
(Inner voice – riding away) Thorns break easy. Echoes? Eternal. Next pavilion awaits.