The journey back to Sunstone Village was quiet, the group moving steadily beneath the afternoon sun. Elder Huan walked ahead, his eyes scanning the forest path. Behind him, Wu Ken followed alongside Brother Tian, while Li Shen and Lei Qing kept pace near the cart, which creaked under the weight of their auction purchases.
Wu Ken kicked a pebble off the path and sighed.
"Master," he murmured inwardly, "that saber… the Cloud-Splitting one. It looked incredible."
Zang Ai's voice responded, dry but attentive. "Ice Essence forged into a blade. Not bad. But the wielder who bought it? His stance was sloppy. He'll probably chip it on a tree root."
Wu Ken smirked. "And that Azure Wave Fist scroll?"
"Second Grade, Middle-level. Flashy, but predictable. You could counter it with a well-timed shoulder roll and a slap."
Wu Ken chuckled. "You're serious?"
"I'm always serious about slaps. That pill at the end though—the Giant's Fortifying Pill. Third Grade, Middle-level. That was the real treasure. Earth Essence and Ironroot Core. Not flashy, but solid. Excellent for body tempering."
"Two thousand gold coins," Wu Ken muttered. "That's more than our entire village earns in a year."
"Which is why you didn't buy it," Zang Ai replied. "But you saw it. You learned. That's worth more than coin."
Their conversation faded as a faint cry echoed through the trees—distant, strained, and unmistakably human.
Everyone stopped.
Elder Huan turned sharply. "Tian, check it out."
Brother Tian nodded and sprinted toward the sound without hesitation.
Huan turned to the others. "Li Shen, Lei Qing—stay with the cart and keep the goods safe."
Wu Ken stepped forward. "I want to go too."
Li Shen frowned. "You're just a child. Let the grown men handle it."
Lei Qing crossed her arms. "It could be dangerous. We can't risk you getting hurt."
But Elder Huan was watching Wu Ken's eyes—focused, burning with curiosity and resolve.
"If you can follow my speed," Huan said calmly, "you can come."
The words stunned both Li Shen and Lei Qing.
Wu Ken's heart leapt. "I can."
"He's ten," Li Shen muttered.
"Even if he's strong, he's not trained for this," Lei Qing added.
"I'll take care of him," Huan replied. "Don't worry."
There was a pause. Then, reluctantly, both nodded.
"Don't fall behind," Huan said.
Wu Ken grinned. "I won't."
With that, the two of them dashed into the forest, their footsteps light and swift.
Far ahead, Brother Tian pushed through the underbrush, following the sound. It grew louder—desperate, ragged.
He broke into a clearing.
And froze.
His eyes widened.
Something was there.
Something he hadn't expected.
The chapter ends.
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