The Ruler of the Realm of Life

The sun had fully set when Chen Xuwu and Lin Qianyu arrived back at the Green Sky Sect gate.

The light of torches lining the main path welcomed them, emitting a warmth that contrasted with the cold premonition that still enveloped Chen Xuwu.

Despite his fatigue, the satisfaction from a successful mission and the vitality of his newly gained Qi made his steps feel light.

SFX: (Sound of slowing footsteps, tap-tap, on the gate stones, followed by the soft flickering of torches, fwoosh-fwoosh)

"We'll go straight to Elder Liu," Lin Qianyu said, her face still radiating unwaning enthusiasm and pride. "He'll surely want to hear your full report, Chen Xuwu."

They headed to Elder Liu's pavilion. The old man was sitting at his meditation table, a steaming cup of tea before him, its steam curling calmly. He lifted his gaze as they entered, his wise eyes carefully scrutinizing their auras.

"You've returned," Elder Liu greeted, his voice calm and deep. "How is Green Leaf Village? Was the damage severe?"

Lin Qianyu couldn't contain herself. "Elder! Green Leaf Village has been saved! And their herbal fields... Chen Xuwu managed to restore them completely! Even more fertile than before, radiating new vitality!"

She then explained the details of the rampaging spiritual beast attack, how they were possessed by destructive dark energy, and how Chen Xuwu pacified the Spiritual Stone Ape and cleansed the Shadow Wolves with the purity of his Qi.

"And not only that, Elder," Lin Qianyu continued, turning to Chen Xuwu with eyes sparkling with admiration.

"Chen Xuwu also healed all the injured villagers with just a touch! His abilities... truly phenomenal!"

Elder Liu listened intently, occasionally nodding, the furrow in his brow deepening.

He looked at Chen Xuwu, his gaze full of weight. "Is that so, Young Man Chen? You managed to restore such a large field in an instant? And heal their severe injuries?"

Chen Xuwu bowed respectfully. "Yes, Elder. The dark energy possessing those beasts was very strong, similar to what I found at the spiritual spring earlier. And the way they attacked... felt coordinated, not just a wild rampage."

He chose his words carefully, not directly mentioning his premonition of a "pattern" or "mastermind," only hinting at the abnormality.

Elder Liu's expression grew more serious. He stroked his long white beard, his thoughts seemingly racing.

"Organized dark energy... this is very concerning. Two incidents in a short time, both involving dense evil energy contamination and unnatural behavior from spiritual beasts. This is clearly no coincidence." He let out a long sigh, worry etched on his face.

"Someone is testing our limits, or perhaps planting the seeds of greater chaos in our territory. This is a threat we cannot ignore."

That's right. That evil person must be behind it. He's not just testing, but also enjoying this game, watching my reactions. I can feel the cunning intent behind every attack.

Chen Xuwu felt a faint wave of anger, mixed with burning determination.

"Lin Qianyu, summon all Guardian Elders and Disciplinary Elders for an emergency meeting tomorrow morning," Elder Liu commanded in a serious tone.

"We must increase our vigilance and tighten patrols throughout the sect's territory. We cannot allow incidents like this to happen again. The safety of the residents and the sect is our top priority."

"Understood, Elder!" Lin Qianyu bowed sharply.

Elder Liu then looked at Chen Xuwu with a deep and hopeful gaze. "Young Man Chen, your abilities are an invaluable asset to the Green Sky Sect, perhaps even to the entire continent.

However, this can also make you a target. For now, I want you to focus on your cultivation.

Increase your strength, understand your Dao of Nature more deeply. And... I want you to patrol the deeper forest areas more often, where energy might be more chaotic or disturbed. Use your 'Empathic Leaf Knot'.

I believe your senses for evil energy are sharper and more sensitive than anyone else in this sect. If you feel anything strange, no matter how small, report it to me personally immediately."

A new mission? And this is more important than just regular patrol. This is a trace search. The threat is real, and Elder Liu is relying on me to find it.

Chen Xuwu nodded, his determination hardening. "Understood, Elder. I will do my best to protect the sect and nature."

"Very well. You may return and rest," Elder Liu said, ending the meeting. "You have worked hard."

Lin Qianyu and Chen Xuwu left the pavilion. As soon as they were outside, Lin Qianyu turned to Chen Xuwu, her eyes still sparkling with admiration, a wide smile gracing her face.

"You really impressed the Elder, Chen Xuwu! I've never seen him so worried yet so trusting of someone who just joined! He truly sees your potential!" she exclaimed, her voice filled with genuine admiration.

"And that new mission... that's a very important task! He's really relying on you to find the source of this problem!"

I know. And this means the threat is real, not just my imagination.

Chen Xuwu smiled faintly, feeling the weight of responsibility but also a strong drive. "I'm just doing what I have to do, Lin Qianyu."

They walked towards the Jade Bamboo Pavilion. Lin Qianyu kept talking, praising Chen Xuwu, and occasionally glancing at him with a gaze she found increasingly difficult to hide.

Her heart beat faster whenever Chen Xuwu smiled or looked at her. Her cheeks felt warm, and she felt a strange wave of emotion whenever she was near Chen Xuwu's calming aura.

He... he's so strong, kind, and humble. And his aura... so calming, making me feel safe and comfortable. I can't understand why I feel this way. This feeling... it's getting stronger every day.

Lin Qianyu felt her cheeks flush, and she tried to avert her gaze, but her eyes always returned to Chen Xuwu, as if drawn by an invisible magnet.

Is this what... liking someone feels like? But he... he's too extraordinary for me. I'm just an ordinary disciple.

SFX: (Whispers of the night wind carrying the scent of flowers, whoosh, followed by Lin Qianyu's racing heartbeat, lub-dub... lub-dub..., getting faster)

Chen Xuwu himself felt Lin Qianyu's gaze. This Aura of Body Harmony indeed had a strong effect on people. But Lin Qianyu... she was different.

She was sincere, and she always supported him. He appreciated that. Her feelings felt pure. He felt a little awkward, but also a pleasant warmth in his heart.

Upon arriving at the Jade Bamboo Pavilion, Lin Qianyu said, "Rest, Chen Xuwu. You've worked hard today. I'll stand guard nearby if you need anything, or if there's any disturbance. I'll make sure you can rest peacefully."

"Thank you, Lin Qianyu," Chen Xuwu replied sincerely. "You've also worked hard. Please rest as well."

After Lin Qianyu left, Chen Xuwu entered his pavilion. He sat cross-legged on his meditation mat, his eyes staring into the darkness outside the window.

He thought about everything that had happened. The spiritual spring, the Stone Apes, the Shadow Wolves, and now the new mission from Elder Liu. All connected by the same dark energy, which felt cold, cunning, and organized.

That evil person... he must be watching me. He planted that dark energy, manipulated the beasts, and now he's probably planning something bigger.

He doesn't rely on raw strength. He relies on his cunning, intricate strategies, and his ability to play with others' minds. He is the invisible mastermind.

Chen Xuwu clenched his fists, his determination hardening. I need to be stronger. Not just in cultivation, but also in understanding the intrigues of this world.

I need to be able to see through his deceptions, find his traces, and stop him before he causes more destruction and suffering.

He closed his eyes, focusing his Qi. He felt the Qi around him, the pure Qi of nature, and in the distance, faintly, he could still sense the hidden traces of dark energy, like a lurking shadow, waiting for the right moment to strike.

I am the Guardian of Nature. I will not let darkness corrupt this world. I will find you, mastermind behind the shadows.

That night, in the depths of a cave shrouded in black mist, a dark-robed cultivator smiled faintly, his glowing red eyes staring into an obsidian mirror. The image of Chen Xuwu meditating was faintly visible there, radiating a pure aura.

SFX: (A barely audible rasping laugh, hehehe, from the dark-robed figure, followed by the slow swirling hiss of dark energy, ssssshhh)

An interesting young man. He learns quickly. His reactions, his power... all according to my predictions.

He's starting to feel my threads. Let him think he's hunting. In reality, he's just dancing in the palm of my hand. The game has just begun, and he is my most interesting piece.