The Ruler of the Realm of Life

Dusk had crept in, painting the sky with shades of purple and orange as Chen Xuwu and Lin Qianyu stepped back into the main gate of the Green Sky Sect.

Although their bodies were tired after a day of exploring the forest, Chen Xuwu's mind was filled with strange findings and a growing premonition of a mastermind behind all the chaos.

SFX: (Sound of the cold evening wind, whoosh, carrying the scent of damp earth and leaves, followed by the regular sound of footsteps, tap-tap, on the stone path)

"We must see Elder Liu immediately," Lin Qianyu said, her voice slightly tense but full of urgency.

"What you found today... it cannot wait. This feels more serious than just rampaging beasts."

Chen Xuwu nodded, his eyes looking towards Elder Liu's Pavilion, illuminated by torches.

Yes, these are not just isolated incidents. This is a pattern. And that pattern was created by someone very intelligent.

They arrived at Elder Liu's pavilion. The old man was sitting at his meditation table, his eyes closed, but the aura of their arrival, carrying traces of the forest and a hint of nature's unease, was enough to make him open his eyes.

"You've returned," Elder Liu greeted, his voice calm, yet there was a note of anticipation in it, as if he had already sensed something was amiss. "How was the patrol in the Whispering Forest?"

Chen Xuwu stepped forward, bowing respectfully. "Elder, we found traces of a very strange energy. Not openly rampaging evil Qi like in Green Leaf Village, but rather... a more subtle and cunning disturbance."

He explained about the flowers that were forced to bloom and wither unnaturally, and the small fox that was agitated because its Qi was disturbed.

"That energy felt cold and cunning, Elder. As if someone was deliberately playing with the balance of nature, testing its limits, perhaps even trying to control it."

Lin Qianyu added, "I also felt that strangeness, Elder. An energy that forces and drains vitality. It's not a normal natural phenomenon, but rather like an invisible hand orchestrating it."

Elder Liu stroked his white beard, his expression growing more serious, the furrow in his brow deepening.

"Subtle disturbances... manipulation of nature's balance... this aligns with ancient reports of cultivators who mastered high-level Dao of Darkness. They don't always destroy directly, but corrupt from within, slowly eroding the foundations of nature, even twisting the cycle of life."

His eyes fixed on Chen Xuwu sharply. "You are right, Young Man Chen. This is no coincidence. This is the work of someone with the intelligence and power to understand and twist the laws of nature. Someone very dangerous."

Intelligence. Yes, that's what I felt. Not just power, but the mind behind it. This confirms my suspicions about the mastermind.

Chen Xuwu felt a chill creep up his spine. Elder Liu's confirmation made this threat feel even more real and terrifying.

"Someone is sowing seeds of chaos in our territory," Elder Liu continued, his voice now filled with authority and gravity.

"This is a test for the Green Sky Sect. And more than that, it is a test for the Dao of Nature itself, to see if balance can be maintained."

He looked at Chen Xuwu with a meaningful gaze. "Young Man Chen, your senses for evil Qi and these natural disturbances are very unique. This is an invaluable gift, especially in facing an enemy like this who hides in the shadows."

"What should we do, Elder?" Lin Qianyu asked, her sword still sheathed, but her hand ready, Qi subtly swirling around her.

"For now, we will tighten our defenses and increase vigilance," Elder Liu replied. "I will summon the Formation Elder to strengthen the sect's protective formations, and the Disciplinary Elder to organize stricter patrols. And for you, Young Man Chen..." Elder Liu looked at Chen Xuwu with a deep and hopeful gaze.

"I want you to continue this patrol. Go deeper into the forest, find the source of this disturbance. Do not fight if you find something too strong or suspicious. Prioritize your safety and reporting. Use your 'Empathic Leaf Knot' to track the traces of that dark Qi. It may leave a pattern that only you can sense, a signature only you can read."

Tracking. So this is like a high-level investigative mission. And I'm the only one who can see its traces, thanks to this system.

Chen Xuwu nodded. "Understood, Elder. I will track it."

"And Lin Qianyu," Elder Liu turned to her. "You will continue to accompany Chen Xuwu. Your combat abilities and knowledge of the forest will be crucial. Protect him with all your might."

"Understood, Elder!" Lin Qianyu bowed sharply, her gaze full of determination. I will protect him with my life. I won't let anything happen to him again.

"Very well. You may return and rest," Elder Liu said, ending the meeting. "You will begin this new patrol tomorrow morning. Be careful."

Elder Liu's Perspective

After Chen Xuwu and Lin Qianyu left the pavilion, Elder Liu did not immediately resume his meditation. He opened his eyes fully, looking towards the closed door.

The torchlight cast shadows on his wrinkled face, highlighting the deep concern in his eyes.

The Evil Qi Root in the spiritual spring, the beast rampage in the village, and now the subtle disturbance in the Whispering Forest... none of this is a coincidence. His mind raced, connecting the dots that had previously been separate.

Organized, cunning Qi, playing with nature's balance... These are the hallmarks of the 'Dao of Reversal' mentioned in ancient scrolls. A very rare Dao, mastered by cultivators who sacrifice everything for absolute power and control over life and death.

He let out a long sigh, the burden of age and responsibility heavy on his shoulders.

It has been so long since there were traces of the Dao of Reversal in the Zhongyao Continent. Is he back? Or is this his disciple?

His hopes now rested on Chen Xuwu. That young man... he is indeed unique. 100% Nature Affinity, and his senses for evil Qi are so sharp. He can sense patterns that other cultivators cannot, even me.

Elder Liu knew that sending Chen Xuwu on this mission was a great risk, but also the only hope. He is the key. He is the true Guardian of Nature that has long been prophesied. If anyone can track the mastermind behind these shadows, it is him.

He closed his eyes for a moment, envisioning the sect's protective formations. I must strengthen the defenses. If this mastermind dares to act near us, he must have a larger goal. We must be prepared for the worst.

The concern for the safety of the sect and its disciples weighed heavily on his heart. May Chen Xuwu find those traces before it's too late.

Back to Chen Xuwu's Perspective

They left the pavilion. Night had fully fallen, and stars began to twinkle in the vast dark sky.

The air was cold, yet there was a new spirit within Chen Xuwu, mixed with a deep sense of responsibility.

SFX: (Melodious sound of night crickets, chirp-chirp, and the cold wind blowing, whoosh)

"This mission feels more serious than I imagined," Lin Qianyu said, walking beside Chen Xuwu, her voice a slight whisper in the night's silence.

"Tracking someone who can manipulate nature so subtly... this is dangerous. It feels like hunting a ghost."

"Yes," Chen Xuwu agreed, his gaze fixed on the stars. "But also... interesting. It feels like solving a very complex puzzle. Before, my puzzles were just about how to balance financial reports to avoid my boss's wrath.

Now, it's about the balance of the universe, about protecting life. Much more meaningful."

He chuckled softly, a light laugh he rarely showed, but which now began to appear more often.

Lin Qianyu turned, surprised to hear Chen Xuwu's laugh, but a faint smile soon spread across her lips. "A puzzle of the universe? You truly are unique, Chen Xuwu. Most people would be terrified, but you see it as an interesting challenge."

"Perhaps it's because I'm already used to 'absurd' things in my old world," Chen Xuwu replied, shrugging lightly.

"Besides, facing an intelligent threat is much more challenging than just hitting monsters or hiding from an angry boss."

"You're right," Lin Qianyu nodded, her eyes radiating deeper admiration. "Elder Liu's strategy is indeed clever. Using you to track traces that no one else can sense... that's a great trust."

"And relying on you to protect me," Chen Xuwu added, turning to Lin Qianyu with a sincere smile. "I wouldn't be able to do it without you, Lin Qianyu. You are my sword and shield, my strength on the battlefield."

Lin Qianyu's face immediately flushed crimson, her heart pounding, rhythmic with the wind's whisper.

His sword and shield? He... he sees me as that important? He trusts me with his life? She felt both embarrassed and incredibly happy, a pure happiness overflowing in her chest.

"Chen Xuwu... you... you're exaggerating. I'm just doing my duty as a sect disciple."

SFX: (Lin Qianyu's rapidly beating heart, lub-dub... lub-dub..., and the warm feeling of the wind, whoosh)

Chen Xuwu chuckled again. "Duty or not, I appreciate it. You're always there, by my side."

He didn't realize how deeply his words affected Lin Qianyu, carving an invisible promise into her heart.

They arrived at the Jade Bamboo Pavilion. "Rest, Chen Xuwu," Lin Qianyu said, her voice slightly softer than usual, her tone full of concern. "We'll have a long day tomorrow. I'll stand guard nearby if you need anything."

"You too, Lin Qianyu," Chen Xuwu replied.

"Get enough rest."

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

He thought about Elder Liu's words and the traces of dark energy he had sensed.

That evil person... he is the mastermind. He's not just testing my strength, but also my intelligence. He wants me to enter his game.

And I will. I will find you, and stop you. His determination hardened, burning within him.

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. A clever, cunning, and calculating shadow.

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