Heng Zhen stood at the edge of the cliff, gazing down at the valley that was slowly changing. People had begun to sit not out of ambition, but because they had started to feel that there was something more.
Under the darkened sky, he took a deep breath and said quietly,"My time... is being seen."
Lu Wen, standing not far from him, asked, "What do you mean, Master?"
Heng Zhen closed his eyes."This world has begun to take note. Not just of my steps... but of what I leave in their hearts. I no longer walk alone."
He sat down, and in silence, felt a gentle pull from within. The Yuanqi around him did not swirl wildly like Chaosqi it was present, yet without demand. He heard the whisper of wind, the rustle of leaves, and the heartbeat of humankind.
This was the first exploration not outward, but inward.
San Lie sat several paces behind. His eyes were closed. No longer chasing power, he now listened. His face no longer tense. He did not force anything he simply allowed the world to speak.
Li Rou stood near a small river, her hand touching the flowing water."Water always knows where to go," she murmured."It never resists. It only follows."
From a distance, Lao Wen watched them."They've started to explore," he said to himself."Not forests or mountains... but a path without form."
Heng Zhen realized that each person had a different doorway into Yuanqi.
Some opened it through sorrow.Some through silence.Some through the courage to let go.
This exploration was not about place, nor about limits...but about recognizing that Yuanqi is not something to possess it is something to follow.
And that path... had already begun.