The road felt wider the moment Ren stepped far enough that the village roofs disappeared behind the trees.
Not safer.
Just emptier.
He walked alone at first.
That had been the plan — short trips, careful movements, listening more than acting. Borin would follow later with supplies. Lyra would scout the perimeter from a distance, unseen unless needed.
Draven had cried.
A lot.
Ren adjusted the strap of his pack and kept moving.
The echo inside him stirred, curious now rather than tense. It tasted the air, the lingering traces of spiritual flow along the road, the faint residue left by travelers who had passed days before.
Cultivators.
Merchants.
Scouts.
Soldiers.
The world was layered with intent, and for the first time, Ren could feel it.
He slowed.
A faint disturbance brushed his senses — not dangerous, not hostile.
Watching.
Ren didn't turn immediately.
He spoke softly instead.
"You don't have to hide."
Silence.
Then footsteps.
A young man emerged from the roadside brush, hands raised casually. He wore travel-worn robes, patched but clean, with a short blade at his waist and a faint spiritual aura barely held together.
Low-stage cultivator.
Nervous.
"Didn't mean any harm," the stranger said quickly."Just… wasn't expecting someone to notice me."
Ren studied him.
"How long have you been following?"
The man winced.
"…Since the second bend."
Ren nodded.
That was honest.
"Why?"
The man hesitated.
"Rumors."
Of course.
"What kind?"
The man scratched the back of his head.
"About a village where the forest screamed. About a kid who made sect scouts nervous."
Ren exhaled.
It had already begun.
"And you decided to check?"
The man shrugged.
"Curiosity's cheaper than regret."
Fair.
Ren met his eyes.
"Who are you?"
"Name's Kai," he said quickly."No sect. No clan. Just… traveling."
Ren believed him.
Mostly.
"And what do you want from me, Kai?"
Kai swallowed.
"To know if the rumors are true."
Ren considered lying.
The echo stirred — not opposing, not urging.
Listening.
"They're exaggerated," Ren said finally."But not false."
Kai's eyes widened just a fraction.
"…You really are the one."
Ren's shoulders tensed.
"I'm just passing through."
Kai nodded rapidly.
"Right. Of course. I won't interfere."
He hesitated.
"Still… if you're heading toward the river junction, you should know there's a group camped there."
Ren's eyes sharpened.
"What kind?"
"Minor sect," Kai said."Calling themselves the Red Hollow Pavilion. They're recruiting."
Ren felt the echo pulse faintly.
Recruiting meant testing.
Testing meant attention.
"Anyone dangerous?" Ren asked.
Kai grimaced.
"One elder. Middle realm. Likes to break confidence before bones."
Ren noted that.
"Why warn me?"
Kai shrugged again, but his gaze lingered.
"Because you don't look like someone who deserves that."
Ren smiled faintly.
"Neither do you."
Kai blinked, startled.
Ren stepped past him.
"Thanks for the warning."
Kai watched him go, then called out:
"Hey!"
Ren paused.
"If the rumors keep spreading," Kai said quietly,"you won't be able to walk alone much longer."
Ren didn't turn.
"I know."
He continued down the road.
The echo pulsed — not afraid.
Anticipating.
Somewhere ahead, water flowed, sect banners fluttered, and cultivators tested their worth against strangers.
And Ren was finally stepping into that world.
Not as prey.
Not as champion.
But as something undefined.
And the world would soon notice that was far more dangerous.