The walk toward the eastern forest began peacefully enough. Birds called from the trees, the wind rustled the leaves, and Lin Xuanji tried very, very hard to pretend he wasn't walking straight into a System-created disaster.
Ruolan held the shopping bag with both hands, glancing nervously at every tree trunk they passed.
Feng Xiao marched confidently, tiny flames flickering at her fingertips whenever she got bored.
Ling Xueyin walked behind them, calm as a drifting cloud.
Lin Xuanji forced a smile. "Look, see? Calm forest. Birds singing. No trouble."
(Host. The herb is approximately one kilometer away.)
"Good. That's good. Let's keep it that way."
(It is running in your direction.)
Lin Xuanji stopped walking.
"…Running?"
Ruolan bumped into him. "S-Sect Master…?"
Feng Xiao tilted her head. "Plants don't run."
(This one does.)
"WHY?!" Lin Xuanji snapped.
(It is a Spirit Vein Relocation Herb.)
"What does that MEAN?!"
(It relocates.)
I hate you so much, Lin Xuanji screamed internally.
Before anyone could ask questions, a rustling sound echoed through the underbrush.
Something small.
Fast.
And… oddly energetic.
Feng Xiao crouched. "Sect Master… something's coming."
Ruolan immediately hid behind Lin Xuanji, clinging to his sleeve.
Lin Xuanji raised a hand. "Everyone calm down. It's probably just a squirrel."
A green blur shot past them.
Ruolan nearly screamed.
Feng Xiao blinked.
Ling Xueyin's eyebrows lifted by one millimeter—her version of shock.
Lin Xuanji jumped back. "WHAT WAS THAT?!"
(Target herb detected.)
"A HERB?! THAT THING WAS A HERB?!"
(Yes.)
Ruolan pointed with trembling fingers. "I-It looked like… a leaf with legs."
Feng Xiao crossed her arms. "Why does everything connected to the Sect Master behave strangely?"
Lin Xuanji threw his hands up. "Because life hates me!"
(Host exaggerates.)
"YOU ARE NOT HELPING."
The bush behind them shook.
The herb peeked out.
A tiny plant with two root-legs.
Round leaf for a body.
Two little bud-like eyes staring at them.
It squeaked.
Feng Xiao blinked. "…It squeaks."
Ruolan crouched slowly. "It looks… cute."
The herb turned around and sprinted away like lightning.
"AFTER IT!" Lin Xuanji shouted before realizing he didn't know why he was shouting.
The chase began.
Ruolan ran surprisingly fast for someone who panicked every five minutes.
Feng Xiao used bursts of flame to leap between roots.
Ling Xueyin walked normally but somehow stayed ahead of everyone.
Lin Xuanji tripped on a root—
his body shifted automatically—
and he flipped midair, landing perfectly.
Ruolan gasped. "Sect Master! You're so graceful!"
"I DIDN'T MEAN TO BE!"
The herb darted around a tree, sprinting into a clearing.
Lin Xuanji lunged.
His body moved on its own again—
shoulder turned, foot planted, hand shot out—
And he caught it.
The herb squeaked angrily and wriggled in his grip.
Ruolan clapped. "Sect Master caught it! Amazing!"
Feng Xiao nodded. "Your movements are always weirdly precise."
Lin Xuanji glared at his own hand. "STOP ACTING WITHOUT MY PERMISSION."
(Host performed basic pursuit technique.)
You shut up.
Ling Xueyin approached, her voice soft. "This is the correct herb. Well done."
The plant squeaked one last time, then wilted in defeat.
Lin Xuanji sighed. "Finally. No disasters, no enemies, just a running plant. That's manageable."
(Mission complete.)
"Good. Let's head ba—"
(Host. Minor note: This herb is often hunted by nearby beasts.)
Lin Xuanji froze.
"…What kind of beasts?"
(Fast ones.)
"How fast?"
(Faster than the herb.)
A roar echoed from the forest behind them.
Ruolan grabbed Feng Xiao's arm.
Feng Xiao grabbed Lin Xuanji's sleeve.
Lin Xuanji grabbed nothing—he was too busy panicking.
Ling Xueyin sighed softly.
Lin Xuanji whispered, "Everyone… walk calmly. Don't run. Don't scream. Don't—"
Another roar. Closer.
He snapped.
"RUN!"
They sprinted through the forest like their lives depended on it.
Because they did.