If Shen Yu had learned anything at the Azure Mist Sect, it was this:
When elders smiled politely, **something was about to go wrong**.
Instructor Bao stood before the outer disciples with a scroll and far too much calm.
"Today," he announced, "you will undertake your **first group mission**."
Excited murmurs rippled through the crowd.
"Easy task," Bao added.
"Low danger."
Shen Yu immediately frowned.
Qiao Feng whispered,
"That's what my uncle said before his roof collapsed."
Bao read from the scroll.
"Group Seven."
Of course.
"Investigate disturbances near the **Green Hollow Ravine**. Possible spirit beast activity. Observe only. Do not provoke."
Lu Xinyi's eyes sharpened.
"Observe."
Qiao Feng cracked his knuckles.
"Provoke."
Han Rui clutched his medical satchel.
"…Please don't die."
Shen Yu smiled.
"We'll aim for minimal provoking."
---
### **On the Road**
The ravine lay half a day's travel away.
Qiao Feng skipped stones into the stream.
"If a beast attacks, I'll punch it."
Lu Xinyi shot him a look.
"You'll die."
"Heroically."
Han Rui sighed.
"I brought extra bandages."
Shen Yu walked at the back, relaxed.
The air ahead felt… crowded.
Not hostile.
Just restless.
They reached the ravine by afternoon.
Green mist curled between cliffs, thick and damp.
Lu Xinyi raised a hand.
"Careful. Something's here."
Qiao Feng grinned.
"Good."
The ground trembled.
A **Stonehide Spirit Boar** burst from the mist — massive, tusked, and extremely offended by their existence.
Han Rui squeaked.
"That's not low danger!"
Lu Xinyi drew her blades instantly.
"Formation!"
The boar charged.
Qiao Feng roared and met it head-on.
Bad idea.
He bounced.
Hard.
"OW— OKAY IT'S STRONG!"
Lu Xinyi slashed, precise and fast — sparks flew, but the hide held.
"Defense type," she snapped. "Aim joints!"
Han Rui ducked behind a rock, chanting healing breath patterns.
Shen Yu watched.
The space around the boar felt **tight**, compressed by its presence.
"Hey," Shen Yu muttered, stepping forward, "excuse me."
He moved sideways.
Not fast.
Just… early.
The boar lunged where he *had been*.
Missed.
Its momentum carried it forward — straight toward the ravine edge.
Lu Xinyi blinked.
"…Did you bait it?"
Shen Yu shrugged.
"I think it chose poorly."
Qiao Feng recovered and laughed wildly.
"YES! CONFIDENT BOAR!"
The boar skidded, legs scrambling.
Lu Xinyi seized the moment.
"Now!"
Blades flashed.
The boar collapsed with a furious squeal, unconscious — not dead.
Silence followed.
Han Rui rushed out.
"No fatalities! No— wait— Qiao Feng stop bleeding on the rocks!"
"I'm fine!" Qiao Feng said, bleeding dramatically.
Lu Xinyi turned slowly toward Shen Yu.
"You moved before it attacked."
Shen Yu scratched his head.
"It felt… obvious."
She stared at him, then shook her head.
"You're impossible."
"But useful," Qiao Feng added happily.
---
### **Aftermath**
They secured evidence and marked the area.
As they rested, Lu Xinyi sat beside Shen Yu again.
"You're not ordinary," she said quietly.
He smiled gently.
"I know."
She blinked.
"…You do?"
"I'm very good at being where I need to be."
For a moment, the air between them softened.
Then Qiao Feng shouted:
"HEY! THE BOAR IS WAKING UP!"
Chaos resumed.
---
### **Elsewhere, Far Above**
Within the Sky Archive, light flickered.
A Keeper spoke coldly.
> "The Variable has interfered with natural outcome."
Another replied:
> "Continue observation."
A third voice whispered, almost curious:
> "Or intervene."