dark descendent lurking fate

1. The Market of Yunling

The marketplace of Yunling Town buzzed with midday life.

Vendors shouted over one another.

Children weaved through carts.

The scent of roasted meat and spirit herbs wafted through the air.

Ash walked calmly behind Qi Rong, hood pulled low over his eyes. His spiritual presence was sealed tightly—just faint enough to avoid suspicion.

But even so, some nearby cultivators turned their heads.

There was something about him… too quiet. Too steady.

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2. The Curious Genius

Qi Rong's eyes lit up as she spotted a stall selling basic spirit stones and beast taming accessories.

> "We're not going to find anything amazing here," she said quickly, "but sometimes, a wandering cultivator sells rare stuff. Once I saw a fire lotus seed worth five hundred spirit coins!"

Ash wasn't listening. His attention had locked onto a display of spiritual anchor runes—cheap knockoffs, all flawed. Useless to him.

> "Everything here's weak," he muttered.

> "Well duh," Qi Rong said, smirking. "This is a town in the middle of nowhere. You want high-tier tools, you'll need to go to a major city or auction house."

Ash gave a small nod but remained silent.

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3. The Offer

As they walked deeper into the market street, Qi Rong suddenly said:

> "Hey. I just remembered—my friend Lin Yue lives here. Her family runs a pill house. They're not super powerful, but her grandfather is a retired elder of the Ironroot Sect."

Ash raised an eyebrow.

> "And?"

> "And they might be able to help! I mean… you probably need spirit herbs or resources for cultivation, right? She owes me a favor."

Ash considered it for a moment.

> "If it doesn't draw attention."

> "It won't. I'll just tell her I'm bringing a friend who needs help stabilizing his energy."

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4. Temptation of Fame

They paused near a small tea stand. Qi Rong leaned on the wooden railing, sipping a clay cup of herbal brew.

> "You know," she said casually, "if you told them you're already in Core Vein Formation, you'd probably become famous overnight."

Ash didn't look up.

> "Not interested."

> "Come on! Just imagine it—'mysterious young genius cultivator appears out of nowhere.' You'd have sects lining up to recruit you. And if you mention me as the one who found you... maybe I'd get a recommendation too."

Ash finally turned his head, his eyes calm and unreadable.

> "And when assassins or greedy elders come knocking to steal what I have, should I tell them you were the one who helped make me famous?"

Qi Rong's smile dropped.

> "...Right. Okay. Maybe not."

Ash stood.

> "Lead me to this friend."

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5. In the Shadows

Far across the market, from the shadow of a rooftop, a man in dark robes watched Ash's every move.

His cultivation was low—barely early Qi Condensation—but his spiritual perception was sharp. He didn't recognize Ash's face, but he saw how people naturally parted around him. How the air near him didn't flow like normal.

> "That boy… isn't ordinary," the spy muttered.

He tapped a small jade token, sending a pulse toward an unknown contact.

> "Target identified. Following."

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