Flame: Lost… It's getting late. Maybe I should stop here for today and continue tomorrow.
Flame muttered to himself as he leapt onto a nearby tree, settling against a sturdy branch to sleep. He seemed long accustomed to solitude.
Meanwhile, in a village far away, a young man was still practicing with his spear on an open grassy field under the night sky.
??: Yutian, you're still practicing this late?
Yutian: Village Chief. So… have you thought about what I told you?
Village Chief: You mean leaving the village with you again? Yutian, I've already said that won't happen. And even if something did occur, our village has plenty of people capable of fighting.
Yutian: …Fine. If that day really comes, then everything will fall on me. But I won't let it happen. I'll definitely protect you.
Village Chief: I know you will. Still, you should head to bed soon. Don't keep Yuqing waiting too long.
Yutian: (Yuqing… Sister… Should I just abandon this village and run away with you?) Village Chief, tell her to sleep first. I'll practice a little longer.
Village Chief: Alright.
After the village chief left, Yutian remained alone in the field, gripping his spear tightly.
Yutian: (No matter what happens, I'll protect you at all costs, Sister.)
With that resolve burning in his chest, he began to spin his spear with force. The blade cut through the air, generating a sharp gust of wind that swirled around him.
Yutian: Ha!
He thrust the spear forward with explosive power. A straight groove tore across the grass ahead of him — not wide, not far, but clean and decisive.
---
In a small village surrounded by dense trees…
Villager A: Zhiyi! Old Li—he's badly hurt! His injuries are severe. He needs your help to survive this critical moment!
Zhiyi: Where is he? Take me there, quickly!
Without hesitation, Zhiyi dropped the book in her hands and hurried after Villager A.
Villager A: It's here.
They rushed into Old Li's house. He lay unconscious on the bed, a deep wound carved across his abdomen, blood staining the cloth beneath him.
Old Li's Mother: Zhiyi… you've finally come.
Zhiyi: What happened? How did Uncle Li get hurt like this?
Old Li's Mother: I don't know. He went hunting, and when he came back… he was already like this. You're the only one in the village who can heal. If even you can't save him…
Zhiyi: Don't worry, Aunt Li. I will save him.
She stepped forward and gently placed her hand over the wound. A pale green light blossomed from her palm, bathing the room in a soft glow. Slowly, the torn flesh began to mend. The bleeding stopped. The wound closed bit by bit, until only a faint scar remained.
Zhiyi: I'm sorry… My power isn't strong enough. This is as far as I can go…
Thud.
Her vision blurred, and she collapsed to the floor from exhaustion.
Old Li's Mother: Oh dear! Zhiyi! Are you alright? Quick, help her onto the bed!
Zhiyi: No… I can't collapse… The other Holy Sons… they must be training even harder than I am…
Her voice was barely a whisper. Before anyone could respond, she lost consciousness.
---
Meanwhile, in a rented room somewhere far away…
??: …
Lim He: …Sleeping pretty well.