"Big Brother Shen—!"
The voice pulled me back.
I blinked, my thoughts snapping into focus.
"You're finally out!" Mo Ling said happily. "We thought you fell asleep standing!"
Mo Fan stood beside her, more reserved as always. His eyes flicked over me quickly, checking for anything unusual before he relaxed.
"I was just thinking," I said, smiling faintly. "What's wrong?"
Before either of them could answer, movement at the edge of my vision caught my attention.
A man was walking away from our house.
He had just turned the corner of the neighboring path, his back straight, steps unhurried.
His robe was plain gray, his hair loosely tied. At first glance, he looked like any wandering cultivator passing through the village.
But my instincts screamed.
Something was off.
My eyes narrowed.
The man's steps were light—too light.
Each footfall barely disturbed the dust. His breathing was even, controlled. There was a subtle rhythm to his movement—measured, cautious.
Loose cultivator.
And not a weak one.
The man glanced back once, his gaze sweeping across the courtyard for a brief moment before he turned and disappeared down the road.
My heart tightened.
Without hesitation, I quickened my steps and pushed the door open.
"Grandfather?"
Inside, the room was quiet. Sunlight streamed in through the open window, illuminating my grandfather seated on a low wooden chair outside, basking in the warmth. His eyes were half-closed, his expression peaceful, as if nothing in the world could disturb him.
I released a breath I hadn't realized I was holding.
"I'm here," he said, opening one eye and smiling faintly. "Why do you look so tense?"
I approached him quickly, scanning him from head to toe with my spiritual sense. No injuries. No lingering aura. No poison.
Perfectly fine.
Only then did I fully relax.
"I saw someone leaving just now," I said quietly. "Who was that?"
My grandfather's expression turned thoughtful.
"Oh, that fellow?" he said. "He came by while I was sitting here in the sun."
"What did he want?" I asked, keeping my voice steady.
"He said he was a loose cultivator passing through," my grandfather replied. "Asked me about last night."
My gaze sharpened. "Last night?"
"Yes," he nodded. "About the thunder and lightning. He asked if I noticed anything strange nearby. Any unusual lights, sounds, or movements in the forest."
"And what did you say?"
My grandfather chuckled softly. "What could I say? I told him the truth. That I'm old and sick, and spent most of the night inside. Said I didn't notice anything unusual."
My fingers curled slightly.
"Then I told him," he continued calmly, "if he wanted to know about changes in the forest, he should ask the hunters. They wander deeper than anyone else."
My heart eased a little.
That might draw attention elsewhere—but it was better than here.
"And then?"
"He thanked me and left," my grandfather said. "Didn't linger."
I nodded slowly.
That was good.
Very good.
Loose cultivators were like vultures. Wherever there was disturbance or opportunity, they would circle. The fact that this man had approached quietly instead of announcing himself meant he was cautious—and likely not affiliated with the Sun Moon Spirit Sect.
If he were sect-affiliated, he wouldn't need to sneak around like this.
That meant outside forces had noticed something.
My thoughts churned.
Cultivators investigating in disguise.
Do they think it was a heaven-and-earth treasure? Or someone breaking through to a high realm?
No. No one would choose a place like this, with such thin spiritual energy, for a major breakthrough.
Then it had to be the first option.
Treasure.
Damn it.
Seeing these people already roaming around meant this was only the beginning.
Soon, sects would send disciples as well.
At that moment, hurried footsteps approached.
"Big Brother Shen!"
Mo Fan and Mo Ling ran in from outside.
Mo Fan stopped short when he saw my expression.
"Did something happen?" he asked carefully.
Before I could answer, Mo Ling darted past him and ran straight to my grandfather, wrapping her small arms around his waist.
"Grandpa! Did someone bully you?" she asked loudly, glaring toward the door with exaggerated fierceness. "Tell Mo Ling! I'll bite them!"
The tension cracked.
I couldn't help but smile faintly.
My grandfather laughed heartily, patting her head. "No one bullied me. Who would dare?"
Mo Ling puffed out her chest. "That's gwood! Donzt worry, Mo Ling is very strong!"
Mo Fan looked relieved, but his brows were still furrowed with concern far beyond his age. He glanced at me again.
I crouched slightly to meet his gaze.
"Nothing serious," I said. "Just someone asking questions."
He nodded slowly, though worry lingered in his eyes.
I straightened and looked at my grandfather.
"We need to be more careful for the next few days," I said. "If strangers come asking questions again, don't say more than necessary."
His smile faded, replaced by understanding.
"I know," he said softly. "This world doesn't let people live quietly."
I turned to the children.
"Stay close to home," I said gently. "And if anyone strange approaches you, come tell Grandpa or me immediately."
Mo Fan nodded solemnly. "I will."
"Me too!" Mo Ling raised her hand enthusiastically.
I ruffled her hair lightly.
"I'll step out for a bit," I said. "Don't wander off."
With that, I left the courtyard.
---
Outside, the village felt different.
People were moving faster. Conversations buzzed like disturbed wasp nests. Groups of villagers hurried down the main road, expressions a mix of excitement and anxiety.
I stopped a middle-aged man who was nearly jogging past.
"Uncle," I asked, "what's going on?"
He stared at me wide-eyed. "You didn't hear? The sect envoy has arrived!"
My heart skipped a beat.
"Envoy?"
"Yes! From the Sun Moon Spirit Sect! They've summoned everyone to the open platform near the chief's office. Said they have something important to announce."
"Thank you."
I let him hurry off and merged into the flow of villagers.
Voices drifted around me.
"This is it! My chance has finally come!"
"I heard sect envoys only gather everyone when something big happens!"
"Maybe they're recruiting servant disciples!"
"Hah, don't dream too big."
"You never know!"
I listened quietly, my face calm, my thoughts anything but.
So soon.
Did my breakthrough leave traces they couldn't ignore?
I checked my aura again. To anyone else, I looked like nothing more than someone who had just stepped into Qi Refining.
Good.
The robe's concealment still held.
If they couldn't find me directly, this gathering was likely precautionary—or for something else entirely.
Still, I couldn't be careless.
The open platform soon came into view.
Villagers gathered in large numbers. Old Han stood near the front, expression grave. The village chief hovered nearby, unusually tense.
At the center stood three figures.
Two young men in jade-green robes stood slightly behind.
At the front was a middle-aged cultivator in dark blue robes, embroidered with faint silver crescent moons. His presence alone made the air feel heavier.
Foundation Establishment.
At least.
I lowered my gaze instinctively.
Why would someone of this level come personally? Normally, only late-stage Qi Refining disciples would be sent.
The murmuring died as the envoy raised a hand.
"Silence."
His voice carried effortlessly.
"Last night," he said, "a large-scale atmospheric disturbance occurred within this prefecture."
A ripple went through the crowd.
My heart beat once—heavy, controlled.
"The sect believes an abnormal phenomenon took place. Whether a cultivation breakthrough, treasure activation, or external interference remains unknown."
"We are here to investigate."
Some villagers paled. Others looked thrilled.
I remained still.
"Anyone who noticed unusual events must report them truthfully."
Silence.
A hunter eventually spoke of strange winds. Another mentioned fleeing animals.
The envoy listened without reaction.
Throughout it all, faint probes of spiritual sense brushed over the crowd.
Testing.
Measuring.
Evaluating.
Finally, the envoy spoke again.
"Due to increase in Yao beasts activity, patrols will increase. Taxes and protection fees will be adjusted."
"Don't go into mountains without proper safety until the situation settles down"
Murmurs erupted.
"And also if we find any cultivator hiding strength or dangerous artifacts they will be dealt with severe punishment."
His gaze swept the crowd.
"Dismissed."
As people dispersed, my resolve hardened.
The danger hadn't passed.
It had merely taken shape.
As I walked home, one thought echoed clearly in my mind:
Only strength would let me protect those under my roof and so I can walk my path without fear in future.
And far above, beyond clouds , unseen eyes had briefly glanced downward.
Then turned away.