Every morning, when cooking smoke began to rise over the village, Lin Yaochen would follow Mozi to the edge of the forest to meditate. At first, he merely guided his breathing as instructed, but little by little, he began to feel the flow of Yao energy grow smoother, until he could even maintain a steady glow in his palm for several breaths.
In his spare time, he helped carry firewood, clear weeds, and repair the villagers' damaged fields together with Qingsha. She laughed at how clumsy he was, yet when she saw him stubbornly trying to lift a large rock with Yao energy, she couldn't help but secretly smile.
One afternoon, under warm sunlight, the village chief walked into the house with a bundle in his arms and handed it to Lin Yaochen with a hearty grin.
"Here. The women of the village helped alter these clothes for you. They're simple, but sturdy. Try them on."
Lin Yaochen took the cloth bundle. Inside were three sets of plainly colored, neatly tailored garments from the Yao Realm. Even the cuffs and hems were carefully sewn, the stitches tight and even—it was obvious a lot of care had gone into them.
He raised an eyebrow, brushing his fingers over the visibly shortened sleeves and hems, the corners of his lips lifting slightly.
"They even adjusted the length? That'll make it easier to move when I train."
There was a hint of appreciation in his tone, though he didn't say it outright, as if he was used to hiding gratitude behind casual remarks.
He changed into one set. Though the fabric wasn't luxurious, it was loose, light, and surprisingly comfortable. He looked himself over, then touched the stitching again, sensing a quiet warmth in its careful handiwork.
"You look pretty good in that," the village chief laughed, patting him on the shoulder before turning to leave.
"Maybe this place… isn't so bad after all," Lin Yaochen murmured.
Mozi, basking in the sun nearby, opened one eye.
"Already getting used to it after just a few days? Want me to find you a farming job in the village?"
"No way," Lin Yaochen snorted. "But it's… steadier than I expected."
What he didn't say was that ever since the Yao Bandits' attack, the villagers—though shaken—had quickly pulled themselves together to rebuild. Some brought them ingredients, others helped patch up holes in the house. Children ran around Mozi, and people even taught Lin Yaochen how to cook porridge over Yao Realm charcoal.
That slowly growing kindness was like a faint winter light, giving him a quiet sense of belonging.
What he didn't notice was that the Yao Disc beside his pillow that night was faintly pulsing with pale golden veins—a new resonance was quietly taking shape.
As the weather warmed, new sprouts appeared in the fields by the forest. Though the village had endured disaster, signs of life returned with the rebuilding. Lin Yaochen's Yao energy also grew steadier. It wasn't powerful yet, but it now flowed reliably through his meridians.
One morning, Mozi was curled up on the stone steps outside, eyes half-closed in the sunlight. His ears twitched as Lin Yaochen stepped out.
"You can now guide Yao energy steadily, and you've learned the basics of refining and controlling it. It's time to set out."
Lin Yaochen sat beside him, leaning against the doorframe.
"I knew this day would come."
"The Yao Disc has already reacted," Mozi said calmly but firmly. "The first direction to stir is the southwest—toward the Gold Yao Valley."
"The Gold Yao bearer?" Lin Yaochen touched the Yao Disc at his waist, his gaze growing serious.
"Yes. Gold Yao bearers are naturally strong, their energy bright and outward. If their power has awakened, it will surely attract those who covet it. We can't afford to be slow."
After a moment of silence, Lin Yaochen looked toward the distant mountain line and slowly stood up.
"Then we'll start with Gold Yao."
"Get ready. We leave tomorrow morning." Mozi turned and walked toward the village gate.
Watching Mozi's back, Lin Yaochen felt a strange certainty—this was when his journey of seeking the Yao truly began.
At dawn, thin mist still clung to the village entrance.
Lin Yaochen stood there with his pack, Mozi beside him, tail lightly tapping the ground. Villagers gathered in small groups—some holding wrapped dried rations, others carrying freshly baked flatbread, their eyes filled with reluctant farewell.
The village chief stepped forward and handed Yaochen a small pouch of herbs.
"The mountain roads are rough. Don't ignore small injuries. These will help."
Lin Yaochen took it with both hands. "Thank you."
"This road may not seem long or short, but wherever you go, remember—stay alive," Qingsha said, handing him a bundle of food wrapped in bamboo leaves.
He bowed deeply.
"Thank you, everyone, for taking care of us…"
"Nonsense. You helped us drive off the Yao Bandits—we should be thanking you," the chief waved a hand, his eyes a little red.
Qingsha stood quietly nearby. "Take care," she said softly.
Lin Yaochen met her eyes and found himself unable to speak. Memories of working, laughing, and even sitting in silence together weighed heavily on his chest.
When the farewells ended, he and Mozi stepped onto the mountain path. As they left the village, he suddenly stopped and looked back.
Late the night before, he had secretly wrapped more than ten gold beans in cloth and tucked them beneath the woodpile behind Qingsha's house, along with a small note:
"Thank you for taking care of me. You were the first friend I made here. These gold beans are for you—I hope they can help. —Lin Yaochen"
He hadn't written "goodbye," because he wasn't sure he would ever return.
But he knew that this time in the village had already become something he would never be able to forget.