The sun had barely risen over the forested borderlands when Li Chen convened the joint sect leaders in a quiet glade. The remnants of the previous day's battle still marked the clearing—broken branches, faint scorch marks, and the residual pulse of controlled beast qi. The manipulator had vanished, leaving only traces of their influence.
Li Chen's gaze swept over the assembled leaders: Mo Yun of the Mountain Sect, Shen Yue of the Star Sect, Han Zhi of the River Sect, and several other key figures from the smaller allied sects. Each of them bore signs of exhaustion, but their eyes were alert.
"The manipulator is intelligent," Li Chen began, voice calm but heavy with authority. "Their purpose is not simple destruction. They are probing weaknesses—our formations, our leaders, our ability to coordinate."
Mo Yun frowned, pointing toward the edge of the clearing. "The claw marks and residual energy… they don't follow natural patterns. This isn't just a beast tide; it's orchestrated. Someone—or something—is directing them deliberately."
Li Chen nodded. "Exactly. And there are subtle signs indicating that this orchestration is not confined to the mortal realm. The upper realm… may be involved indirectly."
A hush fell over the group. The concept of upper realm interference was not new, but subtle involvement in beast tides so close to the borderlands was rare and dangerous.
Investigating the Evidence
The sect leaders split into teams to examine the traces left by the manipulator.
Mountain Sect disciples climbed the ridges, analyzing claw marks and natural formations that could indicate the manipulator's routes.
Star Sect cultivators focused on the lingering elemental qi, attempting to determine the strength and style of the manipulator without confronting them directly.
River Sect disciples mapped water sources and marshy areas, looking for unnatural disturbances that could hint at traps or ambushes.
Li Chen moved between the teams, observing their methods and offering subtle guidance. He didn't need to intervene directly; the focus here was on teamwork and insight. "Notice patterns in restraint," he told them. "The manipulator is not reckless. Every movement, every beast, every trace is intentional. They want us to see and react."
Shen Yue frowned, tracing faint pulses in the air. "It's as if they're leaving a trail for us to follow, but also testing our understanding of these signs. Someone highly skilled is involved, and… I think they may be observing our decision-making as much as they are our combat ability."
Li Chen inclined his head slightly. "Correct. This is not only a physical test but a strategic one. The choices you make now will reveal weaknesses and strengths, both to them and to us."
A Subtle Disturbance
As the leaders worked, a faint disturbance rippled through the forest beyond the clearing. Li Chen's eyes narrowed. The pulse was subtle, almost imperceptible, but it carried the hallmarks of guided energy—similar to the manipulator's previous influence over the beasts.
"Stay vigilant," Li Chen warned. "The manipulator may be close, or they may be testing our ability to respond without direct confrontation. Observe quietly. Do not rush."
Several disciples stiffened, feeling the pressure of a hidden presence. Mo Yun murmured, "It's like they're everywhere and nowhere at once… and yet, everything they do is measured."
Li Chen's mind raced subtly. The manipulator's skill suggested a cultivator of considerable refinement, but the lingering pulse hinted at something larger—an unseen hand, perhaps from the upper realm, subtly nudging the events in motion.
Hints from the Secret Realm
Even in the quiet of the investigation, Li Chen felt a fleeting energy—the faintest warmth, almost like a whisper carried from afar. It reminded him of the mysterious beauty from the secret realm, whose presence had lingered in his thoughts since that event. He did not dwell on it; the trace was too faint to act upon, yet it left a lingering unease—a variable he could not ignore completely.
"Take note," Li Chen said to the leaders, breaking the silence. "There may be unseen influences beyond the forest, beyond even the beasts themselves. Plan accordingly. The manipulator is calculating, and we must remain several steps ahead."
The sect leaders exchanged looks, understanding the gravity of his words. The investigation was no longer about the immediate beasts—it was a deeper puzzle, one that required patience, insight, and coordination.
Preparation for the Next Move
By dusk, the teams had gathered their findings. Li Chen organized the data into a strategic map of potential manipulator movements, weak points in the forest, and possible beast paths.
"This is only the beginning," he said, eyes scanning the horizon. "The manipulator is clever and patient. They are testing not only strength but decision-making. Tomorrow, we track their likely positions and prepare to engage—but do so with discipline. The slightest overreaction could cost lives."
The disciples and leaders nodded, a mix of apprehension and determination settling over them. Li Chen's calm guidance had transformed their fear into cautious confidence.
The forest whispered around them, carrying distant growls and the soft pulse of residual energy. Somewhere in the shadows, the manipulator waited, watching. And above it all, unseen, forces from the upper realm—and perhaps even echoes of the secret realm—stirred, nudging the events toward a confrontation that would test every disciple, leader, and strategy to its limits.