Change was rarely loud.
Tang San knew this better than most.
He noticed it during morning training.
Xiao Wu moved the same way—light on her feet, playful, seemingly careless. She laughed, teased Oscar, complained about Zhao Wuji's exercises just like always.
Yet—
Something was off.
When Tang San released his Blue Silver Grass to spar, Xiao Wu dodged without thinking, her body reacting a fraction faster than before. Not stronger. Not faster.
Sharper.
Her movements carried a faint sense of inevitability, like she always knew where the attack would land.
Tang San frowned.
That wasn't prediction, he realized.That was instinct refined.
They took a break near the shade.
Xiao Wu flopped onto the grass, hands behind her head. "You're staring again."
Tang San blinked. "Am I?"
She peeked at him sideways, red eyes gleaming. "You only do that when you're thinking too hard."
Tang San hesitated.
Then asked quietly, "Did something happen last night?"
Xiao Wu's smile didn't falter.
But her heartbeat did.
"…Why?" she asked lightly.
Tang San crouched beside her. "Your soul power circulation changed. Slightly. It's smoother… older."
Xiao Wu laughed. "Older? Wow, rude."
Tang San didn't smile.
Xiao Wu sat up.
Their eyes met.
For a moment, something ancient flickered deep within her gaze—then vanished.
"…I trained," she said. "That's all."
Tang San nodded slowly.
He didn't push.
But doubt took root.
Later that day, Tang San found Zhu Zhuqing practicing alone, shadows curling unnaturally close to her body. Her strikes were quieter than before—more lethal.
"You're different too," Tang San said.
Zhu Zhuqing stopped.
"…So are you," she replied coolly.
That wasn't denial.
That was deflection.
Tang San exhaled.
"Lin Chen?" he asked.
Zhu Zhuqing didn't answer.
That was answer enough.
As evening fell, Tang San sat alone, cultivating the Mysterious Heaven Technique. His spiritual perception spread outward, brushing past familiar presences.
When it reached Lin Chen—
It slipped.
Like water flowing around a stone too deep to measure.
Tang San opened his eyes.
He didn't just get stronger, Tang San thought.He's changing the people around him.
That night, Tang San stood outside the girls' dormitory, staring at the stars.
Xiao Wu joined him silently.
"You're thinking too much again," she said softly.
Tang San smiled faintly. "Maybe."
She leaned against him.
Her warmth was the same.
Her presence comforting.
And yet—
Somewhere deep inside, Tang San felt a quiet fear.
Not of betrayal.
But of distance.
If you keep moving forward like this…Will I still be able to stand beside you?
Xiao Wu gazed up at the moon, expression unreadable.
Far away, in the depths of the Star Dou Forest, spirit beasts stirred restlessly.
Something had touched a bloodline that should not have been touched.
And the forest—
Never ignored such things.