The problem with hunting the second pack was simple: I couldn't find them.

  I'd been searching for over an hour, following what should have been promising signs. Fresh tracks near another stream. Claw marks on trees that indicated territorial marking. Even what looked like a recent kill site, though the remains were picked clean.

  But no wolves.

  It was strange. White Wolves were territorial and the forest was large, but not so vast that an entire second pack should be this difficult to locate. The mission briefing had mentioned the population was beyond sustainable levels, which implied they should be relatively common in the designated hunting zone.

  Unless someone else was hunting them too.

  That made sense. The mission had been posted as open to all outer sect disciples. Other people could have taken it, cleared out the easier-to-find packs, and left me searching the deeper forest.

  I paused by a stream to refill my water skin and reassess. My wounds had stopped hurting thanks to the Bloodstop Root and Moonwhisper Leaves, though I could feel the herbs' effects starting to fade. I'd need proper rest and maybe actual medical attention before much longer.

  Then I remembered something from my herb-gathering mission with Elder Shen weeks ago. The textbook written by Scholar Wu, the one titled "A Comprehensive Guide to the Flora and Fauna of the Eastern Territories,” had a herbal mixture that could temporarily boost Qi sensitivity for a time and it helped cultivators attune to the spiritual energy around them. All I had to do was recreate what I had done on the mission I was sent on to find the tea leaves.

  What was the combination again? I thought. I removed the book from the pouch and found the passage.

  "White Jade Orchid roots, when mixed with Crystallized Honey Sap and Purple Mist Flower pollen in a three-to-two-to-one ratio, have been observed to temporarily enhance spiritual sensitivity in some practitioners, though results vary wildly between individuals."

  Okay, this was it. Although Qi sensitivity was fundamental to advancement, I came to the realization that I'd been so focused on martial techniques that I'd barely explored it. I’d need to change that once I got back to the Sect.

  I started searching the area with new purpose, looking for the herbs the book had described.

  Thirty minutes of careful searching yielded all three ingredients. The White Jade Orchid roots near a rocky stream bank. The Crystallized Honey Sap was near an ancient pine tree, and the Purple Mist Flower pollen was carefully collected from a shaded clearing.

  I mixed them with a small amount of water to create a paste, then consumed it as I had done before.

  The taste was as bitter as I had remembered, and I immediately felt something shift in my perception.

  I could feel... currents? Flows? Something moving through the air and earth that my normal senses couldn't detect.

  Qi. I was sensing ambient qi again.

  And there was something nearby. A concentration of spiritual energy that differed from the flora and fauna and insects around me.

  I followed the sensation, moving quietly through the underbrush. The pull grew stronger, leading me toward what sounded like running water.

  Then I heard voices.

  Chen Bo poked at the fire he'd just started, watching the flames catch on the dry kindling. The fish he'd caught from the Emerald River would cook nicely once the fire built up proper coals. After hours of hunting White Wolves with Yao Mei, he was exhausted and hungry.

  But they'd succeeded. Ten pelts each, secured in their packs. One Spirit Stone for each of them once they returned to the Hall of Ascendant Tasks.

  Plus the secret discovery that made this mission far more valuable than expected.

  Chen Bo's hand drifted to the pouch at his belt, feeling the solid weight of the spirit stone inside. Not the reward they'd earn from pelts, but the one they'd found in the Emerald River itself.

  It had been pure luck. Yao Mei had been washing blood from a wolf kill when she'd spotted something glinting in the shallow water. A spirit stone, roughly the size of a copper coin, with that characteristic translucent glow that marked it as genuine.

  They'd searched the river more thoroughly after that, found two more. Three spirit stones total, found in a place where they shouldn't naturally occur.

  "The Emerald River runs down from the Crystal Steppes," Yao Mei had said, her eyes bright with excitement. "It goes through a waterfall past Clearwater City, down into that dense mountainous region. The Crystal Steppes have caves that supposedly house spirit stones, but it's too dangerous for outer sect disciples to explore. The powerful spirit beasts there would tear us apart."

  "So these washed down from there?" Chen Bo had asked, already understanding the implications.

  The narrative has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.

  "Must have. Which means we just found Mortal Grade spirit stones without risking our lives in the Crystal Steppes."

  Mortal Grade wasn't impressive by cultivation world standards, but for outer sect disciples it was a windfall. The sect handed them out as mission rewards, but finding them naturally was rare. These three stones represented significant resources they could use for cultivation advancement.

  They'd agreed to rest here before heading back, rebuild their strength in case they encountered more wolves on the return journey. Yao Mei had gone to gather some medicinal herbs that would help restore their stamina. Chen Bo had stayed to prepare food and maintain the camp.

  He heard footsteps approaching through the underbrush and smiled. "That was quick. Did you find the Dawnroot or—"

  His blood ran cold.

  The footsteps were wrong. Too heavy. Too measured. Not Yao Mei's light, practiced movement but someone else entirely.

  Chen Bo turned slowly and found himself staring at Cao Chang.

  The Cao Clan heir stood at the edge of their camp, his robes torn and blood-stained, looking like he'd been through a serious fight.

  Yao Mei moved through the forest with practiced efficiency, gathering Dawnroot from the shaded areas where it grew best. The plant's leaves would help restore qi and reduce muscle fatigue when brewed into tea. After hunting ten wolves, she and Chen Bo both needed the boost.

  Her hands worked quickly, selecting the best specimens while leaving enough for regrowth. Elder Meng had drilled proper harvesting techniques into all his medical students. Take what you need, preserve what remains.

  She was heading back toward camp, arms full of gathered herbs, when she heard the rustling of leaves ahead.

  Yao Mei froze, her heightened senses immediately analyzing the sound. Not a White Wolf. The movement was too controlled, too deliberate. Wolves moved with predatory stealth but this was different. This was someone who knew how to move quietly through forests.

  Another disciple? Out here?

  She carefully set down some of her herbs and prepared to call out a greeting when a figure emerged from the treeline.

  Cao Qian.

  Yao Mei's heart skipped. The inner disciple stood there in immaculate robes despite the forest terrain, her silver trim catching what little Emberfall light filtered through the canopy. Her expression was cool and evaluating.

  Yao Mei immediately bowed. "Senior Sister Cao. This junior disciple greets you."

  "Rise," Cao Qian said, her tone flat. Her eyes swept over Yao Mei, taking in the gathered herbs, the blood-stained outer robe from wolf hunting, the exhaustion that probably showed on her face.

  Yao Mei straightened, very aware of the spirit stone in her pouch. It felt like it was burning against her side, screaming its presence. She forced herself to remain calm, to not touch it or draw attention to it.

  "What brings an inner disciple to the outer hunting grounds?" Yao Mei asked, trying to sound respectful and curious rather than nervous.

  "I'm looking for something," Cao Qian said vaguely. Then her eyes sharpened. "You're on the White Wolf mission."

  It wasn't a question, but Yao Mei answered anyway. "Yes, Senior Sister. My companion and I have completed our quota."

  "Mmm." Cao Qian seemed to lose interest, her gaze already drifting past Yao Mei toward the deeper forest. "Go away then."

  Relief flooded through Yao Mei. She gathered her herbs and turned to leave, each step measured and calm despite wanting to run.

  "On second thought."

  The words froze Yao Mei mid-step. Her blood turned to ice water.

  Cao Qian's voice carried a different quality now. Not disinterest but focused attention. "You have a spirit stone. Where did you get it?"

  Yao Mei's mind raced. Lying to an inner disciple from one of the Five Great Clans was asking for trouble. But telling the truth meant revealing the Emerald River discovery, meant losing not just her stone but potentially all three.

  But lying was worse. Cao Qian wouldn't have asked unless she was certain.

  "The Emerald River, Senior Sister," Yao Mei said quietly. "We found it in the shallow water."

  Cao Qian's eyes narrowed thoughtfully. "The Emerald River runs down from the Crystal Steppes. Through the waterfall past Clearwater City into those dense mountains." She walked closer, and Yao Mei had to resist the urge to step back. "Which means you found a Mortal Grade spirit stone that washed down from the caves up there."

  "Yes, Senior Sister."

  Spirit stones were graded by purity and potency. Mortal Grade was the lowest, common enough that the sect used them as mission rewards. Divine Grade stones were rare but plentiful in dangerous regions like the Crystal Steppes. Emperor Grade stones were the stuff of legends, used by powerful cultivators for breakthroughs to higher realms.

  A Mortal Grade stone wasn't impressive, but Cao Qian's next words made Yao Mei's stomach drop.

  "I've been hoarding as many as I can," Cao Qian said casually, as if discussing the weather. "Every spirit stone counts when you're preparing for advancement. So here's what's going to happen." She extended her hand, palm up. "You're going to give me that spirit stone. Or you're going to fight me for it."

  Her qi flared, just slightly. Body Tempering Stage Three on the brink of breakthrough. The pressure made Yao Mei's knees weak.

  "I'm only Stage One, Senior Sister," Yao Mei said, hating how her voice shook. "That's not a fair fight."

  "Cultivation is never fair," Cao Qian said. "Choose."

  "Why are you here?"

  Chen Bo's voice came out steadier than he felt. Cao Chang stood at the edge of their camp, looking battered but alert. Those analytical eyes swept over everything—the fire, the fish, the packs with their wolf pelts visible inside.

  "I've been tracking more White Wolves," Cao Chang said, his tone almost conversational. "Having difficulty finding them. But your presence here explains why. You've been hunting them too."

  "We completed our mission quota," Chen Bo said carefully. "We were just resting before heading back."

  "I need five more pelts to complete mine." Cao Chang tilted his head slightly. "You wouldn't happen to have extras, would you?"

  Relief flickered through Chen Bo. Maybe this would be simple. "I don't mind helping you hunt more if—"

  "Actually," Cao Chang interrupted, "I have a better idea." That focused gaze landed on Chen Bo with unsettling intensity. "Tell me something. Are you strong?"

  The question caught Chen Bo completely off-guard. "What?"

  "Are you strong?" Cao Chang repeated. "If you're strong, you can help me by fighting me."

  Chen Bo's mind immediately jumped to the worst conclusion. Did he know about the spirit stone? Was this about robbery disguised as a challenge? He'd heard stories about disciples from great clans taking what they wanted through "duels."

  "We can spar anytime back at the sect," Chen Bo said, trying to sound reasonable rather than afraid.

  "Why waste a good opportunity?" Cao Chang's expression shifted into something that looked almost... eager? But Chen Bo's fear read it as sadistic anticipation. "We're both here. We both need something. Let's wager our wolf pelts. If I win, I take enough to complete my mission. If you win, you keep yours and I'll find another way."

  Chen Bo didn't want this. Every instinct screamed that fighting Cao Chang was a bad idea. But the heir was already moving forward, his stance shifting into something that looked deceptively casual but felt dangerous.

  "Wait, I—"

  Cao Chang charged.