The Forbidden Garden loomed like a realm of secrets, its dense canopy draped in a silvery mist that curled around ancient trees and thorny vines. The air hung heavy with the damp scent of moss, mingled with a faint, metallic tang that prickled Song Tian's senses. A lean youth with sharp, hawk-like eyes, he trailed cautiously behind his partner, Wind, his worn robes brushing against the undergrowth. A strange sound broke the eerie silence—a muted clinking, like metal grazing metal, yet softened by the humid forest air. Song's heart quickened, his every nerve alert as he strained to trace its origin.
Wind, taller and radiating a seasoned confidence, halted abruptly, his silhouette stark against the dim light filtering through the mist. He raised a calloused hand, his voice a low, urgent whisper.
"Song, you hear that?"
"It's close—too close. Stay on guard."
His eyes swept the tangled foliage, searching for any flicker of movement. Neither dared to unleash their spiritual sense, knowing the rare spirit flower they sought could detect their probing and vanish into the garden's labyrinthine depths. In this treacherous place, where shadows concealed both treasure and peril, they relied solely on mortal senses—sight, sound, and raw instinct.
Step by careful step, they followed the elusive sound, the metallic rustling growing sharper, more insistent, as if the forest itself were beckoning them deeper. Song's breath hitched, his pulse thrumming with a blend of excitement and dread. The sound now pulsed through the earth, a haunting rhythm that seemed to vibrate in his bones. Wind's posture tightened, his body poised like a coiled spring, and without warning, he plunged into a dense thicket of wild brambles, vanishing from sight.
"Wind!" Song called softly, his voice swallowed by the mist.
He pushed through the thorny branches, ignoring the sharp stings against his skin, and burst into a hidden clearing. The sight before him was surreal, almost otherworldly. Wind was sprawled on the damp earth, his hands locked around a writhing plant stem, its dozens of root-like tendrils twisting and thrashing like living ropes. At its peak, a spirit flower quivered violently, its petals emitting a deafening metallic rustle that filled the air with an eerie, resonant hum.
"Song!" Wind's voice cracked, strained with desperation.
"It's about to unleash its spiritual force—help me, now!"
Song's instincts surged, his body moving faster than his thoughts. He sprinted forward, channeling every ounce of strength into a single, explosive kick aimed at the pulsating flower. Boom! The impact jolted through his leg, a sharp pain flaring in his shin as the petals burst apart in a spectacular shower. Bright yellow pollen rained down, coating Wind's face and robes in a shimmering dust. He lay there, still clutching the now-limp stem, coughing and spitting furiously.
"Pfft! Blegh! Cough, cough!"
"What the hell, Song? You obliterated the flower!"
"How are we supposed to turn this in now? We needed it intact!"
Song winced, rubbing his aching leg, the bruise already blooming beneath his skin.
"You said help, so I helped," he replied, his tone light but laced with guilt.
"What's the big deal?"
Despite his casual words, he knew the kick had been reckless. His body, still healing from old wounds, wasn't ready for such a forceful blow, yet the flower—reputedly tougher than a Fifth Lord's physique—had shattered under his foot. A spark of unease flickered in his mind. What kind of power lies within my cultivation technique?
Wind struggled to his feet, brushing dirt and pollen from his robes with an irritated grunt. He stooped to retrieve the mangled stem of the Snow Dew Flower, holding it up with a scowl.
"This'll fetch maybe five or ten merit points, depending on the buyer."
"Could've been thirty if it was whole. Ugh, forget it."
"Let's find something easier—I've had enough of wrestling this demonic plant for one day."
Song nodded, limping slightly as he followed, his mind lingering on the strange power of his kick. But as they ventured deeper into the mist, a low, guttural growl rumbled from the shadows, freezing them in place. Something was watching, its presence heavy and menacing, and it was drawing closer with every heartbeat...