The forest whispered around them as twilight deepened into night. After a long day's travel, the group decided to make camp beneath the ancient canopy. Tall trees stood like silent guardians, their leaves rustling softly in the evening breeze.
They divided the tasks efficiently. Chen Wei volunteered to gather firewood. She ventured deeper into the woods, her steps quiet and practiced, returning sometime later with a large bundle of dry branches clutched in her arms.
"I think this should be enough for tonight," she said, dropping the wood near the clearing with a satisfied nod.
The others soon gathered as well. One returned with fresh water from a nearby stream, another carried foraged herbs and wild vegetables, while the rest brought what little provisions they still had. Before long, a crackling fire bloomed in the center of the camp, pushing back the growing darkness.
Chen Wei settled beside Granny Lou—Wei Lou—on a fallen log. The old woman's presence was comforting, steady like the ancient trees around them. The firelight danced across their faces as sparks rose into the night sky.
Wei Lou turned to her with gentle eyes. "Wei, where are you from?"
Chen Wei hesitated for a moment, staring into the flames. "I'm from the North," she replied softly.
Granny Lou's eyes widened. "That far?" She studied Chen Wei's face carefully. "You've traveled a very long road."
Chen Wei gave a small nod and looked down. Her mind, however, drifted far away. Dark thoughts swirled inside her—*What if they find me first? What will they do when they catch me?* The fear clung to her like shadows, refusing to let go.
Wei Pang, the young girl who had grown fond of her, waved from across the fire. When Chen Wei didn't respond, the girl walked over and gently touched her arm.
Chen Wei startled back to the present. She blinked and offered a warm smile, reaching up to rub Wei Pang's head affectionately. "Wei Pang, what are you doing?"
The little girl looked at her with worried eyes. "I was worried because you didn't respond…"
"I'm sorry, little Pang," Chen Wei said gently, her voice full of regret. "I was thinking about something and didn't notice you. Forgive me."
Wei Pang nodded, though concern still lingered on her young face. "Dinner is ready. If you don't come soon, the food will get cold."
"I'll be there in a moment," Chen Wei promised.
As the girl walked away, Chen Wei watched her with a soft, bittersweet smile.
Soon, everyone gathered around the fire. Choi Ping served the simple meal—steaming bowls of porridge mixed with herbs and roasted roots. The group ate in companionable silence, the crackle of wood and occasional night sounds filling the air.
But Chen Wei's thoughts kept pulling her away. Granny Lou noticed.
"Wei, are you alright?" she asked.
Chen Wei nodded quickly. "Yes, I'm fine."
"This is the second time you've spaced out," Granny Lou said gently. She placed a wrinkled hand on Chen Wei's shoulder. "If something is bothering you, child, you can tell us. We may be able to help."
Chen Wei's fingers tightened around her bowl until her knuckles turned white. After a long pause, she whispered, "I miss my daughter."
Granny Lou blinked in surprise. "You have a daughter?"
Chen Wei nodded, her face clouding with sorrow. "She… she ran away."
The old woman's expression softened with understanding. "Where is she now?"
Chen Wei's voice dropped even lower, barely audible over the fire. "She ran away with a man. Her father didn't accept their relationship."
Wei Lou gazed up at the star-filled sky for a moment, then looked at her own grandchildren sleeping peacefully nearby. "When children grow up," she said quietly, "they begin to choose their own path. It is the way of things."
She continued, her voice warm with memory. "My own daughter was the same. When she brought a man home, her father refused him at first. But he gave the young man one condition—if he could fulfill it, he would accept him as a son-in-law."
Chen Wei listened intently.
Granny Lou let out a small sigh. "My husband asked him to climb the Valley Mountain and bring back an Ice Plant—one that only blooms once every five thousand years."
Chen Wei's eyes widened in shock. "The Valley Mountain? But that place is… they call it the Beast Home. A horde of monsters lives there. It's one of the most dangerous places in the world."
"Correct," Granny Lou nodded. "The mountain is infested with terrifying creatures. But that young man still went. He entered the mountain despite knowing the deadly risks."
She glanced lovingly at her grandchildren again. "Yet he returned alive… and he brought the Ice Plant with him. My husband had no choice but to accept him."
Chen Wei looked at the old woman with newfound respect. "So your daughter's husband managed to impress even your stubborn husband."
Wei Lou chuckled softly. "Indeed he did." Her expression grew tender. "I hope one day you and your daughter will meet again, Wei."
Chen Wei nodded, her throat tight with emotion. As Granny Lou stood up to check on her grandchildren, Chen Wei remained by the fire, gazing up at the vast, glittering sky.
*It's beautiful… Linger, hold on. I'm coming for you.*
A small smile touched her lips as she watched the others enjoying the peaceful night.
Her thoughts were interrupted when she saw Choi Ping carrying two strange wooden boxes toward the edge of the camp. Curious, she stood and walked over.
"What are you doing?" she asked.
Choi Ping looked up with a respectful nod. "Oh, Miss Wei. I'm placing these boxes on the perimeter."
"Why?"
"Inside them is a strong, foul-smelling mixture. Beasts hate the scent—it masks our presence. It's a method our people have used for centuries to keep dangerous animals away."
"Like a barrier?" Chen Wei asked.
"Exactly," Choi Ping replied with a smile. "It may not stop the strongest monsters, but it keeps most of them at bay."
Chen Wei nodded thoughtfully and returned to the fire, feeling slightly more at ease.
The night stretched on, stars wheeling overhead, while the forest around them breathed with hidden life—and hidden dangers.
---
Northern Continent – Heavenly Phoenix Palace
High atop the majestic palace, the Phoenix Empress, Long Zihe, stood by the wide-open balcony, gazing out at the vast empire that stretched beneath her. The golden light of the setting sun bathed the land in a warm glow, yet her heart felt heavy. A soft sigh escaped her lips as the evening breeze stirred her long, flowing robes.
Behind her, hurried footsteps approached. A young servant girl knelt gracefully, holding a sealed golden letter in both hands.
"Your Majesty," the servant said respectfully, "a letter has arrived for you."
Long Zihe nodded slightly. With a flick of her finger, the letter floated gracefully from the servant's hands and into her own. She broke the seal and began reading.
As her eyes scanned the contents, her elegant brows furrowed deeply. Her expression darkened like storm clouds gathering over the mountains.
The letter read:
> *Empress Long Zihe, we are hosting a grand banquet in Lingpong City of the Western Continent. All other Emperors have also been invited. We sincerely hope you will attend.*
She finished reading in silence. Without a word, flames erupted from her fingertips, instantly burning the letter into black ash that scattered into the wind.
*Why invite us now?* Her eyes burned with fury and suspicion. *What scheme are they plotting?*
"Zihe'er, is anything wrong?"
A deep, familiar voice sounded from behind her. Long Tian, her father and former Emperor, walked into the chamber with steady steps. Though he had stepped down from the throne, his presence still carried the overwhelming majesty and power of the Heavenly Phoenix Clan.
Long Zihe turned to face him. "It's nothing serious, Father. Just a letter from the Western Continent. They are hosting a banquet in Lingpong City and have invited the other Emperors as well."
Long Tian stroked his beard thoughtfully, his sharp eyes narrowing. "A banquet… at this time? It smells like a scheme. They must be plotting something."
Zihe remained quiet for a moment, her mind swirling with worry. Attending meant leaving her empire vulnerable. What if enemies struck while she was away? The thought gnawed at her.
Long Tian seemed to read her thoughts. He placed a reassuring hand on her shoulder. "Don't worry too much about the territory. I have already activated the highest-level protection formation. No one can breach it — not even a Saint Realm expert. It is the strongest defense our Phoenix Clan possesses."
A gentle smile finally appeared on Long Zihe's face. "Thank you, Father."
Long Tian chuckled warmly. "If I don't protect my own daughter and her empire, what kind of father would I be?"
Zihe let out a soft giggle, the tension in her shoulders easing slightly. "Well then… let's go."
Long Tian nodded firmly, his eyes shining with confidence. "We will attend this banquet and see exactly what they are planning."
---