The path to Blackridge Slope felt different this time.
Lin Xu noticed it immediately.
The last time, he had walked it as part of a group—uncertain, reactive, simply trying to survive.
Now…
Each step was his own decision.
The morning air was cool, carrying a faint metallic scent as the terrain shifted from packed earth to rough stone. The further he moved from the sect, the thinner the presence of structured paths became.
Soon, the mountain trail gave way to uneven ground.
Blackridge Slope stretched ahead—jagged, quiet, and deceptively calm.
Lin Xu slowed his pace.
He didn't rush in.
Instead, he stood at the edge for a moment, observing.
There were already people there.
Not many—but enough.
Outer sect disciples, scattered across the slope, moving independently. Some crouched near patches of ground, carefully uprooting herbs. Others climbed slightly elevated ridges, scanning for better finds.
No one spoke loudly.
But this time…
No one was ignoring each other either.
Lin Xu stepped forward.
The ground shifted faintly under his foot.
He adjusted instinctively.
Still unstable.
He moved along the outer edge first, eyes scanning the terrain. It didn't take long to spot his first Ironleaf Grass.
Dark green. Metallic sheen.
Just as before.
He crouched.
Careful.
Slow.
The root came free with a soft pull.
The soil shifted slightly—but not enough to collapse.
Lin Xu exhaled quietly.
One.
"First time?"
The voice came from behind him.
Lin Xu turned.
A girl stood a short distance away, holding two stalks of Ironleaf Grass. Her posture was relaxed, but her eyes were sharp—watchful.
He shook his head. "Second."
She raised a brow slightly. "Then you should know not to stay near the edges too long."
Lin Xu glanced briefly at the ground, then back at her.
"I'm testing the terrain."
A faint smile touched her lips. "Careful or cautious?"
"Both," Lin Xu replied.
She studied him for a moment longer, then gave a small nod.
"Fair enough."
She didn't introduce herself.
Didn't ask his name either.
Instead, she turned and moved further upslope.
Lin Xu watched her for a second before returning his attention to the ground.
Different from the sect.
Different from the market.
Here, interaction was… brief.
Functional.
He moved on.
By mid-morning, he had gathered three stalks.
Not fast.
But steady.
Further ahead, he noticed a small cluster of disciples—three of them—working near a narrow ridge. They weren't talking much, but their movements were coordinated.
Not quite a team.
But not entirely separate either.
Lin Xu slowed as he approached the area.
The terrain there looked richer—more Ironleaf Grass visible at a glance.
One of the three glanced at him.
Then at the herbs nearby.
A brief pause.
Then the disciple spoke.
"Area's still open," he said.
Not welcoming.
Not dismissive.
Just… stating a fact.
Lin Xu nodded once.
"Understood."
He moved carefully along the outer edge of their space, keeping a respectful distance.
For a while, no one spoke.
Only the sound of shifting soil and careful movement filled the air.
Then—
A small crack echoed beneath one of the disciples.
"Careful," another said immediately.
The first froze.
Slowly adjusted his footing.
The ground shifted…
Then settled.
No collapse.
A quiet breath passed through the group.
Lin Xu watched the exchange without staring.
Not ruthless.
Not careless.
Just aware.
Time passed.
By noon, Lin Xu had five stalks.
He paused briefly, standing upright for the first time in a while.
His legs felt slightly heavy. His focus stretched thin.
That's when he noticed it.
Further up the slope—
A patch.
Three stalks. Close together.
Unusual.
His eyes narrowed slightly.
Too good?
Or just overlooked?
He didn't move immediately.
Instead, he watched.
Waited.
No one approached it.
No one reacted.
Lin Xu exhaled slowly.
Then stepped forward.
Carefully.
Each step measured.
Each shift controlled.
The ground held.
He reached the patch.
Crouched.
One stalk.
Pulled clean.
Second—
The soil shifted slightly.
Lin Xu paused.
Adjusted.
Waited.
Then continued.
By the time he finished, all three were in his grasp.
He stood up slowly.
Eight.
A small exhale left him.
Not done.
But close.
As he turned to move back down—
He caught a glance from the girl earlier.
This time, she gave a faint nod.
Acknowledgment.
Nothing more.
Lin Xu returned it just as slightly.
No words.
None needed.
The sun had begun its slow descent.
Two more stalks.
Then he would return.
And for the first time—
The path ahead felt…
Clear.