The air above the Cradle Grove vibrated with invisible tension.
Ming Yushu—still cloaked in her false identity—stood surrounded by Lin Yue, Lian Rou, and Wen Qingxue. The disguise still held, but her words echoed more truth than illusion.
"I came to observe… not to kill. I haven't reported your presence."
Wen Qingxue's hand hovered near her sword. Lian Rou's whip flickered with surging Qi. And yet, Lin Yue didn't attack.
"You had plenty of chances to harm us," Lin Yue said. "You didn't."
"That doesn't make me your ally."
"It doesn't make you our enemy either."
Silence stretched like a drawn bow.
Then Lin Yue extended a single finger.
A gentle ember floated between them—faint, not a threat, but a signal.
"Cradle Grove is contested. If you're really just watching, then help me protect what I've claimed."
Ming Yushu stared at the ember. Her lips parted—but no answer came. Not yet.
Moments Before Dusk
Back at the temporary Cradle Grove base camp, guild tents fluttered in organized rows, bearing the flame sigil of Nirvana Phoenix. Disciples moved with trained pace—some patrolling, others gathering herbs or returning from nearby commissions.
Lian Rou stormed into the leader's tent, clearly frustrated.
"She can't be trusted, Lin Yue. That woman is playing a long game."
"She's already delayed sending intel to the Ashen Fangs. I placed a spiritual marker on her ring. I'll know the moment she betrays us."
Wen Qingxue folded her arms. "But will that be in time?"
Lin Yue remained calm. "I'm not trying to turn her. I want her to doubt her orders. That's all."
"Why?"
"Because the Ashen Fangs are preparing something bigger than this grove."
Ashen Fangs Mercenary Group – Shadow Den
Within a black-furred stone cavern in the Mistwrought Mountains, five shadows gathered around a flickering projection.
An older man with twin tattoos coiled around his neck raised his voice.
"She's late. Ming Yushu was meant to report hours ago."
"She's playing both sides," said the younger woman with shark-grey eyes. "I warned you."
That woman—Cai Fen, known as the "Ghost Widow"—was infamous for her brutal ambushes and flawless clean-up. A top operative of the Ashen Fangs.
"Silence," said the large bald man in the center. "We wait one more night. Then we send in the Wraith Squad."
His name was Zong Jue, their enforcer. He specialized in spirit suppression—deadly to those like Lin Yue who relied on bloodline techniques.
Side Story – Mission Commission: Ember Trail
Elsewhere in the grove, a small team of Nirvana Phoenix trainees activated their first solo commission:
Mission: Tier D – Track and Identify Flame Distortion Markers
Reward: 60 Contribution Points
Objective: Map out burned Qi anomalies from unknown sources
Led by Yin Huan, a newer recruit with a rare wind-art affinity, the team stumbled on an area with deep burn scars—yet no heat remained.
"It's like… the fire ate the Qi itself," one of the girls whispered.
Yin Huan frowned. "We need to report this. This isn't natural fire."
From the trees, a pair of glowing yellow eyes blinked.
They were being watched.
Guild Camp – Harem Bonding Scene
Later that night, beneath a vine-covered pavilion, the inner circle gathered for a rare meal together.
Wen Qingxue poured a small cup of medicinal tea for Lin Yue. "You're stretching your cultivation too fast again."
"I have to," he said softly. "We're ahead now, but they're organizing faster than expected."
Lian Rou stabbed a piece of grilled meat and offered it to him. "Eat. You're no use to anyone if you collapse."
"You two…" Lin Yue chuckled, swallowing. "Will I ever get a word in when you're both like this?"
The two girls shared a rare glance—and for a second, no rivalry passed between them. Just concern.
"…If I ever fall behind, you'll protect the guild, right?" he asked.
"Of course," Wen Qingxue answered.
"I'd burn down the world," Lian Rou added.
Ming Yushu's Side Novella – "Lines in Ash"
That night, alone near the grove's spiritual pond, Ming Yushu stared at the flame marker Lin Yue had given her.
It didn't burn. It didn't control.
It simply pulsed.
Warm.
Curious.
Hopeful.
I was never given a choice before, she thought. Always a spy. Always a blade.
She reached into her pouch and crushed a small soul paper that would have sent a signal back to Ashen Fangs HQ.
She crushed it.
She chose silence.
Then whispered, "Let's see what your fire is made of, Lin Yue."
End Scene: Pre-Dawn Movements
The grove rustled unnaturally before sunrise.
Wen Qingxue and Lian Rou stood beside Lin Yue in full battle gear. From the distant forest trail, shadows moved. Too coordinated for beasts. Too quiet for students.
The Phoenix Sigils on their guild rings began to hum.
Warning: Unidentified cultivator squad approaching.
Estimated Tier: High Spirit Core.
Intent: Suppression and interrogation.
Source: Ashen Fangs – Wraith Squad.
"They're coming," Lin Yue said quietly.
His flame flared behind him.
"Then let's show them why this grove burns with Phoenix fire."
To be Continue...