(And Qiao Feng Walks Into Trouble)
Green Hollow Ravine did not calm down after the spirit boar incident.
If anything, it got **worse**.
The mist thickened, curling low to the ground like it was listening.
Lu Xinyi was the first to notice.
"This place isn't done with us," she said, eyes sharp. "We should leave."
Qiao Feng wiped blood from his forehead and grinned.
"Counterpoint: we already annoyed it. Might as well finish."
Han Rui looked between them nervously.
"…I vote for not dying."
They didn't get to vote.
A low **howl** echoed through the ravine.
Not loud — deliberate.
Lu Xinyi's grip tightened on her blades.
"That's not a beast."
From the mist stepped a **spirit wolf**, silver-eyed, scarred, old. Its aura wasn't violent — it was *territorial*.
Han Rui inhaled sharply.
"It's injured."
Indeed, dark blood matted its side.
Qiao Feng leaned forward.
"So… do I punch it?"
"No," Han Rui said quickly, stepping out before anyone could stop him.
Lu Xinyi snapped,
"Han Rui—!"
But Han Rui was already kneeling, hands raised, voice calm.
"We're not enemies," he said softly. "You're hurt."
The wolf growled.
Shen Yu tensed — but didn't move.
This wasn't his moment.
The wolf lunged.
Qiao Feng reacted instantly, stepping in front of Han Rui.
"HEY!"
He took the hit.
Hard.
He flew backward, slamming into a tree.
"Qiao Feng!" Lu Xinyi shouted.
The wolf stood over him, snarling.
Han Rui's hands shook — then steadied.
He stood.
"No," he said firmly.
Spiritual light bloomed around him — **green, warm, alive**.
He placed his palm against the air.
The wolf froze.
Not bound.
**Heard.**
Han Rui knelt again, closer this time, ignoring the blood on his robes.
"I can help," he whispered.
The wolf's growl faded into a low whine.
Lu Xinyi stared.
She had seen power.
She had seen talent.
She had never seen **mercy stop a killing blow**.
Han Rui treated the wound with trembling hands.
The wolf exhaled slowly — then stepped back.
Before disappearing into the mist, it bowed its head.
Qiao Feng groaned.
"…Did I just get knocked out by kindness?"
---
### **Later**
They made camp far from the ravine.
Qiao Feng lay flat on his back, bandaged.
"I would like it known," he announced, "that I bravely sacrificed myself."
"You tripped," Lu Xinyi said flatly.
"I *fell with intention*."
Han Rui sat nearby, quiet.
Shen Yu handed him water.
"You did good."
Han Rui shook his head.
"I was scared."
Lu Xinyi looked at him seriously.
"And you still stepped forward."
That mattered more.
---
### **That Night**
Lu Xinyi stood watch.
Shen Yu joined her, sitting a little distance away.
"You didn't interfere," she said.
He nodded.
"It wasn't my path to walk."
She glanced at him, then back at the dark.
"…Thank you."
Below the stars, Qiao Feng mumbled in his sleep.
"Next time… I punch the mist…"
Han Rui smiled faintly.
Far above, unseen —
A Sky Archive Keeper paused, staring at Han Rui's record.
> **"Non-combat cultivation influencing outcomes?"**
Another note appeared.
> **"Group variable detected."**