Kai and his beastly companions emerged from the dense forest to find themselves standing at the edge of a wide, rushing river. The sight of water was nothing new—throughout their journey, they had crossed countless rivers and streams. But this time, something was different. Not far from the riverbank, nestled among the trees, was a small town. Smoke curled lazily from chimneys, and the distant sounds of life—children laughing, the clang of a blacksmith’s hammer, and the occasional bark of a dog—drifted toward them.

  Kai frowned. He had been deliberately avoiding civilization, sticking to the wilds and untamed paths to keep his presence hidden. The fact that he had stumbled so close to a settlement unsettled him. Yet, as he observed the town, a flicker of hope sparked within him. The village appeared to be a mortal one, simple and unassuming, with no obvious signs of cultivators or spiritual energy. This, he realized, might be a sign that he was drawing closer to Zan.

  The closer one got to Zan, the more frequent and densely packed mortal villages became, making it hard to avoid them entirely. Kai had heard tales of the region, where the influence of cultivators waned and the air grew thin with spiritual energy. Already, he could feel the difference. The qi in the air here was more faint compared to the pulsating energy that permeated the grounds of the Ember Sword Sect. It was as if the world itself had grown quieter, more subdued.

  Kai crouched by the riverbank, his reflection rippling in the clear water. He cupped his hands, scooping up the cool liquid, and splashed it onto his face. The water was refreshing, washing away the dust and fatigue of his travels. As he stood, he noticed his companions had already taken to the river with glee. The water-based spirit beasts—a sleek otter-like creature with shimmering scales and a pair of playful, frog-like beings—had plunged into the water, their joyful chirps and splashes echoing along the riverbank. They twirled and dove, reveling in the chance to swim freely after days of traversing dry land.

  Kai couldn’t help but smile at their antics. Their joy was infectious, a reminder of the simple pleasures that still existed in the world. Yet, his mind remained restless. He glanced back at the town, his thoughts churning. If this was indeed the border of Zan, it meant he was on the right path. But it also meant he would need to be more cautious. Mortal villages, while lacking the overt dangers of cultivator sects, had their own risks—gossip, curiosity, and the ever-present chance of drawing unwanted attention.

  He weighed his options. He could skirt around the town, keeping to the shadows and avoiding contact altogether. Or, he could risk entering, gathering supplies and information that might prove invaluable for the journey ahead. The decision gnawed at him, but as he watched his spirit beasts play in the water, their carefree energy reminded him that even in a world of uncertainty, there was still room for trust and connection.

  With a deep breath, Kai made his choice. He would approach the town, but cautiously. He would keep his presence low-key, his abilities hidden.

  Kai turned to address the group of spirit beasts he called the Vanguard—a formidable assembly of creatures that served as both protectors and scouts. Among them were Snow, Igni, Yinying; and a host of other predatory beasts, each uniquely powerful and fiercely loyal. Together, they formed the first line of defense for Kai and the rest of their entourage. They were the ones who scouted ahead, ensuring the path was safe, and the first to respond when danger arose.

  Their effectiveness had been proven time and again. Once, during their travels, they had encountered a glutton boar—a massive, aggressive spirit beast known for its insatiable appetite and destructive tendencies. The boar had charged at Kai and the weaker members of their group, its tusks gleaming like daggers. Without hesitation, the Vanguard had sprung into action. Snow’s icy claws slowed the beast, Igni’s fiery strikes scorched its hide, and Yinying darted in and out of the shadows, disorienting it. Together, they overwhelmed the glutton boar, bringing it down with coordinated precision.

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  Kai couldn’t help but smile at the memory. After the battle, he had butchered the boar and cooked its meat over an open fire. The rich, savory aroma had drawn the entire group together, and they had feasted under the stars. The meat had been tender and flavorful, a rare treat that left even the spirit beasts licking their chops. Just thinking about it now made Kai’s mouth water slightly.

  He shook his head, forcing the memory aside. Now was not the time for reminiscing. They were close to the town, and he needed to focus. Turning to the Vanguard, he spoke firmly. “Alright, I need you all to stay here.”

  Snow, the ice-claw wolf, was the first to protest. He let out a low, mournful whine, his icy blue eyes narrowing in disapproval as he fixed Kai with a piercing stare. His frost-tipped fur bristled slightly, and his breath formed tiny clouds of mist in the air, a visible sign of his agitation. The rest of the Vanguard quickly followed suit—Igni growled softly, the glowing stripes along his back flickering like embers in the dim light. Yinying flattened her ears against her sleek head, her form shifting and blurring at the edges as if the very darkness around his mirrored her unease. Even the other beasts, from the smallest bird-like spirit to the largest predator, chimed in with their own sounds of dissent—growls, chirps, and whines filling the air as their loyalty to Kai warred with their instinct to protect him.

  Kai held up a hand, his voice calm but firm, cutting through the chorus of protests. “I know, I know. You don’t like it. But I need to go into that town alone. It’s too risky to bring all of you with me. Mortals might not understand what you are, and I can’t afford to draw that kind of attention. Stay here, keep watch. I’ll be back before you know it.”

  Snow let out a huff, his breath crystallizing in the air as he reluctantly sat back on his haunches. His icy claws dug into the ground, leaving faint trails of frost, but he didn’t argue further. The others followed his lead, though their reluctance was palpable. Igni’s fiery stripes dimmed slightly, and Yinying’s shadowy form settled, though his glowing eyes never left Kai. The rest of the Vanguard shifted restlessly, their gazes locked on him as if silently willing him to change his mind.

  Kai gave Snow a reassuring pat on his head, brushing his soft fur, before turning to the rest of the group. “I’ll be careful,” he promised, his voice steady but laced with determination. “And if anything happens, I’ll call for you. You know I will.” His words were met with a chorus of low growls and soft chirps from the assembled beast companions, their eyes filled with concern and loyalty.

  With that, he took a deep breath, the crisp air filling his lungs, and began making his way toward the town, leaving his companions behind. The weight of their trust settled on his shoulders, but he pushed forward, his steps deliberate and cautious. However, before he could get too far, a sharp yip broke the silence. Kai turned to see Yinying, the little shadow fox, darting after him with surprising speed. Her sleek, dark fur shimmered faintly in the dim light, and her bright eyes glimmered with determination.

  Before Kai could say anything, Yinying leaped gracefully into the air, landing squarely on his shoulder. She nuzzled against his neck, her presence both comforting and insistent.

  “No, I said you can’t come,” Kai protested, though his voice lacked conviction. He glanced back at the others, who were now making a cacophony of sounds—growls, barks, and chirps—all seemingly in agreement that Yinying should accompany him. Even Snow, usually calm and composed, let out a low whine, his tail swishing in quiet insistence.

  Kai sighed, running a hand through his hair. “Fine,” he relented, his tone softening. “But make sure no one sees you. Not a single soul.”

  Yinying let out a delighted squeal, her tail flicking excitedly. In an instant, her fur bristled, and she vanished from sight, utilizing the shadow fox’s unique ability to blend into the environment. Though Kai could no longer see her, he could still feel her slight weight on his shoulder and the faint warmth of her presence.

  He glanced back one last time at his companions, their eyes still fixed on him. Snow gave a slow, approving nod, while the others settled down, their protests quieted. Kai offered them a small, grateful smile before turning back to the path ahead. The unknown village loomed in the distance.

  “Stay close,” Kai whispered, more to himself than to the shadow fox. “And stay hidden.”

  With Yinying by his side—or rather, on his shoulder—Kai stepped towards the village.

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