Chapter 3 — A Strange Presence

The crowd slowly began to settle after the battle. People whispered nervously as they stared at the patch of ground where the strange cultivator had turned into ash. No one dared step too close.

At the center of the street, Bo Ye Chen wiped the blood from his blade before sliding the massive sword back into its sheath. The metallic sound echoed softly. His expression remained cold and unmoved.

Around him, the whispers continued.

“The Dark Blade…”

“The Bo Clan’s strongest warrior…”

“He killed that thing in one strike…”

Bo Ye Chen ignored them.

But then something strange brushed against his senses—a faint ripple of spiritual energy. Subtle. Almost hidden.

His eyes narrowed slightly.

Behind him, the shadow beneath his feet shifted. For a brief moment, a pair of glowing purple eyes appeared within it.

"You felt that", a deep voice murmured.

Bo Ye Chen didn’t answer immediately. His gaze slowly moved across the crowd—merchants, civilians, cultivators. Nothing unusual.

Then he saw her.

Silver hair.

Across the street, near the entrance of an herbal shop, a young woman stood brushing dust from her clothes. She looked completely ordinary. Too ordinary.

Bo Ye Chen’s gaze lingered.

"That girl… something about her is strange", the voice said again.

“…I noticed,” Bo Ye Chen replied quietly.

Across the street, Lan Yue had no idea she was being watched. Hoshi sat comfortably on her shoulder, nibbling the last piece of a cookie.

“Well,” Hoshi said between bites, “that escalated quickly.”

Lan Yue nodded. “Spiritual battles in the middle of the market are very inconvenient.”

“You’re worried about inconvenience?”

“The shop owner will blame me if the shelves break.”

Hoshi rolled her eyes. “You have impressive priorities.”

Lan Yue glanced back toward the battlefield. The tall swordsman was still standing there. Even from this distance, his presence felt heavy… dangerous.

“…He’s strong,” she said quietly.

“Very,” Hoshi agreed, flicking her tail.

Meanwhile, Bo Ye Chen continued watching her. The strange feeling hadn’t disappeared. If anything, it grew clearer the longer he looked. Yet the girl showed no sign of cultivation—no spiritual aura, no energy, nothing.

Odd.

Behind him, the shadow voice chuckled softly. "Perhaps you should ask her."

Bo Ye Chen’s eyes hardened. “…No.”

"Afraid?"

He ignored the voice.

After one last glance at the silver-haired girl, Bo Ye Chen turned and began walking away. The crowd quickly parted to clear a path for him, and within moments he disappeared into the busy streets of Qingyuan City.

Across the street, Lan Yue blinked. “…He left.”

Hoshi stretched lazily. “Good.”

Lan Yue crossed her arms thoughtfully and looked toward the direction he had gone. “…Still.”

“Still what?”

“…Something about him felt strange.”

Hoshi flicked her ear. “That feeling goes both ways.”

Lan Yue frowned. “What do you mean?”

Hoshi smirked slightly, her eyes glimmering with mischief. “Oh nothing. I’m just saying… that swordsman definitely noticed you.”

Lan Yue paused. “…What?”

Hoshi finished the last crumbs of her cookie. “And I have a feeling this isn’t the last time you’ll meet.”

Lan Yue sighed. “I hope you’re wrong.”

Hoshi grinned. “I’m rarely wrong.”