"Even trees remember blood. And some trees whisper your name before they kill."
— Old saying from the Flame Forest border tribes
---
Jin Rou followed Yue Ling deeper into the forest, the dull throb in his leg a constant reminder that trusting strangers could lead to death. He had helped her only because it suited him in that moment. She might think otherwise, but he wasn't here to save anyone. The world didn't work on goodwill—only advantage.
The deeper they walked into the Flame Root Nest, the more the forest began to feel like something alive. Not just a collection of trees and beasts, but a thinking, breathing creature.
The ground grew warm underfoot, and the mist around them thickened into a rust-colored fog. Tree bark cracked with internal heat, pulsing with veins of crimson fire. Some leaves dripped resin that hissed as it hit the ground. The air shimmered faintly, distorting light like fire on a forge.
> [System Notification: Region Identified - Outer Veins, Flame Root Nest] [Status: Hostile Environment - Qi Saturation (High), Elemental Affinity: Fire] [Passive Effects: Increased Metabolism (+12%), Qi Absorption (+10%), Spiritual Pressure (Mild)]
Jin Rou blinked as the heat teased out sweat from his brow. His internal Qi stirred in response, slightly more eager to circulate.
Yue Ling glanced back. "We should stop here for a moment. I want to check the trail."
He grunted but didn't object. While she knelt near an ancient stump wrapped in fire moss, Jin Rou sat against a scorched boulder, carefully unwrapping the bandage on his leg. The salve was nearly dry. The wound was shallow but had begun to blacken around the edges—a sign of spiritual inflammation.
He popped open a small vial from his inner coat's hidden compartment. A golden pill rolled into his palm. He crushed it between his teeth, ignoring the bitter taste.
> [System Alert: Spiritual Pill - Lesser Tier Activated] [Vitality Recovery: +6% | Qi Recovery: +8% over 1 hour]
Yue Ling turned slightly. "You had healing pills this whole time?"
"I keep my assets private," he said dryly. "You should too."
She didn't reply, but he caught a flicker in her expression—a mix of irritation and reassessment. Good. Let her think he was cautious. Let her guess his intentions. That was safer.
The truth? He didn't trust her.
Why would he?
He'd seen too many kind faces twist into masks of betrayal. In the orphan alleys of the Inner Frontier, he had learned fast: people helped you when it cost them nothing—or when they wanted something.
She wanted something. Of that, he was sure.
And he did too.
The system had identified something inside this forest. Not just an elemental node, but a spirit beast carrying a fragment of the Spiral Flame Body technique. He needed it.
And she? She likely needed a sword arm.
---
> [System Update - Cultivation Path: Spiral Flame Body] Stage: False Flame Purge (1/7 Fragments Acquired) Nearby Signature Detected: Spirit Beast - Ember-Scaled Lizard | Threat Level: Moderate | Qi Core: Stable (Fragment Possession: Confirmed)
---
A rustle broke the stillness.
Jin Rou's hand slipped to the dagger hidden beneath his robe.
From the brush emerged a beast — four-legged, low to the ground, covered in cracked red-black scales. Heat shimmered off its body, and its tongue flicked out with burning embers.
Yue Ling tensed. "Spirit Beast. Bronze Tier. It's tracking something."
"Us," Jin Rou muttered.
> [System Warning: Combat Viability - 37%] [Recommendation: Evade or Distract. Direct Engagement Not Advised.]
Jin didn't draw his blade. He leaned back against the rock, closing his eyes halfway, slowing his breathing. Let it pass.
He wasn't some wide-eyed rookie ready to jump at every threat. Patience was deadlier than steel.
Yue Ling's hand hovered near her blade. Her foot shifted, and he caught the tension in her muscles. Ready to fight.
"Let it go," he whispered.
She glanced at him, startled. "It's carrying something we need."
"And if we fight now, we die. That thing's been burning Qi longer than we've known how to breathe."
She didn't move. But slowly, reluctantly, she let her hand fall away from her sword.
The lizard sniffed the air. Its molten eyes locked on Jin Rou's.
Then it turned.
And walked away.
Jin exhaled silently.
---
They moved again an hour later, deeper into the forest. The terrain changed. Roots the size of wagons coiled above the surface. Pools of molten liquid dotted the land, bubbling like tar.
They found shelter inside a naturally carved root hollow. The walls pulsed with slow, steady warmth—like the heart of a beast.
Jin Rou sat across from her, watching her light a smokeless flame. She pulled out dried rations and passed him a portion. He took it without thanks.
"That was smart back there," she said. "Most would have drawn steel."
He didn't reply immediately.
"I don't draw unless it guarantees survival. Or profit."
"You think I'm just using you, don't you?"
His lips twitched. "Aren't you?"
She smiled, slow and unreadable. "Maybe. Are you using me?"
He looked into the fire. "Does it matter?"
She didn't answer. They both knew the truth.
---
> [System UI - Activated by Thought] [Inventory: 3x Basic Rations, 1x Lesser Qi Pill, 2x Throwing Darts (Poisoned)] [Current Objectives:] ✓ Survive Flame Root Nest ○ Acquire Spiral Flame Fragment (3rd) ○ Reach Inner Grove (System Signature Detected) [Trust Module: Passive Activated] [Threat Probability - Companion: 62% Potential Betrayal | Utility: 74% High - Combat Support / Navigation]
---
The forest slept, but the beast inside it stirred.
Jin Rou leaned back and closed his eyes. He wasn't planning on staying with her for long. She was a guide, a temporary sword, a tool.
Let her think she was more.
He would smile, nod, even save her if needed.
Until he found the next scroll. Then? He'd vanish.
She wasn't the first to try and use him.
But maybe she'd be the last to think she could succeed