Chapter 7: The Forest’s Lesson
The late afternoon light barely pierced the thick canopy, leaving the forest steeped in a dim, shifting gloom. Wei Lin moved cautiously, the soft crackle of leaves underfoot the only sound breaking the silence. His talisman rested warm beneath his tunic, a subtle pulse against his skin—a quiet reassurance in this vast and unfamiliar world.
"Stop," the Talisman said suddenly, its voice calm but firm. "Ahead lies something valuable… and dangerous."
Wei Lin froze. "What do you mean?"
"Voidbloom," the Talisman explained, its glow brightening faintly. "A rare herb, rich with void energy… but it’s attracted a guardian beast. And there’s also another cultivator, stronger than you—though to be fair, that’s not much of an achievement."
Wei Lin crept forward, his heart quickening. He pushed aside a tangle of vines and crouched low behind a cluster of roots. His breath caught as he saw it—a cluster of silvery flowers blooming near the edge of a shallow stream. The petals shimmered faintly, their light like starlight caught in motion.
Standing across from the voidbloom was a young man, sword drawn, lean and sharp-eyed, his sword drawn. His eyes were locked on a massive creature that prowled before him.
The beast seemed to flicker at the edges, its form shifting between solidity and shadow. Its violet eyes burned with chaotic light, and its claws raked the ground with each step. It circled the young man like a predator savoring the kill, its movements too fast and fluid to track.
Wei Lin swallowed hard, every fiber of his being telling him to back away.
"Observe carefully," the Talisman said. "This is the forest’s lesson, offered freely.”
The beast lunged, a blur of darkness and fury. The young man countered, his sword flashing as it met the creature’s claws with a sharp crack. Energy rippled through the clearing, scattering leaves and dust.
Wei Lin watched, wide-eyed, as the two clashed again and again. The young man moved with surprising speed, his strikes precise and controlled. But the beast was faster. It darted around him, its movements almost impossible to track, and its attacks came in relentless waves.
"Void-aligned," the Talisman remarked coolly. "Highly evasive. His sword can harm it, but without elemental attacks, he’ll struggle to land a decisive blow. His cultivation isn’t strong enough to restrain it."
The creature darted forward, its claws carving shallow grooves into the ground. It moved in sharp bursts, faster than a wolf, its muscles coiled and tense like a bowstring ready to snap. Violet sparks flickered around its limbs—remnants of void energy giving it unnatural speed.
The young man parried the beast’s strike, his sword sparking as it clashed with the creature’s ethereal claws. He countered with a swift slash, aiming for the beast’s flank, but the blade passed through empty air—the beast had already shifted, reappearing on his other side. It lashed out again, its claws raking across the young man’s arm. He gritted his teeth, blood seeping from the wound, and stumbled back.
The young man pressed on, his sword flashing in a series of rapid strikes. He caught the beast’s flank once, drawing a thin line of dark ichor, but it barely slowed. The creature snarled, its eyes glowing brighter as it continued its relentless assault.
Wei Lin clutched a thick branch at his side, his knuckles white. His pulse raced as the young man stumbled back, blood staining his tunic.
"Should I help?" Wei Lin whispered, his throat dry.
"Absolutely not," the Talisman snapped. "This isn’t your fight. He knew the risks, and if you step in, you’ll only get yourself killed."
Wei Lin swallowed hard, his instincts screaming at him to listen. The beast was beyond anything he could handle—its speed, its power, the chaotic energy swirling around it. He had no business intervening.
But his eyes locked onto the young man, now on one knee, his breath ragged. His sword trembled in his hand as the beast circled him, ready to strike.
He’s going to die.
Wei Lin’s breath caught. He remembered that night in Tianmu Village, the beast ruthlessly striking down Grandpa Lu as he watched powerlessly. His chest tightened. Every instinct screamed at him to stay hidden, but something deeper—something stronger—pushed him forward.
"I can’t," Wei Lin whispered. "I can’t just stand by and watch him die."
He stepped into the clearing, raising his branch. "Hey!" he shouted, his voice raw with fear.
The beast slowly turned its head, its violet eyes locking onto him. The air seemed to thicken, charged with chaotic energy as the creature coiled to strike.
“You fool," the Talisman growled. "Very well. I’ll buy you a moment. Make it count."
The talisman flared beneath his tunic, its golden light expanding into a shimmering barrier just as the beast pounced towards Wei Lin. The creature struck the barrier with a snarl, recoiling in surprise.
Wei Lin hurled the branch, striking the beast’s side with a dull thud. It twisted its body to face him, violet energy crackling around its claws.
"Now!" Wei Lin shouted at the young man.
The young man’s eyes sharpened, his breath steadying. His free hand flickered with a faint blue glow along his fingertips. He tightened his grip on his sword, raising it high.
"Azure Edge!" he cried.
Frost chilled the blade, freezing the air around it until fog coiling along its form like living serpents. The air around him seemed to slow, as if silenced and stilled by the extreme cold.
With a shout, he charged forward. His sword flew through the air, piercing cleanly through the beast’s chest.
The beast howled, its body contorting violently as the unnatural cold froze and shattered its core from within. Violet light flickered in its eyes one last time before it collapsed into a pool of dark mist, its form dissolving in the afternoon sunlight.
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The clearing fell silent. Frost clung to the grass, glittering faintly in the light. Wei Lin’s breath came in ragged gasps, his chest tight. His knees threatened to buckle, the adrenaline draining from his body all at once.
The branch slipped from his fingers, landing with a soft thud. He clenched his trembling hands into fists, trying to steady himself. The cold bit into his skin, but it barely registered.
The beast was gone, leaving only a faint shimmer of mist where it had stood.
"Foolish," the Talisman muttered. "Reckless. Yet, perhaps not entirely without merit. Time will tell whether your instincts are enough to carry you forward."
A chuckle broke the silence.
"You’ve got some guts, I’ll give you that."
Wei Lin spun around. The young man was still standing, one hand pressed against the wound on his arm, his other resting on his sword. His breath fogged in the frigid air, but he wore a faint smile.
"You saved me," the young man said, his eyes flicking to Wei Lin’s tunic, beneath where the talisman was hidden. "That wasn’t luck, was it?"
Wei Lin hesitated, then shook his head. "It’s… complicated."
The young man raised an eyebrow. He glanced at the frost-covered ground, his expression turning thoughtful. "Complicated or not, I owe you one. You jumped in when you didn’t have to. Most people wouldn’t."
Wei Lin shrugged, his voice quiet. "I couldn’t just stand by and watch."
The young man studied him for a moment, then extended his hand. "Chen Rui."
“Wei Lin."
Chen Rui nodded toward the voidbloom. "That’s a rare find. Most cultivators would kill for it—or die trying."
"Voidbloom," Wei Lin said, the word feeling strange on his tongue.
Chen Rui’s eyes lit up. "Ah, so you’ve got some knowledge after all." He leaned against his sword, his tone growing more serious. "That herb could fetch a fortune… or bring you a lot of trouble, depending on who sees it."
Wei Lin frowned. "What kind of trouble?"
"Depends on who wants it," Chen Rui replied with a grin. "Let’s just say not every sect is as noble as they claim to be."
Chen Rui knelt by the Voidbloom and carefully plucked it, his fingers delicate despite his earlier battle. He examined the flowers, his sharp eyes catching every detail.
He turned to glance at Wei Lin, his expression serious. “Here’s what we’re going to do. We’ll travel together for now, and find a place to sell it safely. And when we do, I’ll split the profits with you. Fifty-fifty.”
Wei Lin blinked. “Really?”
"Really," Chen Rui replied, his tone steady. "I’m not a thief. You saved me and you definitely earned your share in the fight. It’s only fair.”
He stood up, tucking the Voidbloom carefully into his pack. His grin returned. “And honestly, what you did back there makes me think you’re probably worth keeping around.”
Wei Lin watched him for a moment, still processing the unexpected turn of events. "So, what now?"
Chen Rui shrugged. "For now, we head north, though the nearest major town is some distance away. We’ve still got a long way to go before this herb gets us anywhere.”
"Careful," the Talisman warned, its tone sharp. “Do not mistake this for kindness, Wei Lin. He likely sees you as a tool, a means to an end.”
Wei Lin nodded. “Got it,” he said, as if answering both at the same time. He paused to study Chen Rui briefly. “And where are you headed after that?”
“The Verdant Sky Sect,” Chen Rui replied. “Their disciple recruitment trials will be held next month.”
“What’s the Verdant Sky Sect?” Wei Lin blurted out, his curiosity getting the better of him.
Chen Rui raised an eyebrow, clearly surprised. Then he chuckled. “I suppose you’ve got a lot to learn after all. Come on, I’ll explain on the way.” He extended his hand.
After a brief moment’s hesitation, Wei Lin took it.
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Below is a translation of the chapter into Chinese (via ChatGPT).
以下是通过ChatGPT将本章翻译成中文。
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封天遗志
第七章：林间试炼
夕阳斜坠，余晖勉力穿透密林，洒落点点光斑。林间阴翳深沉，静谧无声，唯有魏林踏叶之音，轻微而孤独。他缓步前行，胸前的玉符微微炽热，隐隐脉动，似在黑暗中给予微弱的慰藉。
“停下。” 玉符骤然开口，声色淡然，却透着一股不容置疑的威严。“前方有异，机遇与杀劫并存。”
魏林心中一紧，低声道：“什么意思？”
“虚灵花。” 玉符微微泛光，徐徐道，“蕴藏虚空之力，至为珍稀。然而，此物生于险境，必有守护之兽。此外，还有一名修者，修为在你之上……虽说，这并不算什么值得称道的成就。”
魏林屏息，缓缓潜行，拨开交错藤蔓，伏身于一簇盘根错节的古树后。他目光一凝，只见浅溪之畔，一丛银辉幽幽的奇花静静绽放，花瓣流转着微妙的光华，仿若星辉凝聚，灵韵萦绕不散。
而在花丛对面，一名青年负剑而立，身形修长，目光凌厉，手中长剑微颤，剑锋森寒。他的神情凝重，目光死死锁定于前方。
一道隐晦的低吼声回荡林间。魏林顺着视线望去，顿觉脊背一寒——只见一头庞然巨兽潜伏于虚空与现实的交界处，形体仿佛随时能溶入黑暗，轮廓扭曲变幻，似实似虚。一双幽紫兽瞳，燃烧着诡异混乱的光芒，锋锐如刀的利爪缓缓刮过地面，撕裂深深爪痕，静静围绕着那名青年，如同猛兽戏猎，享受着猎物的恐惧。
魏林屏住呼吸，心中惊惧本能地叫嚣着让他退后。
“仔细观察。” 玉符淡淡道，“这是林间赠予你的第一堂课，无需代价，尽管领悟。”
下一瞬，凶兽暴掠而出，化作一团黑影扑向青年。长剑疾闪，凌厉剑光迎面而上，剑锋斩击利爪，爆出一声震耳欲聋的轰鸣。罡风四散，卷起纷飞落叶，气机交错激荡，震得魏林心神悸动。
他目不转睛地望着眼前的一幕——那青年身法迅疾，剑招精准，每一次挥斩皆不浪费丝毫气力，然那头异兽的速度更胜一筹。它身形鬼魅，疾影闪烁不定，攻势如狂涛般连绵不绝，压得青年步步后退。
“虚属性生灵，擅长闪避，其爪牙虽可被剑锋触及，但若无元素攻击，无法重创其本源。这名修者剑术不凡，然修为尚浅，难以将其束缚。” 玉符语气冷然，宛若评判者，洞察战局。
凶兽再次突袭，爪痕深深刻入泥土，步伐如疾风骤雨，残影交错，幽紫光焰在其四肢游走，虚空能量微微震荡。
青年抬剑格挡，刃光激荡，却被兽爪轻易偏斜。他试图回击，长剑划破空气，劈向异兽腰腹，然剑锋落空——凶兽的身形竟瞬息转移，鬼魅般闪现至他侧身，利爪横扫而出。
“嘶——”利爪撕裂衣袖，鲜血渗出，青年闷哼一声，踉跄后退，额上汗珠滚落，气息急促。
然而，他仍不曾退缩。剑刃疾舞，寒芒纵横，他竭力寻找破绽，终在一瞬之间剑尖划过凶兽的侧腹，留下一道细微的血痕。
然此伤不痛不痒，凶兽低吼，杀意暴涨，双目光焰更盛，攻势再度狂暴而来。
魏林死死握紧身旁一根粗壮枯枝，指节发白，心跳急促，目光盯着那名青年——此刻，后者已半跪在地，气息紊乱，剑锋微颤，浑身染血。
“我要帮他吗？” 魏林喃喃低语，喉咙干涩。
“绝对不行。” 玉符厉声道，“这场战斗与他而言，是生死之试。他自己做出的选择，便须自己承担。你若插手，只会白白送命。”
魏林咬紧牙关，理智告诉他该听从玉符的警告，但——
他的脑海中，猛然浮现天目村那夜，陆爷爷倒下的画面，兽爪撕裂血肉，鲜血洒落尘土，而他，唯有徒劳无力地目睹一切。
胸口被某种强烈的情绪填满，无法遏制。
“我不能……” 魏林声音微颤，“我不能眼睁睁看着他死去！”
下一刻，他已踏出藏身之地，握紧手中枯枝，喉中发出一声嘶吼——
“喂！”
凶兽缓缓转头，幽紫眸光落在魏林身上。空气似乎凝固，狂暴的混乱能量在林间涌动，如风暴前的死寂。
“愚蠢。” 玉符低吼，“罢了，我替你争取一线生机。抓住机会。”
魏林胸口猛然一热，金光自玉符中绽放，凝成一道璀璨光幕，挡在凶兽与他之间。凶兽猛扑而至，却被金色屏障弹开，怒吼震天。
魏林不假思索，挥舞枯枝掷向凶兽，枝杆砸中兽躯，虽无大碍，然足以吸引注意。
“现在！” 魏林大喊。
青年目光骤然一凝，气息一振。掌心微微泛起淡淡蓝芒，他深吸一口气，重新紧握长剑，身影微颤，却透出决然之势。
“青霜剑——斩！”
剑刃寒气骤涨，冰霜凝结，凛冽剑气流转，似游龙缠绕。刹那间，天地肃杀，空气冻结，寒雾萦绕剑身，森冷如雪峰之巅。
青年怒喝一声，身形暴掠而出，剑光如苍穹之隙，寒芒破空，笔直刺入凶兽胸膛！
凶兽哀嚎，身躯剧颤，寒霜瞬间冻结其核心，躯壳在剧痛中扭曲，幽紫光焰黯淡消散。顷刻间，虚影破碎，化作一缕缕黑雾，在夕阳余辉下渐渐湮灭……
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林间归于寂静，寒霜覆草，折射出微弱的冷光。魏林喘息不已，胸膛起伏，余悸未消，方才燃烧的肾上腺素如潮水退去，令他四肢发软，险些跪倒在地。
手中枯枝悄然坠落，落地无声。他紧握拳头，试图抑制指尖的颤抖，寒意侵肤，却仿佛感知不到。
那头凶兽已然消散，唯有一缕淡淡的黑雾，尚存于空气之中，如幻如真。
“愚蠢。” 玉符冷哼，语气依旧不乏锋芒，“鲁莽。但……或许并非全然无用。究竟是匹夫之勇，还是直觉可堪一用，时间自会证明。”
突兀的笑声打破沉寂。
“胆子不小啊，我承认。”
魏林猛然回身，只见那名青年仍立于原地，手按着受伤的手臂，长剑倚在身侧，呼出的气息在寒气中凝成淡白雾霭。然而，他的唇角，却浮现出一丝若有若无的笑意。
“你救了我。” 青年望向魏林的衣襟，目光微微一顿，似乎察觉到了那隐藏于衣衫之下的玉符，语气意味深长，“不过，这恐怕不是运气使然吧？”
魏林犹豫片刻，摇了摇头。“这件事……说来话长。”
青年挑眉，目光扫过被寒霜覆盖的地面，似在思索。片刻后，他轻笑道：“不管怎样，我欠你一条命。你本可以选择袖手旁观，但最终还是站了出来。这一点，不是所有人都能做到的。”
魏林沉默片刻，缓缓开口：“我只是……无法眼睁睁看着。”
青年闻言，盯着他看了一会儿，随即伸出手，道：“辰锐。”
“魏林。”
辰锐微微颔首，随后目光一转，落在那簇仍在微微闪烁的虚灵花上，眼神不由一亮。
“这可是难得一见的宝物。” 他轻叹，“不少修士为了它争得头破血流，亦或命丧荒野。”
“虚灵花……” 魏林低声重复，名字在唇齿间滚动，尚觉陌生。
辰锐眼神微动，露出一丝意味深长的笑意，“哦？看来你也不是完全不懂。” 他用剑撑住身体，神色渐趋正色，“这株灵药可换取重金……也可能为你招致麻烦，全看落入何人之手。”
魏林眉头微皱，“什么样的麻烦？”
“取决于谁在盯着它。” 辰锐意味深长地勾了勾唇角，“毕竟，不是每个宗门都像表面那般光明磊落。”
辰锐蹲下身，手指轻柔地拂过虚灵花的叶片，手法娴熟且谨慎，仿佛生怕惊扰它的灵韵。片刻后，他从容摘下花株，细细观察了一番，确认完好后，才小心翼翼地收入囊中。
他转头看向魏林，眼神多了一分郑重：“这样吧，我们暂时同行，找到安全的地方，将这株灵药卖掉。所得收益，平分。”
魏林一愣，“真的？”
“自然。” 辰锐语气坦然，“我不是小人，况且你刚才也算出了一分力，救了我一命。这笔账怎么算，我心里有数。”
他起身，仔细将虚灵花妥善收好，嘴角笑意浮现，“说实话，你刚才的举动，让我觉得……你或许值得信赖。”
魏林沉默片刻，思索着这个突如其来的变化。“接下来，我们去哪？”
“北方。” 辰锐随意地耸了耸肩，“最近的城镇尚远，路上还有不少关隘要闯，我们得先找到落脚之处。”
“慎重些。” 玉符忽然低语，声音幽冷，“别因这点交情就失了戒心。他或许并非恶人，但人心皆有所求。他看重的，未必是你，而是你能为他带来的机会。”
魏林目光微动，低声道：“我明白。” 他的声音轻得仿佛在回应两人一般。随后，他抬头望向辰锐，沉声道：“你呢？等卖掉虚灵花之后，你准备去哪？”
“翠天宗。” 辰锐语气平淡，透着几分理所当然，“下月，他们的弟子选拔便要开始了。”
“翠天宗？” 魏林皱眉，心生疑惑，“那是什么地方？”
辰锐闻言，顿了顿，随即忍不住轻笑出声，“看来，你还真是孤陋寡闻啊。”
他负剑而立，转身迈步，边走边道：“走吧，我路上慢慢告诉你。”
他伸出手，静静等待。
魏林凝视片刻，终于伸出手，握住了对方的掌心。
