The formation glowed brighter. Banners spun faster, humming through the air. Chen Wei and Liu Hao moved at the center, hands weaving through threads of energy, flags twirling with precision. Every motion connected the array, guiding the path ahead.

  Above them, a faint diagram appeared, light flowing down like threads wrapping the formation. The banners spun faster, the hum rising, and the air seemed to stretch around them.

  The pagoda floated steadily in Chen Wei’s hands. Qin Mu remained sealed inside, unaware of anything outside. The formation’s energy held him safe.

  A rift opened in the Lower Realm. Light twisted the air, forming a tunnel between worlds. The formation guided them forward, carrying the pagoda carefully through space.

  When they came out, the banners slowed and the hum softened. Glowing Dao patterns covered the ground and trees, forming a hidden, protected space.

  Chen Wei glanced at Liu Hao. A small nod passed between them. Qin Mu was still safe. For now, that was all that mattered.

  Chen Wei lifted the pagoda carefully. Liu Hao summoned a small flying boat, which hovered steadily in front of them.

  “Let’s go,” Liu Hao said.

  The boat rose smoothly into the air. Chen Wei held the pagoda firmly, keeping it balanced. They flew toward a nearby cave hidden behind the cliffs.

  Qin Mu stayed sealed inside, unaware of anything happening outside.

  The flying boat hovered in front of the cave. Chen Wei carefully lowered the pagoda onto the ground.

  “Settle it here,” she said.

  Liu Hao nodded, keeping watch around the area. The glowing Dao patterns still surrounded them, holding the space safe and hidden.

  Chen Wei stepped back and checked the energy threads. “He’s secure. We can let him rest here for now.”

  Liu Hao glanced at the cave entrance. “No one will find him here.”

  For a moment, the clearing was silent, only the soft hum of the protective patterns filling the air.

  ---Inside the pagoda –

  I woke up again in the same room... I thought it was a dream, but I guess I’m trapped in here.

  “Where the hell am I?” I tried shouting again and again for help, but no one answered. I went back to where I was sitting and took a deep breath to calm down.

  Then, suddenly, a rift—like the ones Chen Wei and Liu Hao use—appeared beside me, and it pulled me in.

  It was sudden, and my body hit the ground from falling in mid-air. When I opened my eyes, there they were. Chen Wei and Liu Hao looked at me, shocked, and said, “Oh, you’re awake.”

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  I scratched my back because it still ached. Chen Wei smiled at me and said, “Welcome to the Middle Realm.”

  I stared at them, serious, my heart pounding. “What do you mean, Middle Realm?” I asked, my voice firm.

  She answered, “It’s far from your home, but we promised your mother we would take care of you.”

  As she said that, I froze. My mother knew them? But how…?

  I took a deep breath, trying to steady myself. “Wait… you mean my mother actually knows you? How? Why would she know people like you?” I stared at them, trying to make sense of it.

  Chen Wei’s calm eyes met mine. “Your mother… she understands more than you think,” she said softly.

  Liu Hao added, her voice firm, “That’s why we’re here. To keep you safe. No one else can.”

  I shook my head, my mind racing. “Safe? From who? And why me? I don’t even know what’s going on!”

  They exchanged a glance. Chen Wei stepped closer, her expression serious. “We’ll explain everything. But first… you need to stay with us. It’s dangerous out there.”

  I clenched my fists, frustration and fear twisting together. “I don’t have a choice, do I?”

  Liu Hao shook her head slightly. “Not right now. But we’ll guide you. Just trust us for a little while.”

  I rubbed my temples, trying to think straight. Everything felt wrong. The Middle Realm… Chen Wei and Liu Hao… my mother somehow knowing them… it was too much.

  “So… what happens now?” I asked, my voice shaky but firm. “Where do we go from here? Am I supposed to just follow you around?”

  Chen Wei gave me a small nod. “For now, yes. You need to stay safe. We have a place nearby where no one can find us.”

  Liu Hao glanced at the surroundings, alert. “It’s not safe to talk here for too long. We’ll move soon. Just… stay close and do exactly as we say.”

  I swallowed hard. My mind kept spinning. “Safe? From who? What is this place really?”

  Chen Wei’s expression softened slightly. “All will be clear soon. Right now… your safety is the only thing that matters.”

  I clenched my fists tighter. I wanted answers, but I had no choice. I had to follow them—for now.

  Chen Wei glanced at Liu Hao. “We should go to the nearest village first. It’s safer to move through there before heading to the Wei Clan.”

  I frowned. “Village? Why not go straight there? Isn’t that faster?”

  Liu Hao shook her head. “Too many people outside. We can’t risk anyone seeing you, especially with your qi.”

  I froze at that. “My qi…? Wait, are you saying people can detect it?”

  Chen Wei nodded. “Yes. That’s why you must stay hidden until we reach a safe place.”

  We started moving. Liu Hao summoned a small flying boat, and Chen Wei held me close, keeping me steady. The air smelled different here—fresher, calmer—but I still felt tense. Every shadow made me glance around, wondering if someone was watching.

  The village came into view. Small houses, dirt paths, a few people walking about. It looked peaceful, but I knew better now—nothing was normal anymore.

  “Stay close,” Chen Wei whispered. “We’ll keep you safe, but don’t draw attention.”

  I nodded, swallowing my fear. Every step forward made me realize how far from home I really was.

  We arrived at the village and stopped in front of a small inn. Chen Wei and Liu Hao went inside to talk to the owner. I stayed outside, my eyes scanning the quiet streets.

  A few minutes later, they came back. “Only one room is available,” Chen Wei said, frowning slightly.

  Liu Hao hesitated. “One room? Are you sure we should…?”

  Chen Wei shook her head and gave a small smile. “It’s okay. We can separate the sleeping area. It won’t be a problem.”

  I blinked, a little unsure what that meant, but didn’t ask. I just followed them inside, trusting them… for now.

  The inn was simple. A single room, with a few thin mats on the floor. Chen Wei motioned to one side. “You sleep here. We’ll take the other side. No issues.”

  I nodded, still tense, but at least for now I had a safe place to rest.

  I asked Liu Hao, “Are we traveling again?”

  She looked at me like,

  Chen Wei spoke calmly, “No, it’s not the same as before. Now we’re making a prohibition and doing some qi counseling in the room so no one can spot us here.”

  I just shrugged. “Oh… okay.