Chapter 2: Midnight Escape

The box had become a constant source of fascination for Li Wei, and its enigmatic allure gnawed at his thoughts like a persistent itch. Each night, he lay in his simple bed, contemplating the possibilities that lay within the depths of the box. The village, known for its martial legacy, offered little comfort for those who possessed no martial abilities, and the torment of the other children weighed heavily on his young heart.

Mei's words echoed in his mind, reminding him of the danger that lurked in the nearby town of Longying, infamous for its antique marketplace filled with stolen goods and the criminal element that thrived there. His mother had repeatedly forbidden him from venturing into Longying, knowing the temptations and perils that awaited the unsuspecting.

One moonlit night, the siren's call of curiosity became too potent to resist. Li Wei silently slipped out of his home, his bare feet barely making a sound on the creaking floorboards. He knew the way to Longying well, a dimly lit path through the ancient forest that shielded the village from the bustling town. The moon hung low in the sky, casting eerie shadows and bathing the world in an otherworldly glow.

As he ventured further into the forest, a sense of anxiety grew within him. The stories of criminals and cutthroats who frequented Longying were far from comforting, and Mei's warnings echoed in his mind.

Just when he was about to turn back, a rustling in the underbrush halted his steps. From the shadows emerged a massive, hulking figure—a bear. Its eyes glinted with a fierce hunger, and without a second thought, Li Wei turned and ran, his heart pounding in his chest. The beast chased him, its thundering steps reverberating through the forest, and Li Wei's adrenaline-fueled sprint took him deeper into the woods.

In the frantic escape, his hands scraped against sharp thorns and jagged branches, leaving cuts and abrasions in their wake. The pain seared through him, but he couldn't afford to stop. The bear, relentless in its pursuit, closed in with every passing moment.

Desperation urged Li Wei onward, and with one final burst of speed, he found refuge in the hollow of a massive, ancient tree. He crouched in the darkness, gasping for breath, and watched as the bear snarled and prowled the area, unable to reach him.

After what felt like an eternity, the bear gave up and lumbered away. Li Wei stayed hidden in the hollow, his breath steadying, and his heart finally returning to a semblance of calm. He peered down at his hands, now adorned with gashes and bleeding. The pain was sharp, but it paled in comparison to the fear he had experienced.

As he glanced down, drops of his blood fell onto the surface of the enigmatic box he had tucked away in his tattered clothes. And in that moonlit forest, something extraordinary occurred. The intricate golden patterns on the box began to emit a soft, ethereal glow, and the crimson gemstone in its center pulsed with an eerie light.

Li Wei's eyes widened as he watched the box, a mixture of awe and trepidation coursing through him. The box seemed to come to life, responding to his blood as if it held a power far beyond his understanding.