Flickers of Uncertainty

Jun Qiguang took the young cultivator, into the cave. The cave was not far from where they had been standing, with a large entrance that made it easy to locate. The exterior of the cave was rugged, with jagged rocks surrounding the entrance.

The mouth of the cave was wide and dark, like a silent guardian beckoning travelers inside. Vines and small shrubs grew around the entrance, partially obscuring the rough, stony surface. As they approached, the temperature began to drop, and a cool, damp breeze seeped out from within, carrying the scent of earth and stone.

Inside, the cave was surprisingly spacious, with high ceilings that allowed sound to echo faintly in the distance. The walls were uneven, covered in patches of moss that added a faint, greenish hue to the otherwise dim interior. The floor was mostly flat, though a few small rocks and pebbles were scattered around, likely displaced over time by water or wind.

Deeper within, the cave branched off into several smaller chambers, though the main area where they settled was wide enough to accommodate at least a dozen people comfortably. The dim light from outside barely reached inside, casting long shadows that danced across the walls. The air inside was cool and slightly damp, and there was a subtle sound of dripping water echoing from deeper within the cave.

Jun Qiguang settled that little guy inside and tended to his injuries. An early Qi Refining cultivator. He truly was here to commit suicide, Jun Qiguang thought. The injuries weren't severe, and once Jun Qiguang was done, Yao Huaijin returned. As expected of him, it hadn't even been a few minutes, and he was already back, completely unscathed. Except for his hair being slightly out of place, there were no signs that he had just come from a duel.

Jun Qiguang watched as Yao Huaijin calmly made his way into the cave. He politely stood up and said, "Master, you're back. What about that guy?"

Yao Huaijin looked at him, then slightly turned his head away as he replied, "He escaped."

This was not unexpected, Jun Qiguang thought. After all, it was Duan Bao, that leech, they were talking about. Jun Qiguang remembered the way Duan Bao had spoken to Yao Huaijin. Yao Huaijin didn't seem affected by his words, but Jun Qiguang found himself unexpectedly annoyed. It's good that he escaped, Jun Qiguang thought, because I'm definitely going to find that leech and end his worthless life with my own hands.

Yao Huaijin once again gave Jun Qiguang a fleeting glance, then turned to one side, sat cross-legged, and closed his eyes in meditation. Jun Qiguang also settled down, though his eyes unwillingly drifted to Yao Huaijin. Jun Qiguang always felt that Yao Huaijin wasn't as calm as he appeared. It seemed like he had things on his mind that he never shared with anyone.

At that moment, a heavy downpour began outside. Thunder rumbled in the distance, and the sound of rain pounding against the rocky ground outside became a constant backdrop. The entrance of the cave provided shelter from the storm, though the occasional flash of lightning illuminated the dark interior for brief moments, and in those brief flashes of lightning, Jun Qiguang's attention was drawn entirely to Yao Huaijin.

He had never paid this much close attention to Yao Huaijin's features before, and now that he did, he couldn't deny the fact that Yao Huaijin was undeniably attractive. His eyes, usually cold and distant, were framed by long, delicate eyelashes that cast soft shadows on his cheeks in the dim light of the cave. His eyebrows were perfectly shaped, giving his face a sharp, almost ethereal quality, and his lips—thin and beautifully formed—added to the allure. It was the first time Jun Qiguang had really taken in these details, and it struck him how easily Yao Huaijin's appearance could captivate someone. The realization unsettled him, stirring something within that he hadn't expected to feel.

In his past life, Jun Qiguang had lived for 28 years in near-complete solitude, and he didn't care. Relationships, friendships, and even casual companionships were secondary to him—if they mattered at all. His solitude was a constant reminder of his singular purpose: revenge. This revenge was more than just a fleeting desire; it was a deep, consuming fire that fueled his existence. He didn't care about the cost, willing to bring down those who wronged him, even if it meant his own destruction.

He had received his share of confessions—people drawn to his appearance or intimidated by his power. But he never took them seriously. He didn't trust anyone; he believed that people were either captivated by his looks or feared his strength, never truly understanding the heart he felt was rotten. As long as he could achieve his goal of revenge, he was content with his life. There was no need for anything more.

However, in this life, he was beginning to feel confused by his own heart. The clarity and certainty that guided him before were now clouded by emotions he couldn't fully grasp. His once-hardened heart was letting in feelings he hadn't expected, causing the walls he had built around himself to crumble. For the first time, he questioned if revenge alone would be enough. A part of him longed for something more, but he wasn't sure if he could trust or pursue it.

As Jun Qiguang was lost in his thoughts, staring at Yao Huaijin, that injured guy began to stir. Slowly, he opened his eyes, his expression filled with confusion as he sat up and glanced around. He was in an unfamiliar place with unfamiliar people. One of them, dressed in pristine white robes, sat with his eyes closed in meditation, his face cold and detached, seemingly uninterested in his surroundings. The other, clad in dark robes, looked not much older than himself and, more importantly, seemed approachable.

With his gaze settled on Jun Qiguang, he tentatively called out, "Big Brother."

Jun Qiguang turned his head to look at him, his gaze sharp and assessing. the guy hesitated for a moment before continuing, "Were you the ones who saved me?"

Jun Qiguang stared at him, feeling slightly incredulous. Isn't that obvious? he thought but simply nodded his head in acknowledgment. The guy's face broke into a wide, grateful smile. "Thank you very much. I am Lin Feng. What's your name?"

Jun Qiguang studied his face, noting the slightly silly expression, and couldn't help but wonder how someone like this had managed to enter the Eclipse Realm. Instead of answering, he replied, "You're just at the early Qi Refining stage. You shouldn't be wandering here alone."

Lin Feng looked slightly embarrassed, scratching his head as he admitted, "Big Brother, you might have noticed that my foundation is not good. I've heard there's a treasure in the Eclipse Realm that could help improve cultivation. I wanted to try my luck, so I sneaked in."

Jun Qiguang's eyes narrowed. "That is to say, you came here alone? Did no one tell you how dangerous this place is?"

Lin Feng let out a hollow laugh, shifting uncomfortably. "I thought they were just trying to scare me."

I take my words back, Jun Qiguang thought. He's not just a bit silly—he's a completely lost case.

He had noticed that Lin Feng's robes were light green and didn't bear any sect insignia, which likely meant he didn't belong to any sect. Of course, it could also mean that he might not be wearing his sect uniform on purpose, but Jun Qiguang felt that the first option was more likely. Lin Feng suddenly edged closer to him, lowering his voice to a whisper, asking, "Big Brother, who is that esteemed person? Is he your master?"

Jun Qiguang glanced at Yao Huaijin, who remained in his meditative state, his eyes still closed. After a brief pause, a small, almost imperceptible smile appeared on Jun Qiguang's face. Turning back to Lin Feng beside him, he replied, "Yes, My Master."