The path to the Grove of Beginnings wound through the valley's rugged terrain, a maze of jagged cliffs, sparse forests, and qi-charged streams that shimmered with unstable energy. Arin and Naya moved cautiously, the Whispering Vines' seeds in Arin's satchel, ready to plant if danger arose. The air grew heavier as they traveled, the qi currents swirling chaotically, a remnant of the valley's ancient wars. Naya's staff glowed faintly, its runes stabilizing the energy around them, but Arin could feel the strain, his own qi flickering in response to the wild currents.
They stopped at a clearing to rest, the sun high overhead, its light filtering through the canopy of gnarled trees. Arin knelt by a stream, splashing water on his face, the coolness grounding him. Naya sat on a fallen log, her journal open, her eyes scanning the map. "We're close," she said, pointing to a sketch of a cliff face marked with lotus runes. "The grove should be beyond that cliff, but the qi barrier will be the real challenge. Mother wrote that only those chosen by the land can pass."
Before Arin could respond, a rustling in the underbrush drew their attention. A young girl emerged, no older than sixteen, her short hair streaked with silver, her eyes sharp with qi. She wore a tattered robe, its edges frayed, but her stance was confident, a short sword at her hip pulsing with energy. "You're the Jade Farmer," she said, her voice clear and direct. "I'm Saria, Kael's granddaughter. I've been tracking you."
Arin and Naya exchanged a glance, their hands ready for defense, but Saria raised her palms in a gesture of peace. "I'm not here to fight," she said. "Grandfather sent me. He heard Torin talking— he's planning to betray you to the Iron Fang. They know you're looking for the grove, and they're coming for you." Arin's heart sank, the weight of Torin's betrayal settling in, but Saria's presence offered a glimmer of hope. "I want to help," she said, her eyes fierce. "I'm a cultivator—trained in the basics, at least. I can fight if it comes to that."
Naya studied her for a moment, then nodded. "We'll need all the help we can get," she said. "Welcome, Saria." Arin managed a small smile, grateful for the unexpected ally. "Thank you," he said. "Let's find the grove—together."