Fateful Encounter with the Spirit Beast

The wild grass, reaching up to a person’s chest, spread across the desolate land like a vast sea of withered yellow, reminiscent of autumn waves. The stark, golden hill stood in the middle of the grassland, resembling a fixed ornament, breaking free from the entanglement of the troublesome weeds. Tianxiang arrived at the back mountain that Xiaoru, the vengeful spirit, had mentioned. There weren’t any dense woods to block the fading twilight, where a trace of crimson set the final sky of the day ablaze, allowing the wild grass to vie for the last glimmer of light before nightfall.

Pushing through the grass and hanging vines in front of the cave, Tianxiang let out a sigh. He thought that if Xiaoru hadn’t been so certain, this place was not something an ordinary person would discover. A simple illuminating technique lit up the dark, unwelcoming cave’s interior, surprising Tianxiang.

This cave was not different in any remarkable way, except for the claw marks three inches deep and four fingers wide etched into the walls on both sides, as if made by some unknown exotic beast. After examining it back and forth, he sat at the cave’s entrance, filled with questions. He couldn’t comprehend why Xiaoru would become such a powerful vengeful spirit in this place. Logically, there should be a mysterious and unfathomable force supporting her; otherwise, she wouldn’t have been able to seal off the entire village, preventing the villagers from leaving even a step. But what could that reason possibly be?

The gentle starlight spilled playfully over Tianxiang, and as he gazed at the twinkling stars, he shook his head, casting aside the unresolvable questions. Embracing the comfortable coolness of the night, he creatively used a stone as a pillow and the grass as his bed, lying down at ease. His thoughts slowly drifted into the vast, endless night, mesmerized by the countless stars. Each fleeting shine resembled fragments of his past, now gone, while the yet-to-rise sun symbolized the future he was about to unfold.

As Tianxiang pondered, a familiar, melodious yet distant voice broke the silence: “Tianxiang, what are you thinking about?”

Turning his head, Tianxiang’s eyes fell on a beautiful and captivating figure-the long-lost Youni. She lay lazily beside him, using his arm as a pillow, nonchalantly gazing at the mysterious and enchanting starry sky.

Suppressing his excitement at seeing an old friend, Tianxiang carefully observed Youni, noticing that the mark typically seen on dark elves had vanished from her forehead. She exuded an even more refined aura than before, no longer hasty in her words, but rather contentedly appreciating the secrets of the stars above. Youni’s transformation brought a rare sense of peace and harmony to both the world and to Tianxiang.

In the undisturbed night, whispers of soft conversations unfolded. After Youni had drifted back into a deep sleep within him, Tianxiang recounted the events that had transpired. Youni listened quietly to his experiences, devoid of the previous excitement and tension; instead, she expressed her care at just the right moments.

When Tianxiang finished speaking, feelings of self-reproach and affection intertwined within Youni. She thought to herself that no matter how Tianxiang viewed himself, the essence of the Tianxiang within her heart would always remain unchanged. Without lifting his face towel to reveal the scars beneath, she held him tightly, channeling her inner thoughts through affectionate gestures, offering deep encouragement and support. With a saddened tone, she said, “If only I hadn’t fallen into a deep sleep back then!”

Feeling the unwavering support from Youni and his own guilt, warmth spread through Tianxiang’s heart. After all, facing such significant changes, he really did need the care of a friend!

Tianxiang replied softly, “You don’t need to feel guilty. The past is behind us; let it stay there! Tomorrow is the goal we should strive for. My face, my martial arts-who knows, maybe one day they’ll be restored. It’s just a matter of time!”

Youni wanted to express her inner thoughts, but Tianxiang spoke up first: “I know what you want to say, but I want to tell you that this serious injury and your appearance have made me realize a lot in a moment. In the past, I lost too much because of my hatred-far too much. Perhaps only after losing do we learn to cherish what we have! Just recently, I wasn’t afraid of death at all, yet in the midnight hours, I was awakened by precious memories, as if I feared losing them. Ha! It’s funny to think about; a person who fears nothing, not even death, actually fears losing memories, which are the inaccessible sanctuaries deep within everyone’s heart. Until you appeared, awakening me, I felt as if I had been living in a dream. Now, I understand what I want and what I’m thinking. The past Tianxiang has perished on Phoenix Mountain, and the fully reborn Tianxiang is born here!”

As he paused, Tianxiang gently lowered Youni’s head onto his chest, holding her fragrant shoulders and continued, “You don’t need to worry about me anymore. Trust me, the future will be like the sun, moon, and stars in the sky, accompanying all of us through day and night. Together we’ll experience joy and sorrow, and with their witness, we will share every moment that belongs to us.”

The powerful rhythm of his heartbeat echoed like a passionate battle drum on the battlefield, resonating with Youni’s heart. There was no need for many words; she just needed to believe in Tianxiang. He would stand before everyone once more, protecting her-a person scorned and derided-just as she would silently guard him, living in prideful solitude.

Youni’s sudden appearance brought an incredible change to Tianxiang, who had thought he could start anew. Perhaps this is life! It offers twists and turns, hope and despair, as well as opportunities for rebirth. Unknowingly, Tianxiang opened his heart, casting a lighter gaze on the past, learning to believe in and treat each good friend with sincerity, no longer hiding his true feelings behind a veil of mist.

This transformation would have a profound impact on Tianxiang’s future. His genuine heart would earn the unwavering loyalty of many, laying the foundation for the empire he would build. However, this was not something the current Tianxiang and Youni could foresee.

As the night gradually grew colder, a sweet warmth blossomed in the hearts of both Tianxiang and Youni, resonating between them. Suddenly, Tianxiang asked, “Why did you fall into a deep sleep again?”

Reluctant to leave the warmth of Tianxiang’s chest, Youni said, puzzled, “I actually don’t know. At Pegasus Ranch, when you were unconscious, I felt an overwhelming urge to see you wake up. That mental focus kept me going until you really did wake up. But afterward, I suddenly felt drained, like I just wanted to sleep, to rest properly, and then I fell into a deep slumber.”

Tianxiang asked again, “Do you think your awakening this time is any different from the previous ones?”

After contemplating for a moment, Youni replied, “I feel a deep sense of calm within me. Even the night appears warm to me, as if it were filled with light.”

Tianxiang was surprised by her words, as if trying to validate something. He then said, “You’ve been asleep for so long; you should stretch your wings a bit! There aren’t many people around here, so no one will disturb you!”

Since it was Tianxiang’s suggestion, Youni naturally didn’t refuse. She immediately unfolded her wings, and both of them were taken aback. Her translucent wings, filled with the light and dark elements, seemed to coexist like light and night, radiating with a mysterious glow as if sunlight broke through the shadows. Tianxiang’s surprise quickly turned to delight as he looked at Youni, who wore a puzzled, youthful expression that made him smile.

Seeing Tianxiang’s expression, Youni playfully pouted, “You must know what’s going on! And here you are, laughing!”

Tianxiang chuckled, “I’m just guessing!”

With her delicate arms crossed in front of her chest, Youni shot him a look that said she wouldn’t speak unless he shared more, pouting adorably. Unfazed, Tianxiang waved his hand dismissively and continued, “I think it has something to do with the time you helped save those two at Pegasus Ranch. Since I disguised the light element as the dark element, you must have absorbed some of that light element in the process. This, combined with what you had before, created a delicate balance of light and dark elements in your energy entity. Your change in temperament is likely an indirect result of the positive influence from the light element.”

Tianxiang’s words prompted Youni to turn her awareness inward to her energy center. To her surprise, it wasn’t filled with the dark elements she had at her inception, nor was it the gentle and soft light element surrounding the dark elements that had formed after being with Tianxiang. Instead, she found that the light and dark elements were now repelling each other while strangely merging together. The repulsion created a swirling vortex of light and dark elements, continuously spinning in her energy center. She could also feel the energy of the light and dark elements wanting to burst forth, a thrilling sensation that resonated with the skies and the earth.

After examining her energy center, Youni stared at Tianxiang in disbelief and murmured, “This… this!”

Tianxiang smiled and nodded, and Youni felt a rush of joy at his confirmation. It was as if she transformed into a graceful butterfly dancing in the air, her mysterious and enchanting light and dark wings fluttering freely as she reveled in her newfound state.

Just as Youni was savoring her transformation, powerful fluctuations of dark elements suddenly emanated from the cave they were in. Both Tianxiang and Youni, intimately familiar with dark elements, sensed it simultaneously and couldn’t suppress their curiosity, glancing toward the cave before walking in together. At the far end of the cave, the concentration of dark elements exceeded their expectations. The lively dark elements, upon encountering them, swirled around like they were greeting old friends, flowing freely beside them.

As they felt the dark elements come alive, this unassuming cave seemed to hold untold wonders. But how would they enter? Tianxiang pondered to himself. Suddenly, he thought that since the dark elements had appeared so unexpectedly, perhaps they would lead the way! With that thought, he said aloud, “Youni, enter my body! I want to go to that unknown place!” Without hesitation, Youni transformed into a beam of black and white light and shot towards Tianxiang’s forehead, disappearing into the air.

Tianxiang immediately settled into a cross-legged position for meditation, reciting the incantation for the elemental rift, allowing the dark element to guide him to the place he wished to go.

The elemental rift was a composite magic that combined space magic and elemental magic. Generally speaking, teleportation spells exist only within the realm of space magic, but the elemental rift utilizes the elemental heart as its foundation, with the elements themselves acting as a guide for spatial transfer. However, there are still many strict limitations to this magic. For example, the caster must possess a certain type of elemental heart, which is rare on the Xuanwu Continent. Additionally, it requires a significant gathering of elements in a defined space. Consequently, those capable of using this type of magic are considered quite rare! Of course, when Tianxiang was learning this magic, he never imagined that one day he would actually use it. What kind of experiences would this journey bring him?

Outside the Demon Beast Forest, wisps of smoke curled slowly upward from a fire, shrouding the night in a hazy veil.

Inside a simple tent, Feng Xuewu gradually opened her eyes. The faint light around her slowly restored her awareness. As she regained consciousness, she felt a splitting headache and overwhelming fatigue, involuntarily letting out a low groan. Though soft, her voice startled Yue Lianxuan, who was nearby, resting her chin in her hand and mimicking a fish caught on a hook. Upon hearing Feng Xuewu’s cries for “Water! Water! Water!” Yue Lianxuan quickly retrieved a cup of water, gently helping Feng Xuewu drink.

With the warm water’s assistance, Feng Xuewu finally mustered the energy to look around her surroundings. Yue Lianxuan, beaming with joy, said, “You’re finally awake! Do you realize you have been unconscious for two days and two nights?”

Feng Xuewu weakly asked, “Where is this? Is everyone else alright?”

Yue Lianxuan replied, “We’re still outside the Demon Beast Forest; this is the tent we set up. Everyone else is busy practicing their martial skills and magic.”

Seeing Feng Xuewu nod weakly, Yue Lianxuan asked, “How do you feel now? Is there any discomfort? Have you suffered any internal injuries?”

A series of questions overwhelmed Feng Xuewu, who had just regained consciousness. She couldn’t help but say, “My head hurts so much, and I feel weak all over. I need to rest. Xuan’er, I’ll answer your questions later.”

Gently adjusting the blanket covering Feng Xuewu, Yue Lianxuan watched as she closed her eyes, her face serene. Finally, that night, Yue Lianxuan could relax and fall asleep peacefully.

A kind and gentle voice echoed in Feng Xuewu’s mind, “Child, you have finally awakened!”

Feng Xuewu replied, “Who are you? How can you speak to me?”

The voice responded, “I am Rafaelan, a water angel serving under the Deity of Life, Xina Silan. I am responsible for guarding the Xina Ice Necklace, the Xina Ice Armor, and the Xina Ice Spear, with the purpose of delivering them to the master of the human realm. Following the recent battle, the automatic protection of your life by these items indicates that they have recognized you as their master!”

Feng Xuewu asked in confusion, “But isn’t Xina Silan the Deity of Life worshipped by the Elves? Why would it recognize a human like me as its master?”

Rafaelan explained, “Xina Silan is the Deity of Life for all races, not just the Elves. As for the recognition of the Xina Ice Necklace’s master, that does not depend on your race; it decides for itself. Additionally, let me tell you that the Deity of Life, Xina Silan, has left six necklaces in the human realm: the Fire necklace, Earth necklace, Wind necklace, Light necklace, Dark necklace, and each is guarded by an angel!”

Feng Xuewu inquired further, “What is the purpose of the six necklaces left by the Deity of Life, Xina Silan, that can transform into divine weapons in the human realm?”

Rafaelan explained, “This goes back to when the deity race returned to the divine realm. They feared that the human realm would be controlled and exploited by the demon race, especially since none of the various races possessed the power to oppose them. That’s why they left behind these divine artifacts to deter the demon race’s aggression and prevent unforeseen disasters. Our responsibility as guardian angels is to protect these artifacts from destruction by the demon race until they recognize a master. With that said, I must return to the divine realm. I hope you can use the Xina Ice Necklace well and achieve great things.” After her words, only Feng Xuewu remained alone in her mind.

The next morning, the first rays of dawn filtered through the cracks, illuminating the inside of the tent.

Feng Xuewu slowly sat up, gently stroking the Xina Ice Necklace resting against her chest. She murmured, “Thank you, Xina Ice Necklace, for saving our lives. I’m even more grateful that you recognize me as your master. I vow that I will never let you down.”

Suddenly, a chilling blue radiance emanated from the Xina Ice Necklace, flowing like a gentle stream, whispering sweetly and creating a feeling of warmth and familiarity. It made one forget their troubles and pains, drawing them into the dreamy paradise it created, making it hard to escape.

Abruptly, after a brief disturbance, the blue light vanished, and Feng Xuewu awoke from her reverie. She opened her eyes to find Yue Lianxuan entering the tent, holding a bowl of hot soup.

Seeing Feng Xuewu sitting up, Yue Lianxuan exclaimed in surprise, “Feng Xuewu, you’re up? You slept all night! How do you feel now?”

Feng Xuewu stretched lazily, checked her injuries, and was delighted to find that she had healed without medicine. She said happily, “I’m fine now, but…”

Yue Lianxuan asked with concern, “But what?” Just then, a loud growl came from Feng Xuewu’s stomach, causing Yue Lianxuan to stifle a laugh, saying, “I see! You’ve slept for three days; you must be hungry. Here’s a bowl of hot soup for you; drink it while it’s warm!”

Feng Xuewu replied sheepishly, “Thank you!”

“Actually, it was the divine weapons transformed from the Xina Ice Necklace that saved us and healed my injuries,” she said, recounting to the others outside the tent what Rafaelan, the water angel, conveyed.

Yue Lianxuan was the first to ask, “So you’re saying there are five other necklaces with different attributes scattered in unknown places?” When she saw Feng Xuewu nod, a look of envy crossed her face as she added, “I wish I could have one too!”

Liu Feng chuckled, “Xiao Xue, congratulations! Shouldn’t we head into the Demon Beast Forest now? We’ve already delayed for several days.”

Feng Xuewu said, “Let’s head in this afternoon! It seems like we’re still a bit short on supplies. Once we get inside, everyone needs to stay alert and tread carefully; danger lurks everywhere in there, and it’s not like the world we’re in outside. Xiaojin and Dixiang, you two will be in charge of scouting. If you spot any demon beasts, make sure to report back to us. Liu Feng and Atta, you’ll be responsible for safeguarding the tent and our equipment, while the three of us will take care of the food and water.”

The low-level Laguli littered the ground, with bodies resembling dogs but sporting the detestable faces of rats. They lacked any magical abilities, yet excelled in group attacks and ambushes, their sharp claws being their primary weapon. Unfazed by the deaths of their companions, the Laguli, with their blue and mixed red blood, were stirred into a frenzy. With fiery red eyes, they surrounded Feng Xuewu and her group in layers, launching continuous attacks, creating the illusion that all the Laguli from the Xuanwu Continent had come to this place.

When they encountered the first Laguli, Feng Xuewu and her group had already thrown their food and tent high up into a tree and fought while retreating. It wasn’t until they reached a small hill that they managed to escape being ambushed from all sides. At first, with Xiaojin protecting Yue Lianxuan, Dixiang transformed into a silver light jia tiger, and the other four charged into the swarm of Laguli, wiping them out mercilessly. Feng Xuewu’s Indigo Ice Spear was like a thorny rose-both beautiful and deadly. The unexpected angles from which she struck often caught the Laguli off guard, taking their lives in an instant.

Liu Feng’s sword and Atta’s dagger worked in perfect synchronization, creating a dense web of blades that shredded through the Laguli. Yingdie employed her stealth technique and short dagger, delivering lethal strikes to the Laguli attempting to sneak attack from behind Feng Xuewu. Dixiang’s holy light ball and claws were especially feared by the Laguli, representing certain death.

As Yue Lianxuan watched the battle unfold, she noticed the group’s initial vigor and strength dwindling as fatigue set in and injuries accumulated. She couldn’t help but think of Tianxiang’s instructions before he left for Sunset City, urging her to become more familiar with leadership and command. It dawned on her that if she didn’t step up to take charge soon, Feng Xuewu and the others might perish from exhaustion after fighting so fiercely. Suddenly, she shouted, “Everyone, fall back and defend!”

Hearing Yue Lianxuan’s shout, everyone immediately rallied their remaining strength to carve a bloody path forward.

Once the group returned, Yue Lianxuan quickly took command, saying, “Dixiang, use your holy light ball and combine it with my holy light flame to create a fiery front! Yingdie, move swiftly and target any Laguli that breach our defenses. Feng Xuewu, guard the left flank; Liu Feng and Atta, hold the right! Just defend-don’t engage unless absolutely necessary. Xiaojin, once you get into the midst of the Laguli and create some chaos, remember to exit immediately-don’t get too caught up in the battle.”

Although the others didn’t fully understand Yue Lianxuan’s strategy, her calm and decisive leadership instilled a newfound confidence in them.

A flash of golden light shot into the Laguli swarm, causing confusion among them as their companions fell inexplicably. This created a brief moment of respite for the group. Seizing the opportunity, Yue Lianxuan intertwined her fingers and murmured the incantation for her holy light flame.

The holy light flame was an intermediate area-of-effect attack spell. Given that Yue Lianxuan’s magic wasn’t sufficiently strong at the moment-she needed to conserve some energy for a restoration spell-she planned to collaborate with Dixiang to cast the holy light flame.

As Yue Lianxuan spoke the incantation, the light element around her suddenly flared to life. It coalesced around her in a continuous flow of subtle silver radiance, and her expression-focused and sincere-made her look like a pure and untouchable goddess. Perhaps sensing the aura of the holy light, the once ferocious Laguli surprisingly froze in place, hesitating to move forward.