The Dominion of Wild Beasts
Leaving Van Lac behind, Giang Long followed a narrow path snaking between towering rock faces. The deeper he ventured, the more sunlight faded behind a thick curtain of primeval canopy. Frigid air clung to his skin, heavy with the scent of damp earth. Wind whistling through crevice walls sounded like low moans from entities lurking in the shadows.
Giang Long clutched the Jade of Celestial Whispers. With each step, his heart beat a firm rhythm. This was no longer a woodcutter’s trail; it was the dominion of wild beasts.
Ahead, the gurgling of a stream echoed. As Giang Long bent down to scoop water, a deafening roar shattered the stillness!
The ground shook. From the opposite thicket, a massive shadow lunged forward, bringing a dense, murderous draft. It was the Black Cloud Tiger, a beast fed on wild mountain energy. Its fur was dark as storm clouds, its rippling muscles crushing dry leaves beneath heavy paws. Crimson eyes locked onto the youth as mist drifted from its maw.
Giang Long froze. As a mortal without cultivation, a single strike meant death. The tiger gave him no time to think; it pounded the earth and launched forward like a black vortex.
The Fa-Imprint Awakens
In that split second, the Jade of Celestial Whispers grew scorching hot. Energy erupted within his veins, setting his blood ablaze. Driven by pure instinct, Giang Long threw himself sideways. Claws crashed into the dirt where he had stood, shattering rocks into a crater.
Giang Long slid across gravel, tearing his elbows. He gasped as cold sweat broke out. Missing its prey, the beast spun around instantly. Before he could stand, it let out a sky-rending howl and leaped a second time, razor claws closing in on his chest.
A shroud of death pierced his mind. In that extremity, the forest sounds vanished. Only his grandmother’s voice remained:
“Even in the face of death... never let go of thy faith. The decree is no crown for vanity, but a sacred burden upon thy soul.”
Giang Long’s heart hammered. The ember within his eyes flared into a flame:
“I cannot die here!”
He bellowed, channeling his entire willpower and life force into a single strike. The Jade of Celestial Whispers blazed! Its emerald light tore through the woods, surging through his limbs like liquid fire.
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Stepping forward, Giang Long thrust his palm out. The radiance condensed into a pure Fa-Imprint, striking the tiger's chest dead-on.
A shockwave erupted, blasting leaves into the air. Upon impact, Giang Long heard his own bones crack. Metallic blood filled his throat, but the strike did not yield. The light pierced through black fur, driving deep into the core of the beast.
The Black Cloud Tiger let out a mournful howl as its body was hurled backward, plowing a trench into the dirt before falling motionless.
Primal Instincts and Assimilation
The earth fell silent. Giang Long slumped to the ground, his arms trembling as blood dripped from his lips. The light of the jade faded, replaced by a wave of exhaustion. Each breath felt like sharp blades tearing through his lungs. He had no strength left, yet relief washed over him: he was alive.
Forcing himself up, a gnawing hunger struck his marrow—the steep price of draining mortal vitality for divine power. The scent of blood began to drift, drawing rustlings from the shadows. The forest was waking up.
“If I do not recover... I will collapse before reaching Bich Van Terrace.”
Giang Long gritted his teeth. Nearby, low bushes bore plump berries. Recalling an elder's advice, he plucked one to test—its gentle tartness spread without numbing his tongue. He gathered a handful and devoured them, washing them down with stream water.
His eyes shifted to the carcass. Stepping forward, he picked up a sharp limestone shard and carved a piece of meat from the tiger's thigh.
He struck flint behind a boulder to kindle a small fire. As the meat roasted, he ate slowly, chewing thoroughly. The flesh contained wild spiritual energy; as it entered his body, a surge of heat ignited in his limbs. Hidden against his chest, the jade grew warm, filtering the raw energy into a cool current that seeped into his fractured bones. The pain eased.
Looking down at the jade, he rasped: “Are you helping me assimilate its power?”
Clues in the Darkness
A gust of wind brought distant growls. Giang Long kicked dirt over the fire and retreated into a rock crevice, holding his breath until the wild packs drifted away.
When twilight settled, he returned to the carcass to examine the impact point of his Fa-Imprint. Amidst the scorched fur on the neck, a piece of ancient animal hide—swallowed long ago by the beast—lay exposed.
As his fingers touched the hide, the jade vibrated, illuminating celestial glyphs upon the leather. Golden characters manifested in his mind:
[ THE GUIDING CLUE — BICH VAN TERRACE ]
Giang Long gripped the hide tightly, looking toward the dark woods ahead. This was only the first trial of a long path, but fear had yielded to destiny. The way to Bich Van Terrace was open.
CANTO XXIV: AN ENCOUNTER IN THE DEEP FOREST
Faced with the jaws of death, the warning rings,
The ancient gift becomes a shield of light.
An undying faith unfolds its cosmic wings,
The grand Fa-Imprint shatters eternal night.
Upon the beast's remains, a secret torn,
The hidden script and jade together chime.
A path toward high Bich Van is born,
To lead the youth beyond the bounds of time.