In the vast and boundless lands lay the magnificent city of Duan Kong — a grand and towering fortress made dark-brown stone. Although it was ancient, it was brimming with vitality. Especially in the past few days, the city grew increasingly bustling and lively as supreme teachings and ancient noble houses dispatched their prodigies here, readying themselves for entry into Bai Duan Mountain.
These young masters, each possessing talents rivaling gods on celestial spheres, stood unrivaled in their clans and represented those who would soon become the rulers of this land, dominating all sects and schools of the world to come.
“Look! There’s a strange serpent – why does it have only one head but two bodies?” From among a group, Xiao Bu Dai tugged at an elder apprentice’s sleeve, gesturing forward eagerly.
Indeed, ahead was a serpent quite uncanny — brilliant crimson all over its body, starting from below its heads as its form split, boasting dual bodies and bearing two great wings each side; altogether, it possessed six thick legs and four grand wings. Shimmering with armor-like scales and a terrifyingly twisted expression, the monster slithered past.
Crowds cleared the way, reluctant to near it. Several prodigies sent by the Bu Tian Pavilion exhaled sharply. One hastily pulled ‘Little Rascal,’ or Little Rascal, to their side, and in a whisper told him the creature was an ancient breed, feared widely — the Fei Yi.
“Oh, it’s Fei Yi…” The eyes of Little Rascal widened as he recalled the tales found in ancient tomes he had read describing countless magical beings.
The advent of Fei Yi was accompanied by omens; it was associated commonly with immense droughts, having mastered ancient pyric arts, its command of flame far excelling that of common flame-weavers or any beast of its kind alive today.
Even as a juvenile beast, a mature Fei Yi’s potential was monstrous — entire vast tribes spanning tens of millions could suffer total annihilation from the might residing within that one serpent.
“Do not provoke it, even if it’s now but a little one,” one female apprentice from the Pavilion warned somberly. “Few among humanity could ever equal it.”
This Fei Xi — only several meters in length — crawled forward, all onlookers on all streets parting respectfully aside as it moved with slow dominance like a royal beast.
Eyes filled with curiosity, Little Rascal observed in interest – ‘with one head and two bodies, how easy would it be to control in actual battle?’
With suddenness like thunder’s crack, the Fei Yi slanted to cast a chilling glance at the boy from afar. Then swiftly, a long crimson tail flashed like lightning and lashed outward, leaving a thunderous CRACK against the stone beneath it, sending a thick dust rising rapidly into the air. The blow came just near Xiao’s feet. If not for the speed in retreat, it would most assuredly have sent its intended target sprawling hard to the ground amidst pain.
“You thick-limbed worm dare strike me!?” Xiao roared, rushing forward in fierce defiance, causing alarm among the Bu Tian Pavilion’s group as they lunged to hold him back.
The youths’ own bodily powers paled mightily compared to him though. Yet one girl whispering gently succeeded instead:
“Elder Tao promised — no causing problems inside the city. But deep within the Bai Duan Mountains, well, then do your worst!”
“That’s lucky for now. But from this moment on, keep away and avoid my gaze!” Lifting a hand, Xiao addressed the crimson-hued beast scathingly with the ferocity of a scolding.
The entire boulevard hushed to silence. Who in heavens could this bold lad be? Daring — and quite bluntly — to reprimand an authentic beast from a prehistoric race? Reversal of roles — that was more believable.
“This…” murmured an awed voice nearby, almost trembling “…feels way too like hearing we’re looking at a proper human-shaped ancient beast.”
Halting abruptly, the Fiery Yi came up like forged sacred metal with a glinting glow along thick muscle as its long serpent frame gleamed red like polished rubies under a chilling sheen. Eyes like slotted crimson ice peered intently toward the bold child ahead as forked tongues hissed in sibilant menace.
“He’s but a mere child… don’t dwell on this foolishness!” said an older male apprentice in calm reassurance toward the Fei Yi.
Taking Xiao by the shoulder, the group whisked him into the human crowd, disappearing from the serpent’s presence.
Not following, the Fei Yi kept sight on their fleeing forms, crimson light flaring vibrantly from his entire body with power restrained only by immense self-control.
The moment the boy surged forward moments before had left quite a lasting impact… The terrifying aura emanating from Xiao had reminded the beast of its own fierce might, stirring a wary interest deep within. “A remarkable child of Humanity, this young talent is more than I expected…” it mused to itself before finally turning to go — his final gaze towards the path of Bai Duan mountain grew increasingly cold and focused.
Elsewhere an ethereal butterfly danced amidst a glowing shimmer. Flowlines of iridescent light painted its massive form — over one meter long and gleaming as though a divine gem. Its great multicolored wings beat gently yet radiance exploded outward radiating mysterious protective runes as beings in the surrounding streets backed away, awed deeply by presence so regal and majestic.
“It’s the Lie Tian Diablo Butterfly — the twin wings supposedly capable of splitting a sky ten thousand miles above with but a flick.” Whispers rose with reverence and alarm across all species gathered.
Of course, this one before them was but a young child — a mixed breed unlike those of pristine purity recorded across ancient annals from eons past. But already awe-inspecting.
Amused and curious amidst their wandering, Xiao’s eyes widened in sheer sensory overload after encountering metallic manforms whose flesh pulsed as though living machinery. They spoke with voices that could charm and beguile. Other spectacles were terrifying: plants with roots planted inside empty vacuum spaces that could chant and cast divine spells with power unseen.
Numerous young human champions walked alongside other beasts whose power was so intense that mere presence left them feared, each an elite creature. Even among these, several forms stood — beings almost similar human appearance in essence with only minor odd traits to reveal their otherness — a single horn crest from crown; twin heads growing alongside each other; or a being with torso human save where scaled thighs coiled serpent-like into twin coils below. From head and limb, golden auras and sacred glows streamed — these beings moved as though living statues of divinity.
“Such a rich diversity of beings!” Xiao exclaimed joy as they watched the city streets teeming below them. “Even the native species don’t seem able to match our sheer numbers this time around — will Bai Mountains even accommodate us all?”
“Ahhhh — the term mountain in ‘Bai Duan Mountains’ is a deception,” explained the senior fellow from the Pavilion kindly and in earnest. “Bai Duan is rather an entry gate into another small hidden cosmos — as a new world that unfolds when fully activated. When we arrive there in the future, you will understand its wonders!”
“Yaaayyy — well, that IS promising,” Xiao said, relief breaking through frowns. “Glad its not a barren dump I might have imagined — maybe we’d find some nice trinkets there too.”
Before long the city tour was almost completed — encounters had introduced them to many beings — and even unveiled whispers and secrets about their hidden powers. Yet on one count only could he feel deeply upset — someone recently upped the bounty on Xiao’s head drastically! It’s being offered to anyone delivering anything remaining of his skull after a strike, and all the prize that included precious treasures, bone scriptures — or the life-sustaining herbal wonders of elven medicine.
On learning this grim tidings, Xiao’s little visage darkened deeply in mood.
Not done yet another disturbing update struck soon — a precise suspicion emerged, spreading across tongues and hushed debates like wildfire: the troublemaker child would most certainly travel in the Pavilion’s ranks and by simply tracking them, everyone’s uncertainty over Xiao’s hidden identity was set aside for the eager to chase him more decisively. The rumors gained heavy credibility quickly: Bu Tian Pavilion, having been a legendary land purified since ancient times with countless generations under its belt, surely housed many experts of formidable strength. For their order — to allow this child to dwell undetected even this long within their hallowed walls was an outright impossibility.
“Why the glum visage today, lil’ bro’?” inquired a cute older senior female apprentice standing near him.
“That’s too harsh. Too much sunlight,” murmured Xiao with half-hearted excuse.
“That said — somehow I got the feeling that walking this closely alongside such a boy… We five might soon be caught dead for being near you during some ambush,” chuckled a senior apprentice watching the news spread nervously.
“Are you telling me by any chance the truth has finally caught your attention and… it was me causing all that? Well, please at least permit myself to swat this young bear first for that mischief!” Another female apprentice, with a beautiful countenance, growled as she recalled Xiao’s antics during previous years of turmoil at the Pavilion.
“Eek… you perv… you dare dare!” she cried next, face crimson with anger upon feeling a sudden slap land on her round shapely rear-end, the culprit standing boldly behind.
“In mortal battles, strike boldly first, or you suffer greatly afterwards! Step forward fair senior,” Xiao replied with solemn bravado. “We begin now!”
The five gifted youth among these apprentices stood frozen — this bratty troublemaker was undeniably indeed the infamous terror they had only just suspected.
“Beat him up!” They cried as one and sprang in chase of this rogue. However, despite their desire to discipline and pummel him into a pulp within public, in present company their restraint endured: for fear their public status at Bu Tian would invite unwanted exposure should they resort here within city borders to outright chasing and capturing him recklessly.
At the heart of the city, near where a grand altar once stood, a flood of beings had gathered. Whoever had gained an invitation into the city would often visit this sacred site, where it once had soaked in Saint-Blood from ages forgotten — left broken now to remain little more than a field black charred stones without any trace of writings upon them carved long back by saviors of old.
As the group arrived, they were surprised to discover multitudes gathered already — the altar long in disrepair now reduced only to its dark stone remains. Yet beyond the altar stood not only humans in gathering crowds but more strange and terrifying species of beings that released intimidating auras, preventing others from venturing near and even forcing distance between all living.
“Heard about the famous Human prodigy wreaked up legends in virtual divine domains — all conversations for these days have been revolving around him!” complained a tree-dweller with deep skepticism in roots.
“Do you all feel so enamored by his so-claimed ‘name’? We should enslave him — me, already I have collected fine maids and strong loyal warriors!” spoke out an individual whose body was mostly human-like yet bore atop its forehead a radiant golden horn. Purple mane framed its otherwise nearly normal face which, although human-like, carried snow-fang like canine teeth gleaming outward ominously while it talked.
“Let none of you all argue — I want him. So many keep mentioning how powerful his fame extends — well, I’ll finally be selecting my very first captive and servant. None can dispute me!” A lion’s voice — thunder loud — resonated all at once, filling all ears within distance, as vibrations rang loud as temple bells during sacrificial rite at dawn.
A radiant Lion, brilliant as though made purely golden light, revealed its majestic shape: a lion whose head count numbered to an overwhelming nine, each radiating regal power and terrifying aura — pure and refined like the ancient blood from an untarnished royal line.
“Such terrifying power! This child has yet to even begin reaching adulthood, yet he bears nine majestic radiant craniums. Truly, his ancestral blood must burn with untouchable purity,” observed an elder — clan chief of an ancient house that passed through the site on pilgrimage while admiring loudly.
At once a mighty bellow erupted: Roar! — The nine-headed beast’s aura erupted outward like golden stormfront in all directions, dominating and crushing all nearby lesser aura manifestations into oblivion.
“Tell your tongues: All sing praises… and thus shall this one come to belong to mine — let all step aside. Only those of peerless talent deserve a future of ruling over my glorious domain!”
A second ear-pounding eruption echoed outward as golden rays of lion energy bathed and overwhelmed the atmosphere, shaking every heart and bone as the ancient stone altar wavered and trembled at its mighty breath.
None in attendance even considered voicing protest, too awed into silence by that primal majesty manifesting before them.
History knew such examples well. Once, even among Man — some warriors chose paths to join and fight alongside Primordial Beasts for decades before returning back home — triumphant and hailed by many as King or Emperor — ruler across kingdoms that stretched vast lands of tens or perhaps hundreds of millions souls long ago.
“Ohhhh that golden lion… mmmm tastes great! I absolutely *love* lion heads served in spicy sauces! I shall definitely eat it!” a grumpy, gloom-faces little voice muttered darkly not far from hearing range amidst murmurs that carried a tone sharp with resentment — none other by the black-faced brat whose little fang shone like diamonds reflecting fire.
“Not so fast!” hissed the same elder girl as before as her firm hand seized his small shoulder tightly “Steer clear — that golden Nine-headed beast draws near to pristine ancestry’s doorstep. Only those like Shi Hao may ever survive a brush with such a mighty ancient bloodline.”
“A fine beast deserves a masterclass in delicately simmered cuisine,” he replied with his voice half-draped in smirky excitement. “Better we prepare — inside the Bai Duan Mountains. I’ll bring some salt for garnish.”
Silent speechlessness hung thick in air over these five gifted youth of the Bu Tian sect. All five simply stared wordlessly at the audactiy this little devil possessed even still amidst all the dangers swirling around.
Far far from there at a realm nearly 800,000 li away, stood the mighty royal palace city of the famed Stone Kingdom’s imperial capital – Rain Clan’s domain stretched wide in regal might, a breathtaking architectural sprawl of palatial towers and countless courtly buildings all towering high overhead with palpable, heavy pressure that seemed to press from all sides.
Inside a chamber adorned with gleaming runes radiating fortune and blessings from golden insinuator lights danced with sacred mist upon floating altars — within that chamber several senior representatives of ‘the Rain’ family sat in formation around a table on which another object captured full collective attention: a message-scroll.
“Our boy Feng, reporting from the Bu Tian Pavilion — he now confirms our understanding fully… The mystery child within divinal realms, has a name now… His is: Hao Tian. His present known whereabouts: The gates of Duan Kong City. Surely his next course lies within Bai Duan’s mountains.”
“This new name… contains the sacred monosyllabic prefix of ‘Hao,” mused one noble elder as he compared silently against old records and the child from those far back years whose age matches the range closely. Observant, there remained that subtle facial nuance – the sharp upward lift in eyebrows, and slight narrowing in slits above eyes that bore an uncanny resemblance to the once-feared and now-presumed-lost Shi Zi Ling.”
Hushed silence enveloped those within at the weight of implications this brought forth — a terrible yet exciting possibility lingering dangerously within.
Yet eventually the same speaker resumed:
“That young one from long before already shattered beneath their former self, his spirit broken… He can’t remain among the living. But even thus – the body of this ‘Hao’ found within Bu Tian’s ranks bears such terrifying raw power. It’s strength remains on par, equal even perhaps, with ShiYi… Thus, we mustn’t overlook him.”
Another elder spoke now — recalling an ancient text he alone had referenced and preserved across years past.
“In olden erals… there spoke whispers: Of born Sovereigns whose might shatters yet whose inner marrow endures long trials — only once they pass the infernal fires and break free again shall their power reborn reach an unfathomable level.”
Another sharp collective chill ran down backs the second the suggestion took form and echoed in air.
Regardless, that much is undeniable… the presence of this Hao boy signals the rise or endgame of many a powerful force in our times. All orders were clear — the younger talents and elite under our Rain family have each been given their missions already. From that gate into Bai Duan’s realm, they are all instructed to remain focused and keep vigilant eyes locked solely upon him.
Should opportunities arise… show him no quarter, leave him broken… and no mercy given.
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