It was a strange space, shrouded in a faint light reminiscent of the pale glimmer at dawn when the eastern horizon barely turns white, wreathed in drifting mists. No one from Stone Village knew where they had been brought. Everyone stood dumbfounded. How did they suddenly leave the vast wilderness and step beyond those mountains?
Little Shi wandered curiously, gazing through the misty haze surrounding the village, as if peering into a chaotic primordial realm that emanated an ancient and desolate aura—a place where one would lose direction quickly if venturing forward. At the head of the village stood the thick trunk of a willow tree rooted firmly in the earth. Its charred bark was cracked with age; its sole branch no longer fresh and supple but dull.
The vision unsettled the villagers. A tide of fierce beasts surged over the mountain range in their homeland—but they had unexpectedly escaped it all. Where were they now? All gathered before the Willow God, reverently praying.
“Great is the power of the Willow Deity, for He spared us from calamity,” proclaimed the clan elder, Shi Yun Feng. The suddenness of events compelled him to break early from his retreats. But it mattered little where they were now—all had survived. That was blessing enough.
“No need to panic—we have stockpiled much dried meat, nuts, wild wheat, and sun-dried mountain vegetables. Enough provisions last us for months,” assured the venerable chief.
“Just so,” affirmed Shi Lin Hu. “Have faith. Sheltered by the grace of the Willow God, there shall come no true peril.”
With these assurances from their elders spoken in turn, the people calmed, their concerns eased. Organized once more, they resumed tasks—grinding wild grains, repairing roofs with cured meats hanging above.
Two months passed in the blink of an eye—Four-year-old Little Shi’s silken hair now flowed gently onto his shoulders, while his obsidian-black eyes gleamed more alertly than ever. Adorable yet deceptively strong—he could leap forty meters at will—the lad emerged as the greatest prodigy within Stone Village.
“You’re dawdling again! Longing for some beast milk perhaps?” came teasing banter from nearby. Crouched beneath the sacred willow, absorbed in his own musings, Shi Hao shot up excitedly, eyes darting keenly:
“Now where? Show me!”
Laughter rippled among older boys.
“Haha… craving beast milk already? Locked away like this lately—it must’ve tasted bland on the tongue!”
Miffed yet protesting, “Not at all—I simply asked casually.”
Mischievous ‘Nose-Boy,’ always brimming mischief, leaned in craftily:
“Why not visit Old Tiger Cub at Uncle Lin’s house then?”
“Get lost!” snapped Shi Hao, halting Nose-Boy’s sly suggestion midway, giving a stern look toward him—one who may have shared similar youth but harbored twice the tricks.
“Words settle quarrels—not swords,” sniffed Nose-Boy, hastily retreating after wiping his nose clean.
***Krack***—then the heavens tore open.
Sunlight pierced downward like a radiant beam parting shadow, dispersing gray fogs until brightness bathed everything anew across the plane.
“Wooahh! Sunlight again!” Children shrieked joyfully, elated.
Villagers too arose astonished, standing tall, faces lifted skyward—cheeks flushed with excitement after months entrapped here; bodies near rusted still. Another rupture sounded like shattered jade pottery, shaking their world violently—before calming once more amid flickers.
Suddenly ***BAM***—like thunderclap, fog vanished utterly. Chaos dissipated. Radiant day enveloped them all.
Soaring aloft burned the golden orb—though piercing harsh—none flinched. Greetings erupted from every throat, rising into exultations—they were free again!
Bounding ahead like eager foxes, youths fled Stone Village shrieking gleefully into nature’s perfume—an aromatic breeze carrying whispers of life unseen. Trees danced beside them. Birds sung above while spry young legs bounded freely about grasslands.
“Wait—something feels off…” murmured Er Meng, eyes scanning wildly the landscape around them, nothing resembling the hills he grew familiar since infancy.
Before them swept a wide stream; golden-scaled fish leapt rhythmically—each shimmer casting rainbows amidst ripples. Not far lay a tranquil lake, sapphire-clear waters lapped shorelines. Vibrantly plumed avians paraded leisurely along the margin; measuring over two meters long, iridescent wings trailing clouds of radiance. Alongside grazed unicorns, their silvery hide pulsating luminescence while drinking thirstily.
“What beauty!” children cried out astonishment anew.
Elders watched astounded also. Having escaped entrapment within mysterious void, none could recognize surroundings so starkly distinct from woodlands known lifelong—how had destiny delivered them to such serene paradise instead?
From behind burst cries—”Chirrup-chirrup!”—arrived Purple Cloud, Great Roc and Young Green bursting joyfully into sight, drooling eagerly as gazes locked upon leaping lake creatures ahead. Fully grown now past three meters, youthful beasts having slowed somewhat past initial months.
Then arrived Azure-Scaled Eagle beating great silvered pinions, causing waves ashore as eight or nine massive golden-scaled fish writhed gasping on the sand—bulky trophies each worth dozens pounds! Most curiously possessed twin whisker-like appendages growing alongside jaws translucent crystal-fresh fragrant scent wafting softly from tip ends.
Three juvenile beasts pounced immediately into feastful bliss. Shi Yun Feng approached, stooping to lift up one fish scrutinizing closely:
“Liao-Xu Yu indeed—moreover, Gold Scale Prime Variety! This is treasure! Infused deep inside dwells Spiritual Essence! Consumed regularly by our youths, muscles gain strength, bones toughen! Precious nourishment beyond estimation!”
At word, children stampeded shouting toward water’s edge. Liao-Xu Fish were rarity elsewhere—selling dearly should opportunity present. Yet here teemed entire lake filled with bounteous plenty, sufficient feeding generations of Stone Villagers.
“Clan Leader—observe yonder,” interjected father of Er Meng excitedly, motioning lakeside, “those splendid birds—could they be Five-Colored Hens better known as ‘Lesser Phoenix Bird’? Once I caught distant glimpse of one in deep woods many years back but couldn’t capture.”
Shi Yun Feng narrowed gaze studying carefully. “Sure enough… looks just like!”
These phoenix-mimicking creatures cloaked dazzling plumes spanning hues vividly magnificent—measuring similarly sized to young griffons. Revered medicinal beast famed curing bone fractures: even severe limb breaks could knit seamlessly after consuming broth made whole-body stewed including marrow-infused flesh.
After moment contemplation Clan Leader ordered firmly:
“A large congregation dwells here undisturbed. Under NO circumstances are they disturbed prematurely! Wait until I call for medicine gathering. Preserve their safety. Only through prolonged habitation here shall we benefit perennial supply.”
All adult men nodded obediently, though hearts throbbed less for birds and rather for unicorns grazing further still—shimmering equine jewels stirring masculine desire instinctually.
Raised surrounded dense wilderness, virile men naturally pursued steeds capable racing thousand leagues effortlessly. Such fantasy bred uniquely male dreams and desires—and lo, right beside them browsed herd fifty plus unicorns! Rarity beyond measure sparking envy-flush in manly chests—but all mindful: dangerous bestiaries demanding care before subjugation.
“Take slow steps,” hushed conspiratorially Shi Fei Jiao cautiously. “They’ll be ours eventually—just avoid alarm till then. Settling roots within these fertile lands… soon fortune shall flow unto Stone.”
Out beyond the village borders landscapes dramatically changed. Initial bewilderment receded into grateful embrace—for nowhere before found haven blessed such supernatural profusion. From lakes swarmed golden scaled beings soaring skies high; unicorns patrolling landwards side-by-side with mystical beings.
Yet amidst celebration lingered silence in one boy.
Standing isolated watching splashing fish and unicorn herds, vague nostalgia stirred Shi Hao. Lips murmured fragmented memories,
“…somewhere familiar—a greater lake than this… birds more brilliant than lesser phoenix hens, colossal size fit nobles’ hunting grounds…”
Watching child fall inward grief-stricken stirred emotion across aged faces.
Father and uncle exchanged silent glances reluctant voicing fears unspoken.
Suddenly turning tear-welled gaze skyward toward approaching silhouette,
“Grandfather Clan-Chief…” voice quivered fragile question emerging at last,
“…do Father and Mother yet remain amongst living?”
Years echoed painful within old soul. Stooping tenderly, rough hands gently tousled soft locks of grandson’s dark curls; affection mingled sorrow in heavy sigh as he struggled how answer words unspoken.
Abrupt streak of lightning slashed air blinding brilliant crimson fire spreading across skies mirrored endless sunset hues.
A diminutive crimson bird plummeted—body glittering crystal red miniature palm sized—descending straight landing prone front central holy willow tree.
“Oooooo!! Xiao Hong!” squealed Shi Hao rushing forth instantly.
Tiny flamebird lay battered—scarlet plumage dimmed from previous brilliance by grievous wounding chest cavity impaled nearly severed completely through abdomen wound; additional punctures scarred scalp threatening penetration skull itself.
Each horrid mark glimmered ominously—intricate glyph patterns etched within continuing slow annihilation internal systems.
Cautious Shi Hao refrained interference knowing moment fall struck scorched crater around fallen creature burning heat intense extreme as roaring furnace core itself.
Soft inquiry whispered close.
“You okay Xiao Hong?”
One feature distinguishable crimson mass remained—two jet black orbs—sharp luminous observing eyes meeting anxious inquiry with scorn twist sideways glance—a meaningful glare sharp enough soften approach sheepish embarrassed rub temple response afterward.
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