The creature was muddy all over, only about a foot in length. It had three heads and six arms, looked somewhat like a monkey, but somehow didn’t seem quite right—what exactly was it? Little Shi Hao wondered while feeling alarmed deep inside: within ten thousand miles, all living beings perished, so how could such a strange being survive? It surely couldn’t be an ordinary creature.
The vast lake had dried up completely, with its cracked mudflat hardened like rock. This strange creature’s leg had become buried and trapped in the dry mud layer as if locked in stone, unable to free itself now. The mountains around had all been shattered mid-section; they appeared as though struck down violently by some grand artifact, obliterating entire peaks until only lower halves remained standing. Such violent upheaval must have caused the lake’s disappearance as well. Now, the marsh lay dead and lifeless without any signs of the boundless emerald waters it once possessed.
Above the lake soared three fledglings: darting through clouds at one moment, circling near ground level the next. Sitting atop Zi Yun’s back, Little One stared intensely downwards, taking out small bundles of food wrapped in beasthide and tossing them below.
The unusual entity seemed desperately hungry; it scooped up nearby meat jerky hungrily, gulping it down voraciously in a matter of moments, afterward raising wide pleading eyes skyward toward them. “It appears harmless enough,” spoke Shi Hao carefully, observing from atop his mount. “But this being is still a bit weird—Zi Yun, descend lower so we can get a closer look.”
As instructed, Zi Yun swooped down to circle low over the dried-up lakeshore. Little One’s limbs started glowing radiant patterns illuminating countless glyphs that fell like shimmering raindrops toward the mysterious animal. Its enlarged fearful yet bewildered gaze met the magical lights pouring upon its body, transforming it into brilliance—a nearly translucent figure.
This application of bone inscriptions served for gauging an enemy’s true state. Immediately surprised, he gasped aloud: “It has taken grievous wounds, marked with intricate glyph sequences mostly eroded, beyond full comprehension—as if blocked off deliberately by some unknown mystical barrier.” Confirming safety after testing thoroughly, Shi Hao leapt forth boldly landing on the hard surface beneath. Circling silently above were three young birds emitting soft warbling cries radiantly alert, ready for imminent danger at any moment.
“A year already passed since this lake dried up,” mused Little One puzzled. “How did this thing manage to hold out starving?” The dry crust here mirrored solid stone underfoot; before him lay what resembled pupal skin half-detached already partially peeled away.
“Might this one’ve experienced certain transformation phases emerging fresh from bondage? Enveloped tightly in sludge sealed probably no fewer than couple years…” Shi Hao expressed astonishment watching closely.
With high-pitched squeals (“Zhi-Zhi…”), this peculiar six-limbed three-headed critter gestured frantically, waving all arms about entreatingly asking for more food. Upon undoing his bundle, Shi Hao offered additional strips: “Hey there little fella, tell us who or what are you—and why stuck here so long?”
Its huge eyes widening even more, furiously chewing alongside thinking efforts eventually shifted blankly frustrated. Clearly discontent with itself it rubbed its head irritably.
“Whoa! Sure does seem undergoing metamorphosis—just shed another patch!” The hardened old husk clung thickly caked with hardened mud residue. After removing flakes from one limb revealed glittery gleaming new fur underneath dazzling brightly like golden satin silk much preferable compared previously grimy covering layers.
Weakened and newly revived, it failed fully retrieving encased legs, frequently appearing disoriented, scratching head ears repeatedly attempting recall.
Fascinated further, Little One reactivated glyphs again letting another gentle rain of magic douse its frame anew.
Squealing wildly, startled shrieks echoed from tiny frame enveloped again brilliant sparkling internally flickering fragments complex runes obscured entirely once more—”Could heavy injury compelled this self-renewing evolution just for mere survival?” Analyzing keenly Shi Hao surmised its harsh trials ahead.
Suddenly intense golden glow erupted encompassing the pseudo-primate body resonating cracking sounds echoing outward; ancient husks disintegrated falling loose unveiling original form beneath transformation. Concurrently during transition, monstrous traits receded: triune faces merging down single, hexad appendages consolidating into two limbs forming familiar silhouettes of natural shapes.
“That sudden shift—an illusionary treasure skill indeed?!” Shi Hao exclaimed astonishment evident face lighting up.
Shedding scale skins retracting hidden techniques, freed at last from entrapment released captive limb resuming nonstop frantic chattering movements shrinking rapidly reduced proportions now merely thumb-size diminutive spherical mass rolling nimbly akin rolling metallic orb. Truly astounding radical makeover rendering almost unfamiliar replacement!
Round compact gold-toned miniature resembling clenched fist proportioned similarly with big round lively sparkling eyes rivalling Shi Hao himself in brightness, every wink casting luminescent sparkles across observers’ vision fields.
“Adorable!” Cried ecstatically Little One, gently scooping the golden orb effortlessly cradled warmly amidst his palms playfully nudging rubbing its shiny texture fondly.
Yet incessant protests (“Zhi zhi zhi…”) arose defiant struggles continuing vigorously despite adorable appearance vocalising persistent displeasure loudly protesting capture.
But interruption came soon when jerkily inserted piece of food halted screeching immediately—the miniature marvel behaving like famished soul reborn eagerly clutching provision gnawing ferociously tumbling energetically amidst warm grip.
When trying tug tail connection firm refusal persisted unyielding attachment solely fixed focused consuming zeal overriding external disturbance.
Laughingly pleased beyond measure manipulating specimen left right side freely amusing himself heartily with companionable antics. Eventually frustration boiled over—but not from handling abuse; rage originated solely due exhausted edibles supply sensing human unawareness failing restock timely manner.
Exchanging delighted laughs meanwhile handing another portion restored previous compliant behavior allowing unrestricted manhandling twisting lifting shaking however whimsically fanciful fancy demanded oblivious clinging position solely devoted continued feast using delicate paws grasping meal hungrily concentrating wholly immersed feasting endeavours.
Even flying companions stunned expressions frozen watching astonished: Zi Yun, Da Peng, Xiao Qing alighted gathering curiously surrounding golden globe fascinated.
Moments prior regarded fierce opponent capable legendary invincibility legends depicting omnipotence now turned simple glutton forsaking dignity entirely consumed feeding instinct alone! Discovered amidst battlefields perhaps held promise deeper wisdom insights yet apparently abandoned those duties opting simpler joys existence.
Gust roaring winds herald approach landing returning group arrival village vicinity.
Huff—mighty winds raged powerful bursts blowing forcefully sweeping terrain landscape surroundings.
Younglings gathered meadows nearby, awestruck curious gazes fixated intently examining odd visitor brought back.
“What precisely is this? Just-born primate newborn seemingly cast from solid gold judging lustrous silky coat glowing reflection?”
“So rounded plump—if dropped would instantly bounce roll uncontrollably!”
“My! What prodigious appetite—doesn’t flinch when tugged doesn’t care—just keeps devouring everything mindlessly!”
Serene azure lakes reflected blue skies overhead peaceful ambiance pervaded lush greenery carpet covering adjacent shores. Brilliant-plumaged avian residents strutted majestically occasionally intermixed exotic divine beasts wandering tranquil ecosystem.
Children assembled seated casually cross-legged grass exclaiming laughter breaking out continuously engaging animated discussions among themselves studying bizarre creature together.
Eventually golden sphere wiggled wormed straight into hide satchel never halting nibbling motion gobbling entire sack contents vanishing consummately cleaned neatly empty startling realization dawned belatedly among amused watchers:
“Heavens above—how possibly devour entire bag provisions barely occupying hand palm circumference! Where storing capacity resides interior minuscule physique?”
“What kind primate behaves thus?”
Such astonished murmuring attracted adults attention—including Shi Fei Jiao others approaching cautiously.
“This ain’t mere regular primate—it demonstrates shape-shifting abilities originally presented triple-headed sextuple-armed configuration similar cicada molted discarded former shell exterior,” elucidated Shi Hao enthusiastically.
“Astonishing! Triple-heads sextuple limbs rank amongst supreme arcane arts recorded myths!”
Stone faced surprise acknowledging truth recent training mentorship exposure enlightening regarding secret knowledge past concealed truths. Ultimately summoned venerable elder leaders too: term ‘triple headed’ rang bell among elders gathering flocking around cluster peering intently. Arrived Chief Elder Stone Cloud Peak observing deeply intrigued scrutinized minutiae details.
Squealing angrily agitated complaints arising ceased shortly momentarily subsided momentarily when random projectile red fruit struck unexpectedly landed upon target impact prompting subdued reactions resumption docile consumption ignoring ambient interactions.
“This specimen certainly extraordinary!” Elders observed initial impressions causing tremulous concern rippling anxious expressions visible across their faces.
“Chief Sir, which simian lineage classified?”
“No standard species classification fits.”
Demonstrated lifting dual hind legs revealing startling feature normally masked by radiant golden hide—a vivid flaming crimson color identical burning coals fiery intensity blazing vibrantly unmistakable visual marker discernable only upon inspection elevated perspective exposing shocking revelation.
A rare legendary phenomenon referenced ominously across primordial lore whispered fears spreading chill down listeners spine shudders trembling reverently fearfully.
“In Ancient Mythologies recounts dreadful account named Zhu Yan: crimson-footed white-haired apocalyptic omen signaling cataclysmic turmoil destruction whenever manifesting presence anywhere!”
Gasps followed involuntary retreating steps backwards shaken by implications associated terrifying magnitude latent potentialities implied contained within deceptively harmless looking golden ball.
“A primordial terror truly?”
Heartbeat thunderclaps palpitations vibrating chests dread swelling exponentially contemplating implications confronting untamable ancient beast rivaling divinity levels mastery required pacifying controlling successfully.
“Contradiction detected—white mane absent contrary traditional description,” Nose-Drool Kid chimed logical contradiction disrupting hysteria building crowd mood momentum slightly.
Relieved sigh collective tension easing moderately reassured explanation ensuing.
“Not authentic version likely mere descendant diluted lineage reasons injury remain mysteries unknown.”
Yet uncertainty hovered unease lingering regardless blood impurities aside possessing heritage links antediluvian epochs alone sufficed guarantee status formidable menace dominating wilderness unchallenged unless countered specific countermeasures existed.
Only soothing factors observable currently rendered less ominous presence benign seeming playful eater devoid aggression malevolence threatening aura sensed instead fragility weakened condition broken fragmented internal energy pathways runes damaged weakening core essence severely impairments sustained previously.
“Lamentably loss preservation priceless inheritance supreme martial technique vanished irretrievably destroyed along suffering damage sustained.”
Respite settled sorrow permeated reflections mourning tragic waste possibility realized then lost eternally.
Curiosity reappeared renewed excitement discovering something else unnoticed previously.
“Its forehead sprouted horns too.” Pointed fingers exploring crown found twin minute projections nestled amid gilded locks contradicting established mythos classic Zhu Yan profile lacking comparable physical features distinguishing traits identifying discrepancy anomalies noticed unique characteristics.
Upon close scrutiny protrusions shimmer faint iridescent sheen confirming definitely scaly textured hornlets distinct noticeable feature requiring precise observation skills perceive correctly distinguish mistaken interpretation possible overlooked error otherwise easily missed superficial examinations insufficient detail focus.
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