As Lü Bu hacked through the dense vines of the rainforest with his spear, he couldn't help but feel a creeping sense of unease. The symphony of the forest, once a soothing chorus of chirping birds and buzzing insects, now seemed to him like the ominous prelude to a dark and sinister symphony. The towering trees around him formed a green canopy, filtering the sunlight and casting eerie shadows on the forest floor. Vibrant, exotic flowers dotted the landscape, their intoxicating fragrances filling the air. Despite their beauty, Lü Bu knew that some of these plants were as deadly as the creatures that lurked in the shadows.
The soft, spongy ground beneath his feet seemed to be whispering secrets to him, and the thick humidity made it hard to breathe. His weapon of choice, a spear with a dark wooden shaft and a gleaming, razor-sharp tip, felt like a fragile shield against the unknown horrors lurking in the shadows. As he moved deeper into the rainforest, Lü Bu's senses were on high alert. He knew that among the lush vegetation, many cunning predators could be hiding, waiting for the perfect moment to strike.
"Hey, wait for me!" A voice called out behind him, but Lü Bu paid it no heed as he leapt over a fallen tree, its bark covered in a thick layer of moss and crawling with insects.
"Hey, Xie Dongyi!" The voice called out again, louder and closer this time. Lü Bu turned around to see a young woman, Lee Min, running towards him. She was dressed in a light blue robe, her hair tied back in a ponytail, and her face covered in a sheen of sweat. As she approached, the rustling leaves and snapping twigs beneath her feet seemed to blend with the cacophony of the rainforest.
As she neared, Lü Bu raised his spear, as if he was going to throw that weapon like a javelin. "Wow, H-hey there..." She slowly raised her hands, signifying that she wasn't a threat but Lü Bu threw his spear at ridiculously high speed.
Lee Min closed her eyes, waiting for the embrace of death as she heard the spear going through wood. She peeked out and saw that the spear had pierced the body of a vine snake, one of the many demon beasts that could camouflage themselves into any environment. These creatures were notorious ambush predators, lying in wait for unsuspecting prey.
Lü Bu's sharp senses had detected the snake's presence just in time, saving both of them from a deadly encounter. As the snake's lifeless body hung from his spear, Lee Mjnd couldn't help but feel a newfound respect for Lü Bu saving her.
"Stop bothering me and leave," Lü Bu stated coldly, his eyes narrowing in annoyance. But before he could continue on his journey, Lee Min quickly grabbed him by the collar and pushed him to the side as a black blur shot out from the foliage.
(~ Whoosh ~)
Lü Bu blinked a few times, his heart pounding as he turned to see a massive creature standing upright on its hind legs, towering over them at a height of around 6 feet. Its body was covered in thick, black fur, with a long, tufted tail. Its arms were strong and muscular, ending in large hands with long fingers and sharp nails. Its face was dominated by a large, protruding snout, filled with sharp teeth that could easily rip through flesh. Its ears were long and pointed, and its eyes were a piercing yellow color that seemed to glow.
(~ Drip ~)
Feeling something hit his head, Lü Bu's eyes shifted up as he saw a large scar covering Lee Min's face. 'Oh.' Lü Bu's eyes widened as he realized that Lee Min had saved him.
"Why?" Lü Bu muttered grudgingly, acknowledging her help. Lee Min looked at him, surprised by his sudden question, but then smiled slightly as she assured him that she could fight the pain.
"Hey! I'll protect you," she replied softly.
Lü Bu's mind flashed back to his childhood as his father brought a little girl into their home. She had been the daughter of a family friend, and the first time he saw her, she was battling to keep her tears back. "Hey! Don't cry, I'll protect you!" Those were the words little Lü Bu exclaimed as he gritted his teeth when he remembered that those were the same words he had said to that witch who would go on to betray their sect, their family, and their home. Lü Bu felt a bitter taste in his mouth as he remembered Sister Lin Lai.
(~ Roar ~)
Lü Bu blinked and saw a massive, shadowy figure charging toward them, moving with alarming speed and ferocity. Ignoring the feeling of remembering that woman, Lü Bu pushed Lee Min to the side as he stood up with his guard up.
"You don't trust me, do you?" Lee Min asked, her voice tinged with sadness as she watched Lü Bu's tense posture.
"It's not about trust," Lü Bu replied, his voice strained. "It's about survival. I can't afford to rely on anyone but myself. Provide me with some backup with your bow."
" Got it !"
As the demon beast got closer, Lü Bu could see that it was a mythical black baboon, its eyes glowing with anger and its teeth bared as it let out another deafening roar. It was clear that the creature was not going to stop until it had caught its prey.
Feeling the spiritual Qi within him surging, Lü Bu planted his feet firmly on the ground and held his spear with the shaft perpendicular to his arm. A giant halo of spiritual Qi began to form around him, swirling and pulsating with immense power. The energy intensified, manifesting as a dazzling light show of ethereal blues and greens, reminiscent of the deep ocean waters.
As the halo expanded, an intricate insignia of a leviathan emerged behind Lü Bu, its massive body coiling and writhing as if ready to strike. The detailed scales on the sea monster glistened with a metallic sheen, and its eyes sparkled with an otherworldly intensity. The insignia seemed to possess a life of its own, creating an aura of awe and reverence.
Lee Min, who was busy applying pressure to the wound on her face, momentarily forgot her pain as she caught sight of the incredible display of power.
'What the ...?'
Drawing upon this immense energy of his soul, Lü Bu shouted, "Beast Art: Leviathan's Surge!"
The spiritual Qi converged on his spear, imbuing it with the strength and ferocity of Lü Bu's martial essence.
The Leviathan's Surge technique was a fluid, wave-like series of thrusts and slashes that mimicked the undulating movements of the mythical sea serpent, Leviathan. This technique was designed to overwhelm opponents with a relentless barrage of attacks from various angles, leaving them no time to react or counter.
His adrenaline coursing through his veins, Lü Bu gripped his spear tightly with both hands, the sharp point glinting in the sunlight as he prepared to unleash the Leviathan's Surge. With a fierce battle cry, he initiated the series of fluid movements, his spear dancing through the air like a serpent gliding through water.
The move was so fast and unexpected that the demon beast was caught off guard, and it was unable to react in time. Lü Bu's relentless barrage of attacks connected with powerful force, the spear slicing through the air as it struck the Black Baboon from various angles. Blood splattered with each vicious strike, painting the surrounding foliage with a gruesome crimson hue.
(~ Swoosh ~)
He felt a satisfying thud as each strike hit its target, the spear cleaving through flesh and bone with brutal efficiency. The Black Baboon's once powerful form was now a mangled mess of fur and gore. Lü Bu watched with grim satisfaction as his enemy fell to the ground, dead, its lifeless eyes staring into the abyss.
(~ Thud ~)
Panting with exertion, Lü Bu pulled the spear out of the demon beast's body and stood over his fallen foe. Blood dripped from the spear's razor-sharp tip, a gruesome testament to the ferocity of the battle.
To think that activating his Martial Essence would take so much out of him.
He knew that he needed to get his martial Skeleton and start his journey of cultivation again.
As Lü Bu stood over the fallen Black Baboon, the ominous chorus of roars echoing through the rainforest made him realize that the battle was far from over. Turning around, he saw a pack of mythical baboons, their eyes glowing with anger and teeth bared, charging at him with bloodlust in their eyes. Lee Min, still clutching the wound on her face, looked on in terror, knowing that they were in grave danger.
Lü Bu's spiritual Qi began to change, adapting to the situation as he prepared to execute the full range of techniques from the Divine Beast Spear Style. As he transitioned from one technique to another, the insignia behind him shifted to the respective mythical beasts, their fearsome images imbuing him with their power and authority. Each insignia radiated with an ethereal light, reflecting the beast's distinct characteristics and nature.
Executing the Beast Art: Dragon's Tail Sweep, the image of a mighty dragon appeared behind Lü Bu, its scales gleaming and its tail whipping through the air. The dragon's roar resonated through the forest, as Lü Bu swung his spear in a wide arc, leaving a trail of blood and gore in its wake. The powerful strike connected with several charging baboons, their bodies torn apart by the sheer force, sending them tumbling through the underbrush and crashing into trees and bushes.
But the pack was relentless, and more baboons surged forward to take the place of their fallen comrades.
Lü Bu swiftly shifted to the Phoenix Dive technique, the insignia behind him transforming into a breathtakingly detailed and vivid image of a majestic phoenix. The phoenix's feathers blazed with an array of fiery hues – deep crimsons, bright oranges, and radiant yellows – that seemed to dance like real flames. Its piercing, golden eyes were filled with an ancient wisdom, as if holding secrets from the dawn of time. The creature's outstretched wings appeared powerful and elegant, while its long, flowing tail feathers created an ethereal display of fire and light.
As Lü Bu executed the Phoenix Dive, the fiery phoenix insignia seemed to come to life, its wings flapping in unison with Lü Bu's movements.
With a graceful dive, he delivered a swift downward thrust. This powerful attack pierced through the thick hide of a baboon, causing it to let out a pained cry before its body burst into flames and collapsed to the ground.
Lee Min watched in awe as Lü Bu continued to battle the pack, his movements fluid and precise as he transitioned from one technique to another.
As he executed the Griffin's Wing, a majestic insignia of a powerful griffin materialized behind him. The griffin's body was that of a lion, with strong, muscular limbs and a long, sinuous tail, while its head was that of an eagle, crowned with sharp, curved beak and piercing eyes. Its expansive wings, adorned with layers of intricate feathers, seemed to stretch out endlessly, each tip razor-sharp and glistening with a lethal gleam. The griffin's fierce gaze was imbued with an otherworldly power, striking fear into the hearts of the baboons as it appeared to come alive, its wings propelling Lü Bu into the air as he dodged an incoming attack and swiftly repositioned himself for a counterstrike. Blood splattered across the foliage, leaving a vivid testament to the ferocity of the battle.
As more baboons closed in, Lü Bu unleashed the Chimera's Menace. The intricate insignia of a multi-headed chimera materialized behind him. A snarling lion head represented its fierceness and courage, while the venomous snake head embodied cunning and lethal precision. The goat head symbolized the chimera's resilience and unyielding spirit, and the dragon head showcased its raw power and ferocity.
Each head bore its fangs menacingly, their many eyes blazing with an otherworldly glow, locking onto the attacking baboons with unerring focus. The insignia pulsed with Lü Bu's spiritual Qi, filling the air with an almost palpable sense of dread and awe.
As Lü Bu executed the technique, the chimera insignia seemed to come to life, its heads darting and weaving in perfect synchronization with his every move. The illusion was so convincing that it appeared as though the mythical beast itself was fighting alongside Lü Bu, each strike and feint backed by the combined might and cunning of the chimera's many heads.
The attacking baboons found themselves faced with an opponent unlike any they had encountered before, their bestial instincts overwhelmed by the sheer force and complexity of Lü Bu's assault. One by one, they succumbed to the onslaught, the chimera's fearsome visage their final sight before succumbing to the darkness of death.
With each powerful thrust and deft parry, Lü Bu demonstrated his mastery of the Divine Beast Spear Style. The Thunderbird's Cry sent a devastating shockwave through the ranks of the baboons, leaving a trail of destruction and shattered bones in its wake. As he shifted to the Nemean Roar technique, the image of the impenetrable Nemean Lion appeared, its defiant roar echoing through the rainforest as Lü Bu deflected incoming attacks and countered with ferocity. The force of his strikes tore through flesh and muscle, leaving gaping wounds on the baboons' bodies.
The battle raged on, each technique leaving a path of destruction and bloodshed in its wake. The images of mythical beasts flickered behind Lü Bu as he fought, their presence a testament to his martial essence. Despite their numbers, the baboons were no match for the full might of the Divine Beast Spear Style. The forest floor soon turned into a blood-soaked battlefield, littered with the lifeless forms of the mythical baboons.
Lee Min's eyes filled with gratitude and admiration as she watched Lü Bu fight, her fear and pain momentarily forgotten. With each powerful strike, more baboons fell before him, their roars of anger giving way to whimpers of defeat.
Finally, with a swift execution of the Chimera's Menace, Lü Bu struck down the last of the mythical baboons, their lifeless forms littering the forest floor around him. Breathing heavily from the exertion, he knew that he had survived the encounter, but at a cost. His body ached, and his energy was spent. The once serene rainforest had transformed into a macabre battlefield, the scent of blood and death lingering in the air.
Lee Min, her wound now forgotten, rushed to Lü Bu's side.
....
The night descended upon the rainforest, casting a blanket of darkness over the dense foliage. The cacophony of daytime creatures slowly gave way to the haunting calls of nocturnal predators and the rhythmic drone of insects. A flickering campfire illuminated a small clearing where Lü Bu and Lee Min had set up their temporary refuge. The fire's warm glow cast dancing shadows on their faces, highlighting the weariness etched into their expressions.
Lü Bu sat cross-legged near the fire, his spear resting against his shoulder as he carefully mixed an ointment in a small clay pot. The concoction was a blend of demon beast blood, rare herbs such as Starlight Orchid, Moonlit Ivy, and Crimson Willow bark, and other ingredients known for their potent healing properties.
"As you extract the blood from the demon beast, it's crucial to separate the essence from the impurities," Lü Bu explained, his voice calm and measured. "Only then can it be combined with the carefully selected herbs and other ingredients, each chosen for their unique medicinal properties. The Starlight Orchid, for example, is known for its ability to soothe pain and reduce inflammation. The Moonlit Ivy has antibacterial properties, while the Crimson Willow bark helps to stimulate blood circulation. When combined correctly, the resulting ointment accelerates the healing process and strengthens the body."
Lee Min watched him intently, her eyes reflecting the firelight as she listened to his words.
As Lü Bu glanced up at her, he noticed the admiration and curiosity in her gaze.
"Is something wrong?" Lü Bu asked, raising an eyebrow.
"No, it's just..." Lee Min hesitated, her gaze shifting to the fire. "I never knew you were so skilled in the art of healing. It's impressive."
Lü Bu smirked and looked back at his ointment, carefully stirring the mixture. "There's much you don't know about me," he replied, his voice carrying a hint of pride.
"If I may, why didn't you show these skills to Chun Jiao? I am sure she isn't that stupid to not recognize your skills."
Lü Bu's smirk faded, and he sighed. "Let's just say that Xie Dongyi recently got this change."
"What?! So the rumors are true that you became a student of some old hermit?"
"What, no, I, forget it." Lü Bu's expression turned slightly flustered, avoiding Lee Min's probing gaze.
The silence that followed was filled with the crackling of the fire and the distant sounds of the rainforest's nocturnal creatures.
As the ointment reached the desired consistency, Lü Bu carefully applied it to Lee Min's wound, his fingers moving with practiced precision. She winced slightly but didn't complain, knowing that the pain would soon subside as the healing process began.
"Thank you," she whispered, her voice barely audible over the fire's gentle crackle.
"You don't need to thank me," Lü Bu replied, his expression softening as he cleaned his hands.
"Xie Dongyi..." Lee Min began hesitantly.
"Lü Bu," he corrected her gently.
"Pardon?"
"Call me Lü Bu," he repeated, a determined glint in his eyes.
"Why?" Lee Min asked curiously.
"New me, new name," he replied simply. She could sense that it was a deeply personal matter, so she decided not to pry.
Lee Min nodded, accepting his explanation. "Oh, so, can I ask, do you know how we can go back?"
"Back where?" Lü Bu inquired, raising an eyebrow.
"Back home," she clarified.
"Oh, you mean the human realm," Lü Bu said, understanding her question.
"Yes?" she asked confused.
"Well, you have to first become an inner member of the sect, and then you will be given a mission to complete in the Human realm, I guess."
Lee Min's eyes widened in surprise, and she stared at Lü Bu, taken aback by the revelation. "..."
"What, do I have something on my face?" Lü Bu asked, touching his face self-consciously.
"Are you sure you aren't the student of some old hermit?" Lee Min questioned, half-joking but genuinely curious about his extensive knowledge.
Lü Bu couldn't help but chuckle at her persistence.
"Yes, I'm sure."