"Hmm? Where is she?" Feng Qian muttered to himself, his brow furrowing in confusion. The spot where Feng Chenxin had lain was empty, the cool stone floor showing no sign of recent activity. He rose to his feet, his eyes scanning the cave, but there was no sign of her. The air was still, and the only sound was the distant drip of water echoing through the cave.
'Perhaps she's wandering around the mountain,' he thought, trying to brush off the gnawing worry in his chest. It wasn't unusual for Feng Chenxin to roam around the Heavenly Blessed Mountain, especially after undergoing a challenging experience.
But something felt off. The cave felt emptier than usual, and a strange sense of unease began to creep into his mind.
Feng Qian stepped out of the cave and started to roam around the Mountain, calling out her name.
"Chenxin? Chenxin, where are you?" His voice echoed through the trees, but no response came.
The mountain was vast, and it wasn't unusual for them to go unnoticed by each other in its dense forest, but as he continued to search, his concern deepened. He checked the places where Feng Chenxin often went but she was nowhere to be found.
After hours of searching, Feng Qian returned to his cave, a frown etched deeply into his face. His worry had grown into something more persistent, but he still tried to convince himself that she might have just wandered off for a while, seeking solitude.
But as the day turned into night and Feng Chenxin still hadn't returned, that tiny seed of worry began to sprout into full-blown anxiety.
One day turned into two, and then three. While remaining optimistic that Feng Chenxin would return, Feng Qian checked on Feng Linlin who was undergoing her breakthrough to Ten-Thousand-Year, but it seemed like her condition still showed no signs of a successful breakthrough anytime soon.
Feng Qian predicted that it would probably take another one or two weeks based on the density of Feng Linlin's Spiritual Energy.
However, by the time a week had passed, it seemed like the worst possibility that Feng Qian thought had come true.
At first, he thought Feng Chenxin was just wandering around the mountain, wanting to be alone, but after a few days, Feng Qian started to become anxious and checked the entire mountain again, unfortunately he couldn't find any trace of Feng Chenxin.
He thought that there might be powerful beasts barging into the Mountain, but that was impossible because Di Tian had placed a seal on the mountain making it impossible for anything to enter from outside, except for Feng Qian and the others.
So, there was only one possibility left, which was Feng Chenxin who left the Mountain of her own accord.
Why had she left? Where had she gone? And more importantly, why hadn't she told him? Feng Qian replayed their last moments together over and over in his mind, searching for any clue, any hint that could explain her sudden disappearance. But nothing made sense.
Feng Qian found himself standing at the edge of the mountain, staring out into the vast expanse of the Great Star Dou Forest below. Feng Chenxin had left them, and he couldn't do anything.
Soon, he returned to the cave, his heart heavy with the weight of his unanswered questions.
In the dim light of his abode, Feng Qian transformed into his Human form and sat alone, his head resting in his hands as the weight of his thoughts bore down on him.
The once peaceful and vibrant atmosphere of the Heavenly Blessed Mountain felt hollow, echoing with the memories of those who were no longer there. The silence was deafening, only interrupted by the occasional crackle of a dying fire in the hearth.
Feng Qian stared blankly at the flickering flames, his heart heavy with guilt and regret.
"What have I done?" he whispered to himself; his voice laced with sorrow. "How could I have been so blind? So weak…"
When he had first reincarnated into this world as a Spirit Beast, he had been filled with a strange mix of curiosity and confusion. He remembered part of his past life, but none of it had seemed to be able to help him in this situation.
He had thought with the knowledge he had of this world; everything would be within his control.
"I was a fool," Feng Qian muttered, clenching his fists tightly. "I knew so little… and yet I acted as if I understood everything."
But now, as he sat in the cold darkness of his abode, he realized just how wrong he had been.
"If only I had been stronger…" Feng Qian's voice trembled with emotion. "Maybe I could have protected master…"
"If I had been strong enough, maybe Feng Jin wouldn't be in this state," Feng Qian murmured, his voice barely above a whisper. "Maybe he wouldn't be lying there, helpless…"
"If I had been strong enough, maybe Chenxin would have trusted me," Feng Qian said, his guilt aching. "Maybe she would have told me what was troubling her… maybe she wouldn't have felt the need to leave."
"I was so foolish," Feng Qian whispered, tears welling up in his eyes. "So ignorant… I thought I could just live in this world without a care, but I was wrong. This world is harsh… and I wasn't strong enough to protect those I care about."
Feng Qian took a deep, shuddering breath, trying to calm his emotion. He had to do better. He had to be better. He couldn't afford to make the same mistakes again. He couldn't let his weakness continue to hurt those around him.
"I have to become stronger," Feng Qian vowed, his voice filled with determination. "I won't let this happen again. I will protect them… I will protect everyone I care about. No matter what it takes."
As he sat there, surrounded by the silence of his abode, Feng Qian made a promise to himself. He would not allow his past mistakes to define him.
He would learn from them, grow from them, and become the protector his family needed. He would no longer be the foolish, ignorant Spirit Beast who drifted through life without purpose.
He would become strong. Strong enough to protect those he loved. Strong enough to have no more regrets, no matter the cost.
And as he made that promise, Feng Qian felt a renewed sense of purpose fill him. He would not let his failures be in vain.
Soon, he started meditating.
As Feng Qian sat in a meditative state, his mind became still, his breathing deep and rhythmic. The dim light in his abode flickered, casting long shadows on the walls, but he paid them no mind. He was focused, his consciousness diving deep into his Spiritual Sea. The outside world faded away as he ventured inward, descending into the vast expanse of his inner world.
His Spiritual Sea was an immense, boundless space, a swirling expanse of energy and elements, each representing a different aspect of his being. The sky above was a vast canvas of ever-changing hues, and the waters below shimmered with an ethereal glow. At the center of it all was the place where he knew he would find the remnant soul of the Great Dragon God Figure.
As his consciousness materialized within his Spiritual Sea, he found himself standing on a small, rocky outcrop, surrounded by the roiling sea of spiritual energy. And there, before him, was the small, Worm form of the Great Dragon God's remnant soul. Despite its diminutive size, the aura it exuded was immense, overwhelming, and filled with ancient wisdom and power.
The Great Dragon God, in the form of a small worm-like creature, coiled itself in the air, its eyes glowing with a deep, mysterious light. Its voice resonated through Feng Qian's entire being, shaking the very core of his consciousness.
"Young Qilin," the Dragon God's voice echoed, "you seem to have resolved your will. Hahaha, so what is your answer?"
The sound of the Dragon God's laughter reverberated in Feng Qian's mind, nearly overpowering him. But he stood firm, his newly forged resolve giving him the strength to withstand the overwhelming presence.
"Ancestor," Feng Qian began, his voice steady despite the pressure he felt, "I wish for the strength to protect everyone I hold dear!"
For a moment, the Dragon God's expression was blank, its gaze distant as if lost in some ancient memory. The silence stretched on, heavy and filled with unspoken emotions. Feng Qian could sense the weight of the Dragon God's past, the countless trials and tribulations it must have faced.
After what felt like an eternity, the Dragon God seemed to return to the present, its eyes focusing once more on Feng Qian. "Hmm… As expected, we seem to share a similar fate…" The Dragon God's voice was softer now, tinged with something that Feng Qian couldn't quite identify—perhaps regret, or understanding.
The Dragon God paused, contemplating its next words. Feng Qian waited patiently, his resolve unwavering. Finally, the Dragon God spoke again, its tone more decisive this time.
"Young Qilin, forget the idea of becoming my disciple. I do not want you to follow my path. Instead, you should create your own path, a path that is uniquely yours. And I… I will forge this path for you, so that you may protect those you care for!"
The Dragon God's voice boomed through Feng Qian's consciousness like a divine decree, its majesty and authority leaving no room for doubt. Feng Qian, though overwhelmed by the Dragon God's words, felt a deep sense of determination welling up within him.
"Ancestor, what do you mean?" Feng Qian asked, confusion evident in his voice. The idea of creating his own path was daunting, and he wasn't sure what the Dragon God intended.
The Dragon God's gaze softened, and for a brief moment, there was a glimmer of something almost like a smile on its ancient face. "I want you to receive the Legacy I have left behind," it said simply.
Feng Qian's eyes widened in surprise. "Ancestor's Legacy?" he repeated, the weight of the offer dawning on him. The very thought of receiving the Legacy of such a powerful being was both awe-inspiring and terrifying.
The Dragon God nodded slowly, but there was a hint of caution in its eyes. "However," it continued, "your current strength is still insufficient to receive my Legacy, Young Qilin."
The words struck Feng Qian like a cold wind. He knew he wasn't strong enough—not yet—but hearing it from the Dragon God only solidified his determination. "What should I do, Ancestor?" he asked, his voice filled with resolve.
The Dragon God's smile returned, this time more evident, as if it had found something it had long sought after. "Do not let your resolve waver, and become stronger!" it commanded, its voice ringing with an ancient truth that resonated deep within Feng Qian.
At that moment, Feng Qian felt a connection with the Dragon God that went beyond words. He understood that they shared a common goal—a desire to protect, to grow stronger for the sake of those they cared about. The path was not easy, but it was one that Feng Qian was willing to walk, no matter the cost.
"I understand, Ancestor," Feng Qian said, his voice unwavering. He could feel the fire of determination burning brighter within him, fueled by the Dragon God's words.
The Dragon God, satisfied with Feng Qian's resolve, nodded approvingly. "Good seed," it said, its voice carrying a note of pride. "Let me forge your path ahead…"
As those words echoed in the vastness of Feng Qian's Spiritual Sea, he felt a surge of energy flow through him.
Fwoosh~
Roar~~
Suddenly, within Feng Qian's Spiritual Sea, a thousand meter long Gigantic Fire Dragon appeared out of nowhere!
"As your first trial, defeat this little Dragon that I have summoned..." Dragon God said with a smile as it had summoned the Fire Dragon to Feng Qian's Spiritual.
"L-Little Dragon?" Feng Qian was surprised to hear a Giant Dragon hundreds of times his size being called 'little'.