The beautiful shining sun fell on the dark evergreen mountains, where the cool embrace of the forest welcomed all living creatures with its vastness and tranquility. Massive trees, their trunks thick with age, stood like ancient sentinels, their roots burrowing deep into the earth. The green canopy above was dense, blocking much of the sunlight, but where the rays did break through, they painted the forest floor in a kaleidoscope of light and shadow. Birds with vibrant feathers fluttered between the branches, their cheerful songs mingling with the rustle of leaves in the breeze. Each note they sang added to the harmonious chorus of life that enveloped the wilderness.
Far beyond the trees, mighty mountains stretched toward the sky, their peaks kissed by the heavens and shrouded in mist. These colossal giants, veiled in a soft blue haze, towered over the land, their presence both humbling and awe-inspiring. Waterfalls spilled from the sides of these mountains like rivers of liquid silver, cascading down with a thunderous roar that could be heard from miles away. The water, crystal clear and pure, crashed into pools below, sending mist into the air that sparkled like diamonds under the sun's light. The rivers carved their way through the forest, winding and twisting as they nourished all that lived within.
Every inch of the forest teemed with life. Small rabbits darted between the bushes, their ears twitching at the slightest sound, while deer, their coats a deep brown, drank from the cool waters of the river. The occasional growl of predators, such as the majestic lion, echoed through the trees. Lions, powerful and regal, prowled the underbrush, their golden eyes scanning the forest for prey. Their deep roars reverberated across the land, a reminder to all creatures that they ruled here, at the top of the food chain. Yet, despite the constant hunt, there was a certain balance—predators and prey existed together in a cycle as old as the forest itself.
Near a rushing river, the sound of water crashing against rocks was constant, providing a steady rhythm to the life that thrived here. Fish, sleek and quick, darted beneath the surface, their scales reflecting the sunlight. Above the water, colorful birds dipped and dove, their sharp eyes trained on their next meal. The calls of the birds mixed with the distant roars of the lions, creating a symphony of natural sound. The rustling of leaves, the bubbling of streams, and the occasional snap of a twig underfoot all contributed to the forest's living heartbeat.
On a cliff that jutted out over one of these rivers sat a small boy, still and serene amidst the backdrop of nature's grandeur. His silhouette was dwarfed by the towering trees and expansive mountains behind him, but his presence was not insignificant. The boy was deep in meditation, his eyes shut tight as he concentrated on his breathing. His small chest rose and fell with each inhale, drawing in the energy of the world around him, and exhaled steadily as he let go of distractions. He sat perfectly still, a picture of peace and focus, despite the wild world that buzzed around him.
As he meditated, small crackles of blue lightning began to form in the air around him. At first, they were faint—barely visible—but as the boy's concentration deepened, the sparks grew more pronounced, swirling in the space near his body like tiny electric storms. The power in the air was palpable, a tingling energy that would have made the hair on any observer's neck stand on end. The boy's face remained calm, though, a slight smile tugging at the corners of his lips as he felt the familiar rush of Qi coursing through his veins.
The boy wore a simple brown leather coat, worn from travel and adventure, but still functional. His dark blue pants were tucked into boots that had seen better days, but they served their purpose well. He was young, no more than twelve, yet there was something about him that suggested an inner strength far beyond his years. The blue lightning continued to crackle and swirl, growing more intense with each passing moment.
Suddenly, his eyes snapped open, revealing a pair of deep purple irises, with two pupils rotating slowly within them. His smile widened as he raised his right hand, forming a sign with his fingers—his index and middle fingers extended, while the others curled inward. "Double Pupils," he whispered, his voice soft but commanding. Instantly, the swirling lightning intensified, the sparks growing larger and more chaotic as they danced around him.
The forest seemed to respond to the boy's power. Birds that had been singing just moments before fell silent, and the animals that had roamed freely froze in place, as if caught in an invisible web. A dark purple mist began to seep from the boy's fingers, spreading out in all directions, blanketing the forest in a thick, oppressive energy. The mist crept across the ground, seeping into the cracks of the earth and coiling around the trunks of trees like smoke.
Every creature in the forest felt it—the power, the danger. Birds stopped mid-flight, their wings hanging limp in the air as they fell, while rabbits and deer stood motionless, their eyes wide with fear. Even the mighty lions, usually so fearless, found themselves frozen in place, their muscles locked and their golden eyes wide with confusion. The entire forest seemed to hold its breath, waiting, watching.
The boy stood slowly, his eyes now a deep, electric blue, crackling with power. He glanced around at the frozen scene, his smile widening. He was in control here. The power that coursed through him, the same power that had once belonged to the Immortal Prince, Yang Feng, was now his to wield.
Without a word, the boy leaped from the cliff, diving headfirst toward the river below. The wind rushed past his face, tugging at his coat as he plummeted toward the water. But just before he hit the surface, his descent slowed, and he landed gracefully on the river, his feet barely making a ripple as they touched the water.
He began to run, his feet skimming the surface of the river as if it were solid ground. His speed was incredible, and small arcs of blue lightning followed him, trailing behind like the tail of a comet. The water parted beneath his feet, leaving a wake of ripples as he navigated his way through the forest. Trees blurred past him as he moved with blinding speed, his body a blur of motion.
As he ran, the boy's sharp eyes caught sight of a tiger crouched in the underbrush, its muscles coiled and ready to pounce on an unsuspecting antelope. The tiger's amber eyes were locked on its prey, and it was just about to spring when the boy's purple mist reached it, freezing the great beast in place. The antelope, oblivious to the danger, stood frozen as well, unaware of the predator just inches away.
The boy slowed, his smile growing playful as he approached the scene. With a swift movement, he reached out and grabbed the antelope, hoisting the small animal onto his shoulders. "Too slow," he teased the tiger, giving it a wink before turning and sprinting away, the antelope in tow.
Behind him, the mist slowly dissipated, releasing its hold on the forest. The tiger, freed from its paralysis, roared in frustration, its powerful muscles rippling as it gave chase. But the boy was already too far ahead, his lightning-enhanced speed leaving the great beast in the dust. The tiger roared once more, but it was no use—the boy and the antelope were gone.
The boy slowed his pace as he approached the base of a small mountain, his breathing steady despite the exertion. The path ahead was steep, but he navigated it with ease, his feet moving lightly over the rocky terrain. At the top of the path, nestled against the mountainside, was a small wooden cabin. It was a humble structure, with a sloped roof and a single window that overlooked the forest below. An axe rested near the door, and a stack of unchopped wood sat beside it, waiting for the next round of work.
The boy approached the cabin, setting the antelope down beside the axe with a soft thud. He stretched his arms above his head, feeling the satisfying pull of his muscles after the long run. Then, with a deep breath, he reached for the door handle, ready to enter the small home.
But just as his fingers brushed the wood, a sharp whistling sound filled the air. His instincts kicked in, and time seemed to slow as he turned his head. A small, silver knife was hurtling toward him, its blade gleaming in the sunlight. The boy's eyes widened in surprise, but he didn't panic. In one smooth motion, he ducked, his body moving faster than the blade, which whizzed past him and embedded itself in the doorframe with a solid thunk.
The boy straightened up looking at where the knife flew, his face not showing the slightest of fear or curiosity. What could it have been???