"Wait—what!" Shen Ru exclaimed as they stepped outside, her eyes widening in disbelief. The city they once knew had transformed entirely. Dense vegetation sprawled across the streets, towering trees rose into the sky, and in the distance, mountains now dotted the horizon. Mutated and evolved animals roamed freely, creatures that looked far more dangerous than before.
"What the hell happened while we were inside?" She covered her mouth, struggling to comprehend the sudden change.
Shen Ren chuckled at her reaction, though his tone held a seriousness. "Yes, this is the new world—the new era. But we need to stay sharp and be careful."
Shen Ru nodded absentmindedly, still processing the strange and wild transformation that had taken place. Everything she thought she knew was suddenly different, and danger seemed to lurk everywhere.
Thereafter they were greeted by the sight of the girls and their parents hastily boarding military vehicles. The rumble of engines filled the air, and Shen Ren's gaze was drawn to a helicopter preparing for takeoff.
"Xiao Mei, I didn't realize your friends had such deep connections," Shen Ren remarked, a hint of surprise in his voice.
Recovering slightly, Shen Ru replied, "Yes, Shi Jing's family has military roots. It's her birthday today, after all, and that's probably why the rescue team got here so quickly."
Shen Ren nodded, gripping another nearby tree branch thoughtfully.
"But why didn't they offer us a ride? Do they think we're not important enough?" His frown deepened.
Shen Ru smiled, though her expression carried a tinge of uncertainty. "I'm sure they have their reasons. Besides, our house isn't too far from here."
She tried to justify the situation, though she couldn't help but doubt the strength of her so-called friendships.
They continued walking down the road, their eyes scanning the surroundings with vigilance. The sun was already setting in the west, casting long shadows across the strange, mutated landscape. They needed to reach home quickly, but the dense, magical trees blocked their view at every turn. Forced to take detours, they weaved in and out of alleyways, chipping away at their pace as they navigated through the unfamiliar terrain.
"Anyway," Shen Ren said, breaking the silence as they moved cautiously, "did you get that display panel too?" He asked the question casually, though he already knew the answer. He wanted to hear it from her, just to be sure.
Shen Ru smiled, quickening her pace to walk beside him. "Yep, I've become a cultivator too, just like in the myths. I'm stronger now, way stronger than before."
She suddenly paused, her eyes widening with realization. "Wait a minute... does that mean you've also become one, big brother?" She glanced at him sideways, curiosity and a hint of excitement flickering in her gaze.
"Yes," Shen Ren replied calmly, masking the storm of uncertainty swirling in his mind. The display panel had revealed a shocking truth: after seven days, they would be issued heavenly mandates from the system, tasks they would have to fulfill in other worlds.
Who knew what dangers awaited them on the other side? What kinds of challenges would they face?
He glanced at Shen Ru, his younger sister, walking beside him with a confident stride. Could she handle it? Could she survive the unknown?
He wasn't sure.
But then again, he wasn't even sure if he could handle it himself. The weight of responsibility hung heavy on his shoulders as they continued down the road, heading toward a future that felt more uncertain with every step.
---
"Screech!"
"Xiao Mei, careful!" Shen Ren shouted as a giant bird swooped down from the canopy of a widespread willow tree, its sharp talons aiming at them with deadly precision.
Instinctively, Shen Ren swung the branch he was holding, slamming it into the bird's head. The creature, a massive Raptor, flinched from the impact, momentarily dazed.
Its predatory eyes quickly locked onto Shen Ren, full of feral intent.
"Sh*t..." Shen Ren muttered, recognizing the danger. The Raptor wasn't just any bird—it was a powerful, carnivorous eagle, known for hunting larger prey. He could feel the situation escalating, his heart pounding with urgency.
He tried moving his Qi, willing it to help him channel some form of power, but the energy inside him remained stubbornly unresponsive. There was no time to hesitate.
"Xiao Mei, stay there," he ordered, glancing toward his sister hiding behind a nearby tree.
"But, brother, I can help—" she began to protest, but he was already moving, cutting her off as he bolted toward another tree.
With a fluid leap, Shen Ren scrambled up the trunk, grabbing a sturdy branch and hanging there for a moment, his eyes fixed on the Raptor circling overhead. He grinned, taunting the bird as it swooped back down toward him, eyes gleaming with hunger.
Just as the Raptor neared him, Shen Ren pulled back on a thick, flexible branch and held it in place, waiting for the perfect moment.
"Come on..." he whispered to himself.
As the bird dived, he let go, releasing the branch like a spring-loaded trap.
Whoosh!
The branch whipped forward with incredible force, catching the Raptor directly across the head.
Screech!
The eagle screeched in agony, feathers scattering in the air as it was flung down to the ground. It hit the dirt hard, dazed and struggling to get back up, its wings flapping weakly.
Shen Ren landed back on his feet, panting, but with a grin of satisfaction on his face.
However, before he enjoy his victory further, the injured eagle surprisingly breathed a ball of fire from its maw.
"Ugh!" Shen Ren grunted as the fiery assault took him by surprise. Instinctively, he raised the tree branch to block the attack. To his shock, a shimmering layer of ethereal, fluorescent energy enveloped the branch just as the fireball struck.
The fiery projectile scattered upon impact, but not without leaving its mark. Despite the energy shield, Shen Ren's hands were burned by the residual heat, the searing pain shooting up from his palms to his elbows. His sleeves were singed and blackened, and his hands felt numb as the pain deepened.
Through clenched teeth, he forced himself to focus, watching as the Raptor, still motionless on the ground, began to gather another ball of fire between its beak. The bird's fiery eyes glowed, determined to finish what it started.
"Come on, I can't give in!" Shen Ren muttered to himself, his body trembling from the effort.
His hands screamed in pain, but he managed to grip the branch once more. His palms were burned and sensitive, making every movement feel like torture, but he refused to back down.
He couldn't afford to let this creature win—not now, when his sister's safety at the risk.
The Raptor's fireball grew larger as it prepared to launch its next attack..
With sheer determination, Shen Ren readied himself, planting his feet firmly on the ground.