Deep within the Avalonian forest, a cave concealed the darkness of malevolent creatures. Damon had stumbled upon this cave, envisioning it as the perfect sanctuary for his breakthrough. Stripping off his clothes, he began the Shura dance, a sacred ritual once performed to honor fallen comrades—a dance that promised him a 100% chance of success.
As he completed the dance, he settled into a lotus position, descending into his spirit sea. It appeared transformed, illuminated by three pillars of light, each representing his bloodline. The red pillar embodied the Void Dragon ancestor; the black pillar revealed an Asura with six hands, its central face beaming with a life-like smile, while the two side faces remained obscured. The golden pillar, the brightest of all, was the Willow Tree of Imagination, its white bark adorned with blood-red leaves, creating a haunting visage as it seemed to digest a woman.
"Fearsome," Damon thought, approaching the Willow Tree, which rustled with delight at his presence. He placed a hand on its trunk, pouring energy into it, awakening its dormant power. As Damon aged visibly, he felt his life force waning but pressed on for the sake of his ambitions.
"How much energy does this tree want to consume?" he pondered, frustration brewing as the tree appeared indifferent to his plight. Before he could voice his thoughts, a childlike voice echoed in his mind: "Master, you taste so bitter now." It was the Willow Tree, but Damon was too exhausted for banter. He reclined against it, drifting toward sleep.
"Don't sleep!" the tree urged, sensing the danger. In a flash, it sent a gentle light into his chest, restoring his vitality.
"Why not give me a fruit too, you wicked tree?" he grumbled.
"It's not my fault you're too weak!" the tree retorted, sending a fruit floating into his palm. Damon consumed it hastily, discovering a seed nestled within.
"This is my clone seed, Master!" the tree chimed. A smile crept across Damon's face as he understood its significance. Returning to his physical form, he tucked the seed into his storage pouch and began his breakthrough, channeling energy through his meridians, unlocking their potential. Laughter escaped him as he seized the moment, propelling himself into the middle rookie realm.
Meanwhile, a sixth-ranked demon beast, an Avalonian jaguar, roamed the cave, heavily injured and desperate to protect its cub. Sensing the surge of dark energy, it shivered, realizing its fate was sealed as the cave began to collapse.
Elsewhere, Emily lounged, her thoughts swirling with concern for her mischievous little brother. Despite her love for him, unease gnawed at her heart. Suddenly, a deafening explosion shook the cave. "Isn't that where Damon was?" she screamed, racing toward the source of the commotion.
As Damon neared the pinnacle of the rookie realm, he sensed the ominous presence of the sixth-level demon beast. Aware of how fragile this opportunity was, he unleashed his energy, causing the cave to cave in. Just before the collapse, something landed in his lap. His barrier sprang up, and he leaped out from under the rubble as if it were nothing. To his astonishment, a baby jaguar clung to him, trembling in fear. "What the hell?" he exclaimed, bewildered by how the cub had ended up there. He scooped it up and headed toward his worried sister, Emily.
"Emily! I'm safe. Let's leave this place now." He felt a surge of worry; the deafening noise from the collapse would surely draw the attention of powerful demon beasts. Without hesitation, they ventured deeper into the Avalonian forest, where the Void Clan was concealed.
As they soared through the air, Emily spotted a small black jaguar squirming uncomfortably in Damon's grip. "Where did you find this cub?" she exclaimed, her eyes widening with delight. Drawn in by its undeniable cuteness, she swiftly took the cub from Damon and began to pet it. "So, what's your plan for it, Damon?" Her gaze sparkled with curiosity.
"Of course, I intend to raise it," he replied, examining the cub closely. As he scrutinized its lineage, he realized this creature was no ordinary animal; it belonged to a royal bloodline. Overjoyed, he laughed heartily. "Hahaha! The heavens truly favor me!" In this brief journey, he had stumbled upon two treasures: the seed of imagination and a royal beast.
Eager to forge a bond, he cut his hand and let his blood drip onto the cub's tiny head. The cub roared in protest, still angered by its rough handling. As the contract was sealed, the cub was meant to drift into slumber. Yet, with its last ounce of strength, it leaped onto Damon's face, clawing at him before collapsing into his arms.
Just as he was about to retaliate, his sister snatched the cub away. "Is that how you treat your new contracted beast?" she chided, cradling the sleeping cub lovingly as they made their way toward their clan.