Meng Yuqing woke up in a state of confusion and despair. Anyone would feel the same if they were walking peacefully down the street and suddenly got hit square in the head by a flying brick.
But waking up to see a dense canopy of leaves overhead, rather than the ceiling of a hospital, was even more shocking. He found himself lying on a branch as thick as a bucket, twenty meters above the ground. The towering trees around him were so densely packed that even the smallest glimpse of the sky was obscured. The lush forest dwarfed any rainforest he had ever seen on TV—this was a true wilderness.
He clung tightly to the branch, trembling slightly as he dared not move. Falling from this height would be either fatal or crippling.
"Hello? Is anyone there?" he called out, his voice trembling.
The sudden sound startled a flock of birds, their flapping wings making a loud commotion as they scattered into the sky.
Meng Yuqing turned his head to look, his eyes widening in shock.
"Are those… birds?"
They were far larger than any bird he had ever seen before, their razor-sharp talons and hooked beaks gleaming ominously. Meng didn't doubt for a second that if these birds decided to attack him, he'd be finished. He instinctively pressed himself closer to the trunk of the tree, using its leaves and branches as a shield.
His initial attempts to call for help had only disturbed these terrifying creatures. Continuing to shout risked attracting even more dangerous beasts, turning himself into an all-you-can-eat buffet.
Meng Yuqing forced himself to calm down, leaning against the tree trunk as he tried to piece together what had happened. He remembered being hit on the head by a brick, but instead of waking up in a hospital, he had been thrown into this strange forest.
"What's going on? This can't be some sort of prank, right? It's not funny!"
He glanced around at the impossibly tall trees and the alien birds flying overhead. A dreadful realization dawned on him.
He had read plenty of novels about people suddenly finding themselves in new worlds. Could this be… a transmigration?
Meng Yuqing chuckled bitterly at the thought. Whether it was true or not, it wouldn't do him any good to stay on this tree forever. He had to find a way down.
The Descent
Looking around, Meng Yuqing spotted thick vines hanging down from the tree's rough, uneven bark. Grasping one, he tested its strength by pulling it against a sharp protrusion on the trunk. To his relief, the vine was sturdy, showing only minor scratches.
Carefully, he selected the thickest and longest vine, looping it around the branch and securing it with a tight knot. Taking a deep breath, he began his slow descent.
But as he moved, the sound of rustling leaves below caught his attention.
"What's that?"
His body tensed as he peered downward. Through the dense foliage, he could barely make out a dark shape rapidly climbing toward him.
Moments later, the leaves parted, and a massive black head emerged into view.
"Ahhhhhh!"
Meng Yuqing's pupils dilated in terror. Without thinking, he scrambled back up the vine, instinctively trying to put more distance between himself and the approaching beast.
The shadow loomed closer, its hot breath brushing against his neck as sharp claws dug into the tree trunk beside him. Trapped and trembling, Meng Yuqing turned his head to see what kind of monster had caught him.
It was a panther. A massive black panther.
The beast's head drew closer, its hot breath tickling his face. Meng Yuqing shut his eyes tightly, bracing for the end. But instead of an attack, the panther paused, sniffing at his neck. Then, with surprising gentleness, it tugged at his shirt collar.
Before Meng Yuqing could process what was happening, a voice echoed in his ear, clear and youthful.
"Could you let go of the vine? I can't carry you down like this."
Meng Yuqing's eyes snapped open. He turned to face the source of the voice, only to lock eyes with the panther.
"What… what did you say?" he stammered.
The panther tilted its head, its emerald-green eyes glinting with curiosity. "I said, let go of the vine. It's safer if I carry you down."
Meng Yuqing's hand slipped slightly, and the panther quickly steadied him with a paw. For a moment, Meng stared in disbelief, unable to reconcile the talking beast with the massive predator before him.
"Are you… a monster?" he whispered.
"Monster?" The panther blinked, confused. "What's that?"
It was bizarre, but somehow Meng Yuqing could understand the subtle expressions on the panther's face. And despite his lingering fear, the panther's calm demeanor eased some of his tension.
With no better options, Meng nodded hesitantly. "Alright… but please don't drop me."
Meeting the Beast
The panther carefully bit the back of Meng Yuqing's shirt, lifting him off the branch. They descended rapidly, the panther moving with incredible speed and agility. When they finally reached the ground, Meng Yuqing collapsed, his legs trembling as his feet touched solid earth.
"Are you part of a tribe?" the panther asked, its tone genuinely curious. "Why are you alone in the forest? Where are your beastmen?"
"Beastmen? Tribes? What are you talking about?" Meng Yuqing asked, thoroughly confused.
The panther seemed puzzled, tilting its massive head. "You don't have a tribe? That's unusual."
It sat back on its haunches, its large tail swaying lazily. Now that he could get a better look, Meng Yuqing noticed how unnaturally large the panther was, easily over four meters tall. Its sleek black fur shimmered in the sunlight, giving it an almost regal appearance.
"I'm Xuan," the panther said gently. "What's your name?"
"Meng Yuqing," he replied cautiously.
Xuan's emerald eyes softened. "Meng Yuqing… your name is unusual, but it's nice. Do you want to come back to my tribe? We have strong beastmen, friendly sub-beasts, and plenty of food. You'll have a place to belong."
Meng Yuqing hesitated, unsure of what to make of Xuan's offer. But in this strange world, one thing was clear: he needed allies.
"Alright," Meng said, forcing a small smile. "I'll come with you."