Far from Seoul, deep in the mountains of Sichuan Province, Whitepalm sat cross-legged atop a snow-covered peak, his zodiac-tier aura resonating with the elements around him. Dressed in his signature Pijack battle suit—a white-and-black ensemble styled to mimic a panda—he exuded a calm, yet unshakable authority.
For years, he had been known as China's Palm, a moniker earned not just from his mastery of martial arts, but his ability to channel devastating energy strikes that could shatter entire battlefields. Despite his playful demeanor, Whitepalm was a hunter of extraordinary skill, personally approved by King D during one of their legendary sparring matches.
But today, Whitepalm's usually cheerful mood was somber. He clutched a scroll delivered by China's top intelligence agency, its contents detailing the sudden appearance of a Blossom Rift in Korea—specifically above the Five Saviours Statue.
Whitepalm (to himself):
"Blossom Rift... So, it's begun. The echoes of Vanik's defeat have reached even the heavens. But why now?"
The snowstorm around him intensified as he stood, unfazed. His Pijack suit adapted to the harsh weather, glowing faintly with embedded energy circuits.
A communication device embedded in his glove flickered to life, displaying the face of Minister Chen Wei, the head of China's Hunter Corps.
Minister Chen:
"Whitepalm, your orders are clear. This rift above Korea could destabilize the region. We need you to investigate it and, if necessary, neutralize any threats. Failure is not an option."
Whitepalm:
"Failure? That's not in my vocabulary. But tell me this, Minister—are we dealing with remnants of the Zodiacs, or is this something worse?"
Minister Chen:
"There's... speculation. Some believe it's tied to the Blossom Dimension. Others think it's the work of surviving Zodiac remnants, or perhaps a new faction entirely. Whatever it is, it's powerful enough to draw attention worldwide."
Whitepalm let out a sigh, his breath visible in the freezing air.
Whitepalm:
"Alright. I'll handle it. But if this gets messy, tell the other teams to stay out of my way."
Minister Chen:
"Understood. Good luck, Palm of China."
The transmission ended, leaving Whitepalm alone once more.
As Whitepalm prepared to descend the mountain, memories of his first encounter with King D surfaced. It was years ago, during a high-stakes international summit. King D had challenged him to a sparring match, a test of both strength and wit.
The fight had been brutal, but in the end, King D had smiled, extending a hand of respect.
King D (back then):
"You've got guts, Panda. Keep training, and one day, you might just reach Zodiac-tier."
That moment had been a turning point for Whitepalm. He had spent years honing his craft, striving to prove himself not just