The early morning sun cast a soft glow on the Holy Continent, its light dancing over tall mountains and flowing rivers. Birds chirped as they greeted the day, and gentle wind swept across the land. But deep in the heart of the continent, one young man stood quietly under the shade of a grand willow tree.
His white robes swayed slightly with the breeze, and his silver hair shimmered in the morning light. His name was Little Life.
Unlike his brothers who pursued strength in battles or deep secrets in forbidden mountains, Little Life had a different purpose. He held a promise close to his heart—a promise to rebuild the broken body of someone important, his sister. She had died too early, and her soul was weak. Yet Little Life believed she could be brought back.
He had two divine gifts: the God's Light, and the Blessings Light. But for reasons even he couldn't explain, he chose not to use them. Instead, he walked the path of a simple 5-ranked light user. Maybe it was to test himself, or maybe he felt unworthy to use those divine powers until he completed his mission. Only he knew the reason.
He stood under the willow for a long time, looking at the paper map in his hand. The Seven Secret Realms were scattered across seven different continents. To rebuild his sister's body, he needed materials from each of them. The first realm, the Lake of Spirits, had already given him a powerful spiritual liquid when they arrived from the Void Realm. It had soaked into his storage pouch, waiting for its moment.
Now it was time to move toward the second realm, located in the Beast Continent.
A vast ocean separated it from the Holy Continent.
Little Life rolled up the map and slipped it into his robe. His golden eyes shone with quiet resolve.
He stepped out from the willow tree's shade and began his journey toward the southern coast, where ships waited to cross the sea.
---
The port city was loud and crowded.
People shouted, vendors sold strange goods, and travelers from different continents bustled about. Among them, Little Life quietly walked, his white robes drawing some attention, but most mistook him for a gentle healer or a wandering priest.
He found a ship called "Ocean Whisker", a large vessel heading toward the Beast Continent. Its captain was a short, stout man with a braided beard and a loud voice. The ship was already carrying several cultivators and merchants.
"Boarding fee's five Sword Coins!" the captain shouted.
Little Life gently handed over a pouch of coins, leaving only a few behind. He stepped onto the ship without a word.
As the ship began its voyage, waves crashed and winds howled. The first few hours were peaceful, and Little Life spent them meditating in a corner, eyes closed, breathing slowly. A few curious cultivators tried to speak to him, but after receiving only soft nods and polite replies, they left him alone.
On the second night, a young merchant named Fu Xin approached him again.
"You're a strange one, friend. What's a quiet healer like you doing sailing into the Beastmen's land?"
Little Life opened his eyes, looking calm. "I'm searching for something."
Fu Xin raised an eyebrow. "Aren't we all? Just make sure you don't leave the human cities. Beastmen don't like outsiders sniffing around."
"I understand," Little Life replied.
But in his heart, he knew he had no choice.
---
After five days of sailing, the Ocean Whisker arrived at the Beast Continent.
The port city was called Murok, one of the only places where humans could move freely. Beyond the city gates, the vast wilderness and powerful beast tribes ruled the land.
Little Life didn't waste time. He wore a light cloak to hide his identity and quietly slipped into the city's marketplace.
The smell of grilled meat, dried herbs, and strange spices filled the air. Merchants shouted prices. Cultivators bargained. Beastmen walked among humans—some with tails, some with sharp eyes, and others with animal ears hidden beneath hats.
Little Life's eyes moved quickly, scanning every corner. He didn't care about food or weapons. He wanted information—how to enter the main country where the second Secret Realm was hidden.
While walking, something strange caught his attention.
A small fisherman sat on the side of the market. His face was wrinkled, his back hunched. Around him, a basket full of colorful fish splashed and flopped.
At first glance, it seemed like a normal scene.
But then, a flicker of spiritual aura passed through the air. It was faint—but sharp. As a light cultivator, Little Life's senses were sharper than most.
He paused. The old man? No, he was a mortal.
Little Life moved closer.
Again, he felt it. The same aura.
His gaze dropped to the basket of fish.
Is it… coming from them?
He stared for a few more seconds, then approached the old man.
"I'll take them all," Little Life said.
The fisherman blinked. "All? That's… twenty fish, young man."
Little Life didn't answer. He took out his pouch and gave nine Sword Coins—nearly all he had.
The fisherman laughed joyfully. "Thank you, thank you!"
Carrying the basket carefully, Little Life walked toward a nearby inn. It was small and cheap, costing one Sword Coin for the night.
As he settled into his room, he placed the basket on the floor and locked the door. He took a deep breath, then carefully checked each fish.
Some were glowing faintly. Some not at all.
He was just about to inspect a fish with silver scales when a loud knock came at the door.
He opened it slightly—only to feel a blast of pressure slam into him. A tall young man with golden eyes and a sharp nose pushed his way inside. Two tiger ears twitched above his head.
"You sensed it too, didn't you?" the man asked, voice low.
Little Life narrowed his eyes. "It was mine. I paid for them."
"Doesn't matter," the tiger-eared cultivator growled. "I need what's inside."
Without another word, the intruder threw a punch—fast, sharp, and filled with beast force.
Little Life dodged, barely.
A light beam shimmered around his palm as he fought back. His light arts weren't the strongest, but they were precise and clean. Still, the beastman was in the Perfect Soul Creation Realm, and each strike shook the room.
They fought across the floor, crashing into furniture. Lamps shattered. The basket tipped over, and a few fish flopped onto the floor.
One of them—the silver one—glowed brightly.
Both cultivators paused.
"There it is!" the tiger-eared man shouted, grabbing the fish with one swift motion.
Before Little Life could stop him, the beastman smashed through the window and vanished into the night.
Little Life stood still, panting. The silver fish was gone.
He had lost the aura.
His hands clenched tightly as he sat on the floor.
"All that… and still not enough…"
The wind blew through the broken window, and he stared out toward the sea, his face blank.
But deep in his heart, a quiet flame began to grow.
--[To be Continued]--