The instant Li Yao stepped into the swirling purple portal, his senses were overwhelmed. The world twisted, his body compressed, stretched, and twisted again, as if he were being flung through the very fabric of space itself. He barely registered the crushing velocity when suddenly, with a thud, he was spat out of the void.
He tumbled downwards from a height, instinctively twisting mid-air to steady himself. His feet struck solid rock with a jarring impact, and his knees bent to absorb the shock
He stumbled but steadied himself, exhaling a shaky breath. His surroundings were a breathtaking contrast to the gut-wrenching journey through the portal—a vast expanse of ancient forest stretched below, its canopy thick with vibrant green leaves.
For a moment, he allowed himself to marvel at the beauty before a sharp, piercing shriek came from the sky. Li Yao's eyes snapped upward. A massive eagle, its wings stretching wider than a house, dived toward him. Sunlight gleamed off its glossy, obsidian feathers. Its golden eyes locked onto him, and its razor-sharp talons glinted menacingly.
His mind raced, and he didn't hesitate. "Observation!" he commanded mentally, activating the Heavenly Observation System.
A translucent panel materialized before his eyes.
[Observation Result
Target: Skywing Eagle (Beast Race)
Cultivation: Foundation Establishment Realm (5th Stage)
Evaluation: Currently very angry and fearful towards the intruder.]
Li Yao's pulse quickened. A mid-stage Foundation Establishment beast! He'd never faced such a powerful opponent alone before. But even as anxiety churned in his gut, a flicker of excitement ignited within him. Ever since he'd comprehended the Axe Intent, he'd yearned to test his skills against a worthy adversary.
The eagle screeched, summoning a fierce wind with a single beat of its colossal wings. The gust tore across the cliff, threatening to hurl Li Yao off. He planted his feet firmly, his Leafshadow Steps activating as he shifted his weight and evaded the brunt of the gale. His body flickered, almost blending into the air like a dancing leaf, leaving only afterimages behind.
The eagle's talons slashed down, carving deep gouges into the rock where he'd just stood.
Li Yao's heart pounded. This beast is fast and fierce.
He drew his axe, fire qi surging along its edge. Flames licked the blade, a faint crimson shimmer of Axe Intent blooming from it. With a sharp breath, he steadied his mind, activating Nature Severance, cutting away all distractions. In this focused state, his awareness narrowed to a single point—his opponent, the eagle. His heartbeat faded from his senses; the world beyond the eagle no longer existed.
The eagle's wing beat toward him, summoning another gale. Li Yao blurred, dodging and retaliating with a swift Falling Ember Slash, his axe streaking downward in a blaze of fire. The eagle twisted away, but its feathers were scorched at the edges. It shrieked in pain and fury.
The battle intensified, each clash of talon and axe sending sparks and feathers flying. Li Yao danced around its strikes, his axe weaving through Molten Spiral Slashes, creating burning arcs that trapped the eagle's movements. His fire qi flared with each move, flames swirling like molten ribbons. His axe felt like an extension of his intent, driven by raw power and precision.
But maintaining Nature Severance strained him. His narrowed focus sharpened his attacks, but it also consumed his qi rapidly. Sweat dripped down his brow as he felt his mental state fray at the edges.
Finally, he disengaged for a heartbeat, stepping back and letting his awareness expand. I've been locked in Nature Severance too long. I need a moment to breathe. He was preparing to reactivate the technique when his gaze flickered beyond the eagle—and he saw it.
A nest, tucked atop the cliff, cradled two large eggs faintly pulsing with life.
His breath caught. The system's evaluation echoed in his mind: angry and fearful toward the intruder. His lips tightened. The eagle wasn't attacking him out of territorial aggression—it was defending its young.
His hand clenched around the axe hilt. He'd already begun channeling his strongest move, the Crimson Cleave, with Axe Intent infused into it. Flames surged along the blade, ready to strike.
But now… he hesitated.
Instead of completing the attack, he diverted his qi into a controlled withdrawal. The flames along his axe flickered and faded. He released his focus on the Nature Severance, his mind returning to clarity. His heart softened.
The eagle, confused by his sudden pause, hovered uncertainly, its wings spread wide.
Li Yao lowered his weapon and stepped back, offering a low bow. "I'm sorry," he said quietly. "I didn't mean to threaten your young."
The eagle's golden eyes narrowed, and though it remained wary, its aggression wavered. It flapped its wings once, repositioning itself protectively over the nest.
Li Yao took another step back, sheathing his axe. He inclined his head in silent apology before retreating down the mountain path, leaving the nest and its guardian undisturbed.
As he descended, he glanced back at the eagle, still standing guard. He felt a pang of guilt for disturbing the creature's home.