Amid the quiet whispers of the forest, Ming Yu slowly opened her eyes. At first everything was a blur, but after a few seconds, the world around her began to come into focus.
A towering lion stood in front of her,the Majesty Lion. It had moved her to a safer place under a huge, beautiful tree.
Instantly after seeing the beast,Ming Yu's eyes widened in shock. She crawled backwards until her back was against the huge tree's bark. The Majesty Lion walked forward and dropped a fruit in front of her. Her hands trembled as she pressed herself against the tree, heart pounding so hard it almost drowned the forest sounds.
"Is it trying to get me fat,so it can enjoy eating me later... or maybe it's giving me my last meal?" her mind raced.
Noticing her fear,it walked forward and she instantly closed her eyes, accepting her fate, thinking she was about to be eaten. It pressed its head against hers and an image instantly flashed in her mind.
She saw herself riding on the lion and it was allowing her to do so.Her expression softened, realizing it meant no harm to her. It pushed a fruit toward her, but she froze for a few seconds, wondering if she should accept it; no one except the prince had ever treated her nicely.
Most people saw her as disgusting because of the bumps,humps, and pimples she had all over her body.
After a while of contemplating,she slowly extended her hand, then quickly grabbed the fruit and started eating it. She quickly finished it, and instantly felt a refreshing energy coursing through her body. The injuries she had received from Yufan and his crew started to heal, and before long she was all healed and able to walk properly.
The Majesty Lion turned and started walking away.She stood up, confused, and looked in the direction of the city. She was about to walk back there, but voices and memories of how the people in the city cursed at her flooded her mind. She clutched her fists and turned around, following the white light deeper into the forest, the Majesty Lion.
Days passed in quiet harmony.Every two days, the Majesty Lion brought her strange fruits or wild herbs to eat. Within a week, the blemishes on her skin began to fade, and she started looking happier and healthier. When she felt sad or lonely, the Majesty Lion would rub its body against her until she started laughing.
In the city at night, Omari sat cross-legged in the center of the courtyard, eyes closed, back straight as a blade. The world around him was still; only the faint rustle of grass and the whisper of the wind broke the silence.
Images and voices of those he wants to kill stirred a storm of rage and killing intent.Sweat beaded on his forehead, the images burned brighter, sharper while he tried to make sure he contained his killing intent inside and made sure none leaked out.
Every murderous thought,every fragment of hate, he gathered, compressing it into a single point between his eyes. It was like taming a wild beast with his bare hands. His breath grew heavy, veins bulged along his neck, making sure no trace of his intent escaped.
"Good",came a calm voice.
Omari opened his eyes.His teacher stood before him.
"You're learning to control it",Teacher Fang said.
"But control means nothing without strength".
Omari nodded silently and rose to his feet.
"How about another battle?"Omari asked.
Teacher Fang raised his hand,signaling for Omari to attack.
Omari lunged.
Dagger first,but Teacher Fang easily dodged and defended with spiritual energy.
"I can feel your killing intent...control it, Omari," Teacher Fang spoke, dodging a dagger strike from Omari.
"The day your killing intent becomes silent,"the teacher said, "is the day it will truly become deadly."
And with a palm strike to the chest,he sent Omari skidding backward, breath ragged, knees trembling.
"Again."
Omari wiped the blood from his lip and stepped forward.
After another loss,the lesson for the day was over.
"I'm progressing way too slow and I'm not getting any closer to the next breakthrough...Maybe there's something in the library that can help," Omari thought, entering the library.
He started looking through different fighting techniques that might help him circulate his energy better.
He started reading through different techniques.There were techniques on how to fight with different weapons, sword techniques, spear techniques, hammer techniques, and many more.
After skimming through a lot of books,Omari's hand finally stopped at what he was looking for, a body technique that could help in circulating his qi, Steel Tempest Combat Arts. A technique with a series of brutal fists and kicks that can be as strong as steel.
After reading the book,a small smile tugged at Omari's lips as he closed the book. Steel Tempest Combat Arts. The name alone stirred something in him.
Stepping outside, he drew a slow breath, feeling the cool morning air brush against his skin. He wanted to try it out before the other students came. He loosened his shoulders, lowered his stance, and began.
He focused his spiritual energy into his right arm, the familiar weight of qi gathering beneath his skin, then threw a solid punch into the air. The force rippled faintly through his body, leaving his arm tingling.
Again.
He shifted the energy to his left arm this time, repeating the motion. The flow was rough, uneven; each transfer felt like pushing water through a narrow pipe. Sweat beaded on his forehead, but he pressed on.
He alternated fists, then added kicks, short, controlled bursts of movement. Each time he tried to guide the spiritual energy from one limb to the next, but it slipped, stuttered, or dispersed halfway.
This is why I need it, he thought, breathing hard. The Steel Tempest is meant to teach the body how to move qi freely, without resistance. Soon I'll be able to strengthen my whole body with ease, as long as I practice this fighting technique.
He steadied his breathing, trying again. Energy surged from his core to his right arm, then to his shoulder, chest, and down to his leg. For a brief moment, he felt it flow cleanly, like a current of warm wind beneath his skin, then it faded.
Still, a faint grin lingered on his face. Progress, even a small one, was still progress.
After a few days,the technique started to get easier for Omari. His fists and kicks became faster and his spiritual energy ran through his body with ease.
Two months went by quickly.It was nighttime now, the courtyard empty, the moon hanging above like a silent witness. All the other students had gone home. Only Omari and Teacher Fang stood facing each other.
"This time I'm ready. I know I can hold my own," Omari thought.
He charged forward. Teacher Fang instantly wrapped him in his spiritual energy, trapping him in a shimmering field of pressure.
Omari smirked and swept his hand to the side, channeling power through his body. Air pressure burst outward, scattering Teacher Fang's qi like dust in the wind.
"Did he just…?" Teacher Fang raised an eyebrow, a hint of surprise crossing his usually calm face. "This kid's really talented," he said with a smile.
Omari dashed toward him again, fist cocked back. He threw a heavy right punch. Teacher Fang quickly summoned a qi barrier, but when Omari's fist landed, the barrier rippled, and Fang was forced two steps back.
"He pushed me back?" Teacher Fang thought, a flicker of pride lighting his eyes. Guess I should get serious too.
He swung his leg in a strong right kick. Omari lifted his left arm to block, but the force sent him rolling across the ground. He flipped up to his feet, scanning for his teacher.
He glanced right, too late. Teacher Fang appeared on his left, smirking. Omari ducked just in time, the teacher's kick slicing through the air above his head.
Omari countered with a powerful right punch, but Fang blocked and struck back. Blow after blow followed, fast and fierce. Only Teacher Fang's hits landed clean.
A solid punch to the gut sent Omari tumbling again, but he rolled, spun, and came back up on his feet in one smooth motion. Wiping the blood from his lip, he bounced lightly on his toes, a grin spreading across his face.
"Time to use it," he said under his breath.
He started bouncing lightly on his toes,a grin spread across his face.
He darted forward, faster than before. Teacher Fang leaned back, barely dodging the first punch. Omari followed with another, and another. Fang blocked both, but Omari's speed kept climbing. Thin wisps of white smoke began to rise from his body.
Omari leapt into the air, flipping forward with a kick. Fang caught it on his forearm but was forced to crouch slightly from the pressure.
He jumped back to create some distance. "He's actually pushing me back... this kid."
With a wave of his hand, he sent a storm of stones flying toward Omari. Omari smashed them apart mid-air with punches and kicks, shards scattering harmlessly around him.
In that instant, Teacher Fang appeared behind him. "You've gotten stronger, Omari," he said calmly, "but not strong enough." He raised his palm to strike the finishing blow—
"Are you sure?" Omari shot back, glancing over his shoulder. Then he released his killing intent.
The world seemed to freeze. Teacher Fang's eyes widened as an invisible wave of murderous pressure crashed over him. His breath caught. For a moment, his mind went blank. I'm dead, he thought. His blood ran cold. For a single, horrifying second, he wasn't in a courtyard; he was staring into the eyes of his own death. His breath caught in his throat, and every muscle locked, utterly helpless.
Then, just as suddenly, the pressure vanished. Omari dropped to one knee, panting. "I give up," he said, forcing a tired smile. "I used too much energy. I don't think I can keep going... Thank you for the lesson, Teacher."
Teacher Fang blinked, caught off guard. He cleared his throat. "Alright, let's end it here for today. Your control over spiritual energy has improved a lot. I'll see you tomorrow."
He turned to leave, then paused a few meters away. Without looking back, he said, "You're close to your breakthrough to the Spiritualist stage. I'm proud of you, Omari."
Omari's eyes widened slightly. He hadn't expected that. Then a small smile formed on his face.
He watched his teacher disappear into the night, feeling a quiet sense of satisfaction settle in his chest.
He turned and left the courtyard,heading to the library.
In the forest,Ming Yu's body and skin was now smooth, no more bumps or pimples. The fruits she got from the Majesty Lion beast helped her recover quickly. Her body felt light, her beauty truly started to shine; her black hair was now cut short, reaching her chin level, and her beautiful blue cute eyes shone with joy, the joy she had not felt in a very long time.
The Majesty Lion beast walked toward Ming Yu and lowered itself beside her.After two months together, they had grown close, closer than she ever imagined possible.
She climbed onto its back, and the great beast started moving forward, its steps slow at first, then faster. Wind brushed her face as she leaned down, gripping its mane while it sprinted through the forest.
They burst into an open meadow, a wide sea of grass and flowers swaying under the sun. Ming Yu slid off its back, laughing softly as her feet touched the ground. The two walked side by side, surrounded by color and silence.
But something was different. The lion's calm eyes seemed distant. The smile faded from her face. She looked down, unsure how to ask what was wrong, or if it would even answer.
Before she could speak, the lion stopped and turned to her, lowering its head. Its golden eyes locked with hers, deep and serious.
Then a white light began to glow on its forehead. Threads of radiant energy streamed out, gathering into a bright orb in front of Ming Yu. The sphere grew larger and larger, humming with power, until it suddenly shot forward, straight into her chest.
"Nghh!"
She groaned as her body lifted off the ground. Light exploded around her, wrapping her in blinding white. Her scream echoed through the meadow, raw and unrestrained. Spiritual energy swirled wildly, dancing around her as if alive.
Slowly, the light dimmed. She floated gently down, her feet touching the earth with grace. The air around her shimmered with qi. Her body felt weightless, stronger, purer. She could feel it clearly; her cultivation had risen.
"What was that…?" she whispered, staring at her glowing hands.
The Majesty Lion stepped forward and rubbed its head softly against her side.
It lowered itself again, motioning for her to climb on. Ming Yu hesitated, still stunned, then climbed onto its back. As the beast began to walk, memories of their time together flashed through her mind, the laughter, the peace, the quiet comfort she hadn't known before.
Somewhere along the way, she drifted to sleep.
When she opened her eyes again, they were at the edge of the forest. Ahead lay the city.
She slid off, instantly understanding what the beast wanted.
"No," she said, shaking her head. "I don't want to go. I want to stay with you."
The lion nudged her gently, pushing her back a few steps.
"I'm not leaving! I want to stay with you!" she cried, tears spilling down her cheeks.
The beast pressed its head against hers, and another image flashed in her mind, a blazing flame burning like it would never die, a mountain crowned with red and white buildings. At its gate, words shimmered in gold, True Flame Sect.
"I'm not going," she muttered, pouting through her tears. "No matter what you say."
The lion roared. The force of it made her hair and clothes whip violently in the wind.
"Fine!" she shouted, voice breaking. "I'll go! You want to abandon me too? Then fine!"
She turned and ran toward the city, crying. The lion watched her go, unmoving, until her small figure vanished beyond the trees.
It lifted its head toward the sky and let out a long, quiet breath before turning back into the forest.
At the academy,Omari sat on the roof.
"I could've killed Fang Lei if I wanted,but I still need to learn more from this academy and... the old man's not that bad. He really helped me out," Omari thought.
He continued,"One thing is for sure... I'm definitely better than him; I can defeat him," Omari smirked.
He got up and looked to the skies.His gaze hardened as moonlight washed over the academy rooftops.
"It's time,"he murmured.
"Majesty Lion beast...I'm coming for you."