Dawn had not yet touched the mountains. Mist clung to branches like ghosts whispering secrets.
A bell tolled once across the trial ground — low, ancient, commanding.
Disciples stopped moving. Even beasts froze.
A voice echoed through the woods, calm yet vast:
"Second Trial: Capture a Spirit Beast.
Harm it not.
Bring it alive.
Those who kill… fail."
Gasps spread.
Surviving was one thing.
Restraint? Compassion? That was harder.
A boy whispered, "Capture a living beast? With no cultivation?"
Another cursed, "Monsters are made of muscle and rage — we're flesh and fear!"
But Heaven's path chose not only strength.
It chose hearts.
Gu An glanced at Lin Xuan.
The boy swallowed, nervous — but determination burned in his eyes.
"I'll try, Senior Brother."
Gu An nodded.
"No rush. Observe first."
He did not offer help.
Progress must breathe, not be forced.
A Gaze From High Above
At Cloud-Vein Sect's observation platform, Elders floated like ancient cranes in meditation.
Most ignored the trial — only prodigies mattered.
But suddenly, an old man with silver eyebrows paused. His gaze swept the forest, sensing… something.
"Strange," he murmured.
"A thread in fate… missing? No… unseen?"
His spiritual sense brushed past Gu An's general vicinity.
Like a breeze touching a lake — then sliding away, unable to grasp the depth beneath.
The elder frowned slightly — puzzled.
Then, he shook his head and dismissed the sensation.
"Hmph. Illusion of age. The heavens birthing chosen ones distract the mind."
He turned back to watch Chu Feng.
Others never even noticed.
Just like Gu An wished.
Inside a Growing Cosmos
In the quiet of his soul world, Gu An observed.
The star pulsed calmly.
The moon guided tides in gentle rhythm.
Primitive life drifted, multiplying slowly — patient, stubborn.
He watched one cluster struggle against microgravity currents — almost extinguishing…
Then stabilizing.
Survival.
Not blessed. Not guided.
Earned.
Gu An murmured softly:
"True life… is the courage to continue in an uncaring void."
He adjusted nothing.
To interfere now would rob truth.
A universe must learn to breathe alone.
A Mortal's Hunt
Back in the forest—
Lin Xuan crouched behind bushes, watching a young mountain hare spirit beast nibbling leaves. It glowed faintly — fur shimmering like morning frost.
He breathed slowly, just as Gu An taught:
Observe. Understand. Respect.
No weapon raised. No anger.
Just patience.
A boy nearby lunged at another beast with a stone — got thrown back, bleeding. Fear and frustration filled the air.
But Lin Xuan… moved gently.
He tossed berries forward, inch by inch.
The hare sniffed, curious.
He stayed still, arm trembling from restraint.
Minutes became hours.
Finally, the hare hopped toward him and nibbled from his palm.
Soft. Warm. Alive.
Lin Xuan smiled faintly — and carefully wrapped his cloak around it, carrying it without force.
"I did it…"
Gu An — watching from afar — nodded once.
The boy didn't conquer the beast.
He earned its trust.
Such a seed could grow into strength beyond techniques.
The Making of Heaven's Son
Elsewhere—
Chu Feng stood atop a tree branch. Wind bent around him in reverence.
Beasts approached him willingly, subdued by his fate aura.
Followers gathered — eager, admiring.
"We'll follow Brother Chu!"
"Heaven's chosen deserves us."
Chu Feng didn't even need to move.
Destiny moved for him.
He smiled gently, benevolent but proud.
Two paths.
One loud as thunder.
One quiet as night.
Heaven watched both — but misunderstood one.
And so the world tilted.
Quietly. Slowly. Inevitably.