The misstep with the dual cultivation technique had left Li Wei humbled but undeterred, his faith in the scroll unshaken despite his aching body and bruised pride. The hidden valley, with its shimmering pool and ancient tree, continued to pulse with an energy that fueled his determination. The warmth in his dantian, though erratic after his failed attempt, was a reminder that he was still on the path to immortality. As he sat by his stone altar, the scroll open before him, Li Wei sought a new focus to regain his momentum. The next passage spoke of "bonding with a spirit beast," a companion whose primal energy could amplify a cultivator's qi and serve as a guardian on the path. The memory of his encounter with the wild boar lingered, but this time, Li Wei envisioned something more—a true ally, not a foe to be subdued.
The valley, with its vibrant flora and ethereal mist, seemed the perfect place to find such a creature. The scroll described spirit beasts as animals touched by the Dao, their instincts aligned with the natural flow of qi. Li Wei imagined a majestic creature—a fox with glowing eyes, perhaps, or a deer radiating celestial light. His resources were scarce—his diet of foraged berries and dwindling "Spirit Root Herbs" barely sustained him—but his optimism was boundless. He spent the morning wandering the valley, his senses attuned to any sign of life beyond the ordinary. The rustle of leaves, the splash of fish in the pool, even the hum of insects felt charged with possibility.
As he explored, Li Wei noticed a faint trail of paw prints near the pool, small and delicate, leading into a thicket of ferns. His heart quickened—could this be the spirit beast the scroll foretold? He followed the tracks, moving quietly to avoid startling whatever creature had left them. The thicket parted to reveal a small, scruffy dog, its fur matted with mud, its ribs visible beneath a patchy coat. The dog froze, its amber eyes locking onto Li Wei's, a low whine escaping its throat. It was no mystical creature, just a stray, likely abandoned by hikers or villagers. Disappointment flickered, but Li Wei knelt, extending a hand. "Hey, little one," he said softly. "You lost like me?"
The dog hesitated, then crept forward, sniffing his fingers. It was scrawny, with a limp in one leg, but its eyes held a spark of resilience that resonated with Li Wei. The scroll hadn't specified what a spirit beast looked like—perhaps this humble creature was more than it seemed. He named it "Azure Dragon," after the mythical beast of the east, a nod to its potential rather than its appearance. He offered it a few berries from his pack, which the dog devoured eagerly, its tail wagging for the first time.
Li Wei decided to treat the dog as his spirit beast, a companion to share his journey. The scroll described bonding through "qi resonance," a process of aligning energies through shared intent. Back at his altar, he sat with Azure Dragon curled nearby, its warmth a small comfort against the valley's evening chill. He meditated, visualizing his qi flowing toward the dog, a bridge of light connecting their spirits. The dog, unimpressed, yawned and scratched an ear, but Li Wei persisted, chanting softly and extending his hands as if to channel energy. The warmth in his dantian stirred, and he imagined it enveloping Azure Dragon, binding them as partners.
Over the next few days, Li Wei trained the dog, using scraps of food to teach it simple commands: sit, stay, follow. He called these "qi commands," convincing himself that the dog's responses were guided by spiritual connection rather than hunger. Azure Dragon proved surprisingly attentive, limping after him on forays through the valley, its presence a balm to Li Wei's loneliness. During meditations, the dog often curled up beside the altar, its steady breathing blending with Li Wei's chants. Once, as he visualized his qi, he swore he saw a faint glow around the dog's fur, a shimmer like the valley's mist. "You're my spirit beast," he whispered, scratching its ears. Azure Dragon licked his hand, more interested in affection than mysticism.
He shared the development with the Order of the Jade Dawn during their next video call, holding up his phone to show Azure Dragon dozing by the fire. Zhang Wei, ever enthusiastic, declared it a "true spirit beast," citing legends of humble animals with hidden powers. Liu Mei, more cautious, suggested caring for its physical needs to strengthen the bond. Li Wei nodded, scribbling in his notebook: "Azure Dragon joined. Qi resonance begun. Spirit beast strengthens path." He didn't mention the dog's mundane origins or its penchant for stealing his berries—it was his companion now, a symbol of his progress.
One evening, as Li Wei meditated under the ancient tree, Azure Dragon suddenly growled, its hackles raised. A rustle in the bushes sent Li Wei's heart racing—another boar, or something worse? He stood, clutching his jade slip, and focused his qi, ready to protect his new ally. But it was only a falling branch, caught in the wind. Azure Dragon relaxed, and Li Wei laughed, relief washing over him. The dog's alertness, he decided, was proof of its spiritual sensitivity, a guardian watching over his sacred valley.
As the stars emerged above, Li Wei sat with Azure Dragon by his side, the scroll open before him. The valley's whispers seemed to include the dog's soft whines, a harmony of mortal and mystical. The scroll promised that a spirit beast would amplify his qi, and while Azure Dragon was no dragon, its presence made Li Wei feel less alone. With his sect's support and his new companion, he was ready for the next trial, his path to immortality clearer under the valley's enchanted glow.