The moment Fengyu's warning echoed through the Sanctuary, an oppressive stillness swallowed the air. The violet sky above dimmed as if reacting to the tension; the gentle rustle of leaves quieted.
A beast tide, led by a Mind-Eater Moth King—
coming toward them.
Li Meiyu clenched her fists, face pale. "How long until it arrives?"
Fengyu breathed deeply, calming his thundering pulse. "Hard to say. The tide was several kilometers away, but moving steadily. With the bear leading, they'll cover ground quickly."
Yan Lingxin bit her lip, eyes wide. "Can… can the Sanctuary be attacked?"
A dangerous question.
Fengyu turned toward the Holy Tree. Its leaves glowed softly, as if listening. The system answered in his mind.
"The Sanctuary cannot be forcibly entered or damaged by outside forces, Host. However, its entrance node remains tied to your physical body. If the node is discovered or overrun, the Host may be trapped inside."
Fengyu's expression tightened.
So the Sanctuary was safe—
but he wasn't.
He turned to the three girls and the boy.
"Listen carefully. The Sanctuary itself won't fall, but if the beasts reach the node's area, I won't be able to enter or exit. That means I might get trapped outside… or trapped inside."
Meiyu gasped softly. "That's—"
"Bad," Qingxia finished quietly, her voice firm despite her lingering injuries.
Lin Xuan swallowed. "What do we do?"
Fengyu took a long breath.
"We prepare. We get stronger. And we do it fast."
— — —
Part 1: Healing and Powering Up
Fengyu sat beside the Holy Spring, peeling off his torn shirt. The gash on his shoulder throbbed, blood still trickling from the deep claw wound. Meiyu hurried over with a cloth.
"Let me wash it!"
He shook his head gently. "No. I'll use the Spring."
But she was already kneeling, dipping the cloth in clean water, wiping the blood away with careful strokes. Her fingers trembled badly, but she tried to hide it.
"Meiyu—"
"Don't talk." She glared, then softened. "Just… don't scare us like that again."
Lingxin knelt beside her. "She didn't sleep at all after you left."
Qingxia leaned against a boulder, arms crossed. "She's right. You're reckless—but effective."
Lin Xuan smiled shyly. "We're just glad you're back."
Fengyu felt a warmth he hadn't expected, something grounding.
A sense of belonging.
He stepped into the Holy Spring, and the glowing water wrapped around him like silk.
The wound sealed instantly.
His muscles tightened. His meridians pulsed.
A panel appeared.
[Holy Spring Purification Complete]
[Body Tempering: Stage 4 → Stage 5]
Fengyu clenched his fist. "Good. I need more strength."
But sudden chimes erupted.
[Due to life-threatening risk, host granted emergency boost]
[Temporary Skill Unlocked: Beast Sense Vision]
Effect:
- Detects beast movements within 500 meters.
- Temporarily enhances reaction speed during beast encounters.
Fengyu inhaled sharply. "Perfect timing."
— — —
Part 2: Training the Clan's First Seeds
He gathered everyone in the central clearing.
"From now on," he said, "you train with my direct supervision. We don't have time for slow progress."
He pointed to Lin Xuan.
"Xuan, you start with strength conditioning and spear basics."
The boy straightened, determination replacing fear. "Yes!"
He turned to Lingxin.
"Lingxin, your breathing technique is good. I'll boost your qi flow later. For now, learn evasion footwork."
Lingxin nodded. "I'll do my best."
To Meiyu:
"You'll learn healing techniques and dagger defense."
Her eyes widened. "I… I'm ready."
Finally, Qingxia.
"Your combat instincts are strong. Once you recover fully, you'll help me hunt beasts for resources."
Her lips curved into a confident smirk. "Good. I've been itching to kill something."
Fengyu clapped his hands.
"Let's begin."
— — —
Hours passed inside the Sanctuary—ten times faster than outside.
Lin Xuan stabbed a wooden dummy repeatedly, each thrust stronger and more precise. Sweat poured down his face, but he didn't stop. Fengyu corrected his posture.
"Lower your stance. Breathe."
"Yes!"
Lingxin practiced darting between stones, her light steps growing more fluid. She stumbled often, but each time she rose with more resolve.
Meiyu learned to throw daggers at marked targets. Her aim improved drastically—guided not only by training, but her desire to protect.
Qingxia regained her strength quickly, sparring with Fengyu using wooden blades.
"You've got flaws in your left guard," Fengyu said, deflecting her strike.
"Shut up and take the hit!" she growled, but followed his correction.
Her breathing steadied. Her aura stabilized.
After several rounds, another chime echoed.
[Wu Qingxia – Favorability +10 → Total: 50]
Reward: Minor Qi Acceleration
Good.
As evening fell within the Sanctuary, Fengyu gathered them around the Holy Tree.
"This," he said, "isn't just training. It's preparation for survival. I can't fight the beast tide alone."
Meiyu looked down. "So we must be strong enough to help you."
"Exactly," Fengyu said.
Qingxia stepped closer. "And the Moth King? What do we do about it?"
Fengyu smiled faintly.
"We kill it."
They all inhaled sharply.
Lingxin whispered nervously, "Is that even possible?"
"Yes," Fengyu said. "But only with planning."
He looked at the Holy Tree.
"Tomorrow, I go scouting again. From a distance. I will locate the best way to intercept or redirect the tide."
Qingxia's eyes hardened. "Take me."
"You're still recovering."
"I can stand. I can fight."
He shook his head.
Lingxin grabbed Qingxia's sleeve. "You'll just slow him down."
Qingxia growled softly, frustration flaring—but she didn't argue further.
Meiyu whispered, "Then… what should we do while you're gone?"
Fengyu turned toward all of them.
"You get strong.
Fast."
He pointed to the Holy Tree.
"You three will each touch the tree once tonight."
They glanced at one another.
"What will it do?" Meiyu asked.
"It will help your growth, stabilize your roots, and accelerate cultivation."
Lingxin nodded. "Let's do it."
Qingxia smirked. "Fine."
Lin Xuan stepped forward nervously. "Me too?"
Fengyu smiled. "Yes, you too."
They placed their palms on the glowing trunk.
Light cascaded over them in waves of jade-green brilliance.
Chimes filled the Sanctuary.
[Li Meiyu – Root Purity Boost +8%]
[Yan Lingxin – Root Purity Boost +6%]
[Wu Qingxia – Root Stability +10%]
[Lin Xuan – Root Awakening: Mid-Grade!]
The four gasped as spiritual energy surged through their meridians.
Meiyu's eyes widened. "I can feel everything more clearly…"
Lingxin's aura brightened like a soft flame.
Qingxia smirked, cracking her knuckles. "That… felt good."
Lin Xuan trembled with excitement. "I… I awakened a Mid-Grade root?!"
Fengyu nodded proudly. "You're all improving faster than you know."
The Sanctuary hummed, pleased.
But Fengyu wasn't done.
He activated the system panel, speaking softly:
"Show me my current status."
[Host: Lin Fengyu]
Cultivation: Body Tempering – Stage 5
Talent: High-Grade (Raised by Holy Spring)
Abilities:
- Beast Sense Vision
- Sanctuary Authority (Minor)
Sanctuary Members: 4
Next Upgrade Requirement: 10 Descendants
Environment Status: Beast Tide Approaching (Est. 2–4 days)
Fengyu exhaled.
"Two to four days…"
He clenched his fists.
"We have to be ready."
Lingxin stepped forward, worry in her eyes. "Fengyu… don't go tomorrow."
He shook his head gently.
"I must."
Meiyu took his hand. "Then return. No matter what."
Qingxia crossed her arms, but her voice softened. "You better come back."
Lin Xuan nodded fiercely. "We'll train hard. You won't face this alone."
Fengyu smiled, warmed despite the storm approaching.
"Good. Because the Sanctuary… will depend on all of us."
He stepped toward the entrance.
Tomorrow, he would scout deeper.
Find weaknesses.
Learn how to defeat the Moth King.
As night fell within the Sanctuary, Lin Fengyu whispered:
"This is only the beginning.
The clan I build will survive anything—even a tide."
And the Sanctuary answered with a soft, determined pulse—
as if swearing to grow with him.