Morning light spilled into the Trial Forest.
Mist clung stubbornly to the ground, drifting between ancient trees like pale ghosts.
The memory of the last expedition still lingered—
The towering spirit beast had been driven back…
…but not truly subdued.
Today—
The disciples of the Mortal Sect returned.
And this time—
There was fire in their eyes.
Into the Forest
At the front stood Shen Yan.
Long blade in hand.
Posture steady.
Breathing calm.
Yet he did not attack.
His small spirit beast companion circled beside him, nose twitching as it scanned the air.
"Remember," Shen Yan said quietly.
"This is not about killing."
"Observe its breathing."
"Its movement rhythm."
"Its spiritual fluctuations."
"Follow my pace."
The disciples nodded.
Formation aligned.
Steps synchronized.
No chaos.
No reckless charge.
Only discipline.
The Beast Returns
Without warning—
Branches exploded outward.
A massive shadow burst from the depths of the forest.
It was back.
The towering spirit beast emerged like a storm given flesh.
Obsidian scales shimmered under filtered sunlight.
Its bladed tail-stinger cut through the mist—
Deadly.
Relentless.
It roared.
The forest shook.
Then—
It attacked.
WHOOSH!
The tail-stinger swept forward with terrifying speed.
A newly recruited disciple barely reacted—
BOOM!
He was forced back three steps, boots tearing grooves into the earth.
Shock rippled through the formation.
But panic never came.
Because—
Someone moved.
The Guiding Officer Steps Forward
From within the disciples—
She advanced.
The Former Palace Guiding Officer.
Now respectfully known as—
"Senior Aunt."
She raised her hand slightly.
No burst of power.
No overwhelming aura.
Only a soft voice.
"Slow."
"Match your breath with it."
The disciples instinctively obeyed.
And then—
Something astonishing happened.
Their movements…
Their breathing…
Their spiritual flow—
Shifted.
Aligned.
Perfectly.
It felt as if an invisible force had woven their rhythms together—
Not resisting the beast's momentum…
But entering its tempo.
Confusion of the Predator
The towering spirit beast faltered mid-motion.
Its attack slowed.
Eyes narrowing.
Instincts rattled.
Why—
Did these humans feel…
Familiar?
Why—
Did their breathing echo its own?
Why—
Was hostility absent?
For the first time—
The beast hesitated.
The Genius Sees the Opening
Shen Yan's eyes flashed.
Mind racing.
Calculating.
Then—
Realization struck like lightning.
"The tail!"
"The scales near the stinger reflect the strongest light!"
He stepped forward sharply.
Voice cutting through the battlefield.
"We use the light distortion!"
"Disrupt its targeting!"
Before anyone could question—
He moved.
Genius-Level Execution
Shen Yan blurred into motion.
Footwork flawless.
Blade flashing like liquid silver.
His small spirit beast companion mirrored him instantly—
A living shadow of precision.
CLANG!
SWISH!
STEP!
He did not strike to injure—
But to control angles.
Redirect lines.
Manipulate reflections.
Sunlight fractured across the spirit beast's scales.
Vision distorted.
Attack vectors scrambled.
The lethal tail-stinger—
Neutralized.
The towering beast growled in frustration—
Yet failed to regain initiative.
Above — Absolute Support
Outside the forest—
Su Wan's fingers glided across her screen.
[Assist Module: Deep Synchronization][Spirit Beast Behavior Analysis: COMPLETE][Sect Combat Efficiency Boost: +35%]
She tapped.
A warm, translucent radiance spread silently across the Trial Forest.
Within it—
Coordination sharpened.
Timing tightened.
Energy loss reduced.
Reaction windows expanded.
The disciples felt it immediately.
Not as force—
But as clarity.
Everything became…
Effortless.
Immortal Realm Observer — Shock
At the forest's edge—
The Immortal Realm visitor stiffened.
Brows knitting tightly.
Aura tense.
"This…"
He whispered.
"…is not mortal cultivation."
His gaze locked onto the battlefield.
"They're influencing the beast's mind…"
"…without suppression."
No brutal domination.
No bloodshed.
No terror tactics.
Yet—
A spirit beast was being guided into compliance.
For the first time—
Even he felt a chill.
The Turning Point
Within the forest—
The towering spirit beast stopped.
Completely.
Its tail curled inward.
Stinger lowered.
Body sinking slowly to the ground.
Low.
Defensive.
But no longer hostile.
Its eyes—
Clear.
Alert.
Watchful.
First True Contact
Shen Yan slowly sheathed his blade.
Then—
He crouched.
Carefully.
Calmly.
"Easy now…"
His voice was steady.
Without fear.
Without arrogance.
"You don't have to fight."
The towering spirit beast tensed—
Then relaxed.
A moment later—
It stepped forward.
Softly.
And—
To everyone's disbelief—
It brushed against Shen Yan's leg.
Affectionately.
Silence engulfed the forest.
Then—
Explosion.
Disciples — Shock & Euphoria
"It stopped attacking!""It's… it's accepting him?!""We did it!!"
Joy erupted.
Relief surged.
Disbelief shattered.
They had done the impossible.
Not slain a beast.
But earned its trust.
Platform Above
Su Wan smiled.
Eyes bright.
"Phase Two…"
"…cleared."
Her phone responded:
[Deep Forest Expedition — Phase Two Complete][Sect Combat Experience Gain: +50%][Spirit Beast Bond Established][Classification: Primary Companion]
Meaning of Victory
No casualties.
No sacrifices.
No tragic losses.
Only—
Growth.
Unity.
Evolution.
The disciples finally tasted true triumph—
Not through destruction…
But through cooperation.
Senior Aunt stood quietly among them.
Eyes slightly moist.
For the first time—
She was not merely respected.
She was recognized.
Immortal Realm Visitor — Fear
Outside the forest—
The visitor's expression darkened.
A flicker of unease flashing in his eyes.
"They're doing it…"
"Using rules and cooperation…"
"To allow mortals…"
"And spirit beasts…"
"To grow together."
His voice lowered.
Almost a whisper.
"If this spreads…"
"The Immortal Realm's advantage…"
"…will disappear."
Night Falls
The disciples gathered at the forest's edge.
Laughing.
Talking.
Reliving every moment.
The small spirit beast bounded playfully, chasing drifting leaves.
Shen Yan chuckled, rubbing its head.
"First real trial…"
"No deaths…"
"And we gained a partner."
His eyes gleamed.
"We'll only grow stronger from here."
High Platform
Xiao Xuanyin stood overlooking the forest.
Aura vast.
Gaze deep.
"This…"
He murmured.
"…is only the beginning."
Su Wan leaned beside him.
Her phone vibrated softly.
[Shadow Monitoring: Sect Status — Stable][Next Phase Potential: Full Combat Capacity Unlock]
Her lips curved slowly upward.
"Good."
"Let the Immortal Realm…"
"…start feeling real pressure."
And above the heavens—
Storm clouds quietly gathered.