《Immortal Soul: A New Beginning of Tang Ling》


 The Dawn of a New World

    A seven-year-old boy named Tang Ling was locked in battle with a serpentine beast in a forest, where countless beasts lurked, their roars shaking the forest.


    It was surprising that such a young boy was alone in the forest, even fighting head-to-head with a beast that normal people feared. But in this world, nothing was impossible.


    Tang Ling''s sky-blue eyes radiated kindness and purity, while his long blue hair¡ªstriking like lightning¡ªwas tied with a small red knot. He was wearing a blue ring with a golden pattern that radiated a strange power. His milky-white skin was smooth and tender.


    It was almost unbelievable that Tang Ling, a child with such a regal appearance, was dressed in simple, tattered clothing¡ªa faded blue tunic, thin pants tied at the ankles, and a worn red sash around his waist. His garments were shredded and stained with splatters of blood, evidence of the fierce battles he had fought.


    In his hands, he wielded a sturdy wooden stick¡ªa thick tree branch with a single leaf still clinging to it. Though rough in appearance, it was surprisingly strong, capable of delivering sharp and precise blows.


    Tang Ling''s movements were fluid and precise¡ªeach dodge an effortless evasion, each leap perfectly timed as he maneuvered around the beast''s relentless strikes. The serpent''s fangs cut through the air, but Tang Ling was always one step ahead, his body flowing with an agility that belied his youth. As the beast lunged again, its massive tail crashed to the ground, but Tang Ling had already rolled beneath it, launching himself off the earth with a burst of speed, narrowly escaping the crushing blow.


    He didn''t stop to breathe. The beast was growing more erratic, but so was Tang Ling, now anticipating its next moves. With every strike, he learned, adapting quickly, narrowing the distance between him and his target, waiting for that perfect opening.


    However, Tang Ling''s attacks had little effect against the beast''s tough scales. Its hide was so strong that a wooden stick''s strikes barely made an impact, even though Tang Ling''s attacks were swift and lethal. That was making the fight balanced.


    "Clink!"


    A sharp crack rang out as the stick snapped in two, its blow unable to penetrate the beast''s tough scales.


    "Ahhh! Not again! This makes it the fourth time this stick has broken because of this snake!" Tang Ling shouted in frustration, tossing the broken stick at the beast''s face.


    "No, I need to stay calm." And with a deep breath, Tang Ling picked up a stone from the ground. Just then, an idea flickered in his brain.


    "I understand now¡ªI just need to attack where its defenses are weak."


    The beast lunged at Tang Ling with its jaws wide open, aiming to devour him. However, Tang Ling was quick, darting to the side and narrowly avoiding the strike. The beast, unprepared for his swift escape, crashed head-first into the tree where Tang Ling had just been standing, its momentum driving it into the trunk.


    Tang Ling quickly used this opportunity and attacked the beast, making a good angle with a picked-up stone on the beast''s eye.


    The attack with the stone reached its target and hit the beast''s eye. The beast erupted in pain and roared. The roar scared all nearby creatures to run away.


    Seeing his attack succeed, Tang Ling grinned, his voice filled with triumph. "At last! After breaking four sticks, I?ve figured out how to defeat it!"


    But the situation quickly changed.


    The beast shifted its gaze toward Tang Ling, rage burning in its remaining eye. With a guttural roar, it launched a barrage of purple, needle-like darts. Tang Ling sprang into action, sprinting just in time to avoid the deadly projectiles. The darts struck the earth and trees nearby, disintegrating everything in their path¡ªbut Tang Ling was too focused on the beast to notice the devastation.


    "It seems it has become serious, now I need to finish it fast."


    The battle grew more intense. Tang Ling kept his distance, attacking with stones while making sure he had room to dodge. The beast blocked the more dangerous strikes with its thick, scaled tail.


    The fight dragged on for nearly half an hour. Though both were growing weaker, Tang Ling seemed to have an advantage currently over the beast because of the beast''s missing eye and the pain it caused. But the main surprise was that Tang Ling still had no injuries on his body despite fighting this long.


    Both Tang Ling and beast now showed weakness in their attacks compared to their previous moves. Tang Ling remained calm and tried to give the beast no chance at all.


    But the battle wasn''t over yet.


    Losing an eye made the beast more reckless. Its attacks became wilder and more erratic.


    Tang Ling saw an opening. Without thinking about the consequences, he attacked at this time, aiming for the spot where the beast''s eye had once been.


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    Fueled by rage, the beast charged at Tang Ling with its tail raised, slashing at him with deadly force.


    The beast''s tail lashed against Tang Ling''s arm, but instead of being torn apart, he only suffered a minor injury. His body was far tougher than a normal kid of his age should have been. However, the impact caused the stones he had gathered earlier to slip from his grasp, scattering onto the ground.


    In a panic, Tang Ling abandoned the scattered stones near the beast, knowing it was too dangerous to retrieve them. Instead, he rushed toward another stone lying a short distance away, snatching it up before the beast could strike again.


    However, the stones he managed to gather were too small to inflict any real damage. Frustration began to build, but he quickly turned to locate the beast, ensuring he kept a safe distance.


    The beast, seeing an opportunity, began to prepare another attack.


    It opened its mouth, and a dark purple energy began to gather in front of it. Within seconds, the energy expanded into a massive, swirling orb, the size of the beast''s head. Once fully formed, the beast launched it toward Tang Ling, hoping to give him no time to react.


    When Tang Ling looked back, his heart raced as he saw the beast''s attack¡ªa massive purple ball coming straight for him. It was too unreal for Tang Ling, who had thought the beast wouldn''t strike so quickly. But he had been careless to underestimate it, for a creature that could survive in this forest was far from ordinary.


    The forest was home to ruthless beasts. Here, only the strong thrived, while the weak were devoured, either for power or mere survival.


    In a panic, Tang Ling jumped to the side, but the edge of the purple ball struck his left leg. The portion that missed splintered on the ground, while the other side of the ball exploded on impact.


    A searing pain shot through his leg, followed by a cold numbness creeping up his veins. Tang Ling cried out in agony, "Ahhh!" The whole situation was changed in just a short time; Tang Ling, who had the upper hand in the fight, had now totally fallen behind despite his condition.


    Tang Ling tried to ignore the pain, struggling to stand and attempting to run, but his left leg gave way, as if it no longer existed. He stumbled and glanced to the side where the other part of the purple ball had landed. What he saw shocked him¡ªwhere the ball had struck, the grass had turned from green to a sickly grayish-black, and all the plants around it were dead.


    "Damn this beast! It poisoned me!" Tang Ling cursed, realizing the extent of his injury. He quickly tore a piece of his tunic and tightly wrapped it around his leg, binding the wound and trying to contain the poison. With effort, he managed to stand again and attempted to distance himself from the beast¡ªand this time, he succeeded.


    Tang Ling noticed that the beast hadn''t attacked him since he had jumped to its blind side. "Why didn''t I notice this before?" he thought, realizing the opportunity he had overlooked.


    Suddenly, Tang Ling spotted a rock¡ªthin, sharp, and elongated. A spark of excitement flashed in his eyes, and a sly grin spread across his face. "Hehhe..." muttered under his breath. With renewed focus, he locked eyes on the beast and dashed toward the stone.


    However, the beast noticed him. With its remaining eye fixed on Tang Ling, it launched a deadly barrage of poisonous darts¡ªnot toward him, but directly at the rock he was heading for.


    "So you want to destroy it! I won''t let that happen!" he shouted. Grabbing the thin, sharp, and long rock in time was a challenge, but with his speed, it was possible. In the end, he successfully seized it before the attack could reach.


    Then¡ªeverything fell silent.


    A terrifying presence stirred deep within the forest. The distant roars of other beasts faded, as if they, too, sensed something monstrous approaching.


    But after a few moments, nothing happened.


    Tang Ling felt a chill down his spine, an overwhelming sense of danger pressing on him. But as the presence faded midway through its approach, he dismissed it.


    "Maybe it was just my imagination..."


    Then, Tang Ling''s safe distance from the beast was broken as he rushed toward it with his newly picked-up stone.


    Just like before, he attacked the beast''s tough scales with the sharp-edged stone. However, even though it was sharper than his previous weapons, it barely left a scratch, failing to inflict any real injury.


    Tang Ling didn''t flinch; he knew the stone''s impact would be ineffective against the beast''s scales. But he didn''t hesitate, taking the opportunity to test its sharpness on the creature''s armor-like hide.


    "Just like always. It has a sharp edge and tip, but the beast''s scales are far too tough. It''s impossible for me to hurt it without using that thing," Tang Ling muttered while dodging the beast''s relentless attacks."


    The beast was relentless in its attacks on Tang Ling, seemingly knowing that with the stone Tang Ling was using, it could kill him. Because of this, Tang Ling had no choice but to keep moving.


    Tang Ling, while trying to escape, was left with no defense. The beast swung its tail at him¡ªthe same attack that had injured him the first time and caused him to fall despite his condition. Though Tang Ling couldn''t dodge in time, he managed to block the attack with the stone.


    While blocking, Tang Ling shouted, "Same trick won''t work on me twice, you beast!"


    The brute force of the beast''s tail was overwhelming. Tang Ling was pushed back, but he didn''t take any injury, except for the stone he used to block. The edge parts of the stone chipped away. Another reason for this damage could also be the thinness of the stone¡ªit wasn''t as strong as the thicker ones he had used for defense.


    Tang Ling didn''t care about that. Instead, he said, "This seems bad. Night is falling."


    Tang Ling showed clear concern.


    Concern flickered across Tang Ling''s face. As night fell, the forest grew darker, and powerful beasts began hunting. The battle with the monster could easily draw the attention of these dangerous creatures¡ªand that, Tang Ling realized, was the real threat.


    "I need to finish this fast!" he muttered.


    With those words, Tang Ling rushed toward the beast. With all the strength he could muster, he leaped into the air and aimed the tip of his sharp stone at the beast''s soft skin, targeting the spot where its eye had once been.


    The beast, unprepared for Tang Ling''s strike, was hit. The pain sent it into a frenzy, and it lashed out with its tail. The tail slammed into a nearby tree with a deafening crack before swinging toward the ground, sending shockwaves that rattled the very earth beneath them. The sound of the tail slamming into the earth was a thunderous boom¡ªlike a massive drum beating across the forest. The very ground trembled beneath the force of the beast''s attack.


    But the beast was still not dead.


    "I don''t believe that I can''t kill it now!" Tang Ling shouted. With those words, he summoned all the strength he could muster, pouring it into his final strike. The intensity of the effort caused his hand to be cut and bleed, but thankfully, the wound wasn''t deep¡ªjust a superficial cut that would heal in three or four weeks.


    With this final attack, fueled by all of Tang Ling''s strength, the beast collapsed to the ground with a deafening thud, causing the surrounding area to shake violently. The earth trembled beneath the weight of the creature as it fell, and the forest seemed to hold its breath in the aftermath.


    With the beast motionless on the ground, Tang Ling couldn''t help but feel a surge of relief and joy. He wiped the sweat from his forehead and let out a deep breath.


    "It was the longest fight I''ve encountered," he said, a satisfied grin spreading across his face.


    "But finally, it''s over."


    Tang Ling slumped against a tree, his breath ragged. Sweat dripped down his face as he stared at the lifeless body of the beast. His arms ached, his hands trembled, but a triumphant smile tugged at his lips. It was finally over.


    But then¡ªsomething changed.


    A strange silver glow pulsed from the beast''s body. The air around it twisted unnaturally, and an eerie silence fell over the forest. The scattered leaves around it began floating, caught in an invisible force.


    Tang Ling''s body tensed. His instincts screamed at him to move, but his exhausted limbs refused to obey.


    The wounds on the beast''s body shimmered. One by one, the gashes closed, sealing shut as if they had never existed. The cracked scales hardened, gleaming with a metallic sheen.


    "No¡­ that''s impossible," Tang Ling muttered, his heart pounding.


    The stone embedded in the beast''s ruined eye dissolved into silver dust. In its place, a new eye formed¡ªglowing with a molten silver hue. Veins of silver light crawled across its body, forming intricate patterns that pulsed with power.


    Then, the beast moved.


    Its muscles tensed as it slowly lifted itself from the ground, its body crackling with a newfound strength. A low, guttural growl rumbled from its throat, the sound reverberating through the air like distant thunder.


    The air grew thick with killing intent.


    And then¡ªthe beast roared.


    The sound was deafening, shaking the very trees of the forest. The sheer force of it sent a shockwave rippling through the surroundings, rustling leaves and sending small creatures fleeing. The oppressive pressure of the beast''s presence bore down on Tang Ling like a crushing weight.


    He had fought with everything he had, yet now¡ªhe was facing something far beyond what he had just defeated.


    And this time, he wasn''t sure if he could survive.

 Mid-Battle: A Mysterious Accident

    The beast charged at Tang Ling with reckless fury, its movements wild and unrestrained¡ªdriven by nothing but the desperate need to kill.


    Tang Ling, who had already won this battle once, stood frozen in shock. His mind struggled to process what was happening. The creature hadn''t just revived¡ªit had changed. Its power and defense had surged beyond anything he had faced before.


    One wrong move, one moment of hesitation, and he wouldn''t survive the beast''s rampage.


    As the beast charged toward him, Tang Ling sprinted toward a tree, using it as a shield to avoid the attack. It was a clever plan¡ªkilling two birds with one stone.


    Though his plan was working, the beast''s scales had become tougher, and the trees were easily destroyed by its headbutts. Over and over, the same process repeated: the beast shattered a tree, and Tang Ling moved to another.


    But eventually, everything had to come to an end. The beast finally regained control over its emotions and ceased its wild attacks.


    It began its real assault. With a roar, the beast opened its mouth, and a massive orb of poison appeared¡ªthis one much larger than the one it had used before.


    "Not this again," Tang Ling muttered, gritting his teeth. "I need to hide from it. That thing nearly killed me last time. I don''t want to suffer again."


    Tang Ling observed the attack''s trajectory carefully, planning his next move.


    He dodged it¡ªbarely.


    But the beast wasn''t done. It charged at him once more, much faster than before. This time, it didn''t pause after using the poison orb. Maybe its power capacity had increased due to its transformation.


    Tang Ling managed to dodge, but his previously injured left leg was grazed by a small portion of the poison. The bandages luckily absorbed the toxin, but the pain was unbearable. If the beast used the attack again, he wouldn''t be able to dodge.


    It was a matter of luck, but unfortunately, luck wasn''t on his side anymore. The beast shot the orb again.


    "I won''t make it. I need to use the weapon Uncle Xiao Dan gave me," Tang Ling muttered. With trembling hands, he took out a long gun from his storage ring.


    The gun was crafted from a mixture of materials, its color a blend of green and black. It looked like a lesser-grade weapon, but it held a certain power.


    "There?s already some energy stored in it," he thought. "I?ve never used it before. It has only one shot. I can''t afford to miss."


    He aimed at the orb which was straight to beast, his hands shaking from both fear and sweat. He knew that if he missed, it would be the end.


    With a deep breath, he pulled the trigger.


    A ray of energy, golden-yellow in color, shot out with incredible speed. It hit the orb dead-center, and with a burst, the orb shattered just before reaching Tang Ling.


    The ray didn?t stop there. It continued toward the beast, unrelenting.


    The beast, seeing the attack coming, raised its tail to block it, and succeeded¡ªbut at a cost. The tail was blasted, causing significant damage, and the rune patterns etched into the beast''s tail were destroyed.


    Tang Ling was stunned. "A small ray almost broke the beast''s tail?"


    From the destroyed rune patterns, tiny silver particles began to emerge. They gathered around the damaged area, regenerating the runes one by one, healing the wound as if it had never existed.


    The beast?s injuries mended rapidly, as if it had never been wounded in the first place. Tang Ling watched in silent frustration. His grip tightened. "It didn?t work¡­ The stored power wasn''t enough. It wasn''t strong enough to kill it."


    The beast, now fully recovered, shot another poison orb.


    As another poison orb hurtled toward him, Tang Ling instinctively turned to flee, desperation surging through his veins. But the moment he tried to push off the ground, pain flared through his injured leg like a searing blade. His body faltered, his balance shattered, and he collapsed hard onto the dirt. It seemed fate had decided today would be his end.


    Desperately, he tried to use the gun again, but when he pressed the trigger, the weapon began absorbing energy to reload. It only managed to charge halfway before the energy from Tang Ling himself ran out.


    "I don''t have enough power for another shot," he whispered, despair creeping in. "Am I going to die here? I still haven?t seen the outside world Uncle Dan told me about."


    In an endless abyss of darkness, Tang Ling was falling continuously. His body drifted weightlessly, swallowed by the void, as if the world itself had abandoned him. From his closed eyes, droplets of water¡ªsouring from sadness¡ªfell into the emptiness, vanishing without a trace.


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    Suddenly, in the vast darkness, a small jade-green flame flickered to life. It burned softly, a lone spark against the suffocating void, its gentle glow carrying an inexplicable warmth. The cold emptiness that had seeped into Tang Ling''s very soul seemed to retreat before its presence.


    A faint sensation spread through his numb body, stirring something deep within. His eyelids, heavy with despair, slowly opened, revealing eyes filled with exhaustion yet ignited by a sliver of curiosity.


    "What is this light¡­? Why does it feel so warm?" he murmured, his voice barely a whisper in the silence. A strange sense of familiarity gripped him¡ªelusive, yet undeniable. "I¡­ I think I know it..."


    He reached out with curiosity, and the moment his fingers brushed against the flame¡ª


    The flame vanished.


    Suddenly, the surrounding void was no longer empty. Enormous visions appeared all around him, each one like a massive screen, floating in the endless abyss. Countless scenes flickered across them¡ªsome familiar, others completely foreign.


    Tang Ling''s gaze instinctively locked onto one among them.


    One vision revealed a young man clad in a white robe with intricate gold embroidery, a black sash around his waist, and dark boots. In his hand, he held a black scroll, its presence radiating an eerie power. He stood alone, unwavering, before an army of millions.


    The battle erupted with unimaginable fury. Not just the young man, but every single one of those millions of warriors unleashed devastating attacks that shook the very fabric of space. The sheer power of their clash sent energy waves rippling across the void, tearing apart asteroids as if they were nothing more than dust. Even a distant planet, caught in the aftermath, shattered completely, its fragments scattering endlessly into the abyss.


    The scale of destruction was beyond comprehension. Each warrior wielded power that defied reason, their strikes distorting space, their movements faster than the eye could follow. Some fought with blinding speed, appearing and disappearing in an instant, while others commanded forces that could collapse stars. Their combined might made it seem as if the universe itself was being rewritten with every clash.


    Yet, in the midst of this chaos, the young man remained standing. He fought as if he were an unshakable force of nature, wiping out thousands with each strike. No matter how many enemies came, his will was unbreakable.


    People were falling like stars, their bodies scattered across the battlefield in a rain of destruction.


    The battle raged on for what felt like eternity, stretching over countless years and days. The endless slaughter continued until even the strongest among them began to show signs of exhaustion. But just as the young warrior''s energy was about to reach its limit, he raised his hand and activated a technique¡ª


    "Time Reverse."


    Blood seeped from his mouth as he activated "Time Reverse." Space and time itself seemed to warp and bend around him. The endless cracks in the void, the asteroids shattered by their battles, and the fragments of destroyed planets all began to heal and restore themselves. The destruction that had been caused by the clash of such immense power began to reverse, as though the very fabric of reality was being mended.


    Though all his injuries had healed from the mysterious technique, the blood continued to flow from his mouth, a silent reminder of the toll it had taken on him. His body trembled, the strain evident, but his will remained unshaken.


    At the same time, half of his enemies¡ªthose caught in the effect¡ªwere subjected to a drastic transformation. Some regressed into frail old men, their once-immortal bodies now brittle and fragile, while others were turned into infants, their strength and power stripped away, leaving them helpless. Their formidable forms and unyielding might were replaced by frailty and vulnerability, their bodies no longer able to withstand the forces that had once made them fearsome.


    As these changes swept through his enemies, the young man''s body continued to tremble, but his gaze remained fixed, unwavering. His technique had cost him dearly, but the devastation he had wrought was now being undone, leaving only the aftermath of his unrelenting will.


    But the situation remained the same. With a single flick of his finger, the remaining enemies fell, their bodies crumbling like leaves in the wind, their once-mighty forms reduced to nothingness. The battle was over, and the young man stood victorious, his overwhelming strength having crushed every opponent in his path.


    However, just as victory seemed certain, a spatial crack suddenly appeared, splitting the fabric of reality itself. Seven figures emerged from the crack, their presence dark and ominous. All were cloaked in black robes, with the word "POWER" boldly written in red across their masks.


    The last figure, their leader, stepped forward with deliberate grace. He lifted his head, his single exposed eye piercing through the darkness, as if seeing straight into the very soul of the young man. His gaze was unyielding, filled with an unnerving calm.


    Then suddenly, the leader looked toward Tang Ling''s side. The vision of the battle, which Tang Ling had been watching, shattered into countless pieces like a broken mirror.


    He turned his head, trying to focus on another one of the countless visions around him. But to his confusion, each of them vanished as well, one by one.


    But Tang Ling had learned something: the warrior''s undefeatable will. Alone, he had fought millions of enemies.


    "Who was that guy? How powerful was he? Are there people like him in the outside world?"


    This made his curiosity grow even more, strengthening his will to survive.


    "I want to live," he cried.


    Just as he spoke those words, Tang Ling stopped falling and was able to move. The green light reappeared, circling around him as if it wanted to say something.


    "What are you?" Tang Ling asked. The light stopped moving and slowly floated ahead.


    "Are you telling me to follow you?" he asked. The light bobbed up and down in response.


    With no other choice, Tang Ling began following the light. After hours of walking, he arrived at a strange sight: a larger (adult form) version of himself, chained in the air.


    Suddenly, he glanced at his hand, then his body, and realized that he was in soul form. "I didn''t notice I was in soul form before... Am I already dead?"


    His attention returned to the soul that was chained.


    "Is this my soul?" he wondered, reaching out to touch it. But as soon as his hand approached, an invisible barrier blocked him, pushing him backward. The barrier was strong.


    The green flame then moved closer, hovering near the chain that bound the soul. It swirled in the air as if urging Tang Ling to remove the chain.


    "How can you go near?" Tang Ling wondered. The light remained still, unmoving.


    "It seems like it wants me to unchain this soul," Tang Ling muttered. Without hesitation, he punched the invisible barrier. To his surprise, the barrier shattered easily. It was odd, especially considering how strong it had seemed before, but now, it broke with just a simple punch.


    After the barrier broke, a massive wave of energy erupted, causing Tang Ling''s clothes to evaporate instantly, leaving him naked. The chain also disintegrated with the wave, breaking apart into particles and freeing the soul.


    The liberated soul floated towards Tang Ling, its essence intertwining with his own, merging with his soul.


    "This¡­ it merged with my soul," Tang Ling whispered, feeling a deep connection. "I don''t know why, but¡­ it feels like something I lost long ago has finally returned to me."


    The green light disappeared into the darkness, and in its place, golden rays began to pierce through the emptiness. Slowly, an endless blue sea started to take shape, and glimmers of light spread across the vast nothingness, turning the whole space darkness to fade away.


    In just a few moments, the sea was fully formed, its waters calm yet vast, stretching far beyond the horizon. But just as the sea completed its formation, a green light reappeared, now surrounded by a strange, pitch-black mist. The mist, small in size, wrapped around the green light, hiding it from view as it passed just beside Tang Ling''s head, entering the sea.


    "Wasn''t that the same green light?" Tang Ling wondered, his eyes narrowing. "But what was that black mist that seemed to envelop it?"


    "As long as that light was with me, I felt a sense of familiarity. I don''t think it will harm me." he muttered to himself, trying to make sense of the strange occurrence.


    However, before he could contemplate further, he suddenly found himself back in the middle of a fierce battle¡ªone he had fought before. His body reacted instinctively, as if his mind had been pulled into the fight once again.


    It was unbelievable¡ªtime hadn''t moved from the moment he had been pulled into that endless darkness. Everything was exactly as he had left it.


    The attack was still coming, now just two steps away from ending his life.


    A moment ago, Tang Ling had closed his eyes, resigned to his fate, with no hope left. But now, they snapped open.


    This time, his eyes were different. Where there had once been despair, there was now unwavering determination. Where there had been no will to survive, there was now a blazing fire of resolve.


    With his now strong will, he roared, "No! I want to live!"


    A faint golden glow appeared from the thin air surrounding him. It looked the same as before he had been pulled into the emptiness of darkness.


    The light moved toward him, pouring into his body from all sides. Every strand of golden radiance seeped into him, filling him with an unfamiliar yet invigorating warmth.


    Then, a small amount of black mist emerged from his body¡ªonly to swirl back in just as quickly.


    Tang Ling raised his hand, staring at it in disbelief. A newfound strength coursed through his veins, unlike anything he had ever felt before.


    "What happened to me? Why do I suddenly feel stronger than before? Is this because of that strange accident?"

 The Master鈥檚 Second Disciple

    Tang Ling, with his strength increasing, thought about using the gun again. Perhaps now he could fully charge it.


    He pressed the trigger, pointing the weapon directly at the incoming orb. From his hand, countless wisps of golden energy flowed, dancing beautifully like threads of light. It was a mesmerizing sight that could easily capture anyone''s gaze.


    A ray of energy burst from the gun''s muzzle¡ªnot like the previous single bullet, but a continuous, focused beam. Maybe it was due to Tang Ling constantly infusing energy into the gun with his hand.


    The energy ray collided with the orb as they met head-on, sending it flying and crashing against a tree to the side. Without pausing, Tang Ling shifted the ray''s aim toward the beast. Satisfaction and a flicker of happiness shone in his eyes¡ªit was time to take revenge.


    The beast, noticing the ray shooting toward it, reacted quickly, raising its tail to shield itself just like before.


    The ray struck. The beast''s tail blocked it, but this time, the damage was worse than before. Though the tail was injured again, it began to heal rapidly.


    Tang Ling didn''t stop there. Gritting his teeth, he shouted, "This time, it''s my own power. The same trick won''t save you twice!" He pressed the trigger even harder, pouring more energy into the weapon.


    Another ray launched forward, this one slightly larger than the last. Tang Ling poured every ounce of his rage and frustration into the attack. "Accept your fate, snake!" he roared.


    The beast realized this wasn''t like the previous attack¡ªthis couldn''t be blocked with just its tail. But it was too late.


    It continued channeling its energy into the silver pattern on its body, desperately trying to heal the damage. But this time, the attack was too strong. The ray tore through the beast''s defenses faster than the pattern could regenerate.


    The beast roared in agony, each howl echoing through the trees. It burned through its remaining energy trying to survive. The pain was intense, clearly unbearable.


    In mere breaths, the energy required to repair its body had drained the beast entirely. The silver pattern faded as its power vanished.


    "BOOM!"


    A loud explosion thundered across the forest. Nearby birds took flight, and animals fled from the shockwave.


    Tang Ling, still holding the gun, looked cautiously at the beast''s unmoving form. "Is it finally dead... or still alive?" he muttered as he slowly approached. He stopped at a safe distance, wary. He still feared it might wake up.


    After confirming that the beast was truly dead, Tang Ling stored the gun in his spatial ring. Even though the threat was gone, he kept his guard up.


    The forest was now pitch black. Distant roars echoed as other beasts began to stir and hunt.


    "I was so caught up in celebrating that I forgot... I need to go home now," Tang Ling said, suddenly alert. "If I run into another beast, I''ll be finished. I have no strength left. I used everything I had to charge that gun."


    He began rushing home, though the injury on his leg slowed him down. Fortunately, on the way back, he didn''t encounter any powerful beasts.


    He arrived at a small wooden house by a river, surrounded by towering forest trees. A campfire crackled nearby, lighting the area with a warm glow.


    The river meandered through the dense forest, its waters shimmering under the starlit sky. Crystal-clear and calm, it reflected the stars above like a flowing mirror. Even the fish were visible beneath the surface, their bodies gliding effortlessly in the gentle current. The river''s deep blue hue rippled gracefully, carrying the silence of the night in its steady flow.


    The house was modest¡ªneither large nor small. Every plank was carefully carved, showing great craftsmanship. It felt oddly perfect in such a wild, eerie place, like something out of a dream.


    Tang Ling sat near the campfire on a small oak stump, eating grilled fish. Two more fish roasted on sticks over the flames. As he ate, he used a small branch to draw in the dirt beside him.


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    Mumbling to himself, he said, "Mmh... I was almost exhausted to death from hunger. Nothing feels better than coming home and eating river fish."


    He took another bite, then changed the subject. "I almost died today. If that strange accident and power surge hadn''t happened, I''d be gone."


    He frowned, thinking hard. "I still don''t understand what happened... those visions, that green flame, the black mist..."


    "But I used the gun Uncle Dan gave me. That must mean I''ve entered the first stage of the Spiritual Master''s path¡ªLingqi Tu. That''s what he used to tell me about."


    He smiled faintly. "Still... I defeated a beast that strong. If only Uncle Dan had seen it, I think he''d be proud."


    The smile faded. A silence fell over him. Sadness crept across his face as a painful memory surfaced.


    Suddenly, a sound near the trees made Tang Ling alert. He wiped his face and focused.


    "I was too busy eating and drawing to notice... Did a beast find this place?"


    He grabbed a burning piece of firewood, gripping it tightly. Moving slowly, he crept toward the source of the noise.


    Just two steps away, he raised the firewood, ready to strike.


    A figure stepped out from behind the tree. It was hard to see in the dark.


    Tang Ling swung the firewood¡ªbut stopped mid-attack when the light revealed the figure.


    It was a man. Middle-aged. His pupils were pitch black with hints of gray, and his long white hair fell to his waist. He wore a flowing black robe lined with silver. A cloak draped over his shoulders. His boots were quiet and well-worn.


    Seeing he wasn''t a beast, Tang Ling lowered the firewood and asked, "Who are you, old man? How did you get here?"


    The man snapped, "Old man?! I''m just thirty-six!"


    Tang Ling blinked. "Huh? You don''t look thirty-six at all. Anyway, who are you?"


    The man gritted his teeth. "Brat! Forget it. I don''t want to argue with a seven-year-old. And don''t you have manners? You ask someone''s name, you say your own first."


    Tang Ling scowled. "I''m Tang Ling."


    The man teased, "When a guest comes to your home, you should let them sit and offer food."


    Tang Ling rolled his eyes. "Fine. Uninvited guest, come sit." He motioned toward the fire. "Sit."


    The man sat on the stump opposite Tang Ling and said, "Won''t you feed your guest?" He pointed at the grilling fish.


    Tang Ling, now fully annoyed, shouted, "I''ll kill you if you talk more nonsense! Who are you, and how did you find this place?"


    The man chuckled, clearly satisfied. "Well, my name is Xiao Lao. I found this place by following you."


    "Following me?" Tang Ling asked, confused. "Why?"


    Xiao Lao replied, "I was traveling through the forest when I heard the roar of a Silver Jade Snake. I rushed to the scene and saw a seven-year-old child fighting it. I couldn''t believe my eyes. That snake was in the Lingqi Zhe realm, and you hadn''t even entered Lingqi Tu yet. And still, you fought and killed it."


    Tang Ling''s eyes widened slightly.


    "The beast almost advanced to Lingqi Shi," Xiao Lao continued. "It awakened its bloodline due to your pressure. But luckily, it didn''t fully break through. At the same time, I saw you reach Lingqi Tu during the fight. A natural awakening. Remarkable."


    He leaned back. "After the battle, you left the beast''s body, which is very valuable to someone starting their spiritual path. So I took it and followed you here."


    Tang Ling processed the words. "So¡­ that empty, dark place with the sea forming inside¡­ that was my Spiritual Sea?"


    He remembered what Uncle Dan had told him about the beginning of a Spiritual Master''s journey.


    The Spiritual Sea, located in the Upper Dantian, holds the Spiritual Core and helps recover and enhance spiritual power. As one advances, it eventually becomes Divine Consciousness upon reaching Spiritual God.


    Then something else struck him.


    "Wait¡­ the place I fought that beast¡ªit didn''t have that many sharp stones. And that last one¡­ it looked like a dagger, not natural at all."


    He turned to Xiao Lao. "Did you help me during that fight? There''s no way those stones were just lying around like that."


    Xiao Lao huffed. "Why would I help some brat who won''t even feed his elder?"


    Tang Ling understood immediately. This strange, annoying old man had been the one helping him.


    Suddenly, the man didn''t seem so bad. Tang Ling handed him one of the grilled fish.


    As Xiao Lao took the fish, Tang Ling asked, "Then what were you doing behind the tree? Weren''t you just here to return the beast body?"


    Xiao Lao took a bite and sighed. "Mmm, so good... Just like an old friend used to make."


    Tang Ling smiled at the compliment. Despite everything, he was still a seven-year-old child.


    Xiao Lao continued, "Actually, before I came here, I saw some strange green ores by the tree. When I tried to touch one, my hand slowed¡ªalmost like time itself slowed down. What are those ores, boy?"


    Tang Ling replied, "I don''t know. But Uncle Dan once told me I was left crying near those ores as a baby. That''s where he found me."


    Xiao Lao''s eyes lit up the moment he heard the name "Uncle Dan." His voice trembled slightly as he asked, "Was your uncle''s full name... Xiao Dan?"


    Tang Ling blinked, surprised by the sudden question. "Yes¡­ how do you know that?"


    A wave of emotion washed over Xiao Lao''s face. "Then it has to be him... the friend I''ve been searching for in this forest all this time." His gaze sharpened. "Tell me¡ªdo you have a golden coin? One with the word ''POWER'' written in red on both sides?"


    Tang Ling looked puzzled. "No. I only have this ring. It was Uncle Dan''s."


    "Check it," Xiao Lao said, curiosity flaring.


    Tang Ling opened the ring''s storage. Inside were rare metals, tools, the gun¡­ and finally, a golden coin with the word ''POWER'' written in red on both sides.


    He held it up. "Is this the one you mean?"


    Xiao Lao burst with emotion. "Yes! That''s it! Where is he? Is Dan inside the house?"


    Tang Ling''s smile vanished. A heavy silence fell. He lowered his head.


    "No... I''m alone now," he whispered. "He died protecting me when I was six. Maybe it was my fault. If I hadn''t been there¡­"


    Xiao Lao''s anger flared briefly¡ªbut seeing Tang Ling cry, he softened.


    "Don''t blame yourself. He chose to protect you. He must''ve loved you. Don''t waste his sacrifice with guilt." He paused, then added, "Would you like to become my second disciple?"


    Tang Ling wiped his tears, thinking deeply. Then he shook his head. "No. Uncle Dan once told me about past incidents when I was a child¡ªhe said having a master was like shackles on his freedom. I don''t want my freedom sealed like his. I still haven''t even gone outside this forest.


    "I understand that his master must have had his own reasons for his actions, but I am not like him. I''ve witnessed the cruelty of this world¡ªbetrayal, conflict, and sacrifices made for love, friendship, and loyalty. Yet, I haven''t seen it all. So, I would never do to you what was done to him. If you become my disciple, I''ll take you out of this forest and show you the world beyond."


    Xiao Lao''s words echoed in his mind. He had promised not to take away Tang Ling''s freedom. As a friend of Uncle Dan, Xiao Lao seemed to be a man of his word. Tang Ling found some reassurance in that. Unlike the oppressive bond between Uncle Dan and his master, Xiao Lao appeared to truly understand the value of freedom.


    Tang Ling knelt and bowed deeply.


    "Greetings, Master."


    (Chapter End)


    Sorry, my dear readers. I mistakenly uploaded a draft version of this chapter earlier¡ªthis one is the original. I hope you can forgive the mix-up.


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