As Orion trudged through the vast wilderness, memories began to surface from the recesses of his mind. It was common knowledge in his time that while humans cultivated energy through conscious practice and meditation, beasts were governed by their instinct. This primal connection allowed them to draw upon the world's energy, channeling it into their bodies, enhancing their natural abilities. The term 'cultivation' had not always been used to describe this phenomenon. Yet, as Orion pondered, the principle remained the same. Beasts and humans alike vied for a connection to the world’s energy, to strengthen and empower themselves.

The forest around him began to come alive as the sun ascended in the sky. Birds chirped in the distance, and the rustling of leaves indicated the presence of creatures, both seen and unseen.

The more Orion thought about it, the more he realized the profound similarities between beasts and humans. While humans utilized mantras, techniques, and tools to cultivate, beasts relied on their keen senses, their connection to the world, and their innate abilities. Given time and the right circumstances, some beasts could rival the mightiest of human cultivators. The most powerful among them reached legendary status, spoken of in whispers, their tales passed down through generations.

A crucial question began to gnaw at him: had the shift in the world's energy affected these creatures in the same manner it had humans? Were they too, lost and struggling in this new age?

Lost in thought, Orion almost missed the sharp, jagged stick lying in his path. Picking it up, he snapped it to a manageable size and honed its end to a point, fashioning a makeshift spear. Surveying the ground, he also found a smooth, heavy rock. It would do well as a secondary weapon or a tool.

With his new armaments in hand, Orion continued his journey. His senses, heightened by caution and anticipation, took in the world around him with newfound clarity. Birds chirped in the canopy above, their melodies harmonizing with the gentle rustling of leaves and the distant sound of running water.

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It wasn’t long before he stumbled upon signs of animal life. Tracks of various sizes crisscrossed the forest floor. Following a set that seemed recent, Orion soon came upon a clearing where a few animals grazed. A couple of deer, a squirrel, and even a hare. But there was nothing remarkable about them. They were just ordinary creatures, going about their daily routines.

As Orion delved deeper into the woods, his senses, honed from years of training, picked up something different. A presence that was familiar, yet distinct. Following the sensation, he came upon a clearing where a majestic creature stood.

The beast was like a deer, but its antlers shimmered with a faint glow, and its eyes held an intelligence that belied its appearance. The way it moved—fluid, graceful, yet with a latent power—indicated its cultivation.

This was it. A beast of cultivation.

Its eyes, a deep shade of violet, fixed onto Orion, assessing him. In that gaze, he recognized intelligence and curiosity, but also an undeniable wildness. This creature had cultivated its energy not through structured methods, but raw, primal instinct.

From his hiding spot behind a thick shrub, Orion observed the creature. It grazed peacefully, but its ears twitched at every sound, its nostrils flaring occasionally, sensing the environment with an awareness that only cultivated beings possessed.

Drawing upon his knowledge, Orion assessed the beast's cultivation level. While it certainly had harnessed the world's energy, it wasn't at a pinnacle. It was formidable, yes, but not should pose too big of a challenge.

Orion's grip tightened around his makeshift spear and rock. Taking a deep breath, Orion stepped into the glade, ready to face the challenge that lay ahead. The beast, sensing his intent, lowered itself into a defensive stance, preparing for what was to come. The dance between man and beast, each a cultivator in their own right, was about to begin.