The day was uneventful. The territory occupied by the sect was mostly safe, free from any immediate dangers or surprises. Hope travelled unimpeded, his mind focused on the task ahead. After hours of walking, he finally reached the outskirts of the Azure Moon Forest. As he stood there, taking in the sight, he couldn’t help but feel a sense of inferiority at the forest's vastness and majesty.
The Azure Moon Forest stretched as far as the eye could see, a seemingly endless sea of towering trees with thick, gnarled trunks covered in moss and vines. The canopy above was so dense that only specks of sunlight managed to filter through, casting ethereal beams of light onto the forest floor. The air was damp and carried the earthy aroma of moss, bark, and decomposing leaves.
Occasional chirps, growls, and rustling sounds echoed through the forest, adding to its mysterious allure. Beneath the canopy, ferns and bushes grew in abundance, their vibrant green hues contrasting with the darker shadows. Streams of crystal-clear water meandered through the forest floor, creating a serene yet foreboding atmosphere. The Azure Moon Forest was alive, breathing with the pulse of countless creatures, both seen and unseen.
Hope stood there for a while, his gaze sweeping across the forest. After a few moments, he steeled himself and stepped forward, entering the forest.
As he moved deeper into its depths, he glanced around, taking in his surroundings. The forest’s atmosphere shifted the further he went. The air grew heavier, filled with the energy of the many beasts that called this place home. The trees became taller and more imposing, their branches intertwining like the arms of giants. A faint mist began to rise, curling around the underbrush and giving the forest an almost otherworldly appearance.
Hope didn’t know exactly how to find a Shadow Panther, but he guessed that the deeper he ventured into the forest, the stronger and more dangerous the beasts would become. He wasn’t wrong. In the outskirts of the forest, he encountered only rank 1 beasts, those in the Feral Awakening stage.
These beasts were primitive in both strength and intelligence, driven mostly by instinct. Some dared to challenge him, lunging at him with tooth and claw, but their efforts were futile. Hope dispatched them effortlessly, reducing them to ashes with a flicker of his fire intent. The flames danced briefly in the dim light before fading, leaving behind only scorched ground and the faint smell of smoke.
As he progressed further, the rank 2 beasts—those in the Primal Surge stage—began to appear. These creatures were a step above the rank 1 beasts, not only in strength but also in cunning. They moved with more purpose, their attacks more coordinated. Yet, despite their increased capabilities, they too fell before Hope. Some tried to ambush him, others challenged him head-on, but the result was always the same. His fire intent burned through them with ease, leaving their ashes on the ground.
The deeper Hope ventured, the more alive the forest seemed. Every rustle of leaves, every snap of a twig, put him on high alert. He walked with measured steps, his hand never straying far from the hilt of his sword.
As he wandered, his eyes caught sight of a family of tigers resting in a clearing. Their fur was a striking blend of brown and yellow, and their sheer size hinted at an affinity with the earth element. The scene was almost picturesque: the two adult tigers lay sprawled on the ground, their massive bodies relaxed as the cubs played around them. The young ones climbed over their parents, tugged at their tails, and pounced on each other with innocent glee. The parents occasionally swatted at the cubs with their paws, not in aggression but in playful indulgence. From an outsider's perspective, the family looked content, even happy.
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Hope paused, his gaze lingering on the scene. It reminded him of his own past, of moments long gone. He remembered playing with his little brother Jace in a similar manner. Their father had always been a steadfast presence, watching over them with quiet strength. Their mother, during those days, had often held Ava in her arms, the youngest of the family and barely a toddler at the time.
Those were days filled with laughter and warmth, days when the world seemed simpler and kinder. As the memory surfaced, Hope felt a stirring within him, an emotion he hadn’t felt in a long time. It wasn’t strong enough to fully resurface, but it lingered like a faint whisper, a reminder of what he had lost.
The weight of the memory settled on him, and his chest tightened, his steps slowing down. Shaking his head, he forced himself to refocus. Those days were gone, and dwelling on them would not bring them back. He had to move forward, to strive for the life he wanted to build. With renewed determination, he resumed his journey.
From what Hope had heard, the Azure Moon Forest’s outer perimeter stretched roughly 900 to 1,000 kilometers. At his fastest speed, he could traverse it in about four hours, but his current goal wasn’t merely to cross the forest. He needed to find the elusive Shadow Panther, a task that could take days, if not longer. The deeper he went, the more cautious he became, his senses on high alert for any sign of the creature.
By the time more than half a day had passed, he still hadn’t found any trace of the Shadow Panther. Frustrated but unwilling to give up, he decided to take a break. He reasoned that finding a river would be wise, both to clean himself and to rest. Following the faint sound of rustling water, he eventually came upon a river winding through the forest. The water was crystal clear, its surface shimmering under the faint light that managed to pierce the canopy above.
Before stepping into the water, Hope ensured there were no beasts lurking nearby. Satisfied that the area was safe, he placed his sword and bag on the ground before removing his clothes. Stepping into the river, he let the cool water wash over him, rinsing away the sweat and grime that had accumulated during his journey. The sensation was refreshing, and for a brief moment, he allowed himself to relax.
Once he was done, he stepped out of the river and donned his clothes again. Sitting cross-legged near the water’s edge, he placed his sword across his lap. His mind wandered back to the concept of sword intent. It was an elusive thing, always just out of reach, but he could feel himself getting closer. What was sword intent? Was it merely an extension of his will, or was it something deeper, something tied to his very essence?
He pondered these questions, his fingers lightly tracing the blade of his sword. Each time he wielded it, he felt a connection, as though the sword was more than just a weapon. It was an extension of himself, a part of his being. But what intent did he truly have when he wielded it? Was it simply to cut down his enemies, or was there something more?
The more he reflected, the clearer it became that sword intent wasn’t just about technique or strength. It was about purpose, about the clarity of one’s resolve. He thought back to the times he had fought, the moments when his sword had felt like an unstoppable force in his hands. What had driven him in those moments? Was it survival? Determination? Anger? Or perhaps a combination of all these emotions, honed into a single, razor-sharp focus?
Hours passed as Hope sat there, lost in thought. The forest around him seemed to fade away, its sounds and sights blending into the background. All that remained was him, the sword, and the questions that burned in his mind. He felt like he was on the verge of a breakthrough, as though the answer was just within his grasp. But no matter how much he reached for it, it remained tantalizingly out of reach.
With a sigh, Hope opened his eyes. The sun was beginning to set, its light casting a warm glow over the forest. He knew that he couldn’t stay here forever. There was still much to do, and the Shadow Panther was out there somewhere, waiting to be found. Rising to his feet, he sheathed his sword and prepared to continue his journey.
He sensed that battling the Shadow Panther would mark the pivotal moment in unlocking his sword intent