The rhythmic click of Grandpa Lin's cane echoed through the small, wood-paneled room as he approached Tian Feng. Concern etched a deep line between his brow, his weathered face reflecting the worry in his eyes. Reaching Tian Feng's side, he pulled a stool closer and sat down with a soft thud. Gently, he placed a calloused hand on the young man's shoulder, surprisingly warm despite the tremor that ran through it.

"Now, Xiao Feng," he began in a kind, raspy voice, "tell me about your little adventure."

Tian Feng attempted to rise, but a jolt of pain shot through his chest, forcing him back down with a groan. His little sister, Meng'er, rushed by his side in a flash, tears welling up in her large blue eyes.

"Gege," she cried, "you haven't recovered yet! Don't move!" Gently, she helped him settle back and placed a cushion behind his head.

"There's no need to rush, young man," Grandpa Lin reassured him, his voice as soothing as a warm breeze. "Just stay comfortable and tell your story."

Tian Feng offered a weak smile. "I'm alright, Meng'er, just a bit sore," he said, his voice strained but gentle. "Thank you for your concern, Grandpa Lin."

He took a deep breath, wincing slightly at the pain that flared. "It all started while I was hunting near the valley's edge," he began, his voice gaining strength with each word. "I spotted this obsidian tiger cub wandering around, all alone. It seemed lost, separated from its mother, you see. So, foolishly, I followed it."

A shadow of regret flickered across his face as he continued. "Then, without warning, its mother appeared. It was a monstrous beast, its obsidian fur gleaming in the afternoon sun. It pounced on me with a ferocious snarl, its claws aimed for my neck. I was barley able to deflect her claws with my spear."

His voice grew quieter, recounting the details of the fight in a hushed tone. "We clashed for a few heartbeats. My spear, though sturdy, seemed to have no effect on her hide. It felt as though the tigress was toying with me, enjoying my futile attempts to land a blow. Every time I attacked, I accumulated more wounds."

He paused, his hand instinctively reaching for the ragged wound across his chest. "Suddenly, she became a blur of black and rage. Her claws passed my spear like a gust of wind and tore a chunk of flesh from my chest. The pain was blinding, the world spinning around me. I saw my vision blurring, felt the warmth of my own blood soaking through my clothes. Yet, just as I felt myself succumbing to the darkness, a surge of energy coursed through my body. The world around me seemed to slow to a crawl. The tigress, moments ago a whirlwind, now barely moved. The energy seemed to gather in my left arm, and with a last burst of strength, I thrust the spear forward, aiming for its eyes, then the darkness consumed me."

A heavy silence descended upon the room. Finally, Elder Lin spoke, his voice laced with a hint of anger. "Child, you're lucky I was gathering herbs nearby and heard the commotion. You would've bled out if I hadn't patched you up. What were you thinking, rushing after an obsidian tiger cub? Did you really think its mother wouldn't be around?" He shook his head, relief battling with frustration in his eyes. "Thankfully, it seems the mother only recently reached peak level. Otherwise, a sixth-layer martial disciple like you would have ended up a tasty snack in her belly."

Tian Feng winced under the elder's reprimand. "I'm sorry, Grandpa Lin," he mumbled, shame creeping into his voice. "I won't be so reckless again. But I always hunt near the outer edges; the beasts there are usually low-level. I've hunted at Whispering Canyon for months, and never encountered anything stronger than a mid-level beast. So, I thought the cub must be lost."

"That's indeed strange," Elder Lin muttered, a frown creasing his brow. "It hasn't even been a year since the last beast wave. They shouldn't be roaming the outer edges yet, unless..." He trailed off, a sudden worry clouding his expression. "I need to speak with the village chief immediately."

Elder Lin rose abruptly, a sense of urgency in his movements. "Little Feng," he said with a concerned tone, "get some rest now. I have something important to discuss with the chief."

He hurried toward the door, throwing a glance back at Tian Feng. "Meng'er," he said, pausing at the entrance, "take care of your brother. I'll be back soon."

"Okay, Grandpa Lin, be careful," Meng'er replied, escorting him to the door.

"You too, Little Meng'er," Elder Lin said with a parting smile before stepping out of the hut.

Meng'er returned to Tian Feng's side, her brow furrowed. "Gege," she began hesitantly, "what happened? Why did Grandpa Lin leave so suddenly?"

Tian Feng sighed, "It must have something to do with the strange occurrence. A peak-level beast shouldn't be roaming so close to the village, especially after such a short time since the last wave."

Stolen from its rightful place, this narrative is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

A shiver ran down Meng'er's spine. Every five years, the demon beasts residing within the Thousand Beast Mountain formed a terrifying wave, attacking the villages nestled at the valley's edge. These demonic beasts devoured everything in their path, leaving behind a trail of death and destruction. The villagers couldn't even bury those who perished, for nothing remained. Sadly, their village, Hongyue, was also located at the edge of the valley.

One might wonder why they wouldn't simply relocate to a safer area. The cold reality was, there was nowhere safe in this world from demon beasts. Only those large, prosperous cities located in the center of the kingdom offered some semblance of safety, but such havens were out of reach for poor villagers like them. Tian Feng's parents had been desperately trying to earn enough silver to buy a small property within those fortified walls, but fate had dealt them a cruel hand. They had perished during the last beast wave, leaving their children to fend for themselves.

This constant threat of demon beast attacks was a double-edged sword. While it posed a grave danger to human life, it also presented an opportunity. Humans too, could cultivate and grow stronger. This involved consuming demon beast blood and flesh directly, or using them to create potent potions and elixirs.

The mere mention of the beast wave brought tears welling up in Meng'er's eyes. "Mommy and Daddy..." she whispered, her voice trembling.

Max's heart ached for this little girl.. He reached out instinctively, pulling her into a comforting embrace. His own throbbing pain faded into the background as he focused on her quiet sobs.

"Don't cry, Meng'er," he said, his voice softer than he intended. "Don't cry. You have your brother here, and Mommy and Daddy wouldn't want to see you sad." He bit his lip, surprised by the unfamiliar surge of protectiveness that welled up within him. It was illogical, really. He, Max, a loner from a modern day world , feeling a responsibility for this little girl he barely knew. Yet, there it was, a stubborn warmth blooming in his chest.

"It must be the residual emotions of Tian Feng," he muttered to himself, pushing the strange feeling aside. "Since I took over your body, I guess I'll take on the responsibility of your sister too."

A memory flickered back. Tian Feng, his body covered in wounds, a spear sticking out of a giant obsidian tiger's skull. He'd died from blood loss, and then... Max, his soul somehow took over Tian Feng's body, pale and weak, barely clinging to life. Thankfully, Elder Lin had found him before it was too late. Deep down, Max knew he wasn't just Max anymore. He was a mix, a combination of his own soul and Tian Feng's. He couldn't deny Tian Feng's love and protectiveness for his little sister. If he tried to push these feelings away, he knew things wouldn't end well.

He stole a glance at little girl. Her sobbings stopped as the exhaustion had finally claimed her, and she slept soundly, her tiny body curled up inside his embrace. The past two days must have been incredibly taxing on her. He'd been unconscious, his body wracked with pain from the encounter with the obsidian tiger. The guilt gnawed at him. He'd caused his sister so much worry, and he couldn't even imagine the stress it had placed on her young shoulders. She was just a child, barely nine years old. The thought of what could happen to her without him sent a shiver down his spine.

Ignoring the dull ache that pulsed with every heartbeat, Tian Feng pushed himself off the bed. His movements were slow and deliberate, but he managed. He shuffled over to Meng'er's sleeping form, his heart clenching at her vulnerability. Gently, as if cradling a precious porcelain doll, he scooped her up in his left arm. He was surprised by how light she was, a stark contrast to the weight of responsibility he now felt.

He put her on the bed, careful not to disturb her slumber. He tucked the rough, threadbare sheets around her, the worn fabric whispering a silent tale of hardship endured. Exhaustion, both physical and emotional, washed over him in waves. He sank onto the rickety stool beside the bed, taking a moment to catch his breath. The flickering oil lamp cast dancing shadows on the mud walls, and the only sound was Meng'er's soft snores, a comforting rhythm in the quiet darkness.

Suddenly, the world went dark. Tian Feng blinked, disoriented, finding himself engulfed in an inky blackness. Panic clawed at his throat. Where was he? How? Had he died again? He just transmigrated! It hadn't even been three days.

Nothing surrounded him but an inky void, stretching as far as his eyes could see. The only source of light was a soft blue orb hovering above, its gentle glow barely easing the gnawing pain in his body. He inhaled, the air tingling with an unfamiliar energy. He tried to move, to run, but his limbs wouldn't respond. Stuck, lost, his sense of direction useless in this vast emptiness. He tried to scream, but no sound escaped. He was a silent scream, adrift in a sea of darkness.

He fought for what felt like ages, the pain gnawing at him. Exhaustion set in, the wounds on his body rebelling against his movements. The dried bandages became soaked again, the pain in his chest unbearable. Time blurred – a minute, an hour, a day? He gritted his teeth, the pointlessness of struggling washing over him. He didn't know how he got here, or how long he'd be stuck, but panicking wouldn't help.

With a defeated sigh, he settled into a meditative pose. As he focused inward, a change washed over him. The wounds that had wracked his body began to heal at an astonishing rate. Being a Martial Disciple, his body already possessed remarkable healing rate, but under the soft blue light, it was miraculous. Muscles knitted back together, bones mended. Slowly, the pain receded, replaced by a tingling sensation as his body renewed itself.

Lost in meditation, time lost all meaning. A sense of peace settled over him, unlike anything he'd experienced in a long time. Adrift in this strange space, his worries and anxieties began to fade. Yet, a nagging question remained – what was this place?

Suddenly, the blue orb pulsed brighter. Tian Feng's eyes snapped open, a gasp escaping his lips. The endless darkness receded, replaced by a swirling vortex of vibrant colors. It grew larger, its pull irresistible. He braced himself, heart hammering in his chest. With a final flash of blinding light, he was sucked into the swirling vortex.