Buried within, there is something eminently known and ingrained. A reticent truth, that is not a fabrication but of original knowledge. This absolute truth that guides us along the path of greater becoming; a true awareness.

An awareness that he gained only after he underwent the sheer unbridled power that was driven into his body. As it surged he felt his chest burn with heat and his body spasmed with each wave. He gritted his teeth as the violent qi remodeled and expanded his feeble meridians, as it progressed. The distress his chest was in was almost enough to drive him to madness, yet as time advanced it grew even more severe. He felt something growing in him exhausting the qi in the air as if it were a needy infant. Then all went placid and the pain diminished.

「 Do not move! 」

Zeng Ru warned with a stern expression. He repositioned his hands and feed more qi through him, it rushed inward but seemed to slam against some invisible barrier. Zeng Ru’s expression warped painfully as he spat up blood which leaked from the corner of his mouth.

「 Quickly, prepare yourself 」

Zeng Ru said his chest heaving laboriously, he planted his bottom to the ground and wiped the blood with his sleeve. Sweat streamed down his face moistening his collar.

《 Prepare for what? 》

As the thought crossed his mind the thing in his chest pulsated with excitement discharging a film of black sludge over his fur. His ears rang, his body grew weak and as he no longer could stand, a roar ripped throughout his body. Then all went quiet once more. Ah Zhong felt power course through every inch of him.

Zeng Ru stood and spoke,「 Congratulations. 」

When Ah Zhong revolved his qi he began to emit a faint blue hue, this was an indication that he had formed a core and became a spirit initiate cultivator. If he had not controlled himself he would have jumped in glee and tackled Zeng Ru.

「 That’s all for now. If you are to wander make sure not to stray too far. 」

Zeng Ru dusted his underside clearing away dirt that was attached to his clothing. His arm rested on his stomach, his gait poor as he stumbled forward. It was apparent that Zeng Ru was spent from exerting himself so.

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Ah Zhong stretched his aching limbs that throbbed with every movement. He could feel the qi that fluctuates around freely dance around him each particle radiating a dim light. They reminded him of a firefly as they chaotically drifted around and as he circled his core they seemed to be attracted to him. An unrestrained smile spread across his face his pointed teeth protruding out from his maw. He looked to the distance, pressed his back paws to the ground and bounded forward.

「 Wow! 」

He exclaimed as the scenery passed by in a blur yet he could still make out where he was going. He cared not for the boundary that Zeng Ru had enforced he only cared for the exhilarating feeling that filled him. Everything seemed sharper and sounds were more defined, the landscape moved at a snail’s pace as he ran. He let his head fall back releasing a rambunctious howl only to stop as he met with a mountain that obstructed his path. His eyes flared with expectancy.

「 I'll make it to the top! 」

He pledged to himself as he began to climb the rocky terrain. As he grew closer to the summit a particular scent tickled his nose, a fruity sweet smell. He felt his insides twist and his instinct kick in the aroma called to him. His pace quickened, his heart beating violently with impatience. Ah Zhong reached a ledge that held a single tree adorned with velvet red fruits. They were shaped like a flower and at the base, its peel split open in bloom.

《 I must have it! 》

He did not know what made him hunger for the fruit only that he had a primal need. He leaned his front paws against the tree in an attempted to reach the fruit. Yet what he did not expect was the tree to shift and uproot from its spot. He and the tree tumbled into a gap in the mountain. His claws extended into the bark of the tree as they both fell. As he dropped he noticed that what he thought was a mountain was actually a deep cave.

He closed his eye shut tight the air lashing at his fur. When the tree hit the bottom the trunk slip into fragments sending him into the air. He crashed against the cave wall his leg cracking against the pressure. Pain flared causing his eyes to water.

Zeng Ru had warned him to not stray far, yet not only did he go far he also fell and broke his leg. He circulated his qi into his leg trying to speed up the healing process. As his attention wandered he was startled back into alertness when a bubble popped in his face.

「 What the… 」

More rose into the air from a particular spot in the cave. He observed quietly as the bubbles permeated the air discontinuously.

「 How amusing. One thousand years nothing has surprised me. Yet you, a young wolf just fell from the sky. 」

Ah Zhong flinched as a mellow voice met his ears. His eyes strained to search for the source of the voice however they found nothing.

「 Do tell me, how is it you fell from the sky when you have no wings? 」