Hearing the snake's words shook Yi Lian to his core. The revelation that there were others before him—guardians of the book, all dead—was a heavy weight pressing down on his chest. His thoughts spiraled into chaos, a flood of unrelenting questions.

Why did they die? What led to their deaths? Were they hunted down by powerful organizations or sinister cults like the Void Cult, all because they possessed this book?

Yi Lian clenched his fists, his nails digging into his palms. His jaw tightened as he whispered to himself, "I need answers."

He glanced toward the place where the snake had disappeared. A part of him wanted to scream, to demand the truth right here and now. But reason quickly prevailed. That creature was far beyond his current strength. Acting impulsively would only end in disaster. He was too weak—powerless in front of something so ancient and formidable.

His resolve grew like a flame, burning away hesitation. His heart steadied as his purpose sharpened.

"I will walk this path. I must uncover the secrets tied to this book. But I won't let the desire for strength consume me. My values will remain unchanged. I'll help those in need and solve the problems they cannot face on their own."

A wave of nostalgia washed over him, dragging him back to his previous life. He was once just an ordinary college student, living in a world where survival meant passing exams and paying rent—not facing death at every corner.

But look at me now.

A hollow chuckle escaped his lips. There was no humor in it, only a grim acceptance. Walking a path where death waited around every corner… yet I have no regrets. This is the life I chose—not just for myself, but for those who need someone to stand for them.

His heart calmed as he made peace with his decision. He bowed slightly in the direction the snake had gone and whispered, "Thank you." Then, without another glance, he turned away.

Unbeknownst to him, the air shimmered faintly where the snake had vanished. Two figures stood in the shadows, their forms hidden from mortal sight.

"Interesting," a deep voice rumbled.

"It seems this one may last longer than the others," replied the snake with a quiet chuckle.

Their voices faded into the wind as Yi Lian continued his journey, unaware of the unseen eyes watching his every step.

Yi Lian turned his attention toward the towering mountain ahead. Its jagged cliffs rose like ancient sentinels, their peaks cutting into the sky. This will do. It was a perfect place—isolated, with fewer beasts compared to the dense forest. Its elevation would give him the solitude he needed for meditation and practicing pranayama.

"The higher I go, the better I can focus without constantly watching my back," Yi Lian thought, his mind already visualizing a peaceful spot where he could start anew.

He resumed his journey through the forest. The thick canopy above swallowed most of the sunlight, leaving the ground below in a dim green haze. Every sound—the rustling of leaves, the snap of twigs—set him on edge. He had learned quickly that even the smallest lapse in vigilance could lead to disaster.

Stolen from Royal Road, this story should be reported if encountered on Amazon.

Suddenly, a rustling ahead made him freeze. His instincts kicked in as he stepped behind a tree, his breathing steady but his senses sharp. The noise grew louder until a deer emerged from the underbrush, its gentle eyes scanning the surroundings. It lowered its head to graze, unaware of the danger lurking nearby.

Yi Lian exhaled quietly. It's just a deer.

But before he could step out, another bush shook violently. His heart clenched as a tiger burst from the foliage, its eyes locked onto the unsuspecting deer.

The predator moved with terrifying precision, pouncing in a blur of motion. The deer barely had time to react before the tiger's claws sank into its side. A final, desperate cry escaped the deer before it fell limp. The tiger dragged its prize into the shadows, leaving only broken branches and a faint trail of blood.

Yi Lian stood frozen, his heart thudding—not from fear, but from understanding. This was the natural order—a predator surviving by taking the life of another. There was no cruelty, no malice in the tiger's actions. It was simply necessity.

A thought struck him, sharp and undeniable:

"If I lack strength, I'll inevitably become prey. I must find balance—between what I want to be and what the world demands of me."

His eyes darkened with determination. He pressed on, his steps quicker, more deliberate. The memory of the tiger burned in his mind—a vivid reminder of the ever-present dangers around him.

The climb toward the mountain was longer than he had expected. The forest thinned as the terrain grew steeper, rocky slopes replacing the dense underbrush. Just when he thought he had found some peace, another rustling noise reached his ears.

Yi Lian stopped in his tracks, his senses on high alert. This time, he didn't hide. His gaze turned toward the sound, calm but ready.

A wild boar burst from the underbrush, its beady eyes locking onto him. For a moment, the air hung heavy with tension. Then, without warning, the boar charged.

Yi Lian's instincts kicked in once again. He sprinted toward the nearest tree and scrambled up with practiced ease. His breath came fast but steady, his pulse pounding as the boar rammed into the tree with a bone-rattling thud. The trunk shook violently with each impact.

The boar refused to relent. It circled the tree, grunting in frustration as it slammed its head into the bark again and again. Its determination was terrifying.

Yi Lian clung tightly to the branch, his eyes never leaving the creature below. Patience. Wait it out.

Minutes stretched into what felt like hours. The boar eventually grew tired. With a final snort, it turned and lumbered back into the shadows of the forest. Yi Lian waited a little longer, his body tense, before carefully climbing down.

His eyes scanned his surroundings once more. Only when he was certain it was safe did he breathe a sigh of relief.

He adjusted his clothes and continued. His steps were quieter, more cautious than before. Every rustle of leaves made him tense, but he pushed on.

By the time he reached the base of the mountain, the sun hung low in the sky. The air was cooler here, the ground firm beneath his feet. He paused, taking in the sight—a vast expanse of jagged cliffs and winding paths disappearing into the mist.

For the first time in what felt like ages, a faint smile tugged at his lips. Despite everything, he had made it. This mountain would be his sanctuary—a place where he could meditate in peace and begin a new chapter of his journey.

With renewed resolve, Yi Lian began his ascent, ready to build a home high above the chaos below. He would no longer merely survive. He would thrive.