When Daredevil felt the searing pain from the bottom of his being, he was instantly reminded of being thrown into the pool of Water True Essence his dad had created all those years ago.

So, while it was an unbearable and gut-wrenching pain, it wasn't completely unfamiliar. He recalled Tyler's stories about his time in what he had called "the military." Most importantly, he remembered a single story that had marked him immensely. It was a story about Tyler being injured and where his best friend was immobilized.

How the pain he had to go through for an entire day while carrying someone of similar weight as his own. How the only thing that had kept him going was a crass inner monologue, and at this moment, Daredevil stopped roaring out in pain. His eyes narrowed to a point as he took a deep breath, his entire body shaking from the pain.

Daredevil's cultivation surged into overdrive, striving to repair his body while his soul endured the scorching trial.

He found himself saying the exact words Tyler had told him about in his story. Amidst this turmoil, words of fierce determination spilled from him for the first time, human words. His voice, overlapping with Tyler’s.

"Who gives a fuck if your soul is burning! Who gives a fuck if you feel like you're about to die ten times over! Who gives a fuck if the only thing you feel like doing is roll into a ball and cry! ENDURE!"

The words, raw and unfiltered, resonated through him; a cathartic release that Daredevil's mind did not register was spoken using his benefactor's language. The moment human words had been spoken, a massive surge of power from the world itself filled his body and soul, and he felt relief for a brief moment.

Feeling an unexpected boost to his strength, Daredevil's aura blazed defiantly, responding to the flames with his own inextinguishable will to stay alive. This sudden development made the cultivators around him back away cautiously. Mists surrounded him without realizing what he was doing, and a dramatic metamorphosis occurred.

The mists, engulfed in the same searing flames that tormented Daredevil's soul, transformed into something entirely new. They took on a dark, pitch-black hue, a significant change from their usual light-blue and whitish appearance. Instead of being gently caressed by wisps of winds, they now seemed licked and stoked by flames, adding an intense, almost menacing quality to his usual mists.

This was currently unknown to Daredevil as he still struggled with the soul-wrenching pain, and the only solution he could think of was to seek help from his benefactor. He needed Tyler. This had happened because of the reaching out to Tyler through their bond, a desperate attempt to rouse him from his trance, and only the man himself could probably free him from this torment.

So, Daredevil pulled on their bond once more. He pulled harder than he had ever pulled in his life.

This final effort triggered a startling shift in his reality. Where Daredevil had been struggling to keep conscious, he was still somewhat aware that he was on solid ground, surrounded by the mountainside and his home. Now, he found himself in a corridor of actual flames—a seemingly endless tunnel of it.

Snapping out of his pain for a split second from the change in scenery, he looked forward and saw what he felt was his way out—a light at the end of the tunnel. What lay beyond was even more reassuring. It was Tyler's inner world! Unlike the familiar terrain of the island, however, this fiery path ended high above the skies.

Yet, Daredevil's mind, once more clouded with pain, fixated solely on the end of the tunnel. Echoing in his thoughts were more words Tyler had once used to endure his own ordeal—a mantra of sorts. Daredevil's voice joined the chorus of Tyler's recounting of his trials.

"Keep!”

“Fucking!”

“Moving!"

With each step, each repeated word, he forged ahead. Time warped, seconds stretching into eons, as the excruciating pain eclipsed all other sensations. The descriptions of Hell he had heard from his parents paled compared to this fiery tunnel.

Initially, his fur bore the brunt of the flames. But as he progressed, the fur gave way even after receiving a boost in power, leaving his skin exposed to the relentless inferno.

With unwavering resolve, Daredevil continued to the overlapping sounds of his and Tyler's voices. He needed to survive. He wanted to live. He had to prove to his benefactor that he had chosen right! He had to show his parents that his benefactor was better than theirs! He had to show his father that he, too, was a powerhouse!

Each step was a trial, a testament to his inextinguishable spirit. The flames that licked at his soul avatar were both a tormentor and a purifier, forging him anew with each agonizing meter. In this crucible of fire, Daredevil was not just enduring; he was transforming, his soul tempered by the flames of his unwavering determination to reach Tyler and the light at the end of the tunnel.

After what felt like an eternity, Daredevil emerged at the end of the tunnel. The ordeal had left indelible marks on his soul. The flames subsided as he plunged towards the waters below, popping a bubble of sorts, and he roared out with relief from the cooling yellow ocean of Qi.

Daredevil's appearance as he swam to shore was horrifying. His journey through the flames hadn't been easy on him. Most of his body was burned down to the bone, the fur that once covered him now gone, leaving only charred remnants in its wake. The exposed bones were pitch black, with wisps of an equally black misty emanating from his soul form.

The parts of his soul that were not reduced to bone bore the scars of severe burns. The skin that remained was marred with deep, uneven textures, the tissue damaged and warped by the fire.

His iris, once bright and blue like Tyler's, now held a deeper intensity, shifting into a blue so dark it seemed black. Yet, his eyes as a whole burned with a fierce, unyielding light as his pupils literally burned with white flames.

Despite his damaged form, there was an undeniable aura of power and resilience about Daredevil. His stance, though weary, was unbroken. Now in his benefactor's inner world and no longer feeling the pain of being burned alive, he looked around.

The island was the same as ever, and everything seemed... normal. Tyler was nowhere to be found. Their bond was still present all over this place, and Daredevil pulled on it again as he roared out with pain and urgency.

Even when Tyler had been critically wounded half a year ago, he had been here, and now he wasn't.

Relief washed over Daredevil as he finally felt a response through their bond. His attention snapped towards the sky, where he noticed another bubble that had previously escaped his attention. Squinting hard, Daredevil could just make out a humanoid figure within the bubble.

Overwhelmed by the moment, Daredevil called out, using human speech instinctively. "Tyler!" His voice echoed through the space, the name carrying a weight of emotion and urgency. The realization that he was speaking Tyler's language hit him with surprise and joy. It was a small victory, but in his current state, it felt monumental.

Daredevil's elation grew as he sensed Tyler's presence re-emerging into the world. It was a moment he had been desperately waiting for, a sign that his benefactor, his friend, was returning. But his joy was short-lived, replaced by a sudden and familiar fear.

Almost immediately, the skies within Tyler's Inner World turned dark, a foreboding echo of the events that had just taken place outside. Thunder rumbled with an intensity that vibrated through the very fabric of the inner world, reminding Daredevil of the Sword Intent that had gored his body. The winds whistled as tornados of yellow Qi formed all over the seas.

All of this was harmless to Daredevil right now. Nothing made him feel he was in danger; his instincts were dead quiet. Though he was still shaken from the memories that this domain gave him.

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Then, as abruptly as it had begun, everything stopped. The ominous skies cleared, the lightning dissipated with a final, resounding echo, and even the natural light of the world vanished. All that remained was the sight of Tyler's Soul Avatar, descending gently into the waters as it glowed softly.

Tyler's avatar touched the water's surface with a soft splash, casting the world into darkness, save for the faint glow emanating from the man’s soul. It cast a soft yellow light, meshing perfectly with the water's color. It was a beacon in the engulfing blackness, a sign that Tyler was still present in some form.

Still standing on the sandy ground, Daredevil was surprised when he saw that everything around him had stayed illuminated. Flames of all colors had come to life, his soul as a source. He almost looked like a phoenix being reborn out of its own ashes. After admiring his own majestic form for a short moment, Daredevil focused back on the matters at hand.

Tyler.

The bond they shared assured him that Tyler was okay. The man's presence might have waned, but his soul was still there, deep in the water. This knowledge affirmed Daredevil's resolve to dive in. Their connection, tested and proven on multiple occasions already, endured.

In this surreal environment, where Tyler's faint light and Daredevil's vibrant flames coexisted, the spirit beast gained a profound understanding of the soul's resilience. Had his physical form been subjected to so many flames, the outcome would have been catastrophic. But his soul, having weathered the inferno, had emerged not only unscathed but empowered.

With a newfound determination, Daredevil knew what he had to do. He had to go rescue Tyler from the waters. He had to wake him and show him that he could now speak. Show him that this time, it wasn't because he was reckless that he got injured. Show him his new powers!

A few minutes later, Daredevil emerged from the yellow ocean of Qi, carrying Tyler on his back. He dragged the man to the house he had built and dropped him on the porch. The spirit beast stood over Tyler, softly purring as he licked Tyler's face happily.

He really wanted to show him his progress.

Daredevil (Nether Panther)

Bloodline: [??? (???)]

Level 18, Organ Reforming.

Soul Stage 2, 8969/10000.

Titles: [Nether Constitution], [Named], [Soul Forging], [Celestial], [Phoenix Rebirth]

Cultivation Methods:

Nethermist Heavenly Arts (Heaven-Grade)

Techniques:

Nethermist Beast Stance (Qi Transformation)

* Misty Strikes (Flawless)

* Mirage Slash (Precise)

* Shadow Pounce (Precise)

Cloak of Nethermist Fire (Discerning)

Mistwalker's Stride (Flawless)

Quests: Sea Formation, Transformation: Divine Beast (?), Territory (5).

Soul Forging: [Defense] | [Offense] | [Utility] | [Miscellaneous]

He had upgraded a technique by forming a new law, and his soul had been forged by the Essence of Fire, netting him two titles and a quest path upgrade!

[Celestial] - Created a technique classified at the Celestial Grade from your own laws and understanding. Reward: Increased Soul Experience by 10000.

[Phoenix Rebirth] - Through serendipity, you have assimilated Fire into your soul and have awakened one of the four divine inherent bloodlines in all spirit beasts. Reward: Quest Chain - [Transformation: Divine Beast]

Transformation: Divine Beast (?) - Learn more about Divine Beasts.

But in order to show him this progress and tell him all about it, Tyler would have to wake up first.

***

Tyler felt like he had been stuck in the void for weeks, not unlike the feeling he had almost a year ago now before awakening to his destroyed home and changed world as he processed his actions.

Kenshiro was dead.

He had decided to experiment with capturing Essence and was greedy for the wasted True Essence without knowing the full berth of his abilities and how his inner world would react to any of this. In his pursuit of power and understanding, he had caused irreparable harm to an innocent, something he had told himself he wouldn't do.

It was utterly irresponsible, stupid, and signaled that he hadn't learned anything from the events of Veridian Peaks. He was just as arrogant and brain-dead as he had always been.

He had previously rationalized those deaths on Sword King Mountain as not entirely his fault, but the situation was different this time. His actions had directly led to Kenshiro's death. This wasn't a consequence of someone else's madness; it was the result of his own failures.

As he was struggling to come to terms with what he had done, Tyler's conscience began to resurface against his will. Something had pulled him back from the brink of despair. It was Daredevil, his loyal spirit beast, reaching out again through their bond. The gentle tug was a lifeline, a reminder of the connection that transcended both their individual struggles.

Daredevil had brought Tyler back, just as he had done after his fight with the Sword Sect. He smiled as he resolved himself to do better for the panther. He owed it to Daredevil, Kenshiro, and himself to grow from these experiences and become more mindful of his actions and their potential repercussions. He eventually had to take care of this cub and not let it take care of him all the time.

He recognized that his journey was not just about pursuing power to rid himself of political shackles but also about wisdom, responsibility, and the bonds that anchored him to the world. With Daredevil's unwavering support, Tyler was ready to face the consequences of his actions and to step forward into a future where he could apply the lessons of his past.

His senses, divine and otherwise, returned to him as he felt... a wet and burning sensation on his face? What he saw when he opened his eyes and scanned the spirit beast's soul form shocked him greatly. Daredevil, once a majestic panther cub adorned with thick, black fur, has undergone a striking transformation.

His fur has been replaced by an extraordinary mantle of flames, making him appear as though he is cloaked in a living inferno. These flames are not a single hue but a mesmerizing spectrum of colors that dance and flicker with every movement. Brilliant blues, vibrant oranges, deep reds, pure whites, and void-like blacks intermingled in a dazzling display of fiery beauty. This multicolored fur seems to shift and change continuously, giving Daredevil an ethereal and almost otherworldly appearance.

The flames that made his new fur did not consume him; instead, they seemed integral to his being. What happened when he tried to attune himself to the celestial like Maximus said?

Daredevil's eyes, once a sharp blue that reflected his own, were now much darker and glowed with the same fiery intensity as his fur. They were like embers that held the wisdom of his experiences and the fierceness of his spirit. The combination of his flaming fur and the luminous gaze made him a sight to behold, a creature that was both awe-inspiring and intimidating.

Tyler couldn't help but ask. "What happened, buddy?" He paused very slightly as he saw the panther rear up to attempt to speak. "Tell me everything. We can go back out once we're done here. The guys outside seem utterly terrified..."

Eagerness apparent in the cub's eyes, he opened his mouth. "Tyler! What did you do!? You scared me!"

Tyler's mouth opened wide with shock. "YOU CAN SPEAK NOW?" Instinctively, he extended his arms, hugging the spirit beast tighter than he had ever in the past. "I'm so sorry, buddy… I..." Tyler didn't even register the fact that the flames did not hurt.

Daredevil, however, cut him off. "Don't apologize... We both survived, and I came out stronger from it!" The panther replied, licking the side of Tyler's face.

Tyler sobbed as he hugged the panther. "No... you... Kenshiro.. He's dead. What did I do..."

Daredevil cut him off again. "Stop! You didn't do it on purpose, right? How else would you have attacked me?" He said as he flexed some of his newly acquired fire powers.

Tyler felt his entire soul avatar heat up, snapping him out of his downward self-loath spiral. "You're right... but... It's still my fault, and I... don't know what I'll tell his father."

"Pft. Humans really are stupid. Just tell him the truth, duh." Replied Daredevil, adopting a very matter-of-factly attitude like this was the most obvious thing in the world. "Now stop crying. It's like I'm the adult here."

Being metaphorically face-slapped by a child just now brought him back to reality once more. "You're right. I'm sorry."

"Now, let me tell you everything like you asked! But first, listen to all these neat rewards I just got from walking through this tunnel of fire!" Daredevil eagerly said.

Tyler released his grip on the cub as he sat up and switched from hugging to petting the panther. He listened for what felt like hours about his bloodline update, the soul stage increase, the new technique and laws he understood. Then, he went on to tell him about the titles, the quests, and the Divine Beast's Transformation.

This part of the conversation was truly the only interesting one, as him accidentally deploying his domain and injuring Daredevil only made him cringe. He was, however, pleasantly surprised when he heard the spirit beast's account of Baron Pratt coming to Daredevil's defense and his whole speech about Dao Heart.

It would seem like he had a debt to repay here. A big one.