Tang Ling, with his strength increasing, thought about using the gun again. Perhaps now he could fully charge it.
He pressed the trigger, pointing the weapon directly at the incoming orb. From his hand, countless wisps of golden energy flowed, dancing beautifully like threads of light. It was a mesmerizing sight that could easily capture anyone's gaze.
A ray of energy burst from the gun's muzzle—not like the previous single bullet, but a continuous, focused beam. Maybe it was due to Tang Ling constantly infusing energy into the gun with his hand.
The energy ray collided with the orb as they met head-on, sending it flying and crashing against a tree to the side. Without pausing, Tang Ling shifted the ray's aim toward the beast. Satisfaction and a flicker of happiness shone in his eyes—it was time to take revenge.
The beast, noticing the ray shooting toward it, reacted quickly, raising its tail to shield itself just like before.
The ray struck. The beast's tail blocked it, but this time, the damage was worse than before. Though the tail was injured again, it began to heal rapidly.
Tang Ling didn't stop there. Gritting his teeth, he shouted, "This time, it's my own power. The same trick won't save you twice!" He pressed the trigger even harder, pouring more energy into the weapon.
Another ray launched forward, this one slightly larger than the last. Tang Ling poured every ounce of his rage and frustration into the attack. "Accept your fate, snake!" he roared.
The beast realized this wasn't like the previous attack—this couldn't be blocked with just its tail. But it was too late.
It continued channeling its energy into the silver pattern on its body, desperately trying to heal the damage. But this time, the attack was too strong. The ray tore through the beast's defenses faster than the pattern could regenerate.
The beast roared in agony, each howl echoing through the trees. It burned through its remaining energy trying to survive. The pain was intense, clearly unbearable.
In mere breaths, the energy required to repair its body had drained the beast entirely. The silver pattern faded as its power vanished.
"BOOM!"
A loud explosion thundered across the forest. Nearby birds took flight, and animals fled from the shockwave.
Tang Ling, still holding the gun, looked cautiously at the beast's unmoving form. "Is it finally dead... or still alive?" he muttered as he slowly approached. He stopped at a safe distance, wary. He still feared it might wake up.
After confirming that the beast was truly dead, Tang Ling stored the gun in his spatial ring. Even though the threat was gone, he kept his guard up.
The forest was now pitch black. Distant roars echoed as other beasts began to stir and hunt.
"I was so caught up in celebrating that I forgot... I need to go home now," Tang Ling said, suddenly alert. "If I run into another beast, I'll be finished. I have no strength left. I used everything I had to charge that gun."
He began rushing home, though the injury on his leg slowed him down. Fortunately, on the way back, he didn't encounter any powerful beasts.
He arrived at a small wooden house by a river, surrounded by towering forest trees. A campfire crackled nearby, lighting the area with a warm glow.
The river meandered through the dense forest, its waters shimmering under the starlit sky. Crystal-clear and calm, it reflected the stars above like a flowing mirror. Even the fish were visible beneath the surface, their bodies gliding effortlessly in the gentle current. The river's deep blue hue rippled gracefully, carrying the silence of the night in its steady flow.
The house was modest—neither large nor small. Every plank was carefully carved, showing great craftsmanship. It felt oddly perfect in such a wild, eerie place, like something out of a dream.
Tang Ling sat near the campfire on a small oak stump, eating grilled fish. Two more fish roasted on sticks over the flames. As he ate, he used a small branch to draw something in the dirt beside him.
Mumbling to himself, he said, "Mmh... I was almost exhausted to death from hunger. Nothing feels better than coming home and eating river fish."
He took another bite, then changed the subject. "I almost died today. If that strange accident and power surge hadn't happened, I'd be gone."
He frowned, thinking hard. "I still don't understand what happened... those visions, that green flame, the black mist..."
"But I used the gun Uncle Dan gave me. That must mean I've entered the first stage of the Spiritual Master's path—Lingqi Tu. That's what he used to tell me about."
He smiled faintly. "Still... I defeated a beast that strong. If only Uncle Dan had seen it, I think he'd be proud."
The smile faded. A silence fell over him. Sadness crept across his face as a painful memory surfaced.
Suddenly, a sound near the trees made Tang Ling alert. He wiped his face and focused.
"I was too busy eating and drawing to notice... Did a beast find this place?"
He grabbed a burning piece of firewood, gripping it tightly. Moving slowly, he crept toward the source of the noise.
Just two steps away, he raised the firewood, ready to strike.
A figure stepped out from behind the tree. It was hard to see in the dark.
Tang Ling swung the firewood—but stopped mid-attack when the light revealed the figure.
It was a man. Middle-aged. His pupils were pitch black with hints of gray, and his long white hair fell to his waist. He wore a flowing black robe lined with silver. A cloak draped over his shoulders. His boots were quiet and well-worn.
Seeing he wasn't a beast, Tang Ling lowered the firewood and asked, "Who are you, old man? How did you get here?"
The man snapped, "Old man?! I'm just thirty-six!"
Tang Ling blinked. "Huh? You don't look thirty-six at all. Anyway, who are you?"
The man gritted his teeth. "Brat! Forget it. I don't want to argue with a seven-year-old. And don't you have manners? You ask someone's name, you say your own first."
Tang Ling scowled. "I'm Tang Ling."
The man teased, "When a guest comes to your home, you should let them sit and offer food."
Tang Ling rolled his eyes. "Fine. Uninvited guest, come sit." He motioned toward the fire. "Sit."
The man sat on the stump opposite Tang Ling and said, "Won't you feed your guest?" He pointed at the grilling fish.
Tang Ling, now fully annoyed, shouted, "I'll kill you if you talk more nonsense! Who are you, and how did you find this place?"
The man chuckled, clearly satisfied. "Well, my name is Xiao Lao. I found this place by following you."
"Following me?" Tang Ling asked, confused. "Why?"
Xiao Lao replied, "I was traveling through the forest when I heard the roar of a Silver Jade Snake. I rushed to the scene and saw a seven-year-old child fighting it. I couldn't believe my eyes. That snake was in the Lingqi Zhe realm, and you hadn't even entered Lingqi Tu yet. And still, you fought and killed it."
Tang Ling's eyes widened slightly.
"The beast almost advanced to Lingqi Shi," Xiao Lao continued. "It awakened its bloodline due to your pressure. But luckily, it didn't fully break through. At the same time, I saw you reach Lingqi Tu during the fight. A natural awakening. Remarkable."
He leaned back. "After the battle, you left the beast's body, which is very valuable to someone starting their spiritual path. So I took it and followed you here."
Tang Ling processed the words. "So… that empty, dark place with the sea forming inside… that was my Spiritual Sea?"
He remembered what Uncle Dan had told him about the beginning of a Spiritual Master's journey.
The Spiritual Sea, located in the Upper Dantian, holds the Spiritual Core and helps recover and enhance spiritual power. As one advances, it eventually becomes Divine Consciousness upon reaching Spiritual God.
Then something else struck him.
"Wait… the place I fought that beast—it didn't have that many sharp stones. And that last one… it looked like a dagger, not natural at all."
He turned to Xiao Lao. "Did you help me during that fight? There's no way those stones were just lying around like that."
Xiao Lao huffed. "Why would I help some brat who won't even feed his elder?"
Tang Ling understood immediately. This strange, annoying old man had been the one helping him.
Suddenly, the man didn't seem so bad. Tang Ling handed him one of the grilled fish.
As Xiao Lao took the fish, Tang Ling asked, "Then what were you doing behind the tree? Weren't you just here to return the beast body?"
Xiao Lao took a bite and sighed. "Mmm, so good... Just like an old friend used to make."
Tang Ling smiled at the compliment. Despite everything, he was still a seven-year-old child.
Xiao Lao continued, "Actually, before I came here, I saw some strange green ores by the tree. When I tried to touch one, my hand slowed—almost like time itself slowed down. What are those ores, boy?"
Tang Ling replied, "I don't know. But Uncle Dan once told me I was left crying near those ores as a baby. That's where he found me."
Xiao Lao's eyes lit up the moment he heard the name "Uncle Dan." His voice trembled slightly as he asked, "Was your uncle's full name... Xiao Dan?"
Tang Ling blinked, surprised by the sudden question. "Yes… how do you know that?"
A wave of emotion washed over Xiao Lao's face. "Then it has to be him... the friend I've been searching for in this forest all this time." His gaze sharpened. "Tell me—do you have a golden coin? One with the word 'POWER' written in red on both sides?"
Tang Ling looked puzzled. "No. I only have this ring. It was Uncle Dan's."
"Check it," Xiao Lao said, curiosity flaring.
Tang Ling opened the ring's storage. Inside were rare metals, tools, the gun… and finally, a golden coin with the word 'POWER' written in red on both sides.
He held it up. "Is this the one you mean?"
Xiao Lao burst with emotion. "Yes! That's it! Where is he? Is Dan inside the house?"
Tang Ling's smile vanished. A heavy silence fell. He lowered his head.
"No... I'm alone now," he whispered. "He died protecting me when I was six. Maybe it was my fault. If I hadn't been there…"
Xiao Lao's anger flared briefly—but seeing Tang Ling cry, he softened.
"Don't blame yourself. He chose to protect you. He must've loved you. Don't waste his sacrifice with guilt." He paused, then added, "Would you like to become my second disciple?"
Tang Ling wiped his tears, thinking deeply. Then he shook his head. "No. Uncle Dan once told me about past incidents when I was a child—he said having a master was like shackles on his freedom. I don't want my freedom sealed like his. I still haven't even gone outside this forest.
"I understand that his master must have had his own reasons for his actions, but I am not like him. I've witnessed the cruelty of this world—betrayal, conflict, and sacrifices made for love, friendship, and loyalty. Yet, I haven't seen it all. So, I would never do to you what was done to him. If you become my disciple, I'll take you out of this forest and show you the world beyond."
Xiao Lao's words echoed in his mind. He had promised not to take away Tang Ling's freedom. As a friend of Uncle Dan, Xiao Lao seemed to be a man of his word. Tang Ling found some reassurance in that. Unlike the oppressive bond between Uncle Dan and his master, Xiao Lao appeared to truly understand the value of freedom.
Tang Ling knelt and bowed deeply.
"Greetings, Master."
(Chapter End)
Sorry, my dear readers. I mistakenly uploaded a draft version of this chapter earlier—this one is the original. I hope you can forgive the mix-up.
If you're enjoying the story so far, please don't forget to like, comment, add it to your library, and support it with popularity votes! Every bit of support helps me continue writing and brings Tang Ling's journey to more readers. Thank you so much for being here with me!