The Holy Spring glowed fiercely as Fengyu leaned back against the smooth stones, letting its divine energy surge into his torn flesh. The water surged like warm lightning through his veins, knitting bone and muscle with unnatural speed. His breathing steadied.
Lin Xuan held a cloth anxiously. "Fengyu! Are you—are you alive?"
Fengyu managed a faint smile. "Barely."
Li Meiyu pressed her hands to her chest, tears glistening. "Don't joke about that!"
Lingxin kneeled beside him, gripping his arm tightly. "Fengyu… what did you see?"
Qingxia crossed her arms but her voice shook. "Tell us everything."
Fengyu inhaled deeply.
"The Moth King… has mutated."
Silence spread like a ripple.
Lingxin frowned. "Mutated? How?"
"It wasn't natural," Fengyu answered. "Its body was pulsing with corrupted qi. Something—or someone—is feeding it power."
Qingxia's gaze sharpened. "Someone?"
"Yes. This trial isn't random. The Moth King's behavior is too controlled. Too precise. It even set an ambush."
Lin Xuan trembled. "An ambush…? That means it's intelligent!"
"More than that," Fengyu said. "It's cunning."
Lingxin swallowed. "So… what do we do?"
Fengyu stood, water dripping from his shoulders. The Holy Spring had healed him completely, but the memory of near death burned hot in his bones.
"We plan. We train. And we act."
He stepped out of the spring and faced them.
"From this moment, we form the Sanctuary's first battle council."
They exchanged glances—fear, determination, and pride mixing in their expressions.
Fengyu spread a hand.
"First: Defensive Measures."
He pointed at Meiyu.
"You will create healing kits and emergency Spring-water vials. If any of us get wounded, we need instant recovery."
She nodded firmly. "I'll prepare as many as I can."
"Second: Scouting and Warning."
He placed a hand on Lingxin's shoulder.
"Your evasion and swift movement make you perfect for early warning. You'll monitor the outside node's surroundings. You'll retreat at the first sign of danger."
Lingxin's eyes widened. "I… I won't fail."
"Third: Rear Defense."
Fengyu looked at Lin Xuan.
"You are the Sanctuary's first line of defense if beasts reach the entrance. Use your spear. Hold the line with Meiyu if necessary. Do not engage alone."
Lin Xuan clenched his fists. "I will protect everyone."
"And finally…" Fengyu turned toward Qingxia.
Qingxia straightened. "Finally?"
"Offense."
Her eyes glinted.
"You're strong, instinctive, and fearless. You will fight beside me."
Qingxia blinked. Then smirked. "About time."
Lingxin pouted. "Why her?!"
Fengyu chuckled softly. "Because Qingxia's combat instincts are the most advanced right now. She can hold her own while I focus on the Moth King."
Lingxin grumbled but nodded, accepting the logic.
Fengyu raised his hand, summoning his system panel.
[MANY-CHILDREN MANY-BLESSINGS SYSTEM]
Host: Lin Fengyu
Cultivation: Body Tempering (Stage 5)
Abilities:
– Beast Sense Vision
– Sanctuary Authority (Minor)
– Emergency Boost (Activated)
Spirit Beast Bond: Silver-Tailed Tracking Fox (Level 1)
Sanctuary Members: 4
Next Upgrade Requirement: 10 Descendants
Beast Tide Distance: 3–5 km
Commander: Mind-Eater Moth King (Mutated)
Everyone stiffened at the final line.
"We don't have much time," Fengyu said. "The tide is spreading in multiple directions. And the Ironback Bear it controls isn't just a brute anymore—it's a vessel."
Lingxin shivered. "A vessel… for the Moth King?"
"Yes. If we kill the bear without killing the Moth King first, the parasite will escape and possess another beast. Maybe something even stronger."
Qingxia scowled. "So we cut the head first."
"Exactly."
Fengyu took a deep breath.
"Tonight, I will rest and prepare. Tomorrow morning—after one more day of Sanctuary time—we attack."
Lingxin grabbed his sleeve. "Let us come—"
"No." His tone was firm.
Lingxin flinched.
Fengyu softened. "You'll only join once you can keep up with Qingxia and me. Until then, you three must guard the Sanctuary."
Meiyu sniffed. "We'll… do our best."
"You already are," Fengyu said.
He placed a hand on the Holy Tree's trunk.
Its leaves shimmered, whispering with a strange hum.
A new system prompt flashed.
[Holy Tree Resonance Detected]
[Your clan is forming its first battle unit]
[Temporary Blessing: Sanctuary Vanguard]
Effect (48 Hours):
- All members gain +10% Physical Power
- All members gain +10% Reaction Speed
- Host gains +15% Combat Awareness
- Bonded Spirit Beast gains +20% Tracking Accuracy
Fengyu stared.
"Now this," he murmured, "is perfect."
Qingxia grinned wickedly. "Looks like even the Sanctuary wants us to win."
"Then we must," Fengyu said, voice low and resolute.
He turned toward the forest beyond the entrance.
"The Moth King thinks it can hunt us."
A cold smile curved his lips.
"But this time…
we are the hunters."
The Sanctuary pulsed with fierce energy—
as if blessing its Progenitor's vow.