The Sanctuary's dawn was painted in soft lavender hues, but none of them admired the beauty. They gathered in the central clearing, tension thick as steel wire.
Fengyu kneeled before the newborn Silver-Tailed Tracking Fox.
Small, elegant, fur like moonlit snow, and eyes that shimmered with intelligence—this creature was no ordinary pet. Its tail brushed the ground, leaving faint silver trails that swirled for a moment before dissolving into light.
Fengyu placed his palm on the fox's head.
"Little one, can you find the source? The creature controlling the beasts?"
The fox blinked, then emitted a soft chirp. Its silver eyes glowed, and Fengyu felt a faint thread of spiritual sense link with his own.
A system prompt appeared.
[Silver-Tailed Tracking Fox Bonded Successfully]
Abilities:
- Track Enemy Leaders
- Detect Parasite Qi
- Warn of Beast Ambushes
Bond Level: 1 (0%)
The fox scampered toward the Sanctuary entrance node, then stopped, tail flicking sharply—clearly indicating the direction of the Moth King.
Fengyu stood, tightening his grip on his spear. "Everyone, gather."
Meiyu, Lingxin, Qingxia, and Lin Xuan stood in a semicircle, waiting.
"The fox found the Moth King's direction," Fengyu said. "Before the tide grows any stronger, we strike now. But this mission is reconnaissance and elimination. Not open combat."
Lingxin nodded, expression tight. "Understood."
Lin Xuan swallowed but tried to look brave. "We'll watch your back."
Qingxia cracked her knuckles. "When do we leave?"
Fengyu shook his head. "You're not coming."
Silence fell.
Qingxia blinked. "Excuse me?"
"This is too dangerous," Fengyu said firmly. "The Moth King can control beasts easily. If you get injured or targeted—"
"We slow you down?" Qingxia finished sharply.
Fengyu met her gaze steadily. "Yes."
She growled. "I'm not weak—"
"I know," he said gently. "But the Moth King is beyond your current level. You four are the Sanctuary's foundation. If something happens to me, the clan survives through you."
Qingxia froze.
Meiyu's eyes widened. "F-Fengyu… don't say something like that."
Lingxin stepped closer. "You're not going to die."
Fengyu smiled softly. "I won't. But I need you all alive to make sure this clan grows."
Xuan bowed deeply. "We'll train while you're gone."
Qingxia bit her lip, anger melting into reluctant acceptance. "…Fine. But you'd better come back."
Fengyu nodded.
He placed his hand on Lingxin's head.
Her eyes widened. "W-What—?"
"Take care of the Sanctuary," he said softly.
A deep blush spread across her cheeks. "Y-Yes…"
He then squeezed Meiyu's shoulder. "Heal everyone. Don't push yourself."
She nodded, teary-eyed.
To Qingxia: "Keep them safe."
And to Xuan: "Grow stronger."
Finally, Fengyu turned toward the entrance.
"Silver Fox—lead."
The fox chirped and darted forward.
Fengyu followed.
The Sanctuary faded behind him, leaving silence and anxious hearts in his wake.
— — —
The outside world felt colder than before.
Fog clung to the forest floor, and the scent of dead foliage hung heavy. The Silver Fox moved silently, occasionally pausing to sniff the air. Fengyu followed closely, senses heightened, spear ready.
Beast Sense Vision flickered—showing faint red outlines nearby, but none sensed him.
"The tide is gathering," Fengyu whispered.
After an hour, the fox halted.
Fengyu crouched beside it. "What is it?"
The fox whined softly and pointed with its snout.
Ahead lay a clearing filled with beasts—dozens, maybe hundreds—resting, pacing, snarling. Wolves, boars, long-tailed apes, even two shadow cats. The air trembled with their growls.
But Fengyu wasn't looking at them.
His gaze snapped to the center of the clearing.
There it was.
The Ironback Bear.
But it wasn't the same.
Its fur pulsed with violet-black veins, and its eyes glowed like burning amethysts. Its muscles bulged unnaturally, stretching its skin.
And perched atop its head—
The Mind-Eater Moth King.
Smaller than before.
But more… corrupted.
Its wings twitched violently, releasing threads of dark mist.
Something was wrong with it.
Something deeper.
Fengyu narrowed his eyes.
"Weak? No… unstable."
As if sensing his thought, the fox chirped urgently.
The Moth King's wings twitched.
Its head snapped toward their hiding place.
Fengyu cursed under his breath.
"It sensed us again?!"
The beast horde roared.
Time to run.
"Fox—move!"
The silver creature darted back into the forest, weaving between trees with uncanny agility. Fengyu followed, sprinting, dodging branches and roots.
Behind him—
Roars shook the ground.
Beasts thundered after them.
Fengyu burst through a thicket—
—and froze.
A second beast horde approached from the opposite direction.
A pincer attack.
"This is bad," he muttered.
The fox's eyes glinted.
It darted left—toward a narrow canyon.
Fengyu followed.
But a monstrous roar—loud enough to crack stone—echoed behind him.
The Ironback Bear was chasing him itself.
The Moth King screeched.
The canyon walls closed in.
They had one chance.
"Sanctuary! NOW!"
Warm light engulfed him—
Just as a claw slashed through the air he had occupied a fraction of a second earlier.
He vanished.
— — —
Fengyu stumbled into the Sanctuary, rolling across the grass painfully.
Meiyu screamed. "Fengyu!"
Lingxin rushed forward. "He's hurt!"
Qingxia's face darkened, fury burning. "What happened?!"
Fengyu gasped, holding his ribs. "I—found it… The Moth King. And it's—"
He coughed violently, then spat blood.
Meiyu paled. "Spring! Get him to the Holy Spring!"
Lingxin and Qingxia supported him, dragging him toward the glowing pool.
Fengyu coughed again, blood staining his lips.
"It's unstable… mutating… not normal…"
They lowered him into the Holy Spring.
The water hissed, glowing brighter than ever.
His wounds healed rapidly—but his expression remained grim.
"Prepare yourselves," he whispered.
"The real battle… is coming."
The Sanctuary trembled in agreement.
---