Snow and Red walked along the forest path for a long time. The trees grew taller and taller, their leaves forming a dense canopy that filtered sunlight into soft patches on the ground. The air smelled of wet grass and moss, carrying a freshness that made Snow twitch his nose excitedly.
"Red, do you smell that?" Snow asked, sniffing deeply. "It smells like adventure."
Red, ever cautious, glanced around. "Or trouble. Sometimes adventure smells like trouble too."
Snow waved a paw dismissively. "I prefer the fun kind of trouble. You worry too much."
Not far ahead, a small thatched hut sat quietly beside a stream. Its roof slanted unevenly, vines creeping over the walls like sleepy fingers, and smoke drifted lazily from a tiny chimney.
Snow's eyes sparkled. "A house! And it doesn't look scary. Maybe someone kind lives here."
Red pressed his ears flat against his head. "Be quiet. Out here, appearances can be deceiving."
They approached cautiously. As they neared the door, it slowly creaked open, and a deep voice rumbled, "I have been hearing you for some time."
Behind the doorway stood a water buffalo spirit. He was massive, with horns curving skyward and a body wrapped in rough hemp cloth. Yet his face was unexpectedly kind, like a village elder's, only two meters tall and with the head of a bull.
Snow jumped back three steps in fright, and Red caught him. "Easy, Snow. He doesn't seem dangerous."
The water buffalo spirit chuckled. "Don't be afraid. I don't eat furry creatures."
Red tilted his head. "Then what do you eat?"
"I eat grass," the spirit said calmly.
Snow exhaled. "Then I eat grass too."
The spirit raised an eyebrow. "But I sometimes eat little animals that steal my midnight snack."
Snow staggered back again. "I haven't eaten tonight! I promise I won't steal anything!"
Red sighed. "Calm down. He's joking."
The buffalo spirit laughed, a deep sound that shook the leaves above. "Come in. You are from another realm, I assume."
The rabbit and the fox were invited inside. To their surprise, the hut was tidy. On a wooden table lay several bamboo scrolls, and in a corner stood a huge water jar, its surface reflecting the warm sunlight.
Red asked carefully, "Can you tell we aren't from this world?"
The buffalo spirit nodded. "Yes. The spiritual energy in East Sheng Shenzhou is dense and unique. Outer energy feels different. It is easy to distinguish."
He sat and took a sip of clear water before speaking again. "This world has three main realms: Heaven, the Underworld, and the Mortal Realm. The Mortal Realm is divided into five continents: East Sheng Shenzhou, West Niuhuo Continent, South Zhanbu Continent, North Julu Continent, and the mysterious Middle Abyss."
Snow's ears perked up. "Then where are we now?"
"You are in East Sheng Shenzhou. The spiritual energy is stable here, many sects reside in this land, and the beasts are… lively," the spirit said.
Red narrowed his eyes. "Lively meaning?"
The buffalo spirit paused. "Every day, a few reckless ones try to challenge me." He gestured toward a pile of flattened wooden signs by the door, each with bold, provocative writing:
"King Buffalo, come out and take a beating!""I will be the new mountain lord!""Today we fight for supremacy!"
Snow whispered, "This place really is lively."
The water buffalo spirit's gaze sharpened as he looked at them. "But you two are not ordinary little beasts."
Snow's ears shot straight up. "We are… cute little animals?"
Red muttered, "He means strength or status, not cuteness."
The buffalo spirit asked, "Have you eaten spirit fruits?"
Both nodded at the same time.
The spirit took a deep breath. "Then you are considered half-spirit beasts. The beast clans will treat you as one of their own, and the sects may see you as treasures."
"Treasures? Like they put on display?" Snow asked nervously.
"No. They might want to bind you as a spirit, keep you as a magical pet, or make you a sect mascot," the buffalo explained.
Red stayed silent for a moment and looked at Snow. "I have a bad feeling about this."
Snow hugged Red's tail. "Then what do we do?"
The buffalo spirit thought for a moment and retrieved a wooden stick from a shelf, tossing it onto the table. "If you go south, you will reach Qingli City. It is populous, well-informed, and safer in numbers. But in your current form, it is best to hide that you can speak."
"Why?" Snow asked.
"You could be captured and sold," the spirit replied.
Snow froze.
Red patted his shoulder. "Don't worry. I'll protect you."
The buffalo spirit continued, "If you want to cultivate, south of Qingli City is Mount Qingsong. There lives a wandering immortal named Xuansongzi. He is eccentric, but he does not eat little beasts."
Snow raised a paw. "What does he eat then?"
The spirit glanced at him. "Humans."
Snow's ears drooped. "I don't want to go there. Can we go home?"
Red crossed his arms. "Enough, Snow."
Before they left, the buffalo spirit handed them two small wooden charms. "These are protective talismans. Hang them on yourselves. Ordinary beasts will avoid you."
Snow held his charm like a treasure. "Thank you, Uncle Buffalo!"
The spirit added, "But stronger beasts will not be fooled by these."
Snow asked, "Then what do we do?"
The buffalo spirit gave him a sideways glance. "Then just cling to the fox."
Red's ears twitched. "Senior…"
The buffalo spirit laughed heartily. "I'm joking. Go now. Your path in cultivation is long and full of surprises."
As the sun dipped low, Snow and Red left the hut, stepping onto the winding path toward Qingli City. Snow carried the small wooden charm, and Red stayed close, alert to every rustle in the forest.
Snow whispered, "Are we really going to cultivate?"
Red rubbed his ears. "Since we're here, we might as well see where it leads."
Snow nodded. "Can I eat something first? I'm hungry."
Red sighed. "First day in the cultivation world, and you are thinking about food."
Snow said seriously, "It is the first day, so I must eat to prepare for adventures."
They walked on, bickering playfully. The forest seemed to watch them quietly, the rustling leaves carrying the promise of spirits and challenges ahead. In the distance, the cultivation world awaited them, filled with mysteries, dangers, and the thrill of discovering powers they had never imagined. Snow's ears twitched with excitement, Red's eyes were sharp and alert, and together they stepped forward into the unknown.