Over the months, Tianze had transformed. His father, Arthur, had trained him relentlessly, turning him into a child of the jungle. He no longer stumbled over roots or made noise while moving. He could climb trees with ease, leap between branches like a beast, and recognize the hidden dangers of the wild. He knew which flowers held deadly toxins, which herbs could heal, and which animals were best avoided.
Today was his sixth birthday. And Arthur had a gift for him.
"Let's hunt something big," Tianze said eagerly.
Arthur smirked. "Alright. How about a Demonic Drake?"
Tianze’s eyes widened. A Demonic Drake—a creature from the forbidden depths of the jungle. It was too dangerous even for seasoned hunters.
"It’s a young one," Arthur added. "It recently wandered into this side of the forest. If we don’t kill it now, it will take over the area and make hunting impossible."
Tianze nodded, excitement and nervousness mixing in his chest.
They gathered their supplies—ropes, a spear, a massive axe, and a pouch of special herbs. These herbs masked their presence, making them invisible to most beasts. Then, they set off.
Into the Wild
Tianze kept pace with his father, his footing sure and his breathing controlled. He was no longer the weak child who struggled to keep up. His body had grown strong, his instincts sharper.
As they moved through the jungle, Arthur pointed at a blood-red flower with a strange glow.
"This is a Crimson Underflower," he said. "Highly poisonous, but also a miraculous medicine for those who practice the Way of Poison."
Tianze listened carefully.
"But," Arthur continued, "these herbs are always guarded. Look closely."
Tianze scanned the surroundings and spotted a massive black serpent, coiled nearby. Its scales glistened, and its eyes gleamed with cold menace.
"This one is too dangerous. We’ll leave it for now."
They moved forward, carefully avoiding the snake’s territory.
The Demonic Drake
Arthur stopped abruptly. He knelt and examined the ground. Tracks. Fresh.
He turned to Tianze and signaled for silence. The Demonic Drake was near.
A rustling sound came from the bushes. Tianze held his breath.
Then, with an earth-shaking roar, the Demonic Drake burst forth.
It was larger than they had expected, its obsidian-black scales reflecting the dim jungle light. Its eyes burned with bloodlust, and its razor-sharp claws dug into the earth.
The beast crushed a tree in a single swipe.
But it hadn't sensed them.
Arthur and Tianze were coated in the scent-masking herbs. Any cultivator would have been detected instantly due to their Qi, but Arthur and Tianze had none. They were ghosts to the drake.
Arthur wasted no time. He climbed a massive tree with Tianze, positioning themselves above the beast. The plan was simple: lure it into a trap.
They set a rabbit as bait, tying a thin thread around its leg. Hidden inside the rabbit’s fur was a small pouch of poison.
The drake stomped forward. It sniffed the air, its forked tongue flicking out.
But it didn’t take the bait.
Instead, it roared in fury, realizing it was a trap. The beast’s anger surged, and it began rampaging. Trees fell, the ground shook, and the entire jungle seemed to tremble under its rage.
Arthur turned to Tianze. "Stay here and watch. This is a lesson."
Then, he disappeared into the jungle.
The Perfect Trap
Arthur sprinted toward the Crimson Underflower, where the black serpent was still resting. He had no intention of fighting it—only provoking it.
In a single motion, he flung a rope around the herb and yanked it from the ground.
The serpent’s eyes snapped open.
With a hiss of fury, it lunged.
Arthur bolted, leading the furious beast straight toward the Demonic Drake. The drake, already in a frenzy, saw the serpent enter its territory.
The moment their eyes met, the real battle began.
The serpent struck first, sinking its venomous fangs deep into the drake’s side. The drake retaliated, biting the snake in half with a single crunch.
But the damage was done.
The venom coursed through the drake’s veins, slowing it down.
Arthur saw his chance.
He leaped from the trees, his spear in hand, and plunged it into the drake’s exposed throat.
The beast let out a final, shuddering breath before collapsing.
Arthur cut away the poisoned flesh, ensuring the meat remained safe to sell. Then, he signaled for Tianze to come down.
"Watch closely," he said, kneeling beside the drake’s corpse. "This is how you harvest an inner crystal."
From deep inside the drake’s chest, Arthur pulled out a small, glowing gem.
"Every demonic beast has one. These are their cores—the source of their strength."
Tianze’s eyes burned with determination.
Arthur placed a hand on his head. "We are not cultivators, Tianze. We do not chase power like they do. But strength… strength comes in many forms."
With their bags and hands full, they returned home.
Tianze had seen his first great hunt. And he knew—this was only the beginning.
End of Chapter 3
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