It Was My Friend

Vagrant Woods, Cloud Province.

The Vagrant Woods, once a vibrant symphony of life, now lay silent and scarred. The earth-shaking roar had driven away many of the spirit beasts, leaving behind a desolate landscape. Neighboring clans, sensing opportunity amidst the tragedy, descended upon the woods, their greed fueling a frantic scramble for resources. Resentment simmered among the smaller clans, forced to bow to the might of larger factions.

The echoes of the Vagrant Woods' tragedy reverberated throughout the Soaring Country. Yet, amidst the widespread despair, a twisted sense of opportunity emerged. Factions fortunate enough to have weathered the storm unscathed saw a chance to exploit the chaos, their eyes gleaming with avarice as they envisioned unearthing valuable resources and claiming unexplored territories. The darkest of clouds had unveiled a silver lining for those who prioritized personal gain over compassion and rebuilding.

Within the Vagrant Woods, neighboring clans, driven by an insatiable thirst for riches, abandoned any pretense of aiding in the recovery efforts. Instead, they embarked on daring expeditions into the heart of the enigmatic woods, their sights set on plundering the land's hidden treasures. A fierce competition erupted, with expeditions converging from all corners of the domain, each vying for a share of the spoils. Even smaller clans, evading the watchful eyes of the city lord and the dominant factions, sought to seize their own piece of the pie, their actions fueled by a desperate desire to profit from the tragedy.

As the scramble for resources intensified, resentment festered within the hearts of the minor clans. They were often forced to surrender their hard-earned treasures or navigate the treacherous landscape of power with the utmost caution, lest they incur the wrath of their more formidable counterparts. In this world where cultivation reigned supreme, strength dictated one's fate, and the ruthless held dominion over the weak. The delicate balance of this realm teetered on the brink of chaos, a stark demonstration of the unchecked power wielded by those at the pinnacle of cultivation. The world seemed destined to descend further into disorder as long as those who held the greatest power also possessed the least compassion.

Yet, amidst the darkness, a glimmer of hope remained. The actions of benevolent individuals in the past, coupled with directives from higher powers to protect mortals, served as a fragile barrier against utter pandemonium.

A spatial disturbance manifested outside the forest, growing into a magnificent gate constructed from otherworldly bricks. Two figures emerged – a wise elder in amaranth robes and an aristocratic individual in crimson coral, his ebony hair cascading like a dark waterfall. As they entered the Vagrant Woods, the elder frowned, sensing the turmoil within.

"My Lord, will you be alright?" the elder inquired with concern.

"Depends on what angered him this time," the aristocratic figure replied with a sigh. "I should have returned sooner."

"My lord is burdened with far too many obligations," the elder began, his voice laced with concern, "Because of this, you should make your choice for the next head of the palace as quickly as possible."

"I understand," the lord replied with a sigh. "But what options do I have if none are worthy? Would you have me appoint that lecherous young master as the next head of the palace?"

"No, no…" the elder shuddered at the thought, 'But I doubt anyone will be more troublesome than you were, my lord!'

"Let's go on in." With remarkable speed, they traversed the woods, arriving at the hidden formation. The lord, clad in crimson coral robes, extended his hand, channeling spiritual energy to create a rift within the intricate patterns.

The elder, lacking the courage to enter the formation, stood guard nearby, his eyes vigilant. However, as his lord attempted to step through the newly formed rift, a cataclysmic surge of energy erupted, flinging him backward and sending him sprawling onto the forest floor.

"My Lord!" the elder cried out, rushing to his side. Thankfully, the lord's powerful physique had shielded him from harm, though his once-impeccable hair was now disheveled, a sight most unbecoming of a dignified palace lord.

"...uh? Did I make a mistake when opening the formation since it has been a while? Strange…" the lord muttered, straightening his hair and attempting once more, this time with greater focus.

Boom!

The same formidable energy repelled him again. Gritting his teeth, he persisted, his frustration mounting with each failed attempt. His once-majestic attire began to unravel under the strain.

"Huff... huff... what the heck is this?!!" he exclaimed, his composure threatening to shatter. Just as he was about to unleash his frustration upon the formation, a burst of manic laughter echoed.

"AHAHAHAHA! What the heck is wrong with you, that you can't even open your own formation? Have you already lost it from old age?" a voice boomed, filled with amusement and a hint of mockery.

The once formidable palace lord, now reduced to a trembling lamb in the presence of this majestic entity, scurried into the enclosure, his mind reeling with confusion and apprehension. 'What the hell is going on...? Senior is laughing?'

"My lord… please come back alive…," the elder outside whispered a desperate prayer to the Heavens.

Inside the formation, the palace lord, clad in his red coral robes, bowed deeply before the majestic, veiled figure of Jana, the ancient spirit beast. Fighting to control his trembling, he stammered, "Senior, I have come. Please excuse my tardiness; I was unable to arrive sooner."

"Hmph, what good are you now?" Jana scoffed.

"S-Senior, I truly apologize for being late, but please don't take it out on me like that…" the palace lord pleaded. "I couldn't come before. You didn't need to lose your temper. The entire land is in turmoil, fear and chaos reign."

Jana's playful demeanor vanished in an instant, replaced by a surge of murderous intent that sent shivers down the palace lord's spine. "Are you blaming me for something I did not do?" she snarled, her voice laced with a chilling coldness.

The palace lord trembled, nearly collapsing to his knees. "S-Senior? Who else could it be?" he stammered, his voice barely a whisper.

"You crack me up," Jana scoffed. "What do you take me for? It was a friend of mine, not me!"

The palace lord was at a loss for words. To accuse this senior of lying would be tantamount to suicide. Yet, disbelief clouded his features. How could anyone else possess such power?

"Tell me," Jana continued, her voice regaining its playful lilt, "do you think I would have summoned you if I could have fixed the formation myself?"

"No, Senior," the palace lord admitted. "If you understood formations, you wouldn't have needed my assistance."

"Then how do you think I managed to fix your formation and even play a little joke on you?" Jana inquired with a sly grin, her eyes twinkling with amusement.

"I… I have no idea…" the palace lord stammered, his mind reeling. "Perhaps someone from the other palaces stopped by?"

He couldn't fathom who else could possess the knowledge and skill to manipulate a Heavenly Palace Realm formation to such an extent. The number of individuals in this lower realm capable of understanding his formations could be counted on one hand, and even they would require decades, if not centuries, to alter them in any meaningful way.

"My good friend came by!" Jana chuckled, barely containing her amusement as she described how Ming Ren entered the formation and even provided instructions on how to correct what was wrong.

"S-Senior…" the palace lord felt his sanity slipping. Was this ancient spirit beast playing another jest on him? How could anyone interfere with his intricate formation, laden with traps and mechanisms, in such a swift and effortless manner?

"Never mind that, I had a feeling you wouldn't believe me," Jana said.

"Senior, if your friend possesses such remarkable abilities, I would be eternally grateful for the opportunity to receive instruction from them!" The palace lord's keen mind recognized the immense value of knowledge imparted by such an individual. To be considered a friend of this powerful being implied a level of wisdom and skill far surpassing that of ordinary mortals. This individual must be a sage of unparalleled expertise!

Jana, however, threw her head back and roared with laughter, the sound echoing through the chamber. The irony of the situation was simply too much to bear. This four-thousand-year-old gentleman, a master of cultivation and formations, was requesting to learn from a mere boy of fourteen, one who had yet to even reach the Spirit Sea Realm!

"Senior...?" the palace lord inquired, his voice laced with confusion and a hint of indignation.

Behind her veil, Jana's amusement subsided, replaced by a thoughtful contemplation. 'It's probably best if I don't reveal everything,' she mused. 'He would stop at nothing to lure the boy to his palace, attracting unwanted attention from the other troublesome individuals. It is far too soon for him to be entangled in such matters.'

With a composed demeanor, she addressed the palace lord. "Never mind that for now," she said. "I have other good news for you."

"Oh? What is it?" the palace lord inquired, his curiosity piqued.

"I have a candidate in mind for your palace," Jana declared, her voice filled with conviction. "One for whom you should be profoundly grateful."

A glimmer of hope sparked in the palace lord's eyes. "A talent commended by Senior must indeed be extraordinary," he exclaimed, his voice laced with excitement. "Senior, I have been searching for a worthy disciple for many years. I am truly appreciative of your assistance."

"I am not sure you possess the qualifications to call this person your disciple," Jana remarked, a hint of amusement in her tone.

"What?" the palace lord's eyes widened in disbelief. He, the lord of the Southern Palace, lacking the qualifications to be a master?

"Consider this a blessing or a curse for your palace," Jana warned. "Tread carefully."

"I shall heed your every instruction, Senior," the palace lord vowed, recognizing the gravity of the situation.

"I cannot reveal everything," Jana continued, "but you must nurture her until she reaches maturity. Any harm that befalls her, even if I am not directly involved, will result in the downfall of your palace, through the actions of my friend."

"Senior, rest assured," the palace lord pledged with unwavering determination. "If this individual possesses such talent, my Southern Palace will dedicate all its resources to nurturing her growth. You have my word!"

"To be honest," Jana remarked, "your palace may not be the ideal environment for her skills. A place like the Eastern Palace might be more suitable."

"What? Senior, I beg you not to jest!" the palace lord exclaimed, his voice laced with desperation. "How could I possibly lose such a talent to the Eastern Palace?"

"Do you understand now?" Jana chuckled. "I am only offering you this opportunity because of your past assistance."

The palace lord, realizing the gravity of the situation, clasped his hands together in a solemn pledge. "I express my deepest gratitude for your benevolence, Senior," he declared. "I swear upon the Red Coral to protect her with my life."

Jana laughed softly. "I wonder who will be protecting whom in the near future," she mused. "This girl's potential far surpasses your own."

"What? Senior means…" the palace lord stammered, his mind struggling to grasp the implications of her words.

"She possesses the power to fulfill your deepest aspirations," Jana revealed. "She belongs to a realm far beyond this. More importantly, my friend holds her in high regard. By helping her, you will also forge a fateful connection with him."

A tremor of excitement coursed through the palace lord's body as he realized the magnitude of this opportunity. His lifelong yearning for ascension, a dream he had almost abandoned, was suddenly within reach. For countless years, he had sought a way to transcend this world, fearing he would meet the same fate as his master, who had perished before ascending.

But now, a door to a brighter future had swung open, and this extraordinary opportunity was knocking at his palace's gate!