The Truth Behind the Shadow

Chapter 4: The Truth Behind the Shadow

The old man, with a shrewd gaze, examined Li Yun, who was still panting from his run.

"Are you alright, young man?" he asked, his voice calm and composed.

Li Yun nodded, trying to control the tremor in his hands.

"The monster... he is very strong," he said, "I don't know how to fight him."

The old man smiled, an enigmatic smile that didn't reach his eyes.

"Strength is not the only weapon, young man," he said, "intelligence is also a powerful tool."

He approached a wooden bookshelf, filled with ancient books and scrolls yellowed with age.

"The forest holds many secrets," he said, picking up a leather-bound book. "And each one of them may be a key to unlocking the mystery."

Li Yun watched the old man, intrigued. He had never thought that the solution to a problem like this would be in a book.

"What does this book have to do with the monster?" he asked.

"This book contains the knowledge of the ancients," the old man replied, opening the book to reveal pages written in intricate characters. "It talks about spirit beasts, creatures that reside in the Heaven Realm and feed on the life energy of the living."

Li Yun's eyes widened.

"Are you saying that monster... is a spirit beast?" he asked, his voice shaking.

The old man nodded, his gaze fixed on the pages of the book.

"Spirit beasts are attracted to negative energy," he explained. "If you feel fear or anger, they feed on that energy, becoming stronger."

Li Yun thought back to his fear when he encountered the monster in the lake. He had let his emotions get the better of him, and that had attracted the creature.

"So what should I do?" he asked, a chill running down his spine.

"You need to control your emotions," the old man said, closing the book. "And you need to learn how to communicate with the spirit beast."

Li Yun was confused.

"Communicate? How?" he asked.

"Spirit beasts are primitive beings," the old man explained. "They respond to energy, strength, and will. If you show them that you are not afraid, that you are not a threat, they can calm down."

Li Yun took a deep breath, trying to calm his thoughts.

"But how can I show it that I am not afraid?" he asked, his hands still trembling.

"You need to use your spiritual energy," the old man said, "and your mind."

He walked closer to Li Yun, his eyes shining with wisdom.

"You need to connect with the spirit beast, understand its motivations, its needs. And then, you need to negotiate with it."

Li Yun felt as if he were in a dream. He had never thought that the solution to such a terrifying problem lay in a conversation.

"How can I do that?" he asked, his voice full of hope.

The old man smiled, a gentle, comforting smile.

"I will teach you," he said, "but you must be ready to face your fears and face the truth behind the shadow."

Li Yun nodded, feeling a new determination within him. He was ready to face the monster, to discover the truth behind the shadow that haunted the forest.

But what awaited him upon meeting the spirit beast?

And what was the truth behind the mystery of the forest?