The White Tiger Clan

As he ventured deeper, he encountered more spirit beasts—a Golden-Horned Wolf, a Shadow Serpent, and even a Fire-Spitting Ape.

Each fight left him more exhausted. His body was covered in minor wounds, his energy reserves depleting rapidly.

But it wasn't until he faced the Crimson Blade Tiger that he realized he had pushed himself too far.

The beast was a terrifying sight—standing twice as tall as a normal tiger, its crimson-red fur shimmered under the sunlight, and its long, curved claws were sharp enough to slice through stone.

The moment it saw Luo Zheng, it attacked.

The first strike came in the form of a blinding-fast swipe, and Luo Zheng barely had time to raise his sword to block.

Bang!

The force sent him flying back, crashing against a tree.

Pain shot through his ribs. If he hadn't reinforced his body with cultivation, that single attack could have shattered his bones.

The tiger lunged forward again, its fangs bared.

Luo Zheng rolled to the side, narrowly avoiding death. He tried to counterattack, but the beast was too fast.

Another claw strike tore into his side. Blood sprayed into the air.

His vision blurred. His grip on his sword weakened.

His body screamed at him to stop—but he knew that if he slowed down, he would die.

Desperate, he forced himself to his feet. His sword felt heavy in his hands, his breathing ragged.

The tiger crouched, preparing for its final attack.

Luo Zheng tightened his grip, ready to make one last move—

Then—

A silver flash tore through the air.

A delicate yet powerful hand grabbed his arm, yanking him back just before the tiger's claws could reach him.

Before he could react, a soft voice whispered, "Don't move."

Then—darkness.

Luo Zheng collapsed

When he woke up, the scent of medicine filled the air.

His body ached, but the pain was dulled. He was lying on a comfortable bed, his wounds carefully bandaged.

The room was warm, lined with wooden bookshelves and elegant carvings.

There was no one else inside.

Luo Zheng slowly sat up, wincing as he moved. His belongings were placed neatly on a table nearby—his sword, his bag… the mysterious parchment.

"Whoever saved me didn't take anything."

He climbed to his feet and stepped outside.

The sight before him was breathtaking.

He stood in a massive courtyard, surrounded by towering white stone buildings with golden rooftops.

Disciples in white robes embroidered with tiger emblems sparred in the training grounds. Warriors carried ornate weapons, their movements sharp and disciplined.

Beyond the gates, mountains loomed in the distance, marking the clan's stronghold.

It was then that he understood.

"This isn't just any place… this is a powerful clan's territory."

Then—he felt a strong presence.

Turning, he saw a girl standing at the top of the courtyard steps.

Her silver hair cascaded down her back, and her sharp blue eyes studied him carefully.

She wore white robes with golden embroidery—the unmistakable mark of the White Tiger Clan.

Their gazes met.

Finally, she spoke.

"You're finally awake."

Luo Zheng stood frozen for a moment, taking in the sight of the silver-haired girl before him. Her expression was calm, yet there was a trace of curiosity in her piercing blue eyes as she observed him.

The white robes she wore bore intricate golden embroidery, marking her as someone of status within this mysterious White Tiger Clan.

Still feeling the lingering aches of his wounds, Luo Zheng steadied himself before offering a slight bow.

"Thank you… for saving my life." His voice was steady, but gratitude was clear in his tone.

The girl's gaze didn't waver. "You were reckless," she replied. "Charging into the deeper parts of the forest alone… Were you seeking death?"

Luo Zheng let out a small, dry chuckle. "Not death. Strength."

A flicker of surprise crossed her face before she nodded slightly. "Strength without caution leads to an early grave. You were lucky I found you in time."

Her voice was calm yet firm, carrying the tone of someone who had seen such situations before.

Luo Zheng hesitated for a moment before asking, "Where am I?"

"You are within the territory of the White Tiger Clan," she answered. "This is one of our branch residences near the forest."

"The White Tiger Clan…" Luo Zheng repeated, his mind quickly recalling the name. He had read about them before—one of the great martial clans known for their formidable

warriors and strict discipline. Their bloodline was rumored to carry the strength of the ancient White Tiger, a powerful divine beast.

"This place… it is far from the town I was in before?" he asked.

She nodded. "About a day's journey on foot. You were unconscious for nearly two days."

Luo Zheng looked down at his hands, still wrapped in bandages. The battle with the Crimson Blade Tiger had pushed him to his limits—if this girl hadn't saved him, he would have likely bled out in the forest.

Looking back up at her, he asked, "What's your name?"

The girl paused for a brief moment before answering. "Bai Xue."

Luo Zheng committed the name to memory.

"Thank you, Bai Xue. I owe you my life."

She simply shook her head. "Rest. Your wounds are not light. If you wish to continue your path to strength, you will need time to recover."

Luo Zheng knew she was right. His injuries were severe, and without proper healing, he wouldn't be able to move forward.

After Bai Xue left, he was given a quiet chamber within the White Tiger Clan's compound. The room was simple but elegant, with a meditation mat, a wooden table, and a small bed. Incense burned softly in one corner, carrying a faint medicinal scent.

A White Tiger Clan elder had briefly visited, providing a few high-quality healing pills to aid in his recovery. These weren't ordinary pills—each one contained refined spiritual energy that could speed up his body's regeneration.

Luo Zheng sat cross-legged on the mat and carefully consumed one of the Essence Rejuvenation Pills. The moment the pill dissolved in his mouth, warm energy surged through his meridians, soothing the pain in his muscles and helping to mend his wounds.

For the next seven days, Luo Zheng remained in deep seclusion.

Each day, he followed a strict cycle:

Morning: Consumed a recovery pill and meditated to guide its energy through his body.

Afternoon: Focused on breathing techniques to regulate his internal flow and accelerate his healing.

Evening: Entered a half-conscious cultivation state, allowing his body to absorb surrounding spiritual energy while he rested.

His injuries slowly mended, and his foundation strengthened. His near-death battle had also provided valuable insights—he replayed each moment in his mind, analyzing his mistakes, weaknesses, and areas that needed improvement.

By the end of the week, the pain had faded, and his movements felt lighter than before.

He clenched his fists, feeling the renewed energy flowing through his body.

"I've recovered."

And with that, Luo Zheng was ready for what lay ahead.

After spending a week in seclusion, Luo Zheng stepped outside his chamber, breathing in the fresh air of the White Tiger Clan's compound. His body felt lighter, stronger, and more refined than before. The wounds from his battle in the forest had healed completely, leaving only a few faint scars as reminders of the fight.

As he walked through the courtyard, admiring the architecture of the clan estate, Bai Xue approached him.

"You've recovered faster than expected," she noted, her piercing blue eyes scanning him.

Luo Zheng nodded. "The pills you gave me were effective. I feel stronger than before."

Bai Xue gave a small smile. "That's good. However, the road ahead won't get any easier. Strength alone won't be enough. You need to understand the world you've stepped into."

Luo Zheng raised an eyebrow. "What do you mean?"

She gestured for him to follow. As they walked along the stone pathways of the White Tiger Clan's sprawling estate, she began explaining.

"Our White Tiger Clan is one of the three major clans in this region. But we are not the strongest."

Luo Zheng listened carefully.

There is another clan, the Black Tiger Clan. Their bloodline is similar to ours, but they are known for being more ruthless and aggressive. Unlike us, who follow a structured hierarchy and honor-based system, the Black Tiger Clan values strength above all else. They are stronger than us in terms of raw power, but they lack discipline."

Luo Zheng frowned slightly. "So they believe only in survival of the fittest?"

Bai Xue nodded. "Exactly. If one of their own is weak, they will cast them aside or even eliminate them. They are stronger than us, but their internal conflicts weaken them at times. Still, they remain a threat."

Luo Zheng absorbed this information before asking, "And the third clan?"

That would be the Panther Clan. They are slightly weaker than us, but they excel in stealth and assassination techniques. Unlike the Black Tiger Clan, they do not rely on brute force. Instead, they strike when least expected. Their warriors are trained to move in shadows, and they are known for their precision in battle."

Luo Zheng thought for a moment before asking, "So the balance of power between these three clans is constantly shifting?"

Bai Xue nodded again. "Yes, but there is one more force above all of us. The Thunder Bird Clan."

Luo Zheng's eyes narrowed slightly. "The most powerful of the four?"

Yes," Bai Xue confirmed. "The Thunder Bird Clan is unmatched in both martial strength and ancient techniques. Unlike the other clans, they possess a unique ability—they can harness the power of lightning. Their warriors can move at terrifying speeds and unleash devastating thunder-based techniques. It is said that their clan descends from a divine beast, the Thunder Bird."

Luo Zheng could tell that Bai Xue spoke with a mix of respect and caution about this clan.

"So, they rule over the other three?" Luo Zheng asked.

Bai Xue gave a small shake of her head. "Not exactly. They do not seek control, but their strength ensures that no other clan dares to challenge them. If a war were to break out

between the White Tiger, Black Tiger, and Panther Clans, the Thunder Bird Clan would be the deciding force."

Luo Zheng let out a slow breath.

This world was far bigger than he had imagined.

As they continued walking, Bai Xue led Luo Zheng toward a training ground where warriors of the White Tiger Clan practiced their techniques. The sounds of battle echoed through the air—young disciples sparred with each other, their weapons clashing in rapid strikes.

"But there is more you should know," Bai Xue continued. "The White Tiger Clan has two smaller clans under its protection."

Luo Zheng turned to her, intrigued.

"The Snow Fang Clan and the Iron Claw Clan."

"The Snow Fang Clan specializes in ice-based techniques," Bai Xue explained. "Their warriors are not as physically strong as the White Tiger 

Clan, but they are skilled in using frost energy to enhance their attacks. They serve as scouts and support fighters for our main clan."

"And the Iron Claw Clan?" Luo Zheng asked.

"They are known for their physical endurance and brute strength. Their warriors train their bodies to withstand incredible damage, and their combat style focuses on overwhelming force. They are often placed in frontline battles."

Luo Zheng took in all this information carefully.

"So the White Tiger Clan isn't just a single clan. It's an alliance," he observed.

Bai Xue nodded. "Yes. We are united under one name, but each group has its own specialty. That is why we have managed to hold our ground against the Black Tiger Clan despite their superior numbers."

Luo Zheng could see now—this wasn't just a simple clan. This was a structured force, with strengths and weaknesses.

After learning about the power struggles between the clans, Luo Zheng decided to stay in the White Tiger Clan for a few more days.

During this time, he observed their training methods, watched their warriors spar, and even practiced alongside them.

His injuries had healed, but his battle with the Crimson Blade Tiger had shown him that he needed to increase his strength.

One day, Bai Xue approached him again. "You've been watching us train," she noted. "Would you like to test yourself?"

Luo Zheng smirked slightly. "I was waiting for an opportunity."

Bai Xue gestured toward an open sparring ground. Several White Tiger disciples gathered, interested in seeing this outsider in action.

One of the senior disciples, a muscular young man with a scar across his cheek, stepped forward. "I'll be your opponent."

Luo Zheng stretched his arms, feeling his energy surge.

He had survived the dangers of the Hamiana Forest. He had faced near-death and come out stronger.