Chapter 115: The Primal Awakening
The forest training clearing pulsed with a raw, untamed energy,
a wide expanse encircled by ancient trees, their gnarled branches clawing at the sky like skeletal fingers,
the air thick with the earthy scent of moss, the faint metallic tang of sweat, and a whisper of danger that hung like a shroud,
sunlight filtering through in dappled patches, casting a shifting mosaic of light and shadow across the trampled ground.
Lin Xuan stood at the center, his cultivation sealed,
his black eyes faintly glowing with white pupils—already alight with the eerie precision of primal instinct,
the Celestial Unity Crest on his back dormant, a silent testament to his choice to forge his path through raw instinct alone,
his body a scarred yet resilient frame, every mark a story of weeks spent battling the beasts' relentless trials.
The training had escalated to a fever pitch,
the beasts—Yinlong the Silent Fang, Xiongdi the Ironhide, Yuanmo the Stonefist, Huli the Swift Claw, and Xiangzun the Earthshaker—pushing him beyond what he thought possible,
their growls and rumbles a constant symphony of challenge, their eyes gleaming with a mix of respect and expectation,
as he mastered beast-inspired techniques with a ghostly fluidity that surprised even himself.
One afternoon, during a grueling session that tested his limits,
Xiangzun the Earthshaker lumbered forward, its massive form casting a looming shadow that swallowed the sunlight,
and with a deliberate thud, the elephant sat on Lin Xuan's back, its weight a crushing force pinning him to the earth,
the ground beneath him groaning under the strain, the air growing heavy with the scent of crushed grass.
His muscles tensed, breath catching in his throat as the immense pressure bore down,
a sharp pain shooting through his spine, but instinct surged like a tidal wave,
and he began Heaven-Pressing Stance, his arms trembling as he pressed the earth beneath his palms,
counting aloud in a strained, defiant voice that echoed through the clearing,
"1… 2… 3… 4…"
The beasts watched, their breaths held, as he pushed through the pain,
his mind a battlefield of focus and fatigue, each number a victory over his breaking body,
"1998… 1999… 2,000!"
With a triumphant gasp that tore from his lungs, he collapsed, chest heaving, sweat and dirt mingling in streaks across his face,
the elephant stepping off with a gentle trumpet, its trunk swaying in approval, the clearing echoing with his ragged breaths,
a faint smile tugging at his lips as he lay there, pride mingling with exhaustion.
Days later, a profound shift coursed through him,
an internal fire erupting like a volcano within, his body burning as if consumed by a primal inferno,
his black eyes flaring with a faint green glow, the pupils intensifying with an otherworldly light that pulsed with his heartbeat,
a chilling aura radiating from his skin, distorting the air like a mirage as True Primal Instinct seized control.
Instinct escalated beyond his grasp, his body moving autonomously with a will of its own,
he struck Yuanmo the Stonefist with a Kyokushin Karate punch, the impact a resounding crack that reverberated through the trees,
the gorilla stumbling back eight steps, its massive frame shaking, while Lin Xuan retreated only five,
his Celestial Glide footwork weaving with supernatural grace, a dance of instinct over reason.
The blur intensified, a whirlwind of motion overtaking him,
defeating Yuanmo with a flurry of strikes that left the gorilla dazed,
then turning on Yinlong, his movements a ghostly dance, each blow a testament to his unleashed primal core,
the clearing reverberating with thuds and growls as the wolf struggled to keep pace.
Exhausted beyond measure, he collapsed with a heavy thud,
his green-glowing eyes fading to black, breath shallow and uneven as he lay sprawled on the dirt,
his mind a haze of fading awareness, the last thought a whisper: Did I go too far?
The beasts circled him, their expressions a complex tapestry of alarm, awe, and confusion,
their growls a low hum of concern that filled the air with tension.
Yinlong stepped forward, its golden eyes wide with shock,
its voice a trembling rumble in beast tongue that carried a note of urgency.
"What happened to you, Lin Xuan?
Your power… it was like a storm unleashed, a force we couldn't predict!"
Before he could muster a response, darkness claimed him,
his consciousness slipping away like sand through his fingers,
the beasts exchanging worried murmurs, their massive forms shifting uneasily,
the air growing thick with the weight of the unknown.
Suddenly, a pressure descended like a tidal wave, staggering the beasts,
a raven-haired girl appearing as if woven from the shadows, her presence both commanding and serene,
her dark hair cascading like a midnight waterfall, eyes glinting with a knowing warmth that softened her authority.
"Whoops, my apologies," she said sweetly in fluent beast tongue, her voice lilting with a disarming charm,
releasing the pressure with a gentle flourish of her hand, the beasts regaining their footing with relieved grunts,
their eyes darting between her and the fallen Lin Xuan.
"I am Anika, Lin Xuan's wife.
He lost control—his True Primal Instinct took over."
The beasts recoiled, Xiongdi's low growl cutting through the air like a blade,
its massive frame tensing as it spoke.
"His wife? A human speaking our tongue?
Explain this, Anika—what is this power that shook us?"
She smiled, kneeling beside Lin Xuan, her touch tender as she brushed hair from his sweat-streaked face,
her fingers lingering as if to anchor him to the world.
"Xuan-er has been in Primal Instinct for some time now—
a state where his body fights autonomously, with perfect reflexes and adaptive flow,
dodging attacks he shouldn't perceive, countering with precision beyond conscious thought.
It's triggered by danger or emptiness, a fleeting gift that drains him when it fades.
What you saw today was True Primal Instinct—its rare evolution.
When he loses control, his primal core unleashes fully—those green-glowing pupils and that chilling aura mark it.
It amplifies his strength and speed to a terrifying degree, but it's unpredictable and leaves him vulnerable after."
Huli tilted its head, its tail flicking with a swish,
its voice a curious purr that danced on the edge of reverence.
"He moved like a ghost, untouchable… is this his true strength, then?"
Anika nodded, her gaze softening as she cradled Lin Xuan's head in her lap,
her voice a quiet strength amidst the beasts' scrutiny.
"Yes. It's his spirit fighting to survive, even when his mind can't hold the reins.
He'll need some time to recover—his body's been pushed to the brink, and his spirit needs to settle."
Yuanmo rubbed its chest, still feeling the punch's lingering echo,
its gravelly hum laced with a grudging respect that rumbled through the clearing.
"He nearly felled me… yet he held back, even in that frenzy.
This power—is it a gift to cherish or a curse to fear?"
Anika's expression grew thoughtful, her voice steady as she met their gazes.
"Both. It's a gift when he masters it, a curse when it masters him.
He's learning, step by step, and we'll guide him through the storm—together."
Xiangzun trumpeted softly, its trunk curling with a gentle sway that carried a note of approval,
its deep voice resonating with the earth itself.
"He's earned our trust. His will is unbreakable—let him rest under our watch."
Yinlong lowered its head, its eyes warm with a newfound respect that softened its rugged features,
its voice a gentle rumble.
"We'll guard him, Anika. Your bond with him… it's a strength we honor, a rare light in this wild."
The clearing grew quiet, the beasts forming a protective circle around the pair,
Anika stroking Lin Xuan's hair with a soothing rhythm, her presence a calming anchor amidst the tension,
the air lightening with the scent of pine and the fragile threads of a growing alliance.
As night fell, they moved to an open space under the stars,
the sky a vast tapestry of twinkling lights piercing the forest canopy,
each star a silent witness to the trials below, the air cool against their skin,
Lin Xuan resting on Anika's lap, his breathing steadying with each passing moment,
the faint rise and fall of his chest a sign of life returning.
Her whisper broke the stillness, a soft vow that carried on the breeze,
"I will always be with you, husband.
Rest now—your strength will rise again, stronger than before."
Lin Xuan stirred faintly, a weak murmur escaping his lips, his voice a thread of sound,
"Anika… you're here…"
She smiled, her voice a gentle lullaby that wove through the night,
a promise etched in every word,
"Always, Xuan'er. We'll face the threats together—whatever comes our way."
The stars wheeled overhead,
the air carrying the faint rustle of leaves and the weight of destiny,
a quiet moment of respite before the storm,
their bond a beacon in the wild unknown.