Deep within the forest, where sunlight only reached as faint beams dancing between the trees, the soldiers continued their training with fervent intensity. But one of them returned in a rush, breathless.
"Sir! We found a cave... but there's a beast! A powerful and terrifying aura!"
Jun Mo Xie's eyes gleamed. He had felt for days that the forest hid something unusual. He ordered the soldiers to hold their positions and advanced alone toward the cave.
The entrance was half-hidden behind a curtain of entwined trees, exuding an eerie aura. He stepped forward steadily, his hand gripping his sword, all senses on high alert. The air grew denser with each step, thick with spiritual pressure that seemed to test his resolve.
The moment he entered, he was engulfed by a strange chill, not from the air—but from spiritual energy that vibrated with ancient intent.
The place resembled an abandoned temple carved into the mountain. And at its heart, he saw her.
Lying on a stone slab, clothed in torn silk remnants, her skin pale as moonlight, her silver hair cascading like a waterfall, and dried blood on her arm and abdomen.
But what caught his attention most was the aura—undeniably non-human.
He approached cautiously. She was breathing—barely.
As she opened her eyes, she whispered, "You... are from another world..."
He inhaled sharply. This wasn't coincidence. She wasn't human, but a manifested spirit beast. And her consciousness hadn't faded despite her injuries.
He pulled out a healing potion and gave it to her, watching her drink it slowly.
"My name... is Liu Lin..." she whispered minutes later.
The Past of the Fourth Heroine: Liu Lin
Two centuries ago, Liu Lin was known as the "White Moon Spirit," one of the most revered spiritual beings in the Eternal Mist Forest. She preserved balance among creatures and blessed the weak. But the Black Calamity Clan sought to exploit her power.
They used forbidden rituals and surrounded her, aiming to fuse her into a spell to create an eternal energy source. She resisted until her last breath—but they captured her.
For decades, her energy was drained, her mind deteriorating... until a young disciple named Luo Jin freed her, sacrificing his life.
She hid in this cave for over fifty years... until Jun Mo Xie arrived.
Her heart still ached from the betrayal, her body bore scars not just of battle but of spiritual torment. She had sworn to never trust another human again—until his aura touched her senses with something alien, something... sincere.
Return to Camp
Jun emerged from the cave carrying Liu Lin in his arms. The soldiers bowed in silence, though their eyes were full of questions.
He ordered them to set up a medical tent and placed her inside, staying beside her to monitor her condition.
That evening, the three heroines gathered.
Lin Ar murmured: "Who is she? Why is he treating her so gently?"
Xiao Ning said coldly: "His aura shook when he touched her. She's not human."
Rina muttered: "As long as he's safe, I don't care who she is."
Jun exited the tent and said, "She is an ancient spirit beast and will be part of our plan once she recovers."
Beginning the Special Training
The next day, Jun assembled his top 1,000 soldiers.
"From now on, each week, those who pass the tests of strength will receive one pill."
He raised a bottle containing energy pills. "This pill equals ten years of internal energy."
The soldiers roared with enthusiasm, and intensive training resumed. Each man and woman knew the value of such a gift—it could elevate them beyond their current realms.
He also ordered them to gather medicinal herbs and explore the camp's surroundings.
Private Meeting with Liu Lin
That night, Jun sat near her tent.
"Your power hasn't fully returned, but you're unlike anything I've seen."
She looked at him and said, "Your scent resembles the heavens... You're not from this world."
She approached slowly and touched his chest.
"When I recover, I will give you a Soul Contract."
His body trembled. A Soul Contract? That wasn't a jest. It meant eternal loyalty—even shared energy and fate. He realized that this alliance might be more than mere survival—it might alter his destiny.
Soldiers and Herb Discovery
In the following days, soldiers gathered rare herbs. Some were attacked by beasts, but their experience grew quickly. Each encounter refined their instincts and combat strategies.
One discovered a patch of "Shadowblood Flower," a rare plant Jun used for pill crafting.
He began applying the cultivation techniques he had written previously. The results were astonishing—some broke through bottlenecks in just a week.
A Scene Among the Heroines
During pill distribution, Lin Ar approached Jun and handed him a small necklace.
"Made from Blue Dragon Bone... protects you from dark energy."
He smiled and said, "Thank you."
But Xiao Ning, watching from afar, suddenly approached and grabbed his hand in front of everyone.
"You promised I'd never lose my place, no matter who joins us, right?"
He replied calmly, "Your place in my heart doesn't change."
Rina sighed from a distance, "You fool... you've gathered ticking time bombs."
Liu Lin's First Trial
After a week of rest, Liu Lin emerged from her tent, radiating a soft spiritual aura. Her eyes, once tired, now held a deep, ancient clarity.
She requested to join the soldier training—to Jun's surprise.
He assigned her a unit of fifty soldiers. In just two hours, she showed them the true meaning of spiritual energy control. She moved like a dancer, and every step created ripples in the soldiers' auras.
Her voice was like a song of guidance. "Flow with your breath. Do not control the energy—let it dance with you."
One exclaimed, "We've shattered limits in just a day!"
Jun smiled inwardly, "The real revolution has begun."
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End of Chapter Fourteen
In the next chapter:
A new secret in the forest threatens the temporary peace.
A surprising development in the soul contract between Jun and Liu Lin.
Rising tension between the heroin
es.
And one looming question:
> Can a beast truly become a protector of humans? Or do the shadows still hide other intentions?