Dawn had barely broken over Mount Yun. The storm clouds that gathered through the night were finally beginning to disperse, leaving streaks of pale gold sunlight across the mountain peaks.
Most disciples of the Silent Heavens Sect had already begun their morning routines. Some practiced sword techniques. Others meditated to absorb the morning's spiritual Qi.
To them the night's storm had been strange, but not alarming. But deep within the mountain forest below the sect— Something had awakened.
Inside the abandoned Sky Meditation Pavilion, Lin Aether slowly sat up. Every muscle in his body ached. His meridians still felt like they were buzzing with electricity.
Mei Yue hovered nearby, observing him silently. Lin groaned and stretched his arms. "Remind me again why lightning cultivation was the best idea?"
"Because you would not survive ordinary cultivation."
"That's reassuring." He looked down at his hands. For the first time in his life, he could actually feel spiritual energy flowing through his body. Not much, but it was real.
He clenched his fist. A tiny spark of blue lightning flickered across his fingers. His eyes widened, "...Did I just do that?"
Mei nodded. "Lightning Qi. The foundation of the Silent Thunder Manual."
Lin couldn't stop smiling. For five years he had been the weakest disciple in the sect. Now— He finally had power, even if it was small. But Mei's expression remained serious. "You should not celebrate yet."
Lin frowned. "That sounds familiar."
She pointed toward the forest below the mountain. "Something felt your cultivation last night."
Lin raised an eyebrow. "Something?"
Before Mei could answer—
A distant howl echoed across the valley. The sound was low, deep and filled with crackling electricity.
Lin froze. "...Was that a wolf?"
Mei's eyes narrowed. "No. That was a spirit beast."
Far below the sect, the forest trembled. Birds burst into the sky in panic. Branches snapped as something massive moved through the trees.
Blue lightning flickered between the trunks. A pair of glowing eyes appeared in the darkness. The creature that stepped forward was enormous, nearly the size of a horse. Its fur was dark silver, streaked with veins of glowing lightning. Electric sparks danced along its claws.
This was no ordinary animal, it was a Stormfang Wolf. A rare lightning-aligned spirit beast born from thunderstorms and mountain Qi.
Normally these creatures lived deep within remote valleys. But something had disturbed it, something familiar.
Lightning.
Back in the pavilion, Lin rubbed his neck nervously. "So... spirit beasts. They're strong right?"
Mei looked unimpressed. "Extremely." Lin blinked. "How extremely are we talking?"
"At your current cultivation level?" She paused. "It could kill you in seconds."
Lin slowly stood up. "...Great."
The howl came again, this time closer. Branches snapped somewhere down the mountain. Lin stared toward the forest.
"Tell me its not coming here."
Mei gave him a small smile. "Oh, it is absolutely coming here."
Lin sighed. "Of course it is."
Within minutes, several disciples in the sect courtyard also heard the howls. One of them frowned. "That sounds like a spirit beast." Another disciple paled slightly. "From the lower forest?" A senior disciple shook his head. "This shouldn't happen. Spirit beast rarely approach the sect."
But the ground beneath their feet trembled slightly. Something big was climbing the mountain.
Lin stood near the edge of the pavilion cliff. From there he could see the dense forest below.
For a moment, everything was quiet. Then— A massive shape burst through the trees.
The Stormfang Wolf leapt onto a rocky ledge halfway up the mountain. Its glowing blue eyes locked onto Lin instantly. Lightning crackled across its fur.
Lin pointed at it. "...I think it found me." Mei floated beside him. "Yes." Lin gulped. "And?"
"You should run."
The wolf howled again. Its body crouched low, then it leapt upward with terrifying speed. The distance between them vanished instantly. Lin barely had time to react. "RUN!"
He dove sideways as the wolf crashed into the pavilion. Stone pillars shattered, lightning exploded across the floor.
Lin rolled across the ground and scrambled to his feet. The wolf turned slowly toward him. Its glowing eyes studied him carefully.
Lin raised his hands defensively. "Okay... Nice wolf..."
Another spark of lightning flickered across Lin's fingers. The wolf's ears twitched, its eyes narrowed. It could sense the same lightning energy within him. The same energy that had awakened it.
Mei watched silently. "Interesting..." Lin whispered urgently. "Interesting how?!"
"The wolf is not attacking immediately."
Lin blinked. "That's good, right?"
"Perhaps."
The wolf stepped closer. Lin felt the lightning Qi in his body react. The sparks on his fingers grew slightly brighter.
For several seconds—Human and beast stared at each other. Then the wolf tilted its head slightly, as if recognizing something.
Mei spoke quietly. "Spirit beasts sometimes bond with cultivators who share their elemental affinity."
Lin looked at her. "You're saying—"
The wolf suddenly lunged forward. Lin screamed. "—OR NOT!" He jumped backward as the wolf slammed its claws into the ground where he had been standing. Lightning exploded across the stone floor again.
Lin rolled to the side and barely avoided another swipe. "Any helpful advice?!"
Mei answered calmly. "Survive." Lin gritted his teeth. "Fantastic advice!"
The wolf leapt again—But this time Lin reacted. He raised his hand instinctively. The lightning Qi inside his body surged. A small bolt of blue electricity burst from his palm.
It struck the wolf directly. The impact wasn't strong, but it surprised the beast enough to make it stop. Both of them froze.
The wolf stared at Lin again. This time more curiously than aggressively.
Mei smiled faintly. "Now that is interesting." Lin was still breathing heavily. "What?"
"The wolf did not retaliate." She studied the beast carefully. "I believe... It recognizes your lightning Qi."
The Stormfang Wolf slowly lowered its head. Its glowing eyes remained fixed on Lin.
The tension in the air slowly faded. Lin cautiously lowered his hands. "...Are we friends now?" The wolf snorted. A small spark of lightning flickered from its nose.
Mei chuckled softly. "It seems you may have just attracted your first spirit beast companion."
Lin stared at the enormous lightning wolf. "...I was hoping for something smaller." The wolf sat down in front of him. Like a mountain made of thunder. Lin sighed.
Far away, within the distant mountains near the Jade River Sect, Su Lian stood on a cliff once more. Her sword trembled again.
This time—The wind carried something new. The aura of a spirit beast and lightning. Her eyes narrowed slightly. "The storm... is changing."
Whatever had awakened near Mount Yun— It was growing stronger. And somehow— She felt certain she would meet it soon.