Divine Mirror – Jiang Chen's Cliff
Jiang Chen leaned forward, eyes narrowing.
The Divine Observation Mirror shimmered strangely—its surface rippling as if disturbed by an unseen hand. For a brief moment, the image of Hidden Mist Island blurred. Colors melted, the light dimmed, and a faint hiss echoed through the artifact's core.
His fingers hovered near the mirror's control rune. But after a pause, he retracted his hand.
"Probably a spiritual wavelength disturbance," he muttered, reclining back with a stretch. "This mortal realm, Ambram… its Heaven and Earth qi structure is fragile. These things happen."
He poured another cup of tea, uninterested.
"What could possibly go wrong down here, anyway?"
The mirror stabilized. Still, something faintly primal lingered in the background of its light, as though the island itself had exhaled for the first time in centuries.
---
Hidden Mist Island — The Awakening
Bai Tian Long sat motionless beneath a half-moon sky, the mist parting around him like it feared his breath.
Before him floated a translucent system screen, crystalline in design and laced with intricate golden lines. A text line blinked in ethereal rhythm:
[System Initialization Complete]
[System Classification: Evolving Interface]
[Available Module: Beast-Taming System (Locked Modules: ??)]
He blinked once, breath tight in his chest.
A line shimmered into place.
[Beginner's Gift Pack Available. Would you like to open it?]
His heart pounded.
A Beast-Taming System?
Bai Tian Long's fingers trembled. He had read of talents, seen clans rejoice when someone awakened a gift—some rare, some forgotten. But talents were common, at least in the larger cultivation world. Most people awakened them without even realizing. Some were born with innate sword affinity, others with spiritual qi attunement, flame bodies, or soul resonance.
But this...
"Beast-Taming Talent...?"
He swallowed hard.
That's different. That's... sacred.
In the world of cultivation, Imperial Beast-Tamers stood as a class of their own. Their power came not from sheer spiritual root dominance or martial training—but from forging a connection with the most ancient bloodlines of the natural world.
And to awaken a Beast-Taming Talent, one needed to be chosen by fate. There were only two methods:
Self-Awakening: a legendary rarity
Beast-Awakening Ceremony: a ritual known only to elite sects, divine clans, or imperial courts
"The system... can bypass all of that?"
His hands clenched. The implications were immense. Once a Beast-Taming Talent was awakened, a Beast-Taming Space would also form—instantly revealing the domain of one's beast affinity. It wasn't just a skill.
It was an identity.
With this… I could finally learn martial techniques… and maybe even awaken a spiritual root.
The thought struck like thunder. The idea of cultivation—once closed to him—no longer seemed like a cruel fantasy.
He whispered:
"Open the Beginner's Gift Pack."
---
The Light Within
The system screen pulsed once.
A glowing gift icon manifested at its center, sealed by runes. With a soft chime, the icon burst open.
A flare of light exploded outward.
One. Two. Three beams of light.
Then came a fourth surge, not a beam but a mighty and long spiritual spurt, like a celestial breath pouring from the heavens into his body.
Bai Tian Long gasped as the lights struck him in sequence:
The first entered his chest, diving straight into his heart
The second wrapped around his head like a crown
The third coiled into his spine
And the fourth? It sank into his soul
His entire body lit up from within.
In the background, other lights remained hovering in the system screen—waiting, watching, sealed for a later time.
He could feel something forming—an invisible space behind his spiritual perception.
His breathing slowed. His hands gripped the dirt.
A voice echoed from within the system:
> [Beast-Taming Talent Awakening: In Progress...]
[Analyzing Host Compatibility...]
[Synchronizing Beast-Will Signature...]
Then the screen changed again.
> [Talent Awakening Complete]
• First Talent Unlocked: Past Life Unique Talent — Split Soul Avatar (F-Rank, Evolvable)
A unique but initially weak talent carried over from a previous life. Begins at the lowest mortal grade—F-Rank—only useful for some martial artists and early Qi Condensation cultivators. However, as an Initiate Talent, it has the potential to evolve endlessly beyond its origin.
• Second Talent Unlocked: This Life Soul Talent — Beast-Taming Talent: Space Strengthening (S-Rank)
A supreme beast-taming gift that strengthens the user's beast space. Effects: doubles the number of contracts, doubles the cultivation and training rate of all contracted beasts. Rated S-Rank, it is one of the strongest known beast-space talents.
• Third Talent Granted: System Talent — Eye of Knowledge (S-Rank)
A system-bound divine ability. Enables analysis of cultivation techniques, bloodlines, beasts, and artifacts. Evolves with host's cultivation or through special triggers. Also an Initiate Talent granted directly by the system.
[All Talents Have Been Awakened as Initiate Talents]
The screen paused for emphasis.
[Note: Initiate Talents differ from Acquired Talents.]
Acquired Talents: Usually awakened artificially or by inheritance. May only achieve 70–90% effectiveness. Even geniuses must struggle to reach 100%.
Initiate Talents: Awaken naturally or by destiny. Start stronger, evolve easier, and grow beyond standard limits with less resource strain.
[Host is now classified as an Initiate Awakener.]
[Stabilizing Beast-Taming Space...]
[Reinforcing Host's Body and Soul for Talent Integration...]
[Boosting Future Aptitude... Complete]
Bai Tian Long's body surged with warmth as the fourth spiritual surge settled deep into his dantian and soul. His thoughts cleared. His breath became deeper.
He was no longer a bystander in the world of cultivation.
So this... is the beginning of everything.
---
Immortal dimension (2nd dimension)
In a realm far above the Hidden Mist Island, within the Second Dimension, known as the Immortal Dimension, sacred clouds billowed around a mountain estate. Within a training ground enclosed by celestial barriers, three figures were cultivating.
Bai Tianhao, the eldest, stood tall and calm, his aura balanced like a drawn blade. Beside him, Bai Tianwu, pulsing with a fiery rhythm of thunder and flame, practiced martial techniques intertwined with alchemical discipline. Not far away, a giggling child with midnight hair and bright, curious eyes played with drifting spiritual butterflies — the youngest, Bai Tianfeng, now only seven or eight years old.
A ripple tore through the space.
Wu Lin, the Saint-Fighting Monkey, stepped through a portal, his tail flicking and his aura wild yet restrained.
"Yo! Training hard, I see. Good. You'll need it."
The three turned, surprised but not afraid.
Wu Lin grinned, slinging a spatial orb over his shoulder. He tapped it, and three glowing beast eggs appeared, humming with ancient power.
"Time to fulfill a promise. These aren't just beasts — they're bloodline companions. Each one holds an 8-step potential... if you raise them right."
He tossed the first to Bai Tianhao.
"You, sword-prodigy. That's the Saint Spirit Sword Ape — born with natural sword intent. Perfect for you — both sparring partner and comrade-in-arms."
The second floated to Bai Tianwu.
"You've got lightning in your veins and alchemy in your bones. Take the Thunderfire Ape — fierce, intelligent, and with both thunder and fire affinity. It may evolve into an 8-step being one day."
Finally, the last gently settled near Bai Tianfeng.
"And for the little one... the Yin Soul Ape. A guardian beast with mastery over illusion and yin energy. It'll protect her when words and walls can't."
The children looked on, awe shimmering in their eyes.
Wu Lin smiled faintly.
"Your brother's path has begun. Now it's time you prepare for yours."
He looked toward Bai Tianfeng, the little girl now clutching the beast egg gently.
"Would you like to go see your brother, little one? I can take you."
She blinked, stunned. Her expression trembled.
"I... I want to wait until I'm strong too. I want to stand beside him."
Wu Lin nodded solemnly. "That is noble. But even heroes need reminders of what they fight for."
Bai Tianfeng hesitated, then finally looked up with glistening eyes and nodded.
"Okay... Take me to him. Just for a little while. I want to see him. I have only seen him and father in panting (potrait)"
The Saint-Fighting Monkey gave a warm grin, reaching out to tousle her hair.
Meanwhile, Bai Tianhao sheathed his sword and crossed his arms.
"Tell Tian Long... we're waiting. Let him climb with his own feet. I believe in him."
Bai Tianwu nodded, eyes burning with quiet confidence.
"Yeah. We'll be here when he rises to the Immortal Realm. He won't be alone when he arrives."
The clouds above shimmered like a waiting sky.
Their bond, though stretched across dimensions, pulsed stronger than ever.
---
From inside a majestic palace on the peak Tian fang see's the unfolding scene but allows wu lin to take xiao feng , as she doesn't want her to not meet her father and elder brother for decades.
At the same time her eyes showed longing both for her husband and son.
---
To be continued...