2 chapter 2 : care

There was a cacophonous sound as two formidable creatures engaged in a display of their power. One of them was an immense elephantine creature, adorned with large tusks and covered in brown fur. The other was a black panther, distinguished by its purple eyes and sharp white fangs.

Although the elephant appeared to be significantly larger than the panther, upon closer inspection, it became evident that the elephant was at a disadvantage. The elephant utilized its second-grade superior stage Qi to enhance the speed of its tusks in an attempt to attack the panther. However, the panther effortlessly evaded the elephant's advances.

After skillfully maneuvering around the elephant a few more times, the panther, sensing the elephant's fatigue, launched an attack using its fourth-grade lower stage Qi, employing its claws. The elephant exerted all its efforts to resist, but due to its bulky physique and lower cultivation grade, it was unable to mount any effective defense and succumbed to its demise.

Following the elephant's demise, the panther carried its lifeless body to its den. As it entered the den, it observed the baby panthers playfully interacting with one another. One of them playfully bit another's tail, while another chased after its sibling's belly. Each of the panthers possessed distinct features.

One of the panthers had a white stripe along its spine and purple eyes. This panther was the eldest among the siblings. Another panther stood out due to a stripe on its eye, accompanied by purple eyes. Upon closer examination, it became apparent that this panther was female, and she was the youngest among the siblings. Additionally, the middle child exhibited a white stripe in the center of its forehead, resembling an eye, along with vibrant purple eyes.

All three offspring inherited the stripe from their father and the eyes from their mother. As they eagerly awaited their meal for the day, their mother called out to them, urging them to come and eat. The cubs swiftly ran towards their mother. She had to guide them close to the elephant's carcass so they could begin their meal. After ensuring that everything was in order, she too began to partake in the feast.

Observing her cubs devouring their meal, the mother panther pondered, "It has been approximately a month since their birth, yet they do not seem to be growing at all."Living in the midst of a dense forest where formidable high-grade beasts roam, one cannot be certain of their safety. Although only a few second or third-grade Qi beasts are present in the middle of the forest, the higher-level beasts reside in the inner zone.

The mother panther expressed concern, stating, "There has been a significant increase in activity within the inner zone, indicating a potential clash among higher-grade Qi beasts with territorial disputes."

The thought of her and her offspring stumbling into such a conflict weighed heavily on her mind. It would undoubtedly pose a great challenge for her to protect her young ones.

Despite this, the mother panther contemplated, "If you were here, it would have been much easier to care for our children. However, I am prepared to confront any adversaries, be it demons, humans, beasts, or even the world itself. I will fight until my last breath."

(As this is my first attempt at writing, I acknowledge that there may be room for improvement. Nevertheless, I will strive to deliver an engaging story.)

To be continued—good night.