1 Chapter 1: The Dark Wolf

In the quaint village of Huolong, amidst the whispers of ancient spirits and the rustle of bamboo leaves, a joyous celebration was taking place. The village head, Huolong Jun, had been blessed with two sons, a rare and auspicious occurrence in their lineage. He stood tall, his words carrying the weight of tradition and hope.

"I am destined to have two sons," he declared, his voice resonating with certainty. "May they become the pillars of our lineage, upholding the honor of our ancestors for generations to come."

Gratitude swelled in his heart as he acknowledged the unity of the villagers, their collective strength a testament to their shared heritage. With solemn reverence, he bestowed upon his sons their names, Taijun and Haijun, each chosen with care to reflect their distinct qualities.

Taijun, with hair as dark as the night sky, embodied resilience and determination, while Haijun, his locks kissed by the sun's gentle rays, symbolized warmth and vitality. As the village echoed with the promise of their futures, Huolong Jun offered a silent prayer for their prosperity and the enduring legacy of their family.

Ten years had flown by since that auspicious day, and the brothers had grown into lively and adventurous youths. They shared a close bond, always looking out for each other and supporting each other's dreams. Taijun aspired to become a powerful martial artist, while Haijun wished to explore the wonders of the world. They often spent their days roaming the nearby village.

One day, they encountered a peculiar creature known as the Spirit Chicken, a mere rank 1 spirit beast. It was a plump and fluffy bird, with colorful feathers and a red comb. It looked harmless and delicious, and Taijun's eyes gleamed with excitement as he spotted it, eager to make it their meal.

"Look, brother, a Spirit Chicken!" he exclaimed, pointing at the bird. "Let's catch it and roast it for dinner. It will be a feast!"

Haijun frowned, sensing something was off. He had heard stories about the Spirit Chicken, how it was a cunning and elusive beast that could lure unsuspecting hunters into traps. He also knew that their speed was no match for the bird, which could fly and run faster than them.

"Brother, I don't think that's a good idea," he warned, tugging at Taijun's sleeve. "The Spirit Chicken is not as simple as it looks. It might lead us into danger. And we're not fast enough to catch it anyway. Let's leave it alone and find something else."

Taijun shook his head, his determination unwavering. He was hungry, and the Spirit Chicken looked too tempting to resist. He ignored Haijun's warning, and his stomach rumbling with anticipation.

"Come on, brother, don't be a coward," he urged, his eyes fixed on the bird. "We can catch it if we work together. Trust me, it will be worth it. Think of the juicy meat and the crispy skin. It will be the best meal we ever had!"

Reluctantly, Haijun agreed, and they began their pursuit. The Spirit Chicken seemed to notice them, and it started to run away, making clucking noises. It darted through the trees, leaving a trail of feathers behind. The brothers followed it, hoping to corner it and catch it.

However, as they delved deeper into the forest, Haijun grew uneasy. He sensed a faint trace of danger, and he noticed that the Spirit Chicken was leading them further and further away from their familiar path. The forest became darker and denser, and the sounds of other spirit beasts became louder and more menacing.

"Brother, this isn't safe," he cautioned, looking around nervously. "We're too far from the village. We don't know what's in this forest. We should turn back before it's too late."

But Taijun's hunger drove them onward. He was too focused on the Spirit Chicken, which seemed to be within their reach. He dismissed Haijun's concern, and his confidence growing with every step.

"Don't worry, brother, we're almost there," he reassured, his voice full of excitement. "The Spirit Chicken can't run forever. We'll catch it soon, and then we'll have a feast. Just a little more, and we'll have it!"

For hours they chased the elusive Spirit Chicken, until finally, they found themselves deep within the perilous forest, far from the safety of their home. They had lost track of time and direction, and they had no idea where they were. They only knew that they had to catch the Spirit Chicken.

As they walked, they suddenly saw the Spirit Chicken in front of them, seemingly cornered by a large tree. It had stopped running, and it was sitting on a branch, looking at them with a smug expression. Taijun grinned triumphantly, and he dashed forward, ready to grab it.

"Ha, we got you now, you stupid bird!" he shouted, reaching out his hand. "You can't escape from us. Come here, and let us eat you!"

But before he could reach it, the Spirit Chicken transformed into a dark wolf, a rank 3 spirit beast. It was a fearsome creature, with black fur, red eyes, and sharp teeth. It snarled viciously, and it pounced on Taijun, who barely dodged its attack.

Haijun gasped, and his eyes widened with horror. He realized that they had fallen for the Spirit Chicken's trap, and that it was actually a Dark Wolf, capable of transforming into weaker spirit beasts to attract and hunt its prey. It was a cunning and ruthless beast, and they were its dinner.

"Brother, watch out!" he screamed, pulling Taijun away from the wolf. "It's not a Spirit Chicken, it's a Dark Wolf! It tricked us!"

The wolf growled, and it lunged at them again, its claws and fangs aiming for their throats. The brothers had no weapons or skills to fight it, and they were completely outmatched. They could only run for their lives, hoping to escape from its jaws.

Haijun tried to fend it off with a wooden stick, but it snapped it in half with its teeth. He threw stones and branches at it, but it dodged them with ease. He shouted for help, but no one answered. They were alone, and they were doomed.

They ran away, with the wolf chasing after them. Haijun lamented that they might die over a mere chicken, and Taijun apologized, blaming himself for the situation.

"Brother, I'm sorry, I'm sorry," he sobbed, tears streaming down his face. "This is all my fault. I shouldn't have chased the Spirit Chicken. I should have listened to you. I'm so sorry."

Haijun shook his head, and he hugged his brother. He forgave him, and he told him that he loved him. He knew that they might not make it, and he wanted to say his final words.

"Brother, don't be sorry, don't be sorry," he whispered, his voice trembling. "It's not your fault. You were just hungry. I love you, brother. I love you."

They held each other, and they prayed for a miracle. They hoped that someone would save them, that someone would hear their cries. They hoped that their father would come, that he would rescue them from the wolf.

Out of nowhere, a strong man showed up with a spear and swiftly took down the wolf with a single strike. It was their father, Huolong Jun, who had followed their tracks and sensed their danger. He scolded them for being reckless and foolish, and he questioned them why they had ventured into this forest.

"Father, father, you're here!" they exclaimed, running to his arms. "You saved us, you saved us!"

Huolong Jun hugged them, and he sighed with relief. He was glad that they were alive, and that he had arrived in time. He checked them for injuries, and he found none. He thanked the heavens for their mercy, and he cursed the wolf for its malice.

He looked at the dead wolf, and he recognized it as a Dark Wolf. He knew that it was a dangerous spirit beast, and that it had power to almost kill his sons. He explained to them what it was, and how it had deceived them.

"Ah, that's a Dark Wolf, capable of transforming into weaker spirit beasts to attract and hunt its prey," he said, pointing at the wolf. "It's a cunning and ruthless beast, and you're lucky I arrived in time. Don't come to this forest until you've mastered martial arts. It's full of dangers and traps, and you're not ready for them."

He then asked them what they were doing in the forest, and how they had ended up in this situation. Taijun apologized, explaining that they were trying to catch a Spirit Chicken, but it turned out to be a wolf and attacked them. He admitted that he had ignored Haijun's advice, and that he had been greedy and foolish.

Haijun nodded, confirming Taijun's story. He said that he had tried to stop him, but he had followed him anyway. He said that he had been scared and worried, and that he had hoped that their father would come.

Huolong Jun listened to their story, and he nodded. He understood their motives, and he felt their emotions.