The sky was clear that day, and a cool breeze drifted through the air.
Bai Ling invited Xiao Tian to take a walk through the small forest behind the estate. A narrow path wound its way through grassy hills and beside a gentle stream.
"Do you come here often?" Xiao Tian asked, following close behind.
"Of course! I love this place!" Bai Ling spun in the sunlight filtering through the trees."Father always says—nature is the first teacher of every martial cultivator!"
Xiao Tian watched her with a strange look—A warmth flickered in his chest… something unfamiliar, but not unpleasant.
But suddenly—A sharp, piercing cry rang out!
Rustle!
From a bush beside the path, a venomous snake shot out—so fast that neither child had time to react.
"Get down!"
Xiao Tian shouted instinctively, lunging forward to pull Bai Ling out of the way.In the same motion, his arm swept outward on reflex.
Fwoosh!
A pulse of force exploded from his palm.It wasn't wind—It wasn't a martial technique he had learned—But the snake was flung backwards, smashing into a tree with a loud crack.It slumped to the ground, unconscious.
The two children stood there, panting, wide-eyed.
After a moment, Bai Ling looked at him silently and asked—
"What… did you just do?"
Xiao Tian didn't answer.Because he didn't know.
But deep inside, a whisper echoed faintly:
"True power... responds in moments of crisis."
And that—Was the first time Xiao Tian had ever used his power… by pure instinct.