Chapter One: Full of Vigor

Shimu Village is situated within the towering peaks of the Cangmang Mountain Range, surrounded by lofty mountains and deep gorges, forming a vast expanse of majestic peaks.

In the early morning, the sunrise bathes the land in radiant hues, resembling scattered golden fragments, warmly embracing the inhabitants.

A group of children, ranging from four or five to their teens, totaling several dozen, stand in an open area before the village, facing the sunrise. They engage in vigorous exercises with fervor. Their tender faces are marked by earnest expressions, and the older children demonstrate movements with a fierce determination, while the younger ones imitate them with enthusiasm.

A middle-aged man with a robust physique akin to that of a tiger or leopard stands before the group, wearing a garment made of animal hide. His skin is the color of ancient bronze, and his tousled black hair frames his piercing, lively eyes that scrutinize every child as he imparts his guidance.

"As the sun rises and all things begin anew, life's essence is at its zenith. Though we may not dine on the morning glow and inhale the air as legends speak of, practicing in the dawn's glow is indeed beneficial. It replenishes the body with vitality. A successful day starts in the morning, with diligent exercise to strengthen muscles and bones, invigorate circulation, and cultivate resilience, giving us the means to survive in this treacherous Cangmang Mountain Range." The middle-aged man, leading the group of children, wears a stern expression, his serious tone a grave admonition. He then raises his voice and demands, "Do you understand?"

"Yes!" the children reply in unison, brimming with energy and conviction.

Within this mountainous region, prehistoric creatures roam freely, casting enormous shadows as their massive wings blot out the sky. Ferocious beasts stand atop peaks, baying at the moon, while venomous insects slither below, evoking terror.

"I understand, huh?" a toddler, who is obviously daydreaming and a little slow to respond, chimes in with a babyish voice.

This child is quite young, seemingly only around one or two years old. Having learned to walk only a few months ago, he is participating in the exercises alongside the older children. Clearly, he has taken it upon himself to join the group, mingling with those older than him, despite not yet having the proper age to be part of this team.

"Hehehe!" the little one laughs, his voice still milky and his actions showcasing an eagerness to imitate the older children's movements. However, due to his tender age, his actions are awkward and unsteady, his steps wobbly, all accentuated by the white milk stains lingering around his mouth, which elicit laughter from onlookers.

The older children exchange knowing glances and raise their eyebrows, alleviating the initially serious atmosphere of the morning exercises.

The little one possesses a fair and delicate appearance, with big, shiny eyes that gleam mischievously. His entire being resembles a porcelain doll, radiating cuteness. His naive actions, his incoherent baby-talk, and his endearing mannerisms inspire warmth. Even the older men, seated on giant stones nearby, who are concentrating on circulating their vital energy, can't help but smile.

The larger, burly figures of the fully grown men, bare-chested and radiating sinewy strength, direct their gaze as well. They are the most robust individuals in the village, the cornerstone of its hunting and defense forces. They are also participating in exercises, some wielding enormous bone clubs crafted from the remains of unknown colossal creatures, while others brandish broad black metal swords, their vigorous motions producing a thunderous sound.

Surviving in this harsh environment is a challenge. Predatory creatures and venomous insects abound. Many of the men perish prematurely in the dangerous wilderness while still young. To endure, strength becomes a necessity. Hence, the village follows a long-standing tradition of morning exercise, from the youngest to the oldest.

"Finish up!" the middle-aged man, in charge of supervising and instructing the children's exercises, shouts loudly. The children cheer and sigh in relief, massaging their sore limbs. Then, with enthusiastic laughter, they disperse, heading home for breakfast.

The elderly people smile, rising from their stone seats. The imposing adult men, who appear as robust as tigers, exchange playful banter, teasing their offspring. Equipped with bone clubs and broadswords, they stride purposefully toward their respective homes.

Shimu Village is not particularly large, with a population of over three hundred spanning various age groups. The houses are constructed from piled stones, reflecting a simple and harmonious connection to nature.

At the village entrance stands an enormous Thunderstrike Wood, with a diameter of more than ten meters. The sole remaining branch of the main trunk has lost its shimmer in the morning glow, appearing rather ordinary.

"Ah, there's actually some tuolong meat. Give me a piece!"

These children are lively and full of energy, not even sitting still during mealtime. Many of them bring their bowls from home to gather around.

The lush vegetation and abundant beasts of the surroundings provide them with limited food resources. The village's diet mainly consists of coarse wheat cakes, wild fruits, and a small amount of meat for the children.

In truth, food scarcity has always been a serious issue for Shimu Village. The mountainous terrain is fraught with danger, as monstrous beasts and venomous insects reign. Every hunting expedition carries the potential for casualties.

Given the choice, the villagers prefer to avoid the mountains. Entering the mountains often results in bloodshed and sacrifice.

Food is a precious resource to them, and wastage is intolerable. From a young age, every child understands this. Hunger, sustenance, hunting, survival, and the scent of blood – these concepts are interwoven.

At the head of the village lies the courtyard of the village's elder, Stone Yunfeng. The courtyard is constructed from stacked stones, adjacent to the scorched and enormous willow tree. Before a hearth in the courtyard, a white fluid within a pottery pot simmers and emits a fragrant aroma. Stone Yunfeng is preparing animal milk, occasionally adding medicinal herbs with a wooden spoon.

Before long, the elder calls out, "Little One, come eat."

The Little One lost his parents at half a year of age and grew up drinking the milk of various beasts. Now, he's around a year and a few months old. While most children are weaned by his age, he still enjoys the sweet milk and refuses to give it up, earning him occasional teasing from the older children.

"Yiyaya, huh... I can't run anymore." He had been persistently chasing a five-colored sparrow, and by now, he's out of breath, sitting down with a plop.

"Little One's drinking milk!" the older children tease.

"You bunch of little monkeys! You were all his age once too," Elder Stone Yunfeng scolds with a chuckle.

"We weren't still drinking milk when we were one and a half!" they retort with cheeky grins.

Facing the ridicule of the older children, the Little One smiles innocently, his big, shiny eyes forming crescents. Unconcerned, he sits down before the pottery pot, using

a wooden spoon to scoop milk and savoring the sweetness.

After breakfast, several elderly people in the village gather in Elder Stone Yunfeng's yard. Despite their white hair, their spirits are undiminished.

"Something's been off lately. We've been hearing some significant disturbances during the night. Something unusual must be happening in the depths of the mountains."

"Hmm, I was awakened several times last night. I felt a chill down to my bones. There must be some formidable primordial creatures or gigantic insects passing through."

Several elders speak in succession, their brows furrowed or their expressions contemplative. They discuss the unusual signs of danger that have been occurring recently.

"I believe there might be something extraordinary happening deep within the wilderness. It has likely attracted the attention of some ancient species in the vicinity, drawing them over," Elder Stone Yunfeng speculates.

"Could it be that a mountain treasure has been unearthed?" one elder exclaims, his eyes widening, his hair disheveled with excitement.

The others show similar expressions, eyes gleaming with excitement. However, the fire of anticipation soon dims in their gazes. Such treasures are beyond their reach, situated deep within the mountains, inaccessible.

In the many years that have passed, no one has managed to survive a trip into the mountains. The mountains are inhabited by various ferocious species, and even if the entire village attempted to venture there, they would only stir up minor ripples.

"Chief, we haven't ventured into the mountains for quite some time."

The statement is made by a robust, mature man who enters the courtyard. He leads the hunting team and is the prospective successor to the village chief.

"It hasn't been peaceful lately."

"But we're fine during the day. I'll take a group out. As long as we're careful, there shouldn't be any issues."