Time Travel: Ancient Martial Arts Chronicles

After Lin Xiaoxiao successfully channeled her Qi into her body and became a warrior, she felt a fire ignited within her, her obsession with ancient martial arts becoming ever more intense. She knew that in this ancient martial arts continent, fraught with uncertainty and danger, strength was the key to survival. That day, sunlight filtered through the dense foliage, casting specks of light across the forest like a golden carpet. Bidding farewell to Ye Wuhen and Bai Zhi, Lin Xiaoxiao set out alone in the forest near the temple, searching for herbs to aid her cultivation. She hummed cheerful modern tunes along the way, her steps as light as a butterfly flitting among the flowers.

Suddenly, there was a violent shaking in the bushes ahead. The sound was like a storm, and the branches and leaves rustled, as if some giant creature was struggling within. Lin Xiaoxiao was instantly alert. She stopped in her tracks, her heartbeat accelerating. She clenched her fists, and the fighting stance Ye Wuhen had taught her flashed through her mind. She crouched sideways, leaning forward slightly, like a cheetah poised for action, ready to face unknown danger.

A snow-white beast, resembling a fox yet several times larger, leaped from the bushes. Its form was graceful and agile, each leap imbued with a rhythmic movement. Its eyes, like two azure gemstones, were deep and mysterious, gleaming with a brilliant light, though now, this light was tinged with panic. Its fur, pristine as the first snow of winter, was marred by several horrifying wounds. Blood oozed, staining the surrounding white fur red. The red was particularly glaring against the white fur, dripping drop by drop to the ground like a blooming red plum. As the beast emerged, it seemed to have exhausted all its strength, collapsing to the ground, gasping weakly, its eyes filled with helplessness.

Lin Xiaoxiao felt pity and was about to get closer when Ye Wuhen's voice sounded behind her: "Be careful, this is a snow fox demon. Although it is a cub, it is still dangerous. It may have been injured by an encounter with a more powerful demon beast." Ye Wuhen's voice was low and serious, with a hint of warning.

Lin Xiaoxiao frowned, her eyes full of pity: "It looks so pitiful, can't we help it?" She turned to look at Ye Wuhen, with pleading eyes. Ye Wuhen frowned slightly, seeming to disagree, but seeing Lin Xiaoxiao's determined eyes, he sighed: "Okay, but be careful."

The two slowly approached the Snow Fox Demon, and Bai Zhi hurried over. Bai Zhi crouched down, her eyes gentle and focused as she carefully examined its injuries. Her fingers gently touched the Snow Fox Demon's wound, her brow furrowing slightly. "It's seriously injured. It needs urgent treatment, or it could die." Lin Xiaoxiao hurriedly pulled out the herbs she had prepared from her bosom. "Try these." The herbs, still warm from her body, exuded a faint fragrance.

Under Bai Zhi's care, the snow fox demon's injuries gradually stabilized. Bai Zhi's skillful technique first cleansed the wound with water, then crushed a herb and gently applied it to the wound. She then tore off a corner of her own clothing and bandaged the snow fox demon. The snow fox demon trembled slightly during this process, its eyes half-closed, and occasionally let out a low whimper.

Finally, the snow fox demon slowly opened its eyes. It looked at Lin Xiaoxiao, its wariness slowly fading, replaced by a sense of dependence. Lin Xiaoxiao gently stroked its head, her fingers running through its soft fur, feeling its warmth. "Little one, you'll follow me from now on." The snow fox demon nudged her hand, as if in response, its tail gently wagging, brushing against Lin Xiaoxiao's legs.

Ye Wuhen looked at the snow fox demon: "This snow fox demon will be an extremely powerful monster when it grows up. If it can be tamed, it will be of great help to you. In the ancient martial arts continent, monsters are divided into nine grades from one to nine. The higher the grade, the stronger they are. This snow fox demon is a second-grade monster with huge potential. Moreover, once a monster recognizes its master, it will have a telepathic connection with the master and can cooperate with the master tacitly in battle." There was a trace of solemnity in Ye Wuhen's eyes. He knew very well the significance of monsters to ancient martial artists.

Lin Xiaoxiao hugged the snow fox demon excitedly, a joyful smile on her face. "So, how do we get it to recognize its master?" Ye Wuhen pulled a dagger from his bosom, its light gleaming coldly in the sunlight. He sliced ​​his finger, and a drop of bright red blood gathered at the tip before dripping onto the snow fox demon's forehead. The drop of blood rolled across the demon's forehead like a glittering ruby. "There are two ways for a demon beast to recognize its master: by dripping blood, or by signing a contract. The blood dripping method is relatively simple, but requires the demon beast to accept voluntarily."

The snow fox demon sniffed the drop of blood, a glint in its eyes. Then, it licked Ye Wuhen's finger, and a soft white light emanated from its body. That white light, as bright as moonlight, enveloped the snow fox demon's body. Lin Xiaoxiao felt a strange connection between herself and the snow fox demon, as if she could sense its emotions, a feeling of trust and dependence.

"Success!" Lin Xiaoxiao cheered, her voice echoing through the forest. From then on, the snow fox demon became Lin Xiaoxiao's pet. With the snow fox demon's companionship, Lin Xiaoxiao's life became more interesting. Besides practicing, she spent her days playing with the snow fox demon and training it in simple commands. She would run through the forest with the snow fox demon, feeling the wind whistling in her ears; she would play hide-and-seek with the snow fox demon, watching it scurry through the grass searching for her; and she would tell it stories about the modern world. Although the snow fox demon might not understand, it would always tilt its head and listen quietly, looking so adorable.

However, the good times didn't last long. Once, when Lin Xiaoxiao and the Snow Fox Demon were searching for a rare herb deep in the forest, the sky was covered with dark clouds, as if foreshadowing impending danger. A depressing atmosphere filled the forest, and the air became heavy and humid.

Suddenly, a massive black demonic beast appeared before them. Resembling a black panther, it exuded a powerful aura, its every step causing the ground to tremble. Its fur was as black as ink, blending seamlessly into the darkness. Only its eyes gleamed a blood-red light, revealing greed and ferocity. It was a fifth-rank demonic beast, its power terrifying. It glared at the Snow Fox Demon and Lin Xiaoxiao, its eyes gleaming with greed, clearly identifying them as prey. A deep growl erupted from its throat, echoing through the forest like thunder, shaking the leaves.

Lin Xiaoxiao was startled. She could sense the black beast's power, its pressure nearly choking her. Her legs trembled slightly, but she knew she couldn't retreat now. The snow fox demon also felt threatened. It blocked Lin Xiaoxiao's path, its white fur standing up like steel needles. It let out a low growl, a growl that carried a hint of fear but also a greater resolve: it was determined to protect Lin Xiaoxiao.

Lin Xiaoxiao looked at the Snow Fox Demon, her heart filled with emotion, but she also knew she couldn't let the Snow Fox Demon face danger alone. She drew the dagger from her waist, forged for her by Ye Wuhen. The blade gleamed coldly in the darkness. She gripped the dagger tightly, her palms wet with sweat. "Don't be afraid, we're together," Lin Xiaoxiao said to the Snow Fox Demon. Her voice was trembling, but it was filled with determination.

Just as the two sides were at a stalemate, Ye Wuhen and Bai Zhi arrived. Ye Wuhen drew his sword, his eyes as cold as ice, and the sword in his hand exuded a sharp sword aura. Bai Zhi also took out her weapon, a slender silver needle. It looked ordinary, but it possessed special power. Ye Wuhen's expression was stern: "Prepare for battle. This is a black-striped leopard. Its strength should not be underestimated."

The black-striped leopard launched the first attack, leaping towards Lin Xiaoxiao like a flash of black lightning. Lin Xiaoxiao instinctively raised her dagger to block. The snow fox demon also pounced on the black-striped leopard, its speed so fast that it traced a white arc through the air. Ye Wuhen and Bai Zhi attacked from both sides, trying to distract the black-striped leopard.

Ye Wuhen's swordsmanship was fierce, each strike aimed at the black leopard's vital points. His figure shuttled around the black leopard, his sword dancing like a blooming silver flower. Bai Zhi attacked the black leopard's eyes and acupuncture points with silver needles. Her movements were light and precise, and each needle was imbued with powerful internal energy.

Lin Xiaoxiao and the Snow Fox Demon worked in perfect harmony. The Snow Fox Demon constantly harassed the Black Leopard, attacking its legs with its claws and teeth, while Lin Xiaoxiao sought opportunities to strike. However, the Black Leopard was too powerful, its fur as tough as iron, and Lin Xiaoxiao's dagger could only leave a shallow mark. The Black Leopard swung its claws, knocking the Snow Fox Demon away. The Snow Fox Demon fell heavily to the ground, letting out a painful wail.

"No!" Lin Xiaoxiao exclaimed, her heart pounding as she ran towards the Snow Fox Demon. The Black Leopard seized the opportunity to turn and pounce on Lin Xiaoxiao. Seeing this, Ye Wuhen shouted loudly and thrust his sword with all his might. The sword slashed the Black Leopard's back, but it didn't stop its attack.

At this critical moment, Lin Xiaoxiao felt a powerful force surge from her body, and her eyes flashed. She raised her dagger and rushed towards the black leopard. This time, her dagger penetrated deeply into the leopard's claws. The black leopard felt the pain and attacked even more frantically.

Four men and one beast engaged in a thrilling battle with the black-striped leopard. This battle would determine their lives, and would also be another major test for Lin Xiaoxiao in the Ancient Martial Continent. They engaged the black-striped leopard in the dark forest, each attack and each evasion weighing on their fate, while the surrounding forest seemed to tremble with the intensity of the battle.

(End of this chapter)

[Note: This story is purely fictional. Any similarity is purely coincidental.]