Volume One: The Youth Enters the World Chapter One: The Creature in the Lake

Nestled among towering mountains that soared into the clouds, there was a lake within those peaks, named Azure River, and beside the lake lay a village of the same name. There, the people lived honest and industrious lives, toiling in their fields and rejoicing in laughter, spending their days in peaceful contentment, untouched by the world’s strife.

On a crisp, sunny day, as the spring breeze drifted and sunlight gently caressed the earth, in the southeast corner of the village lived a man named Fang Er. He had a young son, Fang Tian, just eleven years old. Father and son depended on fishing for their livelihood. Though their work was arduous, they found great joy in it.

That morning, as they prepared their boat and gathered their things as usual, the boy Fang Tian said, “Father, I bet we’ll catch a lot of fish today! The weather’s perfect!” Fang Er glanced at him, smiling. “Yes, with the lake so calm, we should have a good haul. Don’t be lazy today, boy—days like this are rare.”

“I promise I won’t slack off, Father!” Fang Tian thumped his chest earnestly. Fang Er, amused by his serious look, nodded. “Good, let’s go. It’s time.”

Just as they were about to depart, a voice called from behind, “Tian, wait! I have something for you.” Fang Tian turned to see Lan, his childhood companion. They had grown up side by side, sharing all things, their bond as close as siblings. Puzzled, Fang Tian walked over to her and saw she held a small bundle. “What’s that?” he asked.

“It’s some food I made for you and your father. Eat it when you’re tired.” Lan handed him the bundle and, before he could respond, turned and ran off. Fang Tian scratched his head, unsure what to say. He watched her retreating figure, wanting to call out, but his father’s urging voice interrupted, and he hurried to the boat.

Once aboard, Fang Er asked, “What did Lan give you?” “Some food, Father. She said we should eat it when we get tired.” Fang Er nodded thoughtfully. “That’s very considerate of her. When we return, let’s bring her family some fish.” “Alright, Father.” As they spoke, they rowed steadily toward the heart of the lake.

The journey was quiet; they had some time before reaching their fishing spot. Suddenly, Fang Er seemed to remember something. “Tian, do you know why this place is called Azure River?” “No, Father. Why don’t you tell me?” Fang Er chuckled. “Alright, let me tell you. This place wasn’t always called Azure River. Long ago, it was known as Heaven’s Pit.”

Legend had it that, in ancient times, a flat plain lay between these mountains. One silent night, a blazing streak split the sky, followed by a thunderous crash. The people living nearby rushed to the scene and discovered a meteorite had fallen, leaving a deep crater where the plain had been. Thankfully, it had missed their homes. Awed by the power of a mere stone cast down by heaven, the people knelt and gave thanks for their deliverance, naming the place Heaven’s Pit.

Years passed, and the region became deserted, until one day a band of recluses came seeking a place to live. Hearing of the pit, they went to investigate and found a small stretch of flat land beside it. Surrounded by mountains, the place promised seclusion, so they settled there. Over time, rain filled the pit, transforming it into a vast, clear lake. As generations came and went, people saw that Heaven’s Pit was no longer fitting, so they renamed it Azure River.

Fang Tian was amazed by the tale—he had never known the lake’s origins. By the time his father finished, they had reached their usual fishing grounds. Determined to make the most of the day, especially with Lan’s thoughtful gift, Fang Tian focused and helped his father ready the nets.

Time slipped by. Sunlight played across his youthful face as he worked, his eyes full of earnest concentration. Fang Er watched him, pleased to see his son so diligent, almost grown-up in manner. “That’s enough for now, let’s take a break,” Fang Er said at last.

Fang Tian set down his tools, opened Lan’s bundle, and handed some food to his father, taking some for himself as well. “This is delicious,” he thought, savoring the taste. “If only I could eat Lan’s cooking every day—what a joy that would be.”

After their meal, they rose to finish hauling in the last of the nets. But the sky had changed. Where it had been clear, darkness now crept in, clouds gathering as if rain were imminent. “Tian, hurry up—we need to beat the storm,” Fang Er urged.

“How did the weather change so fast?” Fang Tian complained, hauling in the nets as quickly as he could. “That’s how it is out here—always unpredictable,” his father replied.

They worked in haste, and at last, Fang Tian sighed, “Finally done, Father.” “Let’s go,” Fang Er said, taking up the oars and steering the boat toward the village.

But the sky continued to darken. They had not gone far when a flash of lightning split the sky, thunder booming across the lake. The darkness deepened, swallowing their path ahead, and the two grew anxious, rowing as fast as they could. Suddenly, a blinding white light shot up from the lake behind them, piercing the black clouds, shooting straight into the heavens.

They turned in shock. The light vanished in an instant, but the clouds above remained, churning together once more. The lake began to roil, and their boat rocked violently, making it nearly impossible to stand, let alone steer.

It was only the beginning. Behind their boat, a vortex appeared, swirling wider and wider, drawing them in. The boat spun out of control, and as the whirlpool grew, they were both thrown into the churning waters. In the chaos, Fang Tian was pulled deeper and deeper, unable to see, his cries swallowed by the storm.

Exhaustion overcame him. His strength ebbed, his consciousness fading as he was dragged toward the lake’s depths. In his last moments, Fang Tian’s heart cried out in sorrow: “Is this really the end? I haven’t even grown up yet, haven’t helped Father, and I’ve only just tasted Lan’s cooking for the first time. I’m not ready to go. Father, where are you? Lan, I’m sorry…”

As his senses slipped away, Fang Tian’s body was dragged to the bottom of the lake, toward the ancient meteorite. A crack had appeared along its surface.

Just as Fang Tian’s body neared the fissure, space itself seemed to ripple and his form vanished without a trace.

Had one peered inside the crack in the meteorite, they would have seen not a stone, but a sword. It was not a meteorite that had created the pit, but a sword fallen from the heavens.