Am I too Lucky?

The constant thin mist, coupled with the dense fog that blanketed the entire mountain, played with my senses. Even the Qi detection technique Father had taught me was obstructed.

The instructors assigned to accompany me seemed to be faring better, though they too appeared to struggle. They clearly hadn't anticipated the difficulties this terrain posed. Now, it was evident that survival would rest entirely on my own capabilities. They wouldn't be able to respond quickly enough in an emergency.

Well, no matter. I just hoped the need wouldn't arise. I began ascending up the mountain.

An hour passed, yet the environment around me remained unchanged. Had I been imagining myself walking? No, that was impossible unless I had been poisoned. Could there be a spatial array altering the terrain? No, that couldn't be it either. Cultivators capable of such a feat could be counted on a single hand.

Suddenly, a cry for help echoed through the fog- a woman's voice. A classmate? No less than a second later, another cry came, this time from the opposite direction, and then another. Soon, it seemed the entire mountain itself was wailing.

The endless, overlapping cries made my head spin, my stomach churn. The nausea was unbearable. Minutes stretched into what felt like hours. Perhaps it was two hours... or three?

A sudden jolt brought me back to reality. One of the instructors had sent a shockwave of Qi toward me, snapping my senses back into focus. The cries ceased instantly, and my clarity returned. It became apparent that the mist was infused with a hallucinogenic. What had seemed like hours had been mere seconds. The instructors must have been aware, evidenced by the masks they wore.

One of them tossed a mask to me, his voice stern. "As a favor to your father, I'll give you this advice: never enter unknown lands unprepared or without prior knowledge. This mountain holds many secrets, most of which have been deliberately withheld from you students. That was your first lesson. We won't help you again- consider this your only warning."

I bowed, "Thank you for your guidance, Instructors!"

I put the mask on my face, starting my ascent up the mountain, once again. After a while of walking, we had finally come across a beast. It was a lightning tiger. Unlike Lions, Tigers are usually solitary creatures and hunt and live by themselves. 

Lightning tigers specialize in the Dao of lightning and thunder. This allows them to be extremely fast, agile creatures, while maintaining their natural strength they have as large, heavy cats. 

I smirked, my blood surging with excitement. I pulled the basic sword out from my spatial ring. I took a deep breath, preparing myself for the battle, but it seems the tiger was impatient.

From my blindside, it lunged, claws extended. I barely managed to dodge in time, stunned by its overwhelming speed.

"An adolescent tiger... and it's already this fast? This might be my toughest battle yet," I muttered, gripping my sword tighter.

The terrain didn't help. The dense forest provided perfect cover for the tiger, which had clearly adapted to its surroundings. Every time I caught a glimpse of it, it was only an afterimage. It seemed to have figured out my unfamiliarity with the environment and was employing a hit-and-run strategy.

I smirked, "Unfortunately, little tiger, I am much stronger and faster than you think. The moment you strike-" 

Sharp claws raked across my back, cutting shallow but painful lines. It seemed my provocation had worked. The tiger grew more confident, ready to strike again.

However, even if I had been doing my best, I could still barely react. It was fast, far too fast. Each time I tried to counter, it retreated back into the trees.

I grumbled, "Tsk... if only I could use qi detection this wouldn't be so difficult. What to do.. what to do..."

Then, it roared a deep, resonant sound that echoed through the fog. Confused, I thought it was trying to intimidate me, but then I heard the crackling above. The fog dissipated slightly, revealing clouds forming overhead. Sparks flickered among them.

"You've got to be kidding me," I muttered, eyes darting between the tiger and the growing storm.

I steadied myself and whispered, "Basic Move 42: Sword Throw."

Similar to how you can throw daggers, with the right form and strength, one could eventually do it with the sword despite the difference of how the weight is distributed. 

Hurling my sword toward the forming lightning strike, I watched as the blade intercepted the energy. The clash sent sparks flying, and as the lightning dispersed, the tiger lunged at me again. I drew my true weapon- a low-grade heavenly sword with a name as ridiculous as it was powerful: the Divine Gravitational Sword. As its name implies, it can increase the gravity of the space surrounding me up to twenty times at max output.

The basic one I just threw would certainly be destroyed after the collision, and even if it didn't, the quality and durability would be lowered to that of a low-grade inferior weapon. 

I shouted, "O' Divine Gravitational Sword, lend me your power."

The surrounding gravity intensified tenfold, pinning the tiger to the ground. Its speed was nullified, its agility rendered useless.

"Haha, can't move now, can you, little tiger?" I taunted. "Shi Family Technique: Triple Sla-"

Before I could finish, the tiger dropped low to the ground, baring its neck in submission.

Although large cats are prideful creatures, they are also very willing to submit to those stronger than them, much like how in a Lion pride, there is always one king/leader of the pack, and the same way for wolves. 

Despite my attempts to remain serious, a wide grin spread across my face. Well, you know... Father had always told me to be true to myself. It's always been a dream of mine to ride on top of a tiger or even own one. 

"Interesting," I said, crouching to meet its gaze. "So you've chosen submission? Smart choice. I'll call you... Lei Ying. Let's get along, shall we?"

Lei Ying nodded, though tears of reluctance glistened in its eyes.

"Well, look at that. A new companion already," I chuckled. "Perhaps my luck hasn't run out after all."

Patting Lei Ying's head, I added, "I'm not leaving this mountain until I've grown stronger and found treasures worth my time. You know where some of them are, don't you? Let's go."