Four sworn brothers in Peach Blossom Spring

The next morning, birdsong in the woods woke Chen Yu. Sunlight filtered through the dense leaves, scattering dappled spots of light. The fresh air refreshed both mind and spirit.

Liu Bei was already awake, sitting on a large rock beside the stream, seemingly sensing something. An extremely faint, rainbow-colored halo occasionally flashed above his head. Guan Yu was practicing some sort of footwork in the clearing, his movements elusive as he stirred the air, sending fallen leaves swirling around him. Zhang Fei took the most straightforward approach: he had his arms wrapped around a huge tree that would take two people to encircle and was straining to uproot it. His face was bright red, and the tree had visibly loosened, the soil churning around its roots.

Seeing Chen Yu awake, all three stopped.

"Brother Chen, you're awake." Liu Bei greeted him with a smile. His complexion was far better than yesterday; Xerneas's life energy seemed to have revitalized him from the inside out.

"Morning, big brother!" Zhang Fei released the tree and came thundering over, saying excitedly, "I feel even stronger! I've pulled that tree out!"

Guan Yu also approached and nodded slightly in greeting. Though he said nothing, his gaze was sharper than yesterday, and he had clearly gained some insight into using Rayquaza's power.

Pleased, Chen Yu smiled. "It seems all three of you have begun adapting to your new powers. That's good, but remember to progress gradually. Don't rush."

The four washed with stream water and ate some leftover grilled fish from last night and wild fruit to fill their stomachs.

Chen Yu stood and surveyed their surroundings. Although this place was safe, it was not ideal as a long-term base. He needed somewhere more secluded and richer in resources.

"Brother Liu, Brother Guan, Brother Zhang, none of us knows these mountains and forests well. For the long term, we need a more suitable place to settle-ideally somewhere easy to defend and hard to attack, with water and land we can cultivate to sustain ourselves," Chen Yu said.

Liu Bei nodded in agreement. "You're absolutely right, Brother Chen. We aren't very familiar with this place either, but when we entered the mountains yesterday, I vaguely glimpsed higher peaks to the east, wreathed in mist. There may be a better place there."

Guan Yu closed his eyes to sense his surroundings, then pointed southeast. "The airflow seems freer and more humid over there. There may be a larger valley or a water source."

Zhang Fei thumped his chest. "Leave finding the way to me! With my feet on the ground, I can clearly tell where the soil is firm and where there are holes!"

Chen Yu was delighted. This was the advantage the divine beast templates brought! "Good! Then we'll explore to the southeast. Zhang Fei will scout the route, Guan Yu will sense the airflow, and Liu Bei will watch for changes in the life around us. We'll surely find an ideal base!"

The four gathered their things-mainly Zhang Fei shouldering a thick tree trunk as both a weapon and a tool for clearing the way-and set off again.

With a clear goal and three "human detectors," their efficiency improved greatly. Zhang Fei's perception of the terrain allowed him to avoid marshes and cliffs and choose the firmest routes; Guan Yu's sensitivity to airflow kept them heading toward more humid air, where valleys might lie hidden; Liu Bei's life perception allowed him to detect dangerous beasts ahead of time or find edible plants and water sources.

Along the way, they gathered plenty of wild fruit and even worked together to catch several sizable wild boars using their newly acquired powers, temporarily solving their food problem. Ever since receiving their templates, everyone's appetite had been growing.

The deeper they went, the more rugged and extraordinary the mountains became, and the older and greener the trees grew.

After walking for most of the day and passing through a dense primeval forest that almost blotted out the sky, the view suddenly opened up!

Even Chen Yu was stunned by the sight before him.

It was an enormous valley encircled by mountain peaks. Its narrow entrance allowed only two or three people to walk abreast and was half concealed by vines and scattered rocks, making it extremely secluded. Beyond that narrow entrance lay an entirely different world!

The valley was vast, its terrain level and carpeted with lush green grass. A crystal-clear stream trickled down a cliff on one side of the valley, gathering into a small pool before winding through the entire valley floor. Most delightful of all was a large, flourishing grove of wild peach trees in the center!

They were in full bloom, countless peach blossoms spreading like rosy clouds, their pink and white flowers covering every branch. As a breeze passed, petals fluttered down in profusion, and fragrance filled the air. Sunlight poured unobstructed across the valley, warm and bright. Fish could be seen swimming in the clear pool. There were even a few wild rabbits grazing leisurely on the grass. At the sight of strangers, they raised their ears warily, but showed little fear; clearly, they were rarely disturbed.

"This... this is practically a fairyland!" Liu Bei murmured as he gazed at the scene, his eyes filled with wonder.

Guan Yu stroked his beard and nodded, a hint of a smile appearing even on his normally serious face. "Secluded and abundant. This truly is a rare treasure of a place."

Zhang Fei's eyes widened, and he shouted, "What a place! What a wonderful place! Mountains and water, trees and fish, even rabbits! We're living here from now on!"

Chen Yu's heart surged as an indescribable sense of familiarity and destiny welled up within him. Peach blossoms, a stream, isolation from the world-this was so much like that legendary place!

He drew a deep breath of the peach-scented air and declared, "Exactly! We'll put down roots here! This place is secluded and peaceful, like a fairyland apart from the world. Let's call it-Peach Blossom Spring!"

"Peach Blossom Spring. A fine name!" Liu Bei clapped his hands in admiration.

Having found their ideal base, the four were thrilled. They immediately began planning.

First, they cleared the valley entrance to make it even more concealed, then used stones and timber to set up some simple warning and defensive mechanisms. Next, they chose a slightly elevated patch of level ground beside the peach grove, near the stream, where they would build their dwellings.

Zhang Fei, the strongest, took charge of felling trees; the agile Guan Yu speared fish in the stream with a sharpened stick, working with remarkable efficiency; Liu Bei used his affinity with plants to find broad leaves and tough vines suitable for roofing; Chen Yu oversaw the overall planning, designed the dwellings, and drew on knowledge from his previous life to guide them in making the houses sturdier and more comfortable.

After several hours of work, as the setting sun stained the horizon red, three wooden huts had begun to take shape. Though crude, they were enough to shelter them from wind and rain. A campfire burned in front of the huts, with wild boar meat and plump fish sizzling above it. Their aroma mingled with the fragrance of peach blossoms, whetting everyone's appetite.

Sitting around the campfire, eating fragrant roasted meat and gazing at the star-filled sky and the tranquil, beautiful valley before them, all four felt as though a lifetime had passed. Yesterday, they had still been struggling amid the filth and danger of Bluestone Town; today, they had their own "Peach Blossom Spring."

After eating and drinking their fill-with water standing in for wine-the atmosphere grew ever warmer. Having faced life and death together and built a new home together, the four rapidly grew closer.

Liu Bei looked at the dancing flames, then at Chen Yu, Guan Yu, and Zhang Fei beside him, overwhelmed with emotion. "I, Liu Bei, have wandered for over a decade and tasted all the warmth and coldness of the world. I thought I would live out my life in mediocrity. Never did I imagine I would meet Brother Chen and receive divine power, with my worthy younger brothers Guan and Zhang standing by me throughout, and now gain this peach-blossom fairyland as a foundation for our lives! Could all this be heaven's will?"

Guan Yu said solemnly, "Heaven's will also depends on human effort. Without Brother Chen's great ambitions and discerning eye for talent, how could we have what we do today?"

Zhang Fei said loudly, "You're right, brothers! Brother Chen, Brother Liu, Brother Guan, and me, old Zhang-the four of us coming together is the greatest blessing of fate! Why don't... why don't we follow the ancients' example and become sworn brothers right here? From now on, we'll share fortune and face hardship together!"

Zhang Fei had voiced what the other three were thinking!

Liu Bei's eyes lit up as he turned to Chen Yu. "Brother Chen, what do you think...?"

Chen Yu was excited. He had been waiting a long time for this moment too! The three sworn brothers of the peach garden had become four sworn brothers of Peach Blossom Spring. This was undoubtedly the best way to strengthen their relationship and bind their destinies together!

He rose and declared clearly, "Zhang Fei, that is exactly what I wanted! The four of us share the same aspirations and treat one another with utter sincerity. Becoming brothers here in Peach Blossom Spring accords with heaven's timing, the advantages of the land, and harmony among men! What could be more gratifying?"

"Good!" Liu Bei, Guan Yu, and Zhang Fei cheered in unison, rising to their feet.

With no black ox or white horse for a sacrificial offering, they used stream water in place of wine. With no lofty altar or incense table, they planted peach twigs in the soil as incense. Facing the stars and bright moon, the four knelt side by side.

Chen Yu was the oldest and spoke first, his voice solemn. "Heaven above and earth below! Today, I, Chen Yu..."

Liu Bei continued, his gaze firm. "Liu Bei/Guan Yu/Zhang Fei!"

Guan Yu said in a deep, resolute voice, "Become sworn brothers here in Peach Blossom Spring!"

Zhang Fei's voice rang like a great bell, filled with heroic spirit. "From this day forth, we shall work as one, aiding those in distress and supporting those in peril!"

The four spoke in unison, their oath echoing through the valley. "We shall pursue our ideals and bring peace to the common people! We ask not to have been born in the same year, month, and day, but wish only to die in the same year, month, and day! Heaven and earth, bear witness to our hearts! Should we betray our bond and forget kindness, may heaven and men alike strike us down!"

When the oath was finished, the four bowed deeply to heaven and earth, striking their heads against the ground.

After rising, they exchanged smiles. Things already felt different between them, and a bond like shared blood arose naturally. By age, Chen Yu was the eldest, Liu Bei second, Guan Yu third, and Zhang Fei youngest.

"Eldest brother! Second brother! Third brother!" Zhang Fei called out excitedly to each in turn.

"Eldest brother! Third brother! Fourth brother!" Liu Bei clasped Chen Yu's and Guan Yu's hands, a faint glimmer of tears in his eyes.

"Eldest brother, second brother, fourth brother." Guan Yu cupped his hands toward Liu Bei and Chen Yu, then nodded at Zhang Fei.

Chen Yu was deeply moved as well. He called Liu Bei "Second brother," then said to Guan Yu and Zhang Fei, "Third brother, fourth brother!"

[Ding! Sworn brotherhood in Peach Blossom Spring achieved. Special bond formed. Liu Bei, Guan Yu, and Zhang Fei's loyalty has been detected as unwavering devotion! Binding deepened!]

[The host has successfully bestowed three templates, achieving an interim objective. Beginning awakening of a portion of Arceus's primordial power (1/10)...]

[Awakening... Obtained Arceus's basic authority: Life Creation (faint level). Can slightly accelerate plant growth and purify small quantities of water or food.]

A power far purer and more fundamental than the one that had restored his body, carrying a sense of creation and order, quietly arose within Chen Yu. Though still very faint, it made him feel that his connection to this world seemed deeper. He could even vaguely sense the faint vitality of the earth beneath his feet and the plants around him.

Wonderful... Chen Yu rejoiced inwardly. This was not only a practical ability, but also a cornerstone of his future power!

Their brotherhood established, their feelings deepened further. Looking at his three spirited sworn brothers, Chen Yu was filled with anticipation for the future. Peach Blossom Spring would be where their dreams set sail!

Their oath was complete, his power had awakened, and their base had begun to take shape. Chen Yu stood beneath a peach tree, gazing at this Peach Blossom Spring that belonged to him, filled with soaring ambition.

"The first step has been firmly taken. Flower Country, wait for me!"