ENG
Together we roam the world's far end,
In shared hardships, our spirits blend.
With harmony, our bond grows tight,
Though rootless, we thrive in the light.
From the peak of Mount Huaguo, struck by the Mountain Cleaver, many rocks and trees tumbled down. Among them was a cliff rock that had absorbed the essence of the universe for countless years. The axe's blow liberated it from its burdens, granting it the potential to turn into something sentient.
Alongside this rock fell a crooked tree, severed in half with broken roots and branches, appearing on the brink of death.
The tree implored the cliff rock, "We once occupied the same place. Now, I am nearing death. Please, help me." The rock, perplexed, responded, "I am but a mere rock. How could I offer you aid?" The tree explained, "You possess spiritual potential. If you would allow me to anchor my roots in your body for a few days, I might yet survive."
The rock, mindful of its reputation, reluctantly consented. The tree entwined its ancient roots around the rock, securing itself firmly. When the rock expressed discomfort, the tree replied, "I am heavy and must bind tightly to prevent my fall."
Months passed, and the tree's vines and roots had deeply embedded themselves into various parts of the rock. The rock, enduring great pain, attempted to dislodge the tree with all its strength, but it felt as though it was being torn apart. The roots had merged with the rock, making separation impossible. Consumed by anger, the rock cursed the tree daily, and both harbored mutual resentment.
Eventually, the crooked tree, now infused with the rock's spiritual essence, began to emit toxins and prey upon living creatures. This newfound power brought a strange harmony between them. Alas, how unexpected it is to witness a relationship once fraught with conflict transform into one of mutual benefit.
The story opens on Mount Huaguo after a massive strike called the Mountain Cleaver. Rocks and trees tumble down, and among them is a cliff rock that, over countless years, had absorbed the world's spiritual essence. The blow frees that trapped energy and gives the rock the potential to become something sentient. A crooked tree also falls, broken in half with ruined roots and branches, clearly near death.
The tree begs the rock for help, saying they used to share the same place and asking to anchor its roots in the rock so it might survive. The rock is hesitant, calling itself just a rock and questioning how it could help. The tree insists that the rock now has spiritual potential and that if it can bind to the rock for a few days, it might recover.
The tree latches on and wraps its roots and vines around the rock. Over months the roots grow deep into the rock; the rock experiences intense pain and tries to tear the tree away but finds the roots fused into it. Separation becomes impossible. During this time both the tree and the rock are full of anger and resentment— the rock curses the tree daily for the burden, and the tree is forced to hold tightly to the rock to avoid falling.
Gradually the situation changes: the tree absorbs the rock’s spiritual essence and gains new, hostile powers. It begins to emit toxins and prey on living creatures. That power shift brings a practical harmony between them—what started as a forced, painful pairing becomes mutually beneficial. The opening lines of the piece frame them as companions who now roam together and thrive despite being uprooted, showing how a relationship that began in conflict can transform into an interdependent, dangerous partnership.