We are thinking about adding Chapter titles, what are your opinions on that?
Nonetheless, the introductiory arc is done and we are now entering a new chapter for Shang Di's journey to become the greatest Sect master!
Therefore, this chapters name:
Chapter 10: Spirit Claws and Gecko Luck
...
The forest trail was nothing like the one he'd seen on the map.
Thick roots carved through the dirt like veins, the canopy above darkened most of the sunlight, and faint howls could be heard in the distance.
Shang Di pulled his green cloak tighter and stepped onto the path. Leaves crunched under his boots.
The city was far behind now.
There was no going back.
"Guess this is it," he muttered. "Chapter two of the transmigrator story."
The wind was heavier here. Colder. It carried the scent of moss, tree sap, and beast droppings.
Comforting.
In a dangerous kind of way.
...
[System Quest: "Beyond the Cauldron"]
Objective: Reach Obsidian Root City
Optional: Survive a wilderness ambush
Current Distance to Obsidian Root City: ~410 km
Estimated Travel Time (No Breaks): 4 days
Reward: +300 SP
Unlock: Spirit Beast Path
He exhaled, hands tucked behind his back.
"Only four days, huh?"
A bird screamed somewhere overhead.
"…Make that five."
For the next few hours, Shang Di kept a steady pace. The system pinged occasionally to mark energy hotspots, wild Qi pulses, and beast traces nearby. He ignored most of it.
He had one goal today: get through the first night.
But, as always, the world had other plans.
…
It began with a growl.
Not deep like a wolf's… sharper. Hungrier.
Shang Di spun and looked to the right.
From the bushes, something emerged. He felt his skin tingling, and then…
A beast.
Four legs. Bronze-plated fur. Black stripes. Three eyes, one in the center of its forehead.
[Analyzing Spirit Beast…]
Name: Triple-Eyed Shadow Lynx
Rank: Iron
Cultivation: Qi Condensing – Stage 4
Temperament: Hostile
Weakness: Vision overload
Danger Rating: 2.5 Stars
"Of course it's stronger than me," Shang Di sighed.
The lynx roared and pounced.
He sidestepped, barely dodging its first slash, and activated a talisman mid-roll.
A blue barrier flared around him just in time for the second strike to crash into it.
Cracks spread. Shang Di clicked his tongue.
"One use only, huh?"
He summoned his Flying Darkness Sword, the black Qi forming into a sharp, featherlight blade in his right hand.
"Let's see how fast you are."
The lynx circled him. Fast. Its claws left trails of spirit marks as it moved, and its third eye pulsed faintly.
[Silent Darkness Steps]
Shang Di disappeared from its vision for a split second, just enough time to appear behind it and swing.
The blade grazed its hind leg. It hissed and spun, fangs flashing.
Shang Di dropped, ducked the counter, and jabbed upward with his palm — Qi Darkness Swallowing activating faintly as his palm exploded with dark aura.
Boom.
It hit, but the lynx wasn't down yet.
It growled, bleeding now, but angrier.
Then it launched again.
Shang Di's body screamed from exhaustion. He just stepped into the Qi Condensing Realm a few days ago, and this thing had real combat instincts.
He ducked the third strike. barely.
And countered with a horizontal slash that finally sank into the lynx's ribs.
It whimpered, staggered back, and then collapsed.
Shang Di held his arm, blood dripping from his arm, and his cloak was torn. His heart was beating at such a fast rate that he felt like he'd explode every second.
But he was alive.
And so was the quest.
[Quest Objective Complete: Wilderness Ambush Survived]
+300 SP
Spirit Beast Core Detected
Initiating Spirit Contract Summon…
"Wait, summon what now?"
[Spirit Beast Draw: 1x – Consuming core essence…]
A glowing sigil appeared midair, swirling into the shape of a small beast egg.
It cracked.
It pulsed.
Then—
A bright flash.
And a squeak.
Shang Di's face dropped.
"…No way."
[You have drawn: Sky Bark Gecko]
Rank: Bronze
Attributes: Air + Sound
Skills: Wall Cling, Loud Screech, Distraction Aura
Personality: Skittish
Compatibility: 91%
Combat Potential: …Limited
The tiny green gecko sat in the grass, blinking rapidly with oversized eyes.
It looked up at Shang Di.
Then quickly crawled behind his leg to hide.
"…You're telling me I survived a lynx just to draw a house lizard?"
[Would you like to name your Spirit Beast Companion?]
Shang Di was lost for words, he simply stared at the gecko and shook his head.
'Why is this system so realistic… Even with the bad luck…' He knew this feeling, being excited for getting a free pull, but then getting utterly disappointed by the result.
But then he smirked.
"Yeah. Let's call him Lucky."
[Spirit Beast Contract Established: Sky Bark Gecko "Lucky"]
Bond Level: 1
Skill Access:
– Loud Screech (Active)
– Hide in Sleeve (Passive)
Shang Di wiped some blood from his cheek and looked at his new companion, who was now tucked into his robe.
"…You better be good luck."
[System Update:
Spirit Beast Path – Activated]
New Shop Option: Spirit Beast Support Bundle
Beast Skill Evolution Tickets Available Soon
...
He leaned against a tree and slid down.
The sky was dimming. The stars were peeking out.
And beside him?
A tiny lizard, curled in the warmth of his sleeve.
Shang Di closed his eyes and chuckled.
"I said I wanted an adventure, right?"
He looked up at the moon.
"Let's see where this path takes us."
To be continued…
...