The forest air had changed again.
No longer twisted by corruption or heavy with snow, it now shimmered with warmth and golden pollen as early spring returned to the Ten-Thousand Beast Forest. Long Tian prowled alone today, Bai Xue resting back at their den, wrapped in slowly regrowing strength.
A strange aura tugged at his senses—noble, ancient, and wounded.
It called to his dragon blood.
> [Bloodline Resonance Detected: Mythical-Class Variant – Qilin.] [Status: Injured. Suppressed Divine Qi Signature.]
He followed the pull through a vale of sun-dappled fog. At the heart of a shallow ravine, surrounded by shattered trees and scorched ground, lay a young beast.
Equine in form, its body shimmered with golden scales that faded into fur near the legs. Antlers curved elegantly back from its brow, though one was chipped. A mane of silver fire flickered along its spine. The beast breathed heavily, blood pooling beneath it—its qi dimmed, but not gone.
A Qilin. Rare. Sacred. Untouched by killing intent, guardians of balance among beasts.
Yet this one had fought.
Its golden eyes opened slowly as Long Tian approached. There was no fear in them. Only tired defiance.
"Are you here to finish it?" the Qilin asked, voice melodic despite its pain. "Then do it. Better a dragon's claws than those monsters in the north."
Long Tian blinked. He saw not a threat, but pride wounded, and nobility brought low. He stepped closer and offered a minor elixir from his jade pendant. It hovered before the Qilin, glowing softly.
The beast hesitated—then drank.
> [Elixir Accepted. Beast Identified: Yan Yue – Qilin Flameborn, Juvenile Stage.] [Compatibility Detected. Subordinate Bond Potential: High.] [Would you accept Yan Yue as your first companion?]
Long Tian placed a claw gently on the Qilin's brow. A spark jumped between them—qi, will, and fate. The forest stilled as a pact older than memory reignited.
> [Subordinate Bond: Sacred Pact Formed.] [Title Earned: Dragon of Benevolent Flame.] [Ability Shared: Purifying Flame Aura (Passive). Grants resistance to corruption and minor healing boost in allies.]
Yan Yue bowed her head low. "I owe you my life. I have no herd… no sky to run beneath. If you'll have me, let my flame walk with your storm."
The sigil of a coiling dragon entwined with fire appeared briefly on her flank, then faded.
Long Tian didn't speak—but he nodded once, and the ground trembled with meaning.
They returned to Bai Xue together. The fox spirit, surprised, narrowed her eyes at the elegant newcomer, but softened when she sensed the aura of the pact.
"So you've started a court, hm?" she teased lightly, curling her tail. "Be careful, dragon. Royalty attracts storms."
Long Tian let out a low, amused growl.
The stars blinked overhead, and where once stood a lone hatchling, now walked a beginning sovereign—storm, flame, and snow united under his rising will.