Chapter 3 – A Lion, a Bird, and a Little Bit of Chaos
Morning sunlight painted Lin Mo's room with a warm golden hue. He sat cross-legged on the wooden bed, his brow slightly furrowed as he opened his system interface with a simple thought.
"System," he muttered, his voice calm. "Show me current missions."
[Ding! Mission tab opened. One new Beginner Mission available.]
Mission: Bond with a spiritual beast Reward: 1x Beast Egg (Random) Status: Incomplete
"Huh. So I need to bond with a spiritual beast to unlock the Beast Pavilion," Lin Mo whispered. "Fine. Let's do this the proper way."
He tapped the [Accept Mission] button mentally. A soft breeze stirred the air, and golden motes sparkled briefly above his palm. Moments later, a warm glow formed in the center of his room, condensing into an ornate jade box, pulsating faintly.
[Ding! Beast Egg (Unknown Grade) delivered. Caution: Beast may be aggressive upon hatching.]
Lin Mo raised a brow. "Noted."
He approached the box and opened it carefully. Inside lay a softly glowing egg, gold with streaks of faint silver and strange ancient inscriptions running along its shell. It pulsed with faint life.
"A lion?" Lin Mo guessed.
No answer came, but his instincts nudged him toward certainty. This was no ordinary egg. It radiated strength, pride, and a quiet dignity.
The moment his hand touched the egg—
CRACK.
A fine line split across the surface. Then another. Within seconds, the egg burst open, revealing a small golden cub with soft fur and gleaming silver tufts around its ears. Its deep amber eyes locked onto Lin Mo with a startling clarity.
[Golden Soul Lion Cub — Grade: ??? | Affinity: High | Bloodline: Unknown | Status: Bonded]
"...You're adorable," Lin Mo muttered.
The cub sniffed his fingers, then promptly bit his thumb.
"OW—HEY! What did I ever do to you?!"
The cub growled with the enthusiasm of a kitten, licked the bite mark, then settled in his lap and purred.
"Seriously," Lin Mo sighed, massaging his hand, "you've got issues."
Still, his eyes softened. This was his first companion in this world—a beast born not just from the system, but from fate's gentle nudge.
He gently scooped up the lion and placed it in a cloth sling, cradling it across his chest.
"Let's go cause some chaos."
---
In the Courtyard…
Yue Qingya sat under the veranda, sipping morning tea, her long hair cascading like a silver waterfall. She noticed Lin Mo walking toward her with a smug smile.
"What are you carrying?" she asked, raising a brow.
"My heart," Lin Mo said dramatically, "in beast form."
The lion cub peeked its head out, sniffed the air, and mewled.
Yue Qingya's stern face cracked. "A… lion?"
"Golden Soul Lion Cub," Lin Mo said proudly. "Found it during morning meditation."
Yue Qingya gave him a long look. "...It followed you?"
"It practically leapt into my arms."
"Mhm." She crouched to meet the cub's eyes. "It has high-grade aura. Where did you really find it?"
Lin Mo smiled innocently. "You don't trust your genius son's charm?"
Yue Qingya snorted but didn't press. "Alright. But if it eats my robes, you're responsible."
The cub purred and rubbed against her leg.
"Flatterer," she muttered, then picked it up and cradled it. Her cold demeanor softened a little more.
---
Later That Day – Training Grounds
Lin Mo stood shirtless under a waterfall, the roaring water beating down on his body as the lion cub pawed at pebbles nearby.
His spiritual energy circulated with growing stability. His breathing was calm, heart steady. His cultivation hadn't progressed in leaps, but something in him felt stronger—clearer.
He reached into his robe pocket and opened his personal diary, scribbling down his thoughts:
> "Today: Bonded with a bitey lion. Mom fell for his charm. Dad will ask too many questions. I need a distraction soon.
> Cultivation still slow. But my body's adapting.
> Note to self: Train lion not to eat boots."
---
Evening – Lin Residence Rooftop
Lin Mo lay on the tiled roof, arms behind his head, eyes fixed on the stars. The cub curled beside him, occasionally batting at drifting peach blossoms.
His thoughts drifted.
No explosions. No grand revelation. Just a steady sense of something beginning.
He didn't need to save the world. Not yet. He didn't need to prove anything. His system wasn't a weapon—it was a companion, a guide, a chance to grow at his own pace.
For now, the best adventure… was just living.
The cub nuzzled into his side.
"…You're not so bad," Lin Mo murmured.
Then the cub sneezed on his face.
"…I take that back."
---
Mini Diary – Lin Mo's Private Notes (Confidential, obviously)
> Day 3 in cultivation world: Bonded with a lion cub who thinks my socks are prey. Mom has warmed up to him. Dad doesn't know yet. I've begun training under a waterfall. Mostly for drama. Cultivation Progress: None (but I feel cooler). Lion Progress: 10% trained. 90% menace.
Tomorrow… we cause a little more chaos.