The shadow moved with terrifying grace, cutting through the Lin Clan training ground like smoke through sunlight. Red eyes glowed, scanning the cultivators, lingering for the weakest. Li Xian's heart pounded so violently he thought it might burst through his chest. Every instinct screamed at him to run—but the System's calm, commanding voice echoed in his mind:
Emergency Mission Activated. Risk Level: Extreme. Objective: Survive and Protect Companion. Reward: Gold, Treasure, Companion Affection Points, Cultivation Breakthrough.
Li Xian swallowed. Protect… Li Yuxin.
She was close beside him, her expression unreadable but sharp with focus. Qi flared around her like a crimson flame. "Stay behind me, and do exactly as I say," she ordered, her voice calm yet cutting through the tension.
Li Xian nodded, though his knees shook. He could feel the blue warmth of the Qi Seed pulsing in his palm, almost alive, almost urging him forward. I… I can do this. I have to.
The shadow stepped into the clearing, revealing its form: a massive beast-like cultivator, over three meters tall, its body partially covered in black scales that shimmered with malignant Qi. Its claws gleamed like molten metal, and its mouth curved into a grin that sent shivers down Li Xian's spine.
The other trainees scattered, screaming as the Lin Clan instructors shouted orders. Li Xian froze, his gaze locked on the monstrous figure. There's no way I can fight that… right?
System Suggestion: Observe Companion Techniques, Use Defensive Strategy. Potential Reward: High.
Li Yuxin's blade shimmered. She didn't hesitate. In a blur of motion, she surged forward, her Qi cutting arcs through the air. The shadow roared, swiping a massive claw, and Li Xian barely ducked in time as the ground shattered where he had stood.
System Tip: Use Environmental Advantage – Trees, Rocks, and Terrain to Avoid Direct Attacks.
Li Xian dove behind a large boulder, his heart hammering. The System pulsed:
Emergency Skill Unlocked: Qi Barrier – Creates a temporary shield to absorb moderate damage. Recommended Use: Imminent Threats.
He extended both hands, and a faint blue barrier shimmered into existence around him. The shadow's next swipe collided with the shield, sparks flying as the energy dissipated. Li Xian stumbled back, barely maintaining balance, but alive.
Li Yuxin, meanwhile, danced around the shadow, her strikes precise and unrelenting. With each slash, her golden Qi flared, forcing the beast to retreat slightly. Li Xian's eyes widened. She's incredible…
System Notification: Companion Demonstration Complete. Observing Technique – Learn Opportunity Available.
Li Xian clenched his fists. He could imitate her movements, the timing, the flow of Qi. Slowly, carefully, he mimicked her motion, launching a small shockwave toward the beast. The energy grazed its flank, eliciting a low, surprised growl.
System Notification: Skill Mastery Progress: Qi Shockwave +5%. Companion Affection +5.
The shadow's attention snapped toward him. It snarled, eyes blazing with red fury. Li Xian felt a chill. He was about to be crushed. But the System's voice cut through panic:
Decision Point:
Attempt Aggressive Counterattack – High Risk, High Reward
Use Defensive Maneuvers Only – Low Risk, Moderate Reward
Combine Observation + Companion Technique – Moderate Risk, High Affection Reward
Li Xian's hands shook. Aggressive… was tempting. But he had survived too long to die now. I… I have to survive… and protect Yuxin. He chose the third option.
He focused on Li Yuxin's flow of movement, memorizing her footwork, her blade arcs. He moved in sync, using bursts of blue Qi to push the shadow back when it lunged. Each pulse was small but deliberate, forcing the beast to stagger.
The System chimed proudly:
Mission Success: Partial – Enemy Survived. Recognition Gained: Moderate. Companion Affection +15. Experience +30.
Li Xian's heart raced. He had survived his first high-level threat, used the System strategically, and—most importantly—kept Li Yuxin safe.
She glanced at him, her smirk returning, faintly teasing but tinged with respect. "Not bad, for a scrawny kid from the Yun Clan. Maybe you're worth watching after all."
System Notification: Companion Affection Increased. R18 Interaction Potential Unlocked.
Li Xian's face burned. Worth watching…? The words lingered in his mind, igniting a strange warmth he hadn't felt before.
Before he could catch his breath, the shadow stumbled back and vanished into the forest, leaving behind a faint trail of black Qi. Silence descended, broken only by the soft exhalations of exhausted cultivators.
The Lin Clan instructors finally arrived, their presence commanding, and the surviving students bowed in deference. Li Xian, still crouched behind the blue Qi barrier, realized he had drawn attention—not as a failure, but as someone who had survived against impossible odds.
System Notification: Recognition Update – Minor Recognition in Lin Clan Achieved. Gold Reward: 150. Potential Companion Recruitment Unlocked.
Li Xian straightened, feeling the warmth of accomplishment, when Li Yuxin approached him. Her gaze softened, and for the first time, she didn't wear the teasing smirk. "You need to train… a lot. But you've got guts. And I… I like guts."
Li Xian's ears burned hotter than any fire he had ever felt. "I… I'll train… and I won't let you down."
She tilted her head, observing him closely. "Good. Tomorrow, we start your actual training. I'll show you a few techniques—if you survive today, you might even live long enough to learn them."
System Notification: Companion Affection +10. Training Opportunity Unlocked. Skill Progression Potential Increased.
The sun dipped behind the floating platforms of the Lin Clan, casting golden rays across the forested training ground. Li Xian followed Li Yuxin to a quieter area, a small clearing shielded by ancient stones. Here, she began to demonstrate basic combat stances and Qi control techniques.
Li Xian struggled at first. His Qi pulses were weak, erratic. He stumbled, misjudged distances, and fell more than once. Yet with each correction from Li Yuxin and each subtle guide from the System, his movements gradually became smoother.
System Tip: Companion Observation Accelerates Learning. Affection Growth Boosts Efficiency.
Li Xian's chest heaved as he finally executed a small Qi shockwave in perfect synchronization with his stance. It wasn't powerful, but it was controlled. It struck a nearby training dummy, sending it tumbling backward.
Li Yuxin clapped softly. "Not bad… better than I expected. Keep this up, and maybe you won't be completely useless by the time the next threat appears."
Her closeness, the warmth radiating from her presence, made Li Xian acutely aware of the strange, fluttering feeling in his chest. He could feel the System nudging him:
Potential R18 Scene Available: Select Action? [Yes/No]
Li Xian shook his head quickly. "No… training first."
The System respected the choice, but subtle notifications of increased Companion Affection continued.
As night fell, the training ground quieted, but Li Xian could not sleep. Thoughts of the shadow, of the Lin Clan, and of Li Yuxin's golden eyes churned in his mind. Somewhere deep in the darkness, red eyes had watched him earlier—a reminder that even this victory was just a stepping stone.
System Notification: New Threat Detected: Shadow Entity Unidentified. Mission: Survive, Grow Stronger. Reward: Unknown.
Li Xian clenched his fists, feeling the warmth of the Qi Seed pulse in rhythm with his heartbeat. The path from poor, powerless scum to a cultivator worthy of recognition was only beginning. And he would not fail.
He closed his eyes, letting the System and Li Yuxin's lessons sink in. Tomorrow, he would train harder. Fight smarter. And perhaps, just perhaps, he would take his first real step toward wealth, power, and the mysterious warmth of romance that had already begun to bloom.
Mission Complete: High-Level Threat Survived. Reward: Gold, Treasure, Companion Affection Points. New Mission Unlocked: Lin Clan Recognition and Combat Advancement.
Li Xian's heart surged. He had survived… and more importantly, he had learned that even someone like him could rise.
This was only the beginning…