Dawn broke over Qingyang City with golden light streaming through Ethan's window.
He'd barely slept.
Most of the night was spent reviewing Chen Xuan's memories about beast taming and experimenting with the system interface.
He'd discovered several useful features - a beast analysis function, a cultivation guide, and even a simple map feature that could mark spiritual energy concentrations.
But the most important discovery was the tutorial quest timer, which now showed: [6 Days, 18 Hours Remaining].
Plenty of time, but Ethan wasn't the type to procrastinate.
Today was the day.
He dressed quickly in the academy's azure and white robes - slightly faded and patched in places, unlike the pristine uniforms the main family disciples wore.
The Jade Serpent Pendant hung around his neck, hidden beneath his shirt.
He could feel a faint warmth from it, almost like a heartbeat.
The academy gathering point was on the eastern edge of Qingyang City, near the massive gates that led to the wilderness beyond.
When Ethan arrived, about forty students had already assembled, along with three instructors.
Instructor Wang stood at the front - a stern-faced man in his forties with a contracted Thunder Wolf lounging beside him.
The wolf was massive, easily the size of a horse, with silver fur that crackled with occasional sparks of electricity.
A Beast Master realm expert, according to Chen Xuan's memories.
"You actually came," a mocking voice said.
Ethan turned to see Zhang Hao, one of Chen Xuan's regular tormentors.
He was flanked by two other students, all of them wearing the superior smirks of those who'd never experienced real failure.
Zhang Hao had three contracted beasts and was already at Beast Warrior Rank 4 - considered a genius for his age.
"Why wouldn't I?" Ethan replied calmly.
"Because you're wasting everyone's time," Zhang Hao sneered.
"Three years and not a single contract. Face it, Chen Xuan - you have no talent. You should just quit and save yourself the embarrassment."
Several nearby students snickered.
Ethan felt Chen Xuan's shame and anger bubbling up, but he pushed it down.
Words were just words.
By the end of today, he'd have proof that things had changed.
"We'll see," Ethan said simply, and walked away.
Zhang Hao's eyes narrowed at the dismissal, but before he could respond, Instructor Wang's voice boomed across the gathering.
"Silence! Listen up, all of you!"
The chatter died instantly.
Instructor Wang swept his gaze across the students, his expression severe.
"Today's expedition to the Whispering Woods is not a field trip. It's a practical examination. The woods contain beasts ranging from Rank 1 to Rank 5. Your task is simple: those of you without full contract slots should aim to find and contract a suitable beast. Those with full slots should focus on gathering spirit herbs and beast materials."
He paused, letting that sink in.
"Remember - just because a beast is low ranked doesn't mean it's harmless. Last year, a student died because he got cocky and approached a Rank 3 Poison Fang Snake without proper preparation. Stay in groups. Don't wander into the deep woods. If you encounter anything above Rank 5, retreat immediately and signal for help. Understood?"
"Yes, Instructor!" the students chorused.
"Good. We leave in five minutes. Check your supplies."
Ethan patted his dimensional storage pouch.
He had basic supplies - a water flask, some dried rations, a simple dagger, and a few beast-attracting herbs that Chen Xuan had saved up.
Not much, but it would have to do.
"Chen Xuan."
He turned to find Liu Yue approaching.
Her Frost Sparrow chirped from her shoulder, eyeing him curiously.
"I'm surprised you made it on time," she said.
There was no mockery in her voice, just honest observation.
"I told you - things are going to change," Ethan replied.
Liu Yue studied him for a moment. "You seem different. More... focused."
"Maybe I finally woke up."
She smiled slightly. "Well, if you're serious about contracting a beast today, I can help. I know the woods pretty well. There's an area near the eastern stream where Rank 1 and 2 beasts like to gather. Nothing too dangerous."
It was a genuine offer, and Ethan appreciated it. But he had other plans.
"Thanks, but I think I'll try my luck elsewhere."
Liu Yue frowned. "Don't do anything stupid. I know you're desperate, but trying to contract something beyond your level will just get you hurt."
"I'll be careful," Ethan assured her.
Before she could respond, Instructor Wang's voice rang out again. "Move out!"
The group set off through the eastern gates.
The Whispering Woods lay about an hour's march from the city - a vast expanse of ancient forest where spiritual energy was dense enough to support monster beasts.
It was called the Whispering Woods because the wind through the trees supposedly sounded like voices, though Chen Xuan had always thought that was just superstition.
As they walked, Ethan pulled up his system interface discreetly.
[Beast Evolution System]
[Host: Ethan Cross]
[Cultivation: Beast Apprentice, Rank 1]
[Contracted Beasts: 0/3]
[Active Quest: Contract Your First Beast (6 Days, 17 Hours Remaining)]
[New Feature Unlocked: Beast Detection]
[Range: 500 meters]
[Filter: Bloodline Quality Available]
Ethan's eyes widened.
This was perfect.
He focused on the Beast Detection feature, and immediately a translucent overlay appeared over his vision. Small dots of light scattered throughout the forest ahead - white for common beasts, green for uncommon, blue for rare, and purple for epic.
Most dots were white.
A few green ones appeared here and there.
But as Ethan scanned the forest, he spotted what he was looking for - a faint blue dot, far to the north, away from where the other students would be searching.
[Rare Bloodline Detected]
[Distance: 2.1 kilometers]
[Beast Type: Unknown - Requires Closer Proximity]
[Recommendation: This beast has dormant draconic bloodline. Highly compatible with Jade Serpent Pendant.]
Perfect.
The group reached the edge of the Whispering Woods, and Instructor Wang called for a halt.
"You have until sunset," he announced. "Stay within the designated safe zones marked on your maps. Do not, under any circumstances, cross into the deep woods. Violators will be expelled. Dismissed!"
The students immediately scattered in different directions, most heading toward the well-known beast gathering spots. Zhang Hao and his group went south, where Rank 3 beasts were more common.
Liu Yue gave Ethan one last concerned look before heading east with a few other students.
Ethan waited until most of the others had left, then casually walked north.
The forest was beautiful in the morning light.
Ancient trees towered overhead, their branches forming a canopy that filtered the sunlight into dappled patterns.
The air smelled of moss and wild flowers.
Spiritual energy hung thick in the atmosphere, making Ethan's skin tingle.
He walked for about twenty minutes, following the blue dot on his detection overlay.
The sounds of other students faded behind him, replaced by birdsong and the rustle of small creatures in the underbrush.
[Warning: You are approaching the boundary of the safe zone]
[Continue?]
Ethan hesitated.
Instructor Wang's warning had been clear.
But the rare bloodline beast was just beyond the boundary, maybe another kilometer in.
He thought about Chen Xuan's three years of failure.
Thought about the humiliation, the mockery, the disappointed looks from family members.
Playing it safe hadn't worked.
Chen Xuan had stayed in the safe zones, tried to contract common beasts, followed all the rules - and it had gotten him nowhere.
"Fortune favors the bold," Ethan muttered, and kept walking.
The forest grew darker as he ventured deeper.
The trees here were older, thicker, their trunks covered in strange luminescent moss.
The spiritual energy was noticeably denser, making it easier to breathe but also making his nerves tingle with alertness.
[Beast Detected: 50 meters ahead]
[Analyzing...]
[Species: Three-Eyed Shadow Cat]
[Rank: 2]
[Bloodline: Dormant Draconic (Shadow Dragon lineage - 0.3%)]
[Status: Injured]
[Temperament: Hostile, Frightened]
[Compatibility: 87%]
[Recommendation: High evolution potential. Contract strongly advised.]
Ethan's heart raced.
A draconic bloodline beast, even with only 0.3% blood purity, was incredibly rare. Most students would never encounter one in their entire lives at the academy.
He moved forward carefully, pushing through a thicket of ferns, and froze.
In a small clearing ahead, a cat-like creature about the size of a large dog lay curled against a tree root.
Its fur was midnight black, and three eyes arranged in a triangular pattern - two where normal eyes would be, and one in the center of its forehead - tracked his approach with obvious wariness.
Blood matted the fur on its right hind leg, and Ethan could see a nasty gash there.
The beast hissed as he stepped into the clearing, its back arching defensively.
"Easy," Ethan said softly.
"I'm not going to hurt you."
The Shadow Cat hissed again, louder this time.
Its three eyes glowed with a faint purple light.
[Warning: Beast preparing to attack]
[Recommended Action: Retreat or use calming technique]
Ethan slowly reached into his pouch and pulled out the beast-attracting herbs.
They were normally used to lure creatures, but they also had mild calming properties.
He crushed a few leaves in his palm, releasing their sweet scent, and held out his hand.
"Look, I know you're hurt and scared. But I can help you."
The Shadow Cat's nose twitched.
Its eyes dimmed slightly, still wary but no longer glowing with immediate hostility.
Ethan took a slow step forward.
"That leg looks bad. Infection, maybe. Left untreated, you probably won't last another week."
Another step.
The cat growled, a low rumbling sound, but didn't attack.
"I'm a beast tamer. Or... well, I'm trying to be. If you let me form a contract with you, I can use spiritual energy to help heal that wound. And I promise - I'll treat you well. No cages, no abuse. We'll be partners."
He was close now, just a few feet away.
The Jade Serpent Pendant around his neck had begun to glow faintly, warm against his chest. The Shadow Cat's three eyes fixed on it, and something changed in its expression - recognition? Interest?
Ethan slowly knelt down and held out his hand, palm up.
"What do you say? Want to take a chance on me?"
For a long moment, the Shadow Cat just stared at him.
Then, slowly, painfully, it limped forward.
Its rough tongue lapped at the crushed herbs in Ethan's palm.
The three eyes studied him with an intelligence that was almost human.
[Beast is considering contract]
[Initiating bond formation...]
[Place hand on beast's forehead and channel spiritual energy]
Ethan's heart hammered as he carefully moved his herb-dusted hand to touch the Shadow Cat's forehead, right where the third eye rested.
The cat flinched but didn't pull away.
He closed his eyes and felt for the tiny spark of spiritual energy in his dantian.
It was pathetically small, but it was there.
Following Chen Xuan's memories of the contract technique, he channeled that energy through his arm and into his palm.
A connection formed immediately - a warm, thrumming link between his soul and the beast's.
He could feel the Shadow Cat's pain, its exhaustion, its wariness... and beneath all that, a spark of hope.
[Contract forming...]
[10%... 25%... 50%...]
Light erupted from where they touched, silver and purple intertwining.
The Shadow Cat yowled, not in pain but in what seemed like surprise.
The light grew brighter and brighter until—
[DING!]
[Contract Successful!]
[Congratulations! You have contracted your first beast!]
[Species: Three-Eyed Shadow Cat]
[Rank: 2]
[Name: (Please designate)]
[Beast Evolution System activating...]
[100x Cultivation Speed Applied!]
[Current Cultivation Progress: 2% toward Rank 3]
[Estimated time to Rank 3: 3 days, 8 hours]
[Normal time: 11 months]
The light faded, and Ethan found himself staring into three purple eyes that now looked at him with recognition and... acceptance?
"Shadow," Ethan said softly.
"I'll call you Shadow."
The Shadow Cat—Shadow—made a sound that might have been approval.
Through their new bond, Ethan could feel her exhaustion and pain, but also a growing sense of trust.
[New Feature Unlocked: Beast Status Screen]
He focused on Shadow, and a detailed panel appeared:
[Name: Shadow]
[Species: Three-Eyed Shadow Cat]
[Rank: 2 (Progress: 2%)]
[Cultivation Speed: 100x (System Bonus)]
[Health: 34%]
[Bloodline: Dormant Draconic (Shadow Dragon - 0.3%)]
[Skills: Shadow Step (Level 1), Night Vision, Triple-Eye Perception]
[Evolution Potential: Extremely High]
[Current Status: Injured - Requires healing]
Ethan immediately channeled more spiritual energy through their bond, directing it toward Shadow's injured leg.
It wasn't much - his cultivation was too weak for serious healing - but he felt the wound close slightly, the bleeding stop.
Shadow relaxed, a low purr rumbling in her chest.
"That's the best I can do for now," Ethan said.
"But once we get back to the city, I'll get you proper medicine."
Through their bond, he felt Shadow's gratitude.
A sudden sound made both of them freeze.
Voices in the distance, getting closer.
"—swear I saw something go this way! Could be a Rank 4 beast!"
"You idiot, we're not supposed to be this deep!"
"Scared? The instructor won't know if we don't tell him."
Zhang Hao.
Of course.
Ethan looked at Shadow. "Think you can walk?"
Shadow stood shakily, favoring her injured leg but managing to stay upright.
"Good. Let's get out of here before those idiots spot us."
He turned to leave the way he'd come, Shadow limping beside him, when the system chimed again.
[Warning: High-level beast approaching]
[Species: Crimson Fang Viper]
[Rank: Mortal Beast Rank 38]
[Distance: 200 meters and closing]
[Threat Level: Extreme - Beast Lord Level]
[Recommended Action: Flee immediately]
Ethan's blood ran cold.
A Mortal Beast Rank 38?
That was Beast Lord level - something that could kill him with a single strike.
And Zhang Hao and his group were walking right toward it.
"Damn it," Ethan cursed.
As much as he disliked Zhang Hao, he couldn't just leave them to die.
He started running back toward the voices, Shadow keeping pace despite her injury.
"Zhang Hao!" he shouted. "Run! There's a Mortal Beast Rank 38 beast coming!"
He burst through the trees to find Zhang Hao and three other students, all of them looking at him with surprise that quickly turned to mockery.
"Chen Xuan?" Zhang Hao sneered. "What are you doing all the way out here? And what's that - did you actually manage to contract something?"
His eyes fell on Shadow, and his expression shifted to one of disdain.
"A Three-Eyed Shadow Cat? That's just a Rank 2 beast. And it's injured! Ha! Even when you finally contract something, it's a piece of trash!"
"Shut up and run!" Ethan snapped.
"There's a Mortal Beast Rank 38 Crimson Fang Viper less than two hundred meters away!"
Zhang Hao's smirk faltered.
"Rank 38? Don't be ridiculous, those don't come this close to the safe zone—"
A hiss echoed through the forest, long and sibilant and filled with menace.
The temperature seemed to drop ten degrees.
Zhang Hao's face went pale.
Through the trees behind them, something massive moved.
Red scales gleamed in the scattered sunlight.
Twin fangs as long as daggers dripped with venom.
Yellow eyes fixed on them with cold, predatory intelligence.
[Crimson Fang Viper - Mortal Beast Rank 38]
[Status: Hungry, Aggressive]
[Survival Probability: 2%]
"RUN!" Ethan screamed.
They ran.