The crowd gathered in a semicircle around the makeshift arena at the village square. Chen Rong stood confidently in the center, cracking his knuckles, his smirk filled with disdain. He was a third-layer Body Refinement cultivator, with muscles honed from years of training.
Across from him, Lin Tian stood calmly, his posture relaxed. By his side, Xiao Fang, the Bloodfang Wolf, crouched low, its crimson eyes locked on Chen Rong.
"Bringing a pet to a duel? Are you here to fight, or just to embarrass yourself?" Chen Rong sneered, drawing laughter from the crowd.
Lin Tian ignored the jeers. His sharp gaze focused solely on his opponent.
"Are you done talking?" Lin Tian asked, his tone indifferent.
The casual dismissal wiped the smirk off Chen Rong's face.
"Alright, cripple. You asked for this!" Chen Rong lunged forward, his fist glowing faintly with spiritual energy. He aimed for Lin Tian's chest, intending to end the fight with a single blow.
Lin Tian didn't flinch.
"Xiao Fang!"
The wolf sprang into action, its speed blurring as it intercepted Chen Rong mid-strike. Its claws swiped across Chen Rong's arm, leaving deep gashes.
Chen Rong howled in pain, stumbling back as blood dripped to the ground.
The crowd gasped.
"Is that really a Bloodfang Wolf? How did he tame it?"
"Impossible! He's supposed to be crippled!"
Lin Tian's smirk widened. "You're too slow, Chen Rong. Was that really the best you could do?"
Chen Rong's face turned red with fury. He clutched his wounded arm and growled. "You think a beast will save you? Fine, I'll kill it first!"
He charged again, this time summoning all his strength. His body glowed faintly as he activated a defensive technique, his skin hardening like stone. He swung a powerful kick at Xiao Fang.
"Down!" Lin Tian commanded.
Xiao Fang leaped back, dodging the attack with ease. Lin Tian used the moment to close the distance. Though his body was weak, his years of combat experience guided his movements. He snatched a handful of dirt from the ground and flung it into Chen Rong's eyes.
"Argh!" Chen Rong stumbled, blinded.
"Xiao Fang, now!" Lin Tian shouted.
The wolf didn't hesitate. It lunged at Chen Rong, its jaws clamping down on his leg. Chen Rong screamed as the wolf dragged him to the ground.
Lin Tian stepped forward, placing a foot on Chen Rong's chest.
"Yield," Lin Tian said coldly, his voice cutting through the chaos of the crowd.
Chen Rong struggled, his pride battling his pain. But as Xiao Fang growled, its teeth hovering dangerously close to his throat, he finally relented.
"I… I yield!"
The crowd fell silent.
Lin Tian looked down at Chen Rong, his eyes filled with disdain. "You talk big, but you're nothing without your strength. Remember this humiliation the next time you try to mock someone weaker than you."
He turned to the crowd, his voice rising. "All of you wrote me off as a cripple, but that ends today. From now on, I'll show you what true strength looks like. And this is only the beginning."
The villagers murmured among themselves, their expressions a mix of awe and disbelief.
Li Yue pushed her way through the crowd, her face pale. "Lin Tian, that was reckless! Chen Rong could have killed you!"
Lin Tian glanced at her, his smirk softening. "But he didn't. And now, they'll think twice before underestimating me."
She sighed but didn't argue further.
> **[Mission Complete: Prove Your Strength.]**
> **[Reward Unlocked: Spirit Beast Bonding Manual.]**
A small book materialized in Lin Tian's hand, its cover adorned with golden runes. He tucked it into his robes, already planning to study it later.
---
### Aftermath
As the crowd dispersed, whispers followed Lin Tian wherever he went. He was no longer the useless cripple they had mocked for years. Now, he was an enigma, a rising force in their small village.
Back at his hut, Lin Tian flipped open the Spirit Beast Bonding Manual. The system's voice guided him.
> **[Spirit Beast Bonding Manual: Allows deeper connections with tamed beasts, increasing their growth potential and granting shared abilities.]**
> **[New Mission: Bond with Xiao Fang.]**
> **Reward: Unlock Beast Sharing Technique (Borrow a tamed beast's abilities temporarily).**
Lin Tian closed the book with a satisfied smirk.
"Xiao Fang, this is just the start. Soon, you'll be stronger than any beast in this realm," he said, patting the wolf's head.
Xiao Fang growled softly in approval, its loyalty evident.
As Lin Tian prepared to rest, Li Yue knocked on the door.
"Come in," he called.
She stepped inside, her expression conflicted. "Lin Tian, I don't know what's happened to you, but… you're not the same person you were before."
"I'm not," he admitted. "I've been given a second chance, and I'm not going to waste it."
She hesitated, then asked, "What are you planning to do now?"
Lin Tian's gaze turned sharp, filled with ambition. "I'm leaving this village. There's nothing left for me here. The world is vast, and I intend to conquer it."
Li Yue's fists clenched. "Then I'm coming with you."
Lin Tian raised an eyebrow. "Are you sure? The path I'm taking isn't for the weak."
"I don't care," she said firmly. "You're my only friend, Lin Tian. I won't let you face this alone."
He studied her for a moment before nodding. "Fine. But don't expect me to go easy on you. If you're coming with me, you'll need to keep up."
Li Yue smiled, her fiery determination shining through. "Just try and leave me behind."
Lin Tian's journey was no longer a solitary one. With Xiao Fang and Li Yue by his side, the road ahead promised challenges, danger, and glory.
And this was only the beginning.