The morning sun bathed the village in golden light, the fields buzzing with the sounds of daily life. Yet Lin Tian's hut was quiet. Inside, he gathered the few belongings he had—a pouch of spirit herbs, the Spirit Beast Bonding Manual, and a simple dagger. Xiao Fang lay curled at his feet, ever vigilant, while Li Yue stood near the door, her arms crossed and her face determined.
"You're serious about this," she said, watching him pack.
Lin Tian didn't look up. "I've been given a second chance, Li Yue. I can't waste it staying here."
She nodded, gripping the strap of the small bag slung over her shoulder. "Then let's go."
"You're sure you're ready?" he asked, his voice quiet but firm.
She met his gaze without hesitation. "I've been ready since the moment you stood up to Chen Rong. I won't let you face the world alone."
Lin Tian smirked. "Good. But don't expect me to save you every time you get into trouble."
"I wasn't planning on it."
With that, the two stepped out into the village square. A few villagers paused their work to watch them, their expressions a mix of curiosity and unease.
"Leaving already, cripple?" a familiar voice called.
Lin Tian turned to see Chen Rong leaning against a tree, his arm still bandaged from their duel. His eyes burned with resentment.
"I'm not a cripple anymore," Lin Tian said coldly. "And if you keep testing me, you'll end up worse than last time."
Chen Rong scowled but said nothing.
Lin Tian and Li Yue continued walking, Xiao Fang following closely. As they reached the outskirts of the village, Li Yue hesitated, looking back one last time.
"Goodbye, home," she murmured.
Lin Tian didn't look back. "The real journey starts now."
The two traveled along a narrow dirt path that wound through the forest, the air filled with the scent of pine and the occasional chirping of birds. Xiao Fang padded silently beside them, its ears twitching at every sound.
"Where are we heading first?" Li Yue asked.
Lin Tian pulled out a crumpled map he had taken from his hut. "There's a small town about a day's journey from here. It's a hub for low-level cultivators and mercenaries. We'll start there."
Li Yue frowned. "And after that?"
"We find a way to fix my spiritual core," Lin Tian said, his tone resolute. "I can't rely on Xiao Fang and the system forever. I need my strength back."
As they walked, a sudden rustling in the bushes made both of them stop. Xiao Fang growled, stepping in front of Lin Tian protectively.
From the shadows emerged a man, his robes tattered and stained with blood. He clutched his side, his breathing ragged. His eyes darted between Lin Tian and Li Yue, filled with desperation.
"Help… me…" he gasped before collapsing to the ground.
Li Yue rushed to his side. "He's injured badly! Lin Tian, we need to help him!"
Lin Tian's instincts screamed caution. The man's aura was faint, but there was a trace of cultivation energy lingering around him.
"Careful," Lin Tian said, his eyes narrowing. "He's not an ordinary villager."
As if to confirm his suspicion, the man's hand shot out, grabbing Li Yue's wrist. His eyes opened, revealing a flicker of panic.
"They're coming…" he whispered hoarsely. "Run…"
Before Lin Tian could react, the sound of footsteps echoed through the forest. A group of five men stepped out from the trees, their armor marked with the insignia of a local mercenary guild. Their leader, a burly man with a scar running down his face, sneered.
"Found you, traitor," the scarred man said, his voice dripping with malice.
Lin Tian stepped forward, positioning himself between the mercenaries and Li Yue. "What's going on here?"
The scarred man laughed. "None of your business, boy. Hand over the runaway, and we'll let you walk away."
Lin Tian's eyes flashed coldly. "What if I don't?"
The scarred man's sneer deepened. "Then you die with him."
Li Yue pulled the injured man to his feet, supporting his weight as he struggled to stay conscious. "Lin Tian, we can't fight them! There are too many!"
Lin Tian didn't reply. Instead, he turned to Xiao Fang. "Ready for another hunt?"
The wolf growled in anticipation, its claws digging into the dirt.
"Last chance," the scarred man said, drawing a large blade. "Hand him over, or we'll cut you down."
Lin Tian smirked, his voice laced with confidence. "You should've brought more men."
The mercenaries didn't wait for his answer. Two of them lunged forward, their weapons gleaming in the sunlight.
"Xiao Fang, take the left!" Lin Tian commanded.
The wolf darted forward, a blur of speed and ferocity. Its claws raked across one mercenary's chest, sending him flying into a tree. The second mercenary swung his blade at Xiao Fang, but the wolf ducked under the attack and clamped its jaws around the man's arm.
Lin Tian, unarmed, focused on the scarred leader. His body was weak, but his mind was sharp. He dodged the man's heavy swings, using his smaller frame to his advantage.
"Li Yue, keep him alive and stay back!" Lin Tian shouted.
Li Yue nodded, dragging the injured man away from the fight.
The scarred man snarled, his attacks growing more reckless. "You're just a cripple! Stop running and fight me!"
Lin Tian's smirk widened. "A cripple who's outsmarting you."
As the leader swung again, Lin Tian grabbed a handful of dirt and flung it into his eyes. The man stumbled, cursing, and Lin Tian seized the opportunity.
"Xiao Fang, now!"
The wolf leaped onto the scarred man, knocking him to the ground. Its teeth hovered over his throat, ready to end him.
"Yield," Lin Tian said coldly.
The man froze, his pride warring with his survival instinct. Finally, he spat, "Fine! We yield!"
Lin Tian gestured for Xiao Fang to back off. The wolf growled but obeyed, returning to his side.
The remaining mercenaries helped their leader to his feet, glaring at Lin Tian.
"This isn't over," the scarred man said before retreating with his group.
Lin Tian watched them go, his body tense. Once they were out of sight, he exhaled and turned to Li Yue.
"Is he still alive?"
Li Yue nodded. "Barely. But who is he, and why were they after him?"
The injured man opened his eyes, his voice weak but determined. "My name… is Zhang Wei. They want me because I stole something… Something powerful."
Lin Tian's eyes narrowed. "What did you steal?"
Zhang Wei's lips curled into a faint smile. "A cultivation technique… one that can rebuild a shattered core."
Lin Tian froze, his heart pounding.
"Where is it?" he demanded.
Zhang Wei reached into his robes and pulled out a scroll, handing it to Lin Tian. "Take it… but beware. They won't stop hunting you now."
Lin Tian took the scroll, his grip firm.
"Let them come," he said, his voice filled with newfound determination. "I'll be ready."