The night was colder than before. The broken temple barely kept out the wind, and the damp scent of rain clung to the air.
Li Xueyan sat near the altar, sharpening the small dagger Granny Su had given her. It was dull, barely useful, but it was the only weapon she had.
She sighed, stretching her sore arms. It had been weeks since she arrived at the temple, and her body had finally regained some strength. Her movements were quicker, her punches sharper. Yet, deep down, she knew it wasn't enough.
She was still weak.
Her fingers clenched around the dagger. I can't stay like this forever.
Lightning flashed outside, illuminating the broken pillars. Thunder rumbled in the distance, shaking the walls. Then, just as she was about to return to her training—
A sound.
A deep, guttural growl.
Xueyan's heart stopped.
She wasn't alone.
Slowly, she turned her head toward the shadows near the entrance. At first, she saw nothing but darkness. But then—
Two golden eyes gleamed from within the shadows.
Her grip tightened on the dagger. The air grew heavy, thick with an unnatural presence.
A beast.
And not just any beast—something powerful. Something unnatural.
The creature stepped forward, its massive paws barely making a sound. It was a wolf, but unlike any she had ever seen. Its fur was deep black, streaked with fiery red markings that pulsed like embers. Its body flickered, shifting between solid form and mist, as if it wasn't fully part of this world.
Xueyan's breath came slow and steady. Her instincts screamed at her to run. But she held her ground.
She couldn't afford to show fear.
The wolf watched her, unblinking. Then, to her shock—
It spoke.
"You… are not the one who called me."
Xueyan stiffened. The voice was deep, almost ancient, like it had existed for centuries.
"…What do you mean?" she asked cautiously.
The wolf tilted its head slightly, studying her. "This temple… carries the scent of an oath. A warrior once swore to guard this place. But that warrior is long gone. And yet, here you stand."**
Her mind raced. A warrior? Was it talking about someone from the old martial sect?
Then, the wolf's golden eyes narrowed.
"And you… your soul does not belong to this world, does it?"
Xueyan's body went rigid.
It knows.
She had hidden the truth well—her past life, the fact that she wasn't the original Li Xueyan. No human had noticed.
But this creature had.
Her heart pounded. If it saw her as an outsider, would it attack?
She took a slow breath, forcing herself to remain calm. "Does it matter?"
Silence.
Then, the wolf let out a low chuckle.
"No."
Xueyan blinked. That wasn't the answer she had expected.
The beast took a step closer, its eyes gleaming with something unreadable. "Strength is strength, no matter the soul. And I wish to see yours."
A chill ran down her spine.
She barely had time to react before the wolf lunged.
Xueyan rolled to the side, barely dodging as massive claws slashed through the air. The force of the attack sent a gust of wind through the temple, knocking over loose stones.
She scrambled to her feet, her dagger raised. "You're testing me."
The wolf bared its fangs. "Prove yourself."
Xueyan's breath came in quick bursts. She was still recovering, still weak. Fighting this creature was insane.
But she had no choice.
She shifted her stance. Cloud Shadow Fist—Falling Leaf Step.
Her body moved, light as a feather, as she dodged another swipe. The wolf was fast, but she was learning its rhythm. It struck hard, but its attacks were large, sweeping.
She could use that.
When the beast lunged again, she twisted at the last second, ducking beneath its massive form. Her dagger flashed, aiming for its exposed side—
Only for the wolf to vanish into mist.
Xueyan gasped as her blade cut through nothing. Before she could react, the beast reappeared behind her, slamming into her with a force that sent her crashing to the ground.
Pain exploded through her ribs.
She coughed, gripping the dirt beneath her. Damn it.
The wolf circled her, its eyes burning with amusement. "You fight well for someone so weak."
Xueyan gritted her teeth. "Then stop holding back."
The beast's eyes gleamed. "Bold words."
It lunged again, faster this time. Xueyan barely dodged, her body screaming in protest. Her strength was running out.
If this continued, she would lose.
She needed to take a risk.
As the wolf came at her once more, she did something reckless—
Instead of dodging, she ran toward it.
The beast's eyes widened in surprise, just for a moment. But that moment was enough.
At the last second, she dropped low, sliding under its body. Her dagger lashed out, slicing toward its exposed stomach—
But before the blade could land—
The wolf disappeared again.
Xueyan's body hit the ground hard. Her vision blurred.
Damn it…
A deep chuckle echoed around her.
She turned her head—only to see the wolf standing unharmed, watching her with something almost like approval.
"You are bold," it said. "I like that."
Xueyan panted, her muscles trembling. "Are you done playing with me?"
The beast let out a low hum. "Perhaps."
Then, its form began to fade, turning into smoke.
Xueyan tensed. What was happening?
The mist swirled around her, thick and warm. A strange heat spread through her chest, and suddenly—
A mark appeared on her right palm, glowing faintly.
She stared at it, breathless.
The wolf's voice echoed in her mind.
"From this day forward, I shall be your guardian. Your shadow. Your blade."
Its presence sank into her body, settling deep within her soul.
Then—silence.
Xueyan knelt there, heart pounding, trying to process what had just happened.
She hadn't just survived.
She had gained something far greater than she expected.
A spirit beast companion.
She clenched her fist, feeling the strange warmth of the mark.
This was it. The first real step toward reclaiming her strength.
Toward revenge.