Ch 1 - Awakening in a New World

The last thing Li Chen remembered was the blaring horn of the truck. Time slowed as he stepped onto the crosswalk, and the next instant, darkness consumed him. It wasn't painful, nor was it peaceful—just an emptiness that stretched endlessly.

But then, light pierced through the void.

Li Chen groaned as he opened his eyes. The first thing he noticed was the vibrant blue sky above, dotted with clouds shaped like mythical beasts. The air smelled different—fresher, richer, and teeming with vitality. He sat up, taking in the surroundings.

He was in a dense forest, the kind you'd see in fantasy novels. Towering trees with glowing leaves stretched endlessly around him, their roots curling into bizarre shapes. The ground beneath him was soft, covered in moss that seemed to shimmer faintly under the sunlight.

"Where... am I?" Li Chen muttered.

Suddenly, a voice echoed in his mind:

[System Activated]

Welcome to the Realm of Xuanhai, host. You have been reincarnated in the cultivation world.

"System?" Li Chen's heart raced. "Like those novels?"

Correct. Your destiny is now bound to cultivation and the taming of spiritual beasts. Prepare yourself, host, for a life of power and challenges.

Li Chen pinched his arm. It hurt. This was real. He wasn't dreaming.

"Okay," he muttered, steadying his thoughts. "What can you do? What kind of system are you?"

I am the Supreme Beast Taming System. My purpose is to guide you in mastering the art of taming and bonding with spiritual beasts. I offer quests, rewards, and abilities tailored to this path.

Li Chen couldn't help but grin. "This is insane... but kind of awesome."

Just then, a rustling sound came from the bushes. His body tensed as a small creature emerged—a rabbit-like beast with silvery fur and glowing red eyes. Its aura radiated a faint spiritual energy, making it clear this was no ordinary animal.

[Quest Triggered]

Capture your first spiritual beast. Reward: Basic Beast Bonding Technique.

Li Chen's system displayed a small, holographic window in front of him. He had to capture this rabbit.

"Capture it? How?"

Approach cautiously. Trust your instincts, host.

Li Chen crouched low, his movements slow and deliberate. The rabbit tilted its head, its red eyes fixed on him. Just as he was within arm's reach, the rabbit bolted.

"Damn it!" Li Chen sprinted after it, dodging low-hanging branches and leaping over roots. The rabbit was fast, but Li Chen felt a strange surge of energy in his legs, allowing him to keep up.

Finally, the rabbit stopped at the edge of a clearing. Li Chen skidded to a halt, panting.

In the clearing stood a massive stone platform etched with glowing runes. Surrounding it were cages, each holding a different type of spiritual beast—flaming hawks, thunder wolves, and shadow serpents. The air hummed with power.

**[Location Discovered: Beast Taming Arena]**

"This... this must be some kind of training ground," Li Chen whispered, awestruck.

The rabbit hopped onto the platform, as if daring him to follow. Li Chen stepped forward cautiously, feeling the pressure of the runes around him.

**[System Update: Bonding Opportunity Detected]**

Before Li Chen could react, a golden beam shot from the platform, connecting him to the rabbit. A surge of information flooded his mind—a technique for bonding with beasts.

The rabbit's red eyes softened, and it approached Li Chen cautiously. With a trembling hand, he reached out and touched its fur.

[Quest Complete: First Spiritual Beast Captured]

Reward: Basic Beast Bonding Technique Acquired

The rabbit chirped, nuzzling his hand. Li Chen couldn't help but laugh.

"Alright, little guy. Looks like we're partners now."

Name your spiritual beast, host.

Li Chen thought for a moment. "How about... Xiao Yue?"

The rabbit chirped in approval, and Li Chen felt an unexplainable connection with it.

With Xiao Yue by his side and the system guiding him, Li Chen realized this was just the beginning of his journey. He had a world to explore, beasts to tame, and a destiny to fulfill.

And he couldn't wait to see where it would take him.