The forest around Li Chen was alive with the hum of nature. Leaves rustled in the gentle breeze, and the occasional chirp of spiritual birds echoed in the distance. With Xiao Yue perched on his shoulder and the newly tamed Thunderfang Wolf walking beside him, Li Chen felt a strange sense of calm despite the unfamiliar world.
"Alright," Li Chen muttered, glancing at his system screen. "We need a plan. Wandering aimlessly isn't going to get us anywhere."
The system chimed in:
**[Suggestion: Head north. A small village, Pinebrook, is located three kilometers away. It will provide shelter and information.]**
"A village, huh?" Li Chen said. "Sounds like a good place to start."
He set off, carefully navigating the dense undergrowth. As they walked, Xiao Yue kept her sharp eyes scanning their surroundings, while the Thunderfang Wolf, whom Li Chen decided to name Lei Feng, moved silently like a shadow.
"Lei Feng, huh?" Li Chen said, glancing at the wolf. "Strong and fast. You'll be my shield when things get rough."
Lei Feng growled softly, almost as if in agreement.
### **A Dangerous Encounter**
The path toward Pinebrook wasn't easy. The deeper they ventured, the more the forest seemed to change. The trees became larger, their roots twisting unnaturally, and the air grew heavy with spiritual energy.
As they crossed a shallow stream, Xiao Yue suddenly chirped in alarm. Her ears stood straight, and Lei Feng bared his fangs.
"What now?" Li Chen muttered, gripping a sturdy branch he'd picked up as a makeshift weapon.
From the shadows, a creature emerged. It resembled a large lizard, but its body was covered in jagged, rock-like scales. Its yellow eyes gleamed with hostility, and its long tongue flicked out menacingly.
**[Earthscale Monitor Detected: Mortal Tier (High)]**
Li Chen swallowed hard. "High-tier… This might be trouble."
The system chimed in:
**[Host is advised to focus on strategy. Direct combat is not recommended. The Earthscale Monitor's defense is too strong for Lei Feng and Xiao Yue to penetrate at their current levels.]**
"Great. So running's our only option?"
**[Not necessarily. The Earthscale Monitor is territorial. If provoked strategically, it can be forced to retreat.]**
Li Chen's mind raced. "Alright, let's do this. Lei Feng, flank left and keep it distracted. Xiao Yue, prepare Spirit Pulse to knock it off balance."
Lei Feng darted to the side, growling and snapping his jaws. The monitor hissed, turning its attention toward the wolf. Its tail lashed out, narrowly missing Lei Feng, who was quick to dodge.
Meanwhile, Xiao Yue hopped onto a nearby rock, her body glowing faintly. As the monitor lunged toward Lei Feng, Xiao Yue released **Spirit Pulse**. The shockwave hit the lizard's side, making it stumble.
"Now's our chance!" Li Chen shouted.
He picked up a fist-sized stone and hurled it at the monitor's head. It wasn't much, but it was enough to make the creature snarl in frustration. Realizing it was outmatched by the group's coordinated attack, the Earthscale Monitor let out a guttural hiss before retreating into the shadows.
Li Chen collapsed onto the ground, panting. "That… was close."
Xiao Yue hopped onto his lap, chirping happily, while Lei Feng wagged his tail, looking proud of his efforts.
"Good job, both of you," Li Chen said with a tired smile.
### **Pinebrook Village**
After the encounter, they quickened their pace. The forest eventually thinned out, and the sight of smoke rising in the distance signaled their arrival at Pinebrook.
The village was modest, with wooden houses scattered around a central square. Farmers worked in nearby fields, and children played with wooden toys. Despite its simplicity, the place radiated a sense of warmth and community.
As Li Chen entered the village, he noticed several villagers glancing nervously at Lei Feng.
"Don't worry," Li Chen said, raising his hands in a calming gesture. "He's tame. He won't hurt anyone."
An older man approached, leaning on a cane. His eyes were sharp, and his weathered face spoke of years of experience. "Young man, you're not from around here, are you?"
Li Chen shook his head. "I'm just passing through. I was hoping to find shelter and some information about the area."
The man's gaze lingered on Lei Feng and Xiao Yue before nodding. "Very well. I'm Elder Zhou, the head of this village. You're welcome to stay, but you'll need to earn your keep. The forest has been restless lately, and we could use a strong hand."
"Restless?" Li Chen asked, intrigued.
Elder Zhou nodded grimly. "Beasts have been attacking more frequently, and the energy in the forest has grown chaotic. Something isn't right."
Li Chen's system chimed in:
**[New Quest: Investigate the Disturbance in Pinebrook Forest. Reward: Beast Taming Manual (Intermediate).]**
Li Chen's eyes lit up. "Looks like I found my next challenge."
With a place to stay and a new mission on the horizon, Li Chen felt a surge of determination. This was just the beginning of his adventure, and he was ready to face whatever the cultivation world threw at him.