The Azure Cloud Forest was alive with menace. Every rustle of leaves, every distant cry carried the weight of unseen predators.
Lin Tian kept Xiao Yue close, his senses sharpened. The disciples who had mocked them earlier had already scattered into groups, their laughter fading into the dense undergrowth. Ye Feng and his followers, however, lingered like wolves circling prey.
But then a rustle.
The sound was faint, yet heavy enough to silence the mocking voices. Zhao Chen froze mid-step, his sneer faltering. The bushes ahead trembled, and a low growl reverberated through the air.
Lin Tian's system pulsed:
[Warning: Tier 1 Spirit Beast Detected – Ironfang Wolf]
[Estimated Strength: Early Foundation Realm]
From the shadows, glowing yellow eyes pierced the darkness. Then another pair. And another.
Three wolves emerged, their fur bristling like steel needles, fangs gleaming with saliva. Their bodies were lean but packed with power, their movements fluid as shadows.
The disciples cursed under their breath.
"Damn it—wolves already?"
"These beasts move in packs! If there are three, there will be more!"
Xiao Yue gasped, instinctively stepping closer to Lin Tian. He positioned himself slightly ahead of her, his grip firm on his wooden practice sword. Though crude, it would have to suffice until he found something better.
Ye Feng's lips curved into a faint smile. "How fortunate. The forest welcomes us so
warmly." He motioned to his men, deliberately stepping back. "Why not let Lin Tian prove himself first? After all, he claims he can protect her."
Zhao Chen smirked. "Perfect. Let him be the bait."
The wolves crouched low, ready to pounce. Their growls deepened, vibrating through the ground.
Lin Tian's system flickered again:
[Temporary Quest: Defeat the Ironfang Wolf Pack.]
Reward: Random Martial Skill (Low-Tier)]
Failure: Severe Injury or Death.]
Sweat trickled down his brow. These beasts were stronger than ordinary disciples—one wrong move could end him.
But then, a soft voice beside him whispered, trembling yet determined."Lin Tian… I'll help."
He turned to Xiao Yue, startled. She held her wooden sword with both hands, her knuckles white, but her eyes shone with courage.
For a moment, something inside him shifted. She wasn't a burden. She was choosing to stand with him.
The wolves lunged.
"Xiao Yue—stay behind me!" Lin Tian barked, his body moving on instinct. His wooden blade met steel fangs with a loud crack, sparks flying as if the sword itself had momentarily hardened.
The system pulsed.
[Hidden Trait Activated: Adaptive Combat Instincts.]
[Durability of weapon temporarily reinforced.]
The wolf snarled, snapping back, but Lin Tian pressed forward, his movements sharper than before.
Behind him, Xiao Yue swung clumsily at another wolf that tried to circle. She missed, stumbling, but her courage bought Lin Tian precious seconds to reposition.
The forest echoed with roars, snarls, and the clash of wood against flesh.
Not far away, Ye Feng stood with his arms crossed, watching intently. His disciples whispered nervously, surprised at Lin Tian's sudden ferocity.
Ye Feng's eyes narrowed, his smile faint."So… the trash bites back after all."
The first wolf snapped at Lin Tian's throat, its steel-like fangs glinting. Lin Tian twisted his body sideways, his wooden sword crashing down on its snout with a resounding crack. The beast yelped and staggered back, blood dripping from its maw.
"Xiao Yue—left!" Lin Tian shouted.
Another wolf lunged from the flank. Xiao Yue squeaked in fear, but she swung her wooden sword wildly, striking the wolf's side. The impact was weak, barely grazing the beast, yet it was enough to throw its leap off balance.
Lin Tian seized the moment. His body moved faster than his thoughts, the system flooding his senses with instinct. His wooden sword swept low, striking the wolf's legs. With a howl, it tumbled sideways into the dirt.
[Combat Instinct: +15% Evasion.]
[Temporary Skill Acquired: Precision Strike Lv.1.]
The messages blinked before his eyes, but he had no time to process them. The third wolf pounced, claws outstretched. Lin Tian raised his weapon to block, the force jolting through his arms as the beast's claws raked sparks across the reinforced wood.
Xiao Yue screamed. The wolf's jaws snapped inches from Lin Tian's face.
"Not… today!" Lin Tian growled, channeling every ounce of strength into his counter. His sword rammed into the wolf's chest, striking with unnatural accuracy. A crunch sounded as ribs cracked. The beast staggered back, coughing blood.
The first wolf, enraged and bleeding, circled for another attack.
"Lin Tian, behind you!" Xiao Yue cried.
Lin Tian ducked low, the beast's claws swiping over his head. He rolled across the ground, came up on one knee, and thrust his sword upward in a single motion. The blade pierced under the wolf's jaw, driving into its skull.
The wolf convulsed violently, then collapsed in a heap.
Silence fell for a breath.
Then the other two wolves howled furiously, their eyes glowing with bloodlust.
Xiao Yue's arms trembled, her wooden sword slipping slightly in her grip. "Lin Tian… I—I can't…"
He shot her a sharp look, his voice firm but steady."You've already helped. Stay close. Trust me."
The words steadied her, her panic subsiding into fragile determination.
The second wolf lunged again. This time, Lin Tian sidestepped, his sword cutting clean across its flank. Blood splattered the grass, and the beast crashed into a tree with a pitiful yelp.
The last wolf, realizing its packmates were faltering, hesitated. Its ears twitched, tail stiffening. For a moment, Lin Tian saw it—the crack in its feral aggression. Fear.
"Now!" Lin Tian roared, surging forward. His sword slammed down on the wolf's skull with brutal precision. The beast collapsed instantly, twitching once before going still.
The forest fell quiet.
Breathing heavily, Lin Tian stood amidst three bloody corpses, his wooden sword cracked but intact.
[Quest Complete: Defeat the Ironfang Wolf Pack.]
[Reward Acquired: Martial Skill – Iron Fang Slash (Low Tier).]
[XP Gained: +250.]
The skill etched itself into his mind, the memory of the wolves' savage strikes transforming into technique. He could almost feel their fangs guiding his blade.
Xiao Yue dropped her sword, collapsing to her knees. Tears streamed down her cheeks, but she was smiling. "You… you really protected me."
Lin Tian helped her up, his eyes firm. "And I will. Always."
From the shadows, Ye Feng clapped slowly, his voice dripping with amusement.
"Impressive, Lin Tian. Very impressive."
His disciples exchanged uneasy glances. None of them had expected the "trash" to slay three spirit wolves alone.
Ye Feng's smile remained calm, but his eyes darkened."Now I see… it won't be enough to simply kill you. I'll have to break you, piece by piece."
---
The forest floor was littered with wolf corpses, their blood soaking into the earth. The stench of iron filled the air, but Lin Tian knew lingering here was dangerous. More beasts would be drawn to the smell.
"Come," he said softly, taking Xiao Yue's trembling hand. "We need to move."
Her legs wobbled, but she nodded, trusting him completely.
Guided by instinct and the faint glimmers of the system's prompts, Lin Tian led her deeper into the forest. Eventually, they found a shallow cave tucked behind a curtain of vines, hidden from sight.
It wasn't much, but for now—it was safety.
Inside, Xiao Yue slumped against the wall, her pale face damp with sweat. "I slowed you down again…" she whispered, guilt heavy in her tone.
Lin Tian shook his head firmly. "No. You warned me, you distracted the wolves, you stood your ground. Without you, I'd already be dead."
Her eyes widened, shimmering with unshed tears. For a moment, she said nothing—only staring at him as if searching for deception. But all she found was sincerity.
The silence was broken by the ding of the system.
[New Passive Skill: Predator's Awareness (Lv.1)]
[Effect: Enhanced danger sense in beast-filled environments.]
[Recommendation: Host should rest and absorb combat insights.]
Lin Tian exhaled slowly, realizing the system wasn't just granting skills—it was molding him, sharpening his instincts through battle.
"Rest here," he told Xiao Yue, gathering dry wood from outside. With sparks of flint, he kindled a small fire, the faint glow pushing back the darkness of the cave.
The warmth softened her trembling. She leaned closer to him, voice quiet as falling rain."Lin Tian… why are you doing this? You could have left me behind. No one would have blamed you."
He froze for a moment, then met her gaze.
"Because… when everyone else turned their backs on me, you didn't."
Xiao Yue's lips parted slightly, her heart pounding. In her chest bloomed something unfamiliar yet undeniable—trust, fragile but real.
Outside, the forest howled. Disciples clashed with beasts, cries of pain and battle echoing in the distance. Ye Feng's faction moved like shadows, spreading chaos.
But here, for the first time since the trial began,Lin Tian and Xiao Yue found a fleeting calm.
Lin Tian's eyes sharpened as he stared into the fire."This is only the beginning.
Tomorrow, we hunt. Not just to survive… but to grow stronger. If Ye Feng thinks I'll crumble then he's wrong."
The flames flickered, casting his shadow against the stone wall. A shadow that no longer seemed small, but steadily growing.