The next morning, Ye Xuan woke before sunrise.
He sat beside the window, watching the first rays of sunlight slowly illuminate the mountains.
The Heavenly Frost Sect looked completely different at dawn.
Mist covered the valleys.
The peaks seemed to float above a sea of clouds.
Ancient formations flickered faintly in the distance.
Ye Xuan stretched.
"Another beautiful day."
[The system confirms that the host has become increasingly poetic.]
"Don't ruin the mood."
[The system apologizes.]
Ye Xuan smiled.
"Check-in."
[Ding! Daily Check-In Successful.]
[Reward: 5,000 Low-Grade Spirit Stones.]
Ye Xuan nodded.
"Not bad."
[Host has said it again.]
"Stop counting."
[Additional Special Check-In Detected.]
Ye Xuan's eyes brightened.
"Where?"
A map appeared in his mind.
One location glowed.
[Spirit Beast Mountain.]
Ye Xuan's eyebrows rose.
"Spirit Beast Mountain?"
[Correct.]
"What kind of reward?"
[Unknown.]
Ye Xuan immediately stood.
"Then let's go."
Spirit Beast Mountain was located on the eastern side of the Heavenly Frost Sect.
Unlike the other peaks, this region was covered in dense forests.
Roars occasionally echoed from within.
Some were deep.
Some were sharp.
And some were powerful enough to make the surrounding trees tremble.
When Ye Xuan arrived, he saw several disciples standing near the entrance.
One of them immediately recognized him.
"Senior Brother Ye."
Ye Xuan stopped.
"Senior Brother?"
The disciple bowed.
"You are Elder Mu's direct disciple. Your status is higher than ours."
Ye Xuan nodded.
"I see."
The disciple hesitated.
"Are you here to choose a spirit beast?"
"Not exactly."
Ye Xuan glanced toward the mountain.
"I'm just looking around."
The disciple's expression became strange.
"Senior Brother, Spirit Beast Mountain isn't exactly a sightseeing area."
Ye Xuan smiled.
"I'll be careful."
He stepped forward.
The moment he crossed the entrance—
[Special Location Detected.]
[Spirit Beast Mountain.]
[Special Check-In Available.]
Ye Xuan smiled.
"Check in."
DING!
[Special Check-In Successful.]
[Congratulations, Host!]
[Reward: Beast Taming Talent.]
Ye Xuan blinked.
"Beast Taming Talent?"
[Host can communicate with spiritual beasts below a certain realm.]
[Host's bloodline will naturally increase the affinity of spiritual beasts toward him.]
Ye Xuan's eyes lit up.
"So I can tame beasts?"
[Correct.]
"How strong?"
[That depends on the host's cultivation and the beast's intelligence.]
Ye Xuan smiled.
"Interesting."
He walked deeper into the mountain.
Several hundred meters later—
A small white rabbit suddenly appeared behind a tree.
It stared at Ye Xuan.
Ye Xuan stared back.
The rabbit tilted its head.
Ye Xuan tilted his head.
The rabbit moved one step forward.
Ye Xuan crouched.
"Hello."
The rabbit's ears moved.
Then—
A strange voice appeared in Ye Xuan's mind.
"Hungry..."
Ye Xuan froze.
"You can talk?"
The rabbit stared at him.
"Carrot..."
Ye Xuan looked around.
"You're asking me for a carrot?"
The rabbit nodded.
Ye Xuan laughed.
He took a small vegetable from his storage ring.
"Here."
The rabbit immediately rushed over.
It grabbed the vegetable and began eating.
Ye Xuan smiled.
"You don't look very dangerous."
The rabbit stared at him.
"I'm terrifying."
"Sure."
"I can defeat ten humans."
"Of course."
"I'm very strong."
"Absolutely."
The rabbit seemed satisfied.
It finished eating.
Then it suddenly jumped onto Ye Xuan's shoulder.
Ye Xuan blinked.
"Are you coming with me?"
The rabbit nodded.
"More carrots."
Ye Xuan laughed.
"So that's your price."
"Yes."
He scratched its little head.
"Fine."
The system suddenly spoke.
[Congratulations.]
[Host has obtained his first voluntary spirit beast companion.]
Ye Xuan looked at the rabbit.
"Do I need to name you?"
The rabbit's ears stood straight.
"Name?"
Ye Xuan thought.
"How about Little Snow?"
The rabbit's eyes brightened.
"Good."
Ye Xuan smiled.
"Then Little Snow it is."
They continued deeper into the mountain.
Little Snow sat comfortably on his shoulder.
Every few minutes, it demanded another carrot.
Ye Xuan eventually gave up.
"You're eating more than I do."
"Carrot."
"That's your only word?"
"Carrot."
Ye Xuan sighed.
"Fine."
Then—
A terrifying roar echoed through the forest.
ROAR!!!
Little Snow suddenly froze.
Its ears stood upright.
Ye Xuan's expression changed.
"What is it?"
The rabbit pointed toward the forest.
"Big."
Branches snapped.
Trees fell.
A huge beast emerged.
It was nearly five meters tall.
Its body was covered in black scales.
Two enormous horns protruded from its head.
Its eyes glowed red.
Ye Xuan immediately recognized it.
"A Black Horned Bear."
The system responded.
[Spirit Beast: Black Horned Bear.]
[Cultivation: Spirit Sea Realm — Peak.]
Ye Xuan's expression became serious.
"Peak Spirit Sea?"
He looked at Little Snow.
"Stay behind me."
Little Snow immediately hid behind his neck.
"Scary."
Ye Xuan sighed.
"You said you were terrifying."
"I lied."
Ye Xuan almost laughed.
The Black Horned Bear roared.
Then charged.
BOOM!
The ground shook.
Ye Xuan's golden eyes sharpened.
His body moved.
He didn't retreat.
He stepped forward.
The Primordial Chaos Physique erupted with power.
His fist collided with the bear's claw.
BANG!
A shockwave exploded.
Ye Xuan slid backward several meters.
His feet dug into the ground.
He looked at his arm.
A faint scratch appeared.
Ye Xuan's eyes narrowed.
"So this is a Peak Spirit Sea beast."
The bear roared again.
It charged.
Ye Xuan smiled.
"Good."
His blood began boiling.
The Ancient Golden Bloodline circulated.
Golden light covered his body.
His white hair fluttered wildly.
He clenched both fists.
"Let's see how far I can go."
The battle continued.
The Black Horned Bear possessed overwhelming strength.
Every attack could shatter a boulder.
Every step shook the ground.
But Ye Xuan was faster.
His Battle Instinct activated.
He could see the beast's movements more clearly.
Its shoulders moved before every claw attack.
Its right leg was slightly slower.
Its breathing became heavier after repeated attacks.
Ye Xuan began adapting.
One dodge.
Two.
Three.
Then—
The bear raised both claws.
Ye Xuan suddenly disappeared from its vision.
He moved beneath its arm.
His fist struck its ribs.
BOOM!
The bear stumbled.
Ye Xuan followed.
Another punch.
Then another.
Finally—
He jumped.
His fist gathered every ounce of strength.
Nine Heavens Body Tempering Art!
Ancient Golden Bloodline!
Primordial Chaos Physique!
BOOM!!!
His fist slammed into the bear's head.
The enormous beast collapsed.
Dust filled the forest.
Ye Xuan landed.
He breathed heavily.
"That..."
He looked at his fist.
"...was satisfying."
Little Snow slowly peeked out.
"Dead?"
Ye Xuan nodded.
"Unconscious."
Little Snow cautiously approached the bear.
Then poked it.
"Big."
Ye Xuan laughed.
"Yes. Very big."
[Ding!]
[Combat Achievement Completed.]
[Host has defeated an opponent one major realm above himself.]
[Reward: 1,000 System Points.]
[Current System Points: 1,500.]
Ye Xuan's eyes brightened.
"The shop."
[System Shop Unlocked.]
A massive interface appeared.
SYSTEM SHOP
Cultivation Resources
Weapons
Techniques
Bloodlines
Physiques
Talents
Skills
Pills
Spirit Beasts
Special Items
Ye Xuan's eyes almost glowed.
"System."
[Yes?]
"Can I buy everything?"
[No.]
"..."
"Can I buy something extremely powerful?"
[If the host has sufficient System Points.]
Ye Xuan opened the shop.
Most items were ridiculously expensive.
A low-grade technique cost several hundred points.
A high-grade technique cost tens of thousands.
A bloodline cost hundreds of thousands.
A powerful physique...
Millions.
Ye Xuan stared.
"These prices..."
[Reasonable.]
"You're a thief."
[The system considers itself a businessman.]
Ye Xuan sighed.
He scrolled further.
Then stopped.
[Skill: Spatial Step]
Cost: 1,500 System Points
Ye Xuan's eyes lit up.
"Exactly my balance."
[Correct.]
"What does it do?"
[Allows the host to take short-distance steps through space.]
Ye Xuan smiled.
"Buy."
[Ding!]
[1,500 System Points deducted.]
[Skill acquired: Spatial Step.]
Information immediately entered his mind.
Ye Xuan closed his eyes.
He understood.
Spatial energy.
Position.
Distance.
Movement.
After a few seconds, he opened his eyes.
"Useful."
[The system agrees.]
Ye Xuan looked at the unconscious Black Horned Bear.
"Can I tame this?"
[Possible.]
"How?"
[Use your Beast Taming Talent.]
Ye Xuan placed his hand on the beast's forehead.
A strange spiritual connection formed.
The bear's consciousness was weak.
Ye Xuan sent a simple thought.
Follow me.
The beast slowly opened its eyes.
Its red eyes stared at him.
Then—
It lowered its head.
[Spirit Beast successfully tamed.]
[Black Horned Bear has acknowledged the host.]
Ye Xuan smiled.
"Not bad."
Little Snow climbed onto the bear's head.
"Mine."
Ye Xuan laughed.
"You've already claimed it?"
Little Snow nodded proudly.
"Big mount."
The Black Horned Bear looked confused.
Ye Xuan shook his head.
"Fine."
They began returning toward the sect.
Ye Xuan walked ahead.
Little Snow sat on the Black Horned Bear.
The sight was ridiculous.
A tiny white rabbit riding on the head of a giant terrifying bear.
Ye Xuan couldn't stop laughing.
"This is going to be a problem."
[The system predicts that the host will soon become the strangest direct disciple in the sect.]
"Probably."
They were almost at the mountain entrance when—
A familiar voice came from behind.
"Ye Xuan!"
Ye Xuan stopped.
He turned.
Bai Yue was standing there.
She stared at the enormous Black Horned Bear.
Then at Little Snow.
Then at Ye Xuan.
Her mouth slowly opened.
"Junior Brother..."
Ye Xuan smiled.
"Senior Sister."
She pointed at the bear.
"Where did you get that?"
Ye Xuan thought for a moment.
"I found it."
Bai Yue stared at him.
"You found a Peak Spirit Sea Black Horned Bear?"
"Yes."
"And tamed it?"
"Yes."
She looked at Little Snow.
"And that rabbit?"
"Also found it."
Bai Yue covered her face.
"You're unbelievable."
Ye Xuan smiled.
"I hear that often."
She walked closer.
Then suddenly—
Little Snow jumped onto her shoulder.
Bai Yue froze.
The rabbit stared at her.
"Pretty."
Bai Yue's eyes widened.
"It talks?"
Ye Xuan nodded.
"Apparently."
Little Snow pointed at Bai Yue.
"Pretty sister."
Bai Yue's cheeks immediately turned red.
She looked at Ye Xuan.
"Did you teach it that?"
Ye Xuan shook his head.
"No."
He paused.
Then smiled.
"But it has excellent taste."
Bai Yue's face became even redder.
"You..."
She lightly punched his shoulder.
Ye Xuan laughed.
What neither Ye Xuan nor Bai Yue noticed—
At the edge of the forest, a pair of eyes quietly watched them.
A young woman in black stood beneath an ancient tree.
Her red eyes were fixed on Ye Xuan.
She had seen the entire battle.
Her expression was cold.
But beneath that coldness was surprise.
"A Body Tempering cultivator..."
She whispered.
"...defeated a Peak Spirit Sea beast."
Her eyes narrowed.
"Who exactly are you, Ye Xuan?"
Then she disappeared into the forest.
That evening, Ye Xuan returned to his mountain.
He sat beneath the bamboo trees.
Little Snow slept on his lap.
The Black Horned Bear rested nearby.
Ye Xuan looked toward the distant peaks.
His cultivation was still weak.
His knowledge of the world was still limited.
But every day—
He became stronger.
Every day—
The system revealed something new.
And every day—
His life became more interesting.
He smiled.
"Tomorrow."
He looked toward the sky.
"Another check-in."
[The system reminds the host that cultivation is also important.]
Ye Xuan laughed.
"Don't worry."
He gently stroked Little Snow's fur.
"I won't forget."
Deep beneath the Heavenly Frost Sect—
That ancient presence stirred again.
This time, the voice was clearer.
"The aura... has appeared again."
A pair of ancient eyes slowly opened.
"Interesting."
Then the darkness swallowed everything once more.
For now, Ye Xuan remained unaware.
The mystery had not yet reached him.
And the story was still only beginning.