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**Beijing, Dragon Empire Alliance, June 10, 2045**
Lin Feng lounged in his dorm, the neon glow of Beijing's fortified walls painting his room in electric blues. His **F-Rank Dungeon Pass** lay on his desk beside a **Mystery Egg**, its red-gold veins pulsing like a heartbeat. Xiaohuo, his Flame-Tailed Drakeling, was sprawled across his bed, hogging the pillow and snoring sparks that singed the sheets.
"Oi, you little arsonist," Lin said, nudging the dragon. "Keep burning my stuff, and I'll trade you for a goldfish."
Xiaohuo cracked an eye, tail flicking. "Goldfish don't spit fire, human. Step up your game, or I'll eat that shiny egg."
Lin snorted, checking his stats:
**[Status: Lin Feng, Level 4]**
- **Stats**: Strength 21 (16 +5 from Iron Bracer), Agility 18, Intelligence 17, Vitality 13, Luck 11
- **Skills**: [Dragon Bond Lv. 1], [Dragon Claw Strike Lv. 1], [Celestial Evasion Lv. 1], [Dragon Roar Lv. 1]
- **Pet**: Xiaohuo (Flame-Tailed Drakeling, Level 4, Evolves at Level 10, Skills: Ember Shot Lv. 2, Drake Slash Lv. 2, Flame Pulse Lv. 1)
- **System Points**: 1550
- **Inventory**: Mystery Egg, Alpha Fang, Crimson Pelt, Wolf Pelts x2, Rat Tail Bundle, Mana Shards x2
The [System]'s latest quest buzzed in his mind: **[Quest: Prepare for Weekly Ranking Match. Reward: 400 System Points, Random Equipment. Deadline: June 15, 2045. Penalty: Xiaohuo Hides Your Gear.]**
"Hide my gear, and I'll hide your snacks," Lin muttered, eyeing Xiaohuo's stash of pilfered chicken wings. The ranking match, a school-wide PvE and PvP event, was tomorrow, June 11. Top performers earned points toward the **Global College Entrance Trials**, and Lin needed the clout to secure a spot at **Celestial Dragon Academy**. Plus, humiliating Li Hao again would be a bonus.
Fatty Wang burst in, carrying a tray of glowing [Spirit Dumplings] (+5 Strength). "Feng! You ready for the ranking match? I heard Li Hao's been training non-stop since you torched his ego."
Su Mei followed, her **Mana Weaver** aura flickering as she adjusted her glasses. "He's got a new skill, [Blaze Spear Lv. 1]. Be careful, Feng. He's out for blood."
Lin grinned, tossing Xiaohuo a dumpling, which the drakeling caught mid-air, burping flames. "Let Hair Gel try. I've got a dragon and a system. He's got… bad fashion."
The [System] chimed: **[Host's confidence noted. Reminder: Overconfidence killed the last guy who ignored Li Hao.]**
Lin blinked. "Wait, what last guy?"
**[System: Just kidding. Or am I? Focus, Host.]**
Lin groaned. "You're the worst cheat code ever."
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**Ranking Match Arena, June 11, 2045**
The school's arena was a coliseum of flashing runes and holographic screens, packed with students, teachers, and scouts from hunter guilds. The weekly ranking match was a spectacle: teams of three faced randomized challenges—monster waves, obstacle courses, or PvP duels. Points ranked students on a leaderboard, and the top 10% earned trial advantages.
Instructor Zhang, wielding his **Thunderstrike Halberd**, addressed the crowd. "Today's match is a hybrid: survive three monster waves, then face a rival team in PvP. Top five teams get bonus trial points. Don't embarrass me!"
Lin's team—himself, Fatty Wang, and Su Mei—stood ready. Fatty's spatula glowed, and Su Mei's fingers twitched with [Mana Thread]. Xiaohuo perched on Lin's shoulder, muttering, "If we lose, I'm blaming the noodle guy."
Fatty gulped. "Don't jinx me, lizard!"
The arena's floor shifted, transforming into a holographic jungle with tangled vines and glowing mist. Lin's team faced their first wave: 15 **Gloom Rats**, Level 3, scurrying like a furry apocalypse. Lin activated [Dragon Bond Lv. 1], syncing with Xiaohuo's senses. "Let's clear this trash."
Xiaohuo unleashed [Flame Pulse Lv. 1], a fiery shockwave that roasted five rats (-50 HP each). Su Mei's [Mana Thread] boosted Xiaohuo's attack speed, letting him spam [Ember Shot Lv. 2], popping rats like fiery popcorn. Lin danced through the swarm with [Celestial Evasion], slashing with [Dragon Claw Strike], while Fatty's [Spicy Toss Lv. 1] stunned the rest, their eyes watering from chili fumes.
"Fatty, your sauce is a war crime!" Lin laughed, slicing the last rat. **[EXP +30. Level 4: 240/400 EXP]**. Loot: **Rat Tail Bundle x2**.
Wave two brought five **Ironfang Wolves**, Level 4. Lin used [Dragon Roar], the sonic blast staggering them. Xiaohuo's [Drake Slash Lv. 2] carved a wolf's flank (-80 HP), while Su Mei's buffs kept Lin's Agility high. Fatty, bolder now, clonked a wolf with [Iron Pan Strike], shouting, "Take that, Fido!" The team cleared the pack in minutes, earning **Wolf Pelts x3**, a **Mana Shard**, and 60 EXP.
**[EXP +60. Level 4: 300/400 EXP]**.
The third wave was a D-Rank **Shadowclaw Panther**, Level 6, 600 HP, with stealth and speed. Its black fur blended into the mist, eyes glinting. Lin whispered, "Su Mei, light it up. Fatty, sauce the ground. Xiaohuo, get ready."
Su Mei cast [Mana Thread], creating a glowing web that revealed the panther's outline. Fatty's [Spicy Toss] coated the floor, forcing the beast to slip, snarling. Lin used [Dragon Roar] to stun it, then tossed Xiaohuo like a flaming boomerang. The drakeling's [Flame Pulse] and [Ember Shot] combo blasted the panther (-200 HP), while Lin's [Dragon Claw Strike] slashed its hindlegs (-150 HP). The beast lunged, but Lin dodged with [Celestial Evasion], letting Fatty finish it with a glowing spatula smack (-100 HP).
The panther dissolved, dropping a **Shadowclaw Claw** and 120 EXP. **[EXP +120. Level Up! Lin Feng, Level 5]**
- **Stats**: Strength 23 (18 +5), Agility 20, Intelligence 18, Vitality 14, Luck 12
- **Xiaohuo Level Up! Level 5, New Skill: Fire Wing Slash Lv. 1 [Melee fire attack, +10% Crit Chance]**
The crowd roared, chanting "Dragon Tamer!" Lin's team ranked third so far, behind two A-Rank teams. Li Hao's team, in second, glared from across the arena. His new [Blaze Spear Lv. 1] had shredded their waves, but Lin wasn't worried—yet.
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**PvP Showdown**
The arena shifted to a rocky battlefield for the PvP round. Lin's team faced Li Hao's: **Li Hao (Inferno Warlock, S-Rank)**, **Chen Wei (Ironclad Knight)**, and **Zhao Min (Shadow Assassin)**. The rules were simple: knock out the enemy team or force a surrender. No killing, but injuries were fair game.
Li Hao smirked, flames dancing in his hands. "Time to burn, Trash Tamer."
Lin yawned. "Hair Gel, your lines are as tired as your outfit. Let's dance."
The [System] pinged: **[Side Quest: Humiliate Li Hao in PvP. Reward: 300 System Points, Random Skill Shard. Penalty: Lose Team Cred.]**
Su Mei whispered, "Feng, his [Blaze Spear] pierces armor. Don't get cocky."
Fatty gripped his spatula. "I'm ready to sauce 'em!"
The match began. Zhao Min vanished, her [Shadow Cloak Lv. 2] active. Chen Wei charged, his **Ironclad Knight** aura flaring, swinging a massive hammer. Lin used [Celestial Evasion], dodging as Su Mei's [Mana Thread] boosted his speed. Xiaohuo flew at Chen Wei, [Fire Wing Slash Lv. 1] slicing his armor (-30 HP). Fatty hurled [Spicy Toss], the chili cloud making Chen Wei cough, his swings slowing.
Zhao Min struck from stealth, her [Shadow Stab] grazing Lin's shoulder (-20 HP). He retaliated with [Dragon Roar], the sonic blast breaking her cloak. Su Mei's [Mana Thread] linked Xiaohuo, boosting his [Flame Pulse] to blast Zhao Min (-50 HP). She stumbled, cursing.
Li Hao unleashed [Blaze Spear], a flaming lance aimed at Lin. Lin dove, using [Celestial Evasion], and "accidentally" tripped into Chen Wei, making the knight block Li Hao's spear (-40 HP). "Whoops!" Lin grinned. "Teamwork, Hair Gel!"
The crowd laughed, and Li Hao's face turned purple. He roared, firing [Flame Wave Lv. 2]. Lin grabbed Fatty, dodging behind a boulder, while Su Mei's buffs kept Xiaohuo airborne, spamming [Ember Shot Lv. 2] (-60 HP to Li Hao). Fatty, inspired, threw [Spicy Toss] at Li Hao's face, the chili blinding him (-10% Accuracy).
Lin saw his opening. "Xiaohuo, combo!" He tossed the drakeling, who spun into [Fire Wing Slash] + [Flame Pulse], a fiery whirlwind that slammed Li Hao (-80 HP). Lin followed with [Dragon Claw Strike], knocking Li Hao to his knees. Chen Wei and Zhao Min, low on HP, surrendered as Xiaohuo hovered, growling.
**[Side Quest Completed! Reward: 300 System Points, Skill Shard - Dragon Scale Armor Lv. 1 (+10% Defense, 30-sec Duration)]**
The arena erupted. "Dragon Tamer! Dragon Tamer!" Lin's team ranked first, earning 500 trial points. Li Hao, humiliated again, limped off, vowing, "This isn't over, Lin!"
Instructor Zhang nodded, impressed. "Reckless, but you're growing. Don't let it go to your head."
Lin saluted, grinning. "Too late, sir."
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**Post-Match Celebration**
In the cafeteria, Lin's team feasted on Fatty's [Spirit Noodles] (+5 Agility). Su Mei smirked, "You're insane, Feng. Tossing Xiaohuo like a grenade? Again?"
"It's strategy," Lin said, petting Xiaohuo, who was munching a noodle. "Right, buddy?"
Xiaohuo burped flames. "Call it strategy when you stop yeeting me, human."
Lin checked his points: **1850 System Points**. The [System Shop] tempted him with a **Mana Ring** (500 Points, +10% Skill Regen), but he held off, eyeing the **Mystery Egg**'s 1000-Point hatch cost. The new skill, [Dragon Scale Armor Lv. 1], would boost his defense, perfect for tougher dungeons.
Fatty leaned in, whispering, "Li Hao's telling everyone you cheated. Says he'll crush you in the next match."
Su Mei nodded. "He's got friends in high places. Watch out for sabotage."
Lin grinned, unfazed. "Let him try. I've got dragons, dumplings, and a system. He's got… hair gel."
The [System] chimed: **[New Quest: Train in F-Rank Dungeon Again. Reward: 600 System Points, Random Dragon Item, +10% Mystery Egg Hatch Progress. Deadline: June 17, 2045. Penalty: Xiaohuo Eats Your Notes.]**
Lin laughed, tossing Xiaohuo another noodle. "Eat my notes, and I'll feed you to the next boss."
Xiaohuo smirked, scales glinting. "Try it, and I'll burn your dreams."
As Beijing's neon lights pulsed outside, Lin felt the apocalypse's weight. The trials were two and a half months away, Li Hao was plotting, and the **Mystery Egg** hinted at a new dragon. His **Immortal-Rank Talent** was a secret ticking bomb, and the [System]'s cryptic hints about the **Level 1000 Gods** loomed. But for now, Lin Feng was ready to grind, troll, and tame his way to the top.
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