The day after Gong Zhen's departure, the sect was quiet.
Too quiet.
"Where's the beast?" Yun Xi asked.
"It followed Xue Rong into the forest," Han Li replied.
"...Why?"
"Xue said it 'needed to stretch its claws.'"
"Did he just tame it through flexing?"
Before anyone could respond, a strange noise echoed from the mountain path.
A soft hum. Then... laughter.
Then… clucking?
The sect members hurried to the gate.
And saw a boy.
A small one. No older than eleven. Barefoot, covered in scratches, and holding… a chicken.
No ordinary chicken.
It was as tall as him. Covered in iridescent feathers. Its eyes glowed faintly gold. It wore a vine necklace.
And it looked... smug.
"That's a spirit beast," Yun Xi said flatly.
"That's a golden sky chicken," Lin Fan whispered. "Extremely rare. Extremely aggressive. Usually territorial."
The chicken tilted its head, staring at them like a royal inspector.
The boy raised his hand. "Hi! I heard you tamed a berserk shadow hawk. Can I join?"
Inside the Sect Grounds
"Name?" Shen Mo asked.
"Wei Feng."
"Why are you here?"
"I want to learn how to make spirit beasts happy."
"That's not… really how beast taming works."
"I made Moonchick happy."
The chicken—Moonchick—squawked softly and snuggled against the boy.
Xue Rong frowned. "That bird is known for pecking out eyeballs."
"He healed her wing," Wei Feng said, gently petting the creature. "She was trapped in a trap set by some rogue cultivators."
"You fought them?"
"No. I stole their boots and ran away."
Shen Mo tilted his head.
"You're not a fighter?"
"No. I'm really good at hiding. Talking to animals. I know when someone's lying, too."
"You sound like a walking plot device," Lin Fan muttered.
Moonchick clucked at him.
Shen Mo narrowed his eyes.
"You came here alone. Through a beast-infested forest. With a legendary chicken. Are you sure you're not already a beast tamer?"
Wei Feng hesitated.
"I don't know. I just… talk to them."
"What do they say?"
The boy looked up.
"Some say you're dangerous. But not to me."
[System Notification:]
Potential Disciple Found: Wei FengNatural Talent: Beast Whisperer (Rare – Unawakened)Potential: Extreme (Requires Sect Master Bonding)
Condition: Disciple must choose willingly.Current Mental State: Curious. Unafraid. Lonely.
Beast Loyalty: Moonchick – 100%Moonchick has imprinted on Twilight Shadow Sect
Later That Evening – Beast Trials Ground
Shen Mo stood before the entire sect, with Wei Feng beside him.
"This boy isn't a fighter," Shen Mo announced. "But power doesn't always come from fists."
He looked at Wei Feng.
"If you wish to stay… we'll train you. Teach you. Raise you."
Wei Feng hesitated, then nodded.
"Then welcome," Shen Mo said, smiling faintly. "To Twilight Shadow Sect."
Moonchick squawked triumphantly—and exploded into light.
Everyone jumped.
When the light faded, Moonchick now wore a tiny golden battle harness. Her feathers shimmered like a divine phoenix's egg.
"...She evolved," Lin Fan whispered. "In response to loyalty."
"Is that possible?" Yun Xi asked.
"According to legend, yes," Shen Mo murmured. "But only under… very unusual conditions."
[System Update:]
New Disciple: Wei FengRole: Beast WhispererBeast Bond: Golden Sky Chicken (Moonchick – Spirit Rank: High → Rare Mutation)
Sect Beast Facility UnlockedBeast Taming Arc: Begin
Fame Increased: Local Beasts (Twilight Mountain Range) now view your sect with cautious respect.
That Night
Wei Feng stood beside Shen Mo on the roof, watching stars.
"They said I was weird," the boy said.
"They were right," Shen Mo replied. "But weird is useful here."
"Are you… really a good person?"
Shen Mo's smile didn't reach his eyes.
"No. But I'm doing good things… accidentally."
Wei Feng nodded. "That's okay. I don't mind accidents."
Shen Mo chuckled.
"Neither do I."