The judge cleared his throat.
"Match Four! Han Li of Twilight Shadow Sect… versus Ji Yuyan of the Feathered Summit!"
Ji Yuyan strode in confidently, flanked by spirit birds.
Among them waddled a massive, battle-scarred spirit duck wearing a spiked collar.
"That duck looks like it killed a man," Han Li whispered.
"It did," Yun Xi replied. "Twice."
The Battle Begins
Han Li stepped onto the stage nervously.
Ji Yuyan smirked. "You're the weakest one, aren't you?"
Han Li shrugged. "Maybe. But I'm also the luckiest."
"Your luck won't matter," she said. "Go, Featherscourge!"
The spirit duck quacked… and charged.
[System Notification:]
Match Begins: Han Li (Level 4 Martial Disciple) vs. Ji Yuyan (Level 6 Martial Disciple)
Arena: Beast Control Duel Zone
Objective: Disarm the beastmaster or tame the beastRisk Level: Moderate
Passive Activated: "Protagonist's Best Friend Aura" – Chance of miraculous outcomes in high-pressure situations.
Battle Commences
Featherscourge flapped into the air like a winged cannonball.
Han Li ducked. (Heh.)
He dodged left, stumbled right, and tripped on a loose tile—accidentally rolling under the duck's attack and into Ji Yuyan's legs.
THWUMP!
She fell.
"Ow! What was that?!"
"Uh… sorry?"
Han Li's Perspective
"Okay, okay, I just have to not die. Just focus…"
The duck came again.
Han Li threw a spirit-reinforced rice ball he packed for lunch.
Featherscourge… caught it in midair.
Paused.
Ate it.
Then blinked.
And slowly waddled over to Han Li.
And… sat.
"You bribed my spirit beast?!" Ji Yuyan shrieked.
"No! I just—uh—fed him? Kindly?"
Crowd Reaction
Lin Fan: "This is either genius or the stupidest luck I've ever seen."
Yun Xi: "I can't tell which."
Ziqing: "Han Li has friendship magic. Or rice magic."
Moonchick glared at Featherscourge. A rivalry had begun.
Final Move
Ji Yuyan tried to summon another beast—only to have Featherscourge block her path.
Then sit on her.
She tapped out.
[System Notification:]
Match Winner: Han Li
Unique Title Earned: "Beast Bro Whisperer"
Trait Progression:Low-tier Spirit Affinity → Beast Empathy (Instinctual)
Passive Learned: Spirit Snacks – Spirit beasts are less aggressive if fed well.
After the Match
Han Li returned to the team, holding a confused Featherscourge in his arms.
"I think… I have a pet now?"
Shen Mo stared at the duck. Then at Han Li.
"You win your battles in the most unexpected ways."
"Is that good?"
"It's terrifying."
Moonchick flapped aggressively. Featherscourge quacked in reply.
A war was brewing.
Backstage – Mei Lian's Shadow
She watched the whole battle from afar.
"That boy… he's not strong. But he's important."
A voice behind her whispered:
"What do you see?"
"A thread connected to joy… in a world made of pain."
"You're getting poetic again."
"No. I'm getting curious."