The world spun as Shen Ningning was held suspended in the air.
Her body swayed slightly, lifted by the powerful tail coiled around her waist. The man before her stood tall and relaxed, as if restraining a struggling human was no more taxing than catching a leaf drifting in the wind.
Up close, his features were striking. His skin bore a faint sheen beneath the sunlight, his long white hair falling loosely over his shoulders. Those golden eyes watched her intently, sharp and predatory, yet filled with unmistakable amusement.
Shen Ningning swallowed.
"I—I didn't know," she said instinctively, her voice stiff with fear. "I thought you were going to eat me."
The man raised a brow.
"Eat you?" He glanced at her once, from head to toe, then let out a soft chuckle. "You humans think very highly of yourselves."
Her face flushed.
Before she could retort, the ground beneath them trembled faintly. A wave of dizziness swept through her mind, and unfamiliar memories surged forward without warning.
Fire.
Screams.
Blood soaking into the soil.
A fragile tribe collapsing overnight.
Shen Ningning sucked in a sharp breath as the images forced themselves into her consciousness. When the pain receded, she finally understood.
This body did not belong to her.
The original owner had already died.
Her heart sank.
So it was true. She had not only transmigrated, she had inherited a ruined life.
As her thoughts churned, a cold mechanical voice suddenly echoed in her mind.
[Binding complete.]
Shen Ningning stiffened.
[Host detected. Physical evaluation in progress.]
Before she could react, a translucent screen unfolded before her eyes, glowing faintly.
[Name: Shen Ningning]
[Race: Human]
[Physical Condition: Substandard]
[Endurance: Critically Low]
[Survival Probability: 11.8%]
Her eyes twitched.
"Hey," she protested mentally. "That's too low."
[The data is accurate..]the voice replied emotionlessly.
[Welcome to the Peak Body Survival System.]
Her chest tightened.
So this was the thing that followed her into this world.
[The host's death was caused by cardiovascular overload..] the system continued. [Current body condition presents similar risk factors. Optimization is mandatory.]
Shen Ningning's lips pressed together.
"And if I refuse?"
[Refusal is not supported] the system said calmly.
[Primary objective issued: Rebuild the Sunfire Tribe. Completion required for continued survival. Something to get you started.]
At the mention of the tribe's name, her gaze unconsciously drifted toward the distant ruins she could barely glimpse through the trees.
Rebuild… from that?
Before she could question further, the system issued another prompt.
[Initial mission generated.]
[Mission: Stabilize Survivors and Secure Shelter
Time Limit: 24 hours
Reward: Basic Survival Knowledge
Failure Penalty: Forced Physical Conditioning]
Shen Ningning felt a chill crawl up her spine.
"…What kind of conditioning?"
The system paused briefly, as if calculating.
[Cardiovascular training.]
Her soul nearly left her body for the third time that day.
At that moment, the pressure around her waist loosened, and her feet touched the ground once more. She staggered slightly but managed to regain her balance.
"You are too heavy, little piggy.."
-_-
Shen Ningning sneered slightly, it would be best to apologize and get as far as possible from this nutjob.
"Mister snake man, I'm very sorry I bit you. Please accept my sincere apologies.."
Shen Ningning bowed at him slightly for formality and turned, wanting to leave.
"Weijie.."
Ningning paused, confused. Was Weijie his name? If so, why was he telling her? She didn't care.
"My name is Weijie.."
-_-
"Yes I heard you the first time. If that's all, I'll be living.."
Weijie's lips twitched, did the little piggy even have any idea of where she was going?
"Females are not allowed to stray far from their mates. There are many males vying for women, if you are not careful you may have more than one mate.."
Ningning froze, what did he mean by that? Was he saying he was her mate?
How????
"Don't be silly a ugly toad like myself won't attract any eyes. I'll be fine.."
Weijie frowned slightly.
Did she think she was ugly?
She was the most beautiful female he had ever seen, and he had seen many. Although her temper was poor and her bite was vicious, those flaws were insignificant.
He did not mind them.
"I do not mind," he said calmly. "Even if you are an ugly little toad."
Shen Ningning's expression cracked.
"To me," he continued seriously, golden eyes steady on her face, "you are the prettiest female I have ever seen."
Her lips twitched.
Violently.
"…You should see a healer," she said flatly.
Weijie tilted his head, clearly puzzled by her reaction. "Why? I am speaking the truth."
"That is not a compliment," she snapped. "That is an insult wrapped in nonsense."
He considered her words for a moment, then nodded. "Humans are strange."
Shen Ningning took a deep breath, reminding herself that arguing with a giant snake was not productive.
"Listen carefully," she said slowly. "I am not your mate. I do not know you. I bit you because I was scared. That does not mean anything."
Weijie looked at her for a long moment.
"It means something to me," he replied.
Her heart skipped a beat.
"In this world," he continued calmly, "a female who marks a male and survives under his protection is acknowledging him. You were drowning. I saved you. You bit me and lived."
His gaze dropped briefly to the place where she had bitten him.
"That is fate."
Shen Ningning felt a headache coming on.
"This is ridiculous," she muttered. "I refuse."
The system chose that exact moment to speak.
[System Notice:]
[Detected high-risk social interaction.]
[Mate-related disputes may affect host survival probability.]
Shen Ningning stiffened.
"Do not start," she warned mentally.
[Reminder:]
[Host survival probability increases when protected by high-ranking individuals.]
Her lips trembled.
"You're siding with him?!"
[The system is impartial] the voice replied.
[The system values efficiency.]
Weijie watched her expression change repeatedly, finding it endlessly fascinating.
"Whatever, I'm leaving.."
She turned around decisively and began walking away, her steps quick and determined, as though putting distance between herself and that snake beastman would solve everything.
After walking several meters, she hesitated.
Curiosity got the better of her.
She glanced back, expecting to find him gone.
But he was still following her.
Her lips twitched.
"Stay away from me," she hissed, turning sharply. "If you come any closer, I'll break your legs."
Weijie blinked slowly, clearly unconcerned.
Before he could reply, Shen Ningning suddenly felt a sharp chill crawl up her spine.
A dense killing intent surged from behind her.
There was a low grunt.
Her entire body stiffened.
She swallowed hard and slowly cranked her neck backward.
Shen Ningning's soul left her body for the fourth time that day.
Behind her stood a wild boar—huge, ferocious looking, its body nearly twice her size. Its red eyes locked onto her, saliva dripping from its tusks.
She screamed.
Without thinking, Shen Ningning turned and ran.
The boar charged after her immediately, its heavy footsteps shaking the ground.
Tears welled up in her eyes.
Everything wanted to eat her!
She desperately searched for Weijie, but it was as if he had vanished into thin air.
"Bastard!" she cried while running. "Didn't you say I was your mate?!"
Her calves began to cramp violently, sharp pain shooting through her legs. Each step became agony, yet she did not dare stop.
Her vision darted wildly until she spotted a nearby tree.
With no other choice, Shen Ningning rushed toward it.
She had not climbed a tree since she was eight years old, but survival forced her to try.
Using every ounce of strength she had, she scrambled up the trunk.
The boar roared furiously below, slamming its body against the tree again and again.
The trunk shook violently, leaves raining down as the branches trembled.
Shen Ningning clung to the tree with all her strength, her arms trembling.
What kind of insane world had she transmigrated into?!
She was on the verge of tears, whispering desperate pleas for the boar to leave her alone, when the shaking suddenly stopped.
A loud thud followed.
She peeked down just in time to see Weijie appear, his movements swift and decisive. He kicked the boar with brutal force, sending it tumbling aside.
"If you do not wish to become snake food," he said coldly, "I suggest you leave."
The boar growled in pain before scrambling away into the forest.
Only then did Weijie turn his gaze upward.
He looked slightly surprised.
"You actually climbed up there.." he remarked.