So thick Li Qing could barely see his own hand in front of his face. He shivered, not because of fear — but because this damn mist was cold. And he was hungry. And frankly, those were far greater problems than whatever ominous growling came from deeper in the fog.
Growl…
Li Qing groaned. “I swear if it’s another dramatic ‘I’ll devour your soul!’ speech, I’m leaving.”
A shape lunged at him.
A huge demonic beast — wolf-like, with blood-red eyes and jagged teeth, saliva dripping from its snarling maw. It was at least twice his height, fur matted with old blood.
Li Qing squinted.
“Is that edible?”
The beast froze mid-leap.
Ding!
[Cultivation Points +3000: Host’s casual question interpreted as fearless predation.]
The wolf dropped to the ground.
It whimpered.
It turned tail.
And it ran.
Yes.
It ran.
Through the mist, tail between its legs, howling like a whipped puppy.
Li Qing blinked. “Eh?”
From a nearby bush, a disciple watching in secret trembled.
“He… he stared down a Spirit Beast… and scared it away without raising a hand… what kind of monster is he?!”
The disciple fled in the opposite direction.
Li Qing scratched his head. “Weird dog.”
Another growl. From behind.
He turned, expecting another ‘dog.’
This time, it was a snake-like beast with horns, scales like black iron, and venom dripping from its fangs.
It slithered close, eyes narrowed.
Li Qing sighed.
“Oi. Any chance you’ve seen a steamed bun around here?”
The snake recoiled.
Its eyes widened.
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It hissed — and fled.
Ding!
[Cultivation Points +3000: Host’s indifferent inquiry interpreted as deathly arrogance toward Spirit Beasts.]
Somewhere in the mist, a group of disciples had gathered, watching from a distance.
“He spoke to the Black Iron Viper as if it was a kitchen boy!”
“Terrifying…”
“His cultivation must be immeasurable!”
A Senior Brother with sharp eyebrows muttered darkly. “No… this is beyond normal power… this is sage-tier indifference.”
They all shuddered.
One disciple quietly left an offering on the ground: a dumpling on a leaf.
Elder Gu Yunzhi sipped his tea, peering into a floating scrying mirror.
He watched as demonic beasts fled from Li Qing’s path like frightened rabbits.
“…as expected of the reincarnated peerless sage.”
Another elder leaned in. “Should we… maybe stop him before he accidentally kills the entire beast population?”
Gu Yunzhi shook his head gravely. “Let nature decide.”
He took another sip of tea.
Li Qing crouched by a rock.
He sniffed the air.
“…I swear I smell something good.”
He followed the scent, ignoring the scattered remains of terrified demonic beasts too afraid to even attack him. The mist grew thinner, and a clearing appeared ahead.
In the middle of it, a small, fluffy creature sat munching on a steamed bun.
A steamed bun.
Li Qing’s stomach growled louder than all the beasts combined.
“There it is.”
He approached.
The fluffy thing looked up.
It was tiny, round, white as snow, with two stubby ears and innocent black beady eyes.
Li Qing reached out.
“You. Give me the bun.”
The creature blinked.
It offered the bun with trembling paws.
Ding!
[Cultivation Points +5000: Host’s casual demand interpreted as a display of authority over Spirit Beast Kings.]
In a nearby bush, another disciple fainted from shock.
Li Qing bit into the bun.
It was cold.
And slightly soggy.
But still better than nothing.
“Finally.”
He sat down beside the creature.
“…you’re alright, little guy.”
The creature trembled.
Its tiny heart pounded in terror.
“He’s going to eat me next…!”
Li Qing sighed, leaning against a tree.
“Man… this whole ‘cultivation trial’ thing is exhausting.”
He bit the last of the bun, yawned, and closed his eyes.
He was asleep in seconds.
Dozens of demonic beasts surrounded the clearing.
None dared step closer.
They watched the peacefully sleeping Li Qing like he was a calamity in human form.
A tiger demon whispered, “He slew the Iron Viper with a single glance…”
The wolf from earlier shivered. “He… he tried to eat me.”
A crow demon chimed in, “And I heard he plans to devour the Demonic Beast King.”
They all agreed, silently promising to avoid him at all costs.
A loud bell tolled across the valley.
“The trial is over!”
Disciples, battered, bloodied, and terrified, emerged from the mist. Some carried beast cores. Most didn’t.
Elder Gu waited with the other elders.
“…Where’s Li Qing?” someone whispered.
A disciple pointed. “H-he’s coming…”
Everyone turned.
Out of the mist, Li Qing emerged, yawning, hair messy, clothes slightly torn by brambles, carrying nothing except the fluffy white creature in his arms like a pillow.
And still… the beasts behind him knelt in submission.
Gasps.
“He… tamed the beasts…!”
Elder Gu’s eyes gleamed. “Peerless… truly peerless.”
Li Qing scratched his head. “So… where’s dinner?”
Ding!
[Cultivation Points +3000: Host’s casual remark interpreted as disdain for the entire trial.]
A disciple prostrated on the ground. “Please, Senior Li, accept my beast core!”
Another followed. “Mine too!”
Within moments, dozens of beast cores were piled at his feet.
Li Qing blinked. “…What’s this for?”
“An offering!”
“…Cool.”
He picked one up, unsure what to do.
“Eh. Paperweight.”
The elders nearly fainted.
Ding!
[Cultivation Points +5000: Host’s disdainful comment interpreted as supreme non-attachment to material gain.]
New Cultivation Realm Achieved!
Cultivation Realm: Mortal Level 2 (Trash-tier)
Cultivation Points: 51020