Chapter 1: Five Years of Waiting and the Divine Bond
For Ye Jun, every single day spent in this world was no less than hell. It had been five years since he had transmigrated into this body. After leaving his previous world, he had hoped to achieve something grand, but the harsh reality was that he had become the biggest 'trash' of the clan. In these five years, he had tried thousands of times and tested every technique, yet his cultivation hadn't moved an inch past the first level of Qi Refining. People mocked him, calling him an 'empty vessel.'
Today was his lowest point. He was starving, with only a single dry piece of bread left in his hand. Sitting in the mud of an alleyway, he laughed at his own helplessness. Suddenly, a small, sickly, and wounded rat emerged from a pile of trash. It was so weak that it looked ready to die at any moment.
Ye Jun ignored his own hunger. He thought, "I've been dragging myself through life just like this for five years." He broke the bread into small pieces and fed them to the rat. As soon as the last morsel was gone, a cold and heavy voice echoed inside Ye Jun's mind:
[Ding! Salutations, Master Ye Jun! The 'God-Level Beast System' is now at your service.]
Ye Jun was stunned. A translucent blue screen began to glow before his eyes:
[Master, Status Report:]
Name: Ye Jun
Cultivation: Qi Refining (Level 1 - Stagnant for 5 years)
Affinity: Beast-Type Meridians (Unfit for Human Cultivation)
Current Beast: Dark Rat (Common Grade)
Status: Loyal (Bond Active)
The system spoke with respect: [Master, your meridians were never meant for human cultivation; that is why you failed. You are a Beast Master. The strength of this rat shall now become your own.]
Just then, shadows of thugs appeared at the entrance of the alley. "Hey, loser! Where are you hiding?"
A single question flashed through Ye Jun's mind: "Why are these bastards coming after me now?" The three thugs approached, their power far exceeding Ye Jun's. They were at the early stage of Foundation Establishment. Fighting them was like inviting death.
The system's voice echoed again: [Master, the enemies are powerful. The system is granting you a Special Armor.]
Suddenly, a metallic glow erupted in front of Ye Jun. It was an ancient piece of armor.
[Warning: Your body is currently too weak. For now, you can only Equip it on your right arm.]
As Ye Jun reached out, the armor wrapped around his arm with the speed of lightning. The rat sitting on his shoulder began to growl. One of the thugs drew a sword, laughing, "Hey trash! You think that piece of scrap metal will save you?"
"Not today!" Ye Jun roared.
As the thug swung his sword, Ye Jun thrust his armored arm forward like a shield. The sword struck the metallic surface, sending sparks flying, but Ye Jun's arm didn't budge an inch. In that same instant, the rat leaped from his shoulder like a black shadow, lunging at another thug's eye.
"Ahhh! My eye!" the thug screamed.
Ye Jun channeled all his strength into his armored arm and delivered a devastating punch to the leader's chest. The heavy power of the armor combined with the rat's agility overwhelmed the thugs. Ye Jun and his small companion displayed perfect coordination. Finally, Ye Jun landed a final blow, sending the leader crashing into a wall. The remaining two thugs, seeing their leader's state, fled the scene in terror.
Victory was achieved, but it came at a price. The armor's energy had drained Ye Jun's frail body. A trail of blood escaped his lips, and he collapsed to his knees.
The system's voice rang out: [Caution, Master! Your body is not yet ready to withstand this energy. The system is granting you a 'Primary Healing Pill'.]
Ye Jun immediately took the pill. A cold wave rushed through his body, and the pain began to fade. The system continued: [Master, the system provides a special 'Beast Ring' for your companion.]
A mysterious, engraved ring appeared on Ye Jun's finger. He touched it, and the small rat turned into a beam of light, entering the ring. Ye Jun breathed a sigh of relief. Today, after five years, he hadn't just learned how to fight—he had learned how to win.