Wei Fan's heart pounded as he watched the massive black wolf approach the rabbit he had set as bait. This was it – his chance to prove himself, to tame his first demonic beast and show everyone that the laziest disciple of the sect could still accomplish something remarkable.
The wolf was magnificent. It stood at least twice the size of a normal wolf, with pitch-black fur that seemed to absorb the light around it. Its eyes glowed a deep, menacing red, and saliva dripped from its massive jaws as it sniffed the air cautiously. Wei Fan could feel the raw power radiating from the creature. This was no ordinary beast – this was a true demonic wolf, a creature that could strike fear into the hearts of even experienced cultivators.
Wei Fan held his breath, pressing himself against the tree he was hiding behind. He had to time this perfectly. One wrong move and he would become the wolf's next meal instead of its master.
The wolf circled the clearing slowly, its red eyes scanning the surroundings with intelligent awareness. It knew something was off, but the scent of fresh meat was too tempting to ignore. Finally, it lowered its massive head to sniff the rabbit.
Now!
Wei Fan sprang into action. He formed the spirit recognition mark in his mind, shaping his spiritual energy into the complex symbol he had practiced so many times. With all his might, he projected it toward the wolf's head.
The mark hit its target. The wolf froze instantly, its red eyes going blank for a moment as the foreign presence invaded its mind. Then it shook its head violently, letting out a confused and angry growl. Wei Fan could feel its powerful will fighting against his control, trying to expel the mark.
"Stay still!" Wei Fan muttered through gritted teeth, pouring more spiritual energy into the mark. Sweat dripped down his face as he struggled to maintain his hold.
The wolf howled in pain and thrashed around the clearing, crashing into trees and tearing up the ground with its massive claws. It was trying everything to shake off the intruder in its mind. Wei Fan held on desperately, his spiritual energy draining rapidly. This was so much harder than practicing on his own. The wolf's will was fierce, primal, and incredibly strong.
The battle of wills continued for what felt like an eternity. Wei Fan's vision began to blur, his body trembling with exhaustion. But he refused to give up. He had come this far, endured this much. He wasn't leaving this forest without a beast.
"Just... submit... already!" he growled, pushing with every last ounce of his strength.
Finally, with one final surge of power, Wei Fan forced the mark deep into the wolf's primordial spirit. The wolf let out one last, pitiful howl that echoed through the forest, then collapsed to the ground, panting heavily.
Wei Fan collapsed too, completely and utterly exhausted. His body felt like it had been wrung out like a wet rag. But as he lay there on the cold forest floor, gasping for breath, he was grinning from ear to ear.
He had done it. He had actually done it!
After what felt like hours but was probably only minutes, Wei Fan managed to push himself up. He approached the wolf cautiously, still wary despite the bond he could now feel forming between them. The wolf looked up at him with its red eyes, but there was no hostility in its gaze now. Instead, there was a look of recognition, of acceptance, of... loyalty?
"Good boy," Wei Fan said, reaching out a trembling hand to pat the wolf's massive head. The wolf leaned into his touch, and to Wei Fan's amazement, it actually wagged its tail like an overgrown puppy.
Wei Fan laughed with pure joy. "I did it! I actually tamed a demonic wolf! Wait until 'Lili' sees this! Wait until everyone sees this! I'll be the most famous disciple in the sect!"
He was so caught up in his celebration that he almost didn't notice the strange sensation building in his dantian. There was an extra ball of energy there, warm and fuzzy, floating inside him where nothing had been before. Curious, and a little alarmed, he tried to examine it with his spiritual sense.
The moment his awareness touched that ball of energy, it reacted. It expanded rapidly, filling his entire dantian for a split second before shooting out of his body entirely.
Wei Fan stumbled back in surprise as the energy materialized in front of him, taking shape. When the light faded, he found himself staring at... something.
It was small. Very small. No bigger than his palm. It was pitch black, without a single hair of any other color. It had large, somewhat dull eyes that looked at him with what might have been curiosity, or might have been simple stupidity. It stood on four spindly legs that looked far too weak to support even its tiny body.
It was a foal. A baby horse.
Wei Fan blinked. He looked around wildly for the massive demonic wolf, but it was gone. Vanished. Completely disappeared. In its place was this pathetic, undersized, thoroughly unimpressive baby horse.
The foal looked at him and let out a soft, squeaky whinny.
Wei Fan stared at it. It stared back at him.
"You have got to be kidding me," Wei Fan whispered.
The foal whinnied again, seemingly pleased with itself.
Wei Fan's expression cycled through confusion, disbelief, dawning realization, and finally, explosive anger.
"You!" he shouted, pointing at the foal. "You're telling me that after all that work, all that effort, all that pain and exhaustion... I tamed a BABY HORSE?!"
The foal tilted its head innocently.
Wei Fan wanted to cry. He wanted to scream. He wanted to throw himself on the ground and have a tantrum like a child. A demonic wolf would have been impressive. A demonic wolf would have been useful. A demonic wolf would have made him the envy of every disciple in the sect.
But a baby horse? What was he supposed to do with a baby horse? Ride it into battle? It could barely stand on its own four legs without wobbling!
"This is a disaster," Wei Fan moaned, sinking down onto a nearby rock and putting his head in his hands. "A complete and utter disaster. I'm going to be a laughingstock. Everyone's going to mock me. 'Oh, look, there's Wei Fan with his mighty demonic beast – a tiny horse!'"
The foal, apparently unconcerned with Wei Fan's existential crisis, trotted over to him on its wobbly legs and nuzzled against his leg. It looked up at him with those big, dull eyes and made a soft, contented sound.
Wei Fan looked down at it. Despite his overwhelming disappointment, despite the absurdity of the situation, he had to admit... it was kind of cute.
"What am I going to do with you?" he asked the foal, his voice tired.
The foal just whinnied and nuzzled his leg again.
Wei Fan sighed heavily. He reached down and, after a moment's hesitation, picked up the tiny creature. It was surprisingly light, almost weightless. It immediately curled up in his arms, seemingly content.
"Fine," Wei Fan muttered. "I guess you're stuck with me now."
The foal made a happy little sound and closed its eyes, falling asleep instantly.
Wei Fan stared at the sleeping creature for a long moment. Then, with another heavy sigh, he started the long walk back to the sect, wondering how he was going to explain this to anyone.