Beast Bonding
The moonlight cascaded over Wen Ran's battered body, casting a soft glow onto the golden ginseng in his hand. The entire forest seemed to hold its breath, silence stretching across the scene. Two forms lay still beneath the moon's gaze: the lifeless young man and the massive serpent, their battle now reduced to eerie tranquility.
From the shadows, a pristine white rabbit emerged, its fur shimmering faintly under the moonlight. Its movements were deliberate, each step cautious as its sharp eyes scanned the altar for any lingering threats. Sensing none, it ventured closer, drawn irresistibly toward the golden treasure cradled in Wen Ran's limp hand.
The intoxicating aroma of the ginseng filled the air, rich and potent, making the rabbit's nose twitch with fervor. A faint line of drool escaped the corners of its mouth, its body trembling slightly as the allure of the treasure overtook its instincts. The fragrance was otherworldly, a tantalizing blend of nature's essence that no creature with even a trace of spiritual power could hope to resist. Step by step, the rabbit inched closer, the shimmering golden glow reflecting in its wide, hungry eyes.
The rabbit leaped onto Wen Ran's back, its movements cautious yet unsteady. The slick blood coating his body made navigation treacherous, causing its small legs to slip repeatedly, nearly sending it tumbling off. But determination fueled its every motion, and it steadied itself with quiet resolve, inching closer to its coveted prize.
As it reached the hand clutching the golden ginseng, its nose twitched furiously, and its drooling became uncontrollable. The intoxicating aroma of the treasure overwhelmed its senses, but it dared not wake the seemingly lifeless human. Step by painstaking step, it moved with utmost caution, knowing that a single mistake could prove disastrous.
But fate had other plans. Its paw slipped on Wen Ran's blood-slicked arm, and as it scrambled to regain its balance, its sharp teeth sank into the golden ginseng—and Wen Ran's finger.
In an instant, an ethereal light burst forth, engulfing the rabbit in a glowing, mysterious aura. The intoxicating aroma vanished, replaced by a wave of dread that washed over the poor creature. Its body trembled violently as the ethereal energy coursed through it, binding it to a destiny it had never imagined.
The system message, one that Wen Ran would remain oblivious to until much later, silently appeared before his eyes.
[Initiating a beast bond]
[Target: White Demon Rabbit]
[Cultivation Base: Late Spirit Gathering, Eighth Circle]
[Age: 2]
[Race: Demon Rabbit]
[Spirit Root: Earth Grade]
[Affinity: Ice]
[Bond Level: 0]
[Gender: Female]
The ethereal light around the rabbit intensified, freezing everything in its vicinity for a fleeting moment. It felt as though chains of an unseen force had bound its body, compelling its gaze toward Wen Ran's lifeless form. Almost instinctively, the rabbit lifted the golden ginseng with its paws and carefully placed it into Wen Ran's mouth. It didn't understand why it acted this way—its body moved as if strings controlled it, puppeteered by an unseen master.
With delicate precision, the rabbit adjusted his jaw, helping him chew the ginseng. Moments later, Wen Ran's body erupted in a radiant golden light. The brilliance radiated spiritual power so potent that it bathed the entire area in an overwhelming aura of life. The rabbit stared in awe as the golden light enveloped Wen Ran, his wounds beginning to close and his battered body slowly healing. Even the remnants of poison coursing through his veins dissolved into nothingness.
The scene was extraordinary—a moment the rabbit knew it would never forget. Bound now by an unbreakable tie to the man before her, it felt no resistance or regret, despite its initial opposition to the bond. The ethereal glow around her faded, as did the golden brilliance surrounding Wen Ran, leaving only the aftermath of the miraculous event.
The rabbit settled down, watching its master intently as he lay unconscious. Hours turned into days. With each passing moment, the rabbit's eyes never left him, its patience unwavering. Yet, time was running out. Wen Ran's mysterious disappearance threw Fang Jinyao into a frenzy. She combed the city, sending search parties into the surrounding forests in desperation. No trace of him could be found. Standing in his empty room, she clutched her chest, her voice trembling with heartbreak.
"Where are you, Wen Ran... Did you really leave me behind and run on your own?"
...
The rabbit continued its vigil, its sky-blue eyes reflecting a quiet determination. Though Wen Ran's breathing had stabilized, his heart rate remained dangerously low. It was as if he teetered on the edge of life and death, fighting an unseen battle to keep his soul tethered to his body.
Then, his fingers twitched.
The hand that once gripped the ginseng clenched tightly, and his eyes snapped open, greeted by the sight of a system screen hovering before him. Lines of text outlined the details of the bonding ritual, leaving him utterly speechless.
What the hell is going on?
His gaze darted to the rabbit sitting nearby. Recognition dawned as he recalled the same creature he had hunted before. Yet now, it sat calmly, its aura subtly tied to his own. The realization hit him like a bolt of lightning. He pieced together the events: the healing of his wounds, the eradication of the poison, and the absence of the golden ginseng.
"Did you feed me the ginseng and save my life?" he asked, his voice low as his sharp eyes fixed on the rabbit.
The rabbit nodded silently, its luminous blue eyes never wavering from his. They glimmered with a strange brilliance, as though it understood far more than he expected.
"Well... this is troublesome," Wen Ran muttered, pushing himself off the altar. Dusting off his clothes, he glanced at the serpent's corpse sprawled nearby. Its body, though lifeless, still appeared relatively fresh, though he knew days must have passed since their battle.
Turning back to the rabbit, he studied it for a moment before sighing. "How about I name you
Looks like it approves, he thought dryly, shaking his head.
[Congratulations!]
[You have completed your system challenge!]
[Reward: Spirit Beast Bonding]
[You will be teleported back to your previous location in 3… 2… 1…]
Wen Ran's vision blurred as a wave of dizziness overtook him. Reacting quickly, he lunged for the serpent's massive fang, yanking it free just as the teleportation completed. Moments later, he found himself standing back in his room, Xiao Mo beside him, the fang clutched tightly in his hand.