Chapter 1: Branded a Criminal at Seven

Lingzhou.

Deathmist Mountain.

Inside a cramped hut, Lin Qin had just returned from a day of mining when he stared wide-eyed, certain he'd misheard. He dug at his ear with a dirty finger and asked again, "What did you say? You want to become a beast tamer?"

Lin Binbin nodded.

"And you want me to buy you a spirit beast egg?"

Lin Binbin nodded even harder, his eyes glowing with determination.

Seven days ago, Lin Binbin had transmigrated into the body of a seven-year-old boy. He thought he was here to enjoy a carefree life—only to find himself surrounded by an endless sea of beast droppings.

That's right. He was a lowly "sin slave," tasked with caring for low-tier spirit beasts.

All thanks to his grandfather, who had made a fatal misjudgment during a beast tide, leading to the deaths of over a thousand soldiers. Enraged, the Emperor had him executed on the spot. Their once-noble family was stripped of their marquis title and condemned as criminals, exiled to the barren and desolate Deathmist Mountain.

Except for children, everyone else had their spirit roots severed, turning them into powerless husks. The older ones mined, while the young served the beasts—shoveling dung, carrying piss, doing endless hard labor until death.

That's why Lin Binbin dreamed of becoming a true beast tamer one day—to escape this cursed life.

But such a dream was nearly impossible. Everyone sent here had been thoroughly tested and confirmed to have no beast-taming aptitude. And besides that, spirit beast eggs were outrageously expensive. Even the cheapest F-rank egg cost as much as three years' worth of food for their entire family.

Lin Qin glanced at the patchwork rags he and his son were wearing. Then he looked up at Lin Binbin, scowled, and raised his palm.

"You little brat! Always daydreaming instead of working! You want a spirit beast egg? You look more like an egg to me!"

Sensing danger, Lin Binbin darted to the side. "Dad, let's talk this out! There are people watching outside—you keep beating me, and it's really not a good look."

"What do I care? Disciplining my own son—let's see who dares say a word! Get over here!"

Lin Binbin scurried behind the wooden table. "Think about it, Dad. What if I really am gifted in beast taming? Then we'd all be free of this slave life!"

He held a deep grudge against beast droppings. Even after bathing, he could still smell the stink on himself. It ruined every bite of food.

"Come on, Dad. Think about it. Even a non-ranked spirit beast egg would work!"

After all, any creature had the potential to develop spirit. If it gained intelligence, it could transcend its original form and awaken powerful abilities. Unranked eggs weren't good for officially becoming a beast tamer, and their powers were weak—but what if it evolved?

The father and son circled the table a few more times before Lin Qin finally stopped, too exhausted from a long day to argue further. He stood his ground and waved his son over.

"Fine, come here."

"What for?" Lin Binbin looked cautious.

"I'll buy you the damn egg—after I beat the hell out of you. Once I feel better, I'll see what I can do."

"..."

Lin Binbin was speechless. After struggling internally for a while, he finally gave up his pride and turned around, presenting his rear.

It's just a beating, right? He'd be a whole man again after an hour.

After dinner, it was time to head back to work. Lin Binbin hobbled out of the hut, grimacing in pain.

"Lin Binbin! Come out, I brought you some spirit beast meat!"

The voice came before the person. Moments later, a chubby figure slowly waddled into view. About 1.5 meters tall, he looked around the same age as Lin Binbin. Dressed in a clean shirt, his chubby cheeks jiggled with each step, and a pair of sharp canine teeth showed when he grinned, giving him an oddly adorable look.

Panting heavily, the boy finally reached Lin Binbin.

His name was Cheng Mo, also born into a disgraced family. But unlike Lin Binbin, his father's crimes were minor and had some connections to the old Penal Office. Within two months of arriving, he'd become a low-level overseer. Still small-time, but his life was miles better than Lin Binbin's.

Seeing Cheng Mo approach, Lin Binbin quickly straightened up, hiding his beaten appearance and forced a smile. "Spirit beast meat? Where'd you get that?"

"I heard a bigshot from Lingchuan came by and killed a spirit beast on the way. Couldn't carry it back, so they gave out portions. I saved you a premium rib—here!"

He shoved the meat into Lin Binbin's hands as if afraid he might refuse.

"Thanks, bro." Lin Binbin hugged the meat to his chest and started to run home. But then he paused, turned back, and raised his eyebrows at Cheng Mo.

"Oh, almost forgot to tell you—about the spirit beast... it's settled!"

"Really? Your dad actually agreed to buy it for you?" Cheng Mo looked amazed.

"Hehe, of course. Though... it's a bit low-rank."

Cheng Mo didn't seem too surprised. "That's still great. At least your dad's willing to buy one. If I asked mine, he'd probably beat me to death."

Lin Binbin looked away and pretended not to hear.

He ran back home to store the meat and rushed off to work. The beasts weren't easy to serve. If their feeding time was off by even a second, their roars could tear the roof off—and they wouldn't hesitate to throw in a deadly roundhouse kick as a bonus.

When he reached the feeding station, the overseer was already counting heads.

"You brat! The breeding station's slammed and you're still running around. Get your butt in here!"

The overseer, an old friend of Lin Qin, barked a few fake scoldings, then added, "Be late again and I'll tell your dad you've been slacking."

Hearing that, Lin Binbin quickly pulled the meat from his shirt and placed it on Zhang Yan's stool before fleeing.

Can't bite the hand that feeds you, right? Consider that matter settled.

"Uncle Zhang, this is for you. Heat it up before you eat. The beasts are howling—I better go feed them!"

Zhang Yan blinked, then looked at the meat and shook his head. "That kid…"

Lin Binbin worked with renewed energy. His eyes sparkled even at the sight of the beasts.

"I wonder what kind of beast will hatch… Hopefully a combat type—one that breathes fire and flies. That'd be epic…"

Yeah. Let's aim for a fire-type spirit beast. Tomorrow would tell.

Before dawn the next day, Lin Qin was woken for the first time ever by his own son.

In the pitch-black hut, father and son stared at each other—one sleepy, one grinning like a fool. Lin Qin squinted at the sky, then at Lin Binbin's smug face, and gave him a hard slap.

A cry of pain echoed across the mountain.

"You little bastard! Are you trying to die happy?!"