the panther. One brutal slash later, the rear leg gave out. The panther fell, both heads shrieking in agony. Ravon didn't hesitate — he leapt high, then brought his sword down with all his strength.
*SLAASHHH!*
The panther's body convulsed, then went limp.
Silence fell.
\["Target eliminated."]
\["Combat complete. Experience gained: 100"]
\["Spirit Circle Stability: Increased"]
\["New Feature Unlocked: Beast Core Extraction"]
\["Extract core from defeated beast to refine or offer to the system. Proceed?"]
Jiang Chen swallowed, stunned. "Y-Yes. Extract the core."
Ravon reached into the creature's chest and pulled out a glowing orb, pulsing with lightning. He knelt and offered it to Jiang Chen.
\["Thunder Twin Core obtained."]
\[Type: Lightning]
\[Grade: Commander-tier Mid]
\[Function: Boosts lightning-affinity summons or can be absorbed for Host power enhancement.]
\["Host power is currently insufficient for safe absorption. Suggest storage."]
"Store it."
\["Core stored in system inventory."]
Ravon stood silently, sword dripping with spirit beast blood. The forest was still now, almost eerily so. No birds. No wind. Just the heavy silence of a battlefield won.
Jiang Chen's chest rose and fell. He felt… alive.
For the first time in years, something stirred in him — fire.
A reason to fight.
A reason to live.
And this was only the beginning.
Ravon stood like a silent sentinel, eyes glowing red under his helm, waiting for Jiang Chen's next order.
\["Battle review complete."]
\["Host Contribution: 15% (Command + Target Insight)"]
\["Summon Contribution: 85%"]
\["System Evaluation: Excellent coordination."]
\["Host Level Increased: Spirit Rank – 1 → 2"]
\["New Stat Points Gained: +5"]
\["New Feature Unlocked: Summoning Gate Interface"]
A soft chime echoed in his mind, and a glowing blue panel appeared in front of him, filled with unfamiliar stats and options.
**\[Host: Jiang Chen]**
Spirit Rank: 2
Summoning Slots: 2/10
Stat Points: 5
Affinities: Unknown
System Energy: 37%
> \[Distribute Stat Points?]
"Let's put 2 in Spirit Power, 2 in Command, and 1 in Perception," Jiang Chen muttered.
> \[Stat Distribution Confirmed.]
Instantly, a wave of heat passed through his body. His senses sharpened. He could feel the spirit energy in the air, as if it were part of him now.
> \[Host stats updated. Combat insight enhanced.]
Jiang Chen closed the panel and turned to Ravon. "You good?"
"I regenerate swiftly, Master," Ravon replied. "Your command gave clarity to my strike. You see deeper than most."
Jiang Chen gave a slight smile. "Guess I'm learning fast."
A sudden rustling came from the nearby trees.
\["Warning: Human cultivator detected. Unknown intent. Approaching fast."]
Ravon instantly raised his blade, stepping protectively in front of Jiang Chen.
From the underbrush stepped a figure — young, around Jiang Chen's age, wearing silver-trimmed blue robes and wielding a long staff. His expression was surprised, cautious, but not openly hostile.
"Whoa—wait!" the man raised both hands. "I don't want trouble! I sensed the battle and came to see if anyone needed help!"
Jiang Chen narrowed his eyes. "Name?"
"Mu Yao. Outer disciple of the Cloudmist Sect. And you?"
Jiang Chen hesitated — he needed a name. He couldn't use "Jiang Chen" openly. "Lu Tian," he said finally. "From a… destroyed branch sect."
Mu Yao glanced at Ravon, still tense. "That beast you killed — a Commander-tier Twin Panther? With just one summon?"
Jiang Chen didn't answer directly.
Mu Yao let out a low whistle. "That's no common summoning spirit. Who exactly are you?"
"I told you. Just a nobody… with some luck."
Mu Yao laughed nervously. "Right. Well, luck or not, the beast's roar shook half the forest. Others may come."
\["Advisory: Host location is now known to nearby cultivators. Suggest relocation or concealment."]
Jiang Chen sighed. "Figures. Ravon, clean the scene."
"With pleasure." Ravon raised his hand. Shadows surged around the fallen beast and the battlefield. Within seconds, all signs of the fight vanished — blood, scorch marks, even footprints.
Mu Yao stared in disbelief. "Shadow-type cleanup? Damn…"
"I'm moving," Jiang Chen said. "You?"
Mu Yao nodded quickly. "Yeah, yeah. Safety in numbers. You heading toward Ironwind Ridge? There's a temporary cultivator camp."
Jiang Chen weighed the idea. He needed information — about this world, its power structure, the summoner's place in it. A camp might provide that.
"Lead the way."
Mu Yao glanced once more at Ravon, clearly unsettled. "Right… this way."
As they moved through the forest, Jiang Chen opened his system panel again.
> \[Summoning Gate Interface available.]
> \[Use available slot to summon additional unit?]
> \[Yes / No]
Jiang Chen's eyes lit up. "Yes. Let's get another warrior."