For days, Chu Xiao had fled like a wounded beast. His talisman had saved his life, but not his dignity. Injured, soul-weakened, and with his luck waning, he limped across mountains and forests until finally arriving at the only place that held any meaning—his childhood home.
It was a lonely hut tucked in the forgotten hills beyond the Eastern Ridge. The air was stale, the earth dry, and yet, within its silence, a faint warmth awaited him.
Only one living creature greeted him: a fluffy, red-furred creature, no larger than a cat, with sleepy golden eyes and whiskers that twitched curiously.
"Chu Huo…" Chu Xiao muttered with a smile.
The red rat-like beast bounced into his arms, rubbing against his cheek affectionately.
He had no idea what it truly was. His master once suspected it had special origins, perhaps even a sacred bloodline, but Chu Xiao never asked further. All he knew was that the little creature had appeared when he was a child, and for the last fifteen years, it remained his only friend.
What he didn't know was that this beast had been born only half a month ago—its previous soul had perished defending his ancestors. This was a new life, one with suppressed memories and low intelligence, still in disguise to avoid predators.
---
Far away, amidst swirling clouds and crackling winds, Lin Feng stood atop a rocky spire. Beside him, his guardian knelt silently, its blank eyes now glowing faintly with spatial markings.
"Location confirmed," the guardian said with lifeless calm. "Chu Xiao is hiding in the Eastern Ridge. Alone. Injured. With a beast of unknown origin."
Lin Feng narrowed his eyes. He has already decided to finish his story his time, so without wasting any time he decided to go there in person.
With his current power, its take only few hours to reach there. But he didn't go in directly and wait there.
He activated his Eye of Destiny. A golden ripple spread across his vision, revealing images of Chu Xiao cuddling the red-furred rat. And behind that adorable form… a blazing image of sacred flames, divine markings, and coiled draconic scales.
His pupils shrank.
"A… Qilin?"
The Eye pulsed again. The system interface shimmered before him.
> [Target Identified: Infant Qilin Beast – Fire Variant]
[Intelligence: Low – Recently Hatched]
[Origin: Chu Clan's Sacred Lineage]
[Status: unawakened]
[Suggestion: Befriend or Bond. Will severely injure Chu Xiao's Destiny.]
[Warning: Current Destiny Value of Chu Xiao = 52%]
A cold smile spread on Lin Feng's face. He determined to get ownership of this qilin. Let alone decline Chu xiao's destiny value, a qilin is a rare divine beast. Divine beast have special type of cultivation based on their bloodline. They only have have to swallow heavenly treasure and sleep , and they will become stronger than. Qilin clan as like Dragon and Phoenix clan, are ancient beast clans that can rival even super sects in human world. A adult qilin with little ancient bloodline can easily rival again a Emperor realm warrior.
He summoned a small jade box and opened it. Inside lay a crimson-gold fruit, shaped like a lotus, pulsing with flame.
Blazing Phoenix Fruit—a fire-attributed treasure known to stimulate beast growth and favor.
"It's time to flip the last page of his story."
---
The wind rustled the bamboo as Lin Feng stepped silently into Chu Xiao's courtyard the next night. Hidden by stealth techniques and talismans, even Chu's spiritual sense failed to detect him. He sat beneath a tree, tossing the fruit gently in his palm.
The red rat peeked out from the wooden door, ears twitching. Its nose sniffed the air. Eyes widened. Lin Feng smiled and held the fruit toward it.
"Come here, little one."
The Qilin tilted its head. Something about this person felt… warm. Familiar. Safe.
It padded over hesitantly, sniffed the fruit, then happily jumped into Lin Feng's lap and began nibbling.
[Ding! Baby Qilin has shown affection toward you.]
[Ding! Chu Xiao's Destiny Value -4%]
Lin Feng's eyes glinted. "Good..."
After all no matter how divine qilin, it is still a half a month child with negligible intelligent. Its not hard to become befriend with little bribe. With his Demonic heart flame and flame attribute fruits, it was as easy as cutting tofu.
From inside, Chu Xiao stepped out and froze. His jaw dropped as he saw his beloved companion curled in the lap of a stranger.
"YOU!"
His spiritual aura flared, unstable but fierce. The Qilin froze in place. Lin Feng didn't flinch. He gently placed the beast aside and stood. Chu Xiao's face twisted. "You dare touch him?!"
"He chose," Lin Feng replied calmly. The red-furred beast trotted over to Lin Feng's side again. Its tail flicked cheerfully.
"No…" Chu Xiao muttered. "You brainwashed him…!"
Desperation twisted his face. His power surged uncontrollably. He had already lost his teacher, only Chu hao has left as his family. Now seeing him with his life enemy, he lost his temper.
The Qilin trembled. It shrieked in fear, leaping away and hiding behind Lin Feng's leg.
[Ding! Baby Qilin's fear response has shifted affection.]
[Ding! Chu Xiao's Destiny Value -3%]
[Total: 45% Remaining]
The system prompt chimed in Lin Feng's mind.
> [Chu Xiao's Destiny Value is now below 50%.]
[You may now eliminate him without resistance from the world's balance.]
Chu Xiao gritted his teeth, aura wild. "I'll kill you!"
But Lin Feng had already vanished from sight. A faint blur passed through Chu Xiao's chest. No blood spilled. No scream followed. Only silence. His eyes widened in horror. He looked down to see a hand buried in his heart.
"You… bastard…"
"Rest, protagonist," Lin Feng whispered into his ear. "Your plotline has ended."
With a twist, Chu Xiao collapsed like a puppet with cut strings. His eyes frozen open in disbelief.
The Qilin peeked out from behind the bushes, confused. It tilted its head as Lin Feng crouched down beside it.
"Don't worry. I'll take care of you now."
[Ding! Chu Xiao has died.]
[+1000 Destiny Points Obtained]
[Total Destiny: 1860 Points]
The wind carried away the last traces of Chu Xiao's spirit.
No monument. No farewell.
Only the faint scent of flame… and a fallen protagonist.
---
Under the fading stars, Lin Feng stood alone outside the broken house. He looked down at the baby Qilin now curled asleep beside his foot.
"I suppose you're my companion now."
His eyes looked to the distant mountains. It was time to go home. But this time, he wouldn't be returning as just another cultivator.
He was now the slayer of protagonists. The bearer of a divine-demonic bloodline. And his next stage... was to shape the world itself.