Chapter 5 — The Little Tyrant
Morning sunlight streamed through the forest canopy in gentle, scattered sheets. Golden rays filtered between ancient branches, illuminating drifting specks of dust like tiny floating stars. Dewdrops clung to moss-coated stones, each one refracting soft colors as if the earth itself were decorated with pearls. Mist curled lazily at the tree roots, weaving in and out like the breath of some slumbering ancient beast.
Lin Xian sat cross-legged beside a shallow spring. The water was so clear it reflected the sky without distortion, a perfect mirror beneath the foliage. His white hair drifted faintly, brushing his shoulders with each slow inhalation. His complexion, pale as moonlight, contrasted with the deep green of the forest around him.
His aura was calm — tranquil, refined — yet the ground around him pulsed faintly with every cycle of Nirvanic Qi he drew in. Each breath summoned the essence of heaven and earth, and each release refined it into something purer, sharper. Ripples spread through the spring with each pulse, though no wind touched its surface.
Then—
A sudden fluctuation rippled through the surrounding air. A vibration so subtle that even the leaves paused.
Lin Xian's eyes opened. Cold. Sharp. Clear as a blade that had just been unsheathed.
He turned.
The small golden kitten curled beside him was glowing faintly. Not the warm glow of sunlight — but something deeper, more ancient. Its fur shimmered as if woven from threads of molten gold, and tiny arcs of light danced across its body like threads of lightning.
A faint yet undeniable pressure spilled outward. Soft, warm… but powerful.
Like the pulse of a cultivator.
Like the heartbeat of something not meant to be ordinary.
> "What…?" Lin Xian murmured, brows tightening as he extended his spiritual sense.
The air trembled in response. The energy he sensed echoing back was stable, vigorous, refined — completely unlike the usual chaotic breakthrough of a young beast.
> "Mid-stage Mortal Vein realm…?" he whispered.
"That shouldn't be possible."
He reached out, placing two fingers gently above the kitten's head.
Instantly, the swirling energy responded, rising around his fingers like a living tide. It wasn't wild. It wasn't forced. Instead, it moved with natural grace — the energy of something simply remembering itself.
> "You grew overnight," Lin Xian muttered, eyes narrowing.
"What kind of creature are you?"
The kitten stirred. Its golden eyes slowly blinked open, glowing faintly with an intelligence that seemed far too deep for its tiny frame. It let out a soft yawn — a tiny "mrrp" — and looked up at him as if waking from a long nap.
Lin Xian stared at it.
The kitten stared back.
> "…Don't act innocent," Lin Xian said flatly.
"You're radiating more pressure than a third-stage cultivator."
The kitten tilted its head in confusion — then sneezed.
A golden spark shot out. It sizzled through the crisp morning air.
Lin Xian raised a brow.
> "You think that's funny?"
The kitten puffed up its fur proudly and gave a smug little "mew," as if showing off.
> "So you do understand," Lin Xian muttered.
"And arrogant too."
He pressed two fingers to its forehead again, trying to suppress the leaking aura. The kitten froze — then promptly bit his finger.
> "Tch… still so fierce."
His tone softened despite himself. "Fine. Keep your little temper."
The kitten wriggled free and plopped itself onto his lap with a thud, flicking its tail with supreme indignation.
Lin Xian exhaled.
> "You little monster… breaking realms in your sleep."
---
Spring Misadventures
As he watched, the kitten began rolling lazily across his lap. First once. Then twice. Then it pawed at his sleeve, tugging insistently with its tiny fangs.
> "You…" Lin Xian blinked. "You cultivate like a saint, but act like an idiot."
The kitten ignored him completely.
Instead, it tugged again — harder — until its tiny body slipped.
> Splash!
Straight into the spring.
Lin Xian's expression froze. For a moment he simply stared.
Then, much to his own surprise…
He laughed.
A soft, genuine sound — so rare it startled even him. It rolled quietly into the forest, like the faint ringing of bells.
He plucked the drenched kitten from the water by the scruff. Its soaked fur drooped like a defeated puffball, eyes wide with offended dignity.
> "You really are trouble," he said, warmth hiding beneath the scolding tone.
The kitten released a mournful little mewl and rubbed its wet head miserably against his palm.
Lin Xian sighed.
> "Alright. Hold still."
A gentle wave of fire qi enveloped the kitten. Warm, soft flames swirled around its small body — not burning, but soothing. Steam rose faintly as its fur fluffed out again, gleaming like sunlight filtered through morning mist.
The kitten purred in satisfaction, curling into his hand as if accepting its rightful place.
> "You grow in strength while sleeping, refine qi unconsciously, and look cute doing it."
Lin Xian shook his head.
"Truly… heaven spoils you."
---
Training with the Fallen Star
Lin Xian resumed cultivation, but he soon noticed the air thickening around him. Subtle at first. Then clearer.
He glanced over.
The kitten had climbed onto a nearby rock and sat proudly atop it like a tiny emperor. With each breath, it absorbed qi threads from the air — threads that would've taken a human cultivator hours to refine.
Each exhale released faint sparks of golden light. They drifted around Lin Xian like falling stars, purifying the surrounding aura.
His brows tightened.
> "A beast that refines heaven and earth unconsciously… this isn't mere luck."
"It's fate."
Suddenly—
> Sneeze.
Another burst of golden sparks exploded outward.
The kitten attempted to chase the floating lights… only to roll off the rock with a highly undignified flop.
Lin Xian closed his eyes.
> "…You're definitely an idiot."
He tossed it a small spirit fruit. The kitten sniffed it — then devoured the entire thing in one voracious bite. Its body glowed faintly afterward, energy stabilizing beautifully.
The sight tugged at something deep inside Lin Xian's chest.
A memory.
> "Master, you can't hog all the food! I'm still growing!"
"You're always growing, Ruan'er."
His expression softened — a rare warmth melting through the cold assassin he once was.
He reached out and gently brushed the kitten's back.
> "Eat well, little one. You'll need your strength when your true form wakes."
The kitten purred and pressed closer, as if promising it would.
---
Return to the Lin Clan
By dusk, Lin Xian stood at the forest's edge.
The kitten perched on his shoulder now, golden tail flicking in rhythm with his steady footsteps. Though its aura was suppressed, the pressure beneath it remained unmistakable — restrained divinity, quietly humming.
> "Stay quiet," Lin Xian warned.
"You cause enough chaos as you are."
The kitten paused, staring at him.
Then—
> "Mrrp."
Innocent. Deceptive. Completely unconvincing.
Lin Xian sighed.
> "Incorrigible."
As they neared the city gates, the streets hummed with evening bustle. Merchants shouted, children laughed, and rumors fluttered like loose papers in the wind.
> "They say a star fell near the eastern ridge!"
"A heavenly treasure, perhaps!"
"Hmph, the Lin Clan's cripple probably died if he went."
Lin Xian's lips curved faintly — not in anger, but a coldly amused tilt.
> "Azure Cloud City always did love its stories."
The kitten hissed lightly, sensing the brief flare of killing intent.
Lin Xian tapped its head.
> "Easy. Let them talk. Fools choke on their own tales eventually."
He stepped through the gates just as the sunset cast a final golden light across the city. His white hair caught the glow, shining like polished snow.
On his shoulder, the kitten lifted its head. Its eyes glowed with faint star-like brilliance — the same mysterious light that had changed the fate of the morning.
Together, they walked deeper into Azure Cloud City.
One reborn soul.
One divine beast.
And a destiny that even the heavens would one day be forced to acknowledge… and fear.