Chapter 2: Calming Tiedan: The First Evolution

The night was ink-black, and Shen Qinghe’s fingertips brushed gently against Tiedan’s brow. A sliver of golden light converged instantly at the point of contact. She could feel the wild, jagged fury stagnating within this beast’s body, mixed with the deep, aching pain born from years of abuse. It wasn’t just physical hurt; it was the suffocating sensation of a soul being forcibly suppressed, denied the space to unfold.

Tiedan shuddered, a low whine rumbling from its throat. In its eyes, the golden glow softened under her touch, dissolving into pure, trusting vulnerability. She didn’t say a word, simply standing there, feeling the massive yet fragile Beast Soul stretch and settle in resonance. Each heartbeat hammered against her perception like a war drum.

Shen Qinghe murmured in a hush, “I’m not in a hurry. Slow down. Let those blocked impurities drain out.” Her voice was soft, yet it carried an unshakeable certainty that guided Tiedan to release its latent power. The beast’s aura rippled around it; the murky mist that had clung to it dispersed, replaced by a sharp, clean energy that cut through the air.

In that exact moment, the evolution percentage of its Beast Soul quietly jumped by ten percent. The thrill of breaking its own chains was so intense that Tiedan couldn’t help but let out a loud, stertorous sneeze, its nostrils flaring violently.

Tiedan took a deep breath, its nose twitching rapidly in the air, seemingly catching on some incredibly subtle scent. Shen Qinghe understood immediately—its new skill, Olfactory Locating, had just unlocked. This ability would be critical for surviving in the ruins, where the area was thick with toxic spores and the stench of rot.

Tiedan turned its head, its golden eyes fixing on the depths of the rubble. A sharp, predatory instinct shone through its gaze. It let out a short, sharp bark, signaling for Shen Qinghe to follow. The movement was crisp and decisive, completely void of that previous cheap, lazy cuteness.

The two of them—one human, one beast—pushed deep into the core of the ruins. It was cold and dim all around; abandoned buildings cast grotesque shadows under the moonlight, and every breath tasted of damp mildew. Unknown small mutants lurked in the shadows, making faint, rustling sounds. Shen Qinghe moved lightly, using her instincts to dodge the unstable gravel that could trigger traps underfoot.

She noticed patches of dark red moss, a marker for toxic gas, and quickly detoured. Tiedan led the way, occasionally turning back to check on her safety. Its golden eyes glowed in the darkness like two guiding lamps, dispelling some of the fear that clung to the air.

At the entrance of a collapsed basement, Tiedan stopped abruptly, digging through the heavy dust with its front paws. As Shen Qinghe approached, she saw a plant buried under layers of dirt. Its leaves were a rare silvery white, and a faint shimmer flowed through the veins. It was Spirit-Gathering Grass, a high-value herb known for accelerating the repair of Beast Souls. On the market, it was worth enough to buy half a street.

Shen Qinghe carefully peeled back the dirt, her fingertips brushing against the herb. She felt a weak but resilient pulse of life feeding back into her. It had survived for a long time in this sealed environment, showing shocking vitality.

Just as she prepared to dig it up, a cold voice drifted down from above. “Heh, Shen Qinghe. You really don’t know how to play by the rules.” Gu Jingxing pushed through the vines, looking down at her with a smile that mixed false charm with raw jealousy. He crossed his arms, deliberately striking a pose of disdain, but his eyes darted constantly, locked onto the Spirit-Gathering Grass.

He knew in his gut that this herb was worth far more than he’d imagined. The fact that Shen Qinghe could find such treasure in a dead-end place like this was no accident.

Shen Qinghe didn’t look up. Her hands didn’t stop for a second. “Mr. Gu, wandering around late at night. Are you looking for your conscience, or just a spare pair of cheekbones?”

Her tone was flat, but it sliced through the silence like a blade. Gu Jingxing’s face froze, then reddened with恼羞成怒 (shameful rage). He pointed at her and shouted, “Stop riddling me with riddles! Don’t think you can turn things around just because you picked up a stray dog! Back then, you were so stupid you couldn’t even protect a low-level beast. Now what? Did you grow a Cheat?”

Shen Qinghe finally stopped, standing up and brushing the dirt from her hands. She swept a calm gaze over Gu Jingxing. “Short-sightedness is your biggest feature. You can’t even see through the potential of an Alpha Wolf, so what makes you think you’re qualified to talk about hunting? Your so-called cleverness is just you bullshitting to the weak.”

The corner of her mouth twisted into a mockingly sharp smile. Her eyes looked at him like he was a jester on a stage, ruthlessly stripping away his pretentious facade.

Gu Jingxing, hit right on a raw nerve, flushed red and his voice went shrill. “How dare you insult me! I don’t care how you did it, but this herb is a rare resource obtained illegally. It has to be handed over to the Sanctuary! I’m closest with Boss Chen on that end. I’m going to report you and get you locked in the isolation zone!”

He tried to use his authority and connections to bully Shen Qinghe, but his body went rigid at a sudden movement behind him. He hadn’t noticed that a massive black shadow was silently closing in, its golden eyes locked on the back of his neck.

Shen Qinghe let out a cold laugh. She pulled the Spirit-Gathering Grass up by the root and carefully tucked it into the bundle at her waist. Adjusting her clothes, she spoke calmly. “Mr. Gu, if you keep sticking your nose where it doesn’t belong, you’ll face consequences you can’t afford. Tiedan just evolved, and it’s got a ravenous appetite. It loves ‘raw food.’ But judging by your age, your bones are probably too hard for it to chew through easily.”

She finished, turned, and started to leave, her steps light but final.

Before Gu Jingxing could even process what happened, Tiedan gave a low growl and its massive body lunged close. Its golden pupils dilated in the night, and a crushing aura descended on him like a physical weight. Gu Jingxing’s legs gave out, and he fell back onto the ground, his back drenched in cold sweat.

In terror, he realized that the aura he was so proud of was as fragile as paper against this evolved beast. He tried to run, but his body refused to listen. All he could do was watch Shen Qinghe’s silhouette disappear into the darkness.

Shen Qinghe walked out of the ruins, the moonlight as liquid silver. She glanced back at the figure sitting in a heap on the ground. There was no pity in her eyes, only icy indifference. She secured the Spirit-Gathering Grass against her body, feeling the vigorous life force it gave off, and finally, a genuine smile touched her lips. This night wasn’t just Tiedan’s transformation; it was the solid foundation of her path of revenge.

In the distance, Gu Jingxing trembled as he pulled out his communicator. His voice was pitched high with fear as he ordered his subordinates to shadow her secretly, vowing to uncover whatever secrets lay behind Shen Qinghe.

Shen Qinghe didn’t notice the tail on her heels. She moved along her planned route toward the Imperial City, her steps steady. Tiedan stayed close at her side, nostrils flaring, alert to every rustle and shift in the wind. The silhouettes of the woman and the beast stretched long in the moonlight, intertwining like a silent, moving painting.

Shen Qinghe knew that Gu Jingxing’s appearance meant a storm was brewing, but she wasn’t afraid. With Tiedan’s protection and the power of her Cheat, she had the confidence to step by step climb back to the peak that had once been trampled underfoot.

Tiedan suddenly stopped, ears perked up, catching a sliver of unusual wind. Shen Qinghe crouched immediately, pressing her forehead against Tiedan’s to share its sharp senses. She felt several weak but urgent spiritual fluctuations in the distance, closing in fast. They were Gu Jingxing’s scouts. They moved quickly and were equipped with tracking scent-beasts.

A flash of cold light crossed Shen Qinghe’s eyes. She swiftly hid Tiedan in a concealed tree hollow, then melted into the shadows of the night herself.

Using the complex terrain of the ruins to her advantage, she expertly dodged the scouts’ search net. Although her enemies had high-tech gear, without core intel, they were like headless flies bumping into walls. Shen Qinghe sneered internally. Gu Jingxing thought that knowing the secret of a Cheat would let him control the situation, but he didn’t realize he had already walked into a trap.

She waited until the scouts rounded the corner and confirmed it was safe before emerging from her hiding spot.

As she stepped out of the ruins’ edge, she stopped and looked back at the Imperial City, blazing with lights. The night was deep, but her eyes were as bright as stars. Gu Jingxing’s fear and greed would become the sharpest blade in her hand. She patted Tiedan’s head and said in a low voice, “Let’s go. Home.”

Tiedan rubbed its head affectionately against her palm, emitting a contented purr. The man and the beast walked side by side toward home, and the night seemed a little gentler.

Shen Qinghe’s steps were light and firm, each one hitting the right rhythm. She knew that from now on, no one could ever stomp on her again. The power of the Cheat flowed through her body, resonating more tightly with Tiedan’s Beast Soul. She clenched her fist, feeling that surging vitality rising, and her mouth curved upward. *Gu Jingxing, I’ll taste your fear myself.*

Wind swept across the treetops, curling a few fallen leaves, as if whispering the beginning of this game.

Tiedan walked by her side, its golden eyes scanning the surroundings alertly, occasionally issuing a low warning. It was no longer that weak beast anyone could bully; it was now Shen Qinghe’s most loyal guardian. Shen Qinghe felt the steadiness in its heart and a warmth bloomed within her own. This trust was more precious than any gold or silver.

She reached out and gently ruffled Tiedan’s ears. Tiedan lay down in response, exposing its soft belly in a posture of complete surrender.

Shen Qinghe picked up Tiedan and quickened her pace. The moon rose in the east, chasing away the last of the gloom. Her figure blended into the morning light, like the light of dawn breaking through, unstoppable. Gu Jingxing’s lurking gaze would amount to nothing but a waste of time. This night’s victory was just the opening act. She would carry this power onto a broader battlefield, forcing those who had ever looked down on her to pay a bitter price.