When Lin Kun woke up, he found himself back at the temporary camp. His injuries had been simply treated, the campfire had been rekindled, and fragrant strips of dried meat were roasting over it.
The snow-white little beast he had named Little White was curled up in his arms, sleeping soundly. Its fluffy tail occasionally brushed against his chin, making it itch.
"You're awake?" A deep voice spoke.
Lin Kun looked up and saw the academy teacher Director Yinshu had sent sitting across from him. The teacher watched him expressionlessly while turning the dried meat over the fire.
"Teacher... was it you who saved me?" Lin Kun struggled to sit up.
"I only dragged you back and treated your external wounds while I was at it. You survived because you were lucky." The teacher glanced at Little White in his arms, his expression complicated. "Tell me. What happened? What kind of spirit beast is that? How did you tame it?"
Lin Kun's heart tightened. Knowing he could not bluff his way through, he could only answer with a mixture of truth and lies. "I don't know what kind of spirit beast it is either... I saw the beast tide and went in out of curiosity. Then I found a glowing egg that suddenly cracked open, and the Spirit Shock knocked me unconscious... When I woke up, it was following me... Maybe I was just lucky?" He once again played up his "European Emperor" persona.
The teacher clearly did not believe him, but he did not press further. He merely said flatly, "Your luck really is bizarre, kid. This spirit beast is no ordinary creature. Treat it well. Also, I've already reported what happened to Director Yinshu. Once you return to the academy, you'll probably have plenty to deal with."
Lin Kun's heart skipped a beat. He knew trouble was coming again.
After resting for a night, Lin Kun's injuries and Mental Power recovered quickly under the nourishment of Little White's miraculous spiritual energy. He tried communicating with his new companion and discovered that the Spirit Resonance skill was extremely useful. Without words, he could vaguely sense Little White's emotions and simple intentions, while Little White could also understand his commands.
"Little White, try using Spirit Shock?" Lin Kun ordered curiously.
Little White tilted its head and blinked its large blue eyes. Then... it gave a tiny yawn and spat out an almost invisible bubble of Mental Power. It floated before Lin Kun and burst with a soft pop, its mental fluctuation practically nonexistent.
Lin Kun: "..." Fine, it was still a baby. Its skill cooldown was absurdly long, and its power was negligible. For now, its main functions were acting cute and serving as a spiritual power bank.
However, the Book Spirit's feedback indicated that Little White possessed extremely high potential. It simply needed time and resources to grow.
The three-day break ended. Carrying Little White and several stalks of Wind Whisper Grass, Lin Kun returned to Nuoding Academy.
The moment he entered the academy gates, he became the center of attention!
"Look! Lin Kun is back!" "What's that in his arms? Such a cute little spirit beast!" "I heard he caused another huge commotion when he went out this time!" "The European Emperor reputation really isn't undeserved!"
The students whispered among themselves, their eyes full of curiosity and envy.
Tang San and Xiao Wu also rushed over after hearing the news. Xiao Wu spotted the fluffy Little White in Lin Kun's arms at once. A girl's instinctive fondness for cute things made her eyes light up instantly. "Wow! What an adorable little thing! Lin Kun, where did you snatch it from?"
She reached out to pet it, but Little White suddenly raised its head. Its blue eyes gave Xiao Wu a wary look, and a faint yet distinct sense of mental rejection spread out, freezing Xiao Wu's hand in midair.
Xiao Wu was stunned for a moment, then pouted. "Hmph, you won't even let me touch you! Stingy little thing!"
Tang San's expression grew even more solemn. He could sense the pure spiritual power contained within the little beast, something entirely different from anything he knew. Though weak, its fundamental quality was extremely high. Moreover, Lin Kun seemed to have gained an indescribable mental field that faintly resonated with the little beast.
"Lin Kun, you gained quite a lot during these three days..." Tang San said meaningfully.
Lin Kun gave an awkward laugh. "Luck, it was all luck..."
At that moment, Ning Rongrong also walked over gracefully. Looking at Little White, her beautiful eyes shimmered with interest, and her usual smile rested on her lips. "Classmate Lin Kun really does surprise people every time. To obtain such a rare young spirit beast of the spiritual type... it seems it wasn't merely good luck, was it?"
Her gaze seemed capable of seeing through people's hearts, placing immense pressure on Lin Kun.
Sure enough, not long after returning to the Seventh Dormitory, Director Yinshu sent someone to summon Lin Kun to the Academic Affairs Office.
Lin Kun forced himself to head there, only to find that Director Yinshu was not alone. Grandmaster Yu Xiaogang was there as well! The gazes of the two major figures focused simultaneously on him... and Little White in his arms.
"Lin Kun, tell us what happened in detail," Director Yinshu said bluntly.
Lin Kun could only repeat the story he had prepared, emphasizing "coincidence," "luck," and "being unconscious and knowing nothing afterward."
Grandmaster remained silent as he listened. His sharp, eagle-like eyes carefully studied Little White, his brows tightly furrowed. "This kind of spirit beast... I have never seen it in any record. Judging from its form and spiritual traits, it seems to possess an exceptionally ancient and pure bloodline... Lin Kun, release your Mental Power. Let me examine it."
Lin Kun groaned inwardly, but he did not dare disobey. He could only cautiously open a small gap in his mental barrier.
Grandmaster extended his index finger, gathering a thread of gentle spiritual energy at its tip, and lightly reached toward Little White's forehead.
Just as he was about to make contact, Little White suddenly let out a piercing "Chirp!" Silver light flashed across its body!
Grandmaster seemed to have been struck by lightning. He let out a muffled grunt and staggered back two steps, his finger trembling slightly. A look of horror appeared on his face. "Such a powerful instinct for spiritual self-protection! It actually reflected my probe!"
Director Yinshu was also greatly shocked.
The way Grandmaster looked at Lin Kun changed completely, filled with shock and disbelief. "Not only has it formed a spiritual link with you, but its spiritual essence may even... far exceed anything I imagined! Lin Kun, what you have gained may be an extraordinary companion, or it may be... an enormous source of trouble."
Lin Kun's heart sank. He knew his peaceful days were completely over.
A greater storm was about to sweep through Nuoding Academy because of his and Little White's arrival.
Before you continue