Cola's First Battle!

After several days of "grueling training," along with the nourishment of Golden Crucian Carp, Cola had already reached Level 3, and even Wind Blade was gradually nearing the proficient level.

Seeing that Wind Blade and the water column were evenly matched, Chen Yuan suppressed the urge to add points to it.

Adding points on the spot was not advisable.

Although Chen Yuan still had seven Origin Points, he planned to use them to unlock advancement requirements, or save them until the two little ones encountered training bottlenecks.

Origin Points were hard-won; every single one had to be spent where it counted.

Seeing its attack so easily neutralized, Moistening Duck grew even angrier. It quacked several times, two faint five-pointed stars appearing on its forehead as it opened its yellow beak and blasted out another fierce water column!

Quack quack quack!

I'm mad enough to die, Duckie!

"Elite quality, huh." Chen Yuan's eyes lit up.

Mingyu Lake seemed to be rich in Elite-quality Extraordinary Creatures.

The thought flashed through his mind in an instant. Chen Yuan shouted, "Cola, use Wind Treading Step to dodge it and close in."

"Aw."

Cola gave a slight nod. Its azure eyes fixed on the incoming water column as a wild gale suddenly rose around it, gust after gust brushing over its face.

At that moment, Cola looked more serious and focused than ever before.

Whoosh!

Cola suddenly moved. Fast as a fresh breeze, it darted toward the front left in the blink of an eye, its light brown figure reflected in Chen Yuan's eyes.

Wind Treading Step was a wind-element skill that could greatly increase the user's speed for a short period of time, though it possessed no offensive power.

For Cola, this skill could greatly improve its agility and ability to kite opponents.

Bang!

The water column was easily evaded by the suddenly faster Cola. It could only strike the ground helplessly, splashing water everywhere.

"Quack!"

Seeing its attack miss, Moistening Duck sensed that something was wrong and hurriedly looked around.

That light brown figure had slipped into its line of sight without it noticing, like an unreasonable beast charging over with its throat raised in a furious howl.

"Quack—"

A bead of cold sweat rolled down Moistening Duck's forehead, and a trace of panic flashed over its face.

Something's not right, Duckie!

The next second,

That figure, already right before its eyes, slammed into it viciously. A tremendous force bore down upon it, and a violent impact instantly exploded in Moistening Duck's chest, followed by searing pain.

Under that immense force, Moistening Duck had no way to resist. Its body staggered back several steps in a row before it plopped onto the ground on its backside.

"Quack—"

After a bout of dizziness, Moistening Duck first tidied up its messy hairstyle, then rubbed its aching butt and pulled a bitter face.

It hurts so much, Duckie!

"Huh?" Seeing this, Chen Yuan fell into thought.

Cola's build was not particularly sturdy; if anything, it was rather lean overall. Why had that charge been so effective?

Was it because of its innate physical qualities, or some other reason?

The thought had barely passed when Moistening Duck slowly rose to its feet while rubbing its butt. Chen Yuan did not lower his guard and called out with an outstretched arm, "Cola."

"Aw!"

Cola lifted its head high. Its own performance had filled it with confidence, and it looked utterly pleased with itself.

"Finish the battle with Wind Blade," Chen Yuan said.

"Aw!"

Cola promptly answered. A breeze instantly surged around its body, condensing into a tangible Wind Blade that would come whistling forth the next second.

Moistening Duck glanced at the poised Wind Blade, withdrew the hand rubbing its butt, then plunged headfirst into the lake.

Splash!

Water sprayed up, and Moistening Duck's figure immediately vanished.

"Aw?"

Cola had not even unleashed its Wind Blade when it saw this. Its eyes widened in utter shock.

How could you run away halfway through the fight!

"Aw aw aw!"

Cola instantly rushed to the lakeshore, howling furiously at the lake's surface.

Yet after it called out for quite a while, the water remained calm.

Chen Yuan blinked, somewhat dumbfounded as well.

Why was this one like that Ironhead Kid too, stopping halfway through a fight?

Were they all such cowards?

Defeated a Tier 1 Extraordinary Creature. Origin Points +0.1

But upon hearing the system prompt, Chen Yuan stopped dwelling on it and smiled faintly. "It's fine, let it go. You've already won."

"You did great, Cola."

"Aw aw aw~"

Finally hearing the words it had waited so long for, Cola charged toward Chen Yuan at unprecedented speed. The latter seemed prepared, opening his arms in advance.

"Aw~"

As the warm tongue licked at his cheeks, Chen Yuan skillfully took out some tissues and wiped his face, while a question rose in his heart.

I haven't even contracted Cola yet. Why can I still gain Origin Points for its victory?

How exactly does the system determine this?

Though he was puzzled, Chen Yuan did not spoil Cola's excitement. He rubbed its fluffy head and said gently, "Keep working hard."

Cola nodded frantically, then glanced at Spark beside it from the corner of its eye. A bold idea suddenly rose in its heart. "Aw aw aw!"

It was time to prove that it was its master's number-one lackey!

It hurried over to stand before Spark, its gaze blazing as it barked again and again, "Aw aw aw!"

Its determination to challenge it was as unshakable as a rock.

Chen Yuan pursed his lips, somewhat hesitant. "Do you really want to challenge Spark?"

"Aw~" Cola's gaze was firm, its fighting spirit soaring.

"Spark, what do you think?" Chen Yuan looked at Spark.

"Chirp~" Spark opened its tranquil eyes and nodded lightly.

One minute later,

Cola lay on the ground with a bruised and swollen face, scorched fur, unfocused eyes, and a dejected expression, staring blankly at the sky.

As Chen Yuan treated Cola's injuries, he softly said, "Work hard. Try to beat it next time."

"Aw!"

Seeing its master's encouragement, Cola instantly pulled itself together. At that moment, determination and resilience bloomed in its eyes, and even its bark became much louder.

After all that fuss, the sky was gradually darkening. Chen Yuan helplessly put away his fishing gear and headed back the way they had come.

Along the way, he could not help sighing. "Sigh, I still came home empty-handed in the end."

To him, failing to catch a spirit fish meant coming home empty-handed.

As dusk settled and the lakeshore returned to silence, a little head crowned with fluffy hair quietly emerged from the water, staring blankly at the place where Chen Yuan had been earlier.

"Quack."

Because Cola had suffered a minor injury, Chen Yuan refused its idea of continuing to drive on the way back and took the driver's seat himself.

They sped all the way back to the farm by evening.

The moment they entered the courtyard, an enticing aroma drifted out from the kitchen.

Chen Weiyi poked his head out. "Wash your hands. Dinner's ready."

"Aw aw aw!"

Before Chen Yuan could respond, Cola had already rushed toward the sink, its face full of impatience.

It had smelled the fragrance of spirit fish!

At the dinner table,

Chen Weiyi glanced at Cola, whose wounds were wrapped in medical bandages, and asked with concern, "What happened to it?"

"Aw..."

Cola lowered its head, watching its nose and minding its own business as it silently bit into a fish slice.

Chen Yuan laughed. "It's fine. It fought another pet beast. It won, but still got a few minor injuries."

Chen Weiyi nodded. "Try to avoid conflicts whenever possible."

Chen Yuan obediently replied, "Of course. If we can avoid fighting, we will."

"Isn't that right, Spark?"

Spark, which was delicately savoring its fish, raised its eyes and nodded reservedly.