The Shinobi World seemed vast, and there was no shortage of powerful people.
Yet within an even more immense world system, it was still merely a limited corner.
Lie Yang opened his eyes, his brow furrowing slightly.
The power he had just gained was indeed immense.
His soul and body had also achieved a deeper level of harmony.
But this improvement was still far from the Third Stage.
The Ninja Cat beside him sensed his mood and approached with light steps.
It first bumped its head against the back of Lie Yang's hand.
When Lie Yang did not react, it raised a front paw and rested it on his sleeve, a low purr rumbling in its throat.
Lie Yang lowered his gaze to it.
The Ninja Cat looked up at him. There was no fear in its emerald-green eyes, only simple affection.
"I forgot to ask."
Lie Yang lifted a hand and rubbed its head.
"What's your name?"
The Ninja Cat tilted its head.
It opened its mouth and let out a cry, then rubbed its cheek against Lie Yang's palm, clearly unable to answer in human language.
A smile appeared on Lie Yang's face.
"Looks like you don't have a name yet."
The Ninja Cat flicked its tail.
It seemed to understand part of what he said, lightly stepping twice on the scorched earth with its front paws.
"After we get back, I'll have Granny Cat give you one."
Lie Yang gently stroked down the back of its neck.
The Ninja Cat narrowed its eyes comfortably and pressed closer to him.
His brief frustration faded away.
It had been three years since he had transmigrated here.
He did not possess the fate of a heaven-chosen protagonist.
Nor had anyone arranged a path for him.
The First-Stage Gene Lock was