Supreme Beast Resonance

CHAPTER 4: THE FIRST BEAST

Tang Hao clutched the sect robe in his hands, staring at it like it might disappear if he looked away. The gray fabric was finer than anything he'd ever owned, with subtle silver threading that seemed to shimmer in the fading light.

"Put it on," Jiang Chen said. "We need to get you healed before we head to the sect."

"Head to the sect? Now?" Tang Hao looked down at his bruised body. "But I need to tell my father—"

"Of course. Lead the way."

They walked through Greenwood Town's streets, Tang Hao limping slightly but refusing to show weakness. Several people stared as they passed—recognizing the boy, whispering to each other.

"That's the blacksmith's son..."

"Failed five contract attempts..."

"Heard he got beaten by Young Master Liu's guards today..."

Tang Hao's jaw clenched, but he kept walking with his head held high. Jiang Chen noted this with approval. Pride and determination—good qualities for a disciple.

They arrived at a modest smithy on the town's edge. The sound of hammer on anvil rang out clearly. Inside, a broad-shouldered man with graying hair and arms like tree trunks worked a piece of red-hot metal.

"Father," Tang Hao called out.

The blacksmith looked up, his eyes immediately finding his son's injuries. His expression darkened. "Liu family again?"

"It doesn't matter. Father, I—"

"It matters to me." The blacksmith set down his hammer, his voice tight with controlled anger. "This is the third time this month."

"Father, please listen." Tang Hao stepped forward. "This is Sect Master Jiang Chen. He's offered to take me as his disciple."

The blacksmith's eyes shifted to Jiang Chen, assessing. A cultivator's instinct—measuring the stranger's strength.

Jiang Chen kept his aura suppressed at Foundation Establishment level. Not threatening, but respectable.

"A sect master," the blacksmith said slowly. "From which sect?"

"Heavenly Beast Peak Sect," Jiang Chen replied. "Newly established in the Misty Jade Mountains."

"Never heard of it."

"You wouldn't have. We only founded it yesterday." Jiang Chen met the man's gaze steadily. "I'm looking for disciples with potential. Your son has exceptional talent."

The blacksmith's expression was skeptical. "My son has failed five contract attempts. Every tamer in town says he's incompatible with beast taming."

"They're wrong," Jiang Chen said simply. "He's not incompatible—he's just too strong for common beasts. He needs something extraordinary."

"Extraordinary beasts don't accept nobodies as masters."

"They do if the nobody is actually somebody." Jiang Chen pulled out a small jade bottle from his spatial ring. "This is a Foundation Establishment Pill. For his injuries and cultivation."

The blacksmith's eyes widened. Such pills were expensive—worth at least a hundred gold coins.

"I don't accept charity," the blacksmith said gruffly.

"It's not charity. It's an investment in my disciple." Jiang Chen tossed the bottle to Tang Hao. "Take it tonight. Tomorrow, we'll begin your real training."

Tang Hao caught the bottle, staring at it in disbelief.

The blacksmith studied Jiang Chen for a long moment. Finally, he spoke. "If you're lying to my son—if you're using him somehow—I'll hunt you down myself."

"Fair enough." Jiang Chen smiled slightly. "But I think you'll find I keep my promises."

The blacksmith turned to Tang Hao. "Is this what you want? To leave home and train at some unknown sect in the mountains?"

Tang Hao nodded, his grip tightening on the pill bottle. "It's everything I want, Father. Please."

The older man sighed deeply. "Your mother would tell me I'm being foolish for allowing this." He pulled his son into a brief, fierce embrace. "But she'd also tell me not to cage your dreams. Go. Prove them all wrong."

Tang Hao's eyes glistened. "I will, Father. I promise."

[MISSION NOTIFICATION]

[DISCIPLE TANG HAO HAS OFFICIALLY JOINED YOUR SECT]

[REWARDS DISTRIBUTED]

[NEW ITEM: EPIC BEAST EGG (LIGHTNING ELEMENT)]

[THIS EGG IS PERFECTLY SUITED FOR TANG HAO'S ELEMENT AFFINITY]

Jiang Chen felt the egg materialize in his spatial ring, pulsing with electric energy.

They left the smithy, Tang Hao wearing his new sect robes and carrying a small pack of personal belongings. The boy had taken the Foundation Establishment Pill immediately—his injuries already healing, bruises fading.

"We'll stay at an inn tonight," Jiang Chen said. "Rest properly. Tomorrow morning, we return to the sect."

"Sect Master," Tang Hao said hesitantly. "You said I need an extraordinary beast. But how will we find one? Extraordinary beasts are rare and dangerous."

Jiang Chen smiled. "I already have one for you."

Tang Hao's eyes widened. "You... you already have a beast for me? But you just met me!"

"Trust the process, disciple."

They found a decent inn and rented two rooms. Jiang Chen gave Tang Hao instructions to cultivate through the night—the Foundation Establishment Pill would help him break through to Body Tempering 5th Stage by morning.

Alone in his room, Jiang Chen pulled out both eggs—the Legendary egg from his sect establishment reward and the Epic lightning egg meant for Tang Hao.

[WOULD YOU LIKE TO EXAMINE THE EGGS?]

"Yes."

[EPIC BEAST EGG - LIGHTNING ELEMENT]

[SPECIES: THUNDER WING EAGLE]

[POTENTIAL: CAN REACH 100,000-YEAR LEVEL]

[SPECIAL TRAIT: STORM CALLER - CAN SUMMON AND CONTROL LIGHTNING]

[COMPATIBILITY WITH TANG HAO: PERFECT]

[INCUBATION TIME: CAN BE HATCHED IMMEDIATELY WITH PROPER RITUAL]

"And the legendary egg?"

[LEGENDARY BEAST EGG - UNKNOWN]

[MULTIPLE ELEMENT FUSION DETECTED]

[POTENTIAL: CAN REACH CELESTIAL LEVEL]

[HATCHING REQUIREMENTS: STRONG SOVEREIGN ESSENCE]

[ESTIMATED TIME: 10-12 DAYS]

[RECOMMENDATION: KEEP WITH YOU. THIS BEAST WILL LIKELY CHOOSE TO CONTRACT WITH YOU]

Jiang Chen nodded slowly. A Thunder Wing Eagle for Tang Hao was perfect—lightning element beasts were known for their speed and offensive power.

"System, what ritual do I need to hatch Tang Hao's egg?"

[BASIC BEAST HATCHING CEREMONY]

[REQUIREMENTS:]

1. Clean space with spiritual energy

2. Tamer must offer blood and qi

3. Tamer must speak oath of partnership

4. Egg will recognize compatible soul and hatch

[YOU CAN PERFORM THIS CEREMONY TOMORROW AT YOUR SECT]

Jiang Chen stored both eggs carefully and spent the night in meditation, circulating his qi. Even with his cultivation sealed, he could feel the vast ocean of power just beneath the surface.

One day, that seal would break.

But not yet.

Morning came quickly. Tang Hao knocked on Jiang Chen's door at dawn, his face bright with excitement and nervousness.

"I broke through!" the boy announced. "Body Tempering 5th Stage! I've never cultivated this fast before!"

"Good. That's just the beginning." Jiang Chen stood. "Ready to see your new home?"

They left Greenwood Town behind, traveling northeast toward the Misty Jade Mountains. At Tang Hao's current cultivation level, the journey would take several hours, so Jiang Chen kept his pace measured.

As they walked, Jiang Chen began teaching. "Tell me, Tang Hao, what do you know about beast taming?"

"Um... you form a contract with a spirit beast. The beast lends you its power, and you help it cultivate. The stronger your beasts, the stronger you are."

"That's what most people believe," Jiang Chen said. "But it's incomplete. True beast taming isn't about borrowing power—it's about partnership. The beast isn't your tool or your weapon. It's your companion, your equal."

Tang Hao frowned. "But everyone uses slave contracts. They say it's the only reliable way."

"Slave contracts are for weak tamers who fear their beasts will betray them." Jiang Chen's voice carried an edge. "We will not use slave contracts in our sect. Ever."

"But then how do we ensure loyalty?"

"Through respect. Through trust. Through mutual benefit." Jiang Chen glanced at his disciple. "A beast forced into slavery will only be as strong as its chains allow. A beast that chooses partnership will break through limits you never imagined."

Tang Hao absorbed this, his expression thoughtful. "Is that why I couldn't contract common beasts? Because I wouldn't use a slave contract?"

"Partly. But mainly because your soul resonance is too strong for weak beasts. You need a partner with similar strength of spirit."

They continued walking, Jiang Chen occasionally pointing out wild spirit beasts in the forest and explaining their characteristics. Tang Hao soaked up every word like a sponge.

By midday, they reached the Misty Jade Mountains.

Tang Hao stopped, staring up at the jade-green mist clinging to the peaks. "It's beautiful."

"Wait until you see the sect." Jiang Chen led the way up the mountain path.

When they finally reached the plateau, Tang Hao's jaw dropped.

The Heavenly Beast Peak Sect spread before them—elegant buildings of white jade, the crystal-clear lake reflecting sunlight, ancient trees heavy with spirit fruits, and the ever-present mist giving everything a mystical quality.

"This is... this is incredible!" Tang Hao spun in a circle, taking it all in. "You built all this in one day?"

"The system helped," Jiang Chen said honestly. "Come on. I'll show you to your quarters, then we have a ceremony to perform."

He led Tang Hao to the disciple residences—comfortable rooms with cultivation mats, storage for equipment, and windows overlooking the training grounds.

"This is all mine?" Tang Hao asked, disbelief in his voice.

"You're my first disciple. Of course you get proper accommodations." Jiang Chen gestured to the training grounds visible through the window. "Rest for an hour. Then meet me at the main training ground. We're going to hatch your first beast."

Tang Hao's eyes went wide. "Today? I'm getting my beast today?"

"Today," Jiang Chen confirmed. "Now rest. You'll need your energy."

An hour later, Tang Hao stood in the center of the training ground, practically vibrating with anticipation.

Jiang Chen held the Epic Beast Egg, its surface crackling with tiny lightning bolts. He could feel the life force inside—powerful, eager, waiting.

"The hatching ceremony is simple but sacred," Jiang Chen explained. "You'll offer a drop of your blood and some of your qi. The egg will sense your spirit and decide if you're compatible. If it accepts you, the beast inside will hatch and form an immediate soul bond."

"What if it doesn't accept me?" Tang Hao's voice was small.

"It will." Jiang Chen's confidence was absolute. "This beast was meant for you."

He placed the egg on the ground between them. "Kneel."

Tang Hao knelt, his hands trembling slightly.

"Bite your finger. Let three drops of blood fall on the egg."

Tang Hao bit his thumb, wincing, and squeezed. Three drops of crimson blood fell onto the egg's surface. The moment they made contact, lightning crackled across the shell.

"Now, place both hands on the egg and channel your qi into it. As you do, speak these words: 'I seek not a servant, but a partner. I offer not chains, but freedom. If you choose me, we will grow together, fight together, and reach the heavens together.'"

Tang Hao placed his shaking hands on the egg. Jiang Chen could see the boy's qi—rough and unrefined, but surprisingly abundant—flowing into the egg.

"I seek not a servant, but a partner," Tang Hao began, his voice growing stronger with each word. "I offer not chains, but freedom. If you choose me, we will grow together, fight together, and reach the heavens together!"

The egg exploded with lightning.

Thunder boomed across the plateau. The egg's shell cracked, golden light pouring through the fissures. Tang Hao gasped as he felt something—a presence, a consciousness—reaching out to touch his soul.

The shell shattered completely.

A creature emerged, about the size of a large cat. It had a sleek body covered in golden-white feathers that crackled with electricity. Sharp talons gripped the ground, and intelligent amber eyes studied Tang Hao with fierce curiosity. Magnificent wings, still small but clearly meant for greatness, stretched out experimentally.

A Thunder Wing Eagle chick.

"Hello," Tang Hao whispered.

The eagle chick chirped—a sound like distant thunder—and hopped forward. It pressed its head against Tang Hao's chest, and Jiang Chen felt the soul contract snap into place.

[SUCCESSFUL BEAST CONTRACT FORMED]

[TANG HAO + THUNDER WING EAGLE]

[BEAST NAME: AWAITING DESIGNATION]

[CURRENT CULTIVATION: 100-YEAR LEVEL]

[BEAST TAMER RANK: TANG HAO ADVANCED TO NOVICE TAMER]

Tang Hao's eyes filled with tears as he gently stroked the eagle's head. "I did it. I actually did it."

"You did," Jiang Chen said warmly. "Congratulations, Tang Hao. You're officially a beast tamer."

The eagle chick chirped again, nuzzling against Tang Hao affectionately.

"What will you name it?" Jiang Chen asked.

Tang Hao thought for a moment, looking at the lightning still dancing across its feathers. "Lei. I'll call him Lei."

"Thunder. A strong name."

[BEAST NAMED: LEI (THUNDER WING EAGLE)]

[CONGRATULATIONS! YOUR FIRST DISCIPLE HAS SUCCESSFULLY CONTRACTED HIS FIRST BEAST!]

[HIDDEN QUEST COMPLETE: GUIDE DISCIPLE TO FIRST CONTRACT]

[REWARDS: 1,000 Spirit Stones, Basic Beast Training Manual, Disciples' Trust +50]

Tang Hao stood, Lei perched proudly on his shoulder. The boy's face was radiant with joy. "Thank you, Master. Thank you so much."

"Don't thank me yet," Jiang Chen said with a slight smile. "Training starts tomorrow at dawn. And trust me—it won't be easy."

"I don't care!" Tang Hao laughed. "I'm a tamer now! I'll train as hard as you want!"

Jiang Chen watched his first disciple celebrate with his first beast, and felt something warm in his chest.

This was why he'd walked the path before. Not for personal power, but for moments like this—seeing potential bloom into reality.

One disciple down.

Many more to come.