Morning mist hung low over the Spirit Realm's Southern Frontier. Birds with wings of flame darted through the clouds, while ancient spirit beasts roared in the distance.
On a cliffside pavilion freshly constructed by system auto-builders, Lin Chen lounged casually, sipping tea.
[Ding! Regional Event Detected: Frontier Beast Tide Approaching] [Emergency Trial Triggered: Defend the Outer Settlements] [Completion Reward: Spirit Realm Reputation Points + Destiny Bond Bonus with Iceblade Empress]
Lin Chen raised a brow. "So the system is matchmaking with murder beasts now?"
Moments later, a silver flash landed beside him.
Xue Qinghan stood, sword in hand, expression unreadable. "You got the notification too."
"Yep," Lin Chen replied. "Guess we're co-op partners now."
She turned to leave. "Don't hold me back."
Lin Chen smirked. "Try to keep up."
The outer settlement known as Frostfall Bastion was already in chaos. Spirit beasts of all kinds—scaled wolves, wind serpents, armored rhinodons—stormed through the forest in waves.
Lin Chen and Xue Qinghan landed atop the defensive wall as panicked cultivators fled in all directions.
"Where are your commanders?" Lin Chen asked a trembling elder.
"Gone! They all retreated when the beast king showed up!"
Xue Qinghan's eyes narrowed. "Cowards."
Lin Chen stepped forward, activating a golden sigil beneath his feet.
[Ding! Pay-to-Win Skill Activated: Instant Command Authority] [Effect: All local forces temporarily fall under your command]
(๑•̀ㅂ•́)و✧
"Everyone, form lines by attribute affinity! Earth users front, wind users flank, archers on high ground!"
He tossed a jade tablet into the air.
[Ding! Beast Bait Artifact Activated]
[All enemy aggro redirected to user's zone]
"Let's make this flashy," he muttered.
The first wave slammed into the defenses.
Xue Qinghan moved like a blade of moonlight—cold, precise, deadly.
Lin Chen, meanwhile, tossed talismans like confetti, each one a high-tier purchase from the Spirit Realm shop.
Explosions rocked the battlefield. Ice spears, fire arrays, thunder glyphs—weapons of pure coin rained down like divine judgment.
Cultivators stared, stunned.
"Who is this guy?!"
"He fights with money?! That's insane!"
"Why is he... kind of cool though?!"
Xue Qinghan glanced at Lin Chen. "You're reckless."
"And you're impressed," he replied.
She said nothing.
But didn't deny it.
Three hours later, the final beast collapsed.
[Ding! Trial Complete]
[Reward: +5,000 Spirit Realm Reputation]
[Affinity with Destiny Female Lead #2: +20 (Now 25/100)]
Xue Qinghan stood amidst the carnage, hair damp with sweat.
"You're not what I expected."
"I usually get that after the first apocalypse," Lin Chen said, wiping dust off his robes.
She turned away. "I'll see you again... Lin Chen."
He watched her vanish into the mist.
[Achievement Unlocked: First Joint Battle]
[Reward: Exclusive Duo Skill Tree Unlocked]
Lin Chen's smile deepened.
"Let's see how far this bond goes."
—End of Chapter 8—