The Path of Survivor begins with obtaining titles

Lin Yi leisurely entered, following the path revealed by the dispersing fog. From the fog beside him, he could make out the existence of some plants, unlike the bare exterior.

After walking for a while, as the fog gradually dissipated, he saw a middle-aged cultivator practicing in a lotus position ahead. Flames continually rose from his body. Below him, radiant light emitted, causing snow to continuously fall from the sky.

These snowflakes melted before they touched him, transformed into more fog, and went back into the sky.

Lin Yi understood. It seemed that the fog was caused by Fire Fierce Senior Uncle’s cultivation of fire, melting the ice and snow. Most likely, a formation capable of releasing snow and ice had been set up around his body.

At this moment, a chirping noise rang out. He saw on the shoulder of the Fire Fierce Senior Uncle was a small red bird. If it weren’t for the chirping, he would’ve mistaken it as a flame.

This little bird was on his shoulder, enjoying the surrounding flames, its face showing a contented expression as it occasionally took a mouthful of fire.

Lin Yi’s face showed surprise. This was the Fire Spirit Bird, indeed worthy of its fame as a fire bird. It sucked in fire as if it were eating jelly. Its feathers, like actual flames, were especially stunning.

Zhi Ling also peeked out her little head, looking at that Fire Spirit Bird. In her small eyes, there was a hopeful gaze.

“Zhi Ling, one day, you too will become such a spirit beast, or even stronger.”

Lin Yi, sensing Zhi Ling’s shift in emotions, patted her little head comfortingly.

The middle-aged cultivator opened his eyes, took a glance at Lin Yi, and said with some irritation, “The people at the Merit Hall are truly blind. I merely wrote that the requirement was at the Qi Refining Fifth Level, but they really did send one over.”

Upon hearing the cultivator’s words, the Fire Spirit Bird looked at Lin Yi. Its eyes instantly turned sharp and it quickly rushed towards him.

However, Lin Yi remained utterly calm, extracting a slice of Monster Beast Meat from his storage bag and offering it with a smile.

The Fire Spirit Bird looked at the Beast Meat, glanced at Lin Yi again, then abruptly ceased its attack. The sharpness in its gaze gradually easing, it flew back to the shoulder of the middle-aged cultivator.

“Huh.” The middle-aged cultivator was a bit surprised, and the flames around him disappeared. “Kid, among the dozens of people who’ve come to verify, you’re the first to make the Fire Bird give up on attack.”

“Disciple pays respect to Fire Fierce Senior Uncle, I also raise a spiritual pet. Maybe it has some scent on me.” Lin Yi cupped his hands in salutation and quickly explained.

At this point, Zhi Ling, the antisocial creature, surprisingly crawled out from his pocket, stood on his shoulder, and chirped a couple of times as if saying, ‘I, Zhi Ling, am Lin Yi’s spiritual pet.’

The middle-aged cultivator glanced at Zhi Ling, showing a hint of surprise on his face. This was followed by a spark in his eyes and a smug smirk. “A Lightning Mink with a degraded bloodline could hardly be considered a spirit pet; at most, it’s a small pet.”

Upon hearing his words, Zhi Ling’s mouth bulged angrily, like a hamster’s. She chirped back in protest.

Lin Yi patted Zhi Ling’s little head and said laughingly, “Senior Uncle, in all honesty, Zhi Ling indeed cannot be considered a spiritual pet. But she is my little partner.”

The middle-aged cultivator sneered. “You guys are so sentimental. I, Fire Fierce, do not keep useless entities. I only keep combat spirit pets. What use is it for me to keep something that’s of no help.”

“Emotions are the most useless things in the world. It is best to discard them early. A heartless person can go farther.”

After hearing the words of the middle-aged cultivator, Zhi Ling no longer tried to argue. Her eyes filled with loneliness, she silently crawled back into the pocket.

“Senior Uncle makes a good point. However, Zhi Ling will always be my partner.” Lin Yi cupped his hands in salutation. It was true that a heartless person could go farther. With no cares, only a cold heart, he didn’t want to become that kind of person.

Fire Fierce waved his hand dismissively. “Enough, no more nonsense talk. Come here. If you can make the Fire Bird eat the food you offer within four hours, you pass the verification.”

The name Fire Spirit Bird really suited this hot-tempered, emotionless Fire Fierce Senior Uncle. He didn’t even care for giving a name.

Lin Yi nodded and took out another piece of Monster Beast Meat from his storage bag, extending it to the Fire Spirit Bird.

Fire Fierce coldly observed from the side. Ever since he had posted the task, around fifty or sixty people had come for verification, including those who practiced with fire, but all had failed without exception.

Because he had never nurtured feelings with the Fire Spirit Bird, on the contrary, he often scolded it. Gradually, this made the bird full of aggression, refusing to bond with anyone. This way, it could bring out its full strength.

The Fire Spirit Bird looked at the Monster Beast Meat Lin Yi was offering, but showed no interest. It even spat out a little flame from its mouth, burning the meat to a crisp.

Lin Yi, undeterred, continued to pull out pieces of meat and fed it to the bird. Now, he had a success rate of 30% in feeding. It would be impossible for such a young Fire Spirit Bird to resist.

If this Fire Spirit Bird were an adult spirit pet raised by Fire Fierce, Lin Yi would not consider it. He would turn around and leave, simply because the difficulty was too great. As the saying goes, a dog follows the personality of its master. If the master is aggressive, the dog’s behavior also changes over time.

That was why, on Earth, those guys with heavy chains and small tattoos ended up raising exceptionally aggressive dogs. Fire Fierce was a person without feelings. Hence, his adult spirit pet too would be devoid of emotions.

Finally, on the sixth attempt, the Fire Spirit Bird viewed the Monster Beast Meat in front of it as if it had irresistible magic, attracting its attention.

It hesitated for a moment, then abruptly flew up to pick it up and merrily started eating. The bird’s gaze softened a bit as it looked at Lin Yi.

“What a useless thing, easily lured like this.” Seeing this, Fire Fierce casually swatted the Fire Spirit Bird away.

Turning his head to look Lin Yi, he said impatiently, “Alright, you’ve passed the verification. Take the bird back and keep it for a couple of months. This is my token, use it to get the task when the time comes. I also have to go out for a job.’

Seeing Fire Fierce preparing to leave, Lin Yi quickly said, “Senior Uncle, I can take it back and raise it, but there’s one thing I need to make clear beforehand.”

“It seems that I have this Animal Affinity. If they stay with me for a while, animals will feel close to me.’

“It’s possible that after a couple of months, this Fire Spirit Bird might not want to return for the time being. I hope that Senior Uncle will have some patience then. I’ll assist in getting it back.”

Hearing this, Fire Fierce sneered again. “This Fire Bird has already recognized me as its master. I don’t think that’s going to happen. If it really refuses to come back, then just give it to you. After all, it’s an untrained, useless waste.”

“Senior Uncle, you are being far too kind. As a disciple, I dare not take.” Lin Yi said, clasping his hands.

“Stop chatting nonsense. Hurry up and leave with the Fire Bird.” Fire Fierce said, getting a bit agitated. He then took out a Spirit Pet Bag, put the Fire Spirit Bird in, shoved it to Lin Yi, and in a big hand wave, threw both Lin Yi and the bird out of the Cave Mansion..