I Was Reincarnated As A Sword Spirit

The Shadowfang Wolf snarled, its crimson eyes locked onto Qing'er. It was fast—too fast.

Qing'er barely had time to raise her sword before the beast lunged again.

Dodge!

She twisted her body, narrowly avoiding the wolf's claws. But before she could regain her footing, the beast spun, its powerful tail whipping toward her like a steel chain.

Too fast—!

The impact struck her square in the stomach, sending her flying backward. She gasped as she hit the ground, the air knocked from her lungs.

"Pathetic," Yao Yan's voice cut through the chaos like a blade. He stood atop a boulder, arms crossed, watching without a hint of concern.

"Are you going to let a mere beast defeat you?"

Qing'er clenched her teeth, forcing herself to her feet. No. She wouldn't lose.

The wolf lunged again, its fangs bared. But this time, Qing'er was ready.

She dodged to the side, then pivoted—striking before the beast could recover.

Her blade flashed.

A deep gash split across the wolf's side, black blood spilling onto the dirt. The beast howled in fury, staggering back.

Qing'er steadied her breathing.

I can do this… I can win!

The wolf, now wounded, charged in desperation. But Qing'er had learned its pattern—it was reckless when injured.

She waited until the last moment—then sidestepped.

Her blade sang as it slashed downward.

A clean strike.

The wolf froze. Its head tumbled to the ground a second later.

Silence.

Then—Yao Yan's slow applause.

"Not bad," he mused, leaping down from the boulder. "You still lack finesse, but at least you aren't completely useless."

Qing'er scowled, panting. "You could be a little more encouraging."

Yao Yan smirked. "Where's the fun in that?"

She rolled her eyes but couldn't hide her satisfaction. She had won.

But as she looked at the fallen beast, another thought struck her.

"Yao Yan," she said hesitantly. "Do you think… I could have tamed it?"

He raised an eyebrow.

"Taming a Shadowfang Wolf? Ambitious. But beasts like this aren't easily subdued."

He paused, studying her thoughtfully. "Why? Do you want a companion?"

Qing'er hesitated, then nodded. "I don't just want to be strong… I want to understand my enemies. If I can avoid needless killing, I will."

Yao Yan stared at her for a long moment. Then—he chuckled.

"Interesting," he murmured. "You truly are different from most cultivators."

Qing'er blinked. "Is that… a compliment?"

Yao Yan smirked. "Don't get used to it."

She sighed. This man…

But deep down, she knew—this was just the beginning.