The Salted Fish Cultivator: My Pet System Awakens

The academy's central courtyard buzzed with energy as students prepared for the annual team challenge, a tradition designed to test both individual skill and teamwork. Banners flapped in the breeze, their vibrant colors reflecting the pride of each class.

Lu Tian stood at the edge of the courtyard, arms crossed and an unimpressed expression plastered across his face. Zhang Wei and Wei Jingyi flanked him, their excitement starkly contrasting his apathy.

"This is going to be great!" Zhang Wei exclaimed, already bouncing on his heels. "Brother Lu, we're going to crush it!"

"Define 'crush it,'" Lu Tian said flatly. "Because my version involves sitting under a tree while you two handle everything."

Wei Jingyi shot him a look. "That's not how teamwork works."

"That's how my teamwork works," Lu Tian replied, yawning.

Before Wei Jingyi could retort, a loud voice cut through the chatter.

"Welcome, students, to this year's team challenge!" Elder Zhao stood atop the podium, his commanding presence silencing the crowd. "This exercise will test your ability to work together, adapt, and overcome obstacles. Remember, strength means nothing without strategy."

Lu Tian stifled a groan. "Strength means everything. Strategy just makes it look fancy."

Wei Jingyi sighed. "Do you have to complain about everything?"

"Yes," Lu Tian said without hesitation.

Elder Zhao continued, gesturing toward the forest behind the academy. "Your task is simple: retrieve the flag hidden deep within the forest. Beware—there are traps, illusions, and rival teams standing in your way. The first team to return with the flag will receive rewards, while the rest…" His sharp gaze swept across the students. "…will face remedial training."

Lu Tian perked up slightly. "Remedial training? Sounds like something I want to avoid."

"Then maybe try for once," Zhang Wei said, grinning.

---

The trio's team assignment was announced shortly after, pairing them with a fourth student: a tall, stoic boy named Yu Chen. His black robes and intense gaze gave him an air of authority, and it was clear from his posture that he took the challenge seriously.

"Great," Lu Tian muttered under his breath. "Another overachiever."

Yu Chen looked him over, his expression unreadable. "Are you going to be a liability?"

"Yes," Lu Tian replied without hesitation.

Zhang Wei burst into laughter, while Wei Jingyi pinched the bridge of her nose. "Ignore him," she said. "We'll do our best to keep up."

Yu Chen didn't respond, simply nodding toward the forest. "Let's move. The longer we wait, the greater the disadvantage."

---

The forest was dense and foreboding, its canopy casting dappled shadows on the ground below. The air was cool and thick with the scent of moss and earth.

As they ventured deeper, it became clear that the challenge was more than just a simple treasure hunt. Strange noises echoed from unseen creatures, and faint glimmers of light hinted at hidden traps.

"Stay alert," Yu Chen said, his voice low.

Lu Tian trailed at the back, hands tucked into his sleeves. "I don't know why everyone's so tense. It's just a forest."

"Just a forest?" Zhang Wei said, glancing over his shoulder. "Brother Lu, did you miss the part where Elder Zhao mentioned traps and rival teams?"

Lu Tian shrugged. "We'll handle it when we get there."

"No, we'll handle it now," Yu Chen said, stopping abruptly. He gestured toward a patch of ground ahead, where faint markings indicated a concealed pitfall.

Wei Jingyi knelt beside the markings, her brow furrowed. "Good eye. It's shallow but enough to sprain an ankle if we're not careful."

"See?" Lu Tian said, smirking. "You don't need me. You've got Eagle Eyes here."

Yu Chen ignored him, stepping carefully around the trap. "Let's keep moving."

---

The first rival team appeared an hour into their journey, blocking a narrow path lined with thorny bushes. There were three of them, their leader a tall girl with a fox-like smirk.

"Well, well," she said, her voice dripping with mockery. "Look who wandered into our territory."

Yu Chen stepped forward, his expression calm but commanding. "Move."

The girl laughed. "And why would we do that? You want through, you'll have to fight for it."

Zhang Wei grinned, cracking his knuckles. "Finally, some action!"

As Yu Chen and Zhang Wei prepared for a confrontation, Lu Tian leaned against a nearby tree, yawning.

"What are you doing?" Wei Jingyi hissed.

"Cheering from the sidelines," Lu Tian replied.

"No, you're not," she said, dragging him forward.

The fight began with a flurry of strikes and counterattacks. Yu Chen's movements were precise and disciplined, while Zhang Wei charged forward with brute strength. The rival team fought back fiercely, but it was clear they were outmatched.

Lu Tian, meanwhile, remained at the back, lazily deflecting the occasional stray attack with minimal effort.

One of the rival students lunged at him, a blade glowing faintly with Qi. Lu Tian sidestepped lazily, flicking his fingers toward the boy's wrist. The blade clattered to the ground, and the boy stumbled, glaring at him.

"You could've warned me," Lu Tian said, frowning.

The fight ended quickly, with Yu Chen disarming the leader and Zhang Wei pinning another to the ground.

"You win," the girl said grudgingly, stepping aside.

"Thanks for playing," Lu Tian said, waving as the team moved on.

---

By the time they reached the heart of the forest, the group was exhausted but determined. The flag was hidden within an ancient shrine, its entrance guarded by a shimmering barrier.

Wei Jingyi examined the barrier closely. "It's a Qi-based seal. Breaking it will take precision."

"I'll handle it," Yu Chen said, stepping forward.

As he worked on dismantling the seal, a faint hum resonated in Lu Tian's mind. He froze, his body tense as a strange sense of unease washed over him.

"What's wrong?" Wei Jingyi asked, noticing his change in demeanor.

"Nothing," Lu Tian said quickly, shaking his head.

The barrier flickered and dissolved, and the flag was revealed, glowing softly in the dim light.

Yu Chen grabbed it, his expression triumphant. "Let's go."

---

The journey back to the academy was uneventful, though the rival teams they passed glared at them enviously. By the time they returned to the courtyard, the sun was beginning to set, casting long shadows across the ground.

Elder Zhao greeted them with a rare smile. "Well done. You've proven yourselves capable."

Lu Tian groaned softly, his mind still lingering on the strange feeling he had experienced at the shrine.

"Brother Lu, we did it!" Zhang Wei said, clapping him on the back.

"Yeah, yeah," Lu Tian muttered.

Wei Jingyi watched him curiously but didn't press the issue.

As the day came to an end, the courtyard filled with the chatter of students, some celebrating victories while others nursed their bruised pride.

Lu Tian leaned against a tree, watching the activity with his usual disinterest. Zhang Wei was beaming, and even Wei Jingyi looked relieved, but Lu Tian couldn't shake a strange feeling.

Something about the shrine in the forest lingered in his mind, like an itch he couldn't scratch. He sighed, pushing the thought away. Whatever it was, it could wait—right now, all he wanted was to get some rest.