The Salted Fish Cultivator: My Pet System Awakens

The day had barely started, yet Lu Tian already felt drained. He shuffled through the academy grounds with his usual slouch, the white fox perched lazily on his shoulder, its tail brushing against his neck like a soft scarf.

"You've got it easy," Lu Tian muttered, scratching the fox under its chin absentmindedly. "No responsibilities, no annoying instructors breathing down your neck, and everyone thinks you're cute."

The fox let out a soft chi, tilting its head as if to say, That's what you think.

Unbeknownst to Lu Tian, the fox's mind was far from relaxed. Deep within its intelligent eyes was a swirling mixture of irritation and resignation. This… human, the one it had been forced to follow, was lazier than a hibernating bear.

The fox sighed inwardly.

"Why him? Of all the cultivators in the world, why did my parents pick this guy?"

---

The fox's memories of that day were still fresh. It had been lounging in its family's den, happily snoozing after a hearty meal of spiritual herbs, when the elder foxes—its parents—had summoned it.

"We have made a decision," its father had announced, his voice deep and commanding. "It is time for you to leave the den and fulfill our family's tradition."

The fox had perked up, confused. Leave? Why would I leave? Everything I need is here!

Its mother, a graceful vixen with silver fur, nodded solemnly. "You are of age now. As is our custom, you must find a worthy cultivator to serve and guide them to greatness."

The fox had blinked. Serve? Why would I—

"No arguments," its father interrupted, as though sensing its thoughts. "This is our duty. Every member of our lineage has done this. It is through service that we gain enlightenment and strengthen our bloodline."

The fox had groaned inwardly but didn't dare protest. It wasn't that it didn't want to honor tradition—it just didn't see the point in leaving its comfortable life to babysit some clueless human.

---

The fox's first impression of Lu Tian had been… less than stellar.

It had watched him from afar, curious but skeptical. He was lounging under a tree, snoring softly, while other students trained diligently in the fields.

"This is my chosen partner?" the fox had thought, horrified.

Its parents had insisted that the system guiding their lineage had a higher purpose, and it had selected Lu Tian for a reason. But watching him scratch his belly and yawn like a bored cat, the fox couldn't help but question that wisdom.

Still, orders were orders.

The fox had made its presence known with a dignified yip, leaping onto his shoulder and staring at him with all the grace of its lineage. Surely, it thought, he would recognize its magnificence and rise to the occasion.

Instead, he had blinked at it and muttered, "Oh, great. A freeloading furball."

---

Back in the present, the fox let out a low chi, shaking its head. It still couldn't believe this was its life now.

"Yeah, yeah," Lu Tian said, misinterpreting the sound as a complaint. "I'm not thrilled about this arrangement either, you know. But you're the one who picked me, so that's on you."

The fox twitched its ear in irritation. I didn't pick you. You were assigned.

"Brother Lu!" Zhang Wei's voice interrupted the fox's thoughts as the round-faced boy jogged toward them, grinning as usual. "And Little White! Looking regal as ever!"

The fox gave him a flat look. Little White?

"I'm not calling it that," Lu Tian said, shaking his head.

"You should name it something," Wei Jingyi added as she joined them, her deer-like beast following quietly at her heels. "Spirit beasts are partners. They deserve proper names."

Lu Tian glanced at the fox. "How about Freeloader?"

The fox growled softly, its tail flicking against his face.

Zhang Wei laughed. "I think it just rejected that name."

"Fine," Lu Tian muttered. "How about Lazy Tail?"

The fox let out a sharp yip and nipped at his ear.

Wei Jingyi smiled. "Maybe you should take this seriously."

"I'll think about it," Lu Tian said, though his tone made it clear he wouldn't.

---

The trio made their way to the academy's lecture hall, where Elder Zhao was waiting to introduce a new course: Tactical Beast Combat.

"Today's lesson," Elder Zhao began, his voice commanding, "is about utilizing your spirit beasts in combat scenarios. Remember, a beast's strength complements your own. A strong bond between cultivator and beast is the key to success."

The students murmured excitedly as assistants began distributing practice dummies for the training exercises. Each student was tasked with demonstrating a basic coordinated attack with their beast.

Zhang Wei went first, directing his mule-like beast to charge forward and headbutt a dummy. It worked, though the mule looked more annoyed than enthusiastic.

Wei Jingyi followed, her deer-like beast using its antlers to sweep a row of dummies off their stands. Elder Zhao nodded approvingly.

Then it was Lu Tian's turn.

He sighed, stepping forward with the fox perched lazily on his shoulder. "Alright, Freeloader, do your thing."

The fox leapt down gracefully, stretching before turning to face the dummy. For a moment, it simply stared at the target, as if considering whether it was worth the effort.

"Any day now," Lu Tian said, waving a hand.

The fox's ears twitched. Then, with a blur of movement, it dashed forward, leapt into the air, and delivered a spinning kick with its hind legs. The dummy shattered into splinters, leaving the students—and Elder Zhao—staring in stunned silence.

Zhang Wei's jaw dropped. "Brother Lu… your fox is a martial arts master!"

The fox trotted back, its tail held high, and hopped onto Lu Tian's shoulder as if nothing had happened.

Lu Tian blinked. "Huh. Didn't know you could do that."

Elder Zhao cleared his throat. "Impressive. Though I suspect the credit lies more with the beast than the cultivator."

"I'll take it," Lu Tian said with a shrug.

---

That evening, Lu Tian sat on the grass outside the dorms, staring up at the stars. The fox was curled up beside him, its fur glowing faintly in the moonlight.

"You're not so bad, I guess," he said, scratching behind its ears.

The fox opened one eye, its gaze thoughtful. It still wasn't convinced that Lu Tian was the right partner, but there was something about him—something hidden beneath the laziness and sarcasm—that felt… different.

Maybe, just maybe, this wouldn't be such a bad assignment after all.