The morning light spilled gently across the cobbled streets of Nuoding City as Qian Yu and Xiao Wu stepped out together, the soft breeze tugging at the hem of Xiao Wu's dress as she skipped ahead, eyes wide with wonder.
She had never been to a city before. To her, Nuoding was a labyrinth of marvels—colorful stalls, strange scents wafting through the air, and voices that danced like birdsong. Her every movement pulsed with excitement, like a spring wound too tight, eager to burst.
"Qian Yu-gege, come look at this!" she called, bounding a few steps ahead.
He followed with a faint smile, watching her twirl in front of a vendor's stand. She had picked up a painted mask—bright red, with golden swirls—and slipped it onto her face. Tilting her head coyly, she asked, "Does it look good on me?"
Qian Yu's smile deepened, the corners of his lips lifting with quiet fondness. "It suits you."
Xiao Wu grinned, clearly pleased, then spun around and bounced toward the next distraction. She darted between stalls like a hummingbird chasing blossoms—here a display of silk fans, there a booth with wind chimes whispering in the breeze. Her joy was radiant and contagious.
Soon, she returned holding two sticks of candied hawthorn. "Qian Yu-gege, try this!" she said brightly, and before he could protest, she gently shoved one into his mouth. The tart-sweet flavor burst on his tongue.
"Well?" she asked, hands folded behind her back like a schoolgirl awaiting praise.
"It's delicious," he said, chewing with a soft chuckle.
Not long after, Qian Yu led her over to a quaint little stall that shimmered under a hanging canopy of fluttering ribbons. He picked up a delicate hair ribbon, embroidered with silver thread.
"Xiao Wu, what do you think of this?" he asked, holding it out to her.
Her eyes lit up. Though her soul hailed from the wild—though she had once been a spirit beast in form—now she was simply a girl. And what girl didn't like pretty things?
She nodded eagerly, eyes shining. "Mm!"
Qian Yu paid for the ribbon and turned to her with a warm smile. "Come. Let me put it on for you."
Obediently, she stepped in front of him, her small hands gripping the edge of his tunic like a child seeking shelter. Gently, Qian Yu brushed back her silver hair, his fingers as careful as if he were handling spun glass, and tied the ribbon in place.
A passing vendor caught sight of them and smiled. "Such a lovely girl. That ribbon suits her perfectly."
Xiao Wu flushed, ducking her head. "Thank you..." she murmured, voice barely a whisper.
After a leisurely stroll through the city, Qian Yu bought her a few new outfits—soft fabrics in pastel shades—and then they turned toward their true destination: the Spirit Hall.
As the towering building loomed into view, Xiao Wu gasped. "Wow... Is this the Spirit Hall? It's so grand!"
For someone who had never left the forest before, who had never even seen a proper city until today, the sight of the largest structure in Nuoding was nothing short of awe-inspiring.
Qian Yu gave a soft laugh and led her toward the massive entrance. But before they could step inside, two guards raised their spears and crossed them in front of the doorway.
"Halt. This is the Spirit Hall. Children aren't allowed to wander in freely."
The Spirit Hall of Nuoding was an enormous domed structure, its façade stretching over a hundred meters wide and soaring up to twenty meters tall. It stood three stories high, its architecture cast in warm browns and adorned with a solitary emblem—a longsword—etched above the main entrance.
As Grandmaster had once explained, the fewer symbols on a Spirit Hall's crest, the lower its ranking. A single sword signified that this Hall was among the most modest in the empire. Even the guards standing watch appeared young and inexperienced, their spirit energy barely perceptible. It said much about Nuoding's place in the larger scheme of the Heaven Dou Empire.
Qian Yu stepped forward, pointing to the uniform he wore. "I'm a first-year student at Nuoding Junior Spirit Master Academy. I've come for a spirit power evaluation."
The guards exchanged glances. Recognition sparked in their eyes at the academy crest embroidered on his chest. The sterner of the two nodded.
"Ah, I see. You can go in. Head to the first-floor reception hall and find Master Matthew Nuo. He'll assist you."
Qian Yu gave a slight bow and led Xiao Wu inside.
As they passed through the vast arched doorway, a sense of scale enveloped them. The Spirit Hall's grand lobby stretched out under a towering golden dome, the ceiling lined with murals depicting spirits of all shapes and kinds. The paintings were framed in shimmering gold, giving the place a regal glow without losing its ancient solemnity.
Sunlight streamed in through tall crystal windows, casting luminous patterns on the marble floor. Every reflection danced with golden light, making the entire hall feel like a temple touched by the divine.
Xiao Wu's voice broke the silence. "Qian Yu-gege, is this where they test spirit power?"
He nodded, but his eyes weren't on her—they had caught sight of someone familiar.
Across the hall stood Su Yuntao, the very spirit master who had first tested their power during awakening. He was chatting with a woman—tall, poised, with a curvy silhouette and striking features. They seemed... quite friendly.
Su Yuntao noticed them almost immediately. "Qian Yu!"
Qian Yu stopped in his tracks.
Xiao Wu tugged at his sleeve, curious. "You know them?"
He nodded quietly.
The woman at Su Yuntao's side narrowed her eyes slightly. "Yuntao, aren't you going to introduce me?"
Su Yuntao gave a sheepish laugh. "This is the kid I told you about—the one who shattered the crystal ball. His spirit's a mutated begonia, though. Otherwise, his future would've been limitless."
He turned to Qian Yu. "You've already obtained your first spirit ring?"
Qian Yu gave a calm nod.
The woman, Sisi, brightened at the mention of innate full spirit power, but when she heard it was paired with a mutated begonia martial spirit, her expression cooled ever so subtly.
"I'll take you to get assessed," Su Yuntao said with a genial smile. "After all, your spirit was awakened under my supervision."
"Thank you," Qian Yu replied softly, his tone polite but distant.
With that, Su Yuntao led them up a spiraling stairway to the second floor. From here, a row of rooms lined a curved corridor, each with polished doors and bronze plaques. Through the open railing, they could still see the bustling lobby below.
This was the administrative heart of the Spirit Hall.
Qian Yu held Xiao Wu's hand as they followed behind, their footsteps echoing lightly against the polished stone floor.
At last, they arrived at a bright, orderly office. Behind the large desk sat an elderly man dressed in a pristine spirit master's uniform, the three-sword insignia on his chest marking him as a distinguished battle spirit master of the Grandmaster rank.
"Yuntao, you're back," the old man greeted.
Su Yuntao bowed slightly. "Master Matthew Nuo, these two children are here for advanced assessment. Sorry to trouble you."
The elderly master chuckled, eyes twinkling. But when his gaze landed on Qian Yu, he blinked in surprise. "These two? Are you sure they're here for advancement, not awakening?"
Qian Yu met his gaze. "I've obtained my first spirit ring. I'm here to have my level evaluated."
At that, Su Yuntao stepped in. "Master, this is the one I told you about—the boy who broke the crystal ball."
Matthew Nuo raised a brow. "You were the one who destroyed the spirit power crystal?"
Qian Yu simply nodded, as the light from the high windows painted golden halos around them.
And so, beneath the towering dome of the Spirit Hall, a new chapter quietly began to unfold.
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