Devotion was exhausted from that last battle, despite it not being much of a fight. In fact, he hadn't even thrown a single punch! All he had done was get hit, and trip the boss. That's strange creature that had appeared had done all the work.
All these things were on Devotion's mind as he slipped into unconsciousness. His wounds had caught up with him. However, normally when one passes out, they have a dreamless sleep, waking up some time later. This was different for Devotion. He found himself in a very vivid dream.
Devotion found himself in an endless, black expanse. Everything around him was pitch black, and it felt like he was swimming in a thick liquid. He could barely breathe. Suddenly, he saw a small mote of golden light. It was dim, barely noticeable, but present. It was the Qi he had condensed! Devotion tried to swim over to it, but he was inexplicably exhausted.
Just as he was about to give up, he noticed a strange figure approaching, shrouded in a deep purple light. It was exactly that strange creature that had come to his aid before. It swam over to him, almost effortlessly, allowing Devotion to reach out and place a hand on its fur.
As soon as he did that, he noticed a shift. The thick substance he was currently immersed in seemed to gradually grow thinner, until it had faded entirely! Even more so, Devotion felt a change in his very soul. It had connected with something, like some sort of link. Devotion's soul and this strange creature had linked into one!
Just like with the spirit inhabiting the journal page, Ghostwhisper, Devotion heard a new voice in his mind. This voice was soft and calming, a low soothing sound that seemed to aid one's very soul.
"Who are you?" It asked, with a sort of innocence.
"Devotion." He replied.
"Devotion. You gave that name to yourself, correct?"
"Yes."
"I suppose I should tell you my own name. I am called-" The creature paused, as if it were thinking of something. "Odd."
"What is it?" Devotion asked.
"I can't seem to remember my own name. What can I even remember? I remember that I was... running, yes, running, but what from? I cannot recall." The creature thought out loud. "I was running, I couldn't escape, then there was this bright flash of light, and now I'm here."
There was a long pause. Devotion sympathized with the creature. Not having any memories sounded incredibly frustrating. Suddenly, the creature broke the silence.
"I have an idea. Give me a new name."
"A new name?" Devotion was confused.
"Yes." The strange creature replied. "Names hold more power than you could ever imagine. By giving yourself a name, you've taken control of your own destiny, and unlocked a new power within yourself. It's how you called me here. I now must beg of you, give me a new name!"
Devotion thought for a long time. Were names really that powerful? The name he had given himself earlier that day was something he thought of in a panic, a spur of the moment decision. Maybe that's how he should name the creature. He started to scramble in his mind, hoping for a word to appear in his brain like last time. After a couple minutes of this, he finally got it.
"Ysmir." Devotion was not sure where he got this name from. It was a set of letters he had never seen before. It wasn't a word he recognized, let alone a name.
"Ysmir. The ancient speak for 'dragon.' I accept your name." Ysmir nodded in approval. "By bestowing me with a new name, you have finished the last step of our soul link. Our souls and destinies are now forever intertwined. Wherever you go, I will follow."
With Ysmir's acceptance, the ritual Devotion had unknowingly began was complete! The deep purple light flashed once more, but this time, it was intertwined with a crimson light as well.
"Now, let's break through to the First Rank. I will guide you."
Devotion nodded. While he wasn't exactly certain what Ysmir was, he knew it wasn't ordinary. For some reason, he felt deep in his heart that he could trust this creature with his life.
"You see that golden mote of light in the distance? That is your Qi Reserve. It is small now, no larger than a mustard seed, but it has endless potential. Even the smallest mustard seed will sprout into a great tree, given time and nourishment. Approach your Qi Reserve now. It is time to use the power within it to condense your Astral Space."
"Astral Space?"
"Yes. Every cultivator has an Astral Space. With each Rank, it will grow in size, and in turn, in power. It is where you will condense the very foundation of your cultivation. A weak foundation means one won't be able to grow very much. Go, reach towards your Qi Reserve! The rest will come naturally to you."
Devotion did as he was instructed. He approached his Qi Reserve, taking it in his palm. He looked all around it. Ysmir was right. His reserve really was just as small as a mustard seed. However, he felt unimaginable power emanating within this small object. Just as Devotion was about to ask what next, his body acted on instinct.
He threw the Qi Reserve into the ground, stepping on it with all his might!
He watched as the Qi Reserve split open, spilling golden Qi throughout his entire Astral Space! Devotion performed hand seals, condensing it into a small platform, circular and now bigger than 3 meters in diameter.
He had succeeded! His Qi Platform was complete!
"Good! This is your Astral Space. It is barren now, but as you grow, it will change and evolve. You can return here any time. But now, I fear we have been in slumber for too long. We should wake, and grow used to our new power. My physical body will grow with you."
"Sounds like a plan. I forgot that this wasn't even my physical body, to be completely honest." Devotion said in agreement.
"That will happen. That is why it is important we do not spend too much time here. Some cultivators completely lose themselves in their own Astral Space, becoming trapped."
Devotion's heart shuddered.
"One last thing, Devotion." Ysmir spoke before Devotion was about to wake up.
"I fear this is the last time I will be able to speak with you for a long time. I can feel my power and knowledge fleeting with every second. I will still follow you with my physical body, but it is not strong enough to have this level of intelligence yet. I entrust my life to you. Allow me to grow with you, and please, do not let me down. Break the cycle. Farewell."
"Wait! How am I supposed to do that! I have no idea how to cultivate, I need your he-" Devotion was mid sentence, trying to get answers, when he was startled awake.