The Umbra and Yule were playing with me as a unique form of training.
My movements flowed with a mix of techniques. At times, my steps blended wind and thunder elements, drawing upon my Storm Movement technique. At other moments, there was a faint glow of starlight accompanied by subtle spatial shifts—delicate and almost imperceptible.
Around me, my two companions moved with techniques that seemed to stem from their own lineage and elemental affinities, launching attacks as part of the exercise.
Yule, with his blue and white fur, fired icy spikes and whipped up small storms of snow and frost using his tail. Meanwhile, Umbra, a being dominated by darkness, attacked with shadowy spikes and whips while also hurling small shuriken condensed from dark energy.
My eyes remained closed. Sometimes, my right hand formed a palm resembling an ocean wave, while at other moments, my left hand mimicked a sword enveloped in stellar energy. Its movements mirrored the constellation of Cancer, slicing through their attacks.
This continued for several minutes until I paused the training and sat down to rest.
My fox companions snuggled into my arms, visibly exhausted as well.
Art, with his fluffy hair resembling mine more and more, approached and joined me on my lap.
"I'll take you for a bath to help you regenerate, Master. Siblings!"
He spoke, and before anyone could respond, his hand moved automatically, teleporting us to a different place.
We landed in a vast bath within my palace.
The space featured stone fountains sculpted into the shape of unique dolphins—spiritual water beasts.
The pool was immense, easily the size of, or perhaps larger than, a football field. The water came from the rivers within this internal world, crystal-clear and brimming with energy.
The environment was enhanced with cleansing arrays and Qi-gathering formations, amplifying its cultivation and recovery properties. Additionally, aquatic plants and special stones enriched the vitality and regenerative effects of anyone bathing here.
With my body soaked, I found myself speechless but didn't complain to Art when I was met with his innocent round eyes and adorable demeanor.
I removed my outfit—first the top, then the bottom—and sent the clothes to a small counter nearby using a wave of Qi. In this world, there was a spiritual artifact similar to, yet distinct from, a modern washing machine. It was crafted with unique symbols and powered by energy crystals tied to water, fire, and light elements.
Of course, such an artifact was incredibly expensive and rarely used, as most people preferred to hire servants or rely on self-cleaning arrays embedded in their clothes.
In the expansive bath, I played with my pets and Art, occasionally using water Qi to create waves for added fun.
After a good few minutes of restorative and relaxing bathing, I dressed in fresh clothing—a beige shirt and celestial blue pants made from a type of plant-based linen.
In the kitchen, I tied an apron around my neck and began gathering tools and ingredients. Using a knife, I finely chopped a large portion of meat from a spiritual beast known as the Red Bull, turning it into ground meat. I then prepared pearl onions, explosive peppers, and a mix of other seasonings, including Abyssal Spicy Garlic. Finally, I made a relatively simple tomato sauce to accompany spiritual wheat pasta from the White Falcon Plains.
I moved swiftly and skillfully through the kitchen. My control over flames was precise as I worked to highlight the maximum properties of each ingredient, fusing their flavors and enhancing their spiritual qualities. While I wasn't a trained gourmet professional, my knowledge as an apprentice alchemist allowed me to weave together the properties of the ingredients effectively.
When I finished, four porcelain plates were ready, each resembling a spiritual version of spaghetti Bolognese.
My fox companions sat politely at the table, lowering their heads as they enjoyed their meal with delight.
The familial scene filled me with happiness. Although I couldn't share the moment with my siblings and grandmother, these companions were undeniably part of my family.
....
3rd Person POV
At 12:50, in the training and practice area of the academy, a small crowd had gathered.
All eyes were on the center of the arena, where a young man with an arrogant expression stood. He was reasonably handsome, holding a small fan. He appeared slightly tense, but his pride was evident, and as the minutes passed, his confidence seemed to grow.
Among the murmurs in the crowd, voices could be heard:
"Where's the challenger?"
"Who is it again?"
"He's from the Alberian Family. They say he's strong enough to defeat lower-level cultivators with a single strike."
"I heard he has a very delicate physique and can only make potions and pills."
"As for me, I've heard he's good at creating formations."
Beyond the curious, disinterested, and intrigued gazes, a few individuals were hidden in the area.
Two of them—a young man and a young woman—bore a symbol on their clothes: a spear surrounded by elemental energies.
On the other side of the arena stood a young man with a weak aura, his appearance frail and sickly. His face, however, was handsome—both alluring and gentle—but for some reason, people hesitated to approach him.
In truth, whenever someone tried to get close and talk to him, he wouldn't respond. Shortly after, the person would start to feel ill or experience distinct pains, as if the young man's very presence was cursed. This had been going on for years, and combined with his supposed lack of support and strength, it branded him as useless in the eyes of others.
At that moment, a smoky creature emerged from beneath him and communicated telepathically.
"Master, I know you dislike people, especially those with ulterior motives, but beyond ignoring them and giving them deadly stares, is it truly necessary for you to command me or use dark energy techniques to inflict small curses or debuffs on them?"
"Yes. Aside from my partner, no one else needs to get that close to me, especially with such intentions. I'm not interested. As for talking—if they're not allies or if I have nothing to gain—I'd rather just focus on cultivating."
The smoke didn't reply and sank back below him, all the while reflecting.
"He must really be falling for someone… or at least infatuated. Just from a few days of conversation? Tsk. Is this what people mean by the Dao Companion myth? Or has my master simply become attached to the other person's affection and aura? It doesn't matter either way. Still, the fact that he even came to observe, fully aware of the young master's superiority... unbelievable."
The smoke disappeared entirely, no longer interested in dwelling on the matter. Like its master, it disliked overthinking things.
Meanwhile, there was another presence in the area—three distinct servants, each representing different powers. They seemed to be present to evaluate the fight.
The minutes continued ticking by, and with only one minute left before the challenge was supposed to expire, many began to assume that the young Alberian had given up.
Suddenly, the sound of elegant footsteps echoed. For some reason, the sound was louder than normal, as though amplified by Qi combined with a skill.
"More people than I expected. Is there going to be some kind of show here?"
His voice, imbued with a mix of charm, purity, and subtle seduction, captivated everyone in the vicinity.
And then, his image became clear.
He was dressed in what appeared to be simple clothing, yet on his body, they looked refined and elegant. A sword hung at his waist, with a small dagger on the opposite side. His hair was tied back with a delicate blue ribbon, giving him the appearance of an immortal descending to provide entertainment for the crowd.