The dim glow of the shop's lanterns flickered softly as Kazel shifted his gaze from the beast remnants to Pao Pao. His eyes carried a calculating gleam as he asked, "Do you have any bestiary I can look at?"
The old man's face stretched into a pleased grin, his wrinkled features crinkling further. "Ah, a careful fella. You have potential." He leaned back, his frail body settling against the wooden chair with a creak. Reaching for a sheet of parchment stacked among a clutter of scrolls and trinkets, he continued, "All the others choose in the heat of the moment—my pitching usually works well against your peers." With a chuckle, he handed the parchment to Kazel. "The spoiled-kid kind."
A deep, hearty laugh erupted from Noel as he crossed his arms. "Hahaha, Immortal Sect isn't as grand as it was when I was young, Uncle Pao." His voice carried an undertone of nostalgia, a hint of regret buried beneath his words.
But Pao Pao merely shook his head, his expression wistful. "Oh, but these weary eyes still see the magnificence of it—the sheen of its towering pillars, the beauty and sharpness of those elegant robes." He sighed, as if recalling a time long past. "And I will only see it as such... and only such."
Noel's smirk faded into something softer. He was quiet for a moment before straightening, pressing his hands together and bowing slightly. "Thank you, Uncle Pao."
The exchange lingered in the air for a moment, but Kazel had already begun reading the parchment, his sharp eyes scanning through the details. His focus fell particularly on the skills section, breaking down the advantages each spirit beast could offer.
Kazel's eyes scanned the parchment with careful precision, filtering through the skills before settling on the reality of the choices before him. Unlike the detailed abilities he had envisioned, only a single-star buff was available for each:
Musang Black Rabbit – Slightly increases movement speed.
Two-Tusk Boar – Slightly increases strength.
Yellow Turtle – Slightly increases physical resistance.
His fingers traced the words, his expression remaining neutral, but internally, he was reevaluating his expectations. (So, no flashy techniques, no overwhelming advantages—just a simple enhancement. A foundation.)
Pao Pao observed Kazel's reaction and let out a dry chuckle. "Not as grand as you thought, huh? It's always like this. Young ones dream of power and mighty abilities, but spirit integration is a journey, not a shortcut."
Kazel hummed in response, not rejecting the sentiment. (I suppose this makes sense. A single-star buff isn't much, but it's a start. Strength, speed, or defense…) His fingers tapped lightly against the parchment. (What suits me best in this world?)
He didn't need brute strength—not yet. Defense was tempting, but he had survived countless battles in his past life through sheer control over the battlefield. That left speed—the ability to strike first, to move before the enemy could react.
Lifting his gaze, Kazel rested his elbow on the desk and said, "I'll take the Musang Black Rabbit."
Pao Pao's smile deepened as he reached beneath the desk and pulled out a red lacquered box. With careful precision, he picked up the Musang Black Rabbit's foot and placed it inside, treating the simple item with a reverence that surprised Kazel. The old man's movements were slow but deliberate, his aged fingers tying a thin golden sheen ribbon around the box with a satisfied nod.
"There," Pao Pao said, pushing the neatly wrapped package toward Kazel. "A gift, for you. Take it as a congratulatory token for your recovery."
Kazel's brows furrowed slightly, and Noel frowned beside him.
"Uncle Pao, you don't need to—"
"This is a gift, Noel," Pao Pao interrupted, his tone firm yet warm. His weary eyes gleamed with something unreadable, a quiet depth hidden behind his wrinkles.
Kazel hesitated for only a moment before extending his hands, accepting the box. His fingers curled around the smooth lacquer, but his gaze remained locked with Pao Pao's. The old man was watching him, as if searching for something—something beyond just gratitude.
"...Thank you, Old Pao," Kazel finally said, his voice even but firm.
Pao Pao let out a hearty laugh, leaning back in his chair. "Hahaha! Perhaps we will meet again in the future, Kazel."
Kazel grinned, tightening his grip on the red box. "Then I hope you have a better collection to suit my strength by then!"
"Kazel—" Noel's voice was a warning, but the reprimand came too late.
"Hahahaha!" Pao Pao erupted in laughter, his entire frame shaking with mirth. "Until then."
With that, Noel and Kazel stepped out of the dimly lit shop, leaving behind the scent of old parchment and incense. The market was still bustling, the air filled with chatter and the clinking of trade, but Kazel barely noticed. His fingers pressed against the smooth surface of the red box as he walked beside his father.
As they walked through the lively market, Kazel turned to his father, curiosity gleaming in his sharp blue eyes. "Father, who is he?"
Noel glanced back at the shop they had just left, a nostalgic expression crossing his face. "He is a friend of our family, especially when your grandfather was young."
"I see… an old friend," Kazel murmured, his gaze momentarily distant.
The words stirred something within him—memories of a past life, of his old friends. The ones who had followed him to the bitter end, the ones who had fallen before they could see the world he envisioned. Some had stood by his side unwaveringly, while others had vanished midway, lost to betrayal, ambition, or simply the cruelty of fate.
( Old friends… huh? ) His fingers instinctively tightened around the red box.
Noel's voice snapped him back to the present. "Kazel, let's go to the Immortal Sect."
Kazel exhaled softly, pushing aside lingering thoughts of the past. He looked ahead, his lips curling into a slight smirk.
"Lead the way, Father."
---
Inside the grand courtroom of the Immortal Sect, Kazel sat in the center of the room, the red box resting on his lap. The hall was vast yet silent, the only sound being the flickering of lanterns lining the walls. The air was thick with the weight of history—this was a place where many had walked before him, seeking power, seeking enlightenment. Now, it was his turn.
Noel stood beside him, arms crossed as he instructed, "Touch it, then do as you would when cultivating."
Kazel raised an eyebrow. "That's it?"
"There, the beast should manifest inside your soul space… or just outside it," Noel continued, his tone calm but firm. "The more aggressive ones might enter it forcefully, attempting to take over your soul space."
Hearing that, Kazel frowned. (So, there's a risk of losing control… Interesting.)
"How do I make the beast submit?" he asked, running his fingers over the red box.
"It's a battle of souls," Noel explained. "But don't worry, a common spirit beast like this is no real threat. You should be able to beat it just fine."
Kazel's lips twitched. "Beat it? As in, punching it down?"
Noel nodded. "Yes. You don't need to reason with them unless the spirit beast talks."
(So, the way of cultivation in this world is truly one of domination. Even in integration, it's about asserting power.)
Kazel's fingers drummed against the box. "How do I know when it has submitted?"
"You will see a white flame above its forehead," Noel answered simply.
Kazel took a deep breath, his fingers tightening around the box. ( Then let's see what kind of fight awaits me. ) He reached forward, opening the box and pressing his palm against the dark rabbit's foot.
Kazel closed his eyes, allowing the sensation to pull him inward. It felt as though he was sinking, yet he remained weightless, drifting through an unseen current. When he opened his eyes again, he was no longer in the courtroom.
In the soul space, he saw it.
A few steps ahead, crouched low with muscles coiled like springs, was the Musang Black Rabbit.
Kazel raised an eyebrow. ( That's no ordinary rabbit. )
The beast was massive, easily the size of a large hunting dog. Its body was sleek, covered in jet-black fur that absorbed the surrounding light, making it appear like a living shadow. Its ears were sharp and pointed, twitching at the slightest movement. But most striking of all were its eyes—deep crimson pools glowing with intelligence and menace.
The beast exhaled through its nose, its breath visible in the void-like space. Its powerful hind legs tensed, prepared to pounce at any moment.
Kazel crossed his arms, smirking. ( Not so docile, huh? Good. )
A surge of energy coursed through his soul space. The battle for dominance was about to begin.