In Azadia,
Ishiki sits quietly in the Sect Master’s Residence, refining a spirit.
His hands move with practiced precision as he adds the final ingredients to the pot.
The flames flicker beneath it, illuminating his focused expression.
The entire night passes.
By morning, Ishiki finally opens his eyes and looks inside the pot.
A Rank 4 Stark Spirit has successfully formed.
A smile spreads across his face as he carefully takes it into his palm.
“Black Wolf.”
The spirit stabilizes upon receiving its name, transforming into a tiny black wolf—the symbol of the Kuroyama Sect.
It barks happily and walks across his palm, stretching its little limbs.
Ishiki stares at it.
“You’re supposed to be a wolf, not a puppy.”
The Black Wolf tilts its head.
“…Whatever.”
He places it on his shoulder and stands up.
I’ve finally become a Rank 3 Immortal Spiritual Master.
A faint smile forms on his face.
“Heavenly Court… I’m coming.”
He walks toward the window, ready to begin the next stage of his journey.
But as he turns away, his gaze falls upon a picture hanging in the hallway.
Seo.
His expression softens.
“…Big sis.”
He approaches the picture and looks at her smiling face.
He remembers the times when he could spend time with her without worrying about cultivation, strength, or proving himself to anyone.
Back then, simply being beside her had been enough.
But now, things are different.
His eyes lower.
Where is she?
He pauses.
His expression stiffens.
Aomi.
Just thinking about that name makes his chest tighten.
“Even though I’m not related by blood like you and Ao…”
He looks at Seo’s picture again.
“…you’re still my big sister.”
His fingers curl.
“I know I can’t force you to stay beside me. But that doesn’t mean I have to like him.”
The Black Wolf barks.
Ishiki glances at it.
“Don’t start. You don’t know anything about relationships.”
The wolf tilts its head.
“…You’re useless.”
He turns back toward Seo’s picture.
“Big sis, I’ll find you.”
His voice becomes firm.
“And when I do, I’ll make sure no one can separate us again. I will take care of you.”
He remembers Aomi’s calm face and grits his teeth.
I wish I had gotten the opportunity to kill you, Aomi.
A sharp breath escapes his nose.
Honestly, it would have been fulfilling.
He looks toward the window, his eyes burning with restrained anger.
“I’ll get stronger. I’ll enter the Heavenly Court, and one day…”
His fist tightens.
“…I’ll find you.”
The Black Wolf barks again.
Ishiki sighs.
“Can you be quiet for five minutes?”
The wolf sits down.
He turns toward the brightening sky.
For now, he has only one goal.
Become stronger.
Strong enough to enter the Heavenly Court.
And strong enough to settle things with Aomi.
…
Back in the Jīn region,
Morning arrives.
Aomi slowly opens his eyes and turns his head.
Níng is sleeping beside him.
He looks at her, then at the empty bed across the room.
Then back at her.
Why is she sleeping in my bed?
There’s another one right there.
He tries to pull his blanket back, but Níng tightens her grip in her sleep.
Aomi pulls again.
She pulls harder.
“…”
Is she fighting me in her dreams?
He carefully slips his sleeve out of her grasp, only for Níng to hug his pillow instead.
Aomi stares at her.
Five hundred years of cultivation, and I’m losing a battle against a sleeping girl.
He gets up and walks to the window, pulling a chair beside it.
Below him, the streets are already bustling with merchants and pedestrians.
We’ll reach the Gang region in another week.
His gaze wanders across the streets.
Two months after that, we’ll return to the Xue Sect.
A faint smile forms on his face.
And then, the conspirators will destroy the Huo Sect.
His expression remains relaxed as his thoughts grow colder.
Poor girl…
Xīng.
She thinks I’m helping her.
He chuckles quietly.
This rebellion will strengthen the Xue Sect.
And when the time comes, I’ll make Níng slaughter her own sect.”
His eyes narrow.
Slowly, both sects will fall.
And whatever useful remains will belong to me.
He leans back in his chair.
My rank is six.
Once I reach rank five, new paths will open before me.
He glances at Níng, who is still sleeping peacefully.
I can make good use of her even afterward.
She has an extreme physique, after all.
A soft murmur comes from the bed.
“…Food…”
Aomi pauses.
Of course.
Even in her dreams, she’s thinking about food.
He gets up and approaches her.
“Níng.”
No response.
“Níng, wake up.”
She pulls the blanket over her head.
“Five more minutes…”
Aomi sighs.
“Níng.”
“Mmm?”
“Are you awake?”
“No…”
He blinks.
At least she’s honest.
Then an idea strikes him.
“The food has arrived.”
Níng’s eyes snap open.
“WHERE?!”
She throws the blanket aside and sits upright, her hair sticking out in every direction.
Her eyes dart around the room.
“Where’s the food?!”
Aomi calmly points toward the empty table.
“There isn’t any.”
Níng freezes.
Slowly, she turns toward him.
“Aomiii…”
Her voice is frighteningly sweet.
Aomi raises an eyebrow.
“Yes?”
“You lied.”
“I merely tested your hearing.”
“YOU LIED ABOUT FOOD!”
She grabs a pillow and hugs it against her chest, puffing out her cheeks.
Aomi nods thoughtfully.
“Remarkable. You can barely wake up, but you can shout loud enough to wake the entire city.”
Níng gasps.
“You’re mean!”
“Yet you’re awake.”
“THAT’S NOT THE POINT!”
Aomi turns toward the door.
“I suppose I’ll get breakfast without you.”
“AOMI, WAIT!”
Níng jumps out of bed and rushes after him, nearly tripping over her blanket.
Aomi glances back.
“Careful. If you fall asleep while walking, I’ll leave you here.”
“I’m NOT SLEEPY!”
She catches up and grabs his sleeve.
“Aomi, you’re paying for breakfast!”
He looks down at her hand.
“Why?”
“Because you lied to me!”
“…I should have left you in bed.”
Níng beams triumphantly.
“Let’s go!”
Aomi sighs and leads the way.
What a troublesome girl.
…
Later that morning,
Aomi and Níng sit at a table, eating breakfast.
Aomi glances at her plate.
“Are you even chewing?”
She pauses with her cheeks full.
“Mhm!”
“That wasn’t a question you could answer with your mouth full.”
Níng quickly swallows.
“Then ask better questions!”
Aomi silently returns to his food.
I refuse to believe this girl belongs to a Xue sect.
Suddenly, a loud voice rings out from the street.
“An inheritance has opened in the Gang region! Anyone interested is welcome to come!”
Aomi’s ears twitch.
An inheritance in the Gang region?
The voice continues.
“Rumor has it that it contains powerful Stark Spirits!”
Aomi’s eyes widen slightly.
Wait.
That means I can obtain an appearance-changing spirit without traveling all the way to Azadia.
He turns toward Níng, who is finishing her meal.
“Níng, want to have some fun?”
Her sleepy eyes immediately light up.
“Huh?! REALLY?! What are we going to do?!”
“We’re going to enter an inheritance.”
Níng jumps to her feet.
“AN INHERITANCE?! THE ONE THAT GUY WAS TALKING ABOUT?!”
Aomi nods.
Her face brightens into an enormous smile.
“OKAY! LET’S GO RIGHT NOW!”
Aomi glances at her unfinished food.
“We haven’t finished eating.”
Níng looks at her plate.
Then at him.
“…You’re right.”
She immediately sits back down.
“We can’t waste food!”
Aomi watches her resume eating.
She was ready to leave a moment ago.
After finishing her meal, Níng jumps up again.
“Done! Let’s go!”
Aomi calmly packs his belongings into his pouch.
“Hurry, Aomi!”
“I’m packing.”
“Faster!”
He looks at her.
“Would you like to do it yourself?”
Níng immediately shakes her head.
“No! You’re better at it!”
Aomi sighs.
At least she knows her limitations.
He finishes packing and heads toward the door.
Níng follows excitedly.
“Don’t forget to buy me something delicious when we come back!”
Aomi stops.
“We’re going to an inheritance.”
“I know!”
“We might encounter danger.”
“I know!”
“Then why are you thinking about food?”
Níng tilts her head.
“Because I’ll get hungry afterward?”
Aomi stares at her for a moment before opening the door.
“Let’s go before I change my mind.”
Níng quickly grabs his sleeve.
“Aomiii!”
He looks at her hand, then at the ceiling.
Five hundred years of cultivation.
And somehow, this is the most troublesome journey I’ve ever undertaken.
…
In the Gang region,
Ishiki arrives at the entrance of a bustling city, the tiny Black Wolf resting on his shoulder.
“So this is the Gang region.”
He looks around at the passing cultivators.
“I heard there’s an inheritance here. I guess I can obtain more spirits.”
The Black Wolf barks.
Ishiki glances at it.
“Don’t get too excited. If you embarrass me in front of the Heavenly Court’s army, I’ll make your next refinement even less intimidating.”
The wolf immediately sits straight.
Ishiki nods approvingly.
“Good.”
He turns toward the city, a grin spreading across his face.
Once I obtain a few more spirits, I’ll have everything I need.
“And then I’ll join the Heavenly Court as a Rank 3 Immortal Spiritual Master.”
He steps through the city gate.
Just you wait, Heavenly Court.
I’m coming.