Step Forward

As the first rays of dawn broke through the windows of the Martial Spirit Hall, the soft light cast long shadows across the room where Qing Chen sat in quiet contemplation. The night had passed, leaving behind the remnants of a whirlwind day—one filled with revelations, challenges, and an unexpected bond forming between him and his new teacher, Bibi Dong.

The golden hues of morning seemed to symbolize a fresh start, an unspoken promise of new opportunities. Qing Chen felt a sense of anticipation bubbling within him. Today would mark the beginning of a new chapter in his journey, one that would push him closer to greatness.

He stood, gazing out at the horizon as the sun climbed higher, painting the sky in brilliant shades of orange and pink. The Martial Spirit City was awakening, its streets bustling with life as warriors, disciples, and merchants prepared for another day under the shadow of the towering Martial Spirit Hall. Qing Chen took a deep breath, steadying himself.

"Today," he murmured to himself, "is the day I take another step forward."

With determination gleaming in his eyes, he made his way through the winding corridors of the Martial Spirit Hall. Today, he would not only meet with his teacher but also encounter his senior sister for the first time. His thoughts churned with curiosity and strategy as he walked briskly, his footsteps echoing faintly in the silent halls.

After some time, Qing Chen finally arrived at the grand dining hall. The aroma of rich and savory dishes wafted through the air, teasing his senses. Spread before him on a massive, ornately carved table was an extravagant breakfast feast—an array of dishes showcasing the finest culinary art of the Martial Spirit Hall. Fruits gleamed like polished gems, freshly baked bread still steamed, and golden pastries glistened with a light honey glaze.

At the head of the table, Bibi Dong sat with a regal air, her every movement exuding grace and authority. To her right was a young girl, perhaps a few years older than Qing Chen. She had a sharp but striking beauty, her long green hair tied neatly into a braid that cascaded down her back. Her eyes, a piercing jade, glanced at Qing Chen with mild curiosity and a hint of indifference. Her presence was both commanding and aloof, much like their teacher's.

"Chen'er," Bibi Dong called, her voice smooth and inviting. "Come, join us. There's someone I'd like you to meet."

Qing Chen stepped forward, bowing deeply before taking a seat as instructed. Bibi Dong gestured toward the girl beside her.

"This is your senior sister, Hu Liena. Like you, she possesses remarkable talent and potential. I expect the two of you to work together in harmony from this day forward."

Hu Liena's face blushed similar to a tomato as she gave him a brief nod. "It's a pleasure to meet you, junior brother," she said in a tone that was excited yet shy. It was understandable, though—my charisma is way above the roof anyway.

"The pleasure is mine, senior sister," Qing Chen replied with a faint smile, his tone courteous and confident. "I look forward to learning from your experience."

As they began eating, Bibi Dong broke the silence. "Today, the two of you will head out together to hunt for spirit rings with Yue Guan. Hu Liena, this will be your first, and Qing Chen, you will be acquiring rings for both of your martial souls. This mission will be an important test of your compatibility as partners."

Hu Liena glanced at Qing Chen, her eyes filled with excitement and curiosity. "Two spirit rings? Are you a twin martial spirit?"

Well, I expected that reaction from her since it's not easy to find a twin martial spirit in this world. Martial spirits themselves are passed down through generations, so it is only natural that one is more dominant than the other.

Before they could delve deeper into the topic, Bibi Dong raised a hand, signaling for silence. "Enough talk for now. Focus on your meal. We will discuss the mission in detail afterward."

Without wasting any time, I dug into the food, and the only word to describe it was delicacy. Delicious would be an understatement.

After a few moments of silence, Qing Chen decided to seize the opportunity to share something important. "Teacher," he began, setting his utensils down. "I need to clarify something about my second martial soul, the Star Demon."

Bibi Dong raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "Speak, Chen'er."

"Unlike typical martial souls that require spirit beasts to hunt for their rings, my Star Demon doesn't follow the same rules," Qing Chen explained. "It has a unique ability to condense its own spirit rings by absorbing the power of the stars."

Hu Liena's fork paused mid-air as her jade-green eyes widened. "Condense its own spirit rings? That's… unheard of."

Bibi Dong's gaze sharpened, her interest visibly piqued. "Elaborate, Chen'er. How does this ability work?"

"The Star Demon draws energy directly from the cosmos," Qing Chen said. "It gathers this energy over time, and once the reservoir is sufficient, it can forge a spirit ring tailored to its unique attributes. This process eliminates the need for external spirit beasts, but it also requires precision and patience to harness the energy correctly."

"Fascinating," Bibi Dong murmured, her fingers tapping lightly on the table. "Such an ability places you in a rare category of martial soul masters. However, does this mean you have already prepared a ring for the Star Demon?"

Qing Chen nodded. "Yes, Teacher. The energy has been accumulating since I awakened the martial soul. It's ready to condense its first ring. That's why today's mission will focus on finding a suitable spirit beast for my first martial soul while my second handles itself."

Hu Liena's earlier aloofness seemed to melt away, replaced by genuine admiration. "Junior brother, you're full of surprises. I've never heard of such a martial soul in all my studies."

Qing Chen gave her a modest smile. "It's a gift, but it's also a responsibility. I'll need to work even harder to unlock its full potential."

Bibi Dong's lips curved into a faint smile. "Indeed. Your martial soul's uniqueness will make you a target for envy and ambition. But with the right guidance, you will become an unparalleled force."

After a few more minutes, the group finished their meal. Bibi Dong stood gracefully, signaling the end of the breakfast. "Yue Guan will meet you at the gates. Prepare yourselves. This journey will test your resolve and teamwork."

As Qing Chen and Hu Liena rose to follow her instructions, the young boy couldn't help but notice a newfound warmth in his senior sister's demeanor. It seemed his revelation had left a significant impression on her.

The two exchanged a glance, and Hu Liena offered a rare smile. "Let's make this mission a success, junior brother. I have a feeling we'll make a great team."

Qing Chen returned the smile, his confidence unwavering. "Agreed, senior sister. Let's show everyone what we're capable of."

With that, they set off, the promise of a challenging yet rewarding journey ahead of them. The dawn of a new day brought not just light but also hope—a hope that Qing Chen's path would lead him ever closer to the greatness he sought.