Spirit Beast Companion

In the Wildwood Dragon Realm, a vast and expansive world inhabited by mankind, the land is divided into four great kingdoms. At the confluence that serves as the center of all four kingdoms, a massive stone pillar stands majestically, defying time. None know when it first came to be, and out of awe, the people have named it the “Pillar of Heavenly Spirits.” Legend has it that this pillar is the source of a mystical power that allows some humans to be born with “Spiritual Power,” enabling them to connect with spirit beasts from other dimensions or within this world. Proof of this legend lies in the ancient runes deeply carved onto the pillar’s surface, which glow with a light that never fades, revealing the laws and the path of becoming a “Spirit Warrior.” From then on, those gifted humans learned the methods of forming contracts with spirit beasts, giving rise to those with power far beyond ordinary people... And that was the beginning of a new legend that continues to be told... even to this day. At the Moonlit Contentment Inn, Zhou City. The scent of soup mixed with the earthy smell behind the shop drifted through the late afternoon air of Zhou City. The once-scorching sunlight began to lose its strength, leaving only a warmth that felt comfortable. The bustling noise from the front of the inn started to fade, signaling that the busiest time of the day had passed. In the washing area behind the shop, a small girl in grimy hemp clothes was busily working on her tasks without any sign of fatigue. Mulan. At twelve years old, her figure was still a bit thinner than other children her age, perhaps due to poor nutrition. Both of her small hands were submerged in a large wooden basin filled with murky water and tea-seed bubbles. She was diligently scrubbing grease off porcelain bowls one after another. Beside her, a pile of used bowls and plates towered nearly over her head. Though it was hard work that many girls might turn their noses up at, Mulan performed it with a relaxed air. Her thin lips hummed a folk song her grandmother often sang to her before bed. The humming was intermittent, yet it was filled with the small happiness she created within her own little world. She had been working here for nearly half a year. Every day after her studies, she would rush to the inn to wash dishes for a small amount of money, just enough to buy herbs for her grandfather or a pretty wooden hairpin to make her grandmother smile on her birthday. "Aunt Mei," the innkeeper, though occasionally sharp-tongued, was kind enough to employ a child like her. Cough, cough. A faint sound of coughing nearby drew Mulan's attention away from the pile of dishes. She paused her hands and turned toward the sound. At the corner of an old wall, shaded by the inn's eaves, a boy stood hiding. He appeared two or three years younger than her, his body grimy as if he hadn't bathed for days. His clothes were so tattered they were barely recognizable as a shirt, and his hair was tangled in clumps. His body was so thin his ribs were visible. What caught Mulan's eye most were his eyes... they were filled with suspicion, yet at the same time, they betrayed an undeniable hunger. The boy's gaze was fixed on the food scraps in a wooden bucket not far from where Mulan stood. The boy's stomach growled loudly... a truly pitiful sound. Mulan's heart twinged. A surge of pity rushed through her chest. She thought of herself on those days when she had almost nothing to eat. She understood well the feeling of waiting hopefully for a single meal. She quickly turned to look at the back door. Aunt Mei was busy counting money in the drawer, the abacus clicking rhythmically. She certainly wouldn't have time to pay attention to the back area right now. As for Big Brother Zhang, the kind giant of a chef, he was likely sneaking a nap in the woodshed as he did every day. Alright... let's take a risk! The thought occurred in a flash, but it was strong enough to make her decide instantly. Mulan pretended to take dishes from a new basket to wash, but her eyes caught sight of two mantou buns that still looked clean, sitting atop the pile of scraps in the bucket. They were leftovers from a large table at noon and were still in very good condition. She hurriedly wiped her wet hands on her apron before moving to pick up those two mantou as softly as possible. Her small heart raced as if she were stealing something precious. She felt a bit guilty doing this, but the desire to help the boy was far stronger. Mulan beckoned the boy softly. "Young one... please, come here." The boy jumped, looking like a startled rabbit ready to bolt at any second. He stared at Mulan with distrust. "Do not be afraid, I will not hurt you." Mulan offered her most gentle, sincere smile while extending the steaming mantou in her hand. "Take this and eat. It is still warm from the steamer." The boy's eyes widened slightly when he saw the food in her hand. He slowly stepped out of the shadows with hesitation, his small bare feet treading silently on the cool earth. He looked back and forth between Mulan's face and the mantou in her hand as if he couldn't believe his eyes. "Take it," Mulan urged again. She stepped two paces toward him and pressed the mantou into his small, trembling hands. "Eat quickly, and then get away from here before the innkeeper sees you," she whispered softly. The warmth of the mantou against his palms assured the boy that this was no dream. He looked down at the buns in his hands before looking up at Mulan once more. In those eyes, there was no longer any trace of suspicion, only profound gratitude. He nodded quickly without saying a word, but his actions spoke louder than a thousand words. The boy bowed his head to Mulan repeatedly before turning and vanishing quickly into a narrow alley. Mulan watched that small back until it disappeared from sight. A thin smile appeared on her face. A strange sense of contentment spread through her heart; it was a feeling even better than receiving her wages. She turned back to her washing basin, dealing with the remaining pile of dishes with a brighter mood than before. All previous exhaustion had vanished. She began to hum her grandmother's song again, but this time her voice sounded even more cheerful and happy... Without the young girl knowing in the slightest... that the small act she thought was unseen had been watched by someone all along. On the second floor of the inn, at the window facing the washing area, a young man in elegant dark blue silk was sipping fine tea from an expensive porcelain cup. He had been sitting there for quite some time. His sharp gaze was not fixed on the scenery of Zhou City, but was looking down at everything that had unfolded below from start to finish. He saw the small girl working diligently, saw the starving beggar boy, saw the momentary hesitation and the kindness shining from the girl's eyes, and saw the small act of sharing that took place in silence. Seeing the boy scurry away with the mantou clutched in his hand, the corner of the young man's mouth curled into a faint, inscrutable smile. He slowly set down his teacup before turning to summon the black-clad guard standing silently in the corner of the room. "Go investigate that girl... I want to know everything about her." "Understood... Young Master." With the acknowledgement, the black-clad guard vanished like a shadow, leaving only the young man to turn back and gaze once more at the small figure of Mulan, who was happily washing dishes again. "Kind-hearted and merciful... not bad," he murmured to himself. "What an interesting seed indeed." The evening sunlight shone down upon Mulan's face, making her soap-stained cheeks sparkle. In her small world, today was just another day passing peacefully, never knowing that her destiny was about to change... forever...