"You need a name," she informed the kit as he investigated a jar of dried lotus seeds with intense concentration. "I can't keep calling you 'little one' or 'fox' forever, can I?"
The fox looked up at her, his unusually sapphire-blue eyes seeming to consider her words. He seemed to nod at her, and returned to sniffing his newest discovery- a jar of dried lotus seeds.
[THE CREATURE'S INTELLIGENCE QUOTIENT CONTINUES TO REGISTER WELL BEYOND NORMAL PARAMETERS FOR HIS SPECIES. ALSO DETECTING INCREASED RESONANCE WITH YOUR OWN ENERGY SIGNATURE. FASCINATING. DO YOU THINK HE HAS A HIGHER IQ THEN WEI CHENGLIN? WE SHOULD CHECK THEIR BRAINS!]
"System, shush. Karma," Su Lan Yi decided, setting down her teacup. "That's what I'll call you. For all the debts owed and collected in this life and others."
The fox—now Karma—tilted his head, then yipped once, a sound that somehow conveyed approval. He bounded across the room and leapt into her lap with surprising grace for such a small creature, circling three times before settling down contentedly and nuzzling his face into her robes.
Su Lan Yi found herself smiling despite herself. After a millennium of solitary cultivation, having a companion—even a non-human one—was oddly comforting. She stroked Karma's silky fur, avoiding the still-tender area around his wound.
"You're going to be trouble, aren't you?" she murmured. "I can tell these things after a thousand years."
Karma's only response was to snuggle closer, radiating a warmth that seemed to reach beyond the physical—a gentle pulse of spiritual energy that synchronised with Su Lan Yi's own in a way that felt both strange and familiar, like a warm blanket in the face of a slight chill. Not uncomfortable without it, but much happier with.
[DETECTING FORMATION OF A POWERFUL SPIRITUAL BOND. ANALYSIS SUGGESTS EARLY-STAGE FAMILIAR SYNCHRONISATION. THIS IS VERY, SUPER UNUSUAL FOR A FIRST ENCOUNTER. EITHER YOU HAVE EXCEPTIONAL COMPATIBILITY, OR...]
"Or what?" Su Lan Yi prompted when the System trailed off.
[OR THAT WOULD IMPLY...
...
...
INSUFFICIENT DATA FOR CONCLUSION. CONTINUING ANALYSIS.]
Before Su Lan Yi could question the System further, a familiar sequence of knocks came from the shop's back door, three quick and two slow.
"Let's see what our handsome demonic friend wants so early in the morning," she told Karma, who rode on her shoulder as she descended the stairs to the shop below.
[YOU CALLED HIM HANDSOME!]
Hei Wuya stood in the doorway, his imposing frame filling the entrance. Today, he wore slightly less ostentatious attire—his robes still black but with minimal blood-red embroidery, and only one silver ornament at his belt instead of the usual three chains.
By his standards, this was practically casual wear.
"You look almost normal today!" Su Lan Yi greeted him, ushering him inside as she gave him a once-over. "Only mildly terrifying instead of nightmarishly so. Special occasion?"
Hei Wuya's was about to retort when his response died on his lips. His gaze landed on Karma, who was now perched regally on Su Lan Yi's shoulder. "The fox... it's still here."
"His name is Karma now," Su Lan Yi corrected, closing the door behind him. Karma gave a soft yip at his name, as if in agreement. "And yes, he's staying with me."
"You've bonded with him," Hei Wuya observed, "A familiar bond, no less. That's unusual."
"I'm an unusual woman, you have to live with it," She replied with a shrug that made Karma readjust his position with evident displeasure. "Now, what brings the Terror of Blood Moon to my humble shop before business hours?"
Hei Wuya shifted somewhat awkwardly, seeming uncharacteristically hesitant. Then, from within his robes, he produced a small, wooden box. It was lacquered wood, smoothly polished and inlaid with small gemstones whioch caught the light and shone prettily.
"This is for you," he said stiffly, extending the box toward her. "For the shop. A security measure."
Su Lan Yi raised an eyebrow, accepting the box with mild surprise. "A gift? How unexpected. Should I check for poison first, or do you save that for special occasions?"
"It's not poisoned," he replied with a scowl that lacked its usual menace. "Just open it."
Inside the box, nestled on a bed of black silk, lay a small, dark gemstone pendant shaped like a teardrop. Its surface swirled with hints of crimson energy, pulsing gently like a heartbeat.
"A Blood Moon Protection Stone," Su Lan Yi identified it immediately, lifting it by its silver chain. "These are typically reserved for inner circle disciples. Where did you get this?"
"I made it," Hei Wuya admitted, his voice dropping to a whisper, as if nervous about something. "After our discussion about the soul cultivator, I thought additional protection would be prudent."
[ANALYSING GIFT: SEEMS TO BE A GENUINE BLOOD MOON PROTECTION STONE, CONTAINING SIGNIFICANT SPIRITUAL POWER. IT SHOULD RELEASE A SINGULAR BLAST OF ENERGY STRONG ENOUGH TO KILL MOST OPPONENTS, AND TEMPORARILY INCAPACITATE SOMEONE AT HEI WUYA'S LEVEL.
The narrative has been illicitly obtained; should you discover it on Amazon, report the violation.
VALUE: APPROXIMATELY 500 GOLD. COULD SELL, BUT A VILLAINESS DATING AN ANTAGONIST IS WORTH GOOD POINTS, SO DON'T.
SENTIMENT ANALYSIS: EXTREMELY HIGH. HE MUST HAVE SPENT DAYS CRAFTING THIS WHILE THINKING OF YOU! DEFINITELY NOT AN AFTERTHOUGHT.
IMPLICATIONS FOR RELATIONSHIP STATUS: UPDATING TO "GENUINE CONCERN FOR YOUR WELLBEING AS A PRETENCE TO BE AROUND YOU." HOW SWEET!]
Su Lan Yi turned the pendant over in her hands, feeling the powerful protective energies resonating within it. For someone like Hei Wuya to craft such an item personally... it was no small gesture.
"Thank you," she said, with unusual sincerity that seemed to bewilder the demonic cultivator, making a flush creep up his face. "This is thoughtful. I will wear it at all times, and take good care of it."
Karma, as if sensing it was an important item, leapt from her shoulder onto a nearby counter, sniffing curiously at the pendant. To both their surprise, the fox kit pawed at it gently, then gave it a small lick. The stone flared briefly with increased brilliance, as if responding to Karma's touch.
"That's strange," Hei Wuya murmured, watching the interaction with intense focus. "Protection Stones don't typically react to animals, do they?"
"Karma isn't typical," Su Lan Yi replied, slipping the pendant over her head. The stone settled against her chest, its weight reassuring rather than burdensome. "He's full of surprises."
As if to prove her point, Karma bounded from the counter to Hei Wuya's shoulder in a graceful leap, grabbing on with gentle paws. The demonic cultivator froze, his entire body tensing as if unsure how to respond to the small creature now perched beside his face, whiskers twitching inquisitively and big, watery blue eyes looking straight at him.
"He likes you!" Su Lan Yi exclaimed, eyes twinkling with amusement. "A rare display of good judgment on his part."
"I... don't typically interact with small animals," Hei Wuya said stiffly, remaining perfectly still as Karma circled his shoulders, tiny paws kneading at his black robes. "Most creatures sense my demonic energy and flee."
"Perhaps he recognizes a kindred spirit," She suggested. "Both of you hide your soft centers behind intimidating exteriors."
"I don't have a soft—" Hei Wuya's protest was cut short as Karma rubbed his furry cheek against the cultivator's jaw, eliciting a startled expression that Su Lan Yi wished she could preserve for posterity. The fearsome Terror of Blood Moon stood completely motionless, utterly defeated by six inches of fluff.
[DEMONIC CULTIVATOR INTIMIDATION LEVEL: CRITICALLY COMPROMISED. CURRENT THREAT ASSESSMENT: ADORABLE.]
"Well, now that you two are acquainted," Su Lan Yi said, barely containing her amusement, "Would you like some tea? Min won't arrive to open the shop for another hour."
Hei Wuya cleared his throat, attempting to reclaim his dignity despite the fox now contentedly curling around his neck like a living scarf. "Actually, I came to suggest something else. A short excursion."
"Oh?" Su Lan Yi raised an eyebrow.
"The fo—Karma—needs to rebuild his strength after such an injury. I know a place in the Southern Forests that would be suitable for a baby spiritual beast to train safely. There's a clearing with concentrated earth energy that would benefit his recovery."
Su Lan Yi studied him thoughtfully, noting the careful casualness with which he made the suggestion. "You want to take us on a field trip? How delightfully sweet. Have you got snacks and sweets too?"
His crimson eyes narrowed slightly, eyebrows furrowing. "It's merely practical. The fox is now bonded to you, which makes it a potential target for whoever attacked it before. Strengthening it serves our mutual interests."
"Of course," Su Lan Yi agreed with exaggerated seriousness. "Purely strategic. Nothing at all to do with you wanting to spend time with a fluffy animal."
Hei Wuya's expression suggested he was reconsidering the entire proposition, but Karma chose that moment to lick his ear, causing the fearsome cultivator to twitch in surprise.
"Fine," he said with dignified resignation. "The fox is... not unpleasant."
"High praise indeed, coming from you." Su Lan Yi laughed. "Let me leave instructions for Min, and we'll be on our way."
The Southern Forest was a dappled sanctuary of ancient trees and whispering leaves, far enough from Bai City to escape its constant noise but close enough for a morning's journey. As they walked along a narrow, leaf-covered trail, Karma darted ahead, exploring with boundless energy that belied his recent injury.
"He's already much stronger," Su Lan Yi observed, as the fox kit scaled a fallen log, then launched himself at a fluttering butterfly, his tongue flopping outward adorably. "His spiritual energy has nearly doubled since I started caring for him."
"The familiar bond accelerates recovery. Though I've never seen one progress so quickly. Your millennium of cultivation experience no doubt contributes to the efficiency."
They reached the clearing Hei Wuya had mentioned—a perfectly circular meadow where sunlight streamed down uninterrupted, bathing the space in golden warmth. At its centre stood a small stone formation, weathered by centuries of wind and rain yet still humming with elemental power.
"An ancient cultivation site," Su Lan Yi recognized immediately. "These were used for communing with earth spirits before formal cultivation systems were established."
Hei Wuya nodded, his expression softening slightly. "Blood Moon archives suggest it was originally a site for healing rituals. The residual energy still retains those properties."
Karma, the little cutie, seemed to sense the special nature of the place immediately. The fox kit approached the stone formation with unusual solemnity, circling it once, twice, three times before settling at its base in a meditative posture that looked hilariously dignified on such a small creature.
"He has good instincts," Hei Wuya remarked, sounding almost approving.
"He takes after his master," Su Lan Yi replied with mock haughtiness, settling herself on a fallen log nearby.
And then, Hei Wuya had the AUDACITY to roll his eyes at her.
"Now, are you going to tell me the real reason you brought us here?"
Hei Wuya remained standing, though he leaned against a tall oak in a posture that might have been casual for anyone else. On him, it looked rehearsed and fake.
"I received information from Blood Moon yesterday," he said after a moment. "Our archivists found an ancient text referring to Void Ash and soul cultivation techniques."
"And?" Su Lan Yi prompted.
"The victims seem random at first glance, but our researchers noticed something. Each had unusually strong spiritual energy, regardless of their cultivation level or background. Even those who appeared ordinary."
They were silent for a while, after that, just observing Karma. Su Lan Yi kept thinking about her strange visions, and shook her head. No. How could Su Ruolan be connected to all this?
"Someone is hunting for pure spiritual essence, regardless of its source."
"Exactly," Hei Wuya confirmed, his expression grave. "The text suggests whoever is doing this isn't just killing, they're erasing. It's more than just taking lives."
[THIS DESCRIPTION... THERE'S SOMETHING FAMILIAR ABOUT IT.
ANALYZING CONNECTION...]
"Something about this feels extremely strange," Su Lan Yi murmured, a chill running through her despite the warm sunlight.
Hei Wuya's crimson eyes studied her intently. "You've encountered something like this before?"
"Maybe, maybe not," she said carefully. "I think Su Ruolan has. System?"
[COMPUTING... THIS WAS NOT IN THE PLOT.]
She sighed. "It doesn't know."
"Strange. And given what I've seen..." he paused, choosing his words carefully, "individuals who stand out in unexpected ways might draw unwanted attention."
Hei Wuya's gaze fixed on the fox kit, "I believe Karma might have caught this cultivator's attention for reasons we don't yet understand."
Before Su Lan Yi could respond, Karma suddenly stiffened in his place, his fur raised, ears pricking forward and his entire body going rigid with alertness. A low growl rumbled from his throat—a sound far too deep and menacing to come from such a small creature.
Hei Wuya straightened, hand moving to his sword hilt.
"We're not alone."
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