Old Title: "The Awakening at Notting City"
The forest thinned gradually, the towering trees giving way to gentler undergrowth. Sunlight spilled freely between the branches, warm enough to make Tianxiu squint. After a year beneath heavy shade, the brightness felt almost aggressive.
He lifted a hand to shield his eyes.
"Is it always this shiny outside?" he muttered.
Yu Xiaogang chuckled softly."You'll get used to it. This is the edge of the Soul Beast Forest—once we cross this ridge, you'll see Notting City."
"City… as in people? Lots of them?" Tianxiu asked, unsure if that was exciting or terrifying.
"Quite a few, yes."
Tianxiu nodded with the seriousness of someone preparing for battle.'Okay. Don't panic. People are just… non-beasts. Probably.'
They crested the final slope.
Below them stretched farmlands, winding dirt roads, and—further still—a modest city wrapped in stone walls. Smoke rose from chimneys, carriages rattled along the streets, and dozens of voices blended into a hum of life.
Tianxiu stared, wide-eyed."…It's loud."
"Cities tend to be," Yu Xiaogang said. "Come. You'll need proper documents before we can attend an awakening ceremony."
They began walking down the hill. Farmers glanced at them from afar, whispering about the strange pair—a scholarly man and a small boy with forest-wild hair, wearing rough, hand-stitched clothing.
Tianxiu tugged at his shirt."These clothes… do I look strange?"
"Maybe a little," Yu admitted. "But it shows you're from the forest. People will understand."
Tianxiu nodded, comforted.'Good. As long as no one runs away screaming.'
As they approached the city gate, a guard stepped forward.
"Halt. Identification, please."
Yu Xiaogang produced his token."I am Yu Xiaogang, visiting scholar. This child is under my temporary guardianship."
The guard studied Tianxiu with a raised brow."This boy… he's awfully calm for someone coming from the forest."
Tianxiu looked up innocently."I didn't know I was supposed to be scared."
The guard blinked, then laughed."Brave one, aren't you?"
Tianxiu only shrugged.
'If he saw the snake yesterday, he'd understand.'
Yu Xiaogang guided him through the gates and into bustling streets. Merchants shouted prices, children ran between stalls, and the smell of grilled skewers drifted through the air.
Tianxiu stopped mid-step.
"…Food."
Yu Xiaogang smiled."Hungry?"
"I haven't smelled cooked food in a year."
That was enough explanation. Yu bought a pair of simple meat skewers and handed one over.
Tianxiu took a tentative bite—then froze.
His eyes widened."This is… incredible!"
"You've been eating wild herbs and fruit for a year. Of course cooked meat tastes amazing."
Tianxiu devoured the skewer in seconds, cheeks puffed like a small woodland creature storing supplies for winter.
Yu Xiaogang hid a chuckle behind his sleeve.
Once they finished, they continued toward a quiet district where the walls were lined with clean stone and the noise of merchants faded.
"This is the Education Hall," Yu said. "We'll register you here. After that, we can schedule your martial soul awakening."
Tianxiu hesitated at the doorway.
"Yu Xiaogang…"
"Yes?"
"What… happens if my martial soul is strange?"
Yu paused, then placed a gentle hand on the boy's shoulder—careful, respectful, without forcing closeness.
"No matter what appears during your awakening, it will simply reveal who you are. Nothing more, nothing less."
Tianxiu looked at the carved doors.
'Who I am…'
He straightened his back.
"Alright. Let's find out."
They stepped inside.
Behind them, unnoticed by either, a faint ripple of soul power trembled at the threshold—like something far in the forest had followed their trail all the way to the city.