The night mist clung to the lake like a silver veil, soft and whispering. Bai-Xue lay beneath the ancient tree, its roots curling like serpents into the earth, her eyes tracing the first light of dawn spilling across the water.
"Choose your spirit mark," she murmured to herself, the words almost lost in the wind.
Little Rabbit:"No... I don't need to know it yet. When it comes to me, I'll feel it... and I'll know."
Her soul energy flowed outward, shimmering like liquid starlight, brushing against the forest with a gentle hum. The little rabbit, alert and perceptive, bounded toward her. A circle of radiant energy bloomed beneath Bai-Xue's feet, spinning slowly at first. When the rabbit joined her side, the single circle split into two interlocking rings, vibrating with power so intense it made the hairs on her arms rise.
The energy swirled and twisted, brighter and brighter, until a beam of pure light shot upward, enveloping them both. Bai-Xue felt the rabbit's gaze locking onto her throat. And there it was—a black sigi, etched into her skin beneath her throat. Two triangles intertwined, encircled by a perfect ring.
The light dimmed, leaving only a faint shimmer in the air. Slowly, the rabbit opened her eyes, and then Bai-Xue followed, blinking against the afterglow.
"Little Rabbit... you've... changed again," Bai-Xue said, her voice almost a whisper, awe threading every syllable.
The rabbit stared at her reflection, mouth slightly agape. "I... I've evolved?" she breathed, rising onto a throne of starlight that seemed to float in the air. Two golden rings circled her delicate ears, and a diamond-studded necklace sparkled on her neck like captured sunlight. "Six years... I've tried for six years, and nothing. And now... now it's real..." Her voice trembled, caught between disbelief and triumph.
"You've evolved because our souls connected," Bai-Xue said softly, almost tenderly. "Our energies... together, they unlocked this.
A thrill ran through the rabbit's form. "Perfect! Now I can create spirit weapons... as many as I wish, as powerful as I can imagine."
Bai-Xue blinked, curiosity flickering. "Weapons?"
"Spirit weapons," the rabbit said, pride thick in her tone. "Few beings can craft them. But now... I am the only one. Our ancestors were masters in this art." She glanced at the black jade mark beneath Bai-Xue's throat.
"This mark... why?" she asked, a note of wonder lacing her voice.
Bai-Xue traced the symbol with her fingers, its cold smoothness grounding her. "I chose it. A mark tied to legend... one that carries meaning. Something that felt... right."
The rabbit's eyes narrowed slightly, thinking silently. No... she didn't choose it. It chose her. "Why?" she asked, still in thought. "What is your connection to it?"
Bai-Xue shook her head lightly, a small smile tugging at her lips. "Rest for now. I'll let you fetch your belongings."
The rabbit nodded and bounded off. Bai-Xue's gaze returned to the horizon. So much... so much has changed in a single day, she thought. I've come to a strange world, barely escaped death, saved a man I've never met... and gained a spirit beast. Today... today everything shifted.
Sleep claimed her before she realized it, and she drifted into dreams of shimmering lights and whispered power.
A soft nudge pulled her awake. The rabbit's voice, gentle but firm, broke the quiet.
"I've returned. Wakeup, Master."
Bai-Xue blinked, stretching. "You went to fetch your belongings... and yet you brought nothing?"
The rabbit's gaze lifted toward the stars that adorned her throne-like aura. "My luggage is here," she said simply. "These stars... they are storage. Anything can be kept within them."
Bai-Xue's eyes sparkled. "So... you can forge weapons, right?"
The rabbit tilted her head, golden rings catching the light. "Not just forge... I can make them as you wish."
Bai-Xue's lips curved into a faint smile, warmth touching her cold composure.
Little Rabbit: "From now on, you are my master," the rabbit said solemnly, bowing. "Whatever you command, I will obey."
Bai-Xue's smile deepened. "Thank you. Together... we will protect each other. But... you don't have a name yet."
The rabbit's gaze lifted, determined. "If you eclipse the moon, then It shall be Dark Moon from now on."
Bai-Xue's smile was quiet but commanding.
Little Rabbit: "Then the Princess of the Eclipse Moon... at your service," she said, and the rabbit bowed in acknowledgment.
"I need something from you... something very important," Bai-Xue said, her eyes gleaming with intent. The rabbit's ears twitched, curiosity sparkling.
Moments later, Dark Moon stepped back, bowing slightly.
"Master... this is perfect on you," she said.
Bai-Xue emerged from behind the tree, clad in a silver, shimmering suit that hugged her form, covering her completely. Her long dark hair framed her masked face, while a white mask with glowing red streaks hid her eyes. Yet beneath it, a subtle aura of danger and beauty radiated, magnetic and commanding.
"Master... what shall I call you now?" the rabbit asked, her voice hushed in awe. "And... where are we headed?"
Bai-Xue's lips curved into a smile, sharp and radiant. "Call me... White Mask. Our path leads to Wang-Jin Country. There, we will decide our next move." Her smile glimmered dangerously, bright enough to awaken shadows long buried...
Wang-Jin Country was a land of breathtaking beauty, yet it was a country full of worries and intrigue. Its capital, Dalion City, was a historic metropolis, vast and bustling, home to a large population and thriving commerce.
The streets were wide, lined on both sides with magnificent buildings. They could easily accommodate a dozen carriages riding side by side, while shops and stalls spilled life onto the sidewalks. Children ran and played freely, and merchants from distant lands wore exotic attire, calling out to attract customers. Bai-Xue took it all in, marveling at the movement and color of the city.
To the south of Dalion lay Maya-Vi Market, one of the largest trading hubs in Wang-Jin Country. It was a place where rare herbs, precious gems, and exotic treasures changed hands daily. Even mercenary trade unions operated here, with hundreds of thousands of warriors coming each day—either to take on tasks or resell the spoils of their adventures. Bai-Xue was thoroughly impressed.
"Master, how crowded is this place!" she exclaimed. "There's barely even room for an ant to step!"
Dark Moon shifted into a lowly, ordinary beast form—her black body sleek and unassuming, her purple eyes the only hint of her true power. No one could guess her rank in this form.
"Stop talking nonsense, Dark Moon," Bai-Xue scolded lightly. "I'm hungry, and you're the one who forbade me from eating forest fruits."
"But Master," Dark Moon protested, "I didn't know you'd bring me into the middle of so many... useless humans."
"You'll get used to it, Darky," Bai-Xue said with a chuckle, striding toward a stall named Spicy Food. Outside, tables and chairs were neatly arranged. She paused to glance at the menu and spoke cheerfully to the vendor:
"Brother, I'll have three bowls of sliced pork in hot chili oil—extra spicy!" She sat down gracefully, her silver suit catching the sunlight.
Meanwhile, to the north of Dalion City, a young man rode a magnificent beast. Its golden eyes gleamed like molten sunlight, and three yellow gemstones adorned its forehead. This was no ordinary creature—it was a godly beast, the Lightning Lion, one of the most powerful beings in the world.
Its rider was Third Prince Kong Min-Sheng. His long, sky-blue hair shimmered in the wind, and his bright yellow eyes surveyed the city with the confidence of a seasoned warrior. Beside him rode Fourth Prince Shai-Ming, a sixteen-year-old boy with pecan-brown hair and striking gray eyes, observing his elder brother quietly.
"Third brother," Shai-Ming said, breaking the silence, "in a few days your coming-of-age ceremony will take place. Only then will your engagement to Princess Bai-Xue be confirmed. By the way... I've heard that even though Princess Bai-Xue may appear weak and... useless, she is beautiful, like her mother."
Min-Sheng's expression hardened, his gaze icy. "You shouldn't speak of the princess like that. No matter what, she is of royal blood. To insult her is to insult our lineage. I will be engaged to her, as Father promised Aunt Huang-Ling."
Shai-Ming only smiled. "I was joking," he said lightly.
Their bond was strengthened not just by brotherhood, but because their mothers were real sisters, making them especially close.
At that moment, Min-Sheng's attention caught on a snippet of conversation from some Ning family maids nearby.
"Did you hear?" one whispered. "The Third Lady has been missing since last night."
"Yes," said the other. "Blood was found in her chamber. Someone attacked her, but no one knows who did it."
The two princes exchanged a sharp glance. Min-Sheng's jaw tightened. He urged the Lightning Lion forward, its golden eyes blazing as it surged ahead, leaving Shai-Ming struggling to keep up.
"Brother... my horse can't run this fast!" Shai-Ming shouted.
Then, from behind, the sound of shouting reached Min-Sheng's ears. Without hesitation, he changed course, riding toward the source of the commotion, leaving his brother behind.