After a couple of hours of effort and most of his spirit power, Su Yan had only managed to manifest a small pile of Rapture parts.
"This is as much as I can do, unfortunately."
Su Yan looked down at the pile, somewhat disappointed.
Shaking his head, he gathered it up and headed back to the other room, with Teacher Lin following curiously behind.
"Nihilister, wake up. I got something for you," Su Yan called as he entered.
Nihilister lay on her side like a lazy dragon. She opened one eye, watching Su Yan and Teacher Lin walk in.
"Oh? What do you have?"
The moment she saw the small pile of Rapture parts in Su Yan's hands, she sat up, attention snapping into focus. She drew a slow breath in through her nose, as if tasting the air.
"Trying to ply me with gifts, are you?" Nihilister's smile turned greedy. "Well, do keep trying."
She moved quickly, snatching pieces from Su Yan's hands, and under Teacher Lin's incredulous gaze, started consuming them.
*CRUNCH* *CRUNCH* *CRUNCH* *CRUNCH*
As Nihilister devoured the final piece, she stretched and let out a satisfied sigh.
"Now that hit the spot."
She wore a massive grin—then it slowly faded.
"Though the quality was a bit lacking. Tasted like it was husk-level Rapture only, in there."
"This is the best I can do for now," Su Yan said. "I'll come around every day to get you some more."
"And with some luck, I might be able to manifest some higher-level Rapture parts."
To the side, Teacher Lin was still in shock.
"She really does eat metal…"
Nihilister turned her attention to Teacher Lin.
"Did you get my room ready, then?"
Teacher Lin blinked, realizing she'd forgotten. She squeaked and hurried next door.
With Teacher Lin gone, Nihilister flopped back onto the bed.
"Remember your promise, human. Bring me more tomorrow," she said to Su Yan.
"Will do. I'll see you later, Nihilister," Su Yan said.
Nihilister lay back down and waved a hand, dismissing him.
As Su Yan left and closed the door, he thought to himself,
Great… now I've got another glutton to feed.
Stepping past the next room and glancing inside, Su Yan saw Teacher Lin rushing to and fro, moving furniture and cleaning up the place.
"Teacher Lin, I'll be heading out now. I'm going to register my status as a Spirit Master and get my stipend, then return to the academy."
"I'll come back tomorrow to get some more metal for Nihilister."
Teacher Lin, in the middle of lifting a chair, looked over and smiled.
"Okay. Be careful on your way back, little Yan."
Su Yan left Teacher Lin's home and made his way toward the Spirit Hall branch of Nuoding City.
The Spirit Hall branch sat on a broader street, set back just enough from the surrounding shops that the crowd naturally gave it space.
The building stood out among the grey-bricked buildings throughout the city: the Spirit Hall branch's walls were white, with the Spirit Hall emblem set into the stone above the doors and two banners hanging on either side.
As Su Yan drew closer, he saw two guards at the entrance, posture straight, watching the street, eyes sweeping over the crowd.
Walking up the stairs, one of the guards raised a hand as Su Yan neared the doors.
"Hold. What business?"
"I'm here to register as a Spirit Master," Su Yan replied calmly.
The guard gave him a curious once-over, then asked sceptically,
"A little young, aren't you?"
Su Yan channelled his Spirit Power, his spirit ring rising into view.
"Is this enough for you to believe me?" he asked lightly.
The guard's eyes widened, and his tone turned respectful.
"Apologies for the offence, respected Spirit Master. Please, go in."
Su Yan gave him a nod before going inside.
Behind him, the city noise dulled as the doors shut.
The Spirit Hall's interior felt warmer than the stone outside. Much of what Su Yan saw at eye level was polished timber—lacquered support pillars, smooth railings worn by years of hands, and wooden fixtures that made the place feel orderly instead of cold.
Sunlight poured in through large crystal windows set high along the hall, refracting as it passed and casting a soft glow across the interior.
Su Yan's eyes went up. The main hall opened into a high dome overhead, and the ceiling was covered in murals—Martial Soul depictions arranged in neat square panels—set against gilded detailing that caught the light and shimmered faintly as people moved beneath it.
Near the front sat a reception counter made from the same timber, its surface crowded with ledgers, inkstones, and stamped forms. Behind it, clerks worked in a steady rhythm—papers sliding forward, seals coming down, names recorded without fuss.
There weren't many visitors at the moment. A few attendants moved through the hall with cloths and brooms, quietly cleaning.
Past the reception area, side passages and a staircase led deeper into the building, toward smaller rooms where the faint glow of testing crystals came and went whenever a door opened.
Stepping up to the reception desk, Su Yan spotted a man leaning slightly to one side, his gaze fixed on a young woman as she worked.
"Ah, my lovely Sisi," the man said with a silly grin. "You look more beautiful every day."
Su Yan took a closer look, and his eyes widened as he realized it was Su Yuntao—showing none of the sharp bearing he'd had when he awakened Su Yan's Martial Soul all those months ago.
Su Yan had completely forgotten Su Yuntao was even stationed here.
"Ahem."
Su Yan cleared his throat to try and get Su Yuntao's attention, but lost in his own world, Su Yuntao didn't notice.
"AHEM!"
Su Yan tried again, louder. That seemed to wake Su Yuntao from his stupor. He jolted, then spun around so fast he nearly tipped his chair.
"Hello, and welcome to Spirit Hall. How may I help?"
Su Yuntao shot out a clearly forced smile.
"I'm here to register as a Spirit Master," Su Yan said wryly.
Su Yuntao cleared his throat, trying to recover his dignity. "Right. Name and Martial Soul."
"Su Yan. My Martial Soul is Gatekeeper," Su Yan said, releasing it.
Su Yuntao leaned in for a closer look. Then realization dawned on his face.
"Wait—aren't you that kid I helped awaken in Maple Leaf Village?" Su Yuntao blurted.
"You've already obtained your first ring?!"
Su Yan released his ring once more, smiling lightly.
"Yup. I got a good teacher… and got a bit lucky."
Su Yuntao was stunned, before quickly collecting himself.
"Stay here. Don't wander around. I'll have Deacon Ma handle your appraisal."
After a few minutes, Su Yuntao returned with an elderly man.
"Hm. Is this the young talent you mentioned, Yuntao?" the old man asked.
"Yes, Deacon Ma. I awakened his Martial Soul a few months ago—Innate Spirit Power Rank 4—but he's already managed to obtain his first soul ring."
Deacon Ma slowly stroked his beard, eyes narrowing as he considered Su Yan.
"A good seedling indeed. Come with me. I'll measure your spirit power, and if you meet the qualifications, I'll issue your Spirit Master certification."
Deacon Ma walked confidently down the hall toward one of the rooms, with Su Yan following along.
Inside, a crystal ball sat on a wooden pedestal.
Deacon Ma gestured to it. "Place your hand on the crystal ball and channel your spirit power into it."
Su Yan stepped forward and did so.
The crystal ball immediately started glowing.
Deacon Ma stepped closer and inspected it.
"Solidly Rank 11," he said. Then his eyes sharpened. "Tell me, young Su Yan—are you willing to join Spirit Hall?"
Su Yan furrowed his brows, thinking for a moment before answering.
"I still want to explore my options first. Can I come back to this at a later date?"
Deacon Ma smiled warmly before saying,
"Of course. Spirit Hall's door will always be open to you."
"Now, come. We'll get your Spirit Master certificate filled out, and your monthly stipend."
At the mention of the stipend, Su Yan couldn't help the flicker of excitement in his eyes.
A short while later, Su Yan walked out of Spirit Hall with a bright smile on his face.
A single gold soul coin was clasped tightly in his hand.