Goodbye Holy Spirit Village

"Xing'er can't you get Shí to shrink back down to when she was cute and only as big as my pinkie finger?" Li Mei asked with an exasperated expression.

"I don't really kno-ugh" Getting knocked to the floor Xing was helpless against Shí's dramatic feline performance. Gliding through and brushing against her legs and feet for attention would be annoying but still cute if it was a small furry creature, but when it was an overgrown beetle the size of an adult wolf with thick sturdy plating and carapace where the fur should be, it became a more.... humbling experience.

"Well when you get to the academy make sure it's the first thing you ask about then" Lending a hand Mei eased her off the floor. She was already fifty one years old but appearance wise she'd barely left her early forties; having grown up with Grandpa Jack the two were naturally close in age. She was waring a drab pale green robe and her graying hair was styled into a bun.

"Just give her some time to calm down she probably knows this is the last time we'll all be able to play together for a few months and eat my cooking. It's all a bit much for the poor thing." Mei said while picking up some utensils and plates that fell on the ground.

Recalling her Martial Spirit Xing nodded her head apprehensively. Usually when Beast Spirit Master's possessed their Spirits they would grow and become all the more physically able perhaps this wasn't the case with every Beast Spirit but Xing could only despondentely hope that a unique ability such as shrinking could be acquired. Otherwise in a few years Shí might not be summoned so casually, especially indoors.

Quickly grabbing everything on the floor herself and putting them away Xing tried to get the woman to sit and talk with the rest of her guests. Seated in the corner of her cabin were two grizzled old men playing star lou chess, one of whom was easily recognised as her adoptive Grandfather the other was a muscular but aged man with black and white hair, named Mo Jun. Easily the most recognized carpenter around these parts seeing as he played a role in the construction of all the Spirit Hall Branchs in the area as well as her home.

"Zhi why can't you take this old coot with you when you leave for the academy, that way I wouldn't have to play with an obvious cheater disguised as a helpless old man." Narrowing his auster eyes, his face morphed into a brutish expression as he made the next move on the board.

"The rules of the academy state that all students have to stay in the dorms for their first year, even if I did go they'd throw me out" Moving one of his pieces that immediately put Mo Jun on the defensive, he continued speaking calmly. "Not to mention, if I was gone who would show a knuckle head like you how games of life and death are truly played!"

Quickly forcing Mo Jun to sacrifice a large number of his own pieces every time he made a mistake while responding. Even though they took turns it still looked like it was a cage fight just with the actual physical blows being wrinkled fingers hovering over the board like a crane game.

Athough Xing helped other people around the village, it was only these three elders she was particularly close to. It was a unique group to say the least, three senior citizens, a child and and huge beetle. Nevertheless they were her only loved ones in this new life, a family of circumstance that cared for and looked after one another. Perhaps they wouldn't have come to be this close without her presence, but it was still a change in all their lives that they were positive about.

"Don't forget what we taught you Zhi, we might not be able to provide a formal education but the skills you've learnt while working with us will definitely be of use to you when your in a pinch and need quick money." Jun spoke while stroking her head with his large palm.

Xing simply received his strange way of comforting. This guy's hands were as big as her head, how would she escape?

"I understand Uncle... Seriously though you guys don't have to worry so much, I'll be fine. Grandpa Jack has brought me along tons of times when visiting other villages. This is no diffrent... it's just for a while longer" She managed to mutter under her breathe.

Shaking his head Mo Jun simply raised one finger from his clenched fist in a bid to not lose his temper. "There is only one thing that matters in the world of Spirit Masters, whether your wondering the wilds or studying in an academy, this fundamental rule doesn't change. Do you know what it is Xing?" He asked rhetorically.

"I know, I know it's strength isn't it? But Uncle I don't need to be strong, fast or durable. I just need to be smarter than my opponent and use my poison" She lambasted with her arms crossed.

"I understand that Xing'er but I'm going to reiterate it every chance I get. You'll always have a backdoor here, you'll always have a place in the village." Having made his point he turned back to Grandpa Jack and began berating him over the hundreds of ways he rigged the game in his favor.

He may not like her going to a school with a bunch of power hungry pre-teens some of whom are definitely egomaniacs. But he'd have to deal with it. She didn't put herself through all that training simply to be manipulated by the 'no place is safe like home spiel'. She trained herself to the bone because that's the person she wants to be, because it's the coolest thing she's able to do now in this life. And because in the future there will be obstacles that block her path, whether she has the strength neccessary to overcome them when the time inevitibly comes is up to her diligence.

Strength was the only thing that mattered in this world, she understood this better than most after reading so many apocalyptic novels that depict how such easily attainable strength used by those with the luck and talent to grow can corrupt just as easily. Especially since there's many types of power besides simple martial strength capable of killing people before they had a chance to properly react. Having already planned to visit both of the two empires on the continent she would require much more wits than strength to walk through such places. She hadn't really given it much thought after crossing over but as a female she was already at a disadvantage in a world such as this, young masters or secret sect disciples it doesn't matter. If they fuck with her they best be prepared for a karmic ass whooping!

If novel tropes are to be believed then odds are after she matures and leaves the village every motherfucker with free time and a little more than your average narcissism with a shred of power will try to get her attention. Something she doesn't want but also something she's willing to cover up her body and face for if it means less conflict. But if she's going to be a Spirit Master, than developing the thick headed pride of one is something that should be cultivated sooner rather than later.

Taking on a pensive face, Li Mei gave a quick glance at the two old men before settling her gaze on Zhi Xing, she didn't quite know if it was her place to say this but seeing the girl come back heartbroken or not at all wasn't something she could bare.

"Xing'er do you have anything planned after the academy? If things don't work out I mean."

Although those with Spirit Power have one more door open than mortals, it doesnt mean all of them are equally prepared to walk the Martial Path. Even if Xing was smarter than the average child, such a wild fantasy as becoming a legendary Spirit Master that has spread to such a degree in every corner of the continent is difficult to sway. She didn't think Xing the type to fall apart at the seams over such a small thing as progressing slower than other peers but from under the constant anxiety of whether the three of them thought her progress slow or not  worthy of their investment. The girl simply didn't want to disappoint them and that can lead to some truly terrible decisions.

Pausing at the question, Xing's anxiety flared up for a second. Even though her Martial Spirit can grow quickly and create poison, it's useless if it can't move. The possibility of the academy not being able to help had crossed her mind a few times but she kept pushing forward refusing to believe her efforts would be in a vein. Even if it was her Spirit's own fault she didn't blame Shí, since through their emotional connection she could feel the little beetles determination and pride for its gluttonous cause.

Shí did get sad a few times when she stopped bothering to summon her around other people because of the inconvenience that it sometimes causes and the occasional shame that came with owning an obese martial spirit. It was a strange dichotomy but Xing understood that whatever Shí was doing was for her personal benefit and so, if her spirit was willing to work so hard to the point it couldn't move then she should be willing to do the same.

Shaking her head with a smile Xing locked her eyes with Li Mei. "Aunty, I'll of course return to the village whether I succeed or not. But I plan to succeed, the world it too large, if a simple Primary Academy can't help me flourish then I'll go to the greatest Spirit Master School on the continent!" Her eyes flaring with determination.

Mo Jun was slightly taken aback by this conviction. He of course supported her after the Awakening Ceremony but that was simply because he believed that after going to a true Spirit Master Academy she would learn the differences between herself and those with proper Talent and Background.

Having worked with the Spirit Hall multiple times he understood better than most the distaste Spirit Master's have for one another especially those hailing from a simple commoner background, some of their ego's went as high as the clouds. Crossing any one of them whom possessed proper education and resources that they could never provide Xing constantly weighed on his mind. At the end of the day he believed in her ability to survive and thrive, he just didnt know how such an environment would affect her mind, she'd been spending time with Tang Hao's son sure, but one friend can barely satisfy the toll living in a dorm room and going to daily classes with children who think their better than her can have.

Aunt Mei was more emotional and simply cried while smiling and tightly hugging Zhi Xing kissing her head and murmuring accolades. Grandpa Jack to the side simply raised his nose, he's old not blind. Having lived with and right next door allowed him to see the effort she puts in everyday, he didnt understand cultivation but he knew she wasn't in her cabin so early in the morning sleeping anymore. She was happier and more energetic than before as well, it cemented the firmness in his heart to never stand in the way.

For the rest of the afternoon the four enjoyed each other's company, talking about stories of Zhi Xing. Her original disgust with the work and fundamental monotony of labor intensive farming. The weird clothing and accessories she created after Aunt Mei taught her how to sew and crochet. It was probably one of the best days Zhi Xing experienced and so after a half hour she summoned Shí again so that all five of them to enjoy themselves and so she'd have a permanent record.

Time eventually flew by and the day soon came to an end, Mo Jun and Aunty Mei retired to their own homes that reside within the heart of the village. When Grandpa Jack was leaving he stopped at the door and reminded his granddaughter for the day ahead of them. "I'll be here in the morning, after I pick you up we'll grab Tang San and make our way to Nouding City, after we arrive I'll drop you both off at the Academy." Kneeling down he hugged her and pet Shí before going home to prepare his things.

Before closing the door Xing stared at his hunched back with a sad gaze.

*Clik-Clik*

Noticing her martial spirit chirping and grazing her leg she slapped her face so there wouldn't be any tears. Having already cleaned everything up besides the leftovers reserved for Shí, she moved to the center of her room with multiple cushions and blankets for comfort and began cultivating.

It would be a lie to say she wasn't nervous, there was a chance she would be ostracized for her martial spirit. Perhaps her body's cultivation has deviated so far from the norm that whatever she learns wouldn't be applicable. It was simply negative thoughts prodding her mind. Idea's and possibilities propagated by the memories and personality of her first life, it was only to bring her down and return her to every pessimists' uncaring laze.

She decided to focus more on her progress to distract herself. Having already learned how to clear such unhelpful thoughts for meditation, she entered a stable a peaceful state while slowly refining her Spirit Power. She eventually grew mentally taxed and tired from training, human interactions and her emotions that she simply wished to enter the void of her dreams and truly rest. Making herself more comfortable she slowly loosened her concentration before truly falling asleep.

That night she dreamed of the same empty space yet strangely she noticed a grayish cloud in the far distance. She was heading towards it but for the time being she could only marvel at the strange blurry haze in wonder while being moved by whatever force this was.

*******************

The next day Xing , Grandpa Jack and Tang San gathered at the entrance to Holy Spirit Village.

They couldn't afford a carriage so Grandpa Jack and Tang San had were waiting for their eccentric third wheel, Zhi Xing herself was busy saying farewells to her loved ones and those in the village whom taught her how to fend for herself. Tang Hao never arrived to utter a goodbye to his son which infuriated Grandpa Jack to no end but the elder and boy were already use to the man's twisted idea of fatherhood.

"Goodbye Mr. Song, you know I won't be around as often so please water the garden more, less the flowers die"

The wrinkled old man simply nodded his head. "I wish you the best Zhi, make sure to visit us when you can"

"Thank you so much for gifting me your sisters old clothing Mrs. Zhu!"

"It's wasn't a big-ah" Caught of guard by the hug the lady could only smile and hug her back. "I know you can accomplish great things girl, don't let the village down"

With Tang San and Grandpa Jack getting impatient waiting for her, Zhi Xing quickly said goodbye to everyone else before running after the two whom had already began the long trek to the nearby city.

The three walked together on the dirt road while Tang San would frequently turn his head back every so often gazing at the village with a somber look.

"Do you seriously miss that old man of yours?" Xing asked with a bit of sarcasm.

She might not have grown up with the boy but any person who spends a little time around the strange two man family would understand that the roles were freakishly reversed.

Gazing at her for a few seconds Tang San shook his head with a sad smile. "I just hope he can take care of himself in my absence"

"You shouldn't have to cook every meal, clean all the laundry and still be so worried about such a useless father Little San" Grandpa Jack patted his back.

"I understand your plight though, leaving the comfort of home is sometimes the hardest thing us humans have to do. But the village will still be there waiting for you both at the end of this semester and so will that old man of yours. Just focus on the journey ahead" He said with a comforting smile

Nudging against his shoulder Zhi Xing smiled as well "Shí and I are going to miss the boundless nature around the Village but traveling and seeing things we wouldn't normally be able to gaze upon in such a remote corner of the continent has both of us more exited than sad. It'll be ok."

She couldn't well know that the little boy she was trying to cheer up was techniqually older than her counting his old life but seeing her personal smithy down and out wouldn't make the long ass walk anymore fun so she tried her best to keep them talking and excitable for this new chapter of their lives.