Troubles and Surprises

"Hello? Anyone here?" Hyunhei shouted as he wandered around the pitch-black area. He felt the bitter cold wind blowing everywhere while walking around in circles. He fell into an illusionary dream after being unconscious for some time. A familiar voice came out of nowhere.

"Nianzhen, it's me," stated the voice. "I've noticed that you're still confused about what mission you're going to fulfill, am I right?" Hyunhei was searching for the original Hyunhei's location.

"I've got hints, but I really don't understand. Well, let me ask you: why did you choose me of all people?"

"I foresaw in a dream that I would experience a lot of miserable hardships, which are essential for completing this mission. The problem lies with me. I can't take such suffering. I have a weak heart and mind. So, I decided to use a forbidden spell to replace my soul. The spell requires the user to be unconscious after casting it, so I intentionally crossed the turbulent river last time to induce an accident."

"You mean I deserve to experience those tribulations?" Hyunhei asked while pouting.

"Listen. I didn't expect that it would be you. You lived a miserable life before you died, right? Your soul being summoned means you completed the first requirement. You faced every obstacle with a brave heart and a kind soul. In this current life, you will still experience hardships. You'll understand what I mean by this soon."

"But—" Hyunhei still had many questions to ask, but the voice continued to talk.

"Before parting ways, please remember these. We may be one, but you and I are different. I know you're used to putting on a façade, but don't fear expressing your true feelings. No one will understand how you want to be understood if you won't relay what you want them to know. There's still time to practice it, don't worry. I shall bid my farewell here. May you fulfill our mission, Nianzhen."

The voice faded with the wind. Hyunhei keeps pleading to not leave him, for he still has a lot of uncertainties to be cleared. The voice was gone, and he began to cry when he realized the illusion was an infinite void. He calmed himself down after some time and sorted out all his thoughts so he could understand what the original Hyunhei had told him.

"This means I don't need to act like the original Hyunhei. But I need to be careful around those guys. They know him well. But where's the exit of this endless abyss?"

On the other side, Sect Leader Huo explained everything to Jingyi and their companions.

"Based on the exam results and our observations, this child is no ordinary cultivator. The Crown of Minzhi showed that his maximum aptitude level is limitless. He can surpass even the greatest cultivators in our realm." Jingyi and the others cannot believe what they heard from his uncle. The artifact cannot lie about someone's aptitude level.

"Sect Leader Huo, how about the second trial?" Jianyu asked excitedly.

"I think you'll understand after seeing this." Sect Leader Huo presented a replay of Hyunhei's second trial experience. They couldn't hear the conversation between them, but they witnessed how Hyunhei quickly destroyed the core of the legendary Fire Phoenix with just a tap.

"Haiji Gege may look gentle and soft on the outside, but who knows how powerful he can be?" Hong'yu concluded while crossing his arms.

"My little brother's swordsmanship and his other skills still need to be honed to make good use of his potential strength. Do you have any ideas, Sect Leader Huo?" Jingyi added.

"About that, we'll do it after he wakes up. I've posted some announcements. Go check them out so you won't miss a thing. I'll watch over Haiji, don't worry."

The students rushed onto the announcement board and read the contents. They need to decide carefully about the cultivation path they're willing to take. The exact date is yet to be announced, so the students must use their time to think about it carefully.

The Feng Huang Sect ranked first among all the sects on the continent. It is also the largest sect, having trained at least 300,000 cultivators since its foundation 5,000 years ago. The sect is divided into five elemental classes. The most popular one is the Fire Elemental Class. They focus on mastering offensive skills but recently added some defensive and support spells to incorporate into their daily training. Second, the Earth Elemental Class. This class is centered on mastering defensive and healing abilities, and they rely on nature's qi energy to enhance their skills. The third one is the Wind Elemental Class. They practice both offensive and defensive skills to use in battle. Fourth, the Water Elemental Class. This class focused on practicing defensive and support skills to help the other elemental classes.

The least popular of the elemental classes is the Light Elemental Class. This is where Sect Leader Huo belongs, who practices light elemental spells and other skills. He only accepted one disciple due to his responsibilities and difficulty mastering the skills. His only disciple, Chen Lijie, the second most powerful cultivator in the Feng Huang Sect, is currently training in seclusion. No one dared disturb him due to the rumors that he was cold and ill-tempered. He is also very loyal to Sect Leader Huo alone. In addition, no one has witnessed how the Light Elemental Class performs because they like to train in seclusion.

"Jian-gate, I will join the Earth Elemental Class to fully learn the art of medicine!" Yanlin shouted delightfully while walking towards Sect Leader Huo's chambers.

"I'll support my dear brother's wish," Jianyu stated as he patted Yanlin's head. "By the way, Yi-gege, have you decided which cultivation class you want to join?"

"Don't call me that! Haiji alone has the right to call me Yi-gege, and I'll follow whichever class he wants to join. Hmph." Jingyi increased his walking pace so he could return to the chambers first.

"Same here." Hong'yu asserted while raising his right hand. "How about you, Jian-gene?"

"I will join whatever class Haiji wants. It's none of your business anyway." These two morons kept on following what my brother, Jingyi, thought. They were Hyunhei's friends, so Jingyi put a little trust in them.

Shandian was left alongside his Master, Hyunhei. He was also worried about his Master's condition. He was about to sleep beside Hyunhei when he heard his Master's groan.

"Master! Thank goodness you're awake! You've been unconscious for a day. I was worried sick, Master." Shandian meowed happily while rubbing his head on Hyunhei's cheeks.

"Why are you alone, my dear Shandian? Where are the others?" Hyunhei asked while he was trying to sit up carefully.

"They went to the kitchen to fetch their breakfast. They should be returning anytime now. But before that, let me continue my interrupted speech last time. I regained my telepathic ability since I became your spiritual pet, or shall I say, lifetime servant. You're correct about us being connected by the Blue Moon Seal seal. We are now sharing our spiritual powers, but I'm still not used to it since I received your tremendous power abruptly." Hyunhei was dumbfounded by Shandian's words.

"My tremendous power? But I look weak."

"You'll understand it soon. Honesty speaking, I am not the Legendary Four-tailed Beast that Sect Leader Huo described. It's just a fictional character somewhere in the books. For instance, I am a Lightning Sword Spirit. I took this form to conceal my identity and avoid falling into evil hands. Master, please observe." Shandian hopped on the floor and began his transformation. He was covered in lightning and mist. Soon after, Hyunhei spotted the silhouette of a man standing in front of him. The mist dissipated, and the man kneeled before him.

"Who are you? Where's my cute little fluff ball?" Hyunhei cried in a soft voice as his eyes began to shed tears.

"Master, it's me! I'm your Shandian!" He approached Hyunhei with his cute looks and pulled out some puppy eyes to increase his cuteness. The little four-tailed furball transformed into a human form. Shandian was now as tall as his Master, possessing crimson feline eyes and long hair colored like white jade. He was wearing a slightly loose, delicate white Hanfu to move freely. His fluffy ears stuck out with the black jade hair accessories in his hair. He wiped off Hyunhei's tears and let him touch one of his four fluffy tails.

"You're really a sword spirit. You're my fluffy Shandian! Come here. Sit on my lap and let me pet you more." Hyunhei is really fond of furry cats. He petted Shandian's head and ears while the sword spirit purred out of pleasure. They continued their affectionate moments until Jingyi returned to the room with the other and dropped his pork buns out of disbelief.