Chapter 117: Hah… I guess I can't participate, then.

Present Time

Reon slowly opened his eyes from meditation, his gaze shifting towards the window. The early morning light seeped through the curtains, casting a soft glow across his room.

He stretched slightly, shaking off the lingering traces of his trance.

A sudden knock at the door disrupted the tranquil silence.

Who would come at this time?

Curious, Reon walked over and opened the door.

Standing before him was Xu Yang, his ever-energetic junior, flashing a bright grin.

"Greetings, Big Brother."

Reon returned a nod. "How have you been?"

"I am doing well. What about you?" Xu Yang asked as he stepped inside.

"I'm fine. Come in."

Xu Yang sat on the bed as Reon moved to pour some tea, setting out a small tray of morning snacks.

Just as he turned back, something caught his attention. He narrowed his eyes, observing Xu Yang carefully.

"Xu Yang, you—"

Xu Yang chuckled, his eyes gleaming with excitement. "Have you noticed, Big Brother?"

Reon scoffed. "Hah! How could I not notice something so obvious?"

"Haha! That's true. After all, you're much stronger than me." Xu Yang scratched his head sheepishly.

Reon smirked. "Congratulations on reaching the Mid-Stage Qi Solidification Realm."

Xu Yang grinned. "Thank you, Big Brother."

As Xu Yang enjoyed his tea, Reon quickly freshened up, taking a brief bath before returning.

"So, Xu Yang, what brings you here so early today?" Reon asked.

Xu Yang's expression turned mischievous. "Big Brother, won't you participate in the Monthly Dueling Event?"

Reon blinked. "Why not?"

"After all, I want to test my newfound strength against stronger disciples," Reon mused inwardly.

Xu Yang's smirk deepened. "Then… don't you know today is the Monthly Dueling Event?"

A moment of silence. Then it hit him.

"Huh? Really? I didn't know that," Reon admitted, rubbing the back of his head.

Xu Yang sighed dramatically. "I knew it. That's why you didn't even register for the event."

Then, like a bolt of lightning, the realization struck Reon's mind.

The Outer Sect's Monthly Dueling Event.

Unlike the Weekly Dueling Event, which allowed participants to challenge opponents of their choice, this event was far grander.

Stronger outer sect disciples participated, and matches were determined at random through a lottery system.

There were no guarantees of victory.

The weak rarely dared to participate.

And most importantly—

Registrations closed three days before the event.

Reon groaned, running a hand through his hair. "Hah… I guess I can't participate, then."

"What do you mean you can't?" Xu Yang asked, a knowing smirk playing on his lips.

Just as Reon was about to respond, Xu Yang pulled something from his sleeve and waved it teasingly.

Two tickets.

Reon's eyes widened slightly. "Xu Yang, you—"

"Yes, I've already registered you," Xu Yang said, grinning. "And I'm participating too."

For a moment, Reon stared at him.

Then, he chuckled. "Thank you, Xu Yang."

"It's nothing, Big Brother. I knew you were busy, so I figured you'd forget."

Xu Yang stood up, stretching. "Alright then, let's go. The event is about to begin."

"Understood," Reon replied, stepping forward.

As they walked through the sect's stone-paved paths, a lingering thought gnawed at Reon's mind.

Then—

Almost instantly—

A soft voice echoed within him.

"Master, you're wondering what happened to those Spirit Stones and that Mana Stone, aren't you?"

A playful pout laced her tone.

"And you call me a glutton?"

Reon stiffened slightly before sighing. "N-No. I never called you a glutton. I was just wondering how they vanished into thin air."

"Master, I told you I can hear all of your inner thoughts," the voice teased.

"A-Ahem. I apologize," Reon muttered.

A giggle. "Okay, I forgive you."

Then, her voice softened, growing more serious. "Well, to answer your question, they're inside your constitution."

Reon frowned. "Inside… my constitution?"

"Yes. Your Initial Core absorbed the Spiritual Qi from the Spirit Stones. That might be why you've already advanced by two or even three stages.."

Reon's breath hitched. "W-What?"

"Didn't you notice?" she asked innocently. "Check for yourself."

Reon quickly channeled his Spiritual Qi, focusing his senses inward—

His eyes widened.

"I… I've already reached Stage-3 Qi Solidification Realm?!"

His heartbeat quickened. "Does that mean… if I just supply you with Spiritual Qi, I'll advance automatically?"

"Yes, Master. After all, I am a part of your body."

Reon exhaled in disbelief. "That's insane… That means I don't even have to sit and cultivate for hours!"

The spirit giggled. "Well, Master still has to do the real work. You'll understand soon."

Reon groaned. "Ahhh! I knew it. There's no such thing as an easy shortcut."

"Exactly," she chimed cheerfully. "But it's still convenient, isn't it?"

Reon sighed, relenting. "Fine, fine. And what about the Mana? As far as I know, Mana and Spiritual Qi can't mix, nor can it be absorbed into my Initial Core."

"You're correct," she said. "That's why the Mana has gathered separately. It's stored within your constitution as a large, gaseous sphere. Once you build a Mana Core, it will supply energy to form a Magic Circle."

"Mana Core? Not Mana Heart?" Reon asked, puzzled.

"Yes. Mages form a Mana Heart within their actual heart, but you must build a Mana Core, just like your Initial Core, inside your constitution."

"I see… So that's how it works."

Reon pondered for a moment before asking, "Can I use that stored Mana right now?"

"Of course you can, but…" her voice turned slightly hesitant. "The Mana is still in a chaotic form. I advise against using it until you create a Mana Core."

"I see. Thanks…" Reon paused. "Speaking of which, calling you Constitution Spirit all the time feels a bit impersonal. How about I give you a name?"

Her voice perked up excitedly. "Really?!"

"How about… Lunaria? I'll call you Luna for short."

A joyful giggle rang in her mind. "Ohhh! That's such a cute name! Master will call me something special? I'm so happy!"

Then—

[Ding!]

A mechanical chime echoed through his consciousness.

[Master, what about me?]

Reon smirked. "Hmm… I was thinking about that too. How about… Aria?"

[Hmm! That sounds nice.]

As if trying to provoke Luna, Aria added teasingly—

[Though I already had a name, the one Master gave me feels special! I shall accept it with grace.]

"Hmph! My name is more special!" Luna huffed.

[No, mine is!]

Reon chuckled. "Alright, alright. Both of your names are special."

Hearing that, both spirits hummed in satisfaction.

As Reon approached the Dueling Arena, a rare, genuine smile graced his lips.

Unbeknownst to him—

Both spirits thought the at the same time.

Master was so consumed by despair in his past life that true happiness never found him.

[Always cold. Emotionless.]

He rarely smiled—if ever.

[But now… he seems genuinely happy.]

Back then, he never even gave us names.

He's finally smiling…