The Veiled Citadel of Tides

That night, Liu Zhenhan experienced numerous delightful dreams.

He dreamed of becoming a bridegroom, mounted upon a towering steed, radiating smug satisfaction.

The following morning, Liu was roused from slumber by the persistent nudging of the little fox maiden. Helen informed him that throughout the nocturnal hours, his continuous bursts of laughter had proven particularly disruptive.

Liu himself discovered an expansive puddle of drool staining the wolf-pelt bedding.

Compelled to atone for his nocturnal indulgences, Liu immediately immersed himself in frenetic preparations for raft construction. From his recent explorations across the island, vegetation appeared limited to palm trees, coconut palms, and tamarisk groves - none proving suitable for maritime engineering. The coconut trees stretched prohibitively skyward, complicating transportation; palm trunks lacked sufficient stature; while tamarisk branches maintained lamentable fragility.

This predicament necessitated comprehensive island reconnaissance. Concurrently, Helen commenced ritualistic chanting of Spiritual Hymns, attempting to summon the ospreys wheeling overhead.

Liu inquired regarding methodology for employing Spiritual Hymns to subjugate magical beasts as companions. Though he'd memorized the anthem through repetitive practice, practical application remained elusive.

Helen elucidated that the Spiritual Hymn he'd acquired constituted foundational liturgy. Whispering Priests - the most junior rank in the Sacrificial Hierarchy - only received the hymn's initial stanzas. Subsequent verses required countless souls guided into the War Deity's embrace before Temple authorities would confer advancement.

The hymn's complexity arose from dissonant phonemes blending elven diction with archaic draconic syllables. Many aspirants languished for decades mastering these tonal intricacies, their progress dictated by innate aptitude.

Only upon complete mastery could one ascend to War Priest status, unlocking advanced hymns: Frenzy Chants, Benediction Melodies, Stonehide Anthems, and Radiance Canticles. Military appointments exclusively awaited War Priests, while less gifted clergy often expired as perpetual Whispering Priests.

This context illuminated the priceless value of natural Soulcrooners. Bypassing tedious study, these prodigies instantaneously achieved conventional priests' hard-won proficiency, advancing through ecclesiastical ranks with unprecedented velocity. Behemoth epics chronicled legendary Soulcrooners invariably attaining Shamanic eminence.

Helen referenced the millennium-past Hyjal Campaign, wherein the Behemoth Kingdom's sole natural Soulcrooner - then newly elevated to War Priest - famously bonded with draconic familiar. Though perishing against ten human dragonriders, this Lone Dragonrider Priest's legend endured through sacerdotal curricula.

Such historical precedent fueled Helen's unwavering confidence in Liu's potential.

Beyond soul pacification, the Spiritual Hymn's secondary function involved beseeching the War Deity for familiar bestowal. Successful invocation required emotional infusion into melodic recitation - the supplicant's sentiments must permeate each note, enabling comprehension by prospective beasts.

Helen emphasized that heightened intelligence accompanied powerful magical creatures. Should mutual acceptance occur through contractual covenant, even low-ranking priests might experience transformative elevation. Ecclesiastical standing frequently correlated with familiar potency, reflecting Behemoth society's martial-centric values.

Regarding practical methodology, the vixen instructed Liu to project sincerity through lyrical articulation. A receptive creature's acquiescence would culminate in partnership.

Liu professed bewilderment. While comprehending emotional conveyance through song, he questioned the Spiritual Hymn's nebulous lyrics as affective medium. The anthem's translated verses read:

When I grasp...

Thine hands and War God Campos'...

Then cast...

Winter's tales behind...

Epochs bearing...

Campos' munificence...

Eternity's uncounted...

Thine virtues...

Midair drifting...

Half-crimson leaf...

Embodiment of my fervid blood and valor...

Oh...

Campos' glory...

Commences through us...

Liu derided these ambiguous phrases as meaningless platitudes suitable for corpse consolation, but inadequate for familiar subjugation. He contrasted this with straightforward patriotic ballads like "Fifteenth Moon", whose explicit lyrics ignited protective fervor.

Skepticism regarding beastly telepathy further plagued him. Yet witnessing Helen successfully bind an osprey - albeit producing feeble acid secretions inferior to Guo Guo's frost breath - eroded his doubts.

Helen dismissed Liu's inquiries about her ritual gestures as personal habit rather than esoteric requirement.

Though self-doubting, Liu's ambition stirred. The sapphire direwolf's lethal prowess underscored familiar utility. He contemplated testing hymns on harmless water-arrow hares, but Helen vetoed this sacrilege. She emphasized the sacred, irrevocable nature of familiar bonds - betrayal invoking divine censure, while familiar death induced bereavement mirroring kin loss.

Helen similarly opposed bonding with Guo Guo. Despite their filial rapport, she deemed the "Misfortune Beast" unworthy of a Soulcrooner's potential. Given natural affinity and 50% summoning success rates, she envisioned Liu commanding leviathans rather than mundane creatures.

Absent immediate prospects, Liu refocused on raft construction, commencing full-island exploration.

Northern reconnaissance beyond doughnut-shaped hillocks revealed adjacent islets separated by narrow strait. The volcanic neighbor featured central depression overgrown with bamboo clusters - inexplicably thriving despite typhoon exposure. Liu theorized caldera walls mitigated destructive winds.

This discovery ignited optimism. Bamboo's buoyancy and workability promised ideal raft material.

Prudence tempered enthusiasm. Blocking Helen's impulsive swim attempt, Liu recalled the azure direwolf's origins. Daily tidal patterns revealed submerged stone bridge connecting islands during ebb cycles, explaining the predator's transit.

Strategic assessment followed. Armed with scimitar, assisted by Helen's osprey and Guo Guo, Liu calculated triple-threat advantage against potential lupine encounters.

From hilltop vantage, Liu quizzed Helen regarding twin-island resemblance.

"Scholarly tortoiseshell spectacles," she ventured.

"Or stone dumbbells for warrior training," she added upon reconsideration.

Liu sighed at her literalism, abandoning anticipated risqué comparison.

"Tomorrow for bamboo harvesting!" he declared, postponing expedition for comprehensive preparation.