"What is this?" Ling Yuan asked as she stepped closer to the cub and carefully picked it up. It was still a small cub—there wasn't much weight to it—and undeniably the cutest, fluffiest thing she'd ever seen. She turned to Li Shen, hugging the bear cub gently as it purred softly.
"Where's the ferocious Terrorclaw Bear you caught? How did it turn into this adorable little thing?" she asked with a happy smile.
Li Shen looked at the white bear cub and began to explain.
"Well, my Martial Spirit resets all the cultivation the beast had when I captured it. When I caught it, it was trying to awaken a hidden bloodline—it was a dangerous moment. If we hadn't captured it right then, we might've had to run away," Li Shen said, carefully avoiding the full truth of his Martial Spirit's capabilities.
Ling Yuan nodded, not finding anything wrong with his explanation, then asked, "Tell me, this cub can still fight, right? It hasn't just evolved into a beautiful doll?"
Li Shen smiled and answered, "It's like any other Martial Spirit. Once I absorb the spirit ring, it'll determine what spirit skill she can learn."
Ling Yuan nodded again, clearly impressed.
Off to the side, Ma Nuo said, "So this is the power of your Martial Spirit—you can decide what kind of Spirit Beast you want to bond with?"
Li Shen nodded. "In a way, yes."
Ma Nuo looked at him thoughtfully. "Li Shen, you truly are talented. It seems that voice you heard was right—your Martial Spirit is incredibly powerful," he said with a hint of admiration.
Ling Yuan glanced at Ma Nuo and then turned back to Li Shen, her expression serious but encouraging. "Alright then. Now that that's settled, let's head to Spirit City. After that, you'll enroll in the Spirit Hall Academy."
Li Shen hesitated, his eyes flickering with a mix of reluctance and earnestness. "Beautiful sister," he said softly, "can I go later? After I finish the Junior Academy here? I want to roam this beautiful world. If I go to the Spirit Hall now, I'll be stuck there day and night." He pleaded, voice almost childlike, wrapping his six-year-old arms tightly around Ling Yuan's legs, lifting his head just enough to meet her gaze.
'Pity she is not wearing a skirt' Li Shen though also had this thought.
Ling Yuan's expression softened as she looked down at the earnest little boy. After a brief pause, she smiled and said gently, "No, it's not safe here. Only the Spirit Hall can keep you protected—and help you grow stronger."
"Then be my guardian. Live with me," Li Shen urged, eyes wide and sincere. "Be my guide. Tell me everything I need to know—just don't send me there yet." His voice was hopeful, vulnerable.
Ling Yuan looked at Li Shen, his small frame trembling as tears welled in his eyes. For a moment, she hesitated and looked toward Ma Nuo for support. But he silently turned his head away, as if to say, You're on your own for this one.
A heavy sigh escaped Ling Yuan's lips. Maybe I should ask His Majesty, she thought, weighing her next move carefully.
Turning back to Li Shen, she forced a gentle smile. "Okay then… let me ask if they'll allow it. From now on, I'll be your guardian." She handed the white bear cub to Li Shen carefully. "Stay here, alright? I'll come back for you soon."
Without waiting for an answer, Ling Yuan spread her wings and soared into the sky, her silhouette blending into the horizon as she headed toward Spirit City.
Li Shen tightened his grip on the bear cub, feeling its small but fierce presence radiating beside him.
"Hey, human," the cub's voice rumbled softly, tinged with a playful growl, "now that the scary one's gone, tell me… do you really intend to make me a god?"
Li Shen chuckled quietly, a spark of determination lighting up his eyes. "Of course. We're partners now. I want us both to become gods—if I become one, naturally, you will too."
Then he added firmly, "Also, don't call me 'human.' I have a name—Li Shen. Call me that."
The bear cub blinked, then nodded seriously. "Okay then. Give me a name too."
Li Shen smiled warmly, feeling the bond between them deepen. He gently stroked the soft fur on the cub's head and said, "I'll give you a beautiful name—Baihua (白华)."
The cub's eyes sparkled with curiosity as Li Shen continued, "Baihua means 'White Blossom'—a symbol of purity, resilience, and new beginnings. Just like a rare flower that blooms against all odds. You survived when many would have fallen. You carry strength and beauty within you."
Baihua tilted her head thoughtfully, then softly replied, "White Blossom… I like that."
Li Shen's heart swelled with hope. "From now on, Baihua, you're not just my partner—you're my strength, my friend. Together, we'll grow stronger and reach the heights of gods."
Ma Nuo watched Li Shen and Baihua with pride and quiet happiness. He couldn't quite grasp this talk of gods—it all sounded like childish fantasy to him. He dismissed it as a child's dream, unaware that one day, he'd be boasting about his adopted son—the powerful god who dwelled in the Heavenly Realm.
"Little Shen," Ma Nuo said, breaking the silence, "since you haven't absorbed a spirit ring yet, let's get started. I want to see what spirit skills Baihua can unlock now."
Li Shen nodded eagerly. Baihua gave a confident nod back.
"My skills depend on you now. So make sure to absorb a powerful spirit ring," Li Shen urged gently.
"Are you not angry about me killing Spirit Beasts?" Li Shen asked, looking at Baihua.
Baihua's eyes flashed with disdain. "Why should I be? It's the law of the world—the weak perish by the hands of the strong. If anyone's to blame for being weak, it's the weak themselves."
Li Shen smiled and nodded. "You're right. Weakness is a sin."
"I'll make sure I become the strongest in the future," Li Shen vowed, locking eyes with Baihua.
"As your partner, I'll do the same," Baihua replied.
Ma Nuo muttered quietly as he watched them, "Weakness is a sin, huh? I guess… she's right. If I hadn't been weak, I wouldn't have had to leave Li Shen to Spirit Kite Douluo…" He clenched his fists, that familiar feeling of helplessness stirring once again.
****
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