Seeking a Spirit Imprint

By the faint light, Jiang Yuechu finally made out the figure before her.

He had a gaunt face and wore a tattered gray robe that hung loosely from his frame.

If she had seen him out on the street, she might have taken him for some old man on his deathbed.

Jiang Yuechu drew a deep breath, forced down the tremor in her heart, clasped her fists, and bowed respectfully.

"This junior is Jiang Yuechu of Longyou Commandery. Greetings, senior."

The old man looked her over. "You're from Longyou?"

"That place is bitterly cold. It's a wonder it raised such a lovely young girl."

"Uh..."

Jiang Yuechu felt too awkward to say that she had actually grown up in Chang'an.

But on second thought,

the one who had grown up in Chang'an was the original owner of this body. What did that have to do with the Jiang Yuechu standing here now?

Saying she came from Longyou was true enough...

"You flatter me, senior."

"All right, don't just stand there."

The old man pointed to the prayer mat before the offering table.

"You came to seek an imprint. Sit."

Jiang Yuechu stepped forward as instructed and sat cross-legged on the mat.

It was worn, and the grass stems inside prickled her legs.

The old man said no more. He turned and slowly walked into the depths of the shadows.

"Quiet your mind, focus your spirit, and let your thoughts go."

"As for what you obtain, that depends entirely on your fortune."

At his words,

Jiang Yuechu closed her eyes.

She steadied her breathing.

The flawless, rounded Golden Core within her pulsed slowly in time with each breath.

With every breath in and out,

her stray thoughts gradually faded.

In the darkness, her consciousness seemed to slip free of her body