Sacred Light Lotusheart Sparrow

Ever since Yun Zhishu awakened her martial soul, Yun Zhiyu had spent three full days searching through the system space.

The mountain-like pile of rewards was like an untapped mine. She sorted through them one by one, filtering and comparing them, until she finally found a soul spirit wrapped in a pale golden glow in a corner—the Sacred Light Lotusheart Sparrow.

The system's notes were detailed: a thousand years of cultivation, dual sacred and agility attributes, dwelling in the Ancient Sacred Lotus Pool. Its wings carried the light of purification, and it moved as swiftly as a meteor chasing the moon.

This is the one.

This soul spirit was highly compatible with Yun Zhishu's Sky-Pillaring Sacred Lotus Spear. Its sacred attribute corresponded to the Wish Angel's origin, while its agility attribute could make up for the weakness in speed inherent to spear-type martial souls. More importantly, it bore the words "growth-type"—meaning the soul spirit could evolve along with its host's cultivation, from a thousand years to ten thousand, to a hundred thousand, and even higher realms. It could accompany her all the way, with no need to be replaced.

Yun Zhiyu took out the soul spirit and examined it in her palm. It was a fist-sized ball of light, with the faint shadow of a sparrow visible inside. Whenever its wings spread, specks of golden radiance drifted down, as though an entire pool of holy light had been gathered upon those feathers.

"Big Sister?" Yun Zhishu's voice came from the doorway. The little girl clung to the doorframe, peering inside with curious amber-gold eyes. "Are you playing with a glowing ball?"

"Come in." Yun Zhiyu beckoned.

Yun Zhishu skipped over, the ties of her pajamas not even properly fastened and slipping loose as she ran. She leaned close to her sister's hand, her nose nearly touching the light sphere, then suddenly cried out, "It's so warm! Like Mommy's hug!"

"Do you like it?"

"I do!" Yun Zhishu answered without hesitation.

"Then how about making it your soul spirit?"

Yun Zhishu froze for a moment, then her eyes widened. "Really? Big Sister is giving it to me?"

"Really." Yun Zhiyu placed the sphere of light in her hands. "But there's one condition. Only our family can know about this. To everyone else, you'll say you picked this soul spirit from the Spirit Pagoda. Understand?"

Yun Zhishu tilted her head, a trace of confusion flashing through her amber-gold eyes. But she had always listened to her sister, so she nodded firmly. "I understand! If Big Sister says to keep it secret, I'll keep it secret!"

Yun Zhiyu rubbed her hair, already planning the next step. The Sacred Light Lotusheart Sparrow was far too extraordinary. If they fused with it directly, it would inevitably arouse suspicion. She needed a layer of cover—a cover arranged through the Spirit Pagoda and personally handled by Yun Ming.

The next morning, Yun Ming brought Yun Zhishu out of Sea God's Pavilion.

The Spirit Pagoda stood in the center of Shrek City. Its towering structure pierced the clouds, its body constructed from some kind of translucent soul-conducting material that glimmered with seven-colored light beneath the sun. It was Yun Zhishu's first visit. She pressed herself against the flying car's window and stared down, her little mouth forming an O. "Daddy, that tower is so tall! Taller than Grandpa Zhuo Shi!"

Yun Ming laughed. "If Grandpa Zhuo Shi hears that, his hair will stand on end again."

He took his daughter's hand and entered the Spirit Pagoda. Staff immediately came to greet them. With the master of Shrek Academy's Sea God's Pavilion arriving in person, the Spirit Pagoda's tower master personally came to receive them and led the father and daughter into the testing room on the highest floor.

"Pavilion Master Yun." The tower master was a plump middle-aged man with an amiable smile. "Your daughter is... here to test her spiritual power and select a soul spirit?"

"That's right." Yun Ming's tone was calm, yet carried unquestionable authority. "My daughter awakened her martial soul yesterday. We came to test her spiritual power today and see whether there are any suitable soul spirits as well."

The testing device was the Spirit Pagoda's most advanced model: a hemispherical soul-conducting pod packed with sensing runes. Yun Zhishu was a little nervous when she was placed inside, clutching Yun Ming's sleeve tightly. "Daddy, will it hurt?"

"It won't." Yun Ming crouched down until he was level with her. "Close your eyes and imagine that you're looking at the stars."

Yun Zhishu obediently closed her eyes.

The device activated, pale blue light flowing through the pod. At first, everything was normal. The tower master stood before the screen, watching the data curve rise steadily. But when the value surpassed fifty, his smile froze. When it passed sixty, he pulled out a handkerchief and wiped the sweat from his forehead. When it crossed seventy, he looked as though he had been struck by lightning, standing rigid and motionless.

"P-Psychic Realm, early stage..." The tower master's voice trembled. "Seventy points of spiritual power, at six years old... Pavilion Master Yun, this, this..."

Yun Ming remained composed, as though he had expected it. "Keep the data confidential. Publicly, only say that she has reached the Psychic Realm. There is no need to record the exact value."

"Yes, yes!" The tower master nodded repeatedly, looking at Yun Zhishu as though she were some priceless treasure—and at the same time, some forbidden existence that could not be touched.

Yun Zhishu crawled out of the pod and rubbed her eyes. "Daddy, I saw so many stars, and a huge lotus flower too!"

"Mm." Yun Ming picked her up, casually blocking the tower master's overly fervent gaze. "Let's go choose a soul spirit."

The Spirit Pagoda's soul spirit vault was on the third underground level, maintained at constant temperature and humidity. Countless spheres of light floated in specialized soul-conducting racks, like stars filling the sky had fallen into the mortal world. Yun Ming carried his daughter as they slowly walked through the vault with the tower master. His eyes passed over soul spirit after soul spirit before finally stopping at a pale purple light sphere.

"Purple-Winged Light Sparrow," the tower master hurriedly introduced. "A thousand years of cultivation, with dual light and wind attributes. It possesses both speed and purification abilities, and its attributes are similar to your daughter's martial soul."

Yun Ming did not reply immediately. He looked down at his daughter. Yun Zhishu was staring at the purple light sphere with tightly furrowed brows, clearly dissatisfied. He understood at once—Zhishu had already seen the Sacred Light Lotusheart Sparrow. Though this Purple-Winged Light Sparrow was good, it was ultimately inferior.

"Make a note of it," he said mildly. "Let's keep looking."

In the end, Yun Ming "selected" three soul spirits as alternatives: the Purple-Winged Light Sparrow, the Silverglow Swallow, and the Sacred Light Butterfly. All three possessed light or wind attributes and appeared compatible with Yun Zhishu's martial soul, yet none could compare to the Sacred Light Lotusheart Sparrow. He deliberately had the tower master prepare complete information on all three before taking them back to Shrek Academy to "discuss with the family."

On the flight home, Yun Zhishu lay across Yun Ming's lap and asked softly, "Daddy, are we not taking that purple birdie?"

"No." Yun Ming rubbed her hair. "There's a better one at home."

"The one Big Sister gave me!"

"That's right." The corners of Yun Ming's lips lifted slightly. "The one Big Sister gave you."

Inside Shrek Academy's awakening chamber, Yali and Long Yeyue had been waiting for a long time.

Yun Zhiyu stood at the edge of the formation, holding the Sacred Light Lotusheart Sparrow's soul spirit in her hands. Pale golden radiance flowed across her palms, tinting her silver hair with warm hues. Yuanen Yehui had also been invited. She stood beside a tall stool in the corner, holding a bag of pastries from the Outer Court cafeteria. By now, she was familiar with Sea God's Pavilion and no longer as restrained as she had been when they first met.

"Big Sister Yuanen!" Yun Zhishu slipped free from her father's arms and threw herself forward, hugging Yuanen Yehui around the waist. "I'm going to become stronger today!"

Yuanen awkwardly caught her, a trace of gentleness appearing on her grayish-white face. "Mm. Stronger."

"Let's begin." Long Yeyue tapped the ground with her cane.

Yali carried her daughter into the center of the formation. Yun Ming and Long Yeyue stood on either side, and as three streams of soul power flowed in, the formation lit up with even more intricate radiance than before. Yun Zhishu sat cross-legged at its center, both hands holding the Sacred Light Lotusheart Sparrow that her sister had given her. The pale gold light reflected in her amber-gold eyes.

"Close your eyes." Yun Zhiyu's voice came from outside the formation. "Feel its breathing. Let it enter your spiritual sea."

Yun Zhishu obediently closed her eyes.

At first, she only felt warmth in her palms, as though she were holding a ball of sunlight. Gradually, that warmth began to flow up her arms, over her shoulders, across her neck, and finally gathered into a burning point between her brows. Then she "saw" it—in her spiritual sea, a golden lotus quietly bloomed. Above the lotus pedestal, the vague shadow of a silver spear flickered in and out of view.

The pale golden light was transforming into a sparrow, circling the golden lotus. Every beat of its wings scattered flecks of golden radiance, which mingled with the lotus's light. They seemed like old friends reuniting after a long separation, yet also like partners destined to be together.

Come in, Yun Zhishu said in her heart. Let's be together.

The sparrow gave a clear cry and dove into the golden lotus. In an instant, golden light blazed brilliantly. Yun Zhishu felt as though her soul power had become a lit fuse, rising from level fifteen all the way upward—sixteen, seventeen, eighteen... until it finally slowed to a stop before the threshold of level nineteen.

Outside, everyone in the awakening chamber wore different expressions.

Yali gripped Yun Ming's hand tightly, her knuckles white. Yun Ming's gaze was steady, but he could not hide the trace of tension in his eyes. A sharp glint was concealed within Long Yeyue's clouded eyes, while her cane struck the floor with a dull thud. Yuanen stood in the corner, unconsciously holding her breath.

Only Yun Zhiyu's purple eyes showed the faint opening of their vertical pupils. Her spiritual power penetrated the formation's radiance, allowing her to "see" the scene within her sister's spiritual sea—the golden lotus and the sparrow had fused perfectly. Her soul power was solid and harmonious, without the slightest hint of instability.

"It worked," she said softly.

The formation's light gradually faded. Yun Zhishu slowly opened her eyes. The ring of silvery-white patterns in her pupils had become clearer, while a pale golden halo now circled their edges like the reflection of a sparrow's wings. She lowered her head to look at her hands. Above the golden lotus emerging from her palm, the shadow of a tiny sparrow spread its wings as if ready to fly.

"Big Sister!" She jumped up and threw herself into Yun Zhiyu's embrace. "I saw it! It's so pretty! There are so many stars on its wings!"

Yun Zhiyu caught her, sensing the surging yet stable soul power within her sister, and finally relaxed. Level nineteen—four levels higher than the expected fifteen, yet she had not crossed the barrier to level twenty. That meant her second soul skill had not unlocked and could only be used once her soul power broke through level twenty.

"What soul skill did you get?" she asked.

"I got one!" Yun Zhishu said excitedly, gesturing in the air with her little hands. "It's called... Sacred Lotus Evil-Breaking Thrust! The spear tip glows, and when it stabs out, it goes bang and explodes! It's super powerful!"

She paused, her little brows knitting together. "There's another one... but I can't use it yet. Big Sister said I can only use it after level twenty."

"Flowing-Light Spinning Spear," Yun Zhiyu supplied. "No rush. Take it slowly."

Yali walked over and gathered both daughters into her arms, resting her chin atop Yun Zhishu's head. Her voice choked with the lingering fear of a near disaster. "You scared Mommy to death... Soul spirit fusion always carries risks..."

"Mommy, I'm fine!" Yun Zhishu poked her head out of her mother's embrace, then turned toward her father. "Daddy, I'm amazing, right?"

A faint smile curved Yun Ming's lips. He reached out and rubbed her head. "You are. But remember, it isn't the soul spirit that's amazing. It's you."

"I know! Big Sister says that too!"

Long Yeyue watched the scene from the side, a complicated emotion flashing through her clouded eyes. Suddenly, her aged voice cut through everyone's laughter. "Yun Ming, this soul spirit... did not come from the Spirit Pagoda."

The room fell silent for a moment.

Yun Ming and Yali exchanged a glance, each seeing understanding in the other's eyes.

Yun Zhiyu stepped forward and bowed to Long Yeyue. "Elder Long has keen judgment. This soul spirit... was something Zhiyu obtained by chance. Its origins are not convenient to disclose, but please rest assured, Elder Long. It will not harm Zhishu. On the contrary, it will benefit her."

Long Yeyue's gaze settled on her, as though it pierced through flesh and saw directly into her soul. Yun Zhiyu lowered her eyes and stood quietly, allowing that gaze to examine her without shrinking or yielding.

After a long while, Long Yeyue slowly nodded. "This old woman believes you. But remember this: some secrets can be hidden for a time, but not forever. When the day comes that you can no longer hide it, Shrek will stand behind you."

Warmth rose in Yun Zhiyu's heart. She bowed again solemnly. "Thank you, Elder Long."

That night, Yali forcibly tucked Yun Zhishu into bed and forbade her from running around. Yun Zhiyu, meanwhile, went alone to the forging room and took out the system reward, the Primal Sword Embryo and Dragon-Patterned Purple Gold, examining them beneath the moonlight.

The Primal Sword Embryo was a hazy gray ball of light with no fixed form, yet it emanated an ancient and desolate aura. The Dragon-Patterned Purple Gold was a fist-sized piece of metal, its surface covered in delicate dragon-scale patterns and gleaming with dark golden luster in the firelight. When placed together, the two faintly resonated, like old friends separated for countless years.

A growth-type divine sword... She formed a blueprint in her mind.

She would use the Primal Sword Embryo as its bones, Dragon-Patterned Purple Gold as its skin, then fuse in the origin of Yun Zhishu's soul power to forge a companion sword that could evolve along with her cultivation. She had even thought of its name—Violet Firmament. It signified purple energy arriving from the east, protecting one person. It would match her martial soul, share roots with her soul spirit, and accompany her for a lifetime.

As for the Dark Star Divine Punishment Gauntlets, she intended to find a suitable opportunity to give them to Yuanen. That girl never said it aloud, but she was sensitive at heart. Giving them to her without warning would likely make her uneasy for a long time. Yun Zhiyu needed to find a reason so Yuanen could accept them with peace of mind.

"Big Sister?" Yun Zhishu's voice came from the doorway. Wrapped in her blanket, she wriggled in like a silkworm cocoon. "Why aren't you asleep yet?"

"I'm thinking about something." Yun Zhiyu waved her over.

Yun Zhishu shuffled to her side and burrowed into her arms, wrinkling her little nose. "Big Sister smells like metal, and also... like stars."

"What does the smell of stars smell like?"

"It's..." Yun Zhishu tried hard to describe it. "Like when I sleep hugging Big Sister at night. It feels safe, and bright."

Yun Zhiyu laughed and wrapped her sister more tightly. She thought of Yuanen standing in the corner during the day, of the bag of pastries from the Outer Court cafeteria in her hand, and of her hoarse yet sincere voice when she said congratulations.

"Zhishu," she suddenly said, "Big Sister Yuanen is very good to us, isn't she?"

"Yeah!"

"Then we should be even better to her," Yun Zhiyu said softly. "Some people look cold on the outside, but their hearts are very warm. We should return that warmth to them twofold."

Yun Zhishu nodded as though she only half understood. Soon, she fell asleep in her sister's arms. Yun Zhiyu held her and looked at the moonlight outside the window, recalling the sight of the Sacred Light Lotusheart Sparrow merging into the golden lotus, recalling Long Yeyue's words: "When the day comes that you can no longer hide it, Shrek will stand behind you."

She suddenly felt that the seeds she had planted in this world were sprouting one by one. Yun Zhishu's martial soul, Yuanen's gauntlets, Wu Changkong's Ice God's Chain... and those destinies yet untouched, those tragedies yet unchanged.

One step at a time, she murmured in her heart. Steady and sure.

Moonlight spilled down, casting silvery shadows over the forging table. The Star Hammer lay quietly in the corner, the five-pointed star on its head glowing faintly in the darkness. The Primal Sword Embryo and Dragon-Patterned Purple Gold reflected one another beneath the moonlight, like a promise not yet born.

Yun Zhiyu lowered her head and kissed her sister's forehead, softly humming that ancient nursery rhyme.

"Little bugs fly, little bugs fly, who are you missing..."

Her song was light and faint, scattering into the night breeze. Yun Zhishu smacked her lips in her sleep, her little hand clutching her sister's clothes. The shadows of the golden lotus and the sparrow alternately emerged in her palm, casting a faint glow through the darkness of the room.