System Guidance, Spirit Beast Habits

I sat on the large rock, hands resting on my knees, breathing steadily. A breeze blew from the depths of the forest, carrying a hint of crispness. The wounds from the recent battle still throbbed; my shoulder burned, and every arm movement felt like being pricked by fine needles. I didn't move, just closed my eyes and focused my attention on my sea of consciousness.

The message from the System was still echoing in my mind. The contents of the incomplete Beginner Spirit Beast Taming Guide weren't extensive, but every piece of information was crucial. As I recalled it, I reached into my sleeve and took out the jade slip, flipping it open to the last page. A few words were already written there: "Fast, intelligent, dislikes surprise attacks." Below it, another line was added: "Cannot be forced."

Now, I needed to add new information.

Dipping my brush tip in water, I wrote "wind-attribute youngling" on the paper. After a pause, I continued, "Sensitive to pressure, prefers pure spiritual energy." Further down, "Strong territorial awareness, non-aggressive, caution can be lowered by long-term displays of goodwill." The last line was the key: "Most perceptive and relaxed just before the morning dew dissipates, ideal for friendly contact."

After finishing, I put down my brush and gently ran my finger over the paper. This information hadn't come easily. If I hadn't answered that question correctly, I might still be thinking about how to subdue it with a stronger spell. But now I knew that such an approach would only make it flee completely.

I looked up towards the edge of the forest. Layer upon layer of tree shadows lay there, and the mist had not yet fully dispersed. It should still be nearby. The spirit crystal I had left earlier remained untouched. The crystal on the rock gleamed faintly, like a forgotten speck of starlight.

But that wasn't important. What mattered was that I now understood what to do.

Not through strength, not through speed, but through time, through consistency, through repeated silent gestures of goodwill. If it was wary, I would maintain distance; if it was sensitive, I would minimize fluctuations; if it preferred tranquility, I would do nothing but sit.

This was the correct way.

I withdrew my gaze and looked down at the jade slip. There wasn't much to prepare next, but it had to be precise. First, some pure spirit food. The morning dew condensed crystal I had used earlier was clean, but the quantity was too small and not conspicuous enough. It would be best to find naturally gathered spirit dew, or to re-condense it into a solid form using the pure energy of heaven and earth drawn in during meditation.

Secondly, I needed to master timing. The guide mentioned "before the morning dew dissipates," indicating that early morning was the most suitable time. Its senses would be strongest then, but it would also be most relaxed. If I could appear during this time, and bring the same thing each time, perhaps I could gradually establish a habitual recognition—this person won't harm me, this person's aura is safe.

I also had to be mindful of my movements. No sudden hand gestures, no condensing spiritual power, not even direct eye contact. The book stated that wind-attribute spirit beasts were extremely sensitive to locked gazes, perceiving it as a precursor to a hunt. I needed to learn to lower my gaze, move slowly, and act as naturally as someone walking through the mountains.

Thinking of this, I gently moved my shoulder. The pain was still there, but it was better than before. This injury was a reminder, a lesson in the cost of impulsiveness. I took out the ruined spirit stone from my embrace and held it in my palm. The cool sensation spread from my fingertips, just like last time.

The difference was, I no longer felt ashamed.

Failure wasn't terrifying; what was terrifying was not knowing why I failed. Now I did. I hadn't lost because my cultivation was insufficient, nor because my spells were weak, but because of my attitude. I had treated the spirit beast as an object to be conquered, not an independent life form.

This mindset had to change.

I carefully put the spirit stone back inside my clothes, then closed the jade slip and tucked it into my embrace. The sky outside had brightened, sunlight filtering through the leaves onto the ground, and the sound of the stream had never stopped. I could hear birdsong in the distance and the chirping of insects nearby; everything was peaceful.

But I couldn't rush.

The true beginning wasn't to charge in and capture it, but to lay down, bit by bit, the path to trust in a place it couldn't see.

I stood up and stretched my body. My limbs were a little stiff from sitting for so long, but I didn't move immediately. Instead, I stood still and slowly circulated the spiritual energy of the Heavenly Cycle within me. This time, I didn't pursue speed, nor did I try to heal my injuries. I simply let the energy flow naturally through my meridians, feeling its rhythm.

The System remained silent in the depths of my sea of consciousness, issuing no prompts. But it had just completed an important information transfer, indicating that it was also adjusting its response method based on my condition. Previously, it only posed challenges at critical moments; now, it provided supplementary information without me actively requesting it. This was progress, and an acknowledgment of my growth.

I took a deep breath, turned, and walked in the direction of the cultivation dwelling.

I didn't need to go far. On a flat open space on the west side of the valley, there was a patch of flat bluestone, with a few stalks of spirit grass growing nearby. This was the small spirit gathering array I had discovered a few days ago. Though weak, it was sufficient for condensing spirit dew. I could meditate there every morning, collect pure energy, and make new spirit crystals.

The plan was in place; the rest was execution.

I walked to the bluestone and sat down cross-legged. My hands rested on my knees, palms facing upwards, and I began to regulate my breathing. The spiritual energy in the air was much denser than in the outer areas; a gentle inhale sent a cool sensation into my lungs. I closed my eyes, no longer thinking about the silver-white spirit beast, nor guessing where it might be at this moment.

I simply waited.

For the first ray of light to pierce the forest tomorrow morning, for the dew not yet to have evaporated, I would appear again in its possible location. Bringing a larger, purer spirit crystal, I would place it quietly where it had last been.

I would not speak, not move, not make any unnecessary gestures.

I would simply be there.

When I opened my eyes for the third time, the sun was already setting in the west. I had sat on the bluestone for an entire day; the spiritual energy flow within me had become much smoother, and the pain in my shoulder had largely subsided. I slowly stood up, brushed the dust off my clothes, and walked back towards the large rock.

Passing the rock where I had placed the spirit crystal, I stopped.

The spirit crystal was gone.

The surface of the rock was clean, not even a single fragment left behind. It looked as if it had been carefully taken, not knocked over or kicked away.

I stared at the rock for a long time.

Then the corners of my mouth turned up slightly.

I knew it had returned.

I also knew it had seen what I left behind.

That was enough.

I turned and continued walking back, my steps lighter than when I arrived. The night breeze brushed past my ears, carrying the rustling of leaves. I entered the cultivation dwelling, took out the jade slip, and flipped to the last page.

Picking up my brush, I wrote a new line: "First contact successful, objective: spirit crystal taken."

I paused here.

Then I wrote the final sentence: "Tomorrow morning, continue deployment."

With the last dot of my brush, I blew on the ink to dry it and put the jade slip away.

The faint moonlight streamed in through the window, falling on the corner of the table. I sat under the lamp, without a candle, and without circulating my energy. I just sat quietly, listening to the wind outside, waiting for tomorrow to arrive.

Tomorrow, I would bring more spirit crystals.