Night fell, and a gray-blue haze draped itself over the forest. Lin Yaochen followed Mozi through the trees with heavy steps, until a small village enclosed by vine-covered walls and wooden fences appeared before them.
As they stepped inside, Yaochen felt that something was off.
There was smoke from cooking fires—but no human voices.
"Are you sure… there are people here?" Yaochen asked quietly.
"Yes." Mozi's nose twitched. "But the scent… is uneasy. Like they're hiding from something."
The village chief was a limping old man. When he saw them, his expression was wary. He leaned on his cane and approached a few steps, staring at Mozi as he cautiously asked,
"A spirit beast…? Why would you appear in a place like this?"
Mozi did not answer, only narrowing his eyes coldly.
The old man's gaze shifted to Yaochen, and a brief flash of shock crossed his face. Why is this boy dressed so strangely? Then he sensed the faint Yao energy on him.
"A Yao seed…? Why would a spirit beast accompany someone like you?"
His tone was filled with doubt.
Yaochen turned to Mozi in confusion. "Is that old man talking about me? What's a 'Yao seed'?"
Mozi replied quietly, "A Yao seed is what this world calls a cultivator whose Yao veins have not yet awakened—someone with very weak Yao energy. It's the lowest rank."
Yaochen: "…So he's saying I'm a noob?"
The village chief's eyes moved between Mozi and Yaochen before settling back on Mozi. His voice was low, heavy with disbelief and caution.
"Spirit beasts only serve Yao Masters, Envoys, Yao Lords, or the Realm Emperor. Why are you following him?"
Yaochen pointed at himself. "Me? You mean me?"
He looked at Mozi. "What are those—Yao Masters, Envoys, Yao Lords?"
Mozi ignored him and spoke calmly to the chief.
"His father is the one I serve. He is a Realm Envoy. This boy ran away from home. I'm here to bring him back."
"I see." The old man relaxed slightly, though his grip on the cane remained tight.
"Please forgive my suspicion. Yao raiders have been rampant in recent years. They steal Yao power and loot villages. I must be cautious for my people."
"We understand," Yaochen nodded.
Mozi added calmly, "You're doing your duty. We won't cause trouble. Just let us stay one night. We'll leave in the morning."
After a long silence, the village chief finally nodded.
"Take them to the storehouse in the southeast corner. Keep an eye on them."
The building was old and rusted, with only straw and scraps of cloth inside.
Yaochen grimaced. "This is way too hardcore…"
He laid down some cloth and straw and was about to rest.
Mozi sat in front of him. "You can rest—but first, you train."
"Now?!" Yaochen glared. "Do spirit beasts have no humanity?"
"You heard the chief. Yao raiders steal power and money."
Mozi glanced at his backpack. "You're a walking treasure chest."
Yaochen hugged it tightly. "Yeah… there's a box of gold beans and—"
Before he could say "Yao Disc," Mozi shoved his tail into his mouth.
"Quiet. Someone's watching us."
"Pff—!" Yaochen spit out fur. "That's disgusting!"
"Sit." Mozi ordered.
"Focus on your lower abdomen. Close your eyes. Don't think about your phone. Don't think about food. Don't think about your bed."
"How did you know I was thinking about my bed?!"
"It's written all over your face."
Grumbling, Yaochen sat down. "Fine. Let's do this, Spirit Beast Teacher."
Mozi began instructing him.
"Feel the Yao Disc in your hands or chest. See if it resonates with your inner Yao…"
The night deepened. The Disc grew warm, pulsing like a faint heartbeat.
After a while, Yaochen opened his eyes. "I… think I felt something flowing."
"You've entered the 'Yao-drawing stage.' You can now begin to guide Yao energy."
"So this really is like leveling up…"
"What exactly is this world?" Yaochen asked.
Mozi replied,
"The Yao Realm was once balanced by the Five Yao. But now it is fractured by raiders, war, and greed."
"The Seeker of Yao must reunite them."
"I just wanted to visit my grandpa… now I have to save the world?"
"This is not our world," Mozi said quietly.
"It is the world you are meant to inherit."
"…So my father left to protect me?"
Mozi nodded.
"And your mother… was a Wood-Yao Walker."
"A… what?"
"She kept your Yao veins alive for eighteen years."
Yaochen whispered, "…I owe her so much…"
"From now on, you must train every day," Mozi said.
"When your Yao veins awaken, we will know which of the Five Yao you truly belong to."