Spirit Hall Move (Part 2)

Suotuo City. Aiden is eight and a half years old.

On the day of their planned departure, he withdrew from the arena with an amethyst badge in hand. Cross realm battles and a never-ending winning streak created a legend in Suotuo City, known as Unrivaled Dragon Sword Asura. Even his badge was different, with a carving of a platinum dragon and a sword around which it was sleeping in wait.

He held an employment contract and was disguised as a man in his twenties with Na'er assuming a similar role, just a female one. They were ready to leave Suotuo city by daybreak. As for the reason for being so secretive? It was a friendly hint from Ning Fengzhi who noticed Spirit Hall's unusual activity. They clearly noticed his performance in the arena, as to what they wanted to do… well, that's their normal practice from the novel.

Either you are with them, or in the soil feeding worms.

"It will be fun." – somehow Na'er grew very adventurous with these several months, almost impatient to travel around. Aiden liked that change of hers. She was brimming with life and smiling more.

Surprisingly, she was never the one to push hard, giving him just subtle ideas and letting him choose. It was a comfortable and healthy interaction on their part. Even accepting employment through the mercenary guild was her idea.

"Now you care about three things in this life." – Aiden laughed. – "Chicken legs, chicken wings, and adventures!"

"But of course!" – she pulled up her nose in cute defiance and smirked charmingly, making Aiden lose it for a second.

Seeing his silly look, Na'er felt very satisfied with herself and pounced on his arm, acting like a navigator to the ship, showing him where to go, while speaking about miscellaneous things she discovered during her investigations. She was like a sponge, taking in any available information.

Aiden only listened quietly, seeing her smile like that, while being so outgoing. He encouraged her to experience more.

"Shh, we are here." – Aiden patted her head, and they entered an unkempt bar full of people. They were mercenaries, about twenty in total and all are spirit masters with the strongest being spirit king, but only in 51 rank and without proper ring arrangement fifth still being purple and first white.

Bell on the front door jingled again, sending others into another wave of looking. There came a bald, unassuming man with three subordinates. He nodded in greeting and made his way to some empty seats, taking them without unnecessary fuss.

"Ok. That is all of us now." – Spirit King clapped his hands. – "My name is Ba Dao, and this is my little brother Ba Ming. Just call us whatever you like. We were designated to be two spoke person for the employer, but you all are already employed, don't misunderstand. Now, our eventual destination is Sky Water Academy."

Some noise rose like a wave and died down with several coughs from the stage. Why are they so excited? Aiden felt puzzled, not quite remembering anything spectacular about the place.

= Master, my analysis shows a spike in hormones, responsible for reproduction among males. With the knowledge I have about this world, it's easy to figure out, really. We are going to an all-girls academy, furthermore, only beautiful ones are accepted there.

'That's some polite way to say they are in heat.' – Aiden laughed slightly, gaining suspicious look on himself from one very attentive lady by his side.

"We need not go all the way. We will stop in Nuoding City to find someone."

"Oh!" – Na'er nodded, still trying to find something on his face, which Aiden just laughed off.

All in all, it was a normal escort mission.

In an hour caravan already left Suotuo City and warily stretched its snake-like structure on a landscape, making its way to the east.

* * *

At the same time. Suotuo city. On top of the city walls.

"Have you paid them well?" – a very young lady was standing on a city wall sending away the caravan with her deep gaze. Her charming phoenix eyes and dispassionate face, that exuded dignity, didn't show any emotion instead of deadly determination to reach her goal no matter the costs.

Seems like this lady had such an ironclad belief, that nothing can shake it, but with that, she was very aversive to anything or anyone who dares to contradict her.

"Yes, saintess." – a man bowed.

"Don't indulge in meaningless slaughter, kill only if it is necessary." – she said lightly. – "Prepare people, we will move tomorrow."

'You will be mine or die. No one can refuse me.'

The girl looked like only thirteen years old, but in reality, barely reached the tender age of nine. She never saw the outside world before and only now was preparing to step into it to fulfill a grandiose plan. Still, she felt hesitant for some reason.

"Why do I feel unsettled after watching this fight, what is influencing me? I need to know." – she whispered to herself, looking at the horizon with rare perplexity. No one would have thought some unknown circumstance will create a little ripple in the determined heart of steel and blood.

A ripple that will then enlarge into an enormous crack and eventually shatter everything, reviling her true self. She went down the stairs, not minding frigid wind billowing her white clothes. Still deep in thought, she started to doubt whether they are really people of higher birth than others.

Is that so? Then why she saw no one like him at her home? Why is he so unique?

At least she understood well that she can't withstand his strikes even while trying her best. If she isn't strong like others of her age than what is it all about higher beings when facts told otherwise? She was very young and her mind remained flexible and eager to improve and learn.

Maybe her tender age was the reason or that fight a week ago, but she just couldn't throw him out of her mind.

No, that's wrong.

Not him precisely, but the feeling his fight gave her.

* * *

Several days later. With the caravan.

It was just a regular supply caravan. No disguised escort party of some royal sexy bombshell, no hidden contraband stuff, no extremely pricey stash in the hand of super grandpa… no, just a shipment of preserved food, silk, and some spices.

They moved with leisure speed and each evening stopped for an enjoyable barbecue meal in the open.

Na'er in just a mere two days became a pearl of the mercenary group, but none of them dared to approach her at all. That was when she challenged them for a fight without using spirit energy. Well, guys went wild with bets and even tried to get her dance.

Oh, she danced… on their heads.

Trying to fight against a two hundred thousand year old spirit beast with cultivation in Great Way of a Titan reaching nine black marks was a real overkill for your everyday honest hired man. She had a lot of fun that day and after all said and done, they all called Na'er "big sis" with reverence and didn't dare to joke any more.

And when they saw how she behaved like a meek kitten in front of Aiden, he became "big boss".

Outstanding elevation in status, although pointless.

= Master, I have something to report.

'Go ahead.' – he was still standing by the cart watching how the camp was set with a calm look, but inside all tensed up. For all these days of travel, he had an unsettling feeling of approaching doom.

= We are being surrounded as we speak. My scan shows it is a tide of spirit beasts, however, there are people mixed in, about a dozen, all spirit ancestors. Half have strange spirit markings, my conjecture they are from Beast Taming Sect, another a distinctive holy or light attribute aura.

'Spirit Hall?'

= Most likely.

Aiden snorted, but his eyes turned cautious. He is neither rash nor stupid to underestimate such an enemy. They even brought a whole tide of cannon fodder to bare the vanguard of the attack. But they made a serious mistake. Sending beasts to fight Na'er? They brought with themselves and the army, but it will serve against.

"They are here for me and Na'er. Could it be they realized her lineage?" – he made his way to the cart where Na'er was sleeping.

= Can be like that.

Aiden heart sunk.

"Na'er, wake up and prepare for battle." – escaping is useless, there are spirit beasts and that clearly to cover the tracks. They plan on killing everyone, but it will take at least twenty minutes to get all their forces here unnoticed. – "They tamed a horde of spirit beasts. Can you do something about it?"

She immediately sprung up on the bed and listened to the air, then with puzzlement looked at Aiden. Still, seeing his serious look was enough to know it's not a joke.

"Cover the entrance." – Aiden did such and entered.

Na'er took a deep breath and released her red ring, but Aiden felt nothing at all. However, back in the forest beast tide became restless and disorderly. They broke out of control, attacking their tamers.

Just as havoc ensured to appear among enemy lines something unexpected happened. In a matter of seconds, hundreds of spirit beasts seize to exist, as if receiving some command. The commotion arched closer to the camp and Na'er noticed what happened. Her senses were always sharp.

She frowned and then her eyes widened in rage as thick menacing killing intent raged under her long eyelashes.