Primal Forest Village (Part 2)

"You see, I have a theory that I want to prove with your daughter here. It is about awakening. In short, I believe that masters who have zero innate spirit power, in return possess the strongest martial spirit. As you know we make all awakening ceremonies during five to six years of age." – he explained in simple words giving an analogy about childbirth and fetus development. From the start, the woman was still anxious, but after some time she finds what a young man told her very logical and although new, but it just sounded too reasonable to brush it off just like that. – "So, the crux of the matter here is that I already helped your daughter to grow the spirit during the awakening ceremony. She needs to train from now on properly, but with her record of zero innate spirit power no academy will take her in, that's why I want to teach her myself."

All villagers no longer looked at Aiden with hostility, more so they seemed to be thoughtful and interested. Matters of spirit masters were like a fairytale from the land of immortals to them and although they understand little, explanation of the youth was very simple and entertaining.

"Ai, Lin Qingyue, don't be stubborn here. This youngster is very talented, I never heard of someone reaching level 39 at his age. He is barely fifteen, right?"

"You can say that." - Aiden didn't know how to explain, but he realized that if he told them he is just two years older than the girl, it would be a bomb he won't be stupid enough to drop.

"Right, right, I heard that spirit masters age way faster before they reach twenty two-to-three years old in appearance. So, it's your case, because of cultivation?" – the village chief was more knowledgeable than others.

"Yes." – Aiden nodded helplessly. – "So, going back to the question. Lady, are you okay with me being her teacher?"

"I say, Lin Qingyue, don't think more, just agree!"

"Big Brother… will you really teach me how to protect my mom and be as strong as my dad?" – a crisp voice entered the scene that belonged to the girl in question.

"Of course, would I lie?" – Aiden sighed helplessly. – "I might not be an old grandpa with silver hair, but that doesn't mean I don't have sufficient knowledge to guide you."

"I agree!" – she didn't even bother to listen for more.

"Sena!"

"I agree!" – she stubbornly declared and tugged at her mother with a pleading look. - "Mom, I prepared for that for a long time. I want to be a spirit master like father and protect you."

"Young man, tell me honestly, can you take care of her properly?" – Aiden nodded. She stared at him for a while. Actually, in this world, it was normal to let youngsters at her daughter's age go out to experience the world. If it was in Aiden's previous world, such talk won't even happen.

But even here the prerequisite was to train under the guidance of an adult with proper protection measures. And here the most crucial thing about is his actual power!

Lin Qingyue was already prepared long ago that her precious child might go for the academy and leave her side for years. Plus, it was normal to study under someone too. It was only a question of age that bothered her, but seeing the seriousness of the young man made her reevaluate him. It was said not to judge spirit master by looks and now she saw whoever said that was right in the mark.

"I will give you my permission, but I want to see my daughter unharmed soon enough or at least hear news about her from time to time, can you do that?"

"I can." – Aiden nodded. It wasn't that difficult of a request with the thing he planned to do. That baby girl was just the first of the batch.

"Go then." – she decisively nodded her head and rubbed her daughter's hair. – "Don't act spoilt and if something happens you can always come back to mommy here, understand?"

"Mhm." – the petty girl agreed readily and hesitated in the last moment.

"Go, go… don't waste the master's time."

Aiden then walked up to the woman closely and with a quick, subtle motion that no one saw placed a purse with gold coins in her basket. That will be enough for some time.

= Master, where are we going now?

When they left the village, Sena kept to herself and was unusually quiet. Well, maybe she normally behaves with strangers like that. Still, her willingness to leave with Aiden very much baffled the latter, but he knew better than trying to figure out a kid of six years old through questioning and interrogation.

During the day she only opened herself more when Aiden used spirit cooking and made her on cloud nine with food he prepared. It turned out she was a real foodie! She forgot everything around and laughed like a girl with no worries in the world while devouring snacks and dishes.

Naturally, tea was the chief thing he wanted her to have. After all, cleansing of the body from a young age will do wonders for further development and talent.

Well, another food fanatic on his head. Na'er is like that too, with her obsession over chicken wings and legs. Thinking of that beautiful girl lighten his mood, but he couldn't help worry about her wellbeing. When he took care of pressing matters, he will go to her without delay.

What Nexus asked during their dinner was a crucial thing, because Aiden had a plan of where he wanted to go after leaving Sena in capable hands. But this place is very dangerous.

'That old man in the original story seemed like a psychopath. Perhaps most of the renowned characters of his level are like that. Climbing from mountains of corpses and all. If I only have another clue at the spirit evolution or if it wasn't such a pressing issue, no way in hell my foot would have come near that man!'

= You want to see Dugu Bo?

'Smart ass you are, Nexus. Him and that amazing garden of his, yes. I actually prefer the garden without the man, but the world won't be that convenient for me, right?'

= It is not dangerous at all. Among all powerhouses of this world, the one using poisons like Dugu Bo is the most harmless to you, master.

'Especially when I can easily heal him and also grant him a special training method for poison body constitution. With this in mind, I don't think he will harm me and even if we remember what he has done with Tang San – it was merely a test by poison.'

'But I know only an approximate location of his place, we need to make him come to me on his own. And the starting point will be Dugu Yan. Nexus, I want to ask you. Do you have any way to locate a person for me?'

= There is a way, but it is kind of dangerous.

Sena got sleepy and nodded while trying to keep her eyes open while sitting by the fire. Aiden realized that she is just a normal girl for now and can't keep up with his tempo of walking. He got used to Na'er, who never felt tired from physical activity and accidentally put this fragile girl through the hardship of long-distance travel.

"Are you tired?" – the sky was already dark, so it was time to make a night camp, anyway.

"Mhm… I am sleepy, big brother… don't worry…" - she tried to say something else but eventually fell over to his lap.

"Good night, Sena."

= Na'er will be pissed.

'Not like she will know, right, Nexus? And it is not like it means anything for me. I mean really she is just six for goodness sake!'

= Of course, master, of course. So, about the way to locate a person. I can perform a scan, but to do that I will need to borrow your spiritual sense and severely overload it. It will be a fraction of a second, but still something that can cause some severe damage to your soul. I can't recommend using this method.

'We won't use it for now. If I remember correctly Dugu Yan is older than me by several years and was part of Emperor Team of Heavenly Dou Imperial Academy. Let's first ask Seven Treasure Glazed Pagoda Clan if they have any deal. After all, they left me a letter, and I bet it was an anxious wait for my reply.'

He took out ink and paper, writing several sentences. Sending it would have to wait until the next settlement. After that Aiden sat on the ground and placed zither in front of him, starting his practice. Still, after several months of hard work and constant help from Nexus, his skill was already on a high level and songs he chose were mostly a cover for modern melodies.