"Would you like to join the spirit hall?"
Wu Yu stopped. He turned around and looked at the spirit master and asked, "spirit hall? What benefits do I get if I join?"
The spirit master was stuck, what benefits can he promise that could entice Wu Yu? He wasn't a very powerful person within spirit hall and had no authority or say in this matter. If he made a promise right now and couldn't keep it then the consequences would be really harsh and unforgiving. Thinking deeply about the matter he decided to speak about the befits he got, after all, Wu Yu was more talented than him so he would definitely get better treatment.
"I can't really speak for all of spirit hall but I can guarantee that you will get the best benefits from my experience. Probably a monthly stipend of 10,000 gold coins or more judging by your talent, plus spirit hall will help you when getting your rings."
All the kids gasped with their mouths wide open at the amount of money Wu Yu could gain just from joining, many looked at him enviously while others knew their place and kept their heads down. Wu Yu nodded and put his hand to his chin in a thinking posture as he thought through his options carefully so he wouldn't regret anything in the future.
"If I join the spirit hall, will there be any restrictions?" Wu Yu was sure to ask any and all questions he had before deciding.
"Well... you'll be tied to spirit hall... also you'll have to defend it when needed... lastly you must never question or go against orders..." Even the spirit master sounded uncomfortable saying the last restriction as it was a turn off for most talents to shun away from spirit hall.
Wu Yu frowned, he didn't like that last part, not one bit, he already had enough of taking orders from higher ups with no questions in his alternate life. He looked at the spirit master for a brief moment then bowed while clasping his hands, "I'm sorry, I will have to refuse your kind offer."
The spirit master sighed as he somewhat expected Wu Yu's decision after the restrictions he had listed. Watching Wu Yu walk away, the spirit master just shook his head and was ready to head off towards the next village, holy spirit village where he would meet another future monster.
After Wu Yu and the spirit master left, all the kids awoke from their daze and started heading out towards their parents. Zhuan Jian was still standing still with clenched fists while gritting his teeth, at times a hint of blood thirst would flash in his eyes. He turned and glared at where Wu Yu left and quietly left on his own with his head down.
When Wu Yu got back to his broken down home he looked around with a nostalgia as he recalled all the hardships he's faced. Sitting down on the makeshift bed made of straw, Wu Yu took out a few pieces of bread he hid and ate it all in one go, knowing he had no reason to save food anymore. After he finished his small meal, he laid down on the straw and started thinking about everything that happened today.
Lifting his hands up in front of him, he willed for his spirits to appear, that's right not spirit but spirits. In his left hand a miniature version of the Qilin appeared and in the other, a katana appeared. During the awakening ceremony he felt the katana trying to make it's appearance but he managed to keep it suppressed.
Looking at the katana now, he was stunned, the reason? He was familiar to it, in fact it was a weapon he had used before, Shugo Tenshi, his zanpakuto, partner and friend. His eyes misted a bit as he caressed the katana in his hands, he thought he would never see her again. He tried to communicate with her but he couldn't seem to connect to her at all which stressed him out a great deal.
'Hah, maybe I'm too weak right now, I'll try again when I get stronger.' The conclusion he came to was that he was too weak so he put the katana to the back of his mind for now. Dispersing his zanpakuto, he looked at the miniature figure of the the Qilin in his left hand and thought, 'this one must be from the me of this world, I think...'
Getting a good feel for his spirits he put them away and shut his eyes, drifting off into a deep slumber. Outside his home a lone figure saw everything Wu Yu did when he got home and was surprised to see that he had twin spirits but it didn't last very long. He stayed and watched over Wu Yu playing with his spirits until Wu Yu fell asleep before he vanished into thin air.
...
"Father its true, that Wu Yu had gotten a Qilin spirit and also has full Inate spirit power."
"What? Qilin spirit? you must be joking, Inate full spirit power? Do I look that gullible to you?"
"The spirit hall wanted him to join them?"
In blue garden village news of Wu Yu's talent spread like fire and reached every household in the village. The village chief was one of the first to hear about it from the spirit master himself and was in disbelief and terror. The boy he had paid no mind to, the boy he helped his son bully was now no longer just a boy but a qilin amongst men.
To think that he, a mere village chief was helping in provoking such a figure caused him to sweat bullets. Thinking about the concequences of his actions the village chief started to plan out possible outcomes and where most would lead. The only option he could think about, that would give a chance for him and his family would be to apologise and beg for mercy.
"Father, I wish to speak to you, in private."
While trying to figure out a way to curb the situation, the source of all the trouble, Zhuan Jian walked into his office requesting to speak privately. The village chief looked at his son with a mix of emotions, some part of him wanted to strange his son, another part knew it wasn't entirely his fault. Looking at his son the village chief sighed then granted his request to privately speak.
The village chief said in a depressed mood, "Say what you have to say."
Nodding his head, Zhuan Jian spoke up, "Father, I think I may have a way to solve this problem."
The village chief furrowed his brows then gestured, "go on."
Getting his father's approval, Zhuan Jain continued, "Father, I think we should eliminate Wu Yu as soon as possible."
Very quickly, before his father could say anything, Zhuan Jian quickly spoke out again, "before you say anything hear out my reasoning first, I know the plan sounds foolish but think about it. Before, if Wu Yu had accepted spirit halls invitation, I never would've proposed this idea, but he didn't accept."
The village chief looked at his son in shock, of course! why didn't he think about this before? The more he thought about his son's words, the more he could see the plan succeeding. He thought of how foolish Wu Yu was in refusing spirit halls invitation and how dumb he was for not realizing this aspect of things.
"Hahaha, good, good little Jian, how come I didn't think of this before?" The village chief praised his son while patting his back.
Being praised by his father raised Zhuan Jians ego caused him to smile widely in the face of his father but quickly turned vicious when he turned away. Leaving his father to plan out the murder, Zhuan Jian thought inwardly, 'Wu Yu, you should've never rejected spirit hall, now you've given me an opening, let's see how you'll survive this!'
...
The next day, Wu Yu awoke feeling vigorous and ready to move out of the village, where to? Spirit academy of course. Anyone, as long as they have spirit power will be allowed to enroll into the academy, even if they have no money, they are still allowed to enroll as working students.
He really had nothing to pack so he was ready to move out for spirit academy at any time he wanted. Stepping out of his little house, he headed towards the back of the house and saw two gravestones next to each other. Taking his time, he kneeled in front of the two graves and bowed down to pay his respects to his parents.
"Mom... dad... I got my spirits awakened yesterday... a qilin and a sword, a katana to be exact... I also turned out to be very talented with Inate full spirit power... spirit hall invited me to join them... I didn't accept because I want to live for myself... lastly... I'm heading off for spirit academy today... I'm here to say goodbye but don't worry I'll visit at least once every year."
Saying everything he wanted to say, Wu Yu gave one last bow then got up and left towards the village. Walking into the village, this time everyone that saw him walk by lowered their head but Wu Yu ignored them and continued onwards towards the largest house. He was here to see the village chief to get his spirit academy acceptence letter as only the chief can receive them.
Knocking on the chiefs door, Wu Yu patiently waited for someone to open the door and sure enough the door opened shortly after. A middle aged woman opened the door and was a little startled when she saw Wu Yu but quickly composed herself and welcomed him warmly as per orders of the chief.
Wu Yu rejected the woman's invitation to enter the house and simply stated, "I'm here to see the village chief, he has my spirit academy acceptence letter."
Hearing the bluntness of Wu Yu's words, the woman felt a little akward but immediatly went in to get the village chief. Shortly after the woman left, a short statured, plump middle aged man ran up to the door as he wiped his sweat off his forehead. He looked at Wu Yu for a short second then smiled widely, "well, well, who do we have here, isn't it our little friend Wu Yu?"
The tone of the man made Wu Yu frown but he didn't want to waste his time with someone who he would never associate himself with again. Wu Yu remained blunt and demanded, "I'm here for my letter!"
The village chief didn't mind his bluntness and beat around the bush, "Ah, right, right, the letter, I have it right here but before you leave why don't you come in?"
"No need, just give me the letter and I'll leave!" Wu Yu was now getting annoyed but still kept up his calm demeanor.
"Haha, why so serious, well alright, here you go, ah right why don't you leave with little Jian? He's also leaving today." The village chief conceded to Wu Yu's demand and gave him the letter.
Taking the letter from the chiefs hand, Wu Yu left without any hesitation, "I'll be fine on my own!"
Watching Wu Yu walk off, the village chief turned back into the house and gazed at the four people, "remember, once there is no one around, eliminate him also get rid of all traces! little Jian try to get him to lower his guard, I don't want this to fail!" All four left with Zhuan Jian running after Wu Yu trying to catch up as fast as he could.
Wu Yu walked through the village at a moderate pace and bought a few foodstuffs along the way. After solving his food problem temporarily, Wu Yu left through the village enterance and finally started on his way towards Notan spirit academy. Along the way Wu Yu had noticed a few flies tailing him and they didn't do a very good job of it at all, worst of all he knew one of the flies personally.
Stopping, Wu Yu turned around, "Zhuan Jian, do you have a reason for following me?" The four people behind him also stopped and Zhuan Jian stepped out, "oh? Wu Yu, why are you so sure we're following you? you weren't the only one to get accepted into the academy you know?"
Wu Yu knew something was wrong when he saw the provocative look on Zhuan Jians face, and got defensive, "Then why do you choose to leave today, the same day as me when you can spend more time with your family?"
Zhuan Jian just laughed, "Hahaha, why can't I leave today? maybe I'm just too excited to get to the spirit academy."
The way Zhuan Jian played with his words further confirmed Wu Yu's suspicions and he inquired, " did your father set this up?"
Zhuan Jian put up an amused face and asked back, "hah, do you think I need my father to take care of you?"
Wu Yu figured everything out and looked behind Zhuan Jian. He saw three burly men standing there with their arms crossed, patiently waiting for something. Looking back at Zhuan Jian, Wu Yu smirked and asked, "So who hired those men then? Don't tell me you have enough money to do so?"
Zhuan Jian looked at the three men then back at Wu Yu with anger, "Wu yu! today you die!"