Chapter 40: Testing Ground Entrance

An old man with graying hair sat behind the registration desk, wearing reading glasses, a yellowed ledger glowing faintly as it flipped through its pages on its own without anyone touching it.

The old man looked at the ledger and spoke:

“There are many appointments today, so I’m afraid there won’t be any live sparring tests, but a space will open up shortly.”

He lifted his head, his murky eyes landing on Lin Xiangyi, then followed his gaze to the petite girl sitting on a bench not far away.

The girl was holding a steamed bun, nibbling at it in small bites, her cheeks puffed out like a hamster hoarding food.

“Is that little girl the one testing?”

The old man raised a finger, pointing toward Shen Ye’s direction.

“Yes, I’m her guarantor.”

Lin Xiangyi nodded.

“Alright.”

The old man picked up a stamp and pressed it onto the contract, the red mark landing squarely over the guarantor name Lin Xiangyi had signed.

“Your space is scheduled. You just need to wait until the people ahead of you finish.”

“But let me give you a word of advice, young man—don’t aim too high too soon.”

He glanced toward Shen Ye and shook his head.

“That girl looks like she just stepped into the path of a Spirit Master. I’ve seen too many young folks like her who want to prove themselves right off the bat.”

“Ahaha, you’re right about that.”

Lin Xiangyi rubbed the back of his head with an awkward smile.

The old man nodded.

“Since you brought her, she’s your responsibility. Go on, go on.”

Lin Xiangyi gave the old man a slight bow, then walked over to Shen Ye.

“How is it? Tasty?”

Shen Ye chewed on her bun, her little face puffing into an adorable curve.

“Mhm mhm, not bad.”

“The testing ground approval came through. We’ll have a space to use in a bit.”

“Mhm mhm.”

“Eat slowly.”

Lin Xiangyi sat down beside Shen Ye, propping his chin on his hand as he watched her.

The girl’s dazzling golden eyes were fixed intently on the food in her hands, her expression full of seriousness, her cuteness making it impossible for him to look away.

This treatment really has helped Xiao Ye’s body recover quite a bit, and I’ve seen her control over spirits firsthand.

But real combat is a different matter entirely.

If she doesn’t meet the standard, I’ll just comfort her and we’ll find another way.

“I’m done eating. Let’s go.”

Shen Ye turned her head, looking at Lin Xiangyi, who had been staring at her the whole time.

“Xiangyi?”

“Oh, right. Let’s go.”

Lin Xiangyi hastily averted his gaze and stood up to leave.

Daydreaming again this early in the morning.

Shen Ye pursed her small lips, tossed the wrapper into the trash can, and followed after Lin Xiangyi.

Testing Ground.

A wide open space, enclosed by spiritual power barriers on all sides.

“This is a combat puppet made by the Association for testing.”

Lin Xiangyi stood beside a dummy, knocking on its chest with his hand.

“When live sparring partners can’t be booked, the Association uses this to test a Spirit Master’s combat level.”

“I picked a suitable one for you. Beat it, and that should prove you’re capable of taking on A-rank missions.”

Shen Ye tilted her head, studying the puppet that stood three heads taller than her.

Just this thing?

Punching a lifeless object, isn’t that easy?

But why make it so big? My neck’s getting sore from looking up.

She knew about this kind of Spirit Seal Creation.

Sealing a living being within an inanimate object, granting it simple combat awareness.

This too was a form of the Spirit Control Art—the Spirit Seal.

Ledgers that record information, pens that write on their own—tools given autonomous function by Spirit Masters are everywhere.

They’re all around, assisting Spirit Masters in daily life and in battle.

Some have even applied this technique to weapons.

Like “enchanting” in games, adding extraordinary effects to blades and swords, turning the tide in combat.

Shen Ye pulled her thoughts back, stepped to the center of the grounds, and faced the combat puppet directly.

The girl flexed her fingers, closing her eyes to feel the Five Elements Spirits drifting through the air.

She was still adjusting to the power returning to her body.

The spiritual power that had been dormant surged freely through her, as if warm spring water soaked into her soul and flesh, making her whole body feel light as air.

Mm, looking at it this way.

Maybe, about a tenth of what I had before?

This is the first time I’m making a move in front of my junior brother as “Xiao Ye.” I need to make it flashy for the kid—see if he still dares to pinch my cheeks or tug my ears after this.

A faint, almost imperceptible smile curled at the corners of the girl’s lips, as if the image of her junior brother looking up at her with admiration was right before her eyes.

Lin Xiangyi watched from outside the barrier, arms crossed.

He recalled the Mind Control Art Shen Ye had used on him during their first treatment session.

He’d thought she was like most Spirit Beings—preferring support, disliking combat.

But judging by her stance, maybe there was more to it.

“Begin.”

He spoke, his voice reaching Shen Ye’s ears.

The girl opened her eyes.

In her golden irises, the puppet at the center of the grounds was reflected.

The next second.

Lin Xiangyi only saw a blur streak across his vision, moving so fast it was as if several frames had been cut from the footage.

A wild gust of wind followed, instantly propelling the girl’s body in front of the combat puppet.

“Boom—!”

A dull thud.

Shen Ye stood before the puppet, her fist buried into its chest cavity.

Lin Xiangyi’s mouth fell open, utterly stunned.

Is that speed possible with just the Wind Element alone?

Couldn’t even see her figure.

That’s ridiculous.

This was one of the few times Lin Xiangyi had seen a Spirit Being fight.

In that moment, he began to understand why the Association kept such tight control over Spirit Beings.

Spirit Beings far exceed most humans in their command over spirits. Even if many aren’t skilled at or don’t enjoy fighting, if a Spirit Being like Xiao Ye harbored ill intentions toward humans…

Lin Xiangyi swallowed hard.

And this is while she’s still injured. If she were fully recovered.

What would that even look like?

Just then, Shen Ye released her hand and crouched down, clutching her fist.

“Ow—! That hurts, hurts, hurts.”

A stifled cry of pain squeezed out from the girl’s lips.

Only then did Lin Xiangyi notice the shallow fist print left on the puppet’s chest.

His gaping mouth finally closed.

“…Looks flashy, but didn’t even break through the defense.”

Shen Ye crouched on the ground, rubbing her right hand, on the verge of tears.

I forgot my body is still fragile right now. Why is this thing’s armor so tough!

Now I’ve made myself look bad in front of my junior brother.

Looks like I need to use my fists less.

She shook her hand, completely unaware that the puppet before her was raising its iron fist to slam down on her.

“Crash—!”

The puppet’s heavy fist struck the ground, kicking up a cloud of dust.

Shen Ye leaped out from the swirling dust, landing steadily several meters away.

She looked back at the fist-shaped crater sunken into the ground, a chill running down her spine.

With this little body of mine, I really can’t take a hit like that.

But just now, when I was charging in.

She furrowed her brow.

Why did I feel like my vision shifted in an instant, as if it wasn’t Wind Element spiritual power accelerating me at all?

The puppet’s fist grazed past again, and Shen Ye sidestepped to dodge.

That arm made of special material swept by less than 2 inches from her face, the fist wind carrying air currents brushing against her cheek in a clear, vivid sensation.

I keep feeling like I could dodge these attacks without even moving.

Like there’s some instinct warning me in advance.

What’s going on with this?