"That's amazing! In that case, I agree to this merger! But wait... if you merge, will one of you disappear?" Arthur asked suspiciously.
"Of course not! We're just combining our abilities to become more flexible, without the shortcomings we had before!" replied "System" calmly.
"Then I have no more questions! I give permission for you to merge your abilities!" Arthur exclaimed enthusiastically.
"Great! Then we'll begin now! But we won't be able to communicate until the merger is complete. It will likely take about two days!" said "System" and "Master Dwarf" simultaneously, their voices harmonizing.
After the conversation, Arthur exited the system space and realized something shocking—time inside was slower! What felt like an hour-long conversation had only been 30 minutes in the real world? That meant they weren't even halfway to the city yet!
Finally, Arthur decided to practice "White Aura Hunt." He felt he was close to reaching Level 7 within a week after his Spirit Awakening. "I'm growing more curious about my own Spirit... What hidden power do I truly possess?" Arthur murmured to himself.
---
"Art, wake up! We've arrived in the city!" Uncle Jack shouted while shaking Arthur's body.
"So we're finally here!" said Arthur, who hadn't actually been asleep.
After routine inspections at the city gate, their carriage was finally allowed into Nouding City, a small town in the Heaven Dou Empire. Though modest in size, the city was renowned for its high-quality academy, attracting wealthy families to enroll their children here! The streets buzzed with lively trade and bustling activity.
"Jack, don't be too stiff when bargaining for our harvest! Do it like we taught you, and don't get nervous like it's your first time, hahaha!" teased one of their companions with a loud laugh.
"Oh, come on! Stop bringing up the past!" protested the carriage assistant irritably.
"Alright, I'll do my best!" replied Uncle Jack, trying to stay confident.
"Uncle... can I go look around while you handle the trade business?" Arthur pleaded with hopeful eyes.
"Hah?! No way! What if you get lost?" Uncle Jack said firmly.
"Relax, Jack! I'll take him around. Let him experience the lively city atmosphere!" said their companion with a broad smile.
"Sigh... Fine. But Arthur, listen to me—don't wander off! Understood?" Uncle Jack finally gave in.
"Yes, Uncle!" Arthur answered excitedly.
---
When they reached the marketplace, Arthur had to wait briefly since his guide was still helping Uncle Jack inside the storage building.
Suddenly, his attention was drawn to a group of children bullying a ragged-looking girl.
"Hah... a classic scene. But maybe this is fate?" Arthur muttered as he approached them.
"Hey! Stop bothering her!" Arthur shouted loudly, making the bullies turn toward him.
"You wanna interfere?! Do you even know who we are?! We're academy students, future Spirit Masters! Me, their leader, I have innate energy at Level 4! I'll—"
BAM!
Before the arrogant brat could finish, Arthur's overwhelming aura sent them all fleeing in terror, uttering the equally classic line—
"I'll get you back for this!" the leader yelled while running away with his three followers.
"Hey, are you okay?" Arthur asked, extending his hand.
"Thank you... for saving me..." the girl replied with a bow, her voice trembling.
For some reason, Arthur felt a strong urge to ask her name. But he held back and instead led her to the carriage. "Come on, let's treat your wounds first!"
Under the darkening sky, they walked toward the carriage, the noisy market growing even louder around them.
Under the gray clouds hanging low, the wind whispered softly through Arthur and Jing Liu's hair. The bustling sounds of the market—shouting vendors, clattering hooves, bursts of laughter—grew louder as they reached the old brown-painted horse-drawn carriage. The scent of hay and tree bark filled the air.
"Quick, get in!" Arthur opened the carriage door with a creaking handle. "Your wounds need treating before they get infected!" His hands—still smeared with dirt from his earlier fall—trembled slightly.
Jing Liu frowned, his eyes scanning the cramped interior: scattered sacks of grain, a nearly empty oil lamp, and a dusty, worn-out blanket. "I... don't want to be a bother..." he murmured, his voice hoarse like a bird with a broken wing.
"Enough, don't be stubborn!" Arthur gently pulled him inside. "Look, your hand's bleeding!"
As Jing Liu settled onto the wooden bench with a groan, Arthur quickly pulled out a clean cloth and summoned his innate "Wuhun spirit" ability. "This might sting!" he warned, channeling his spiritual energy.
"Hss—!" Jing Liu bit his lower lip until it turned pale. But not a single complaint escaped him.
"Do you... get hurt like this often?" Arthur stared at the scattered scars on the boy's small arms, his chest tightening.
Jing Liu simply nodded, his fingers clutching the frayed edges of his tattered robe. "It's fine. I'm used to it."
"You shouldn't have to be used to this!" Arthur growled. The whistling wind slipped through the door cracks, carrying the smoky aroma of roasted meat from afar. Jing Liu's stomach growled loudly!
"Liu... my name is Jing Liu," he blurted out, as if desperate to distract from his hunger.
Arthur smiled. "That's a nice name! Like a winter plum blossom. I'm Arthur—"
"ARTHUR! WHERE ARE YOU?!" Uncle Jack's booming voice echoed from outside, followed by heavy footsteps and raucous laughter.
The carriage door slammed open. "Kid, you won't believe—!" Uncle Jack froze upon seeing Jing Liu. "Who's... this?"
"He's... my new friend," Arthur quickly stood, blocking Uncle Jack's view of Jing Liu's injuries.
"Ha! So while we were sweating over negotiations, you went and adopted a street kid?" One of Uncle Jack's companions—a bearded man named Boris, speaking in a teasing tone—let out a mocking chuckle.
"Quiet, Boris!" Uncle Jack shoved him back. His usually cheerful eyes now brimmed with questions. "Explain!"
After Arthur's account, Uncle Jack exhaled deeply. The smell of earth and sweat clung to his clothes as he placed a hand on Jing Liu's shoulder. "Kid, do you have family?"
Jing Liu shook his head, his gaze fixed on the scratched wooden floor.
"Well then..." Uncle Jack grinned broadly, his yellowish teeth gleaming. "Welcome to our family!"
"UN—CLE!" Arthur choked. Because of his statement—
"No buts, I've decided!" Uncle Jack ruffled Arthur's hair. "Look at you! Five years of nothing but training and books. You need a friend! And he..." He pointed at the bewildered Jing Liu, "needs a warm bed and some roasted meat!"
"Alright!" Uncle Jack clapped his hands. "Before heading home, let's get him some new clothes! Seems your uncle's got a talent for haggling—got the market price up by 50%!"
"Yeah, your uncle's got skills, unlike someone, hahaha—" said Uncle Boris.
"Hey, don't start again!" retorted Uncle Asis, the carriage driver.
After eating and buying supplies for Jing Liu, the carriage finally rattled to life as they set off for "Saint Village". Jing Liu could feel it—this wasn't a trick, this was warmth from the heart! The melodious chirping of birds seemed to accompany them. Outside, the sunset blazed like fire, painting the road in hues of orange and purple.
And for the first time, Arthur felt... home wasn't just a place anymore, but someone now sitting beside him!
TO BE CONTINUED.....