Tang San finally spoke, his voice calm and measured, breaking the quiet in the dining area. "I'm going to take the path of Poison and Plants."
The words landed softly, but their weight carried far beyond the casual tone. Shadows coiled lightly around my hands, and I blinked, a faint sense of surprise flickering through me. Poison… and plants? That's… unexpected.
Tang San didn't elaborate further. His sharp, unreadable eyes scanned the room briefly, then returned to his tray, eating as calmly as ever. There was no hesitation, no doubt — just the quiet certainty of someone who had already thought through his path.
Xiao Wu tilted her head slightly, smirking faintly. "Poison and plants, huh?" she said softly, teasing yet curious. "A subtle but dangerous combination… I like it."
Her white eyes glimmered as her mind drifted inward. I am a soul beast, she thought quietly, a sense of certainty and quiet pride flowing through her. I don't need to rely on a Spirit Hall to validate my strength… I'll break through naturally when the time comes.
Outwardly composed, she glanced at Tang San and me, but the thought lingered, unspoken. Her aura was subtle yet undeniable — a latent power that hinted at her true nature, waiting for the right moment to reveal itself.
I let my gaze shift from Tang San to Xiao Wu, shadows coiling faintly around my hands. A whisper of thought escaped me, barely audible even to myself. Shadows… and darkness. The Devouring Veil responded instantly, pulsing subtly as if alive, stretching around me, sensing, analyzing, waiting.
Tang San's poison-and-plant path was strategic and controlling. Xiao Wu's aura hinted at latent soul beast power. And yet here I was — a shadow among them, instinctive and adaptive. My shadows coiled tighter around my fingers, whispering subtle suggestions. If I align with the darkness, I can observe, react, and flow… not by strength alone, but by controlling the space around me.
We all walked out of the lunchroom, the chatter of students fading behind us as the sunlight touched the academy grounds. The air was crisp, carrying faint scents of herbs and damp earth from the nearby forest.
I adjusted my cloak slightly, shadows coiling lightly around my hands. The forest… it's time to push my Devouring Veil further. If I can break through today, the shadows will guide me to a new level of control. My pace quickened as I headed toward the edge of the trees, anticipation and focus coiling in rhythm with the darkness.
Tang San walked calmly beside me for a short while, his tray already discarded, expression unreadable as always. "I'm going to the master," he said quietly. "I need to confirm which soul ring aligns best with my cultivation path." Even in these simple words, there was an aura of precision and thoughtfulness — nothing rushed, everything deliberate.
Xiao Wu followed a few steps behind, her white eyes scanning the surroundings. No one suspected, but her mind was set on a secret goal. I'll break through today… no one needs to know. She moved with quiet grace, each step measured, every pulse of her inner power restrained yet eager, ready to erupt once the moment came.