Song Qing moved through the shadows of the Zhu family's forest with practiced ease, his senses constantly probing the surroundings.
His goal was singular: to find Zhu Zhuqing. He knew the general age of the girl and the approximate time of her Martial Soul Awakening, which should have occurred just a few weeks prior, granting her the impressive Innate Soul Power of Level 7, a testament to the power of her Hell Spirit Cat.
He wasn't here to interfere with her destiny in a major way, not yet at least. His current objective was simply to plant a seed, a connection that he could potentially leverage in the future.
The sheer range of his Primordial Life Tree Spirit's sensing ability was proving to be incredibly useful. It was akin to having an invisible network of roots spreading throughout the forest, relaying information about every living being within its reach.
While the Zhu family's estate was vast and well-guarded, the forest offered a degree of natural cover and numerous blind spots for their patrols.
It took him a little over two days of careful searching, patiently observing the patterns of the estate and the movements of its inhabitants, before he finally sensed the distinct energy signature of a young girl training alone deeper within the woods.
This was his opportunity. Zhu Zhuqing had ventured far enough from the central areas of the estate that she was unlikely to be disturbed by family members or guards anytime soon.
Song Qing moved swiftly and silently, utilizing his Abyssal Shadow Dash to cover ground quickly while remaining concealed within the shadows of the trees. As he approached the location he had sensed, he could indeed see a small figure diligently practicing basic agility exercises, her movements already displaying a natural grace and speed that hinted at her powerful Martial Soul.
He observed her for a few moments, taking in her focused expression and the determination in her young eyes. He needed a believable excuse to approach her, something that wouldn't immediately raise suspicion or alarm.
After a brief moment of contemplation, he decided to feign being lost. He stepped out from the shadows, making sure to appear non-threatening and slightly disoriented. "Excuse me," he called out in a soft voice, "are you perhaps familiar with this forest? I seem to have gotten a bit turned around."
Zhu Zhuqing, startled by the sudden appearance of another child, whirled around, her posture immediately becoming defensive.
Her eyes, already displaying a sharp intelligence beyond her years, narrowed slightly as she took in his appearance. He looked to be around her age, perhaps a bit taller, with an air of quiet confidence that seemed unusual for someone who claimed to be lost.
"Who are you?" she asked, her voice carrying a hint of suspicion. "And what are you doing in the Zhu family's private forest?"
Song Qing offered a polite and slightly sheepish smile. "My name is Song Qing. I didn't realize this was private property. I was exploring the forest and must have wandered in by mistake. I apologize for the intrusion." He made sure to maintain eye contact, projecting an aura of sincerity. "I'm actually trying to find my way back to the main road." He paused for a moment, then added, "You seem to be training. Are you a Spirit Master?"
Zhu Zhuqing's initial suspicion seemed to lessen slightly at his explanation. She glanced around, perhaps considering whether to call for guards, but then seemed to decide against it. "Yes, I am," she replied, her tone still cautious. "I just awakened my Martial Soul a few weeks ago." She puffed out her chest slightly, a hint of pride in her voice. "It's the Hell Spirit Cat." She even subtly manifested her Martial Soul, a sleek, shadowy cat appearing briefly behind her.
Song Qing feigned surprise and admiration. "The Hell Spirit Cat? That's a powerful agility-type spirit, isn't it? I've heard stories about its incredible speed." He then added casually, "I've been practicing my own agility as well. Perhaps… perhaps I could offer a suggestion or two? I've been working on some techniques that might help you become even faster." He knew this was his opening, a way to connect with her through their shared pursuit of strength.
Zhu Zhuqing looked at him with a mixture of curiosity and skepticism. "You? You're just a kid. What could you possibly teach me that my older sister and my parents haven't already?" She crossed her arms, her expression challenging.
Song Qing chuckled softly. "Well, perhaps my approach is a little different. I've been focusing on using bursts of speed and utilizing shadows to enhance my movements." He then demonstrated a basic form of his Abyssal Shadow Dash, disappearing and reappearing a short distance away in a blink. "Something like that. It allows for quick bursts of acceleration and sudden changes in direction."
Zhu Zhuqing's eyes widened in surprise. She had indeed sensed a flicker of dark energy and a sudden shift in his position, but she hadn't been able to track his movement clearly. "That was fast," she admitted, her skepticism beginning to waver. "How did you do that?"
"It's a technique I've been practicing," Song Qing replied modestly. "It involves channeling soul power in a specific way to momentarily become one with the shadows. It takes a lot of practice to master, but even the basics can significantly improve your speed and agility." He then offered, "If you'd like, I could show you some of the drills I've been working on. They might be helpful for the Hell Spirit Cat's natural abilities."
Intrigued, Zhu Zhuqing hesitated for a moment before nodding slowly. "Alright," she said, a hint of excitement now in her voice. "Show me what you've got."
For the next few hours, Song Qing guided Zhu Zhuqing through a series of agility drills, focusing on footwork, reaction time, and utilizing short bursts of speed.
He explained the importance of balance and coordination, drawing upon his own experience with the Abyssal Shadow Dash to illustrate his points.
He didn't reveal the specifics of his spirit skill, but he shared general principles of movement and energy channeling that she could apply to her own training.
Zhu Zhuqing was surprised by how effective his advice was.
She could indeed feel a noticeable improvement in her speed and agility, even in this short amount of time.
The techniques Song Qing showed her were different from the more structured training she received from her family.
His approach felt more intuitive and focused on maximizing her natural talents. She found herself enjoying the training session, her initial suspicion completely replaced by a growing sense of respect for this unknown boy who seemed to possess a surprising amount of knowledge about agility.
As the sun began to dip below the horizon, casting long shadows across the forest floor, Song Qing knew it was time for him to leave before his presence was discovered. "It's getting late," he said, offering Zhu Zhuqing a friendly smile. "I should probably try to find my way back to the road before it gets too dark."
Zhu Zhuqing nodded, a hint of disappointment in her voice. "Thank you for your help, Song Qing. Your training was… really helpful. More helpful than what my older sister usually tells me."
"You're a very talented Spirit Master, Zhuqing," Song Qing replied, using her full name deliberately. "With dedication and hard work, you'll become incredibly powerful." He then paused, his expression becoming slightly more serious. "In the future, if you ever find yourself in trouble, or if you ever need help with anything… you can try to find me."
Zhu Zhuqing looked at him curiously. "Where would I find you?"
"Look for the Spirit Hall in Martial Soul City," Song Qing said, keeping his tone vague. "Ask for someone named… Song Qing. Tell them you met me in the forest. I promise I will help you if I can." He didn't reveal his connection to the Pope or his true status within the Spirit Hall. It was better to keep things simple and mysterious for now.
He then reached into his pocket and pulled out a small, intricately carved jade slip. It was a simple piece of jade, but it held a faint trace of his spirit energy. "Keep this," he said, handing it to Zhu Zhuqing.
"It will help you remember me. And if you ever go to the Spirit Hall, show this to one of the officials there. They will lead you to me." He then added a crucial warning, his gaze direct. "But you must not show this jade slip to anyone else before then, and you must not tell anyone about our meeting or about this jade slip. If you do, I might not be able to help you."
Zhu Zhuqing looked at the jade slip in her hand, her eyes filled with a mixture of curiosity and intrigue. It felt cool and smooth to the touch. She nodded slowly, understanding the importance of his words. "I understand, Qing," she said softly, clutching the jade slip tightly. "I won't tell anyone."
Song Qing offered her a final smile. "Good. Then I will take my leave now. Remember what we practiced today, Zhu Zhuqing. And never stop striving to become stronger."
With a final nod, he turned and melted back into the shadows of the forest, disappearing as quickly and silently as he had arrived, leaving the young Zhu Zhuqing standing alone with the mysterious jade slip in her hand and a newfound sense of possibility in her heart.
She looked at the direction he had disappeared in, a thoughtful expression on her face. 'Song Qing,' she repeated the name silently, a faint smile touching her lips. She had a feeling she would see him again someday.