As the world-shaking light of Evolution in the heart of the Star Sea gradually subsided and the immense pressure receded like a tide, the crowd on the shore seemed to awaken from a long dream.
The brief silence was broken by an irrepressible clamor and commotion.
"It succeeded! It really succeeded!"
"Whose Pet Beast was that? To have such incredible destiny!"
"Quick! Let’s go see!"
Many of the Beastmasters and tourists who had been on viewing decks or distant platforms could no longer contain their curiosity.
They swarmed in the general direction of Gu Ming, eager to catch a glimpse of the one who had accomplished the "Fish Leaping the Dragon Gate."
Some had even set up live-streaming equipment, their cameras now aimed at the patch of sea that had yet to fully calm.
Yet, on the fringes of this sudden commotion, Lu You seemed to exist in another, more tranquil world.
Her entire being was focused on the small orb of light that had floated out from behind a reef. Its glow was faint, tinged with a hint of curiosity and timidity.
The grand spectacle and immense energy from Ah Kun’s Evolution hadn’t scared the little one away. On the contrary, it was as if it were a magnificent poem from the very source of life, one that had drawn it closer.
Its light, which had been flickering like a guttering candle flame, seemed to stabilize slightly in the afterglow of the Starlight.
"Did you see that too?"
Lu You remained squatting, her voice so gentle she seemed afraid of startling the starlight itself. "It was breathtaking, wasn’t it?"
She didn’t try to get any closer, just waited quietly.
When there were no strangers around, her social anxiety didn’t surface when she spoke to her Pet Beasts or wild Spirit Beasts.
It was this loving nature that filled her words with goodwill and an air of intimacy.
Mouse Treasure copied her, suppressing its excited SQUEAKS and squatting quietly by her feet. Its shiny black eyes stared, unblinking, at the small orb of light. It cupped its cheeks with its little paws, as if making a smiling face to help put the orb at ease.
Behind them, the Sea of Stars had returned to its eternal, magnificent splendor. A sky full of Starlight continued to cascade down like a waterfall, pouring into the shimmering, liquid galaxy below.
This was the place closest to the sky, and the air was filled with a cool, pure energy. Each breath felt like an inhalation of fine, stellar dust.
The Little Star Spirit flickered faintly, as if in response.
It glanced again toward the blurry distance, then slowly, tentatively, floated a tiny bit closer to Lu You.
Now that it was closer, Lu You could more clearly sense the faintness of its aura—a newborn’s fragility, as if it might dissolve into the Star Sea at any moment.
But at the same time, she also sensed an ineffable purity and Spirituality.
It seemed able to perceive her goodwill, and to sense the faint, almost imperceptible connection she had with the being that had just performed a miracle.
At the same time, her body exuded a gentle aura that was completely different from this Star Sea, yet equally attractive to "it"—an aura of the forest, the earth, and of life itself.
Mianmian, whom Lu You carried with her, was in a state between sleep and wakefulness. Its curious eyes opened and blinked twice. It didn’t look the least bit aggressive, which put the Star Spirit even more at ease.
"Are you... willing to come with me?"
Lu You opened her palm, not applying any pressure with her Spiritual Power.
Following what she had learned in university, she released her aura of natural affinity completely, holding nothing back.
It was an invitation full of sincerity and love, like the warmth of a mother’s embrace.
"The world outside is vast, and maybe... it’s dangerous.
"But I’ll protect you. We can go see more of the world together."
Lu You didn’t promise immense Power or boast about her status as a student at a top university. She simply offered a future of companionship and exploration.
The Little Star Spirit’s light flickered rapidly several times, as if it were engaged in a fierce internal debate.
It glanced at the deep Star Sea, the home of its kind, then back at Lu You’s clear, sincere eyes and the reassuring aura emanating from her palm.
Star Spirits are born from starlight and exist for only a very short time.
If they fail to find their destined person within that short time, they return to the starry path and dissolve back into the Sea of Stars.
This newborn Star Spirit was possessed of a clear consciousness. It knew its time was short and that it had to find its destined person.
Choosing the wrong person could set it on a tragic path of fate.
The Sea of Stars was teeming with tourists and Beastmasters, and not all of them were kind. Many Beastmasters with ill intentions mingled among the crowds.
Lu You’s heart leaped when she saw it was still hesitating, but hadn’t retreated.
’My professor said that if a Star Spirit doesn’t refuse you outright, it means you have a chance.’
’At this point, you just have to talk about whatever it’s interested in. It doesn’t matter if you’re tempting it or just making grand promises; the important thing is to keep the conversation going.’
’Only through conversation can you open a window to its heart.’
’It’s not impossible to attract a Pet Beast by staying silent and relying purely on a Beastmaster’s looks and disposition.’
’After all, every Pet Beast in the world has a different personality.’
’Some like attractive Beastmasters.’
’Others are simply drawn to power.’
"Let me tell you a story..." Lu You said. She had a faint feeling that it was fond of the outside world and wanted to see more of it.
’Just now, the Star Spirit stared in Ah Kun’s direction for a long time. It must be longing for Evolution, too.’
The Star Spirit didn’t back away. It listened quietly as Lu You recounted her experiences in the national competition and spoke of the miracles the Hall of the Great Dao brought to Pet Beasts when it descended from the sky.
It was very curious and wanted to be a part of it all.
At the same time, it sensed Lu You’s gentleness, which sparked an inexplicable feeling of longing within it.
Originally, it had been drawn to the drive Ah Kun displayed, that fighting spirit that made it charge the Dragon Gate twice for the sake of Evolution. It had wanted to seek out Gu Ming to see if he would accept it.
But Gu Ming wasn’t here now. That meant their fates were not aligned.
But this person before it...
It felt as if it could see the red string of fate connecting them.
It hesitated no longer. Like a weightless snowflake, it slowly drifted down, landing gently and precisely in Lu You’s outstretched palm.
In that instant.
A cool yet incredibly pleasant sensation spread from Lu You’s arm throughout her entire body, as if she had just connected with a miniature starry sky.
Its light stopped flickering and became gentle and stable, nestling close against her skin.
The contract, at this moment, was formed in the most natural way possible.
’I succeeded...’
An immense joy and an indescribable sense of responsibility welled up in Lu You’s heart.
She carefully cupped her other hand over the starlight in her palm, as if holding the most precious treasure in the world.
Just then, a voice filled with irrepressible happiness called out:
"Lu You, we’re back."
Gu Ming was in a small boat, slowly pulling up to the shore.
After its Evolution, Ah Kun was a full size larger than before. It swam beside the boat, and Gu Ming’s frame could no longer conceal its body. Its newly grown, broad pectoral fins could be seen swaying gently on either side of him, exuding an aura completely different from before.
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