WebNovels

Chapter 8 - Chapter 8: Hatching Bonds and Hidden Realms

The egg started glowing three days later.

I was in the middle of practicing Phantom Step when the warm presence I'd gotten used to suddenly flared hot. I spun around to see the Naga egg pulsing with golden light, scales shimmering like liquid metal.

"Sharanga, is it supposed to do that?"

"It's hatching. Right now. Get the bonding pill ready!"

I fumbled for the red pill the shop owner had given me, my heart racing. The egg's light intensified, cracks spreading across its surface like lightning frozen in glass. The cracks glowed from within – not just gold, but all colors at once, as if a rainbow had been trapped inside.

With a sound like shattering crystal, the egg broke apart.

What emerged was not what I expected.

The baby Naga was tiny – maybe the length of my forearm – but absolutely mesmerizing. Its scales shifted between midnight black and molten gold with every movement, never settling on one color. Two small horns, barely nubs, protruded from its head. Its eyes were the most striking feature – vertical slits that glowed with an intelligence far beyond what a newborn should possess. One eye was gold, the other a deep crimson.

But most shocking were the wings.

Tiny, translucent wings that looked like they were made from solidified moonlight. They caught the light and scattered it into prismatic patterns across my walls.

"That's not just a Royal Naga," Sharanga breathed. "That's a Sarpa Raja – a King Serpent with Divine Beast bloodline. Those wings... I haven't seen those in two thousand years. This egg is ancient. And far more valuable than anyone realized."

The baby Naga looked at me, tilted its head, and made a sound between a chirp and a hiss. Then it moved – faster than my eyes could track – and wrapped around my wrist like a living bracelet.

Warmth flooded through me. Not painful, but overwhelming. I felt the bonding beginning, our energies reaching for each other. This was the critical moment.

I swallowed the bonding pill.

The effect was immediate. Energy exploded through my meridians, not destructive but transformative. I felt the Naga's presence in my mind – not thoughts exactly, but emotions. Curiosity. Hunger. And surprisingly, affection.

Hello, Bond-Sister, a voice whispered in my mind. Young, but unmistakably intelligent.

I nearly fell over. "You can talk? Already?"

Divine Beasts are born with ancestral memories. I am Kala-Sarpa, descendant of the Cosmic Serpent who devours time. The tiny snake somehow managed to sound proud despite being smaller than my arm. And you are my chosen human. I have been waiting in that egg for seventy-three years for someone worthy.

"Seventy-three years?"

Time moves differently in the egg. I dreamed of constellations and ages. But now I am awake, and I am HUNGRY.

Right. Spirit beasts needed special food. "What do you eat?"

For now, cultivation energy. Yours will do. Before I could protest, the Naga – Kala – started absorbing energy directly from my cultivation base. Not painfully, but I definitely felt it. Like someone drinking from a cup I was holding.

"Sharanga, is this normal?"

"For Divine Beasts? Yes. They feed on cultivation energy in their early stages. As Kala grows, the diet will change to spirit-infused foods and eventually pure elements." Sharanga paused. "But Aanya? You just bonded with a legendary creature. King Serpents are mentioned in ancient myths as beasts that served gods. If anyone discovers what Kala truly is..."

"They'll kill me and take him."

Her, Kala corrected. I am female. And anyone who tries to separate us will learn why serpents are feared across all realms.

Despite the threat in her words, her tone was protective. Possessive. She'd just been born, and already she was ready to defend me.

Something warm bloomed in my chest. This wasn't just a spirit beast bond. This was family.

"Okay, Kala. Let's figure out how to keep you hidden and fed while you grow strong."

I accept these terms. But first, FOOD. I am very hungry.

Over the next two days, I learned several things about my new companion:

One: Kala was a bottomless pit. She absorbed cultivation energy constantly, which meant my cultivation progress slowed significantly. What should have taken a week to reach Level 4 would now take three weeks.

Two: She was incredibly smart. Scary smart. She understood complex concepts, remembered everything perfectly, and had opinions about my training.

Your Phantom Step is sloppy. You're not channeling energy to your feet correctly. Watch. And somehow, through our bond, she showed me the proper energy flow. A technique that had been confusing suddenly made sense.

Three: She could hide. When I channeled energy into her scales, they turned completely transparent. She became invisible, detectable only by the slight warmth on my wrist.

Camouflage is survival, she explained. In my ancestral memories, many young serpents died because they were too visible. I learned from their deaths.

Four: She had a personality. A big one. Sarcastic, proud, but fiercely loyal. She reminded me of Sharanga, actually.

I heard that, Sharanga said dryly. I'm not sure if I should be flattered or insulted.

Flattered, Kala said immediately. You are a divine weapon. That is respectable. Though your jokes are terrible.

We've known each other for two days!

Two days is sufficient to judge joke quality.

I laughed, delighting in their banter. For the first time since transmigrating, I didn't feel alone. I had two companions now, both intelligent, both powerful in their own ways, both completely loyal to me.

"Guys, I need to train. The tournament is six weeks away."

Then train, Kala said. But train properly. You've been avoiding real combat because you fear discovery. That hesitation will kill you.

She was right. I'd been playing it safe, training in secret, avoiding risks. But safe wouldn't make me strong enough.

"What do you suggest?"

The Underground Arena. But not as you planned. There's something else there. Something hidden that most don't know about.

"How do you know this?"

Ancestral memories. The arena sits atop an ancient cultivation site – a Kshetra, a field of concentrated spiritual energy. The founders built there intentionally. Beneath the fighting pit is a network of chambers used for secret trials. Only those invited can enter. But you... She paused. You smell of destiny. They will invite you eventually.

"That's ominous and unhelpful."

I am two days old. I'm doing my best.

That night, I returned to the Underground Arena, Kala hidden as a transparent coil around my wrist, Sharanga disguised as a simple practice bow.

The fights were as spectacular as before. A woman who could split herself into three copies, each fighting independently. A man whose tattoos came to life as animal spirits – a tiger made of light, a bear made of stone. An archer who fired arrows that turned into phoenixes mid-flight, exploding on impact.

Every match taught me something new about what was possible in this world. The variety was staggering. No two cultivators fought the same way.

I was so absorbed in watching a match between two formation specialists – who were essentially playing 4D chess with magical arrays – that I almost didn't notice someone sit next to me.

"Fascinating, isn't it?" A woman's voice. Smooth, cultured, dangerous.

I turned and found myself looking at someone who definitely didn't belong in an underground fighting ring. She was maybe thirty, dressed in expensive silk robes of deep purple with silver embroidery that seemed to move on its own. Her cultivation aura was suppressed, but I could feel it anyway – powerful, controlled, like looking at an ocean and knowing there were creatures in the depths you couldn't see.

Core Formation Realm at least. Maybe higher.

"Very fascinating," I said carefully, not sure if I should run or stay.

"You've been coming here regularly, always watching, never fighting. Learning." She studied me with eyes that missed nothing. "Smart. Most young cultivators rush into combat before understanding what they're facing. You're patient."

Danger, Kala whispered in my mind. This one is very strong. But not hostile. Curious.

"I prefer to know what I'm getting into before risking myself," I said.

"Wise. I appreciate wisdom." She pulled out a small jade token, circular with intricate carvings. "My name is Lady Yamini. I'm a patron of this establishment. I also run something more... exclusive. Secret trials in the chambers beneath. Real tests of skill and courage. Interested?"

This was what Kala had mentioned. The hidden trials.

"What kind of trials?"

"The kind that separate talented cultivators from mediocre ones. You fight beasts, solve puzzles, survive formations designed to test your limits. Those who succeed are rewarded. Those who fail... well, we have excellent healers on staff." She smiled, but it had edges. "You strike me as someone who needs challenges. Someone who won't grow without pushing boundaries."

She wasn't wrong. Training alone would only get me so far.

"What's the entry cost?"

"Ten gold."

I managed not to choke. Ten gold. That was a massive fee. But I had fifty, and this sounded like exactly the kind of opportunity lucky protagonists stumbled into.

"What do I get if I succeed?"

"Depends on how far you get. The trials have five levels. Each level passed earns rewards – cultivation resources, rare materials, knowledge. Full completion?" Her smile widened. "Full completion earns you entry into the Gupta Sect's outer disciple selection. No lines, no tests. Automatic entry."

My heart stopped. Sect membership was what every cultivator wanted. Sects had resources, protection, teachers, and libraries that made independent cultivation look like stumbling in the dark.

"When can I enter?"

"Tomorrow night. Bring the token." She stood to leave, then paused. "One warning, girl. The trials are dangerous. Real danger, not arena matches with safety formations. People have died. Are you certain you want this?"

I thought about my goals. About getting stronger. About the tournament in six weeks where I needed to make an impact. About Aditi, who was hunting me. About this world that demanded strength or offered only death.

"I'm certain."

"Good. I'll see you tomorrow." She walked away, disappearing into the crowd like smoke.

I looked at the jade token in my hand. It was warm, pulsing faintly with energy.

Well, Kala said. That escalated quickly.

"You knew this would happen."

I knew trials existed beneath. I didn't know they'd invite you so soon. But ancestral memories suggest this is important. The trials under the arena are remnants of an ancient sect. Those who complete them inherit knowledge long forgotten.

"No pressure then."

None whatsoever. But Aanya? Her tone grew serious. I'll help however I can. We're bonded now. Your strength is my strength. Your survival is my survival. We do this together.

"Together," I agreed.

Sharanga hummed in agreement. Three of us. Not bad odds.

I spent the next day preparing obsessively.

From the Night Market, I bought:

Three healing potions (15 silver – emergency medical care)Two energy recovery draughts (16 silver – for stamina)A set of protective talismans (20 silver – single-use shields)Dried spirit meat for Kala (10 silver – she needed to eat real food too)

I also visited the Yantra Master that Nisha had mentioned. Master Bholenath's shop was in the Temple District, squeezed between a incense seller and a meditation hall. The old man inside was exactly what I expected – ancient, wrinkled, with eyes that sparkled with barely contained mischief.

"Come for your first seal?" He asked before I'd even introduced myself.

"How did you—"

"I can see your energy meridians. You're a weapon cultivator, rare. You have a divine beast bond, very rare. And you reek of incoming danger, extremely common among young cultivators." He gestured to a chair. "Sit. Tell me what you need."

"I'm entering dangerous trials tomorrow. I need any advantage I can get."

"Dangerous trials require defensive seals." He rummaged through drawers. "I can inscribe a basic protection seal for thirty silver. It'll absorb one fatal blow, then shatter. Or, for ten gold, I can inscribe a Raksha Kavach – a demon armor seal. It'll provide continuous protection based on your cultivation level. Won't stop everything, but it'll keep you alive longer."

Ten gold. Another massive expense. But staying alive seemed worth it.

"The Raksha Kavach. How long does it take?"

"Three hours for inscription, one hour for settling. Come back at sunset, I'll have you ready."

The inscription process was excruciating. Master Bholenath used a needle that felt like liquid fire, drawing symbols directly onto my skin – across my back, down my arms, circling my torso. Each line burned, but when he finally finished and channeled activation energy, the pain faded. The symbols sank into my skin, becoming invisible unless I channeled energy into them.

"There. The seal will regenerate slowly as long as you're alive. Treat it well, it might save your life multiple times." He handed me a jar of salve. "Use this if the seal gets damaged. Helps it heal faster."

I paid my ten gold and left, feeling the seal's presence like a second skin. Warm, protective, comforting.

You're taking this seriously, Kala observed. Good. Ancestral memories show many young cultivators died because they underestimated trials.

"I don't plan on being a statistic."

Excellent. I would be very annoyed if you died. I just hatched.

That night, I stood before a section of the Underground Arena I'd never noticed – a stone wall that looked completely solid. Lady Yamini was waiting, along with four other young cultivators.

"Welcome, trial seekers." She pressed her hand to the wall, and it shimmered. A doorway appeared, leading down into darkness. "Remember the rules: No killing other participants. Help if you wish, but know that rewards are individual based on contribution. Retreat if you must – there's no shame in survival. And most importantly: the trials will test everything. Combat ability, problem-solving, courage, wisdom. Only the worthy proceed."

She handed each of us a glowing bracelet. "These track your progress and vital signs. If you're about to die, they'll teleport you out automatically. You'll fail the trial, but you'll live."

Small comfort.

We descended into the dark, the stone door sealing behind us.

The tunnel opened into a massive chamber that took my breath away. It wasn't a natural cave – it was architecture from another age. Pillars carved with Sanskrit verses glowed faintly. The ceiling was so high it disappeared into darkness, but I could see stars. Actual stars, despite being underground.

"Spatial distortion," one of the other cultivators whispered. "This place is bigger on the inside. We're not in normal space anymore."

In the center of the chamber stood five doorways, each marked with a symbol:

A sword (Combat)A book (Knowledge)A maze (Puzzle)A beast (Survival)A question mark (Unknown)

A voice echoed through the chamber, ancient and inhuman: "Choose your trial. Choose your fate. Only one path per challenger. Choose wisely."

The other four cultivators immediately rushed for different doors. The sword, the beast, the maze. One hesitated at the book, then entered.

I stood alone, looking at the door marked with a question mark.

The unknown door, Kala said. Risky. Could be anything.

But also potentially the most rewarding, Sharanga added. Unknown trials traditionally offer better rewards because fewer people dare them.

I thought about my protagonist luck. About how every risk I'd taken so far had paid off. About the fortune teller's words: "Trust your instincts."

My instincts said: Unknown.

I walked through the question mark door.

The world twisted.

When reality stabilized, I was standing in a forest. But not a normal forest. The trees were crystalline, refracting light into rainbow patterns. The sky was the wrong color – purple with green clouds. The air tasted like lightning and honey.

This is a spirit realm, Kala breathed in awe. A pocket dimension connected to the spiritual plane. These shouldn't exist anymore. The ancient sects sealed them all thousands of years ago.

A notification appeared in my vision – actual floating text, like a video game:

UNKNOWN TRIAL: THE LABYRINTH OF MIRRORSObjective: Find the Heart of the LabyrinthDanger Level: ExtremeReward: ???Time Limit: NoneDeath: Permanent

That last line made my blood run cold. The teleport bracelet wouldn't work here. If I died, I actually died.

"No backing out now," I muttered.

The crystal forest began to move. Trees shifted position, paths appeared and disappeared. And in the distance, I heard something howling. Something that sounded like a chorus of wolves mixed with wind chimes.

Spirit beasts, Kala said. But not normal ones. These are manifestations of the realm itself. They'll test us.

Then let's not fail, Sharanga said firmly. We came here to grow stronger. Time to prove we deserve that growth.

I nocked an arrow, activated my Phantom Step, and ventured deeper into the crystalline forest.

Whatever this trial had in store, I'd face it.

Together with my companions.

Just like a real protagonist should.

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