Liang Yue stayed inside the assigned room long after the sun had climbed high.
The quiet, at first, had been welcome. He refined his breathing, reviewed the sensation of stabilized yang essence, and let his body recover from the strain of cultivation. But as the hours dragged on, silence turned heavy. The walls felt closer. The air felt still.
Boredom crept in slowly—then all at once.
He sat up, stared at the door, and exhaled.
"I'll lose my mind if I stay here," he muttered.
The sect grounds were busy today, disciples coming and going, but no one questioned him when he slipped out and headed toward the lesser-used mountain path behind the outer disciple quarters. The path was narrow, winding upward through trees and stone, the air cooler and fresher with every step.
Liang Yue loosened his hair tie as he walked.
Long, straight black hair spilled freely down his back, catching the light where the leaves parted. He had worn a cap from the moment he entered the sect, keeping his hair bound and hidden. Out here, alone, he let it fall. The breeze brushed against his neck, and for the first time since reincarnating, he felt… light.
He wandered without direction.
Eventually, the sound of water reached him.
A lake lay nestled between low stone ridges, its surface clear and still, reflecting the sky like glass. Liang Yue stopped at the edge, eyes widening slightly. It was quiet, untouched, almost forgotten.
Perfect.
He slipped off his outer shoes and stepped closer, letting his fingers trail through the cool water. The sensation made him smile faintly. He crouched, splashing lightly, the tension in his shoulders easing.
Then—
A rustle.
Liang Yue froze.
From the underbrush near the opposite shore, a small white shape emerged. A fox—no larger than a house cat—its fur pristine, eyes bright and curious. It approached cautiously, nose twitching, then lowered its head to drink from the lake.
Liang Yue didn't move.
Something about the fox felt… gentle. Not threatening. Not wild in the dangerous sense. Just curious.
When the fox noticed him, it startled—then tilted its head.
They stared at each other.
Liang Yue slowly lifted his hand and dipped his fingers back into the water, creating ripples. The fox's ears perked up. It stepped closer, then closer still, pawing at the moving surface.
A soft laugh escaped Liang Yue before he could stop it.
The fox bounded back, then forward again, clearly intrigued. When Liang Yue splashed the water lightly, the fox jumped sideways, then spun back, tail flicking.
Before he realized it, they were playing.
Liang Yue ran along the shore, sleeves fluttering, hair flowing freely. The fox chased him, then darted ahead, only to turn and wait, eyes bright with mischief. They circled each other, splashed water, and laughed—one silently, one with excited yips.
Neither noticed the figures watching from the trees.
Not far away, several new outer disciples stood frozen. They had been sent out earlier that day with a task: find a beast willing to form a contract. Most had struggled, chased, failed.
Now they watched.
A disciple in outer robes, hair loose like ink spilling down his back, laughing freely as a white fox leapt and spun around him. The scene felt unreal—too pure, too beautiful, too effortless.
"Who… is that?" someone whispered.
"I've never seen him before."
"He's wearing outer disciple robes…"
"Is that… a fox spirit?"
They didn't dare interrupt.
By the time Liang Yue finally sat down near the water, breathing lightly, the fox trotted up without hesitation and nudged his knee. He blinked in surprise, then carefully lifted it.
The fox didn't resist.
It curled comfortably against his chest, warm and light, tail flicking lazily.
Liang Yue laughed softly. "You're bold, aren't you…"
Unaware of the significance, he adjusted his sleeves and stood, the fox tucked securely against him. It peeked out briefly, then hid again, content.
By the time the sun dipped toward the horizon, Liang Yue returned to the sect.
The bell rang not long after.
All summoned new outer disciples were called to gather.
Those who had found a beast companion stood proudly, each holding or accompanied by a creature—wolves, birds, snakes, strange spiritual beasts of all kinds. Those who hadn't stood to the side, faces tense.
Liang Yue arrived last.
Whispers followed him immediately.
His hair was tied again, his expression calm, but something about him felt different. As he stepped into line, he looked around—and only then noticed.
Everyone had a beast.
His eyes widened slightly.
"Oh," he thought.
The fox shifted under his robes.
A small nose poked out from his sleeve.
Several nearby disciples gasped.
The white fox blinked, then retreated, hiding fully within Liang Yue's clothes.
The elder overseeing the gathering narrowed his eyes, gaze locking onto Liang Yue.
"…You," he said slowly. "Step forward."
Liang Yue obeyed, heart beating just a little faster.
The fox pressed closer to his chest, warm and steady.
Unknowingly, effortlessly, Liang Yue had already made his choice.