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The morning sun crept over the rooftops of Sunstone Village, casting long shadows across the courtyard. Wu Ken stepped out of his hut, the ring on his finger pulsing faintly with warmth. He was a disciple now—though his master lived inside a piece of jewelry and had yet to act like one.
"Master Zang Ai?" he whispered, unsure if she'd respond.
Her voice echoed in his mind, dry and amused. "Yes, magpie?"
"What do I do today?"
"Observe," she said. "You'll learn more from watching fools than reading scrolls. Besides, I've been stuck in this ring for ages. Let me enjoy the view."
And so began Wu Ken's strangest day yet. As he went about his chores, Zang Ai's voice followed him—sharp, sarcastic, and oddly insightful.
"Old Man Li again," she muttered as the elder chased chickens from his doorstep. "He's got the soul of a dirt spirit. Angry, feathered, and always in denial."
Wu Ken nearly dropped his bowl of porridge.
At the well, she commented on Brother Tian's strength. "He could lift a mountain if he knew how to use Qi. Instead, he's stuck hauling buckets like a glorified ox."
Passing Sister Lei's weaving hut, Zang Ai mused, "She threads cloth like fate—slow, stubborn, and mostly tangled."
Wu Ken smiled despite himself. Her commentary was relentless, but never cruel. She asked questions too—about village customs, tools, and beliefs.
When Elder Huan performed a rain ritual, she scoffed. "Dancing for clouds? Charming. Inefficient. A proper array would do the job in half the time."
"But it works sometimes," Wu Ken offered.
"Coincidence," she replied. "Still, the dance is entertaining."
Later, while helping Brother Tian repair a plow, Zang Ai sighed. "Metalwork without fire essence is just hammering. Imagine if he could forge with spirit flame—now that would be art."
Wu Ken bit his lip to keep from laughing. The image of Brother Tian wielding a flaming hammer was absurd.
By sunset, Wu Ken returned to his hut, exhausted but strangely content. The chores were the same, the village unchanged—but everything felt different. Zang Ai wasn't just a powerful spirit. She was curious, witty, and unexpectedly present.
His journey had begun—not with training, but with perspective. And for the first time, he didn't feel alone.
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