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The office was very quiet, with only the faint crackle of the incense burning and the distant sound of wind outside the window. That cool fragrance enveloped her, making her feel her body grow lighter and more relaxed.
"Now, focus your attention on your lower abdomen," Mo Bai continued. "Imagine there is a ball of warm light there. That is your soul power."
Xiao Wu tried hard to imagine it.
She did indeed feel it—in her lower abdomen, there was a warm sensation. That was the soul power she was born with after transformation; although it was suppressed to the minimum, its essence was still the foundation of a hundred-thousand-year soul beast.
"Can you feel it?" Mo Bai asked.
"Mhm." Xiao Wu nodded gently.
"Very good." There was a hint of praise in Mo Bai's voice. "Now, try using your consciousness to lightly touch that ball of light. Don't use force; just like lightly touching the surface of water with a finger."
Xiao Wu concentrated.
Her consciousness slowly approached that ball of warm light, and then... lightly touched it.
The light ball wobbled slightly.
"It moved!" Xiao Wu couldn't help but speak, her voice filled with pleasant surprise.
"Yes, just like that." Mo Bai smiled. "Now, try to guide it, letting it slowly flow upward through your body. No rush, take it bit by bit."
Xiao Wu continued her attempt.
Under the guidance of her consciousness, that ball of warm light began to move slowly. Starting from the lower abdomen, it followed some invisible path, gradually moving upward, passing through the chest, flowing toward the shoulders, and then splitting into two streams flowing toward each arm.
The process was very slow.
But Xiao Wu could clearly feel it—wherever that warm current went, her body became very comfortable and relaxed, as if soaking in warm water.
She didn't even notice that her originally straight back had slumped unconsciously. Her hands were no longer gripping her knees but were hanging naturally at her sides. Her breathing was even and long, and an almost peaceful expression appeared on her face.
Mo Bai watched her silently.
"Yes, trust," Mo Bai continued. "Just like you trust me now. You know I am your teacher, that I will guide you, help you, and won't hurt you. Right?"
"Right..." Xiao Wu's voice was even lighter.
"So, relax. Leave everything to me. I will teach you how to get along with soul power, how to make it your best partner."
As Mo Bai spoke, his eyes remained fixed on Xiao Wu's face.
In the depths of his pupils, there were extremely subtle ripples undulating, almost undetectable. That was the sign of the "Deep Induction" soul skill running at full power—not a forced control, but like spring rain soaking into the earth, bit by bit, thread by thread, planting specific thoughts into the soil of the other party's subconscious.
"Teacher Mo Bai... is safe..."
"Teacher Mo Bai... can be trusted..."
"Listening to Teacher Mo Bai... feels good..."
"Making Teacher Mo Bai happy... is a very important thing..."
These thoughts, accompanied by the rhythm of his voice, the cool scent of the incense, and the quiet, warm atmosphere of the office, silently bored into the depths of Xiao Wu's consciousness.
She did not resist.
Or rather, she didn't know she should resist at all.
In her current loose and open mental state, these thoughts were like seeds falling into moist soil, quickly taking root and sprouting, mixing with her existing favorable impression of Mo Bai to become a more complex and solid emotional bond.
Time passed minute by minute.
The setting sun outside sank a bit further, the light changing from warm yellow to orange-red.
Xiao Wu's eyes remained closed, immersed in the pleasure of the soul power flow. That warm current could now complete a full cycle within her body—starting from the lower abdomen, flowing through the entire body, and returning to the lower abdomen. With each cycle, she felt her body grow lighter and her spirit more tranquil.
And with each cycle, the thoughts planted in her subconscious were reinforced.
Mo Bai looked at the clock on the wall.
Forty minutes had passed.
"Alright, Xiao Wu." He spoke, his voice returning to a normal volume. "That's all for today."
Xiao Wu slowly opened her eyes.
In that instant, her gaze was somewhat dazed, as if she had just woken from a deep dream. She blinked, taking about three seconds to fully wake up.
"I..." She looked at her hands, then up at Mo Bai. "I just..."
"You did very well." Mo Bai smiled and interrupted her. "You succeeded in guiding the soul power cycle on your first try; your talent is quite good."
A flush of red appeared on Xiao Wu's face.
"Really?"
"Really." Mo Bai stood up, walked to her side, and naturally reached out to pat her shoulder. "At this rate, it won't be long before you can officially become a Soul Master and obtain your first soul ring."
His palm was very warm.
The pressure on Xiao Wu's shoulder was neither light nor heavy, just right. That warmth traveled through the thin fabric to her skin, causing Xiao Wu's body to tremble slightly.
It wasn't a tremble of dislike.
But a... very strange tremble. It felt as if tiny electric currents were sparking from her shoulder, spreading all the way down her spine and then diffusing through her whole body.
Xiao Wu lowered her head, her ears feeling a bit hot.
"Th... thank you, Teacher Mo Bai."
"No need for thanks." Mo Bai withdrew his hand and walked back behind the desk. "By the way, from now on, come to me after school every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. I'll give you individual tutoring. I'll coordinate the working student labor time with Teacher Li."
Xiao Wu looked up, her eyes brightening: "Can I?"
"Of course." Mo Bai's smile was gentle. "You are my student; helping you progress is a teacher's responsibility."
"Then... then I'll head back first." Xiao Wu stood up and picked up her bag.
"Mhm, be careful on the way."
Xiao Wu reached the door, her hand on the handle, and turned back to look at Mo Bai once more. The evening sun shone through the window, landing exactly on Mo Bai and giving his entire figure a golden silhouette. He sat there with a smile, looking gentle and reliable.
"Teacher Mo Bai," Xiao Wu suddenly spoke.
"What is it?"
"You... why are you so good to me?"
The question was somewhat sudden.
The smile on Mo Bai's face didn't change at all. He looked at Xiao Wu, his gaze clear and sincere: "Because you are my student. And, I can tell you work hard and really need help."
He paused and added: "In this world, many children need someone to give them a pull. I'm just doing what I should do."
Xiao Wu's nose felt a bit sour.
Since her transformation, this was the first time she felt such pure kindness without any ulterior motive. Although her instincts told her that humans were cunning and dangerous, this man before her... she was willing to believe him.
"Thank you," she whispered, then pulled open the door and walked out quickly.
The sound of footsteps gradually faded in the corridor.