Chapter 5: The Truth of the Spiritual Core

“Sorcerer?”

Bai Yu found herself somewhat bewildered by the term, one that seemed to belong more to the realm of movies or novels.

“Precisely,” Lu Xingyao affirmed, her voice tinged with excitement. “One could argue that nearly every aspect of our reality is inextricably linked to sorcerers.”

As she spoke, her enthusiasm grew, causing her to rise to her feet.

Were it not for the undeniable evidence before her, Bai Yu would have found it utterly impossible to believe the words spilling from the young woman’s lips.

“From the advancements in technology and the richness of culture to every event etched in history, the influence of these individuals can be found,” Lu Xingyao continued, her voice resonating with conviction. “Yet, these truths remain hidden from the public eye. Behind the veneer of our perceived reality lies a profound truth, a reality woven from the fabric of mystery itself.”

“This… how could this be?” Bai Yu stammered, still grappling with disbelief. It was astonishing to realize that for so many years, she had been completely oblivious to the world’s true nature, never even catching a glimpse of its hidden depths.

“Why impossible?” Lu Xingyao countered, a playful note entering her voice. “Xiao Yu, isn’t your current state the most compelling proof?”

Having ascertained that Bai Yu was no longer in any immediate danger, a sense of relief washed over her.

“What exactly has happened to my body?” Bai Yu pressed, her voice laced with an urgent desperation. All she wanted to know was whether there was any chance of reverting to her former self, especially since the woman’s voice echoing in her mind had been utterly terrifying.

To her utter despair, however, Lu Xingyao merely shook her head.

“I believe,” Lu Xingyao stated, her expression somber, “that it is likely impossible.”

“Why?” Bai Yu cried out, a tremor of desperation in her voice. “Isn’t this a world brimming with mysteries? Surely there must be some method to revert to how I was before!”

A wave of despair washed over her.

Lu Xingyao fixed her gaze intently upon Bai Yu.

“Xiao Yu,” Lu Xingyao began, her tone grave, “this is precisely what I need to explain to you. Your current condition, to my knowledge, can only be attributed to a spiritual awakening.”

“Spiritual awakening?” she echoed, the term utterly foreign to her ears. It became increasingly clear that she had indeed stumbled into a world steeped in profound mystery.

“Exactly,” Lu Xingyao confirmed. “It is an essential prerequisite for us to become sorcerers. Globally, fewer than one in ten thousand individuals possess the potential to awaken and become a sorcerer.”

Her gaze remained earnest as she looked at Bai Yu.

“This ‘spirituality’,” Lu Xingyao elaborated, “serves as the very conduit through which we sorcerers wield our power. Whether performing arcane arts or enacting grand rituals, all demand this unique energy, an essence that permeates the world and lies dormant within every living being.”

“While this energy resides within everyone, it typically exists in negligible amounts. Only those who awaken as sorcerers can truly amplify and master it.”

“However, becoming a sorcerer invariably necessitates an Awakening Ritual. It is only through this rite that the latent spirituality within one’s body can truly awaken, thus initiating the path of advancement for sorcerers. There are ten ranks of sorcerers, each representing a distinct realm, with power escalating significantly at higher tiers.”

Upon hearing this, Bai Yu immediately noticed a crucial discrepancy: she had undergone no such Awakening Ritual whatsoever.

As if perceiving Bai Yu’s unspoken confusion, Lu Xingyao promptly continued her explanation.

“Precisely. You underwent a natural awakening, which is what I find so astonishing. Such an occurrence is almost unheard of. The catalyst for your awakening was likely that black tumor, which may have harbored a unique form of spirituality.”

“You must understand,” Lu Xingyao emphasized, “that 99% of sorcerer awakenings happen before the age of twelve, and almost without exception, they are initiated through an Awakening Ritual.”

“Only a mere handful of individuals undergo a spiritual awakening after the age of twelve, and even then, the success rate is exceptionally low. A natural awakening, however, is an entirely different matter, far rarer still.”

“Throughout history, there have been only three documented cases of natural awakening, and every single one of those individuals, without exception, succumbed to madness.”

A jolt of fear shot through Bai Yu.

“Mad?” she whispered, her voice barely audible.

“Indeed. They simply couldn’t withstand the immense influx of information that accompanied their awakening, and each of them descended into madness.”

“Then what about me…?” Bai Yu murmured, her mind reeling in disbelief.

“Precisely, Xiao Yu. You are the first recorded naturally awakened sorcerer, and what’s more, you possess a rare Transformation Core.”

“A Transformation Core? What exactly is that?”

“Upon awakening, every sorcerer develops a Spiritual Core within their body. This core represents our fundamental essence and the very heart of our power. By carefully sensing it, one can discern its true nature. A Transformation Core, however, signifies an awakening that results in a complete and utter change, transforming one into an existence entirely different from their former self.”

Lu Xingyao’s eyes met Bai Yu’s, a silent signal for her to proceed.

With little other choice, Bai Yu complied, closing her eyes and directing her senses inward.

‘This is…’ Bai Yu felt her entire being slip into a profound, almost ethereal state, as if she were soaring through an endless void.

Within her, she sensed two distinct entities, both calling to her, their connection to her undeniably intimate.

[Eternal Night]

[Constellations]

‘These are my Spiritual Cores, but why are there two?’

“If my hypothesis is correct, Xiao Yu,” Lu Xingyao mused, “your Spiritual Core must be intrinsically linked to femininity, which would explain your transformation into a girl.”

There was an undertone of certainty in her voice, as though in her mind, this was the only logical conclusion.

Just as Bai Yu opened her mouth to refute, the woman’s voice resonated once more within her mind, cutting her off.

‘Just go along with what she says. Tell her your Spiritual Core is [Witch].’

‘Why?’ Bai Yu silently questioned the woman in her thoughts.

‘You are unlike others,’ the woman’s voice urged. ‘Trust me, this is the only way you will survive in this world!’

Bai Yu wavered for a moment, but ultimately decided to heed the woman’s words. Knowing absolutely nothing about her current predicament, she recognized the critical need to gather information. Her profound lack of understanding left her deeply unsettled.

With a deep breath, Bai Yu finally nodded.

“I’ve perceived it, Xingyao,” Bai Yu announced, “it is [Witch]. So, this is what a Spiritual Core feels like.”

“Exactly! That’s it!” Lu Xingyao exclaimed, a surge of excitement evident in her voice. She eagerly rushed forward, placing a hand firmly on Bai Yu’s shoulder.

“Xingyao, you’re hurting me,” Bai Yu winced. The pressure was intensely uncomfortable; Lu Xingyao’s grip was far too strong.

“My apologies, Xiao Yu,” Lu Xingyao quickly said, retracting her hand. “I completely forgot to moderate my strength.”

“Xiao Yu, it’s [Witch]! Do you have any idea how incredibly rare this Spiritual Core is? There are fewer than five individuals with it in the entire world right now! This is an exceptionally powerful Spiritual Core, and according to all records, it can only be acquired by females. To think there’s an exception!”

“Is that so? Haha,” Bai Yu managed a bitter laugh. What was the point of discussing power when she wasn’t even a genuine [Witch]? Moreover, that historical record was likely accurate; she genuinely hadn’t acquired the [Witch] Spiritual Core.

“So, can I actually change back to how I was?”

“Of course not,” Lu Xingyao stated unequivocally. “A spiritual awakening signifies the sublimation of both soul and life itself. There is simply no way to revert to your previous state, no matter what.”

“How can this be!” Bai Yu cried out, her composure utterly shattered. After everything, it still came down to the fact that she could never change back, could she?

“It’s alright, Xiao Yu,” Lu Xingyao reassured her gently. “Becoming a girl isn’t so bad. Records even speak of individuals who awakened only to transform into dogs. Considering that, your current state is quite fortunate.”

Bai Yu found herself speechless, yet upon hearing this, she did feel a considerable sense of relief. The thought of transforming into a dog was far from appealing.

“Oh, by the way, Xiao Yu,” Lu Xingyao added, her tone turning serious, “as a form of compensation, I’ll share my secret with you. My Spiritual Core is [Self]. Generally speaking, one should never reveal their Spiritual Core to others; please remember that.”

“[Self]?” Bai Yu repeated, intrigued. “Can ‘Self’ truly be a Spiritual Core?”

“Absolutely,” Lu Xingyao affirmed. “My extraordinary sense of smell and my formidable strength are both arcane arts derived directly from my own Spiritual Core.”

A subtle shimmer of light emanated from Lu Xingyao’s hand, and then, with an almost casual motion, she retrieved an iron spoon from the kitchen.

Then, right before Bai Yu’s astonished eyes, she effortlessly crushed the spoon into a dense ball of iron.

Witnessing this display, Bai Yu instinctively swallowed hard. She resolved then and there that it would be far wiser to avoid provoking her childhood friend in the future.

Despite her undeniable beauty, her strength proved to be utterly terrifying.