Early morning on the second day of the year, everyone was a little inebriated from the drinking and exquisite food last night.

If they were not sure of it, they might have thought they had traveled to the a capital dignitary’s party.

They had the time of their lives.

The men enjoyed the drinking and bonding.

The ladies went nuts on the dresses and accessories.

All agreed that Jing Huan in Zi Yang’s gifted dress was the most beautiful sight they had ever seen.

So much so that when they talked about it with others and were asked to describe how she looked – they could only express the dress in signs like dancing monkeys.

How they cursed themselves for not taking a good look on the details!

All their attention was captured by the fairy like picture and their minds did not remind them to capture any detail as if that picture all was enough to savor in those moments.

Full of sighs about it but with no solution, they could only start the new day.

Just like everyone, Zi Yang and Zi Ming were also excitedly unfolding their respective gifts.

Zi Ming’s birthday gifts included all sorts of toys, clothes, books and snacks. There were some potions, music sheets and other thoughtful gifts from the elders.

Zi Yang was checking out the void ring.

Inside the void ring was placed one small booklet.

Zi Yang read that booklet and then finally understood what the gift was.

Turns out that this void ring is more special than a general one.

It is actually stuffed with a small part of the void cut and placed in the ring, while simultaneously being connected with it.

That means he can place things in the void ring and so can Master and they would be able to exchange things through the void whenever needed.

Like this time, the gift his Master gave included an access to a private space where she could place products for his use, and a bunch of products which were already placed.

Together with it was a permission code to create a duplicate account on Void Net for trading using the identity of Void Empress’ disciple.

Not making the discipleship public does not mean withholding the benefits, but being smart about it.

The gifts included in this private space included jade boxes full of heavenly merit, several ethereal spirit stones, a few void energy crystals and crystals of different attributes – earth, metal, wind, water, fire etc.

He understood the crystal as they can be used while opening the beast taming space for a better space stability, size and strength as well attribute crystals to make the elements in the space more complete.

But for what reason was all this merit given?

This has a corresponding karma if given and taken carelessly.

Zi Yang ran to Uncle Baize for a discussion and wanted to persuade his Master to take it back.

Who knew Uncle Baize stopped him and explained how any use of merit by him does not seem to be karma bound.

He explained having observed luck fluctuations to confirm this when merit was used by Zi Ming and the leafed hat trut related to him compared to when used by others.

If Zi Yang still did not understand his unique nature, he would be a fool.

He was sure that everything that has conspired in his lifetime till now, is the results of a poke in the spine from his previous life.

He did not know anything else.

But he could say for certain, the reports of the archaeology department were incorrect. That ain’t no dinosaur fossil.

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After accepting one weird thing, accepting another becomes simpler.

So, he did not pay any heed to any cause and effect or karma. But he still decided to use it with caution and for very specific purposes.

He thought of using this merit to mint merit coins and use them for trade.

Of course, to doubly ensure that overuse does not come to hit him in the end – he decided to price this coin an extra 20% compared to agreed price, which would be used for environment protection and helping the less privileged.

This could not only help the society a little more and regulate a little more currency from the hands of the wealthy but also, exchange necessary resources for his progress in his profession.

When Baize heard his idea of minting merit coins, he was a little dubious of life. He even wondered if this would have any adverse effects on the market economy.

So, he expressed to report to the Void empress and secure a mechanical beast for minting anti-counterfeiting merit coins.

He was not even sure if the mechanical beasts could do the job as the merit coins were not made of any matter instead it was comprised of energy. Making such energy tangible is possible, but mechanical beasts may not be the one to do it.

Either way, this required some time to figure out.

For now, Zi Yang handed it to Uncle Baize and patted his but off the topic.

He was waiting for his awakening to know his talent and then subsequently start his journey as a beast master.

The subsequent days went fine – with the same routine as always – going to evening school as assistant to teacher He, selling produce and teaching Zi Ming.

He got Zi Ming started on the American model of earning his allowance.

He thinks it is good for children to take responsibility so Zi Ming now needs to work extra hard at his studies, music and exercises while helping out with some trivial house chores to earn some extra pocket money.

This is was the best way Zi Yang figured out to cure his “young master” fever.

Other than the daily routine, he would also occasionally go to make up for some school related knowledge at his master’s place.

Even though he studied at evening school and assisted as a teacher, he still might miss some knowledge that is taught in public schools but not in evening classes.

College examinations will begin soon and if possible, he wanted to get a good score. Even if he couldn’t leave for a four-year college – he could still use this score to get into state sponsored distance programs.

At the very least, he could not have no credentials against his name – wouldn’t that shame his master’s name?

So, he had to study hard and clarify his many years of doubts which do not quite have a ready answer on void net.

Just like today, he is still in his Master’s study asking some questions at around 9 p.m.

“Master, I learned that there are ancient beasts besides ordinary beasts which are also divided into divine beasts, holy beasts, auspicious beasts and fierce beasts.

But they are all fresh and blood creatures. Even if we discount plant-based beasts – they would have been original lives even without spiritual energy.

Are there any inanimate existences which could become beasts as a result of spiritual energy irrigation?”

“Well yes Zi Yang, and you see them every day.”

Zi Yang was surprised – he sees every day. When did he see? He wanted to know if spiritual energy could help transform or provide possibility for transformation of any object – tangible and intangible in the world.

“Yes. The mechanical beasts”, said the Void Empress.

Zi Yang followed, “No master, I mean objects like jade tables, weapon spirit, formation diagrams, pills or maybe, someone magic power mutated and became a beast, or a mountain or river becoming a beast…”

Void Empress chuckled lightly.

“Your thought is novel. I understand what you are trying to understand. As spiritual energy is introduced, everyone learns that it has an effect of awakening one’s true self – by extension your age of coming ceremony is also an awakening of yourself by continuous irrigation of spiritual energy over about 16 years.

Even if inanimate objects such as a jade table might be irrigated over long period of time, it would first need to produce a consciousness and then a sense of self.

Only then could it move towards awakening and transforming into beasts.

So, to your question – there are other beasts awakened from inanimate objects but they are very rare – almost never seen by people throughout their lives.”

Zi Yang was also thoughtful. Sure enough, the concept of Xianxia novels apply here too.

It is extremely difficult for such beings to awaken and transform into sentient lives. The reason he was curious about this was because he still had some ideas on how to use merit and evaluate its potential market.

If he understands correct, merit could be used to speed up the process of awakening and transforming inanimate objects into beasts.

If that happens, he could contribute to a whole new class of beasts becoming relatively common in the world.

Zi Yang shared his thoughts with his master and asked what she thought.

Void Empress gave an intriguing reply, “I wouldn’t suggest you to do this. But considering that someone someday might also discover this – either accidentally or intentionally – it would be advisable to never publicize as having this resource as your own.

I would have you pose it as the ancient country’s resource which might have been discovered by me but distributed by you.

We would also need to share some part as fees for using the official name to the ancient country.”

Zi Yang was confused why that was the case. He did not expect to have made things so much more complicated with a little idea of his.

But when he heard his master’s explanation, he had to sign – It was good to take shelter under a big tree and it is good to be an official with someone in the court.