In the grand halls of Luo Yang’s palace, Peng Xian sat across from Wu Zhao, his sharp eyes studying her with quiet concern. Though her wounds had been treated, the exhaustion lingering in her expression was undeniable.

  “What happened on Mt Kun Lun?” he asked, his voice calm but firm.

  Wu Zhao exhaled, leaning back slightly as if the weight of the events still pressed upon her. “I encountered Xiao Xi and Xiao Que first,” she began, recalling the playful magpies who had guided her. “They led me to Feng and Huang, the great divine beasts of the mountain.”

  She paused for a moment, the memory of her battle still fresh. “They tested me—pushed me to my limits. I fought with everything I had, but they were never truly fighting seriously. In the end, I collapsed, and they deemed me ‘worthy’ enough to uphold my duty. Before I lost consciousness, they agreed to continue blessing the land under my rule… for now.”

  Her fingers instinctively brushed against her wrist, where the pain of Feng’s crushing grip still lingered despite the healing. “And then… Xiao Xi and Xiao Que brought me back here.”

  Peng Xian’s expression remained unreadable, but there was a flicker of contemplation in his gaze as he processed her words.

  “Oh! I could summon a golem!” Wu Zhao suddenly recalled, her eyes widening as the memory resurfaced.

  Peng Xian raised a curious brow. “A golem?”

  “Yes,” she nodded eagerly. “In the heat of battle, when I was on the brink of defeat, I somehow summoned a golem. It was unlike anything I’ve ever seen before—towering, clad in black armor, and completely unwavering. It shielded me from Feng and Huang’s attacks and even fought against them, allowing me to pass their test.”

  Peng Xian’s fingers stroked his beard thoughtfully. “Oh my… that is quite impressive,” he mused, though his sharp gaze held a trace of intrigue. “And you are certain it was your own magic that summoned it?”

  Wu Zhao hesitated for a brief moment. The golem had appeared so suddenly, responding not to a direct incantation but seemingly to her desperation. And then, when she lost consciousness, it crumbled back into earth and stone.

  “I… think so,” she answered, though uncertainty crept into her voice.

  Then, as the memories settled, her eyes widened slightly. “Wait… I did. Feng said I summoned the golem.” Her brows furrowed. “But it wasn’t just an ordinary construct—it had a will of its own.”

  Peng Xian’s fingers paused mid-stroke against his beard. “A golem with a mind of its own?” His eyes sharpened, a flicker of intrigue passing through them. “That is no ordinary feat.”

  He straightened, the weight of his experience coloring his tone. “Summoned beings with independent thought are exceptionally rare. They typically require not only a vast reservoir of mana but also mastery of high-level summoning techniques and intricate knowledge of spiritual bindings.” His voice grew more intent. “For you to summon such a being without conscious effort… that is remarkable.”

  Wu Zhao lowered her gaze, deep in thought. She had never trained in summoning arts, nor had she ever studied the complex rituals required for such magic. And yet, in the heat of battle, the golem had appeared—unbidden, yet unwavering in its duty to protect her.

  “Could it have been instinct?” she murmured. “Or something else entirely…?”

  Peng Xian regarded her carefully, sensing the turmoil behind her words. “Perhaps. But if this power emerged on its own, it is worth understanding. Powers beyond our comprehension often have deeper origins than we first realize.”

  Peng Xian watched with quiet curiosity as Wu Zhao stood up, her expression filled with determination.

  "Let me show you the golem," she declared. "Let's go outside."

  With a nod, he followed her, the faint rustle of their robes the only sound as they exited the hall and stepped onto the open stone courtyard. The late afternoon sun cast long shadows across the palace grounds, its golden light illuminating the intricate designs carved into the walls.

  Wu Zhao took a deep breath, steadying herself. She raised her hand in front of her, fingers slightly curled. “Come out, mine golem!” she commanded, her voice firm and clear.

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  Peng Xian observed keenly, his gaze shifting between her and the empty air before them, waiting to see if the mysterious entity would heed her call.

  A few moments passed, but the courtyard remained still. The only response to Wu Zhao’s summons was the distant chirping of birds and the rustling of leaves in the breeze.

  Peng Xian raised an eyebrow, stroking his beard thoughtfully as Wu Zhao frowned.

  "Eh? Let me try again," she said, clearing her throat before calling out more forcefully, "Come out, golem!"

  She held her stance, anticipation in her eyes—but once again, nothing happened. The ground did not tremble, no armored figure emerged, and the air remained undisturbed.

  Wu Zhao blinked, glancing down at her own hands as if expecting them to glow with power. "...Why isn’t it working?" she muttered under her breath.

  "Summoning is a difficult and intricate art," Peng Xian explained, stroking his beard thoughtfully. "It takes years of study and practice to truly master. The fact that you summoned a golem at all—especially in the midst of battle—is remarkable. However, without a proper foundation in summoning magic, it's no surprise that you cannot call it forth again."

  Wu Zhao clenched her fists, frustration welling up inside her. "Then… can you teach me?" she asked, her voice filled with urgency.

  Peng Xian chuckled, shaking his head. "Oh my, this old fool is not well-versed in summoning magic," he admitted. "My expertise lies in offensive spells—hurling fire and lightning, not calling forth beings from beyond."

  Wu Zhao’s shoulders slumped, a heavy weight settling in her chest. So that was it? The golem had appeared once, only to vanish forever? The thought left a bitter taste in her mouth. She had barely begun to understand its existence, and now it was already slipping away from her grasp.

  Seeing the disappointment on her face, Peng Xian’s expression softened. "That being said," he continued, "I do know of someone who might be able to help you."

  Wu Zhao’s head snapped up, her eyes lighting up with renewed hope. "Really? Who is it?!"

  Peng Xian smiled at her enthusiasm. "Her name is Milliana—an adventurer of considerable skill. Unlike me, she understands summoning magic in great depth. If anyone can teach you how to harness this power, it would be her."

  Wu Zhao’s heart pounded in excitement. If Milliana could help her master summoning magic, then perhaps she could call forth the golem again. No—she would make sure of it.

  “Please bring her here at once,” Wu Zhao said, her tone firm with determination.

  Peng Xian chuckled at her impatience. “There’s no need to be so hasty. Magic is not something learned overnight,” he reminded her. “But very well. Wait in your room, and I shall bring her to you.”

  With that, he turned and strode off, his long robes billowing slightly as he made his way to find Milliana. Wu Zhao watched him go, a mix of anticipation and nervousness stirring in her chest. This could be her chance—her first step toward truly mastering summoning magic.

  About an hour later, Peng Xian returned with Milli in tow. Milli greeted Wu Zhao with a smile.

  “Hello, I hear you wish to learn summoning,” Milli said, her voice calm yet filled with curiosity.

  Wu Zhao nodded eagerly. “Yes, please teach me how to summon a golem. I was able to summon it once, but I haven't been able to do it again since.”

  “Hmmm, were you thinking of anything when you summoned the golem?” Milli asked, her gaze gentle yet inquisitive.

  “Anything?” Wu Zhao furrowed her brows as she considered the question. “I was thinking of how to not get killed.”

  Milli chuckled softly, then tilted her head, her tone turning more thoughtful. “That’s certainly a strong motivator. But when you summoned it, did you think of anyone in particular? Maybe a protector, a guardian?”

  Wu Zhao fell silent, her mind drifting back to that moment. She folded her arms, her eyes distant as she tried to remember. “I did think of mine bodyguard,” she murmured quietly. “But... he’s long gone.” Her voice faltered at the mention of Jian Yi. A wave of sadness washed over her, the memories of his sacrifice still fresh in her heart.

  Milli nodded, sensing the weight of Wu Zhao's words. “A protector, indeed. That connection you had with him—it might have been the key to the golem’s formation. You see, summoning magic often relies on the emotions and bonds we carry. If you were thinking of him, even if unconsciously, the golem may have been drawn to that memory, to that connection.”

  Wu Zhao blinked, processing the revelation. “So... the golem wasn’t just summoned by my mana? It was connected to my feelings for him?”

  “Exactly,” Milli said with a knowing smile. “Summons like that can be incredibly powerful, but they also require something personal. If you summon with a purpose—a strong, emotional tie—the magic can manifest in a more profound way. In this case, the golem may have been shaped by your memory of him, your desire to be protected.”

  Wu Zhao felt a pang in her chest. She had never truly realized how deep her connection to Jian Yi ran, even after his death. The thought that she had unwittingly summoned a protector out of that bond made her both grateful and melancholic.

  “Now, think of him as you try to summon the golem,” Milli instructed, her voice soft but firm. “Think of the form he had when he was protecting you. Picture him, standing tall and strong, just as he did when he kept you safe.”

  Wu Zhao closed her eyes, her heart aching as she let the memories of Jian Yi flood her mind. She saw him clearly: his calm, steady presence, his unwavering dedication to her, his body a shield against all dangers. The way he had always been there, even when she hadn’t realized how much she needed him. The memory was so vivid, it almost felt like he was standing right beside her, his protective aura enveloping her once again.

  “Focus on that image,” Milli continued, her tone gentle but guiding. “Imagine the golem taking on that shape—the same resolve, the same strength. Feel the connection between you and him, the protector you had, the protector you still carry with you in your heart.”

  Wu Zhao’s breath deepened as she concentrated, her fingers trembling slightly. She visualized the golem forming, not just as a mindless creature, but as an embodiment of Jian Yi’s spirit, his dedication. She felt her mana stir, as if responding to her emotions. It wasn’t just about control; it was about recalling the bond, the trust, the protection he had offered.

  For a long moment, nothing happened. Wu Zhao’s concentration wavered, but Milli’s reassuring presence kept her focused. “Take your time,” she encouraged. “Don’t rush it. The bond is already there, you just need to channel it.”

  Wu Zhao closed her eyes again, blocking out everything but the memory of Jian Yi. She thought of the times he had stood by her, the way he had looked out for her when no one else would. She focused on the feeling of safety he had provided, the sense of being cared for and protected.

  Slowly, she extended her hand, a soft murmur of incantation escaping her lips as she whispered, “Come out, mine guardian.” Her words, filled with emotion, carried the weight of her longing and memories, directed toward the golem, channeling the essence of Jian Yi’s protective spirit. She poured all her thoughts, all her heart into that simple plea, hoping to summon him once more.

  After a moment of silence, the ground trembled beneath them. Slowly, an armored arm emerged from the earth, gleaming in the light, its heavy armor unmistakable. It rose with purpose, as if answering Wu Zhao's call, the very essence of her protector taking shape once more.