The armored arm pressed firmly against the ground, leveraging its strength to pull the rest of its body upward. Slowly, the golem emerged, its black armor gleaming as it rose to its full height. Its form was imposing, sturdy, and unyielding—just as it had been before. It stood before Wu Zhao, silent yet resolute, as if awaiting her command.

  “I did it!” Wu Zhao exclaimed, her eyes wide with exhilaration.

  Peng Xian stroked his beard, nodding in approval. “Oh my, that golem certainly looks impressive. Its presence alone is quite formidable.”

  Milli circled the summoned being, examining its structure with keen interest. “Wow, it really does look like a knight in shining armor,” she remarked, watching as the black metal of its armor gleamed under the sunlight.

  The golem remained still, an imposing figure clad in black armor, yet unmoving, like a statue awaiting purpose.

  Wu Zhao furrowed her brows, glancing between the golem and Milli. “How do I make it move?” she asked, a hint of frustration creeping into her voice.

  Milli smiled knowingly. “Try thinking about what you want it to do,” she advised. “Summons respond to their summoner’s will. Picture your command clearly in your mind and direct it toward the golem.”

  Wu Zhao took a deep breath, focusing her thoughts. Move. The words echoed in her mind as she stared at the motionless guardian before her.

  The golem turned to face Wu Zhao, its movements slow and deliberate, as if acknowledging her presence. Each heavy step it took sent faint tremors through the ground, the weight of its armored form undeniable.

  Wu Zhao watched in fascination, her heart pounding in anticipation. “This is… interesting,” she murmured, her voice barely above a whisper.

  As the golem reached her, it paused for a brief moment before lowering itself onto one knee, bowing its head in what seemed like a gesture of loyalty. The sheer size of it made the act all the more striking—an imposing, black-armored figure kneeling before her, as if awaiting her command.

  Peng Xian let out a thoughtful hum, stroking his beard. “It’s not just following orders—it’s showing reverence.”

  Milli crossed her arms, studying the golem with keen eyes. “This isn’t normal for a summoned construct. It’s behaving more like… a knight swearing fealty.”

  Wu Zhao’s breath hitched as the golem knelt before her, its massive armored frame lowering with deliberate grace. She extended a hesitant hand toward the golem, fingers hovering just above its blackened armor. The metal was cool beneath her touch, solid and unwavering.

  Peng Xian stroked his beard thoughtfully. “Fascinating… It does not behave like a mere golem. It possesses an unusual degree of awareness.”

  Milli nodded in agreement. “It’s responding to you instinctively. This isn’t just any summoning—this golem seems to recognize you as its master.”

  Wu Zhao’s breath hitched as she slowly leaned in, her voice barely above a whisper.

  “Jian Yi… are you Jian Yi…?”

  Her words trembled with unspoken hope, the name slipping from her lips as if saying it aloud would bring him back to her. Her fingers hovered just above the golem’s black armor, hesitant to touch, fearful of shattering the fragile possibility lingering in her heart.

  But the golem remained still.

  No recognition. No acknowledgment. Only silence.

  The weight in her chest grew heavier. Wu Zhao clenched her fists, her eyes searching the featureless helm for something—anything—that would tell her this wasn’t just a lifeless construct. That somewhere, deep within, the one who once stood by her side still remained.

  Yet, the golem did not respond.

  Wu Zhao knew, deep down, that the golem could not speak. And yet, a foolish part of her still wished for it to say something—anything. Even if it were only to deny that it was Jian Yi.

  She let out a slow breath, steadying herself. Clinging to ghosts would do her no good.

  “Alright then,” she murmured, rising to her feet. She gazed at the kneeling golem, its black armor glistening under the sun, an unwavering presence before her. A silent guardian.

  This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road. If you spot it on Amazon, please report it.

  A decision settled in her heart.

  Extending her hand toward the golem, she declared, “From henceforth, you shall be named Hou Yi.”

  She had chosen the name deliberately, drawing from Jian Yi’s own. A way to honor him, to carry a part of him forward—even if this golem was not truly him.

  The golem extended its armored hand, grasping Wu Zhao’s outstretched arm with a firm yet careful grip. Its silent gaze remained fixed on her, unreadable yet unwavering.

  Wu Zhao’s breath hitched. The touch was not warm, not like a human’s, yet there was something steady, something grounding about it.

  For a moment, she stood frozen, staring into the golem’s darkened visor. She knew it wasn’t Jian Yi. It couldn’t be. And yet, as it held her hand in silent acknowledgment, she couldn’t shake the feeling that this was more than just a summoned being.

  A strange sense of finality settled over her—as if, in naming it, she had tethered it not just to her service, but to something deeper. A bond unspoken, yet understood.

  “Do you want to see how strong your golem really is?” Milli asked, a mischievous gleam in her eyes.

  Wu Zhao blinked, surprised. “Do you mean to spar with mine golem?”

  “Exactly,” Milli replied with a nod. “It’ll give you a chance to test its abilities and, at the same time, allow you to strengthen your own summoning skills.” She grinned, her expression softening. “It’ll be good practice for both of you.”

  Wu Zhao hesitated, her gaze flicking to Hou Yi, who stood still beside her. The idea of sparring with someone as experienced as Milli seemed daunting, especially when she had just barely summoned the golem. “Then, I would like to spar with you. But, please… go easy on me.”

  Milli chuckled, her tone light. “Oh, don’t worry—I’ll take it easy. Just focus on guiding your golem. Trust in it, and you’ll see progress.” She gave a reassuring nod.

  Wu Zhao took a deep breath, steadying her nerves. “Alright, I’ll do my best.”

  The air around them seemed to still as Milli stepped back, positioning herself for the impending challenge. Wu Zhao turned her attention to Hou Yi, her expression both determined and uncertain, silently urging her golem to move.

  “Here I go,” Milli said with a spark of excitement, her fingers brushing against a small pouch at her side. She pulled out a card and held it up high. With a flourish, she released it into the air. It floated there for a moment, spinning lazily before she touched it with her staff.

  “Come out, Baltimore,” she uttered, her voice carrying a soft command.

  The card glowed faintly at first, its surface shimmering as if the light were being drawn in. Then, with a sudden pulse of energy, a dark shadow emerged from the card. It swirled in the air like smoke, twisting and coiling until it began to solidify. Slowly, the shadow took shape—muscles bulging, and hooves clattering against the ground—as it formed into the unmistakable figure of a minotaur.

  Baltimore stood there, towering over them all, his body thick with rippling muscle, his horns curving menacingly from his head. His heavy chest rose and fell with each breath, and his eyes glowed faintly with an otherworldly light.

  Wu Zhao’s eyes widened, both impressed and slightly intimidated by the sheer size of the creature. "That's your summon?" she asked, her voice tinged with awe.

  “Oh my, that is a mighty spirit,” Peng Xian exclaimed, his voice laced with both surprise and admiration. He stood off to the side, his arms crossed as he observed the unfolding scene. His sharp eyes never left the minotaur, recognizing the immense strength that emanated from Baltimore.

  Wu Zhao nodded, her eyes now focused on her own summon, Hou Yi. The golem stood tall and motionless, awaiting her command, while Baltimore paced slowly, ready for whatever came next. A tense silence hung in the air, as the two summoned beings prepared for battle.

  Milli took a step back, allowing the two summoned beings to stand face to face, each waiting for their master's command. Wu Zhao felt a surge of anticipation rise within her. This was her chance to truly see the strength of her golem—and perhaps even understand its potential.

  Baltimore slammed his massive axe into the ground, the impact reverberating through the air as the earth itself seemed to tremble beneath the force. The weapon dug deep into the ground, its heavy blade creating a small crater, and Baltimore gripped it tightly, anchoring himself firmly in place. His eyes narrowed as he looked at Hou Yi, the minotaur’s posture shifting into one of readiness, muscles coiling like springs, preparing for a brawl.

  “Let’s see how your golem holds up in close combat,” Milli said, her voice cool and steady. She watched with keen interest, her staff resting casually in her hand as she observed Wu Zhao’s movements.

  Hou Yi remained motionless for a moment, but Wu Zhao could feel the energy emanating from the golem, its silent obedience to her commands. She nodded, her expression determined.

  “Hou Yi, brace yourself,” Wu Zhao commanded, her voice steady but firm.

  The golem’s armored frame shifted slightly, adjusting its stance. Without a word, it began to close the gap between itself and Baltimore, its heavy steps causing the ground to tremble slightly as it moved. Despite its weight and the imposing form, Hou Yi moved with a certain fluidity, its obsidian armor gleaming in the sunlight.

  Baltimore didn’t wait for Hou Yi to get closer. He swung his axe in a swift, horizontal arc, aiming directly for the golem’s chest. The impact of the strike would have crushed any ordinary opponent, but Hou Yi remained unfazed. The golem raised one armored arm, catching the axe’s blade with a resounding clash. Sparks flew from the contact, but the golem stood firm, its footing unshaken.

  Wu Zhao watched closely, her heart pounding with a mixture of excitement and nervousness. She could sense the power in the exchange—the golem’s strength was impressive, but she could feel it wasn’t fully tapped into yet. She had to push it further.

  “Now, Hou Yi—counter!” Wu Zhao ordered.

  In response, the golem twisted its torso and, with its free hand, launched a powerful strike at Baltimore’s side. The sheer force of the blow sent a shockwave through the air, and Baltimore grunted as he was forced back, his boots skidding against the ground. The minotaur quickly regained his footing, his grin widening, clearly enjoying the challenge.

  The sparring session, which had begun as a training exercise, soon stretched on for quite some time. The sun, once high in the sky, began its slow descent toward the horizon. The fiery hues of the evening sky cast long shadows across the courtyard as the temperature dropped slightly with the fading light. The intensity of the battle didn’t waver, even as time marched forward.

  After what felt like an eternity of skillful exchanges, the match came to an end. Peng Xian, who had been observing closely from the sidelines, clapped his hands together in approval. His voice rang out, warm and filled with admiration. “Impressive bout. That was an eye-opener,” he said, his eyes gleaming with a sense of newfound respect.

  Wu Zhao, still catching her breath, felt a quiet sense of pride settle in her chest. The battle had been intense, but it had also shown her just how much progress she had made. The bond she shared with Hou Yi, forged in the heat of the sparring, felt stronger than ever before.

  Milli, observing her closely, spoke with a hint of encouragement in her voice. “You know, since this was just sparring, I held back on my attacks. But you could try attacking together with your golem next time. It would strengthen the bond between you two and make you both more effective.”

  Wu Zhao crossed her arms thoughtfully, her eyes drifting to Hou Yi as it stood silently by her side, still radiating an aura of power. She weighed Milli’s words carefully. The thought of fighting alongside the golem, instead of simply commanding it, felt like the next step in their partnership.

  "I see your point," Wu Zhao said, nodding slowly. "I will heed your advice and train with Hou Yi. Together, we will grow stronger." Her voice was firm, a new sense of resolve settling within her.

  The weight of the decision hung in the air, but Wu Zhao was certain it was the right path forward.