"So can we start now?" Long Yifan asked.
Long Yifan set up the summoning array and explained everything to Gu Jin side by side.
After finishing setting up, he motioned Gu Jin to sit at the center. Once she did, he asked her to close her eyes.
Just as she was about to follow his advice, she suddenly heard the space’s voice,
"Master, Si Kai has exited his island and wants to meet you, he is saying that he has something important to tell you."
Gu Jin was stunned and suddenly said to Long Yifan,
"Can you leave for 15 minutes?"
Long Yifan saw her calm eyes, before nodding.
He didn’t question her why she made such a request. He was in no position to ask her any question.
Not to mention, he didn’t want to question her at all.
Once he left, Gu Jin made sure he was far away and then helped Si Kai come out.
Once outside, he breathed the air and muttered,
"Its have been so long since breathed this half polluted and half fresh air."
Turning toward, Gu Jin, Si Kai pouted,
"Hm? Sister, why have you grown up so much more? Just a month ago, I was able to reach your waist. I did a lot of height-increasing exercise and thought that I would finally reach your shoulders but now...I still only reach your waist area."
Gu Jin glanced down at Si Kai, amusement flickering across her usually impassive face.
"Perhaps it’s not that I’ve grown, but that you’re not trying hard enough."
Si Kai huffed, crossing his arms.
"I did try! I even hung from tree branches, hoping gravity would do its magic! But I swear, it’s like the heavens themselves are preventing me from growing."
A soft chuckle escaped Gu Jin’s lips, an unusual sight for anyone who knew her. "Perhaps you’re meant to stay small forever."
Si Kai gasped dramatically.
"Blasphemy! Sister, have some faith in me. I’ll get there! Just you wait."
Shaking her head, Gu Jin’s expression softened momentarily before returning to its usual cool demeanor.
"So, what’s so important that you had to come out now?"
Si Kai’s playfulness faded, and his expression turned serious.
"I heard you are about to enter the summoning plane?"
"Yes." Gu Jin nodded.
"Have you awakened the summoning element?"
Gu Jin nodded her head again.
"I will go with you. I have almost reached the Beast Master rank, I can now help you to increase your chances of summoning a great potential beast." Si Kai said with a serious expression.
(Mystical --> Beast Trainer --> Beast Lord --> Beast Master --> Master --> Grandmaster --> Supreme --> Divine)
Gu Jin suddenly remembered that it was indeed mentioned in the book containing information about inordinate body type.
"How will you help me?"
"I will hold your hand and I can protect you from the chaotic beast in the summoning plane. You can say I will create a protective barrier around you and make sure no one hurts you." Si Kai explained.
Gu Jin’s eyes brightened.
In the summoning plane, she can’t use any of her elements so the only thing she could rely on was her physical strength.
If Si Kai who has a strength equivalent to a Super Rank mage, protects her, then she doesn’t need to worry about the beast harming her.
Si Kai continued in a soft voice,
"I can also help you to identify the best beast with good lineage and potential."
"Huh? Lineage? Potential?" Gu Jin was stunned she didn’t know the beast had lineage and potential.
Si Kai nodded, his expression solemn.
"Of course. You didn’t think all beasts were equal, did you? The summoning plane isn’t just some random wilderness filled with creatures waiting to be bonded.
It’s an ecosystem of power, bloodlines, and evolution. The stronger the lineage, the greater the potential of the beast you summon."
Gu Jin’s brows furrowed slightly as she processed his words.
She had read plenty about summoning, but the books often provided only a surface-level understanding.
This was the first time she had heard about lineage affecting potential so distinctly.
Si Kai continued, his tone instructive.
"A beast with a strong lineage will have inherent abilities that surpass those of common beasts. The rarer the bloodline, the more powerful the beast’s future evolutions will be.
Some lineages are nearly extinct, and only those with an extraordinary connection to the summoning plane can hope to find them."
"And you believe you can help me identify these beasts?" Gu Jin asked, skepticism laced in her tone.
"I don’t just believe—I know." Si Kai grinned, the confidence in his voice unwavering.
"My affinity allows me to perceive the flow of mana within living beings. With it, I can see beyond a beast’s outer appearance and into its core—its very essence.
That’s how I can distinguish between an ordinary creature and one with hidden potential."
Gu Jin tapped her fingers lightly against her arm, contemplating his words.
If what he said was true, then having Si Kai by her side during the summoning ritual would be invaluable.
Summoning was already an unpredictable endeavor—if she could maximize her chances of obtaining a powerful contracted beast, then she would be foolish to ignore such an opportunity.
"Alright," she finally said. "You can accompany me. But you’ll have to ensure your safety first."
Si Kai saluted playfully. "Understood, Sister!"
She turned her gaze toward the horizon, where Long Yifan was still waiting at a distance, unaware of the exchange taking place.
Si Kai followed her gaze and narrowed his eyes before he recognized,
"Wait! Isn’t he the brother who had saved me from the forest in Fujio City?"
The only time Si Kai ever entered the forest of Fujio City was when he was kidnapped by subordinates of the Si Family.
At that time, Si Kai had insisted that he was saved by a handsome man. So that man was...Long Yifan?
Just how many times had he saved her and the people around her?
"Sister, do you like him?" Si Kai asked with a frown.
"Huh? No. Why do you ask?" Gu Jin asked subconsciously.
"So why are you staring at him." Si Kai continued. His brows were furrowed and he looked like a worried father, "Sister before you make any boyfriend, that person will have to go pass my test."
Gu Jin gave Si Kai a flat look, amusement barely flickering in her gaze. "Since when did you become the gatekeeper of my personal life?"
Si Kai puffed up his chest, crossing his arms with an exaggeratedly serious expression.
"Since I decided that my dear sister deserves only the best. And trust me, men can be unreliable. Just because someone saved you once—or twice—doesn’t mean they deserve you."
Gu Jin raised an eyebrow. "And what exactly does your ’test’ involve?"
"Oh, it’s rigorous! A thorough investigation of his background, moral character, and potential for betrayal. Physical strength is a must, too—I can’t have my sister falling for some weakling."
Gu Jin sighed. "Ridiculous."
Si Kai huffed. "Sister, you’re too trusting!"
"No, I’m not. I simply don’t concern myself with things that have no place in my priorities right now," Gu Jin stated firmly, her voice unwavering.
Si Kai blinked before sighing in defeat.
"Fine, fine. But if he ever makes you sad, tell me. I’ll beat him up."
Gu Jin smirked slightly. "I’ll keep that in mind."
Si Kai shot a glance toward Long Yifan, who remained at a respectable distance, his expression unreadable.
He wasn’t eavesdropping—at least, not obviously—but Si Kai still narrowed his eyes in suspicion.
With a shake of his head, he turned back to Gu Jin. "So, should we head to the summoning plane now?"
"Yes." Gu Jin nodded. "But remember, don’t interfere unless absolutely necessary."
Si Kai grinned. "Got it. I’ll be your invisible guardian."
With that settled, Gu Jin gestured for Long Yifan to return.
When Long Yifan saw Si Kai, he was surprised.
From where did this guy appear? Gu Jin’s space?
Long Yifan’s memory was great and for some reason, he remembered all the people related to Gu Jin...
He seemed to be the little brother, Gu Jin had adopted.
However, he knew, he shouldn’t ask any questions.
"Yes," Gu Jin answered. "Let’s begin. Oh right...he will be with me too."
She pointed at Si Kai.
"But..." Long Yifan hesitated.
"Is there any problem?" Si Kai looked at Long Yifan with a sharp gaze.
’Future brother-in-law is so feisty!’ Long Yifan thought, before explaining, "But you don’t have the summoning element, so you will not be able to enter the summoning plane."
"Don’t worry, he will." Gu Jin said with certainty.
Seeing her confidence, Long Yifan could only keep his mouth shut and nod.
"Alright then, you sit down in the center and...ask your younger brother to sit beside you. Both of you hold hands and Jin places the summoning stone in your right hand."