Quest Maker: 401

Title: Kindness

As Ja Sun and others believe, the new monsters are the subject of great curiosity. He can summon more of them, but he would like to study the ones already here. Of course, to the likes of 100000-year-old beasts and demigods, it’s not the biological structure of the monster that intrigues the group—it’s their source of energy. The group of small and cute green bugs doesn’t possess Spirit Energy. Or rather, they possess a distinct stream of energy that originates from one element alone.

Ja Sun’s group knows more about the element—understanding that it’s all about the various Laws than anything else, so it’s not hard to assume the new monster’s source of energy stems from a Law, too. The most curious thing, however, is how the new monsters will take to their new environment steeped with Spirit Energy. Ja Sun can think of a few advantages and disadvantages of such use. First, these beasts are more specialized than the spirit beasts of this world. Yes, there are elemental beasts in this world. But they stick to familiar claws and bites in their early years. Even Snow’s species—Heavenly Snow Woman—are only resistant to cold in their early years and have to use their fists if not under their elder’s protection. Their species thrive in the Extreme North due to Snow’s presence.

The monsters in front of Ja Sun should be able to use energy-based moves far earlier.

“They look delicious.” Qian Daoliu affirms with a lick of his lips at the sight of new insects to devour, feeling younger by a few years.

Ja Sun glances at the man before humming. “I can sense and understand the energy in the few beasts settling on the island. But these bugs are one of the more confusing ones. Their energy feels awfully similar to each other. See those green shell-like monsters?” Ja Sun brings the group’s attention to the silent pods beside the green caterpillars. “They share many similarities internally—biological similarities. But they feel too young to undergo any evolution or mutation common in 10000/100000-year-old beasts.”

“If you’re saying they are better just because they are quick to change, then you are wrong,” Bing Bing snorts as Ja Sun shrugs. “Did I say that? I was just making an observation.”

These things are easy for Ja Sun to observe after his familiarity with various laws and sheer overbearing Divine Intent. He smiles and snaps his finger as the group’s vision shifts.

“We are near my cave,” Xiao Bai gasps. She stares at Ja Sun’s back cautiously. Interest in a strong entity fades from her eyes. She cannot help but imagine Ja Sun lusting over her tribe’s body and possible spirit bones.

“Calm yourself,” equally sharp intent locks on her profile as the corner of Xiao Bai’s eyes twitch. She stares at Bing Bing. The twin-tailed jade-haired buster of popsicles continues with a compressed voice. “If he aimed for a Shark, you’ll be his perfect target.”

“You’re taking his side now?” Xiao Bai sneers. “And remove your gaze before I’m encouraged enough to bite your head off.”

“You can try.” Bing Bing narrows her eyes.

“Be sure to invite me when you fight,” a snickering voice cuts in as Bing Bing and Xiao Bai jolt in surprise. Their heads whip in Ja Sun’s direction. He points at the group of furry purple butterflies with large red eyes and translucent but large wings.

“Those butterflies are similar to the bugs we saw. These must be their better forms conforming to the usual state of a butterfly.”

A breathtaking butterfly illuminates Ja Sun’s body before fluttering its wings and flying in the direction of the other beasts.

“Bright Goddess Butterfly,” the remaining group stares with an expression of wonder. Ja Sun’s first spirit soul is widely renowned as the most beautiful spirit beast, and he agrees with the notion wholeheartedly. After all, even Ja Sun has to admit the purity of the humanoid Bright Goddess Butterfly that he keeps for himself—the greedy Demigod he is.

But he also knows his first Spirit Soul is quieter than the Nightmare’s Fantasy and the other two Spirit Souls who are childlike due to their original consciousness being wiped away—and she is suicidal, or was.

The Butterfly returns to Ja Sun and expresses herself.

“Hmm, so these are called Butterfree? It’s the same things they call out,” Ja Sun muses and nods. “So the other two should be cater…pie, and metapod? Or Piecater and Podmeta.”

He could directly converse with the beasts using telepathy, but it’s also a good chance for Bright Goddess to move a little instead of slouching in one spot.

“And,” Ja Sun looks at the two spirit beasts, “The eldest of these butterflies is no older than three years.”

Bing Bing and Xiao Bai stare at each other before glancing at the butterflies.

“So, what if this world affects them positively?” Qian Daoliu understands what Ja Sun is implying as the latter looks at the ominous black-pupil pattern on the back of his right hand. “Then we’ll see if we can farm spirit bones. It is almost good luck that we stand upon an array storing spirit rings and bones of spirit beasts for years, right?”

His grin widens.

Things are looking up.

“But I’m more interested in replicating the beasts’ quick growth and evolution. Those concepts may have interesting uses in the long run.”

‘But none of them are useful to the current me,’ Ja Sun sighs internally. This trip isn’t about intrigue alone. He turns to look at Bo Saixi, “We are going to the cities now!”

Feeling Daoliu’s stare, Ja Sun shrugs, “After I drop you off at home with a caterpie or two.”

“Great~!” Daoliu smiles widely, happy at his disciple’s ‘foresight.’

---

The Island has seven cities under the seven Guardians’ protection. The nearest City to Shark’s Cove happened to be the Sea Dragon City. And the sight of the simple procession did not please the Sea Dragon Douluo for several reasons, yet reason won over anger as the robust and tall man lowered his head.

“Welcome, Priestess,” the man musters with deep-blue draconic horns jutting from his foreheads. The Titled Douluos of the Island can retain their spirit transformations—parts of it—to bolster their strengths perpetually. It’s similar to how Ja Sun can remain in his Spirit Transformation for as long as he wishes because his pool of spirit energy is nigh unlimited, not to mention the expenditure of the Spirit Transformation is negligent due to his impeccable control.

“No welcoming for me?” Ja Sun tilts his head, smirking as he looks around. Ja Sun could sense the Sea Dragon City isn’t the largest or the most populated settlement despite the Sea Dragon Douluo holding the highest cultivation of the group—Rank 95. Another rank and he will step into the realms of the Hidden Elders of the Spirit Hall Qian Xunji took away into hiding.

Blue hair and the likes are more common than one presumes as the blue-headed Sea Dragon Douluo looks up with a conflicted look.

“Don’t worry. I didn’t expect any.” Ja Sun smiles. He looks at the simple cottage behind the Dragon Douluo on the peak of the hill overlooking the settlement. Since the purpose of the seven lakes and pillars built atop them meant to pass Poseidon’s inheritance has lost its meaning, the Seven Children of the Sea retreated to their humble abodes to protect their corresponding settlements.

It takes little to rile the obviously temperamental Sea Dragon Douluo as Ja Sun’s smirk rubs the man wrong. But he keeps silent as Bo Saixi nods. “We were observing the new beasts before Ja Sun decided to visit Sea Dragon City. I will leave him and his companion in your hospitality.”

Sea Dragon’s expression freezes as Bo Saixi reveals with a complicated look, “I would have been willing to accompany him, but I need to cultivate and regain my former cultivation.”

Ja Sun raises an eyebrow before shaking his head, “It’s alright. Bing Bing and I can look around ourselves if you’re really feeling pressed for time.”

Bo Saixi frowns while a hint of relief that appears on Sea Dragon’s expression.

“That’s… kind of you?” Bing Bing frowns. She expected Ja Sun to tag along with Sea Dragon Douluo just because the man did not want anything to do with Ja Sun.

“What’s that supposed to mean?” Ja Sun chuckles, warmly patting Sea Dragon’s round shoulder, “I’ve always been kind, no need to worry. We’re just here to look and mingle.”

The corner of Bo Saixi's eyes starts twitching as she narrows her eyes, “You won’t earn Sea Dragon’s faith with such acts.”

The Douluo blinks in surprise before pulling away from Ja Sun’s hand. Unable to contain himself at the note of humiliation burning in him, the Douluo snarls, “Don’t treat us like livestock to cultivate!”

“I’m not,” Ja Sun leans back with a half-shrug. An impish smirk graces his lips as he points out, “Faith doesn’t care for your cultivation, right? Geez, I can’t even be kind without suspicions riddling my way.”

“And I would believe you, why?” Dragon scoffs. His life be damned! Now that he’s started to let loose, he isn’t going to hold back even if it costs his life. After all—

“You’re the cause of all this mess!”

“You can say that a hundred more times and it still wouldn’t change a thing. Go on, try it. 99 more to go.” Ja Sun narrows his eyes. “The only reason I’m here is to understand them.”

He points toward the settlement with his index finger. “Understand—not rule and conquer.”

“To look down on us just because you’re a God?” Sea Dragon grits his teeth.

“Look down on you?” Ja Sun sighs softly. “Do you think I’m looking down on you right now? Am I beating the fuck out of you and spitting in your mouth? Do you see me ravaging the Shark’s tribe? Humiliating my dear Priestess?”

“I’m no Priestess,” Bo Saixi scoffs.

“Give it time,” Ja Sun smiles. If he can convince Bibi Dong to have a kid with him by only fucking her ass until she begs for a creampie, Ja Sun is sure he can figure a way around a damn diligent Priestess.

“The point is,” Ja Sun stares at the Douluo, “I’m not looking down on you. I’m simply indifferent to your existence. You’re no friend of mine, you wouldn’t give me a chance by opening up, you’re not my student, not a follower either. In your terms, would you look down on an ant or live your life indifferent to its existence?”

Sea Dragon could tell at a glance how sincere Ja Sun is in his explanation, but the contents drove him to the brink of utter rage as he clenches his claws into fists!

An ANT?!

Yet, Ja Sun’s soothing smile hides a note of coldness. Sea Dragon’s eyes suddenly widens as his forehead breaks out in cold sweat. He feels is all too clearly!

“Do you understand now?” Ja Sun questions softly.

And Sea Dragon doesn’t act out. He nods mechanically as Ja Sun turns to look at Bing Bing, flicking his index against her forehead, “And why the hell are YOU complaining about my kindness? What do you lack?”

She snorts, looking away with puffed cheeks.

As the duo leave, Bo Saixi looks at Sea Dragon, mustering gently, “Are you alright?”

Sea Dragon looks at Bo Saixi and the curious Xiao Bai.

“No,” he stumbles back, falling on his ass as he starts heaving deep breaths, recalling the calm nightmare hidden behind those Green-Gold pupils.

“I died… seven times.”

Xiao Bai blinks in surprise but Bo Saixi calmly supplants, “Then you’re lucky, and maybe that man is somewhat kind in his own way. Because men and women like you and me may have approached the situation more harshly.”

Sea Dragon’s lips quiver.

He’s killed far too many times—not the islanders. But many enemies, and their friends for their disrespect. Today, however, he had to accept one thing—

He was Gifted his life.

Alternate Title: Gift of Life; Ja Sun’s Kind? Sus; Butterfree; The Suicidal Butterfly Forced into Social Interaction; Qian Daoliu’s True Priorities; Keen Rivalry of a Scorpion and a Shark; The Sea Dragon City; Ja Sun and Bing Bing Alone? It was all Part of Bing’s Keikaku; The Tsundere Wants What?; Nightmare; Surpassing the Killing Interactions of this World