Slowly, a small head peeked out from the shell. Zhi-Zhi's eyes were wide, and Kai could see a tremor in the tortoise's tiny limbs.
"Are you okay?" Kai asked. "What happened in there?"
Liu Wei crouched down, his eyes scanning the spirit tortoise for any signs of injury. "You had us wor...
2024-07-17 22:04:28 +0000 UTC View PostIn a split second, Kai activated Swift Wind Step, darting to the left. The black silhouette's fingers grazed his cheek as he moved, sending a chill down his spine.
Kai stumbled, breathing heavily as he put some distance between himself and the strange entity.
That was too close 2024-07-17 21:29:51 +0000 UTC View Post
"Let's do this."
Kai placed his right foot on the first step, bracing for the pressure. It slammed into him immediately, but this time he was prepared. He gritted his teeth and pushed through, lifting his other foot to the second step.
Okay, this is just like those high-gravity ...
The blinding light faded, and Kai found himself standing in complete darkness. He blinked, trying to adjust his eyes, but it was no use. The darkness was absolute.
I’m surprised I’m not falling through the air or anything. Small mercies, I guess.
He took a deep breath, ca...
2024-07-17 00:45:50 +0000 UTC View Post“The first trial you will face is known as the Trial of Endurance,” the Sect Master continued, "You will be transported to a mini-realm, a pocket of space created and controlled by our sect. Within this realm, each of you will face a series of challenges."
An excited whisper rippled thr...
2024-07-16 20:20:59 +0000 UTC View PostBefore Zhi-Zhi could finish his story, a hush fell over the crowd. The air seemed to grow heavy, charged with qi that made the hairs on the back of Kai's neck stand up.
This pressure... Kai thought, instinctively tensing. It's similar to what I felt from Zhi-Zhi's mother, ...
2024-07-16 19:28:17 +0000 UTC View PostAs the flying boat glided through the air, Kai stood at the bow, his eyes fixed on the horizon. The wind whipped through his hair, carrying the scent of mountain air and something else—something mystical. In the distance, a magnificent structure began to take shape, growing larger with each pas...
2024-07-16 00:54:29 +0000 UTC View PostSlifer stood in the center of the courtyard, his eyes fixed on the sky above. The air crackled with energy, and he could feel the hair on the back of his neck standing up. Three lightning bolts began to form in the air, their electric blue tendrils twisting and coiling like angry serpents.
...
2024-07-15 22:13:04 +0000 UTC View PostAuthor's Note
This chapter will later be swapped with chapter 33, I wanted to give Zhi-Zhi's POV on Kai's death and I feel it is better when it comes before the Reset.
***
From within the safety of his shell, Zhi-Zhi peeked out at the chaotic sc...
2024-07-15 13:05:56 +0000 UTC View PostKai opened his eyes to find himself suspended in an endless void. The familiar nothingness surrounded him, just as it had the last time he died. He couldn't feel his body or see any part of himself. It was as if he had become one with the emptiness.
Well, this is familiar. At least I kn...
2024-07-14 22:06:14 +0000 UTC View Post"Stay on the boat," Elder Feng commanded as he drew his sword and leapt into the air. The blade glowed with qi, allowing him to stand on it as if it were a flying platform.
There it is! The classic ‘flying sword’, Kai’s eyes widened. I wonder how long it’ll take me to ...
The moment Kai's foot touched the deck of the ark, he felt a subtle shift in the ambient qi. It was as if the very air around them had become charged with potential energy. He glanced at Liu Wei, wondering if his companion had noticed the change. judging by the wide-eyed look on Liu Wei's face, h...
2024-07-14 00:19:13 +0000 UTC View PostA few days had passed since the Talent Ceremony, Kai, Liu Wei, and Zhi-Zhi made their way through the busy crowd as they headed towards the village entrance.
Just a few more steps, and we're off to the Azure Sky Sect, Kai thought. Time to see if all that grinding was enoug...
2024-07-13 23:51:13 +0000 UTC View PostThe next morning, Kai woke up feeling refreshed, his qi flowing smoothly through his meridians. He sat up, stretching, and glanced over at Zhi-Zhi's corner.
The little tortoise was already awake, he was perfectly position so his shell gleamed in the early morning light, giving him dignified...
2024-07-12 23:34:41 +0000 UTC View Post"Before we start," Kai said, his expression turning serious, "I'm going to suppress my qi to Stage 3 Qi Refining. It'll make things fairer and give you a fighting chance."
Kai closed his eyes, focusing inward at the qi flowing through his meridians. Slowly, he began to restrict the that flo...
2024-07-12 23:24:21 +0000 UTC View PostSlifer sat cross-legged on a cultivation pillow in his room, eyes closed in deep concentration. Outside in the courtyard, Morvran stood vigilant, waiting for the start of his master's tribulation.
Alright, time to level up, Slifer thought as his eyes flashed open. Let's h...
Kai sat cross-legged in the fields outside his little hut. Opposite him, Liu Wei mirrored his position, his expression a mix of eagerness and nervousness. To Kai's right, Zhi-Zhi on a smooth stone.
"Alright, Liu Wei,” Kai began. “We're going to start with the Swift Wind Step technique."...
2024-07-12 03:14:43 +0000 UTC View PostThe morning sun peeked over the horizon, casting a golden glow across the Misty Waterfall Village. Kai stood at the edge of the town square, watching as villagers began to gather for the Talent Ceremony.
Liu Wei shifted beside him, his eyes darting nervously among the crowd. "It feels stran...
2024-07-12 03:05:12 +0000 UTC View Post"You dare," Feng growled, his voice low and dangerous. "You dare mention those crimson demons in my presence?"
Maybe I pushed a little too hard there, but I can't back down now, he thought, fighting to keep his breathing steady. This is definitely a dialogue tree ...
2024-07-12 02:52:09 +0000 UTC View PostZhang Wei hurried forward, bowing deeply. "Honored Elder Feng, these are the young cultivators I was telling you about, Kai Thorn and Liu Wei."
Kai and Liu Wei bowed low, careful to keep their eyes respectfully lowered as Zhang Wei had instructed.
Elder Feng's gaze swept over them, li...
2024-07-12 02:43:25 +0000 UTC View PostAs Kai, Liu Wei, and Zhi-Zhi reached the top of the final hill, the Misty Waterfall Village came into view. The architecture, a unique blend of fantasy and historical elements, no longer shocked Kai as it had weeks ago. Now, it felt almost... familiar.
"Home sweet home," Kai murmured, a sma...
2024-07-12 02:37:15 +0000 UTC View PostAuthor's Note
This chapter is in Liu Wei's POV, you'll see different POVs every now and then as it helps develop the side characters and gives you an idea on how they view Kai.
***
Liu Wei made his way through the forest, his eyes fixed on the b...
2024-07-12 02:34:26 +0000 UTC View Post"Humans, for helping my son, I give you a choice. You can both select one fruit to consume."
Is this for real? Kai's eyes widened. A power-up served on a silver platter? He glanced at Liu Wei, who looked equally stunned.
Zhi-Zhi, the little tortoise, let out a s...
2024-07-12 02:27:18 +0000 UTC View PostKai glanced at Liu Wei, who was frantically trying to free himself from the roots. The young man's face was pale with fear.
"Liu Wei, stay calm," Kai said, keeping his voice steady despite the panic rising in his chest. "We need to think this through."
Suddenly, a translucent blue s...
Kai stood in the clearing, his chest heaving as he caught his breath. The bodies of the three cultivators lay scattered around him. He glanced at the spirit tortoise, still hidden safely in its shell.
Time to check my stats, Kai thought. He focused, calling up his status windo...
2024-07-12 02:15:44 +0000 UTC View PostChen Yan's lips curled into a sneer. "Oh, so you're one of those bleeding hearts who can't bear to see a poor little animal get hurt? Trust me, kid, in this world, it's kill or be killed."
If only you knew, I've probably killed more digital creatures than you've had hot meals,<...
2024-07-12 02:06:44 +0000 UTC View PostOnly when they were far enough from that unfathomable being, did Kai’s mind wander to the System.
1000 XP to break into Stage 7…the XP needed to level up is increasing faster than I expected, Kai mused. Soon, I'll need to take down multiple high-level beasts just to ma...
2024-07-12 01:54:41 +0000 UTC View PostOkay, this is just like a boss battle. Assess the enemy, figure out its weaknesses, and exploit them.
A notification popped up in Kai's vision:
New Quest: Exterminate the Giant Scavenger Roach
Reward: 150 XP, Rare Item Drop
Kai and Liu Wei set out at dawn, the cool morning air nipping at their faces as they made their way into the forest surrounding the Misty Waterfall Village.
Kai kept his eyes on the map floating in his vision, carefully guiding them along the path indicated by the treasure map they'd found ...
2024-07-12 00:01:18 +0000 UTC View PostKai stepped out of his hut, squinting in the bright morning sunlight. The village bustled with activity, but his mind was focused on one task: finding Liu Wei. He had important news to share about the upcoming sect recruitments.
He made his way to the outskirts of the village, where Liu Wei...
2024-07-11 00:49:09 +0000 UTC View Post