Chương 112: 16-21 Cultivation is a Game [Xianxia LitRPG Isekai]
Chapter 16 Unknown Entity
Okay, 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
Failure: Death
He quickly compared his physical stats to the beast's:
Kai Thorn
Level: 5
XP: 150/500
Qi: 100/100
Strength: 31
Agility: 33
Endurance: 32
It outclasses me in raw stats, but I have more skills and Liu Wei as backup. Plus, it's weak to fire. I can work with this.
"Liu Wei!" Kai called out, his voice steady despite the deadly threat. "It's weak to fire. Use any fire-based skills you have!"
"I-I don't have any fire skills, Master!"
Right, of course not. That would be too easy, Kai thought.
The roach charged forward, its mandibles clicking ominously. Kai activated his Wind Step skill, darting to the side just as the creature's massive form barreled past.
"Aim for the joints in its legs!" Kai shouted. "We need to slow it down!"
Liu Wei nodded, pulling out a handful of throwing knives, he threw them at the creature's leg joints. Two found their mark but the creature's tough exoskeleton deflected most of the damage.
This is just like that giant beetle boss in Forest of Doom, Kai thought. We need to find its weak points.
The roach spun around with surprising speed, its antennae twitching as it faced Liu Wei. A glob of greenish liquid shot from its mouth, narrowly missing the young man.
"Watch out for its spit!" Kai warned. "It's acidic!"
Liu Wei nodded, ducking behind a tree. "Master, what's the plan?"
Kai's mind raced, recalling countless gaming strategies. "We need to kite it!" he shouted, then quickly corrected himself. "I mean, we need to keep it moving, tire it out. You aggro it, and I'll look for weak spots!"
Liu Wei looked confused but nodded. "I'll keep it busy!"
He then darted out from behind the tree, waving his arms. "Hey, you overgrown bug! Over here!"
The roach turned, its multifaceted eyes gleaming with hunger. It scuttled after Liu Wei, who led it in a zigzag pattern through the trees.
Kai took advantage of the distraction, circling around behind the creature.
Wait a second. My Qi Condensation skill... I wonder...
Kai focused, drawing on his qi and channeling it through his Qi Condensation skill. He visualized flames, willing the energy to take that form.
To his amazement, a small orb of condensed fire formed in his hand.
Holy crap, it worked! This is just like crafting a spell in an RPG.
"Liu Wei!" Kai called out. "I'm going to try something. When I give the signal, hit it with everything you've got! We need to maximize our DPS!"
"Understood, Master!"
Kai began to circle the roach, condensing more and more fire qi into the orb in his hand. The creature tracked his movements, its eyes gleaming with malice.
Just a little closer...
When he was directly in front of the roach, Kai shouted, "Now!"
He hurled the condensed fire orb straight at the roach's face. At the same moment, Liu Wei leaped from his perch, daggers in hand, aiming for the creature's back.
The fire orb exploded on impact, engulfing the roach's head in flames. It thrashed wildly, nearly catching Liu Wei in mid-air. But the young man managed to twist his body, landing on the roach's back and plunging his daggers deep into a gap in its armor.
The roach bucked and writhed, trying to dislodge Liu Wei. Kai saw his chance and charged in, activating his Iron Skin for protection. He aimed a powerful Flame Palm Strike at the roach's underbelly, where the armor looked thinnest.
The strike connected, and Kai felt the satisfying crunch of chitin giving way under his fiery palm. The roach let out another piercing screech, this time tinged with pain and desperation.
"Liu Wei, get clear!" Kai shouted.
His support didn't need to be told twice. Liu Wei vaulted off the roach's back, rolling as he hit the ground.
Kai pressed his advantage, unleashing a flurry of Flame Palm Strikes on the roach's wounded underside. Each hit caused the creature to shriek and flail, its movements becoming more erratic.
This is it, Kai thought. Time for the finishing move.
He gathered his remaining qi, condensing it into the most powerful fire orb he could manage. The effort made his head swim, but he pushed through the discomfort.
Skill Leveled Up!
Flame Palm (Level 3)
Your Attack increases by 30% when activated
You have gained 75 XP!
Perfect timing!
"Hey, ugly!" Kai taunted, backing away from the roach. "Over here!"
The creature turned towards him, mandibles clicking in fury. It reared up, preparing to bring its full weight down on Kai.
Wait for it…
Just as the roach lunged forward, Kai hurled his condensed fire orb straight into its gaping maw.
For a moment, nothing happened. Then the roach's eyes bulged, and its body began to swell. A muffled boom echoed from within its carapace, and flames burst from every joint in its armor.
The Giant Scavenger Roach collapsed, twitching a few times before finally going still. A message popped up in Kai's vision:
Quest Completed: Exterminate the Giant Scavenger Roach
Reward: 150 XP, Rare Item Drop: Roach Carapace Fragment
You have received a bonus reward for defeating your first beast!
150 XP!
Level Up! You are now Level 6
Kai let out a long breath, the tension draining from his body. He turned to Liu Wei, who was staring at the roach's corpse with a mixture of awe and disbelief.
"Are you okay?" Kai asked.
Liu Wei nodded slowly. "That... that was incredible, Master. The way you controlled the fire, it was like nothing I've ever seen."
Kai grinned, trying to hide how drained he felt. "Just a little trick I've been working on. You did great too, by the way. Those knife throws were spot on."
Liu Wei beamed at the praise. "Thank you, Master. But... what do we do now?"
Kai glanced at the roach's smoking corpse. "Well, first things first. Let's see what we can salvage from this thing. In games- I mean, in stories I've heard, monster parts can be valuable."
They approached the dead roach cautiously. Kai reached out and touched its carapace, surprised to find it warm to the touch. A small piece came away in his hand, glowing faintly with residual qi.
This must be the Roach Carapace Fragment, Kai thought. He slipped it into his inventory, making a mental note to examine it more closely later.
"Master," Liu Wei said hesitantly, "do you think there are more of these... things out here?"
Kai frowned. It was a good question. "Possibly. We should stay alert. But hey, look on the bright side. If there are more, that just means more experience for us, right?"
Liu Wei gave him a puzzled look. "Experience?"
Right, not a gamer term here, Kai reminded himself. "I mean, more opportunities to test our skills and grow stronger," he clarified.
"Ah, I see," Liu Wei nodded. "You're right, Master. Every challenge is a chance to improve."
As they continued their journey, Kai couldn't help but feel a mix of excitement and apprehension. The forest around them seemed more alive now, every rustle in the bushes a potential threat... or opportunity.
This is way more intense than any game I've played, he thought. But the principles are the same. Adapt, overcome, and level up.
They walked in silence for a while, both lost in thought. Kai used the time to review his new stats and skills:
Name: Kai Thorn
Level: 6
XP: 0/1000
Qi: 150/150
Strength: 41
Agility: 43
Endurance: 40
Intelligence: 25
Wisdom: 22
Skills:
Qi Condensation (Level 3)
Basic Cultivation Technique (Level 3)
Unarmed Combat (Level 2)
Deception (Level 3)
Iron Skin (Level 2)
Swift Wind Step (Level 2)
Flame Palm Strike (Level 3)
Mental Fortitude (Passive)
Not bad for one fight, Kai mused. But I'll need to get a lot stronger if we're going to face whatever's guarding that treasure.
"Master," Liu Wei's voice broke into his thoughts. "Can I ask you something?"
"Sure, go ahead."
Liu Wei hesitated for a moment before speaking. "During the fight, you said some... strange things. Like when you shouted 'aggro' and 'kite'. What does that mean?"
Kai winced internally. He'd been so caught up in the moment, he'd slipped into gamer lingo without realizing it.
"Ah, that," he said, trying to sound casual. "Aggro is just a term I picked up... from some mercenaries I met before. It means to attract attention, to make the enemy focus on you."
Liu Wei's eyes widened with interest. "I see! That's sounds useful. And what about when you said 'DPS' when you were hitting it with those fire strikes?"
Crap, Kai thought. I really need to watch my language.
"That's, uh, short for 'deliver powerful strikes'," he invented on the spot. "It's just a way to remind myself to hit hard and fast."
"Fascinating," Liu Wei said. "The way you think about combat is so... structured. Is that how they train in your homeland?"
Kai tensed slightly at the question, it seems Liu Wei was still curious about his background, problem was, he still hadn't come up with a solid backstory for himself.
"Something like that," he said vaguely. "From what I can remember, I'm used to... analyzing battles a lot. Break them down into components, you know?"
Liu Wei nodded eagerly. "That makes sense. It clearly works well for you, Master. Do you think you could teach me more of these concepts?"
Kai considered for a moment. On one hand, explaining game mechanics to someone from a non-gaming world could be tricky. On the other hand, having Liu Wei understand his strategies better could be a huge advantage.
"Sure," he said finally. "I can try to teach you some basics. But remember, these are just ways of thinking about combat. The most important thing is to stay adaptable and trust your instincts."
"Of course, Master," Liu Wei said, bowing slightly. "Thank you."
As they continued walking, Kai began explaining some basic gaming concepts to Liu Wei, translating them into terms the young man could understand. He talked about "tanking" as deliberately drawing enemy attacks to protect allies, "kiting" as a way to damage enemies while staying out of their reach, and "crowd control" as techniques to limit an enemy's actions.
Liu Wei listened intently, asking thoughtful questions that forced Kai to really think about how these concepts applied to real combat.
"This is amazing, Master," Liu Wei said after a while. "It's like you have a whole system for understanding battles. No wonder you were able to defeat that roach so easily."
Kai chuckled. "Well, I wouldn't say easily. That thing was tough. And remember, all the strategy in the world doesn't matter if you can't execute it. Your skills were just as important in taking that thing down."
Liu Wei beamed at the praise. "Thank you, Master. I'll keep practicing to improve my skills."
As they walked, Kai noticed Liu Wei practicing some of the movements he'd used during the fight, mimicking the way Kai had dodged and struck.
He's a quick learner, Kai thought approvingly. That'll come in handy.
The sun was high in the sky now. Kai checked his map, noting that they were getting close to the area marked on the treasure map.
"We should be nearing our destination," he told Liu Wei. "Stay alert. If there was one monster guarding the path, there might be more ahead."
Liu Wei nodded, his hand moving to the hilt of his dagger. "Do you think we'll face more of those roach creatures, Master?"
Kai shook his head. "I doubt it. In ga- I mean, in my experience, challenges tend to vary. We should be prepared for anything."
As if on cue, a rustle in the bushes ahead caught their attention. Both Kai and Liu Wei dropped into defensive stances, ready for another fight.
But instead of a monster, a small, furry creature scampered out onto the path. It looked like a cross between a rabbit and a squirrel, with large, curious eyes and a fluffy tail.
"Oh," Liu Wei said, relaxing slightly. "It's just a forest critter."
Kai, however, kept his guard up. In games, cute creatures are often more dangerous than they appear, he thought. He quickly checked his map function, expecting to see a marker for the creature.
His blood ran cold when he saw... nothing. The map showed the surrounding area, but there was no indication of the being right in front of them.
What the hell? Kai thought, sweat beading on his forehead. Is my map function broken? Or is this thing so powerful it doesn't even register?
Suddenly, a system notification flashed in Kai's vision:
Unknown Entity
Level: ???
Unable to identify. Entity's level exceeds your perception ability by a significant margin.
Holy crap, Kai thought. The map function isn't broken, this thing is just too OP! It could probably sneeze and accidentally wipe us out.
The creature tilted its head. Then, to Kai's surprise, it spoke.
"Greetings, travelers," it said in a high-pitched voice. "What brings you to this part of the forest?"
Liu Wei's jaw dropped. "It... it talks?"
A talking animal NPC. Maybe, it's friendly, let's see where this goes. Kai bowed deeply, nudging Liu Wei to do the same.
"We're on a... quest," Kai said carefully. "Looking for a treasure that's supposed to be in this area. Do you know anything about that?"
The creature's whiskers twitched. "Treasure, you say? Hmm... there are many valuable things in this forest. But not all treasures are what they seem."
Cryptic NPC dialogue. Check, Kai thought wryly.
"Can you give us any more specific information?" he bowed again.
The creature scratched its ear thoughtfully. "I might be able to... for a price. Do you have any spirit fruits on you? They're quite tasty, you know."
Kai glanced at Liu Wei, who shook his head. "Sorry, we don't have any spirit fruits," Kai said.
The creature sighed dramatically. "Oh well. In that case, I can only offer you this advice: beware the guardian of the hollow tree. Its bark is worse than its bite, but its bite is still pretty bad."
With that cryptic warning, the creature scampered back into the bushes, leaving Kai and Liu Wei staring after it in confusion.
"Master," Liu Wei said slowly, "what just happened?"
Kai exhaled slowly, finally relaxing. "We just had an encounter with a being far beyond our current level. We're lucky it was feeling benevolent."
Liu Wei nodded, still looking bewildered. "A guardian in a hollow tree... what do you think it means?"
"I'm not sure," Kai admitted. "But if we're unlucky, we'll find out soon enough. Come on, let's keep moving."
As they resumed their journey, Kai's mind raced with possibilities. A guardian in a hollow tree... could it be some kind of plant monster? Or maybe the tree itself is alive? I'd rather not face a demonic tree!
He glanced at his wrist, where only one prong was red. Still no change. I guess killing monsters doesn't count towards giving me respawn lives.
A thought occurred to him, making him frown. It would probably be good to find a few bandits and... deal with them. Just to be prepared for whatever is at that treasure spot.
The idea made him uncomfortable, but he pushed the feeling aside. This is a xianxia world. It's kill or be killed. I need every advantage I can get.
Chapter 17 A Tortoise
Only 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 make a dent. And one day, killing might not even give me meaningful XP at all.
He shook his head, pushing the worrying thoughts aside. No point dwelling on that now. Who knows if I'll even make it that far?
Liu Wei's voice brought him away from his thoughts. "Master, do you think we're getting close to the treasure?"
Kai was about to respond when something on his map caught his eye. Three red dots surrounded a single green dot not too far from their position.
Red usually means hostile, Kai thought. But green... that's new. Could it be a friendly NPC? Or maybe a quest giver?
Without warning, Kai grabbed Liu Wei's arm, cutting him off mid-sentence. "Quiet," he whispered. "Follow me. Stay low."
Liu Wei's eyes widened, but he nodded, falling into a crouch as they moved through the underbrush.
As they drew closer, Kai could make out voices. They crept to the edge of a small clearing, peering through the foliage.
Three figures stood in the clearing – two men and a woman. At first glance, they appeared to be cultivators, but something about them seemed... off. Their clothes were a mishmash of styles, lacking the uniform appearance of sect members.
Rogue cultivators, Kai realized. Like me, but probably not isekai'd.
The trio surrounded what looked like a shell the size of a dinner plate – either a turtle or a tortoise, Kai couldn't tell the difference. They seemed to be trying to lift it, but no matter what they did, the small thing just wouldn't budge.
"Dammit, Chen Yan!" one of the men growled, wiping sweat from his brow. "You said this would be easy money!"
The woman – Chen Yan, apparently – scowled. "How was I supposed to know the stupid thing would be so heavy? It's just a baby!"
"Some 'rare beast expert' you are," the other man grumbled. "Can't even tell how strong a tortoise is."
"Oh, like you're any help, Huang Lei!" Chen Yan snapped. "All that muscle, and you can't even budge it!"
The first man sighed. "Both of you, shut up. We need to figure this out before someone comes along and steals our prize."
Kai leaned in closer, straining to hear their conversation. Liu Wei shot him a confused look, but Kai held up a hand, motioning for him to stay quiet.
"Look, Guo," Huang Lei said, addressing the first man. "Maybe we should just give up. This thing clearly doesn't want to move."
Guo shook his head. "No way. Do you know how much a Spirit Shell Tortoise is worth? We could live like kings for a hundred years off this haul!"
Chen Yan nodded. "He's right. We can't give up now. Maybe if we all lift together?"
"We already tried that," Huang Lei pointed out.
"Well, what's your bright idea then?" Chen Yan challenged.
Huang Lei scratched his head. "I don't know... maybe we could dig it out?"
Guo rolled his eyes. "Great plan. Let's spend hours digging while any cultivator in the area senses the commotion and comes to investigate."
"At least I'm trying to come up with ideas!" Huang Lei protested.
"Yeah, terrible ones," Chen Yan muttered.
"Oh, like you're one to talk!" Huang Lei shot back. "This whole mess is your fault!"
Chen Yan's eyes flashed dangerously. "What did you say?"
"You heard me!" Huang Lei growled. "If you hadn't insisted on chasing this 'sure thing,' we could be back at the tavern by now, drinking our troubles away!"
"Oh, so sorry for trying to improve our lot in life!" Chen Yan said, her voice dripping with sarcasm. "Next time, I'll be sure to run all my ideas by the great and powerful Huang Lei first!"
"Enough!" Guo shouted, stepping between them. "This bickering isn't helping anyone. We need to focus on the task at hand."
Chen Yan took a deep breath, visibly calming herself. "You're right. I'm sorry, Huang Lei. I…I shouldn't have snapped at you."
Huang Lei's shoulders slumped. "No, I'm sorry. This isn't your fault. We all agreed to come out here."
Guo nodded approvingly at the two childhood friends. "That's better. Now, let's think this through logically. What do we know about Spirit Shell Tortoises?"
Chen Yan's brow furrowed in concentration. "Well, they're incredibly rare. Their shells are prized for their defensive properties – they say even Foundation Establishment cultivators have trouble breaking them."
"Which explains why we can't lift the damn thing," Huang Lei muttered.
"Right," Guo said. "What else?"
"They're intelligent," Chen Yan continued. "Some say they can understand human speech, even from a young age."
Huang Lei's eyes widened. "Wait, are you saying we should try talking to it?"
Chen Yan shrugged. "It's worth a shot, isn't it? We've tried everything else."
Guo nodded slowly. "Alright. Chen Yan, you're the pretty one, you give it a try."
Chen Yan took a deep breath, then approached the shell. She knelt down, bringing her face close to its surface.
"Hello there, little one," she said softly. "We don't mean you any harm. We're just trying to help you. It's dangerous out here in the forest. Why don't you come with us? We can keep you safe."
For a moment, nothing happened. Then, ever so slightly, the shell shifted.
"It's working!" Huang Lei whispered excitedly.
Chen Yan shot him a glare, then turned back to the tortoise. "That's right, little one. You can trust us. We'll take good care of you."
The shell lifted a fraction higher, revealing the edge of a scaly leg.
Guo grinned. "Keep going, Chen Yan. You've almost got it."
Chen Yan reached out a hand, her fingers inches from the tortoise's shell. "Come on, little one. Just a bit more..."
Suddenly, the shell slammed back down, nearly crushing Chen Yan's fingers. She jerked back with a yelp.
"What happened?" Huang Lei asked.
Chen Yan shook her head, looking bewildered. "I don't know. It was working, and then..."
Guo's eyes narrowed. "It must have sensed your true intentions. These creatures are more perceptive than we gave them credit for."
Huang Lei kicked at the ground in frustration. "So, what now? We can't lift it, we can't trick it... are we just supposed to give up?"
Guo's face hardened. "No. We're not leaving empty-handed. If we can't take it alive, we'll have to..."
He trailed off, but the implication was clear. Chen Yan and Huang Lei exchanged uneasy glances.
"Are you sure about this, Guo?" Chen Yan asked quietly. "Killing such a rare creature... it feels wrong."
Guo's jaw clenched. "We don't have a choice. You know how things are for rogue cultivators like us. We need every advantage we can get."
Huang Lei nodded reluctantly. "He's right, Chen Yan. It's not pretty, but it's survival."
Chen Yan sighed, her shoulders slumping in defeat. "I suppose you're right. How should we do it? Isn't its defence basically impenetrable?"
As the trio discussed their grim plans, Kai's mind raced. He glanced at Liu Wei, who looked thoroughly confused and more than a little worried.
Time to make a decision, Kai thought. These rogue cultivators are clearly desperate. If I reveal myself, they'll probably attack on sight. But I can't let them kill that tortoise – it could be a valuable ally…or make us rich!
He narrowed his eyes, focusing on the System's ability to analyse opponents. Information flooded his mind as he analyzed the three cultivators:
Name: Chen Yan
Level: Qi Refining Stage 6
Strength: 38
Agility: 44
Endurance: 41
Name: Guo
Level: Qi Refining Stage 6
Strength: 42
Agility: 42
Endurance: 42
Name: Huang Lei
Level: Qi Refining Stage 6
Strength: 45
Agility: 35
Endurance: 45
All Qi Refining Stage 6, but with different stat distributions, Kai noted. Chen Yan's built for speed, Guo more balanced, and Huang Lei's the tank of the group.
He studied their attire, noting Chen Yan's light, flexible clothing, Guo's robes with various pouches (likely for tools or talismans), and Huang Lei's heavier, protective gear.
Their equipment matches their stats. This could be tricky if it comes to a fight.
He turned his attention to the tortoise, his eyes widened at the information that appeared:
Spirit Shell Tortoise (Infant)
Level: Qi Refining Stage 9
Strength: 77
Agility: 10
Endurance: 99
Special Ability: Impenetrable Shell
Note: Extremely rare beast with immense potential for growth
Holy crap, Kai thought. No wonder they want it so badly. But why isn't it defending itself? Is it because it's too slow?
He pondered the situation, weighing his options. If I help the tortoise, I could potentially gain a powerful ally. Plus, taking out these rogue cultivators would fill up my respawn slots. It's risky, but the potential rewards are too good to pass up.
Kai didn't feel particularly guilty about planning a sneak attack. The cultivators showed up as red dots on his map, which usually indicated hostile intent. The life of a rogue cultivator is brutal, he reasoned. They'd probably attack me on sight and rob my corpse if they knew I was here.
New Quest: Rescue the Spirit Shell Tortoise
Objective: Prevent the rogue cultivators from capturing the rare spirit beast
Reward: 600 XP, Increased reputation with Spirit Beasts, ???
Failure: Decreased reputation with the inhabitants of the Whispering Woods, Potential loss of unique ally
Accept? Y/N
Kai blinked in surprise. Well, that's convenient timing. At least the system agrees with my decision.
Without hesitation, he mentally selected 'Y' to accept the quest. The blue box disappeared, replaced by a small quest tracker in the corner of his vision.
This confirms it, Kai mused. Saving the tortoise is definitely the right move. And that mystery reward looks promising.
He then began considering his options for a sneak attack. I could try creating a bow with Qi Condensation, but I haven't practiced enough to be sure of a one-shot kill at this distance. And I need to take at least one of them out immediately to have a chance.
After a moment's consideration, Kai settled on a plan. Stealth assassin approach it is. Time to channel my inner rogue.
Kai turned to Liu Wei, speaking in a whisper. "I'm going to engage them. When I give the signal, I want you to engage from the trees using your throwing knives. Aim to break their coordination. Got it?"
Liu Wei nodded hesitantly. "Understood, Master."
Kai turned his focus on his qi, condensing it into the shape of two sharp daggers. Then, with a deep breath, he activated his Swift Wind Step technique.
In the clearing, the trio were still discussing how to kill the tortoise.
"Maybe if we all attack at the same time at a targeted..." Guo was saying when a blur of movement caught Chen Yan's eye.
"Watch out!" she cried, but it was too late.
Kai materialised behind Guo, who seemed to be the leader of the group. Without hesitation, he plunged both daggers into the man's back, aiming for his heart.
Guo let out a strangled gurgle, blood bubbling from his mouth as he collapsed.
Cultivator Guo eliminated.
+100 XP
Kai stood over Guo's body, daggers dripping with blood. He kept his expression neutral despite the adrenaline coursing through his veins. "I'm the one who's going to end your little spirit beast hunting expedition."
As he faced the remaining two cultivators, a part of Kai's mind was analyzing the XP reward. Only 100 XP for killing a Stage 6 Qi Refining cultivator? I expected a little more, considering I got 300 XP for killing that Stage 7 bandit leader.
Right, I was three stages below that Stage 7 when I killed him. Now I'm at the same stage as this Stage 6 cultivator. It seems the system balances the XP based on my level relative to my enemies.
A grim realization settled in. At this rate, I'd need to kill 10 enemies at my level to advance to Stage 7. That's... a lot of fighting ahead.
"You bastard!" Chen Yan screamed, her hands already moving to form a martial arts stance.
Huang Lei dropped into a fighting stance, his fists glowing with earthen energy. "Who the hell are you?" he growled.
"I'm just someone who doesn't appreciate bullies picking on rare spirit beasts," Kai replied coolly, his qi-formed daggers at the ready. "Now, are we going to do this the easy way, or the hard way?"
Two Stage 6 cultivators. If I can take them both out, that's another 200 XP. But even with the reward from the quest, it's still not enough to level up!
Chapter 18 Fighting a Pseudo Qi Refining Stage 8
Chen 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, Kai thought like that counted for something.
"I'm well aware of how the world works," Kai said. "But that tortoise is more valuable alive than dead. You're just too short-sighted to see it."
"If we can't have it then no one can," Huang Lei's said as his eyes narrowed. "But what do you know about it?"
Kai smirked. "More than you, apparently."
Without warning, Chen Yan lunged forward, her hands glowing with a pale blue energy. Kai barely had time to dodge as she unleashed a flurry of strikes, each one trailing wisps of frost.
Ice-type skills? Kai rapidly countered with a Flame Palm Strike, the heat from his hand melting the frost on Chen Yan's fingers. She hissed in pain and jumped back.
Huang Lei seized the opportunity to charge in, his earth-infused fists swinging in wide arcs. Kai activated his Swift Wind Step, narrowly avoiding a punch that left a small crater in the ground where he'd been standing.
These guys aren't messing around, Kai thought. Time to get creative.
He focused his qi, condensing it into a long staff. Chen Yan and Huang Lei's eyes widened in surprise.
"What kind of technique is that?" Chen Yan demanded.
Kai smirked. "Wouldn't you like to know?"
He twirled the staff, using it to keep both opponents at bay. Huang Lei tried to close in, but Kai swung the staff low, sweeping the man's legs out from under him.
Chen Yan took advantage of the distraction to unleash another ice attack. Kai raised his staff to block, but the frost began to creep along its length.
Crap, didn't think that through, Kai realized. He quickly dissipated the staff, letting the ice shatter harmlessly on the ground.
"Interesting trick," Chen Yan said, her eyes narrow. "But parlor tricks won't save you."
She began weaving complex patterns in the air, frost trailing from her fingertips. The temperature around them plummeted.
She's charging up for a big attack, Kai thought. Can't let her finish.
He condensed his qi, rapidly shaping it into a series of small daggers. He then fanned out his arm, sending five qi daggers flying towards Chen Yan in a wide spread. Her eyes widened in shock as the glowing projectiles flew towards her.
At the last second, Huang Lei leaped in front of his companion, a wall of earth rising to block the attack. Three of the qi daggers embedded themselves into the impromptu shield before dissipating, while two flew past on either side.
Chen Yan ducked to avoid one of the stray daggers, while the other grazed her arm, leaving a thin, glowing cut.
"Nice try," Huang Lei growled. "But we've got each other's backs."
Teamwork, Kai thought as he gritted his teeth.Always complicates things.
He glanced at the spirit tortoise, still withdrawn into its shell. Come on, little guy. A little help would be nice.
Despite being grazed by the dagger, Chen Yan finished her technique, unleashing a wave of freezing energy that swept across the clearing. Kai activated his Iron Skin technique, feeling the cold wash over him without penetrating.
Huang Lei, protected by his earth abilities, charged through the frost. His fist, now encased in stone, swung towards Kai's head.
Kai ducked under the blow, feeling the wind of its passage ruffle his hair. He countered with a Flame Palm Strike to Huang Lei's midsection, but the bigger man barely flinched.
Tough guy, Kai thought. Need to find a weak spot.
He backpedaled, trying to create some distance. Chen Yan pursued, ice daggers forming in her hands.
"You can't run forever," she taunted, flinging the daggers at Kai.
He deflected most with hastily condensed qi shields, but one slipped through, leaving a shallow cut on his arm. Kai hissed in pain, feeling the cold seep into the wound.
This is getting dicey, he thought. Time for some backup.
"Now, Liu Wei!" Kai shouted.
From the bushes came a volley of throwing knives. They weren't particularly accurate, but they forced Chen Yan and Huang Lei to break off their attack, diving for cover.
"Another one?" Chen Yan snarled. "How many of you are there?"
Kai used the momentary distraction to close the distance to Chen Yan. His Flame Palm Strike caught her in the shoulder, and she cried out in pain as the heat seared through her clothes.
Huang Lei roared in anger, the ground trembling beneath their feet. Cracks spread across the clearing, forcing Kai to hop from one stable patch to another.
Terrain manipulation, Kai noted. Gotta be careful not to lose my footing.
He condensed his qi into a grappling hook, using it to swing to a nearby tree branch. From his new vantage point, he rained down qi arrows on his opponents.
Chen Yan wove a dome of ice to shield herself and Huang Lei. The arrows shattered against it, but cracks began to form in the icy barrier.
"We can't keep this up forever," Chen Yan panted. "We need to end this quickly."
Huang Lei nodded. "I've got an idea. Cover me."
As Chen Yan reinforced their ice shield, Huang Lei placed his hands on the ground. The earth began to rumble ominously.
What's he up to? Kai wondered.
Suddenly, stone spikes erupted from the ground, shooting towards Kai's perch. He leaped away just in time, the branch he'd been standing on impaled by the rocky projections.
Kai landed in a roll, coming up with qi daggers in hand. He flung them at Chen Yan, forcing her to dodge and breaking her concentration on the ice shield.
Huang Lei seized the opportunity to charge, his body now covered in a layer of living stone. Kai's eyes widened as the man barreled towards him like an unstoppable juggernaut.
Oh crap, Kai thought. That's gonna hurt.
He tried to dodge, but Huang Lei anticipated the move, changing direction with surprising agility for someone covered in rock. His stone-encased fist caught Kai in the ribs, sending him flying across the clearing.
Kai hit the ground hard, the air driven from his lungs. His vision swam as he struggled to his feet.
That... that wasn't fun, he thought dizzily. Note to self: don't let the big guy hit me again.
Chen Yan pressed the advantage, sending a barrage of ice shards his way. Kai managed to condense a shield just in time, the frozen projectiles shattering against it.
"Liu Wei!" Kai called out. "A little help here!"
More throwing knives came flying from the bushes, forcing Chen Yan to break off her attack. One knife found its mark, embedding itself in her thigh.
Chen Yan cried out in pain and anger. "You little rat! I'll freeze you solid when I find you!"
Kai used the distraction to catch his breath, his mind racing. Okay, think. What would I do in a game situation like this?
He glanced around the clearing, taking in the terrain. The spirit tortoise was still withdrawn in its shell, seemingly oblivious to the battle raging around it. Trees surrounded them on all sides, their branches reaching overhead.
Making multiple qi platforms will take too much qi. I can instead use the environment to my advantage.
He condensed his qi into a long rope, then flung it upwards, wrapping it around a sturdy branch. Using it like a vine, he swung towards Huang Lei, both feet extended.
The big man, still encased in his stone armor, didn't have time to dodge. Kai's kick caught him square in the chest, the momentum of the swing adding to the impact.
Huang Lei stumbled backwards, cracks appearing in his stone coating. He growled in frustration, trying to grab Kai, but the rope allowed him to swing out of reach.
Chen Yan, limping slightly from the knife in her leg, sent more ice attacks Kai's way. He used the rope to swing erratically, making himself a difficult target.
This is more like it, Kai thought. Now I've got the mobility advantage.
He released the rope at the apex of a swing, soaring over Chen Yan's head. As he passed, he unleashed a Flame Palm Strike downwards, catching her a glancing blow on the shoulder.
Chen Yan screamed in pain and rage, frost spreading from her in all directions. The temperature in the clearing plummeted, ice crystals forming on the grass and trees.
Kai landed and immediately had to dodge as icicles began raining down from the branches overhead. One caught him on the arm, leaving a nasty gash.
Okay, maybe pissing her off wasn't the best idea, he thought, wincing at the pain.
Huang Lei, his stone armor now repaired, charged at Kai once more. This time, Kai was ready. He condensed his qi into a tripwire, stretching it between two trees.
The big man, focused on Kai, didn't see the trap until it was too late. He tripped, his momentum carrying him forward to crash face-first into a tree trunk.
The impact shattered Huang Lei's stone armor, leaving him dazed and vulnerable. Kai seized the opportunity, unleashing a flurry of Flame Palm Strikes on the man's exposed back.
Huang Lei roared in pain, trying to swat Kai away. But without his armor, the strikes were taking their toll.
Chen Yan, seeing her companion in trouble, redoubled her efforts. She formed a massive spear of ice, hurling it at Kai with all her might.
Kai saw it coming at the last second. He dove to the side, feeling the rush of frigid air as the spear passed inches from his face. It embedded itself in a tree behind him, the wood creaking ominously from the sudden cold.
Too close, Kai thought, his heart racing. Need to end this soon.
He glanced at Liu Wei's hiding spot, then back at his opponents. An idea began to form.
"Liu Wei!" he called out. "Remember that move we practiced?"
There was a moment of confusion, then understanding dawned in Liu Wei's eyes. He nodded, readying his remaining throwing knives.
Kai charged towards Chen Yan, zigzagging to avoid her ice attacks. Just as he neared her, he shouted, "Now!"
Liu Wei's knives came flying from the bushes. Chen Yan, focused on Kai, didn't see them coming. Three found their mark, embedding themselves in her back.
Chen Yan screamed in pain and surprise, her concentration breaking. The ice forming around her hands shattered.
Kai seized the moment, closing the distance using Wind Step. His Flame Palm Strike caught her square in the chest, the heat searing through her clothes and skin.
Skill Leveled Up!
Wind Step (Level 3)
Your Agility increases by 30% when activated
Chen Yan's eyes widened in shock and pain. She stumbled backwards, her breath coming in ragged gasps. Then, without a sound, she collapsed to the ground.
Cultivator Chen Yan eliminated.
+100 XP.
As Kai stood over Chen Yan's body, his chest heaving from exertion, he felt a sudden warmth on his wrist. Glancing down, he saw that all three prongs on his trident-like mark had turned red.
Three lives, he sighed with relief.
He then turned to face Huang Lei, who was staring at Chen Yan's fallen form in disbelief.
"Chen Yan?" Huang Lei whispered, his voice cracking. Then his face contorted in rage. "You... you killed her!"
Why is he so shocked? Kai wondered. Isn't this what rogue cultivators do every day? Kill and rob others?Well, looks like I'm going to have to kill him even though killing him won't give me another life, in these stories, leaving an enemy alive always leads to revenge plots. I can't take that risk, not after the bandit incident.
"I did," Kai replied. "And you're next."
"You think I'd just let you kill me!" With a roar, Huang Lei slammed his fists into the ground. The earth trembled, and Kai watched in shock as Huang Lei's body began to change.
Rocks and soil swirled around the man, covering his skin. His muscles bulged, growing to inhuman proportions. When the transformation was complete, Huang Lei stood nearly twice his original size, his body a patchwork of stone and flesh.
A notification popped up in Kai's vision:
Warning: Enemy power surge detected
Huang Lei's stats have temporarily increased to Qi Refining Stage 8
Current stats:
Strength: 63
Agility: 40
Endurance: 60
Oh, you've got to be kidding me, Kai thought, his eyes widening. A rage-induced power-up? That's so cliché... and so dangerous.
Huang Lei's eyes, now glowing with an unearthly light, fixed on Kai. "I'll crush you!" he roared, his voice distorted and gravelly.
Kai barely had time to think before Huang Lei was upon him. A massive fist swung towards his head, and Kai knew that if it connected, it would likely take his head clean off.
He desperately condensed his qi into a shield, holding it up just as the blow landed. The impact sent shockwaves through Kai's body, and he felt the shield crack under the immense pressure.
This isn't good, Kai thought, gritting his teeth against the pain. I can't take many hits like that.
He tried to counterattack with a Flame Palm Strike at the rogue cultivator's chest, but against Huang Lei's stone-enhanced body, it barely left a scorch mark.
Huang Lei grinned savagely, grabbing Kai by the front of his shirt. "Burn this," he growled, before throwing Kai across the clearing.
Kai sailed through the air, unable to control his flight. He slammed into a tree trunk with bone-jarring force, stars exploding in his vision.
As he struggled to his feet, he saw Huang Lei charging towards him again, each footstep leaving small craters in the ground.
Shit, Kai thought, his mind racing. I'm going to lose another life now.
He tried to dodge, but his battered body was too slow. Huang Lei's fist, now the size of a boulder, came flying towards him.
In that moment, something unexpected happened. The spirit tortoise, which had remained inactive throughout the battle, suddenly appeared in front of Kai.
Kai, seizing the opportunity, grabbed the tortoise shell. He used it as a shield, feeling the impact reverberate through his arms as Huang Lei's fist connected.
But the shell held, not even a crack appearing on its surface.
Huang Lei's eyes widened in shock. "What? How-"
His moment of surprise was all Kai needed. With his free hand, he condensed his qi into a long, sharp spike. Before Huang Lei could react, Kai thrust the spike forward with all his strength.
The qi-formed weapon found its mark, piercing Huang Lei's throat. The big man's eyes bulged, his mouth opening and closing soundlessly. His stone armor began to crumble, revealing the man beneath.
Huang Lei stumbled backward, clutching at his throat. Then, with a final, gurgling gasp, he collapsed to the ground.
Kai stood there, panting heavily, the spirit tortoise's shell still held in one hand. He stared at Huang Lei's fallen form, a mix of guilt and relief swirling within him.
Cultivator Huang Lei eliminated.
+200 XP
I did it. I actually did it.
Quest Completed: Rescue the Spirit Shell Tortoise
Reward: 600 XP, Increased reputation with Spirit Beasts, New Skill Unlocked: Spirit Beast Communication (Level 1)
Level Up!
You are now Level 7
Chapter 19 Level 7
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 window.
Name: Kai Thorn
XP: 0/2000
Level: 7
Qi: 200/200
Strength: 50
Agility: 53
Endurance: 51
Intelligence: 28
Wisdom: 27
Skills:
Qi Condensation (Level 3)
Basic Cultivation Technique (Level 3)
Unarmed Combat (Level 2)
Deception (Level 3)
Iron Skin (Level 2)
Swift Wind Step (Level 3)
Flame Palm Strike (Level 3)
Mental Fortitude (Passive)
Spirit Beast Communication (Level 1)
It took saving a rare tortoise and killing three cultivators at the same level just to break through, Kai sighed, running a hand through his hair.
He turned his attention to the spirit tortoise, which had yet to emerge from its shell. Kai cleared his throat and spoke, "Hey there. I'm Kai. Thanks for the help earlier."
To his surprise, the tortoise's head popped out of the shell, its eyes wide with wonder. "You... you can speak the beast tongue?" it asked, its voice high-pitched and slightly squeaky.
"Only the basics," Kai smiled, which was true since he had just acquired the skill. "I'm still learning."
The tortoise's eyes sparkled with excitement. "Oh, how wonderful! I am Zhi-Zhi, wise spirit of the shell and guardian of ancient knowledge."
"Nice to meet you, Zhi-Zhi," Kai said, bowing slightly. "Thank you again for your help. That could have ended badly if you didn't interfere when you did."
At that moment, Liu Wei dropped down from the trees, landing gracefully beside Kai. He looked between his master and the tortoise, confusion evident on his face. To him, Kai appeared to be talking normally but the beast was just making strange noises.
Kai noticed Liu Wei's bewilderment and realized his servant was being left out of the conversation. He turned back to the tortoise. "Say, Zhi-Zhi, would you mind speaking in the human tongue? My friend here doesn't understand beast language."
Zhi-Zhi's eyes narrowed slightly, as if offended by the implication that he might not be able to speak human language. But as the tortoise glanced at Liu Wei's confused expression, its features softened.
"Of course," Zhi-Zhi said, now in perfect human speech. "My apologies for the oversight, young cultivator. I am Zhi-Zhi, a spirit tortoise of great wisdom and power."
Claiming to have great wisdom and power somehow makes me doubt it, Kai thought with a wry smile
Liu Wei's eyes widened in amazement. "It... it can actually talk!" he exclaimed, then quickly bowed. "Forgive me, noble spirit. I am Liu Wei, Master Kai's servant!"
"Great!" Kai said. "Now that we've introduced ourselves, I have to ask, Zhi-Zhi. Why didn't you do anything earlier? Those cultivators were trying to capture you."
Zhi-Zhi's head retreated slightly into his shell, his eyes narrowing. "Young one, you must understand that we spirit beasts operate on a different level than mere mortals. Those low-level cultivators could never have harmed me. They would have grown bored and left eventually."
Interesting, Kai thought. He's either incredibly powerful or incredibly naive. Maybe both. "I see. Well, I'm glad we were able to resolve the situation quickly."
A spirit beast companion could be incredibly useful. It's like having a legendary pet in an MMO. But how do I convince it to join us?
"So, Zhi-Zhi," Kai said casually, "where are you headed? Do you need any protection on your journey?"
The tortoise's head emerged fully from its shell, and it puffed out its chest. "Protection? Ha! My shell is all the protection I need, young cultivator." Then, almost as an afterthought, it added, "Though I am traveling in that direction." Zhi-Zhi pointed with its head towards the east.
Kai's eyes lit up. That's the same direction as the treasure spot. Perfect. "What a coincidence! We're headed that way too. Maybe we could travel together?"
Zhi-Zhi seemed to consider this for a moment. "Well... I suppose it wouldn't hurt to have some company. Very well, young Kai. You may accompany me on my journey."
Kai grinned. Quest companion acquired, he thought triumphantly. He turned to Liu Wei, who was looking at him with wide eyes. "A... a spirit beast? Traveling with us?" He looked at the small tortoise with distrust. "Is that safe, Master?"
Kai clapped a hand on Liu Wei's shoulder. "Don't worry. Zhi-Zhi here is on our side. This is a great opportunity for us to learn more about spirit beasts."
Liu Wei nodded weakly, still looking unsure about the prospect of having a spirit beast join their party.
"Alright," Kai said, clapping his hands together. "Let's get moving. We've got a lot of ground to cover."
They set off, with Zhi-Zhi leading the way. However, Kai quickly realized that their pace had slowed to an agonizing crawl. The spirit tortoise moved at a speed that made snails look like sprinters.
I thought with an agility of 10, it would at least move at a normal pace, Kai thought, frustration building. At this rate, we'll reach the treasure spot sometime next century.
After about fifteen minutes of painfully slow progress, Kai cleared his throat. "Uh, Zhi-Zhi? I don't mean to be rude, but... is there any way we could move a bit faster?"
Zhi-Zhi's head swiveled around, his eyes narrowing. "Faster? Young one, haste is the enemy of wisdom. We spirit tortoises move at the perfect speed for contemplation and observation of the world around us."
Kai bit back a sigh. Great. We've got a philosopher tortoise. "I understand, Zhi-Zhi. It's just that we're on a bit of a time constraint. Would you perhaps like a lift? To, uh, give you a better vantage point for observation?"
The tortoise looked offended for a moment, then seemed to consider the offer. "Well... I suppose a higher viewpoint could provide new insights. Very well, I shall accept your offer."
Kai nodded, relieved the tortoise had taken up his suggestion. He turned to Liu Wei. "Liu Wei, would you mind carrying Zhi-Zhi on your head? It'll give him the best view."
Liu Wei's eyes widened, and he looked at Kai as if to say, "Why me?" But being the loyal servant he was, he nodded. "Of course, Master."
With some awkward maneuvering, they managed to get Zhi-Zhi situated on top of Liu Wei's head. The young man wobbled slightly under the unexpected weight but quickly found his balance.
As they resumed their journey at a much more reasonable pace, Kai found himself pondering the spirit tortoise. The system identified it as a baby, but Zhi-Zhi acts like he's ancient. Something doesn't add up.
"Zhi-Zhi," Kai said, "if you don't mind me asking, how old are you?"
The tortoise puffed up with pride. "I have seen one hundred summers, young Kai. A mere blink in the lifespan of a spirit tortoise, but filled with wisdom beyond measure, I can assure you of that."
Kai's eyebrows shot up. A hundred years old and still considered a baby? These spirit beasts are something else. "That's impressive, Zhi-Zhi. What's the typical lifespan for a spirit tortoise?"
"Ah, young one," Zhi-Zhi said, his voice taking on a lecturing tone. "We spirit tortoises live for thousands of years naturally. Some say the oldest among us have seen the rise and fall of entire civilizations."
"Wow," Kai said, genuinely impressed. "So, you're still quite young by spirit tortoise standards?"
Zhi-Zhi's head retreated slightly into his shell. "Well, yes. But do not make the mistake of thinking that makes me any less knowledgeable! Age is but a number, and wisdom knows no bounds!"
Age is but a number? That kind of thinking would get you locked up back home, Kai suppressed a smirk.
As they walked, Zhi-Zhi began to tell them tales of his adventures and profound insights into the nature of the world. Liu Wei listened with rapt attention, clearly in awe of the spirit beast. Kai, however, found himself growing increasingly skeptical.
"And so," Zhi-Zhi was saying, "I told the great Phoenix of the Southern Mountains, 'My friend, true immortality lies not in rebirth, but in the eternal flame of wisdom!' And do you know what happened next?"
"What happened?" Liu Wei asked eagerly.
"The Phoenix bowed its head in recognition of my superior insight and granted me a single feather as a token of respect!" Zhi-Zhi declared proudly.
Kai raised an eyebrow. That sounds... unlikely."Wow, Zhi-Zhi. That's quite a tale. Can we see the feather? A phoenix feather must be an incredible sight."
The tortoise's eyes widened slightly, and he seemed to fidget. "Oh, well... you see, young Kai, the feather is... it's a very delicate artifact. Exposure to the air of the mortal realm could damage its ethereal properties. I keep it safely tucked away in my... uh... spirit space! Yes, that's it. For safekeeping, you understand."
Uh-huh, Kai thought, his suspicions confirmed. He's definitely making this up as he goes along.
"Of course, how thoughtful of you to preserve such a rare treasure," Kai said, keeping his tone neutral. "Perhaps you could tell us more about this Phoenix? How did you come to meet such a legendary creature?"
Zhi-Zhi hesitated for a moment. "Well, you see, it was during my great pilgrimage to the... uh... the Sacred Peaks of Enlightenment! Yes, that's it. A treacherous journey that only the wisest and bravest of spirit beasts dare to undertake."
Kai nodded, playing along while mentally rolling his eyes. This spirit beast might be a hundred years old, but he's got the imagination of a children's story writer. I wonder if any of his 'wisdom' is actually true, or if it's all tall tales.
"Master," Liu Wei whispered, his eyes shining with admiration, "we are so fortunate to have such a wise and experienced spirit beast with us!"
"We really are." Kai patted Liu Wei's shoulder. Poor kid. He's buying every word of this.
Kai decided to test the tortoise's knowledge a bit more directly to see if there was any truth in the tortoise's stories.
"Zhi-Zhi," he said, "I've been wondering about a cultivation technique I heard of. It's called the 'Celestial Phoenix Rebirth Method.' Have you heard of it?"
Kai had completely made up this technique on the spot, but the tortoise nodded.
"Ah, yes, the Celestial Phoenix Rebirth Method. A most potent and dangerous technique. It allows the cultivator to... uh... be reborn from their own ashes, growing stronger with each rebirth. But it comes at a great cost, you see. One must be prepared to sacrifice much."
He's just saying what anyone could guess from the name, Kai thought, suppressing a sigh. Time to press for more specific details.
"That sounds fascinating, Zhi-Zhi," Kai said, keeping his voice neutral. "Could you tell me more about the specific sacrifices required? I've heard conflicting information about the technique's details."
The tortoise's eyes darted around for a moment before he replied, "Well, you see, young cultivator, the Celestial Phoenix Rebirth Method requires the practitioner to sacrifice... their core! Yes, that's it. With each rebirth, one must destroy their cultivation core and rebuild it anew. It's a process of constant destruction and renewal, mirroring the cycle of the phoenix itself."
Kai nodded slowly, processing the information. He's almost certainly making this up on the spot, he thought. The hesitation, the convenient explanations that match the technique's name... it all points to fabrication.
And yet, a small part of Kai's mind couldn't help but wonder. For all I know, there could actually be a Celestial Phoenix Rebirth Method out there somewhere, it sounds like a legit technique. And maybe it does work exactly like Zhi-Zhi described.
"That sounds incredible, Master!" Liu Wei's eyes widened. "Have you thought about learning such a technique?"
"If it's a real technique then why not, but remember Liu Wei, not everything you hear about cultivation is true. It's important to verify information before acting on it."
The tortoise nodded vigorously. "Yes, yes, very wise, young human. Trust, but verify, as the ancient sages say."
Now it's quoting Ronald Reagan. Kai had to suppress a chuckle.
As they continued their journey, the tortoise's stories became more and more outlandish. He even began to claim he had the position of royal advisor to a kingdom of talking trees.
"Zhi-Zhi," Kai said during a pause in the tortoise's monologue, "all these adventures sound amazing. But I'm curious, what was your most recent experience before we met you?"
The tortoise fell silent for a moment, caught off guard by the question. "My... most recent experience?"
"Yes," Kai pressed gently. "What were you doing just before those cultivators tried to capture you?"
Zhi-Zhi's head retreated further into his shell. "Well, I... that is to say... I was engaged in deep meditation! Yes, contemplating the mysteries of the universe."
Kai nodded, keeping his expression neutral. "I see. And before that?"
"I... I was..." Zhi-Zhi stammered, then suddenly blurted out, "I was learning to swim, okay? My mother said I needed to practice!"
A heavy silence fell over the group. Liu Wei looked confused, glancing between Kai and the now thoroughly embarrassed tortoise on his head.
Kai sighed, a mix of amusement and sympathy washing over him. Just as I thought. He's not some ancient, all-knowing spirit. He's just a kid trying to act grown-up.
As Kai was wondering whether to expose the poor tortoise or to continue humouring it, he suddenly noticed something on his map function. A massive red spot appeared, moving towards them at an incredible speed, almost as if it had teleported.
What the hell? Kai thought, his heart racing. That can't be good.
"Liu Wei, get ready-" Kai started to warn, but before he could finish, a rumbling sound erupted from beneath their feet.
In less than a second, thick tree roots burst from the ground, wrapping themselves tightly around Kai and Liu Wei's legs. They were bound in place, unable to move.
"What the-" Kai grunted, struggling against the roots. He looked up to see Zhi-Zhi, who had been thrown into the air from Liu Wei's head, retreating into his shell in panic.
Great, Kai thought, his mind racing to find a solution. Just when I thought things were going smoothly. Whatever that red spot on the map was, it's definitely here now.
He scanned the area frantically, trying to spot their attacker. The forest around them seemed to have come alive, trees creaking and leaves rustling as though they were greeting their emperor.
This is no ordinary ambush, Kai realized. We're dealing with something way beyond our current level.
Chapter TWENTY: Tree
Kai 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 screen appeared before Kai's eyes, displaying information about their attacker:
Danger! Powerful Entity Detected
Name: Ancient Spirit Tree
Realm: Peak Nascent Soul
Age: 10,000 years
Special Abilities: ???
Warning: Extreme caution advised. Entity far exceeds current power level.
Kai's face went pale as he read the information. We're dead. We are so dead.
He glanced up at the massive tree looming before them. Its trunk was as wide as a house, with bark that seemed to shift and move like living skin. Countless branches reached towards the sky, their leaves a mix of gold and emerald. An aura of ancient power radiated from every fiber of its being.
As Kai stared at their impending doom, he recalled the cryptic warning from that strange, rabbit-squirrel creature they'd encountered earlier:
"Beware the guardian of the hollow tree. Its bark is worse than its bite, but its bite is still pretty bad."
Could this be what that creature was warning us about? Kai wondered. A Nascent Soul realm tree would certainly qualify as a formidable guardian, especially in the tutorial stages. If this is the guardian, we're in serious trouble. Its 'bark' - that initial attack with the roots - was definitely bad enough. I don't even want to imagine what its 'bite' might be.
Okay, think. There has to be a way out of this. Kai's mind raced through potential escape routes. Qi Condensation to create a blade and cut through the roots? No, a Nascent Soul realm entity's defenses would be impenetrable at my level. Swift Wind Step to outrun it? Laughable, it probably controls this entire forest. I probably move at a snail's pace in its eyes. Maybe if I...
With each idea, Kai's hope dwindled. The power gap was simply too vast. He sighed, shoulders slumping in defeat.
I'm going to die. As soon as I respawn, I need to use the brief window of surprise to create qi platforms and escape into the sky. Please, PLEASE tell me this thing can't fly. Trees can't fly, right? He paused, remembering where he was. It's a xianxia world. Of course it can probably fly. Why wouldn't a tree be able to fly here? I'm so screwed.
Just as Kai was resigning himself to his fate, a familiar squeaky voice piped up.
"Mother! Mother, please don't hurt them!"
Kai's eyes widened as Zhi-Zhi's head popped out of his shell. The little tortoise was looking up at the massive tree with what could only be described as a pleading expression.
Mother? Did that little fibber just call that monstrosity 'mother'? Kai's mind reeled. Wait a second. Didn't Zhi-Zhi claim to be an envoy to a kingdom of trees? I thought he was making that up, but...
The roots holding Kai and Liu Wei suddenly stopped tightening. A deep, melodious voice resonated through the clearing, seeming to come from everywhere and nowhere at once.
"Zhi-Zhi, my child. Are these humans bothering you?"
Zhi-Zhi shook his head. "No, Mother! I was just sharing some of my vast wisdom with them. They're my... my disciples! Yes, that's it. I've taken them under my tutelage."
The tree's branches swayed gently, and Kai could have sworn he heard a sigh rustle through its leaves. "Oh, Zhi-Zhi. Are you at it again?"
Zhi-Zhi's head retreated slightly into his shell, but he quickly popped back out. "Mother, you don't understand! This human, Kai, he helped when some bad humans wanted to capture me!"
The roots around Kai and Liu Wei's legs began to loosen. "Is this true, young human?" the tree asked, its voice softer now.
Kai nodded vigorously. "Yes, Ancient One. My companion and I found three rogue cultivators attempting to harm Zhi-Zhi. We... intervened."
Please let that be enough, Kai thought.
The roots retracted completely, freeing Kai and Liu Wei. The tree's voice took on an apologetic tone. "I see. I must thank you for protecting my son. Forgive my hasty actions."
"There's no need for thanks, Ancient One," Kai bowed deeply, his heart pounding in his chest. "We were simply doing what was right."
And by 'right,' I mean 'trying to gain an advantage,'Kai thought. Let's just keep that part to ourselves, shall we? But if we hadn't made the choice to help Zhi-Zhi, we'd be dead right now. No amount of respawns would be enough to survive this.
Liu Wei, who had been uncharacteristically quiet until now, suddenly blurted out, "But how can a tree be a tortoise's mother?"
Oh, for the love of… Liu Wei, you idiot! Kai nearly facepalmed. Didn't anyone teach you not to question the family dynamics of Nascent Soul beings? He shot a panicked glance at the enormous tree, half-expecting to be smited on the spot.
To his relief, a sound like gentle laughter rustled through the leaves. "An understandable question, young one. I am not Zhi-Zhi's birth mother, but I have raised him since he was nothing more than an egg. I found him abandoned in the forest and took him under my protection."
The tree's voice became a whisper. "His true parents... well, that is a tale for another time."
Kai felt the tension in his shoulders ease slightly. Okay, crisis averted. Note to self: give Liu Wei some lessons on when to keep his mouth shut.
Zhi-Zhi, apparently eager to bring the attention back to himself, began recounting the battle with the rogue cultivators. Kai listened with growing amazement as the little tortoise spun a tale that barely had any similarity to reality.
"...and then, with my impenetrable shell, I deflected the ice witch's attacks! Young Kai here provided adequate support, distracting the earth brute while I delivered the finishing blow with my secret technique!"
Kai managed to keep a neutral expression, but internally he was torn between amusement and exasperation. Adequate support? I practically did all the work! But you know what? If it keeps us alive, Zhi-Zhi can take all the credit he wants.
The tree's branches swayed gently, and Kai got the distinct impression it was used to Zhi-Zhi's embellishments. Nevertheless, it praised the little tortoise.
"How brave you were, my child! Truly, you are growing into a formidable spirit beast."
Zhi-Zhi preened under the praise, puffing out his little chest as much as his shell would allow.
The tree's attention then turned back to Kai. "Tell me, young cultivator, what brings you so far from human settlements? Humans do not usually come out all this way…they know better."
How much should I reveal? Kai hesitated for a moment, weighing his words carefully. If I lie and it catches me, we're done for. But the truth might not be much safer...
Taking a deep breath, he decided on honesty. "We were searching for a treasure, Ancient One. An old map showed something of value in this area."
The tree's aura grew serious, and Kai felt a subtle pressure bearing down on him. "A treasure, you say? Tell me, does anyone else know of this map? Have you spoken to others about your destination?"
Kai shook his head quickly. "No, I retrieved the map from a bandit's corpse. No one else knows we're here."
Please don't kill us for knowing your location. We'll leave right now and never come back. We'll swear a blood oath if that's what it takes.
To Kai's relief, the tree's aura relaxed once more. "I see. That is... fortunate."
Before Kai could figure out what the old tree meant by that statement, the ground before them began to shift. Small mounds of earth rose up, and from each one emerged a fruit. Kai counted five in total, each a different vibrant color.
The tree spoke again. "Humans, what you see before you are the true treasures of this forest. Once every century, I produce fruits imbued with elemental essence. Each has the power to increase one's affinity for an element."
Kai's eyes widened as system notifications began to pop up in his vision:
Item Discovered: Fruit of Blazing Flame
Effect: Permanently increases Fire affinity by 20%
Rarity: Legendary
Item Discovered: Fruit of Flowing Water
Effect: Permanently increases Water affinity by 20%
Rarity: Legendary
Item Discovered: Fruit of Unyielding Earth
Effect: Permanently increases Earth affinity by 20%
Rarity: Legendary
Item Discovered: Fruit of Howling Wind
Effect: Permanently increases Wind affinity by 20%
Rarity: Legendary
Item Discovered: Fruit of Blessed Lightning
Effect: Permanently increases Lightning affinity by 20%
Rarity: Legendary
Holy crap. Those fruits are insane! A permanent 20% increase to elemental affinity? That's the kind of power-up you'd normally have to complete an entire story arc to get!
Kai struggled to keep his composure as his mind raced with the possibilities. But why is the tree showing these to us? Is this a test? Or...
Chapter 21 Fruit of Blessed Lightning
"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 squeak of surprise. "Mother! You're giving them fruits? But... but you only let me have one every ten years!"
The tree's leaves rustled in what sounded suspiciously like a sigh. "Zhi-Zhi, my child, these humans protected you. They deserve a little reward."
Zhi-Zhi retreated into his shell, grumbling something about "unfair treatment" and "ungrateful humans."
Looks like someone's a bit entitled, Kai suppressed a smirk. I guess even spirit beasts can be spoiled brats.
Liu Wei looked at Kai, uncertainty clear in his eyes. "Master, what should we do?"
Kai paused, his mind racing. Could this be a trap?He considered the situation carefully. No, that doesn't make sense. If the tree wanted to harm us, it could have done so already. Why resort to tricks against Qi Refining cultivators? We're less than ants to it.
Kai glanced at his map function and noticed a significant change. The large red dot that had represented the Ancient Spirit Tree had now turned green, indicating it was now friendly. He let out a small sigh of relief and made his decision.
"Thank you for your generosity," Kai bowed to the ancient tree.
The tree's aura seemed to warm slightly. "Choose wisely, humans. Each fruit holds the power to enhance your elemental affinity. You may never get a chance like this again."
Kai nodded, already analyzing the options before him. Okay, time to think this through. Which element should I choose?
He closed his eyes, visualizing the different paths of cultivation as if they were skill trees:
Elemental Cultivation Paths:
Fire Path:
- Offensive power
- Destruction and purification
- Yang energy
Water Path:
- Flexibility and adaptability
- Healing and purification
- Yin energy
Earth Path:
- Defense and stability
- Strength and endurance
- Balance of Yin and Yang
Wind Path:
- Speed and agility
- Freedom and unpredictability
- Yang energy with Yin aspects
Lightning Path:
- Speed and destructive power
- Heavenly authority
- Pure Yang energy
Kai opened his eyes. As much as I'd love to be a jack of all trades, that's not realistic in this world. Specialization is key.
He remembered the upcoming Azure Sky Sect recruitment. They specialize in wind and lightning techniques. If I want to catch the eye of a powerful master, I should align my talents with their focus.
Kai weighed the pros and cons of wind and lightning:
Wind: Pros:
Enhanced speed and agility
Versatile in both offense and defense
Useful for information gathering (sound transmission)
Cons:
Less raw destructive power
Potentially less effective against certain elements
Lightning: Pros:
Incredible speed and destructive force
Associated with heavenly authority
Potential for paralyzing effects
Cons:
Less versatile than wind
Higher risk of self-harm if not controlled properly
After careful consideration, Kai made his choice. Lightning it is. It's got speed and power, plus it's the element of heavenly tribulation. In a xianxia world, that's got to mean something. There's always some deeper dao philosophy at work.
Kai turned to Liu Wei and gestured towards the fruits. "You should choose first."
Liu Wei's eyes widened in surprise. "Me? But Master, surely you should-"
Kai shook his head. "I insist. Choose whichever fruit calls to you."
Liu Wei hesitated for a moment, then nodded. He approached the fruits cautiously, his eyes darting between them. Finally, he reached out and picked up the Fruit of Howling Wind.
Kai nodded in approval. Good choice. It'll complement his stealthy fighting style.
Liu Wei stood there awkwardly, holding the fruit and looking unsure of what to do next.
Kai resisted the urge to roll his eyes. "Go ahead and eat it, Liu Wei."
"Oh! Right, of course." Liu Wei laughed nervously. He brought the large fruit to his mouth and took a big bite. His face contorted as he chewed, clearly struggling with the texture or taste.
It's like watching a kid eat vegetables for the first time, Kai thought, amused.
After what seemed like an eternity, Liu Wei finally managed to swallow the last bit of the fruit. As soon as he did, a soft green aura began to swirl around him. It grew in intensity, whipping his clothes and hair about as if he stood in the center of a miniature tornado. Then, as quickly as it had appeared, the aura faded, sinking into Liu Wei's skin.
Kai raised an eyebrow. "How do you feel?"
Liu Wei blinked, looking down at his hands. "I... I'm not sure. Maybe a bit lighter? It's hard to describe."
Kai nodded, then focused on Liu Wei's stats:
Liu Wei
Level: Qi Refining Stage 3
Qi: 50/50
Strength: 20
Agility: 24
Endurance: 20
Intelligence: 13
Wisdom: 10
Loyalty: 65/100
Elemental Affinities:
· Wind: 20%
Skills:
Basic Qi Gathering technique
Stealth (Level 2)
Lockpicking (Level 2)
Dagger Proficiency (Level 2)
It really worked! A straight 20% boost to wind affinity. That's a significant advantage, Kai mused. Now it's my turn.
Kai approached the remaining fruits and picked up the Fruit of Blessed Lightning. He glanced at Liu Wei, who was still examining himself for any visible changes.
Time to show how it's done, Kai thought. He focused his qi, using his Qi Condensation skill to form a small, sharp blade. With quick, precise movements, he sliced the fruit into manageable pieces.
Liu Wei watched, his cheeks reddening slightly in embarrassment. "Oh. That... that does seem easier."
Kai smirked and popped a slice of the fruit into his mouth. Unlike Liu Wei, he chewed and swallowed without difficulty, quickly finishing the entire fruit.
For a moment, nothing happened. Then, a brilliant blue-white aura exploded around Kai. Arcs of electricity danced across his skin, and the air filled with the sharp scent of ozone. Kai's eyes blazed with inner light, small sparks jumping between his pupils.
As the lightning aura faded, Kai felt a surge of power coursing through his veins. He quickly checked his stats:
Name: Kai Thorn
XP: 0/2000
Level: 7
Qi: 200/200
Strength: 50
Agility: 53
Endurance: 51
Intelligence: 28
Wisdom: 27
Elemental Affinities:
· Lightning: 20%
Skills:
Qi Condensation (Level 3)
Basic Cultivation Technique (Level 3)
Unarmed Combat (Level 2)
Deception (Level 3)
Iron Skin (Level 2)
Swift Wind Step (Level 3)
Flame Palm Strike (Level 3)
Mental Fortitude (Passive)
Spirit Beast Communication (Level 1)
Qi Concealment (Level 1)
Qi Detection (Level 1)
As Kai processed the changes, a new system notification appeared:
Lightning Affinity Increased to 20%
Effect: You will learn lightning-related skills 20% faster, and all lightning skills will be 20% more effective.
Perfect, Kai grinned. This should give me an edge in cultivation and combat.
Suddenly, another system notification appeared:
Quest: Rescue the Spirit Shell Tortoise
Status: Complete
Secret Reward Received!
Kai's eyes widened in surprise. Wait, what? The fruit was the secret reward?
He furrowed his brow, a disturbing thought occurring to him. If the system expected me to be rewarded by the tree, then... doesn't that mean the system can think? Is it sapient?
A chill ran down Kai's spine as he considered the implications. He'd always assumed the system was just a set of rules and algorithms, but this suggested something more.
Hey, system, Kai thought deliberately, are you... alive?
He waited, heart pounding, but no response came. The system remained as silent and impassive as ever.
Come on, say something, Kai urged mentally. If you're sapient, now would be a great time to let me know.
Still nothing.
Kai frowned, a mix of disappointment and relief washing over him. Maybe I'm reading too much into this. It could just be a pre-programmed response based on likely outcomes.
But a nagging doubt remained in the back of his mind. The system's apparent foresight was uncanny, and he couldn't shake the feeling that there was more to it than met the eye.
I'll have to keep a closer eye on these system messages, Kai decided. There might be more to this 'game' than I realized.
"The ability to condense qi…that's an interesting skill," the Ancient Spirit Tree said, drawing Kai's attention back to the real world. "Where did you learn to do something like that?"
Kai knew lying to a Nascent Soul realm being would be futile and potentially fatal. He opted for a version of the truth. "I don't know where I got this mark from, but whenever I channel qi through it," he said, showing the trident-like mark on his wrist, "I can condense qi into various forms."
The tree's aura shifted, and Kai felt a probing sensation on his wrist. Even though he wasn't pleased by the rude action, he suppressed his discomfort, not wanting to offend the powerful being.
After a moment, the tree spoke again. "Curious. I sense nothing unique about the mark itself. You must have a strong background, young cultivator."
Kai shrugged, letting the tree draw its own conclusions. Better to let it think I'm from some mysterious powerful sect than try to explain the whole 'transported from another world' thing.
As the tree's attention lingered on him, Kai began to feel uncomfortable. He turned to Liu Wei. "We should get going. We've imposed on the honored spirit's hospitality long enough."
He bowed deeply to the Ancient Spirit Tree. "Thank you again for your generosity."
Before they could leave, however, Zhi-Zhi spoke up. "Mother, can I go with them? Please?"
The tree's aura flickered with concern. "My child, the outside world is dangerous. You are safe here."
"But Mother," Zhi-Zhi argued, his voice taking on a wheedling tone, "I can't stay protected here forever! How am I supposed to become a great and wise spirit beast if I never leave the forest?"
The tree's branches swayed, as if caught in an unseen wind. It was silent for a long moment before finally sighing. "Very well, my son. But you must be careful."
With another rustle of leaves, a single golden leaf floated down from the tree's branches. "Take this, Zhi-Zhi. It is a life-saving treasure that will protect you once against any danger at the Nascent Soul realm or below."
Zhi-Zhi's eyes lit up with excitement. He reached out to take the leaf, but the tree's voice stopped him.
"And do try not to lose it this time," the tree added, a hint of exasperation in its tone. "Unlike the Profound Wisdom Pearl you misplaced while 'meditating' by the river."
Zhi-Zhi's head retreated slightly into his shell. "That wasn't my fault! A fish jumped out of the water and startled me!"
Kai and Liu Wei exchanged glances, both suppressing smiles at the little tortoise's response.
Zhi-Zhi quickly recovered from his embarrassment. He carefully took the golden leaf, examining it with wide eyes. Then, to Kai and Liu Wei's shock, he opened his mouth and swallowed it whole.
"Zhi-Zhi!" Kai exclaimed. "What are you doing?"
The little tortoise looked up at him, confusion evident in his eyes. "What? Oh! You don't know about my storage space, do you? I can store things inside my body. It's safer this way - I won't lose it!"
Kai nodded slowly, filing away this information for later. A living storage system. Even though I have my own inventory, that could still be incredibly useful.
The Ancient Spirit Tree's voice rang out one last time. "Young cultivator, please take care of my son. He can be a...handful."
"I understand," Kai said, bowing once more. "I'll do my best to keep him safe."
With that, the three of them set off, leaving the ancient tree behind. As they walked, Kai let out a long breath, feeling the tension leave his body.
Man, being in the presence of a Nascent Soul realm being is intense. It's like being a level 1 character standing next to a raid boss.
As they made their way through the forest, a notification popped up in Kai's vision:
New Quest Acquired: Tame the Spirit Beast
Objective: Gain Zhi-Zhi's trust and loyalty
Reward: ???
Let's hope the system actually gives out the reward this time, instead of piggybacking on someone else's generosity. I'd rather not have to rely on convenient coincidences every time I complete a quest.
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