Author'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 scene unfolding before him. His eyes widened as he watched Kai conjure a translucent gong out of pure qi. The young human's ability to manipulate energy into solid constructs never ceased to amaze the spirit tortoise.

How does he do that? Zhi-Zhi wondered. I've never seen anyone shape qi so easily, not even mother could do that.

As impressive as Kai's skill was, it paled in comparison to the terror inspired by the three massive Thunderwing Drakes circling above. Just the aura emanating from the Foundation Establishment beasts made Zhi-Zhi's shell quiver. If not for the life-saving treasure his mother had given him, he never would have dared venture so far from the safety of the forest.

Being a spirit beast is terrifying, Zhi-Zhi lamented. Humans want to hunt or tame us, while other beasts want to devour us to increase their power. Why can't the world just be peaceful? It would be so nice to relax all day without worrying about being eaten or captured.

But almost as quickly as the thought formed, he shook his head.

No, peaceful is boring. I don't like boring. That's why I left home with Kai in the first place. I wanted fun and adventure! His inner voice took on a slightly whiny tone. I just wish fun didn't always come with so much danger.

As Kai brought the qi hammer down on the gong, a resonant tone rang out across the sky. The effect on the Thunderwing Drakes was immediate and dramatic. The beasts recoiled, their wings faltering as the sound disoriented them.

Amazing! Such a simple trick, yet so effective against Foundation Establishment creatures. I wonder if he'd teach me how to do that, Zhi-Zhi mused. Then he caught himself. But wait, I can't just ask him outright. I have an image to maintain. If they realize I'm not the wise, all-knowing spirit beast I pretend to be, they'll never accept me as their master!

Zhi-Zhi's mind raced through various scenarios, trying to come up with the perfect plan. Finally, he settled on an idea that seemed foolproof.

I've got it! I'll tell Kai I want to observe his technique and offer feedback. That way, he'll have to show me how it's done and explain the process. Then I can pretend to correct him, maintaining my wise facade while secretly learning the skill!

Zhi-Zhi congratulated himself on his cunning plan, already imagining all the amazing things he could create with qi constructs.

I could make a comfy pillow to nap on, or a little parasol for shade, maybe even—

His daydreaming was cut short by a blur of motion. Kai vanished from where he'd been standing, reappearing in front of Liu Wei just as the terrifying purple drake dove towards the boat. In a split second, Kai shoved the former bandit out of harm's way.

Did you know this story is from Royal Road? Read the official version for free and support the author.

Zhi-Zhi's eyes went wide with horror as the drake's massive jaws clamped down on Kai's body. Blood sprayed across the deck as the beast's teeth tore through flesh and bone.

"No!" Zhi-Zhi cried out, his head emerging fully from his shell for the first time since the battle began. He watched helplessly as Kai's limp form fell to the deck with a sickening thud.

Time seemed to stand still. The world around Zhi-Zhi faded away as memories of his past flooded his mind.

He remembered his early days, alone and afraid. He had never known his true parents, left to fend for himself in a hostile world. It was the ancient spirit tree who had taken pity on him, raising him as her own. But even under her protection, Zhi-Zhi had always felt isolated. The other spirit beasts kept their distance, too afraid of angering his powerful foster mother to risk befriending him.

And humans... Zhi-Zhi shuddered at the memories. Every encounter with cultivators had ended the same way. They either tried to hunt him for his valuable spirit beast core or attempted to subjugate him as a tamed companion.

A single tear rolled down Zhi-Zhi's scaly cheek as he gazed at Kai's broken body.

Why? he thought bitterly. Why did it have to be him?

Unlike the others, Kai had been different. He had saved Zhi-Zhi from those rogue cultivators, even though he had no obligation to do so. He had invited Zhi-Zhi to travel with them, treating him as an equal rather than a prize to be won. And most remarkably, Kai hadn't been intimidated by Zhi-Zhi's foster mother. He had accepted the spirit tortoise for who he was, flaws and all.

He was my friend, Zhi-Zhi realized. My first real friend.

"Don’t worry little one," Elder Feng's voice cut through Zhi-Zhi's grief. “I'll take good care of you now."

"Care for me?” Zhi-Zhi's normally high-pitched voice came out as a low growl. His eyes narrowed as he glared at the elder. “I don't need anyone to take care of me! Kai wasn't my caretaker, he was my friend!"

Elder Feng's brow furrowed. "I understand you're upset, but—"

"You understand nothing!" Zhi-Zhi snapped. His tiny body began to glow with a fierce golden light. "Kai was the first person to treat me like an equal, like a true companion. And now he's gone because you couldn't protect us!"

The spirit tortoise's gaze burned with an intensity that made even the Pseudo Core Formation cultivator take a step back. A golden leaf—the life-saving treasure gifted to him by his foster mother—appeared in Zhi-Zhi's clawed hand.

This is all my fault, Zhi-Zhi thought, his anger giving way to crushing guilt. I should have used the leaf immediately. I shouldn't have hidden in my shell like a coward.

"Listen here," Zhi-Zhi said, his voice quavering. "I am Zhi-Zhi, son of the Ancient Spirit Tree. I've lived for a hundred years, and I've never felt as useless as I do right now."

The golden leaf in Zhi-Zhi's hand began to pulse with energy, but it was erratic, matching the spirit beast's emotions. Elder Feng's eyes widened as he sensed the immense, unstable power contained within the small talisman.

"Young spirit beast," Elder Feng said, his voice now tinged with concern, "please, calm yourself. This power—"

"Calm?" Zhi-Zhi scoffed, tears welling in his eyes. "How can I be calm? I could have saved him! I had this the whole time, and I did nothing!" He raised the golden leaf, his claws trembling. "One touch of this, and even a Pseudo Core Formation cultivator like you wouldn't stand a chance against my mother's Nascent Soul attack. But I was too scared to use it when it mattered!"

Zhi-Zhi's fierce expression crumbled, replaced by one of anguish and self-loathing. "I hid in my shell while Kai fought. I watched as that drake attacked him, and I did nothing. What kind of friend am I?"

His grip on the golden leaf tightened, but not with the intent to use it. Instead, it was as if he was clinging to it for comfort. "I'm no mighty spirit beast. I'm just a coward who pretends to be wise. Kai deserved a better friend than me."

“I should have been braver. I should have fought alongside him. Maybe then..." the leaf's golden glow began to fade as Zhi-Zhi's voice trailed off, unable to finish the thought.

The tortoise looked up at Elder Feng, his eyes filled with a mixture of defiance and despair.

"So don't tell me you'll take care of me," Zhi-Zhi said softly. "I don't deserve it. I couldn't even take care of my friend when he needed me most."