Kai 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 know what to expect this time.

A glowing message materialized before him, its light the only thing visible in the vast darkness:

Congratulations!

You have completed the Trident.

Unlocking new ability!

Name: Reset

Description: Reset allows you to respawn back in time. Each prong grants 3 seconds of rewind. As the mark evolves, rewind time may increase.

Reset? That's... incredibly powerful. And convenient.

One of his main concerns had been explaining away his 'deaths' to increasingly powerful cultivators. The 'illusion' excuse might work on mortals and low-level practitioners, but someone like Elder Feng would be far more skeptical.

Looks like I've just unlocked the ultimate 'Get Out of Awkward Death Free' card. No more explaining to suspicious elders why my 'death illusion' felt so real. Sorry, creepy cultivation uncles, this protagonist's not getting kidnapped for your secret experiments anytime soon!

Initiating Reset in 3... 2... 1...

The void began to melt away, reality bleeding back into existence. Kai found himself observing the scene on the boat, but from an out-of-body perspective. He saw his own corpse sprawled on the deck, blood pooling beneath it.

Elder Feng stood over the body, his expression unreadable. "How unfortunate," the cultivator murmured. He turned to Zhi-Zhi, who had finally emerged from his shell. "Don't worry, little one. I'll take good care of you now."

Zhi-Zhi bristled, his tiny form shaking with anger. "Care for me? I don't need anyone to take care of me! Kai wasn't my caretaker, he was my friend!"

Kai's non-existent eyes narrowed. My body's not even cold, and the elder is already trying to claim Zhi-Zhi. But at least the little guy is loyal.

His gaze shifted to Shen Yu. The boy was frowning at Kai's corpse, a look of confusion and... disappointment? It was as if he had expected Kai to spring back to life at any moment.

What do you know, Shen Yu?

Before he could ponder further, the scene began to rewind. It was like watching a video in reverse, everything moving backwards at high speed. The rewinding slowed, then stopped completely. Kai found himself looking at a frozen tableau of the boat, mere seconds before his death.

He saw himself, hands outstretched, in the process of crafting a second qi gong. Shen Yu was frozen mid-step, clearly in the act of distancing himself from the impending danger.

Sneaky bastard, Kai thought. He knew what was coming but how? Has he experienced this before? If so, was I there in the previous timeline? Or is he actually a reincarnator, with some kind of precognitive ability? Hell, for all I know, he could have his own system.

Kai shook the thoughts out of his non-existent head as he focused on the plan. Time had rewound to just after he had used the first sound attack on the drakes. He had time to save Liu Wei and himself.

3... 2... 1...

Kai felt a pulling sensation, as if his consciousness was being sucked into his body. The world blurred, then snapped back into focus. He was back in his body, hands still forming the qi gong.

Without missing a beat, Kai called out, "Liu Wei! Come here, quickly!"

Liu Wei's head snapped towards him, eyes wide with confusion. "Master?"

Kai kept his focus on the forming gong. "Move with me," he instructed, stepping sideways towards the far end of the boat.

Liu Wei hurried to keep pace, stumbling slightly as he moved. "What's happening?"

"Just stay close," Kai muttered, his eyes never leaving the qi construct in his hands. They shuffled across the deck, the half-formed gong floating between Kai's palms.

As they reached the far side of the boat, they found themselves standing next to Shen Yu, who regarded them with a mixture of surprise and suspicion.

Sorry, not-so-mysterious boy. We’re all going to survive this time.

"Zhi-Zhi," Kai called out. "I need you to let Liu Wei use your shell as a shield."

The tiny tortoise puffed up. "Excuse me? I am not some common piece of armor to be passed around!"

Kai fixed him with a stern look. "Zhi-Zhi, please. It could save his life."

Grumbling, Zhi-Zhi relented. "Fine, fine. But only because you asked so nicely." He hopped into Liu Wei's outstretched hands.

Liu Wei held the shell-covered spirit beast like a small shield. It wasn't much, barely the size of a dinner plate, but Kai knew it could deflect a critical blow if needed.

Now for the encore, Kai thought, focusing on the qi gong he had just created. With a sharp movement, he struck it.

The clear, resonant tone rang out even louder than before. The effect on the Thunderwing Drakes was immediate and dramatic.

The green drake, already wounded from Elder Feng's earlier attacks, reacted violently. Its wings seized up, muscles spasming uncontrollably. Unable to maintain flight, the massive beast began to plummet. It let out a terrified shriek as it fell, its body twisting and turning in a futile attempt to regain control. Within seconds, it had disappeared from view, crashing into the forest below.

Enjoying this book? Seek out the original to ensure the author gets credit.

The purple drake, however, had a very different reaction. Its eyes began to glow an angry red, and its movements became erratic. Sparks of electricity danced across its scales as its qi went haywire.

Here we go again, Kai thought, bracing himself. Berserk mode activated.

The enraged drake let out an ear-splitting roar and dove straight for the boat. But this time, Kai was ready. He, Liu Wei, and Shen Yu were positioned as far from the drake's trajectory as possible.

Elder Feng, noticing the beast's charge, abandoned his offensive stance and raced to intercept it. Lightning crackled around his hands as he positioned himself between the drake and the boat.

The drake's jaws snapped shut mere inches from the boat's railing. In the same instant, Elder Feng's lightning fist punched clean through the beast's chest. The drake's roar turned into a gurgle as electricity coursed through its body.

With a final, violent spasm, the Thunderwing Drake went limp. Its massive form crashed onto the deck of the boat, causing the entire vessel to rock precariously.

For a moment, everyone stood frozen, the sudden silence almost deafening after the chaos of battle. Then Elder Feng turned to face them, his robes singed and torn but a triumphant smile on his face.

"Well done, young Kai," he said, nodding approvingly. "That was quick thinking with the sound attack. And I see you made sure to protect your companions as well. Very commendable."

"Thank you, Elder Feng,” Kai bowed slightly. “I'm just glad we all made it through safely."

Yeah, all of us except me the first time around, Kai thought bitterly. And you didn't seem too broken up about that, did you?

Outwardly, he maintained his polite demeanor. "Your combat skills are truly impressive, Elder. We would have been lost without your protection."

Elder Feng waved off the compliment, though Kai noticed the pleased glint in his eyes. "It was nothing. Protecting promising young cultivators is part of my duty as an Outer Elder."

Sure it is, Kai thought. Along with snatching up rare spirit beasts when the opportunity presents itself.

Liu Wei, still clutching Zhi-Zhi like a shield, stepped forward. "That... that was incredible, Elder Feng! And Master Kai, your quick thinking saved us all!"

Zhi-Zhi squirmed in Liu Wei's grasp. "Yes, yes, everyone's very impressed. Now would you mind putting me down? I am not a handbag!"

Liu Wei quickly set the spirit beast down, looking sheepish. "Sorry, Master Zhi-Zhi. And thank you for protecting me."

Zhi-Zhi puffed up his tiny chest. "Well, of course. Someone has to look after you youngsters.

As the other continued their conversation, a blue screen appeared before Kai.

Thunderwing Drake eliminated

Total XP Earned: 8000 Your Share: 2000 XP

Qi Condensation has reached Level 4!

You have gained 50 XP

Huh, party XP distribution, Kai mused, eyeing the numbers. Just like in an MMO. I guess the system considers Elder Feng part of our 'party' for this fight.

His gaze drifted to the Outer Elder, who was busy talking to Shen Yu. He doesn't have a leveling system like mine. All that extra XP, just going to waste. You know, system, if you're feeling generous, you could always redistribute that unclaimed XP my way. No need to let it disappear into the void.

Unfortunately, the system remained stubbornly silent on the matter. Kai sighed. Worth a shot, I suppose. Still, two thousand XP isn't bad for a single encounter. Especially one where I technically died. Wait…two thousand XP? That’s enough to—

His thoughts were cut short as a sudden surge of energy coursed through his body. The qi in his dantian began to churn and expand, breaking through an invisible barrier. Kai felt his meridians widening to accommodate the increased flow of energy.

A soft golden glow emanated from his skin, lasting only a few seconds but impossible to miss. When it faded, Kai could feel the difference - his qi was denser, more potent, and he had a greater reservoir to draw from.

Level Up! You are now Level 8!

The sudden breakthrough didn't go unnoticed. Elder Feng's eyebrows shot up in surprise, his gaze sharpening as he studied Kai intently. Liu Wei's mouth fell open in shock, while Zhi-Zhi stopped mid-rant, his tiny eyes widening at Kai.

Even Shen Yu, usually so impassive, couldn't hide his astonishment. The boy's eyes narrowed, a calculating look replacing his initial surprise.

"Young Kai," Elder Feng said slowly, "did you just... advance a stage in your cultivation?"

Kai smiled awkwardly, acutely aware of all the attention focused on him. "Ah, yes," he replied, trying to sound casual. "I was close to breaking through anyway. The intensity of the battle must have given me that final push I needed."

Close to breaking through from zero to two thousand XP in an instant, sure, Kai thought wryly. But they don't need to know that.

"Most impressive. It's rare to see someone advance so quickly, especially right after such an intense battle. You truly are full of surprises, young Kai."

Liu Wei looked at Kai with awe. "That's amazing, Master! To think you could break through again so quickly!"

Zhi-Zhi, not to be outdone, puffed up. "Well, of course he did! He's my disciple, after all. I knew he had it in him all along!"

Kai suppressed a chuckle at the spirit beast's claim. Sure you did, Zhi-Zhi. Sure you did.

As the others continued to express their amazement, Kai's eyes drifted to his right wrist. The familiar trident mark was there, but something had changed. Where before there had been three vibrant red prongs, now one had turned a deep, inky black.

Interesting, Kai thought, relief washing over him. So, it only used up one prong. That's much better than I expected.

He flexed his wrist slightly, studying the mark. I was worried Reset might use all three prongs at once. That would've made it a last-resort ability at best. But this... this I can work with.

Anyways, let’s see what my stats are like now.

Name: Kai Thorn

XP: 50/4000

Level: 8

Qi: 250/250

Strength: 60

Agility: 63

Endurance: 62

Intelligence: 30

Wisdom: 29

Titles:

* Novice Instructor

Elemental Affinities:

* Lightning: 20%

Skills:

Qi Condensation (Level 4)

Basic Cultivation Technique (Level 3)

Unarmed Combat (Level 2)

Deception (Level 4)

Iron Skin (Level 3)

Swift Wind Step (Level 4)

Flame Palm Strike (Level 3)

Mental Fortitude (Passive)

Spirit Beast Communication (Level 1)

Qi Concealment (Level 1)

Qi Detection (Level 1)

Iron Rebound (Level 1)

4000 XP? That's... a lot. I can't exactly expect to kill my way to the next breakthrough. Not unless I want to become the sect's resident psychopath.

But if things in the sect are anything like the novels I've read..., a small smirk played at the corner of his lips. Well, I'll probably face plenty of trials there. And if I'm lucky, there might be quests that let me level up faster. Or maybe my growth is going to slow to a snail's pace now... no, make that a tortoise's pace.

With that thought his gaze drifted to Zhi-Zhi, who was currently perched on Liu Wei's head, giving him advice on what to do when face to face with a dragon.

"Now listen closely, my naive disciple. When confronted by a dragon, the first thing you must do is compliment its scales. Dragons are vain creatures, you see. A well-placed compliment can mean the difference between being eaten and being... well, only slightly singed."

Liu Wei's brow furrowed in confusion. "Um, Zhi-Zhi? Where did this talk of dragons come from? I thought we were discussing the Azure Sky Sect trials..."

Zhi-Zhi waved a tiny claw dismissively. "Trials, dragons, it's all the same in the grand scheme of things! Now, as I was saying, after the compliment..."

"After?" Liu Wei asked, still bewildered but deciding to humor the spirit beast.

"Why, you run, of course!" Zhi-Zhi declared. "Run as fast as your legs can carry you. Unless you're me, in which case you stand your ground and challenge the dragon to a battle of wits. I once outsmarted a whole family of celestial dragons, you know. They still speak of it in the heavenly realms to this day!"

Liu Wei nodded slowly, clearly unsure how to respond to this unexpected tangent. "I... see. Thank you for the advice. I'll keep it in mind if I ever encounter a dragon."

Kai shook his head, a small smile playing on his lips as he listened to the tortoise continue to ramble.

Who knows? Maybe someday that random bit of dragon advice will come in handy. In this world, anything seems possible.