Blossoming Path

I sat cross-legged in the confines of my room at the Jade Harmony Inn. If there was any reason to keep advancing, it was so I could keep resting here!

Tianyi fluttered around excitedly, her wings shimmering in the soft lamplight. It's as though she knew I was celebrating a victory. Or maybe she was excited to drink. That silly little drunkard, who knew how she'd turn out? Windy coiled comfortably on the floor, his eyes glinting with curiosity.

"First place, huh?" Feng Wu said, a proud smile playing on his lips as he sat opposite me. His presence was calming, a steadying force amidst the whirlwind of the Gauntlet.

I felt bad and apologized for keeping him here when he could be training or cultivating. Being my escort must've been exhausting. But all he responded with was a shake of his head, saying it was merely his duty.

I couldn't help but grin. Having the one who brought me to the Verdant Lotus sect witness this was the best I could ask for. "Yeah, first place. Still feels a bit surreal." I had prepared for this moment, gathering a few items to celebrate properly.

Reaching into a small satchel, I pulled out a delicate porcelain cup and poured a generous amount of green plum wine for myself. The sweet, slightly tangy aroma filled the room, mixing with the scent of incense. Next, I poured a small amount into another cup for Tianyi, careful not to spill a drop. Her proboscis extended eagerly as she settled down to drink.

"Here you go, Feng Wu. Green tea, just the way you like it." I handed him a steaming cup, knowing he abstained from alcohol as part of his taoist discipline. He accepted it with a nod of gratitude, the steam curling up around his face.

To complete our little celebration, I placed a small bundle of freshly caught rodents—courtesy of a local child I'd paid handsomely—near Windy. His eyes lit up, and he slithered over to inspect his feast.

With our drinks ready, I raised my cup. "To victory," I said, my voice carrying a mix of pride and disbelief.

Feng Wu lifted his tea with a serene smile. "To your hard work paying off, Kai."

Tianyi flitted to the edge of her cup, her wings brushing against the rim as she dipped her proboscis into the wine. The sight was oddly endearing, and I couldn't help but chuckle.

I considered clinking cups with Windy, but the idea of a dead rodent touching my cup made me reconsider. Instead, I reached out and gently petted him on the head. "And to you, Windy. Thanks for sticking with me."

The serpent turned, its blue eyes lingering on my figure for a second longer than usual. He quickly turned his attention back to his meal, his slender body coiling around the first rodent.

A notification quickly appeared before my eyes.

You have deepened your bond with the Spirit Beast, Windy.

Name: Windy

Race: Wind Serpent (Aberrant)

Affinity: Wood and Metal

Cultivation Rank: Qi Initiation Stage - Rank 1

Special Abilities:

Tail Whip: Delivers a swift and powerful tail strike infused with qi.

Paralyzing Venom: Injects venom that temporarily paralyzes the target.

Moonlight Empowerment: Gains increased power and vitality under the moonlight.

Bond Level: 1 (Acquaintance) - Windy is familiar with you but does not yet possess a deep connection.

Oho! This was the first! Does this mean he now considers me a friend? What did he think I was prior? Emergency food?

Another thing to celebrate, I suppose!

As the evening wore on, the conversation flowed easily, interspersed with laughter and reflections on the day’s events. Tianyi buzzed around happily, and Windy finished his meal, curling up contentedly at my side. The night was ours, a brief respite before the challenges resumed.

In this moment of calm, surrounded by friends and familiars, I felt ready for whatever lay ahead.

After a while, I felt the need to clear my head and stretch my legs. "I think I'll go for a walk," I announced, setting my empty cup down.

Feng Wu looked up, a hint of concern in his eyes. "Do you want me to come with you?"

I shook my head, smiling. "No, it's alright. I think I'll bring Tianyi and Windy. They can be my bodyguards for the evening." I said it lightly, but I could tell Feng Wu understood my need for some alone time.

"Very well," he said, nodding. "Just be careful, and don't wander too far. The city can be a maze if you're not familiar with it."

"I will," I assured him. "Besides, I know you could use some time to relax and cultivate in peace."

Feng Wu's smile returned, and he inclined his head. "Thank you, Kai. Enjoy your walk."

With Tianyi perched on my shoulder and Windy coiled around my arm, I left the inn and stepped out into the cool night air. Crescent Bay City was a wonder, its labyrinthine alleys connecting residences to markets, temples, and other areas with an elegant, seamless flow. For someone like me, who had spent most of my life in a village, it was a marvel.

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As I wandered through the narrow passages, the sights and sounds of the city filled my senses. The soft glow of lanterns illuminated the intricate carvings on the buildings, and the distant hum of conversations and laughter created a soothing backdrop.

I found myself drawn to the alleys, exploring their hidden corners and discovering new spots I had yet to see. Each turn revealed something different—a small shrine nestled in a corner, a bustling market stall, or a tranquil courtyard bathed in moonlight. Perhaps I'd find some additional trinkets to buy along the way. I had a village's worth of people to grab souvenirs for.

Tianyi fluttered around me, her wings creating a soft, rhythmic sound, while Windy slithered gracefully along my arm, his eyes alert and watchful. Despite their presence, I couldn't shake the feeling of being followed.

After a while, I noticed the alleys becoming narrower and the sounds of the city fading. I realized I had wandered into a part of the city I hadn't explored before. Just as I decided to turn back, I found myself in a dead-end alleyway.

"Well, this isn't ideal," I muttered to myself, turning to retrace my steps.

Before I could move, a figure stepped into the alley, blocking my way. Duan Jian. His eyes were bloodshot, and the smell of alcohol wafted from him. He wasn't alone; a few other men, who looked just as rough and intoxicated, stood behind him wearing beige and grey attire. It was hard to tell the symbol on their robes as they shifted in the dark, but they looked familiar. Where had I seen them before? 𝚏r𝐞𝗲𝚠eb𝚗o𝐯el.com

"You!" Duan Jian spat, his voice slurred with anger and drink. "You're the reason I lost!"

I took a deep breath, trying to keep calm. "Duan Jian, you're drunk. Let's not do anything rash. We can settle this without escalating."

Duan Jian sneered, his eyes narrowing. "Settle this? You think you're better than me because you won? I'll show you."

The men pushed past, showing varying signs of inebriation. All of them were burly men reminiscent of Ping Hai. That's when I realized who they were.

"...Narrow Stone Peak? Weren't their supposed to be five of you?"

The cultivators seemed to sag their shoulders upon mentioning that.

"Gu Bei...he's passed out right now."

Their leader, the burliest one among them, elbowed the one who responded to me. "Don't answer him!"

He turned to me with a cocky grin on his face, cracking his knuckles. "You're going to pay for making us lose face at Spirited Noodle, alchemist. Thanks to you, we became laughingstocks!"

I didn't even do anything! What was he talking about? How did they even know Duan Jian?

I backed away, keeping a close eye on Tianyi and Windy. I tried to send the butterfly waves of relaxation and calm, but it was rather hard to accomplish with five people cutting off my only path to escape. I grasped Windy's head, preventing him from poking out with a firm hand.

As much as I'd love my chances against several martial artists, I couldn't risk escalating it beyond this point or risk my companions getting hurt. I searched my mind for possible options.

"Do you really want to provoke the Verdant Lotus sect by attacking me? Is that something your sect can handle?!" I bellowed out loud, standing proud to hide my inner fears. Hopefully it was loud enough to attract attention, that of guards or civilians.

In 'The Storm Sage Chronicles', the main character got away thanks to using his sect as a deterrent. It was a staple in the books I read. Only arrogant young masters bluffing their backing's name ever failed. This left the protagonist with more time to prepare so they could face-slap their enemies into next week! But when I did it, the sensation was quite embarrassing.; like hiding behind someone's back and cheering them on.

Contrary to my expectations, the Narrow Stone Peak disciples exchanged glances, then pointed at Duan Jian with a unified nod.

"The young master of the Jian family will pull strings to make sure we don't face any repercussions!" one of them declared, puffing out his chest. "The Jian family is far stronger than the Verdant Lotus sect!"

I froze at this claim. I knew for a fact that they weren't. The Jian family was wealthy and powerful, yes, but not even a fraction as strong as the Verdant Lotus sect, which was a prestigious sect that had been around for over a century. I looked at Duan Jian, who seemed to be avoiding eye contact with me. It clicked—he had likely lied to these gullible meatheads, making himself seem more important than he was.

Taking a deep breath, I decided on a new approach. "Tianyi, Windy," I whispered softly, "stay out of this. Find a chance to escape and call for Feng Wu if things get out of hand."

Tianyi fluttered anxiously, and Windy tightened his coils around my arm, clearly unhappy with my instructions. But I needed them safe. I couldn't bear the thought of them getting hurt because of me.

The leader of the group stepped forward, cracking his knuckles menacingly. "You're going to regret crossing us, punk."

With no other choice, I struck preemptively. I lunged forward, aiming a swift kick right at the leader's groin. The force of my kick connected, and he doubled over with a groan, collapsing to the ground. The other disciples hesitated, their confidence wavering as they saw their leader incapacitated.

But their hesitation didn't last long. Enraged by their comrade's pain, they surged forward, fists and feet flying.

Slow.

I dodged one punch and parried another, keeping my back close to the wall. Even though I was cornering myself, it was better than having to worry about another person attacking me from behind. Tianyi darted out of the alleyway in a burst of qi, and Windy quickly slithered out of my sleeve and onto the floor with a hiss.

"Wh-what the hell?!"

I took advantage of their surprise and landed a backfist at another disciple's jaw. Instead of falling over, the man grabbed my arm and prevented me from moving any further.

"Come on! While I have him in my-AGH!"

Windy's serpentine body coiled around the man's leg, and I heard something pop as he glowed blue and continued to tighten his grip around the disciple's leg. That rebellious little snake! He wasn't listening to my instructions!

Before I could wrestle my arm out and continue the battle, a voice cut through the din of battle.

"What's going on here?" A chilly voice echoed through the alley, freezing everyone in their tracks. A voice I hadn't hoped to hear.

We all turned to see Xu Ziqing standing at the entrance of the alley, his expression as cold as his voice. His beard had gotten thicker since I last saw him. "What are you doing causing a ruckus in the Silent Moon's territory?"

Duan Jian sneered, trying to maintain his bravado. "We're just taking out the trash. I hope the Azure Moon Marauder won't mind us cleaning up a bit."

Xu Ziqing's eyes narrowed. "I do mind. You and your lackeys should leave now, or else be forced to."

Duan Jian, clearly emboldened by the alcohol and his newfound allies, barked out a laugh. "Why would you, a member of the Silent Moon sect, help him? Verdant Lotus and Silent Moon are rivals. Shouldn't you be enjoying this?"

Xu Ziqing's expression darkened. In a blink of an eye, his sword was drawn, and a thin line of blood appeared on Duan Jian's cheek. The threat hung in the air, palpable and undeniable.

"Leave," Xu Ziqing said, his voice a low, menacing growl. "Or the next cut won't be so gentle."

The Narrow Stone Peak disciples paled, their drunken bravado evaporating in the face of Xu Ziqing's deadly seriousness. They backed away, helping their leader to his feet. With Duan Jian clutching his cheek, they beat a hasty retreat, disappearing into the night.

Windy uncoiled himself from the disciple's leg and slithered back to me, while Tianyi fluttered back to my shoulder, her wings stilling as she settled. I hastily picked up Windy, cradling him protectively, my mind racing with worry. Xu Ziqing had seen Windy, and now I had no idea what he would do with that information.

The second-class disciple sheathed his sword and approached me, his gaze sharp and assessing. Our eyes met, and I couldn't read his expression.

"Well, well, well," Xu Ziqing drawled, his voice dripping with disdain. "Look what we have here—the pathetic little alchemist who can't even protect himself."

His words cut deeper than any blade. I felt the sting of embarrassment and humiliation rise within me, but I kept my composure. "Why did you save me?" I asked, my voice barely above a whisper.

A sardonic smile twisted Xu Ziqing's lips. "Do you think I care about your well-being? Don't flatter yourself. If those fools had injured a Grand Alchemy Gauntlet contestant while on Silent Moon territory, it would have reflected poorly on us. Besides," he paused, his eyes gleaming with a strange light, "consider this repayment for your interference in Qingmu."

I stared at him, a mix of confusion and gratitude swirling within me. Could it be that Xu Ziqing wasn't as heartless as he appeared? Before I could dwell on this thought, he spoke again, his voice as cold as ice.

"A Wind Serpent..." He said, his gaze fixated on Windy. "Where did you find this creature?"

My heart pounded in my chest, a mixture of fear and defiance rising within me. "None of your business," I retorted, holding Windy tighter. His blue eyes shimmered and his body glowed a faint blue as if sensing my unease.

Xu Ziqing raised an eyebrow, a mocking smile playing on his lips. "Feisty, aren't we? A pity that your spirit is stronger than your cultivation. If you remain as weak as you are, it's only a matter of time before this Wind Serpent, and that butterfly, are taken away from you."

My blood ran cold. He was right. As much as I hated to admit it, my current strength wasn't enough to protect my familiars. But the thought of losing them filled me with a rage I had never known before.

"What are you doing here, Xu Ziqing?" I asked, my voice hardening. "Why are you lurking in the shadows like a common thief?"

He chuckled, a low, throaty sound that sent chills down my spine. "I'm merely running errands for Elder Jun. You'll see for yourself soon enough."

His words hung in the air, heavy with unspoken menace. I watched as he turned and disappeared into the darkness, leaving me alone with my thoughts and fears.

As I stood there in the empty alleyway, the weight of Xu Ziqing's words pressed down on me. He was right. I was weak. I needed to get stronger, not just for myself, but for Tianyi and Windy. I couldn't let them become victims of my weakness.