Chapter 36: Beast Core

Chapter 36: Beast Core

I woke up feeling like I'd been trampled by an army of ogres. My body was sore, my muscles crying out in protest with every breath I took. Memories of the battle were still fresh in my mind, and my chest tightened as I recalled the chaos of the fight.

I chastised myself mentally.

The fight is over. We won, hopefully.

My eyelids felt heavy as I tried to pry them open. The room was dark, save for the soft blue glow of the Heavenly Interface. I squinted at the projection, my mind spinning as I tried to decipher the text.

Quest: Spirit Beast Subjugation has been completed.

You completed the quest with additional challenges. Your efforts do not go unnoticed.

I snorted. I barely escaped with my life, I hope it created a suitable reward for me.

The interface shimmered, and then, the unexpected. My mind was suddenly filled with detailed information about Wind Serpents. Everything from their dietary habits to their optimal environments for growth, and even their abilities flooded into my head. It was as if I'd spent years studying these creatures, the knowledge was so extensive, so precise.

Confusion washed over me, quickly followed by a wave of understanding. This was my reward. For all the pain, for all the struggles, I was granted the knowledge of Wind Serpents. Was this the interface's idea of a helpful tool for the future?

An image of a Wind Serpent, coiled and ready to strike, came to mind. With newfound understanding, I could tell it was a young one, the shimmering scales a clear sign of its youth. And those bright, venomous eyes; they were hungry, always on the lookout for the next meal. Small birds, rodents, and even insects were on its menu.

A shiver ran down my spine as I realized how they thrived in highly oxygenated areas, their metabolism adapting incredibly to such environments. And their abilities... lightning-fast reflexes, unparalleled flight speed, and the eerie capacity to control gusts of wind, make them formidable predators.

"Great. Just great," I muttered to myself. More danger. More challenges.

I fell back against my bed, letting the information sink in. There was so much to learn, to adapt to. But if this was what it took to survive in this twisted world, I would do it.

As the initial surprise wore off, a glimmer of excitement began to take its place. Yes, it was daunting, but also... intriguing. This was a chance to grow stronger, to become more than what I was.

I closed my eyes, the image of the Wind Serpent etched into my memory. I'd won today, and tomorrow, I'd be ready for whatever came my way. I just had to keep pushing, keep learning. Perhaps with this knowledge, I could incorporate it into my training somehow? Visualizing a Wind Serpent when I practice my swings, how it would coil and dodge...

The moment of silence was punctured by a rustling sound to my right. Startled, I shot up, wincing at the pain that ricocheted through my body. A figure detached itself from the shadows, walking over until it stood in the faint glow of the Heavenly Interface.

"Feng Wu?" I stuttered, squinting in the dim light. The familiar silhouette was a welcome sight, yet his uncharacteristic silence unnerved me.

"Yes, it's me, Kai." His voice was soft, as if he was trying not to startle me.

"I..." I croaked, the pain in my body momentarily forgotten, "did we... did we really win? The Wind Serpent...?"

A sigh, audible even in the quiet room. "Yes, we won. Thanks to you, there were no casualties."

His words lifted a weight off my chest. We had survived. All of us. I let out a sigh of relief.

"I... I'm sorry, Kai," Feng Wu's voice wavered in the darkness. "It was my responsibility to ensure your safety on the way to the Verdant Lotus sect. I failed you."

The sincerity in his words hit me harder than any physical blow ever could. Feng Wu was a seasoned warrior, a protector. And here he was, blaming himself for my recklessness.

"Stop." My voice was firm, leaving no room for argument. "I knew what I was getting myself into. It wasn't your fault. I chose to take the risk, to fight. My foolishness led to this, not you."

Silence filled the room again, and I wondered if my words had made any impact.

I looked down at the core in my hand, turning it over as I considered the best course of action. A fitting reward. One that I've seen in multiple stories, as a result of a daring victory against Spirit Beasts of legend.

"So, do I just... eat it?" I asked, uncertainty lacing my voice.

The stories I read had some conflicting information on how cultivators used the cores of Spirit Beasts. In 'Chronicles of Zhen Lu', he just absorbed it into his body using mysterious magic. I had no clue on how to go about that. The other stories had the cultivators eating cores like how they would pills.

Feng Wu blinked at me, the surprise etched on his face almost comical. "Well, yes, you could," he admitted. "Though it might be a bit hard on the stomach."

"Hard on the stomach?" I echoed, looking down at the beast core in my hand with newfound apprehension. I don't think my body had reached the level where it could digest crystals. the thought of it going out through the other end made me shudder.

Feng Wu chuckled, shaking his head. "I was joking, Kai. The process is slightly more refined than that. You absorb the energy within the beast core, using your cultivation technique to incorporate it into your body. Eating is not necessary. "

"Understood," I said, relieved. I studied the core, my mind swirling with possibilities. "Might there be an optimal method for this? Could we, perhaps, incorporate it into a medicinal pill or concoction?"

Feng Wu looked thoughtful. "It's possible," he said slowly. "But such a procedure necessitates an in-depth understanding of alchemy and a precise concoction of ingredients. It's beyond our capabilities here."

"I'll hold out until then. My injuries...they're there, but it doesn't seem so bad. All thanks to Tianyi. I'll probably try to make something with what I have in my cart in the meantime."

Feng Wu nodded his head. "As you wish. You can rest for now, Kai. The Qingmu residents are holding a feast tomorrow. I'll be keeping watch tonight."

I nodded. My eyes were beginning to get heavy again. It seemed my body wasn't fully recovered after all.

"But...What about you, Feng Wu? Are you okay?"

The cultivator smiled. "Our battle with the Wind Serpents have allowed me to gain insight on a new ability. I have been taking this time to acclimate myself to it's capabilities."

"Oh, what's it called?" I leaned in closer to hear. I was interested in what sort of ability Feng Wu gained as a result from his battle. Perhaps he unfolded a new technique while I was unconscious?

"Although it might be too complicated to explain in full, it's called a Memory Palace."

"Oh, I have that too!"

Feng Wu's soft expression turned to that of incredulity. It was the first time I'd seen the man caught so flat-footed.

"What?!"

His astonishment sent a brief chuckle rippling through me. I shrugged, a slow smile tugging at the corners of my mouth.

"Well, there's a lot you don't know about me, Feng Wu. But don't worry, I'll reveal my secrets one at a time."

Feng Wu floundered for a moment, before closing his eyes and releasing a deep sigh. "...You truly are an enigma, Kai."

His words hung in the air, a new understanding blooming between us. I was an enigma, even to myself. A cool, mysterious and chivalrous cultivator who doesn't hesitate to put his body on the line to save civilians. That's me.

"Perhaps," I said, my smile fading into a contemplative expression, "but aren't we all? There's so much we don't know, so much left to discover. It's all a part of this journey."

Feng Wu nodded, an understanding look crossing his features. He didn't say anything else, but he didn't need to. His silence said more than words ever could.

As Feng Wu moved to the other side of the room, taking up his watchful position, I reclined in my bed, the beast core cool and comforting in my hand. It was a reminder of what we had accomplished, and of what was to come.

The pain was still there, a constant, dull throb that was quickly becoming a familiar sensation. But despite the discomfort, despite the looming uncertainty, I felt a profound sense of peace. Giving one last glance to the resting butterfly on the windowsill, I closed my eyes, ready to face whatever the next day would bring.