Chapter Side Story: Tales of Tianyi

Chapter Side Story: Tales of Tianyi

The garden was more than just thriving. With our combined effort, every plant, be it the mystical ginseng, the rejuvenating goji berry, or the invigorating ginger, blossomed with an unparalleled qi. The scents they exhaled were heady, almost intoxicating, promising healing and power. It was paradise, and I felt blessed every time I fluttered amidst these living treasures.

But, as with all things precious, our haven attracted unwanted attention.

At first, it was just the occasional "beetle" or "aphid," as Kai would name them. But before we knew it, our sanctuary was under siege. The invaders werent just content with the typical green foliage; they were after the qi-rich essence of the most treasured plants in the garden. The goji berries, usually glowing with a faint luminescence, now had tiny bite marks. The ginsengs leaves, which once stood tall and proud, were pockmarked and wilted under the onslaught.

Each day was a new challenge. The "whiteflies" seemed particularly fond of the aromatic ginger leaves, clouding around them in swirling masses, drawing their essence and leaving them sapped of vitality. The "caterpillars," on the other hand, had an insatiable appetite for the goji berry vines, wrapping around them in a devastating embrace.

With so many enemies, I was forced to optimize the usage of my qi. Using the bare minimum to cut through their exoskeletons. Making my wings sharper with less qi, refining it to the point of zero waste.

Wing Blade: Your wings become razor-sharp with the infusion of qi.

A reward for my efforts as the guardian of the garden. From there, my Wing Blade became more refined and solidified.

Kai had the foresight to apply some sort of essence on the most sought-after plants, explicitly warning me several times not to touch it through our bond.

Seeing the unfortunate souls land on the plants coated in that essence he created becoming paralyzed and dying was more than enough to make me give these plants a wide berth.

Thankfully, not every plant received this treatment. The lily that glowed under the moonlight repelled most by itself, leaving me to absorb the essence freely and recover. Several others I frequented were free of the essence, which I understood as my responsibility to care for and defend.

The battle wasn't just about warding them off. It was about understanding them, and predicting their patterns. Every time I zipped past a plant, shooing away a group of "locusts" or diving at a cluster of "mites," I'd remember Kai's words, naming them, trying to understand their nature. It was essential, not just to defeat them but to restore balance.

One early dawn, as I rested on a ginseng root, Kai approached. His brows were furrowed, reflecting the same concern I felt. "The 'grasshoppers' are multiplying faster," he whispered as if saying it louder would make it more real.

I nodded, my wings drooping slightly with fatigue.

However, amidst this turmoil, the resilience of our garden was evident. Some ginseng plants, after being nearly consumed, drew deep from the earth's qi and sprouted anew, even more robust and full of vitality. Their undying spirit and refusal to be defeated were sources of inspiration.

Our resolve hardened. This was more than just a garden; it was a repository of ancient knowledge and power, cultivated over generations. The likes of "beetles" and "whiteflies" would not diminish its glory. Not while I remained alive.

Every day felt like an endless whirlwind of activity, a perpetual dance of evasion and attack. My desire to become faster, stronger, and more resilient seemed to fall short when faced with the overwhelming flood of pests that threatened our garden.

One twilight, while patrolling the dense foliage, I discovered an unusual scene. A secluded clearing amid the dense plant life was scattered with spider carcasses. These were the spiders I dreaded. Their predatory aura always presented a challenge. To see them lifeless, devoid of their menacing essence, was shocking.

But the real surprise was at the center of this eerie tableau. A smaller spider, with intricate patterns adorning its body, stood amidst the larger, now lifeless ones. Its deliberate, almost methodical movements showed it was feasting on the fallen. I hovered silently, concealed by a nearby leaf, my attention entirely captivated by this unexpected sight.

Then it turned away, leaving me to my own devices.

An unbidden memory came up in my mind. Faint and fleeting. Being chased by a pesky human through a forest, finding solace in a waterfall, and being awoken with a spark that made me what I am today.

In the same way Kai and I became steadfast partners, perhaps this intelligent creature may prove to be a useful ally in our battles to come.

I watched as Tianyi gracefully fluttered over from the dense foliage, her vibrant wings catching the last rays of twilight. She alighted on a stone beside me, and I couldn't help but admire her grace. For a creature who had bisected a bird when it encroached upon the garden, she looked deceptively delicate.

"How have you been?" I asked her.

Instead of words, a warm rush of positive emotions flowed through our bond. Relief, contentment, and a touch of amusement. It always amazed me how Tianyi, despite her lack of spoken language, could communicate her feelings so vividly.

I chuckled, letting the emotional wave wash over me. "You're doing an incredible job, you know? The garden's never been safer. Keep up the work!"

Tianyi emitted a burst of pride through our bond, her wings fluttering in response.

But then, my expression turned pensive. "However, I can't help but notice that the bugs are getting... stronger. And there's more of them than before. The chrysanthemum essence I applied on the plants worked, but I could see a few were resistant to it. I suppose I'll have to see other ways of keeping them under control."

When I was a child, my parents spoke of the spirit of the land. Of how it communicates, nurtures, and sometimes challenges. These creatures, these challenges, are they tests the land imposes upon us? Perhaps the garden is testing our worthiness. To see if I can protect what I'm cultivating in this little space of mine.

"Do you think it's the garden?" I mused aloud. "Its high concentration of qi drawing these creatures in? Or maybe... the ambient qi in this region is... evolving the fauna."

There was an unsettling pause. The weight of that idea hung heavy. It wasnt just about defending a garden anymore; the implications of the land's creatures evolving due to an abundance of qi could change everything we knew.

What if Tianyi's powers grew stronger and spread to the village? What would happen to the livestock?

What would happen to the humans?

We both shared a look, our bond resonating with mutual unease. The silence that settled was thick, a stark contrast to the usually harmonious backdrop of our garden's ambiance.

I laughed, albeit a bit shakily. "Ah, I'm probably overthinking things. Just the musings of a tired cultivator. The fumes inside the house are probably getting to me."

Tianyi emitted a gentle feeling of reassurance through our bond, which did wonders to lift my spirits.

"I suppose I should get up and train," I said, trying to sound more cheerful than I felt. With a final glance at the sprawling garden, I concluded, "Tomorrow is another day, after all."

I got up, feeling the coolness of the stone bench for a moment before turning to face the garden in its entirety. Whatever the future held for me, I knew that this little garden would be, and forever always, my home. And I'd protect it at all costs.