Her body ached all over after the intense day of practice and cultivation.
With a satisfied grin stretching from ear to ear, Kira began heading toward the living quarters. As she walked, she couldn't help but admire the beauty of the sect. Everything was exquisitely crafted and immaculately maintained.
She passed several small gardens when a lush peach tree caught her eye.
It hit her like a hammer in the gut—the agonizing hunger.
I haven't eaten all day. I'm starving.
Her eyes locked onto the juicy peaches, sparkling with desperate hunger. A quick glance around—no one in sight.
Without hesitation or shame, she hopped over the wooden fence.
Like Sun Wukong himself, she began devouring the poor, innocent peaches.
Mmh… these are the best peaches I've ever had. Huh? What's that sensation in my stomach? the peach thief wondered.
A warm, pulsing current spread from her stomach through her entire body. The soreness in her limbs began to fade.
Amazing. Everything here is amazing. These must be infused with Qi—they're healing me.
I better take as many as my bag can carry for tomorrow's training.
With her stomach full and her pouch stuffed to the brim, Kira skipped down the road, humming contentedly, until she reached her quarters.
She pushed open the wooden door and stepped inside. The room was dimly lit by two candles on her roommate's nightstand.
Before she had fully entered, a voice cut through the warmth of her smile.
"What are you doing back here?" Kresa asked, her tone dripping with disgust.
Kira turned her head slowly. Kresa wasn't alone. Another pampered-looking girl sat on her bed, matching Kresa's sneer with one of her own.
Kira ignored the new girl entirely.
"I live here. Or have you already forgotten?" she said flatly.
"Is that the peasant, Kresa?" the smug-looking girl asked.
"Yes. And I told her not to come back. So, what are you doing here?" Kresa added, arms crossed.
"I couldn't care less what you told me. If you don't want to be here, find yourself new accommodations," Kira replied, her irritation growing. Uneasiness stirred in her chest.
Why can't they just leave me alone? Never show weakness, Kira.
Both girls started giggling.
"Me? Leave? Peasant, you've forgotten your place," Kresa said, voice sharp with mockery. "If a noble—your better—gives you an order, you're supposed to obey it. Or there will be consequences."
A sharp pang of rage twisted in Kira's chest. That same old feeling—the reminder of her place, her nothingness.
"You think you're better than me?
Consequences? What are you gonna do—have your daddy come here? That's if he isn't too fat to leave his castle," she snarled. "You want me to leave? Make me."
Her voice was dripping with venom. Her emerald eyes flashed cold.
"You whore!" Kresa snapped and stood up, storming toward Kira.
SLAP.
Kira's head turned slightly from the impact, but her expression remained calm—almost confused.
That didn't hurt… not even a sting. She must not have reached the first stage, she realized.
All my life I've been beaten and pushed around because I had nothing—no parents, no money, no worth. But now… now I have a sliver of power. I polished it all day. If I don't use it—why cultivate at all?
This morning, I promised myself I would change. The old, powerless Kira is dead. I'm a cultivator now. On the path to immortality. And I'll be damned if I let anyone treat me like garbage again.
A sinister smile crept onto her lips.
"Correct me if I'm wrong… but you haven't cultivated. At all. Right?" she asked, her voice low and threatening.
She didn't wait for an answer.
Kira vanished.
In the blink of an eye, she reappeared in front of Kresa—who didn't even have time to react. Her eyes sparkled with menace.
She executed Whispering Palm with flawless precision.
Her palm connected with Kresa's shoulder—soft as a breeze. But Kira felt the force travel through her. She felt every bone in Kresa's shoulder shatter—the ribs, the joint, the arm.
A blood-curdling scream ripped through the night.
Kresa was launched into the bed. The frame splintered apart. Her friend tumbled to the floor.
Kira's grin widened with sadistic satisfaction.
"What have you done?!" the frightened girl cried, crawling to Kresa's side. She froze when she saw the mangled left side of her friend's body—arm twisted grotesquely.
She stared at Kira in horror.
"Delivering consequences," Kira answered, voice sweet with mock innocence.
"But you were right about one thing," she added, voice growing cold. "You should respect your betters."
Then she vanished again.
When she reappeared, she was face to face with the second girl—so close their noses almost touched. Kira's emerald eyes drilled into the girl's frightened blue ones.
"Take her and get lost. Or you'll both die here tonight," Kira said sweetly.
The girl didn't hesitate. She scrambled to lift Kresa, struggling with the weight.
Kira walked over casually, grabbed Kresa by the hair—eliciting another scream—and dragged her across the room. She opened the door and tossed her out into the street.
"What's your name?" she asked the other girl.
"Meria," the girl whispered, terrified.
"You're welcome, Meria. Now leave."
The moment Meria stepped out, Kira slammed the door shut.
She sat down on her bed, hands trembling. Only now did she realize she'd been holding her breath.
She exhaled.
"…Cultivation is awesome," she muttered, then broke into a shaky laugh.