News of the Beast Blaster spread through the Grand Le Clan faster than Ken expected. Wherever he went, someone was already talking about the strange weapon that fired Beast Qi like a martial technique. Some disciples called it a miracle. Others dismissed it outright as a useless toy that could never replace real cultivation. A few elders had apparently started arguing about it behind closed doors, which Ken found more amusing than concerning.He paid the rumors little attention. At the moment, he had better things to focus on, namely a thick book on herbs and medicinal properties, and the quiet courtyard outside his home.Morning breeze drifted through the flowers his mother had planted years ago. Lady Le Li knelt nearby, carefully watering each one, and the sight of her moving around freely again still caught Ken off guard sometimes. Not long ago she had spent most of her days confined to bed, too weak to manage even this much."You have been reading since dawn," she said without loo

The brighter a star shines, the more shadows apparently gather just to snuff it out.The morning after his breakthrough to Beast Geek Level Thirteen, Ken woke up in an unusually good mood. Sunlight poured through the wooden windows, carrying the scent of flowers from the courtyard, and for once he felt like life had genuinely started moving in the right direction.He sat up and clenched his fist, feeling the faint pulse of Beast Qi move through his meridians, denser now, steadier. Even his senses felt sharper, birds chirping outside, the distant clatter of disciples training somewhere across the grounds.*Getting stronger,* he thought, allowing himself a small smile. *Not strong enough yet to face down the second elder head on, or keep Mirinda fully safe, but closer than I was yesterday. That counts for something.*Inside his soul space, Mirinda's eyes opened. "You seem pleased with yourself."Ken let his consciousness drift over. "Broke through again," he said. "Of course I am please