4. A New Purpose
As Ruan rested, his breathing steady and calm, he knew what needed to be done. The human Qi had granted him strength beyond what any Zu Roach had ever known, but strength alone was not enough. He needed wisdom, control, and purpose.
"I will return to the elders," he decided, "but not until I have mastered this fully."
His gaze shifted upward, toward the surface, where the world of humans loomed beyond. For too long, the Zu Roach had lived in the shadows, scurrying from danger and hiding from the forces above. But Ruan now saw that their survival could be something more. They could stand strong, even in the presence of giants.
But to do that, Ruan would need allies. Other cockroaches who believed in the strength of both resilience and Qi cultivation. A new generation of Zu Roach who could balance the old ways with the new power he had discovered.
"Tomorrow, I will seek them out," Ruan thought. "Together, we will build a new path. One that combines the endurance of the underground with the strength of the sky."
And so, as the day ended and the dim light of the cavern faded into darkness, Ruan closed his eyes, his heart calm but determined. His journey had only just begun, and the world—both above and below—was about to change forever.