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The air around them crackled with the raw intensity of the battle, each moment more desperate than the last. The dark energy of the devil qi surged relentlessly, pressing against their wills like an invisible weight. Zhen Hai, battered and bloodied, could barely stand, his breaths shallow and strained. Shimmer, now a celestial fox of immense power, fought valiantly against the monstrosity that threatened to tear them all apart.
Mochi, her heart hammering in her chest, her body aching from the battle, suddenly found herself pulled away from the chaos by a flash of memory. The image was sharp—her father, Jin, standing before her in the courtyard, the sun setting behind him. He had pressed a small vial into her hand, his gaze steady, filled with an odd mixture of hope and caution.
"Mochi," he had said, his voice firm but laced with warmth, "this pill can help you break through to the Nascent Soul stage. You're talented, yes, but this—this will push you past the limitations of your current stage."
Mochi had held the vial in her hand, the pill glowing faintly in the light. She had been so close to reaching the peak of Core Formation, so close to the breakthrough she had long sought. But there was still a step to go. Even with all her natural ability, she couldn't reach the peak level on her own.
Yet, her gaze had turned to Zhen Hai then—the older disciple who had been with her through so much. She had known in that moment that he needed it more than she did.
"I'll wait," she had said, the words steady, though the weight of the decision had been heavy. "Give it to Zhen Hai when he's ready. I can help him break through. I'll be fine."
Now, standing in the heart of the battle, the decision she had made so many months ago felt more urgent than ever. The memory of her father's words echoed in her mind: This will push you past your limits, Mochi.
Shimmer, standing between her and the demonic creature, sensed the momentary shift in her focus. Its golden fur shimmered brightly as it momentarily faltered in its defense, but its body remained firm, its protective barrier still up, shimmering with golden light.
Mochi took a deep breath, forcing herself to focus. She couldn't let the memories distract her now, not with Zhen Hai in such a dire state.
"Shimmer," she said, her voice firm but filled with determination, "focus on protecting Zhen Hai. Keep him safe."
Shimmer's large, glowing eyes met her gaze, understanding the weight of the command. With a final growl of defiance, the celestial fox darted through the battlefield, its golden form flashing like a streak of light. It quickly reached Zhen Hai, standing guard between him and the monstrous creature, its body radiating light as it created a barrier around the injured disciple.
Mochi, her heart heavy with the knowledge of her decision, sprang into action. She dashed across the battlefield, weaving between cracks in the ground and remnants of energy blasts that still lingered in the air. Every movement was carefully calculated, each step a dance between life and death as she gathered the remaining injured members of their group. She called to them, her voice strong despite the chaos surrounding her.
"Stay close!" Mochi cried out, gathering them near Zhen Hai's location. "Don't spread out too far. We can't afford to be separated!"
The group, barely able to move, limped toward her, trying their best to stay close while also avoiding the ongoing attacks from the demonic beast and the rippling devil qi. Mochi's heart raced as she supported them, her hands guiding them to safety, even as she dodged the remnants of the ongoing battle between Shimmer and the monstrous creature.
Her breath was ragged, her energy already waning, but she couldn't stop. Not now. Not when the lives of her friends, her companions, were in her hands.
Shimmer, meanwhile, was still holding the line, its massive form standing between Zhen Hai and the demon, the golden barrier flickering in and out of existence with each devastating blow it absorbed. The fox was fighting valiantly, but Mochi could feel the strain. The celestial spirit was pushing itself to the limit, its ethereal form shimmering weakly as it struggled to keep the devil qi at bay.
But the weight of the situation was becoming clearer with each passing moment. Shimmer couldn't protect them all indefinitely. The celestial fox was strong, yes, but it was still bound by its limitations. Mochi needed to act.
I have to buy them more time.
Mochi's mind raced as she pushed herself to the brink, her body nearly ready to collapse from exhaustion. She could feel her qi stretching thin, the edges of her focus blurring with every move she made. But there was no other choice. She would hold the line.
The beast's next attack came with a roar that seemed to shake the very air, and as the shockwave of devil qi ripped through the ground, Mochi dove toward the last remaining injured disciple, throwing herself on top of them to shield them from the blast.
The impact was devastating. Her body slammed into the ground, the force nearly knocking the wind from her lungs, but she didn't let go. She couldn't. Not until they were all safe.
"Hang on!" Mochi cried, her voice a strained whisper as she turned her gaze toward Shimmer. The fox's golden aura flickered one last time, its movements slowing as it struggled against the overwhelming power of the enemy.
The celestial fox looked back at her, eyes glowing with determination and sorrow. It couldn't keep this up for much longer.
But then, amidst the storm of devil qi and the sound of the battle raging around them, Mochi reached into her pouch. The small vial of pill Jin had given her—still sitting untouched, waiting for the moment when Zhen Hai could break through—was now in her hand.
If he can make it through… if we can just hold on for a little longer...
With a deep breath, Mochi pulled the pill from its vial, her fingers trembling as she prepared to use it on Zhen Hai.
In that moment, she made a silent promise to herself, to Shimmer, to everyone: We will survive this. Together.
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