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The news of the battle, the death of Shimmer, and the appearance of the mysterious man remained tightly sealed within the walls of the sect. Only those directly involved—the Sect Leader, the Elders, and Jin—were privy to the events. Jin had given strict orders that no one speak of what had transpired. He didn't want the rumors, the whispers, to reach Mochi. She would have enough to contend with when she woke up.
For now, the only thing Jin wanted was to allow his daughter the space she needed to recover without the weight of public opinion hanging over her.
Several hours passed before Mochi stirred. Her eyes fluttered open, and the soft light of the room greeted her. She was alone, save for the man sitting by her side. Jin, her father, was quietly observing her, his gaze gentle, though tinged with an unreadable sadness.
Mochi blinked, still groggy from the healing process, but as soon as her senses fully returned, the memories flooded back. The battle. The loss. Shimmer. She couldn't hold back the tears.
"Shimmer..." Her voice cracked as she whispered the name of her beloved celestial fox companion. "She... she's gone."
Jin said nothing at first, simply watching his daughter's pain unfold. He had known this moment would come, though he'd hoped it would be far in the future, when she was strong enough to shoulder her own burdens. But Mochi's heart was raw, and her grief was palpable.
Mochi wiped away her tears, trying to collect herself. "I should have been stronger... I couldn't save her. She protected me, but I couldn't protect her. I was... too weak."
The guilt gnawed at her, and it was evident in the way her hands clenched into fists at her sides. The pain of losing Shimmer was compounded by a feeling of helplessness, something she hadn't experienced before. She had always been strong, always been cheerful, but now that light seemed to have dimmed in her heart.
Jin leaned forward slightly, his expression softening as he met her eyes. He could see the determination in her gaze, the resolve to push through this pain, to make sure Shimmer's sacrifice wasn't in vain.
"You'll get stronger," Jin said quietly, his voice calm and unwavering. "You have the potential, and I know you will never forget what happened. But remember, it's not just about being strong to protect others... It's about being strong enough to protect yourself."
Mochi nodded through her tears, her heart heavy with the weight of her father's words. She looked down at her hands, her fingers trembling as she made a silent promise to herself.
"I'll work harder," she said, her voice low but firm. "I'll never let something like this happen again. I'll make sure I'm strong enough next time... No one will protect me better than I can protect myself."
Jin's heart clenched as he listened to her words, but his thoughts remained calculated. In the back of his mind, he reflected on everything that had happened—everything that had led up to this point. Only Jin knew the true extent of the situation.
He had orchestrated the entire series of events, creating the monster that had nearly killed his daughter. It wasn't just an unfortunate accident or a random enemy. It was his doing, a test, one that he had placed in motion to push Mochi beyond her limits.
He had always known that Mochi had great potential, that she could become a formidable cultivator. But he also knew her nature—her warmth, her bubbly demeanor, the way she brought joy to everyone around her. He had seen the way people cherished her and protected her, how they looked out for her, especially because of who she was. His daughter.
But that wasn't enough. Not for what lay ahead. Mochi needed to be strong, not just for others but for herself. The world could be cruel, and one day, her cheerfulness might not be enough to keep her safe. So Jin had made a difficult decision, one he hoped would shape her future in the right way.
His thoughts snapped back to the present when Mochi's voice broke the silence.
"Father... do you think I'm ready to leave?" She hesitated for a moment before continuing. "I know I've only been here for a short time, but... I want to be stronger. I need to be stronger."
Jin studied her carefully. He knew this was a pivotal moment for Mochi. She had shown her resolve, and her desire to grow was clear. But he also knew what it meant to leave the safety of the sect, to enter a world that could be more dangerous than she had ever known.
"Do you want to leave?" Jin asked softly, his eyes locking onto hers.
Mochi took a deep breath, her gaze steady. "No, not yet. I want to stay... I want to finish my two years here. I know I still have a lot to learn."
Jin smiled faintly, his expression proud. "Very well. Stay and finish your training. Gain more experience. The world is vast, and it can be harsh. You'll need every bit of strength you can gather."
He reached into his robe and pulled out the pill that Zhang had taken—the same pill that had helped him break through to the Nascent Soul stage. Jin held it out to Mochi, his eyes serious.
"This will help you reach the next level," Jin said quietly. "But remember, this isn't a shortcut. It's just a stepping stone. The real strength you need, the one that will protect you, comes from within."
Mochi took the pill, staring at it in her palm. Her fingers clenched around it, feeling its power pulsing within her grip. She knew this was her chance to grow, to break through her current limitations.
Jin stood, his expression changing to one of quiet resolve. "The Elders and the Sect Leader will treat you like anyone else. No special treatment. You'll experience the real world, Mochi. And when the time comes, you'll be ready."
With that, Jin turned to leave the room. He paused at the door, looking back at his daughter one last time.
"Focus. Grow stronger. I'll be watching."
Then he was gone.
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