Kai trudged along the dirt path, the wooden cart creaking softly as it rolled behind him, laden with buckets of freshly made congee. The trail was narrow, cutting through the dense forest in a winding line. Thick bushes and undergrowth flanked both sides, their tangle of leaves and branches forming an almost impenetrable barrier that blocked his view of anything beyond the path. The woodland stretched endlessly in every direction, with no sign of civilization save for the well-worn trail beneath his feet.
As he walked, the rhythmic crunch of his footsteps was interrupted by a faint whistling sound coming from above. Startled, Kai tilted his head back and squinted up through the canopy of leaves. His breath caught for a moment as he spotted a group of cultivators soaring through the sky, their figures silhouetted against the bright expanse of blue.
They flew effortlessly, standing atop sleek, glowing swords that shimmered faintly in the sunlight. Their robes billowed gracefully in the wind, and their composed expressions exuded a sense of power and confidence. Even from a distance, Kai could tell these were no ordinary individuals—they moved with the poise of those accustomed to the skies, their movements fluid and synchronized.
Kai’s gaze lingered on them, a flicker of envy stirring in his chest. "If it were me up there," he muttered, "I’d be clinging to that sword for dear life, not standing tall like that."
As the cultivators drew closer, he noticed the distinct green color of their robes, vibrant against the backdrop of the sky. They weren’t from his Ember Sword Sect; the emerald hues and intricate embroidery marked them as members of a different sect, likely one affiliated with the Righteous Alliance. Meetings between allied sects wasn''t uncommon, and Kai assumed they were visitors on their way to the main grounds.
The group continued their flight without breaking formation, disappearing beyond the treetops. Not a single one of them glanced downward or seemed to notice the lone worker hauling his cart along the forest trail. To them, he was invisible—a speck beneath their lofty vantage point.
"Must be nice," Kai murmured, his voice laced with equal parts admiration and resignation. "Flying wherever you want, soaring through the air on nothing but a sword. If I had that kind of ability, my job would be so much easier."
With a sigh, he adjusted his grip on the cart’s handle and pressed on, the fleeting sight of the cultivators leaving him both inspired and acutely aware of the vast gulf that separated him from their world.
Kai continued along the winding path until he emerged into a large clearing. The dense forest abruptly gave way to an expansive meadow, its emerald-green grass glistening in the morning sunlight. The grass swayed gently in the breeze, its vibrant hue proof to the fertile land. At the center of this tranquil expanse stood an imposing barn-like structure, its weathered wooden walls sturdy and well-maintained. This was Kai’s destination.
As he approached, the barn loomed larger, its size imposing. Setting the cart’s handles down with a soft grunt, Kai stretched briefly before walking up to the massive sliding door. With a firm push, he heaved the heavy door along its tracks, the creak of wood and metal echoing into the surrounding meadow.
The interior of the barn was a marvel to behold. Sunlight poured through high windows, casting golden beams across a vast open space. Rows of spacious stalls lined the walls, each one housing a fantastical spirit beast.
To Kai’s left, a deer stood regally, its antlers adorned with orbiting stones that glimmered faintly with qi energy. Nearby, a cow with a luminescent blue mane lazily lying down, the glow of its hair illuminating the stall like an otherworldly lantern. A few stalls down, a horse with fiery red eyes snorted impatiently, its breath visible like tendrils of smoke. The barn was alive with a menagerie of incredible creatures, each more mystical and wondrous than the last.
The beasts noticed Kai almost immediately. Heads turned toward him, ears flicking forward in attention. Excitement rippled through the barn as the animals began to vocalize their delight—bleats, snorts, and low growls filling the air in a cacophony of joy. The deer pawed the ground, the stones around its antlers spinning faster, while the glowing-maned cow let out a soft, contented moo. Even the fiery-eyed horse gave a spirited neigh, tossing its head as if in greeting.
Kai couldn’t help but smile at their reaction. "Alright, alright," he said, raising his hands as though to calm them. "I know you’re hungry. Let me get your breakfast ready."
Kai would then begin his job as the one and only stable master of the Ember Sword Sect.
The beasts quieted slightly, their excitement tempered by anticipation. For Kai, this was the most rewarding part of his day—being greeted by these extraordinary creatures, their trust in him humbling him.
Kai grabbed one of the buckets and a ladle, moving methodically from stall to stall. At each stop, he carefully poured the spirit herb-infused congee into the troughs, gauging the portions based on the size and needs of the animal inside. For the larger beasts, the congee served merely as a supplement, a snack to fortify them with the qi-rich herbs. The bulk of their sustenance would come from grazing in the meadow outside, where lush grass awaited them.
As he filled each trough, Kai unlatched the stall doors, stepping aside to let the animals out. One by one—after they finished eating—they eagerly trotted, hopped, or bounded into the open meadow, their excitement palpable. The deer with orbiting stones pranced gracefully, while the glowing-maned cow strolled contentedly into the sunlight. Even the fiery-eyed horse, after snorting impatiently at the delay, bolted out with a spirited gallop, its red eyes blazing in the daylight.
Some of the animals grew restless as Kai approached, making impatient noises to hurry him along. A low bleat, an urgent snort, or a pawing at the stall door reminded him of their hunger.
Eventually, Kai finished tending to the herbivores, the last of them trotting happily out into the meadow. He paused for a moment, watching the animals spread out across the clearing, grazing or playing in the warm sunlight. Satisfied, he turned his attention to the opposite side of the barn—the domain of the carnivorous beasts.
If you spot this tale on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.
This side of the barn was markedly different. Rows of sturdy cages lined the space, each reinforced with thick iron bars and secured with heavy locks. Inside were animals of a much more predatory nature, their sharp claws and gleaming fangs proof of their roles as hunters.
A massive tiger with fiery red and black stripes prowled restlessly in one cage, its golden eyes fixed on Kai with intense focus. In another, a sleek black fox with four tails lounges with a watchful gaze, its tails flicking lazily as if it were sizing him up. Nearby, a white wolf with a vivid blue stripe running down its back stood silently, its icy blue eyes calm but piercing.
Kai made his way to the back of the barn, where his small work area was set up for preparing the food for the carnivorous animals. The air back here felt cooler, shaded by the barn’s high ceiling and the shadow of the storage barrels stacked neatly against the walls. Reaching into one of the larger barrels, he pulled out an ominous-looking black fruit. It was about the size of a cantaloupe, its surface smooth and glossy like polished obsidian, with faint red veins running across its skin.
Setting the fruit on the wooden workstation, Kai grabbed a knife and began cutting it open. He sliced through the tough outer skin, carefully working around the large seed at its center. As the blade parted the flesh, a dark red liquid oozed out—not sweet, fragrant juice but thick, viscous liquid resembling fresh blood. The inner flesh was just as unsettling, resembling the raw muscle tissue of an animal. It was unnerving to look at but fascinating in its design.
These weren’t ordinary fruits. They were something Kai had cultivated himself through painstaking experimentation and crossbreeding. He called them meat fruits. The result of his work was a remarkable creation—fruits whose flesh and juices mimicked the blood and tissue of animals. It was the perfect solution for feeding the carnivorous spirit beasts in the barn, allowing them to thrive without the need for constant hunting or slaughter.
Kai methodically peeled away the thick black skin, exposing more of the meat-like flesh underneath. With a practiced rhythm, he chopped the fruit into cubes, the knife thunking softly against the wooden board. He worked swiftly, mixing the fruit chunks with dried spirit herbs in a large bucket, infusing the mixture with additional qi to nourish the beasts.
Once he had filled several buckets with the strange "meat," he gathered his supplies and moved toward the carnivores. His first stop was the stall housing the Ice Claw Wolf, a magnificent white wolf with a shimmering blue stripe down its back. The wolf, which Kai had affectionately named Snow, stood silently in its cage, its icy eyes watching his every move.
Without hesitation, Kai unlocked and swung open the heavy gate, balancing the bucket of meat fruit in his other hand. Snow’s eyes glinted, and in a flash, the wolf launched itself forward.
"Ahhh!" Kai yelped in surprise as the enormous wolf barreled into him, knocking him off his feet. He landed flat on his back with a resounding thud, the bucket tipping over and spilling a few cubes of meat onto the ground. Snow was on top of him in an instant, its massive paws pinning him down, its sharp teeth inches from his face.
For anyone unfamiliar with the animals here, it would have looked like Kai was about to get mauled.
Instead of sinking its fangs into him, Snow began licking his face enthusiastically, its warm, wet tongue leaving long streaks across his cheeks. The wolf yipped and wagged its tail like an overgrown puppy, clearly overjoyed to see him.
"Ugh, Snow, stop! Stop!" Kai laughed, trying to push the enormous wolf off him as it continued its affectionate assault. "I just fed you yesterday. You don’t have to act like this every time!"
Snow barked playfully before finally stepping back, allowing Kai to sit up and dust himself off. He gave the wolf a mock glare, but his fond smile betrayed his real feelings.
Despite the intimidating appearance of the carnivorous spirit beasts locked in their sturdy cages, they weren’t truly dangerous—at least, not to Kai or the other animals in the barn. Spirit beasts were far more intelligent than ordinary animals, their minds sharp and perceptive, almost akin to that of a child capable of reason. They understood that aggression or attacking anyone, whether it was Kai or their fellow spirit beasts, would only jeopardize their meals, comfort, and overall well-being.
These creatures weren’t mindless predators; they were capable of restraint, especially when it came to the one who cared for them. Kai was more than just a handler to them—he was their provider and caretaker. Over time, they had come to trust him, recognizing that his presence meant safety and sustenance. None of them would dare to harm him, not out of fear but out of a mutual understanding.
The cages, despite their imposing design, weren’t truly for the spirit beasts’ containment. Instead, they existed to offer peace of mind to anyone who might venture into the barn—outer sect members, visitors, or even junior disciples assigned to assist Kai occasionally. Seeing these powerful creatures behind bars reassured them, providing a false sense of security in the presence of beings that could easily cause chaos if they wanted to.
Kai knew the truth, though. He could walk freely among the carnivores, unlocking their cages without hesitation, knowing they wouldn’t lash out. He often found it amusing how much trust these creatures placed in him, and how little fear they inspired in him compared to what others felt.
"Alright, you big lug," Kai said, standing and retrieving the bucket. "Let’s get you fed properly before you knock me over again."
Snow padded back to its stall obediently, its excitement finally tempered as Kai ladled the prepared food into its trough. The wolf sniffed at the offering, then dug in with gusto, its tail swishing happily.
After Snow had devoured his meal with evident satisfaction, Kai dusted himself off and moved on to the other carnivorous spirit beasts. One by one, he approached their cages, each time with the same calm and methodical demeanor.
He would unlock the heavy latches and slide open the gates, stepping inside with a bucket of meat fruit in hand. As with Snow, the other carnivores responded not with aggression but with eager anticipation and affection.
Once their meals were in place, Kai stepped back, giving them the choice to remain in their enclosures or venture out into the wide meadow beyond the barn. Most of the spirit beasts, after satisfying their hunger, were quick to take advantage of the freedom, trotting or prowling out into the open to enjoy the fresh air and stretch their limbs.
The meadow, bordered by dense forest, provided a safe haven for the spirit beasts to roam without fear of conflict. There was also a special type of array around the meadow that kept the spirit beast contained within the meadows and kept the odd dangerous creature out.
As the last of the cages was opened and its occupant free to wander, Kai stood in the center of the barn, taking a moment to catch his breath. The once-bustling interior had now grown quiet, with most of the spirit beasts outside, enjoying the sunlight and open space.
Kai glanced at the now-empty buckets and let out a small sigh of relief. "That''s my first job of the day done," he muttered to himself, a faint smile playing on his lips. Watching the spirit beasts enjoy their freedom always gave him a sense of fulfillment, even if the work was exhausting.
He leaned briefly against the barn wall, appreciating the peaceful atmosphere before preparing for the next task that awaited him in his ever-busy life as a caretaker for the Ember Sword Sect’s magnificent creatures.