Early the next morning, Kai was roused from his sleep by the gentle warmth of the early morning sunlight filtering through the trees. He yawned, stretching his stiff muscles before carefully nudging some of the spirit beasts sleeping on his lap off. They grumbled softly in protest but eventually shifted, making room for him to move. Kai stood, arching his back in a satisfying stretch, and took a moment to survey the campsite. Most of the beasts were still deep in slumber, their rhythmic breathing creating a soothing backdrop to the quiet morning. A few, however, were beginning to stir, their movements slow and lazy as they greeted the new day.

  Feeling the absence of Kai’s weight, Snow stirred, his icy blue eyes blinking open as he let out a wide, jaw-cracking yawn. He glanced at Kai, his gaze half-lidded and drowsy, before deciding it was too early to fully wake. With a contented huff, Snow laid his head back down and drifted off into a light snooze, his tail twitching slightly as he dreamed.

  Kai’s attention shifted to Lu Bu’s bedroll, where the boy was still curled up, his breathing slow and even. The events of the previous night seemed to have finally allowed him some peace, and Kai was reluctant to disturb him. The boy needed the rest, both for his body and his spirit.

  Moving quietly so as not to wake anyone, Kai added a few pieces of wood to the campfire, carefully stoking the embers to coax the flames back to life. The morning air was crisp, and the warmth of the fire would be welcome once the others began to wake. As he worked, a familiar shadow passed overhead, and Fenglei, the thunder eagle, descended from his perch in a nearby tree. The majestic bird landed gracefully on the campfire tripod, his sharp eyes fixed on Kai. Fenglei let out a low, insistent squawk, his feathers ruffling slightly as he demanded attention.

  Kai couldn’t help but chuckle softly at the bird’s antics. “Alright, alright,” he said in a hushed tone, reaching out to stroke the side of Fenglei’s face. “Don’t make a fuss and wake everyone up. You’ve been plenty spoiled, you know.”

  Fenglei leaned into Kai’s touch, his earlier irritation melting away as he basked in the attention. The thunder eagle had always been a demanding member of Kai’s menagerie, but his loyalty and companionship were worth the occasional dramatics. As Kai continued to pet him, Fenglei let out a soft, contented chirp, his feathers smoothing back into place.

  With the fire now crackling steadily, Kai turned his attention to preparing breakfast. He moved with practiced efficiency, careful not to disturb the still-sleeping members of the camp. The morning was peaceful, the kind of quiet that felt rare and precious on the road. But even as he worked, Kai’s mind lingered on the events of the previous night and the challenges that lay ahead. The Faceless Judges, the bandits, and the war with the demonic cultivators—all of it weighed heavily on him. Still, for now, he allowed himself to savor the calm, knowing that moments like these were fleeting.

  As the scent of food began to fill the air, the rest of the camp slowly came to life. Snow stretched lazily before padding over to sit by the fire, his breath visible in the cool morning air. Lu Bu stirred, rubbing his eyes as he sat up, his expression a mix of curiosity and apprehension. Even the other spirit beasts began to rouse, their movements slow and deliberate as they gathered around the fire.

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  There was still a considerable amount of the giant boar left over from the previous day, and Kai urged the carnivorous spirit beasts to eat as much of it as they could. The last thing he wanted was to carry the heavy remains with them, and the meat would only spoil if left for too long. Snow, the Ice Wolf, tore into the boar with gusto, his sharp teeth making quick work of the tough hide and meat. Nearby, Fenglei, the thunder eagle, pecked delicately at the carcass, while Igni, the flame striped tiger spirit beast, watched with a predatory gleam in his eyes before joining in. The herbivorous members of the menagerie, meanwhile, contentedly munched on the nearby shrubbery, their movements slow and unhurried as they grazed in the early morning light.

  While the beasts feasted, Kai turned his attention to preparing breakfast for himself and Lu Bu. He stirred a pot of rice gruel over the fire, adding chunks of boar meat to the mixture. It was a simple meal, but hearty and filling—perfect for the road. As the gruel simmered, the savory aroma wafted through the camp, drawing Lu Bu’s attention. The boy had been sitting quietly by the fire, his eyes still heavy with sleep, but the smell of food seemed to perk him up.

  Kai ladled the gruel into two bowls and handed one to Lu Bu. Despite having eaten the same meal the day before, the boy accepted it eagerly, his face lighting up with gratitude. He blew on the steaming food to cool it before taking a tentative bite, his expression one of pure contentment as he chewed.

  “Thank you, Mr. Kai,” Lu Bu said between mouthfuls, his voice muffled but sincere. “It’s really good.”

  Kai smiled faintly, taking a seat beside the boy. “You’re welcome,” he replied, stirring his own bowl of gruel. “It’s not much, but it’ll keep us going for the day.”

  Lu Bu nodded enthusiastically, already halfway through his portion. “It’s way better than anything I’ve had in a while,” he admitted, his tone tinged with a hint of sadness. Kai didn’t press him to elaborate, he had an idea how long the boy had gone without food based on how skinny he was. Instead, he focused on his own meal, savoring the warmth of the food and the quiet companionship of the morning.

  As they ate, Kai kept a watchful eye on the spirit beasts. The carnivores were making good progress on the boar, their hunger seemingly insatiable. The herbivores, meanwhile, had moved on to a patch of fresh grass. It was a peaceful scene, one that belied the dangers they had faced and those that still lay ahead. But for now, Kai allowed himself to enjoy the moment, knowing that such tranquility was rare and fleeting.

  Once breakfast was finished, Kai began packing up the camp, his movements efficient and practiced. Lu Bu helped where he could, though his small hands struggled with some of the heavier tasks. The boy’s eagerness to assist was endearing, and Kai made sure to praise his efforts, knowing how much it meant to him.

  As they prepared to set off, Kai glanced back at the campsite one last time. The fire had been extinguished, the remains of the boar picked clean, and the area left as undisturbed as possible. It was time to move on, to face whatever challenges the road had in store.

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