Re-birth: The Beginning after the End

After her long bath, Li Hua crawled onto her bed, her lids becoming heavy, but before she could fall asleep...

--

"Master..." A soft voice called out to her. So soft that she would've almost missed it.

Li Hua's eyes snapped open. The voice had come from within her consciousness, familiar yet changed. "Little Firefly?" she whispered, all traces of fatigue vanishing instantly.

Without hesitation, she crossed her legs and entered meditation, her consciousness diving into her inner space. The familiar realm that greeted her had transformed. Where once there had been only gardens and her treasured peach trees, now...

Little Firefly flew into her arms, the familiar warmth of his presence making her heart swell. She squeezed him tight, realizing just how much she'd missed her small companion during these long months.

"Master! I missed you!" His light flickered with excitement, pulsing like a joyful heartbeat against her chest.

"I missed you too, Little Firefly!" She cradled him closer, relief flooding her voice. "It's been so long, and I was beginning to worry that you wouldn't ever wake up!"

"Master! There are so many new things with this merge—"

"Shhhh..." Li Hua squeezed him gently, wanting to savor this moment of reunion. "Just let me enjoy this for a moment." Her inner space could wait; right now, all that mattered was holding her dear friend once again.

After a long moment of silence, Little Firefly's light dimmed slightly, his tone had become more subdued. "Master, even though I couldn't communicate with you, I could see you. I know what you've been through and I-I'm sorry." His form trembled slightly in her arms, the light flickering with guilt and concern.

"It's alright, Little Firefly." Li Hua whispered, her voice gentle and reassuring. She understood the weight behind his words—he had witnessed her struggles, her pain, her moments of doubt, all while being unable to offer comfort or support.

"But the pain...I couldn't—" His voice cracked.

"Shh," she soothed, "we'll face whatever comes next together." The words were soft but carried an edge of steel beneath the gentleness.

He had seen everything: the long nights of training, the battles, the constant pressure to protect her brothers, the weight of their parents' absence. Yet despite his inability to help, he had never truly left her side. In a way, knowing he had been watching over her, even silently, brought its own comfort.

Watching his glow dim with lingering guilt, Li Hua straightened and softened her voice. "You mentioned earlier there was something you wanted to share with me?"

Little Firefly's light brightened again. "Ah! Yes! Master, look around! While I was fully absorbing the bead of energy, this space began to change."

Li Hua finally turned her attention to her transformed inner space. Where there had once been only the peach grove, now, different spiritual fruit trees had popped up. New areas had sprouted into existence. Plots of land stretched out before them, already cultivated with rare spiritual herbs that seemed to have grown from the space's very essence. Some of the plants she recognized from ancient texts, their leaves shimmering with untapped potential.

"How is this possible?" Li Hua was speechless taking in the new things, her eyes wide as she traced the outlines of trees that shouldn't exist outside of ancient legends.

"Master, I received a few memories. Still not fully, but a better understanding of this space. For the longest time, I always assumed I was this space's guardian, but I am actually the owner of this space. As I grow, this space grows. Since we're bonded, your growth also aids my growth and the growth of this space."

"You mean, you could cultivate now?"

"Yes, master! I could also take form, now!"

"Show me!" Li Hua said in excitement as she placed Little Firefly on the ground.

His ethereal glow slowly changed into a small golden sparrow, each feather seeming to capture and reflect light. The transformation was seamless, as natural as breathing.

Li Hua reached out with gentle fingers, touching his new form. His feathers were impossibly soft, and she found herself unable to stop petting him. "You're so soft," she whispered in wonder.

Little Firefly squirmed under her touch, letting out a musical chirp of laughter. "Master! That tickles!"

Li Hua chuckled but didn't stop. Instead, she picked him up and brought him closer, rubbing her cheek on his wing.

"So, no more glowing huh?" She asked pulling back.

"No more glowing, master." Little Firefly's small head nodded.

Li Hua studied his transformed appearance, a bittersweet smile touching her lips. "I'll always cherish the memories of your light," she said softly, "but seeing you like this, finally able to be yourself... it suits you perfectly."

Little Firefly blushed at her word. "Master, I could also be outside with you."

Li Hua trembled slightly in surprise. "WAIT! You mean you could exit the space??!"

"Yes! Though not for too long yet," Little Firefly chirped, his golden feathers catching the sun light. "As my cultivation grows stronger, I'll be able to stay outside longer. For now, I can maintain my form in the outside world for about three hours before needing to return here to recover."

He hopped from one foot to another, excited to share more details. "I can still communicate with you mentally when I'm in here, just like before. But now I can also manifest out there to help you directly!"

"The most important thing," he continued, his tone becoming more serious, "is that I'll be able to warn you of dangers or help scout ahead. My spiritual perception has grown much stronger with this transformation."

Li Hua listened intently, already thinking of how this could change their future adventures. Her small companion had evolved from a presence in her inner space to a true partner who could act independently.

"And I can change size too!" Little Firefly demonstrated by shrinking until he was no bigger than Li Hua's thumbnail, then expanding back to his normal sparrow size. "Perfect for staying hidden or acting as your eyes and ears without drawing attention. Though the bigger I am, the more energy I use."

He fluttered to perch on her shoulder, his small form warm against her neck. "I can also sense spiritual fluctuations better than before. If someone tries to spy on you or there's hidden danger nearby, I'll know immediately." His chest puffed with pride. "No one will be able to sneak up on us!"

"What about fighting?" Li Hua asked, curious about the extent of his new capabilities.

"Ahhh…Well..." Little Firefly tilted his head thoughtfully, "I'm not very strong in combat yet, but I can channel spiritual energy to enhance your energy. And in emergencies, I can create small illusions or distractions. The more I cultivate, the more abilities I'll unlock."

"That's still really impressive!" She nodded, smiling at how far they'd both come. With the Sixth Realm's training behind her and Little Firefly's evolution, tomorrow felt full of possibilities.

"Master! Let me show you the new changes here," he chirped, taking flight. His golden form darted between the trees. "First, the Longevity Grove."

He led her to a secluded corner where the air itself seemed to pulse with vitality. There, alongside her familiar peach trees, stood something she'd only read about in ancient texts—a Peach of Immortality tree, its branches heavy with pink-gold fruit that emanated eternal life force. "These aren't quite as powerful," Little Firefly explained, noting her wide-eyed wonder, "but they still carry remarkable life-extending properties."