The maelstrom of getting thrashed by an overpowered elderly immortal with a walking stick has finally settled down. He's finally agreed to let me touch the artifact that he was guarding. My body is bruised and battered. I'm going to be sore tomorrow.

  My master is waiting by the floating glowing artifact in the middle of the islet.

  I leap over the moat and land on the islet.

  I reach for the glowing artifact. Its light transfers to me, engulfing me and sending tingles through every part of my body. I feel my muscles grow thicker. As I float upward, I gaze down at my master. He gazes back up at me, his eyes glistening, and a divine light bursts from within me. It gently places me back down on the ground.

  I look at my hands and pat my face. No significant change in features. Did something go wrong with the evolution again?

  I look at my master, and his eyes soften. This must be what he expected if that's his only reaction.

  Then the Elder pops up beside me. How does he keep doing that?

  Without warning, he strikes me with his walking stick and sends me into the water. Not again!

  I tread water, spluttering.

  "Elder, a little warning would be nice. What was that for?"

  He strokes his long silver beard and plants his walking stick down with a crack.

  I'm not in the mood for another beating. I'll keep my big mouth shut.

  "Now transform into your whale form."

  "I thought the artifact was supposed to do that."

  He shakes his head and tsks.

  "You should be able to transform now without any help from an artifact."

  Really? That's new. I stop treading water and let myself sink to the bottom. I envision transforming in the form that I had as a whale. The last thing I remember was the gathering of humpback whales circling me.

  Then a bright light bursts out from me as my arms stretch into fins, my legs merge into a tail, and my body expands into a full-grown whale. My back breaches the surface of the water, overshadowing the islet.

  I'm no longer a runt! This is awesome!

  "Master, look at me! I'm not a tiny whale anymore, I'm a full-grown one!"

  A case of literary theft: this tale is not rightfully on Amazon; if you see it, report the violation.

  He nods, a smile tugging at his lips. He reaches for my head and pats it. I lean in, feeling the pride he has for me.

  "I can see, you're taking up a lot of space now. Would you mind trying to transform back into your human guise? You're too large to get out of here."

  Can I do that without an artifact? Well, that makes sense, since I can transform to a whale without one either.

  I close my eyes, focusing on the form I was just a moment ago. And my body shrinks. My fins transform into arms. My tail splits and becomes my legs. And I'm treading water again.

  I kick my legs and spring out of the water, landing beside the other two.

  This is the best evolution yet. I have the best of both worlds now.

  The Elder looks at the artifact he's been guarding, then hands it over to me. It's shaped like a teapot.

  I wonder how long he's been guarding this. It looks ancient.

  "Are you sure you don't want to use it for tea?"

  "I believe the Crown Prince would want this for his collection."

  I accept it graciously, not keen on another beating. I tuck it into my mystical satchel. I’d forgotten how peculiar the royal immortal’s taste is.

  I give him a reverent bow. He definitely deserves it. He's the most frightening immortal I've ever met and the only one that's beaten me senseless.

  "Elder, I'll never forget that you beat me to a pulp. I’ll be back to challenge you when I’m stronger."

  He lets out a hearty laugh, nodding like he can't wait for another round.

  "I look forward to it."

  Long Fei paid his respects to the Elder, his back stiffening. I bet he got thrashed by him once too.

  Then we both head to the entrance.

  He pulls the jade flute from his sleeve, rests the tip against his lips, and plays solemn music.

  The waterfall parts itself and an ethereal light bathes us.

  We enter through the portal and back to the Celestial Realm.

  "Master, does that mean I have to learn to play the flute now if I want to enter this place?"

  "Not any flute can enter this place. Only this one."

  He slides the jade flute back into his sleeve.

  Without a word, he transforms into a sky-blue beam and shoots off. I tail him as fast as I can. This body is a lot faster now. So all this time, he could've moved faster? He purposely paces himself for me?

  We shortly arrived at the Royal Chamber.

  He transforms back to his human guise, floating like a leaf, landing gracefully on the ground.

  I brace myself for my usual dust storm, but this time I landed on the ground, both feet planted in the floor.

  CRACK! The ground beneath me shatters under my evolved power. Oops.

  He shakes his head and sighs.

  "Ling Yue, please stop damaging His Highness’ property."

  I run my palm down my face and groan. So much for elegance.

  "I'll patch it back up later."

  We both head into the Royal Chamber, where the Crown Prince is standing by the window. He turns to face us, greeting us with a warm smile.

  Long Fei tilts his head toward his royal friend.

  I take out the teapot and hand it to the Crown Prince.

  "Your Highness, this is from the crazy powerful Elder with the walking stick."

  "Thank you. I finally have a complete set."

  I pluck out my quest list. And more lines light up. More lines than usual.

  I squint and read to make sure they're not one long-running one like previously.

  "Your Highness, isn't this a bit too much? You only gave me one quest before, now it's 10."

  "Now you have options. At your level, you don't need any more artifacts. You're finally past your foundation level."

  "That was all just foundation?"

  "Yes. Now the sky's your limit. It's up to you how strong you want to get."

  "Does that mean I no longer need to know my levels now that there's no cap."

  The Crown Prince shakes his head and taps his temple.

  A devilish grin spreads on my face.

  I'm going to try all sorts of moves and see if destiny can stunt my growth.