EP.10
I have a faint memory of having read some martial arts novels.
Finding Low Qi or Spiritual Medicine, which I was searching for, is often referred to as a fortuitous encounter.
These are filled with Yang energy, while the Low Qi is the embodiment of the powerful and sinister Yin energy held within the Eternal Fire Carp.
It is said that the Golden Spirit Tree grows on mountain peaks or cliffs untouched by human hands, and its fruit is the Eternal Golden Spirit Fruit.
Among the life-saving elixirs of Shaolin, the Great Returning Pill is rumored to even be able to bring the dead back to life.
Moreover, there are Spiritual Medicines such as Gong Cheong Stone Oil, Eternal Huasuo, Eternal Golden Toad, and Golden Wa, which are inaccessible to ordinary folks.
Obtaining these is akin to grasping the stars in the sky.
One must defeat powerful spiritual creatures or seek out a rare fruit that might only be found on mythical mountaintops.
If I were not surrounded by those who possess Low Qi, I would have to abandon all hope of finding Spiritual Medicine through conventional means.
But did that mean I would give up on evolving?
That would be a no.
I acknowledge the difficulty of acquiring Low Qi or Spiritual Medicine in my current lizard form.
However, the condition for evolution lies within embodying profound spiritual energy.
What this means is that even without something like Low Qi, if I can fill myself with that energy, there is still a chance of evolving.
Even a carp or a toad can produce Low Qi, so why couldn’t I?
I consider myself a remarkable lizard.
I reached out and gently rubbed my soft, white belly.
It felt delightful, except for the fact that it was indeed my body.
Surely, there must be a Lower Dantian within this belly.
The Low Qi given to me by the spider must reside there, and if the Lower Dantian exists, then it could very well allow me to cultivate inner strength.
Of course, I know nothing about the Heart Techniques, Heart Secrets, or Divine Arts found in martial arts novels.
The only thing I know is the name of a movement called the Little Dragon Ascending Step.
If I handle this well, something akin to a Heart Secret might just emerge, but I still don’t know how.
Still, there was no reason to be disheartened. In the world of martial arts, even mediocre martial artists have ways to cultivate inner strength.
Breath Control.
It’s something that should be done if one has immersed themselves in martial arts.
Of course, those mediocre individuals may never reach the level of higher techniques like the Three Transformations of Qi or the Five Energy Breaths. Still, being able to circulate one’s internal energy and build up inner strength is no small feat.
If even a mediocre martial artist can do it, there’s no reason a lizard with a slight connection to martial arts can’t achieve it as well.
I tucked my tail and attempted to sit cross-legged.
It was quite a challenge to assume the lotus position with a lizard’s body.
Nonetheless, thanks to my flexibility, I was able to fold my legs in a manner conducive to the lotus position.
I understood what Breath Control was, but I had no idea how to execute it.
Naturally, that was to be expected; I was an ordinary human once.
The only knowledge I had stemmed from reading a handful of martial arts novels.
But if it came to meditation, I could manage that.
I plucked a lotus leaf and covered my eyes.
I envisioned a vast lake.
An endlessly expansive lake.
A single droplet of water falling into the lake.
That solitary droplet, albeit small, created ripples that reached the very edge of the lake.
At the edge of the lake, I could see a large frond.
The owner of that frond let out a loud roar.
Yes, it was a Spinosaurus.
The Spinosaurus is a dinosaur that primarily eats fish, and it is factually inferior in size to the Tyrannosaurus, much like a less powerful pelican; even passing raptors would know it cannot compete with the Tyrannosaurus.
Gasp…
Gah…
My tranquility was shattered.
That treacherous Spinosaurus appeared in my vision and broke my concentration.
A failure.
I couldn’t even manage proper meditation, let alone perform Breath Control.
I gently pushed aside the lotus leaf and gazed into the void.
“Gekekek.”
Despite my failure, I did put in the effort.
Perhaps, in response to that effort, they may bestow upon me a skill called Breath Control.
…
How unfair it is that I’ve been reincarnated as this Geeko Lizard. At least grant me that much!
When will I ever gain enlightenment?
Let’s have some leniency for my past life perks.
…The status window remained cold.
I actually already knew this.
Breath Control might truly exist as a skill, but at the very least, I must succeed at least once to have a chance at obtaining it.
Yes.
I’ll keep trying until I succeed.
I cleared my mind.
Focusing on a single drop of water falling into the lake.
A small droplet surged forward like a ripple, racing toward the lake’s edge.
The ripple that collided at the end vanished without a trace.
Another drop of water falls.
That droplet…
“Quaaaack!”
Huff, endure.
Endure.
Yes. Enduring once made my mind even clearer.
The water…
“Quaaaack!”
You little pest.
You’re dead.
Let me see your face.
【Beelzebufo LV12】
I tucked my head back in.
My apologies.
Please continue what you were doing.
Wait, why is that toad named like that?
It sounds like a name from the Seven Deadly Sin.
I imagine the title “Greed” would fit perfectly in front of it.
I slapped my cheeks a couple of times and steadied my mind.
To be honest, my name isn’t any less remarkable.
I am, after all, a Basilisk.
Sure, it has a rather lackluster title of Grin next to it.
That creature might be in a similar situation as mine.
Could it be that I mistook the Basilisk for the legendary one?
Maybe it’s just an ordinary toad.
I cautiously peeked my head out again.
__________________________
【Beelzebufo】
A massive toad over 40 centimeters long, known as the “Hell Toad.”
It typically uses its muscular hind legs to ambush its prey.
The venom secreted from Beelzebufo’s body is a deadly toxin that even predators dare not approach.
__________________________
Wait a minute.
Why does it have such a grand description?
What does “Hell Toad” even mean?
I want to be the legendary lizard too.
And how can it be 40cm?
If it really wants to, it feels like I could easily be swallowed whole.
The golden sheen on its body seemed rather suspicious. Earlier, I thought it was just an ordinary toad, but seeing its name and description made me feel differently.
“Quaaaack!”
I retract my head again.
Right.
After all, training usually thrives in extreme situations.
Let’s remember the teachings of the Greedy Beelzebufo.
“Quaaaack!”
I waited for that toad to quiet down.
When performing Breath Control, it’s customary to maintain composure around it.
If I get disturbed midway, I might suffer internal injury.
With that obnoxious noise breaking my concentration, my chances of getting hurt would drastically increase.
Though that’s assuming I manage to succeed with Breath Control first.
I heard the toad leap.
“Quack…”
The sound grew fainter.
Now’s my chance.
It was time to execute Breath Control.
At this point, I should probably call it Lunch Control instead.
Because what I thought of as “Breath Control” to eat in the morning…
“Gekek.”
I closed my mouth and settled into a cross-legged position.
I closed my eyes and emptied my mind.
A drop of water falls.
The energy within my Lower Dantian began circulating throughout my body.
Like a drop of water causing ripples, it moved through every corner of my being.
“Guhh!”
The ripple shattered.
“Cough!”
At once, I spat out a mouthful of blood.
…Did I just cough up blood?
That means I was almost successful in Breath Control.
But it’s too early to rejoice.
The toad finally calmed down, and with immense focus, I almost succeeded, yet that horrid bellow interrupted me. I wonder how long it will take to regain my focus.
Moreover, I ended up seeing blood unnecessarily.
Anger surged within me towards the owner of that roar.
That must be the creature I saw earlier.
Maybe it’s a Demon Toad, but in your case, you won’t escape unscathed.
I began to sharpen my claws against the pebble a little by little.
Turtle, turtle. If you don’t show your head, I’ll roast you.
Let’s see your face.
【Astrochelys radiata LV16】
Its tail rose, obscuring my view.
Am I seeing things wrong?
Why is it level 16 and named like that?
I tried to gently wave its tail aside, but what was in front of me didn’t change.
…Still, it was time to trust that I could see it clearly this time.
__________________________
【Astrochelys radiata】
A terrestrial tortoise that can grow up to 50 cm.
True to its name “Star Tortoise,” it has star-shaped patterns on its shell.
Also known as the Radiated Tortoise, it is a rare species with very few individuals left.
__________________________
Star Tortoise, you say?
Something seems off here.
The Hell Toad and the Star Tortoise.
Then the lizard in between should probably be the Heavenly Lizard, right?
Why does the best I can think of only sound like some Long Tail Water Lizard?
“Guhhh!”
I had just managed to find a clue, but that tortoise made it impossible to perform Breath Control.
No, it should calm down soon.
Tortoises are generally nice creatures, after all.
I’ve seen many of them.
Like in those tales of the “Turtle and the Crane.”
“Guhhh!”
Wait, that was a turtle, wasn’t it?
This one is a land tortoise.
“What the hell!”
Why are you loitering around here?
There’s hardly any food available.
I went hunting all the way to where the piranhas gather.
Endure.
There’s a saying that training is akin to enduring.
If I keep enduring like this, perhaps I might succeed better in Breath Control.
“Quaaaack!”
“Guhh!”
Sigh.
Now they’re both at it.
But the silver lining is that these guys are active during the day.
I’m not sure if Basilisk Lizards are nocturnal or diurnal, but I come from a family of night owls. I can adapt whether it’s day or night.
Actually, it’s fortunate that their activity hours overlap.
It should quiet down when night falls.
I passed the time practicing my footwork while splashing in the water… no, practicing my foot technique.
“Quaaaack!”
“Guhh!”
“Quaaaack!”
“Guhhh!”
…What is this? Am I dreaming?
Why does it feel like the noises have gotten louder?
The frequency seems to have increased as well.
I slightly poked my head out.
【Astrochelys radiata LV16】
【Astrochelys radiata LV11】
【Astrochelys radiata LV6】
【Beelzebufo LV12】
【Beelzebufo LV11】
【Beelzebufo LV6】
I pulled my head back in.
I was gravely mistaken.
Even if they are diurnal, it doesn’t mean they quiet down at night.
And when it’s time to sleep, their families gather together instead.
They chatter incessantly, as if competing with one another.
This is hell.
It’s not just about failing Breath Control.
Staying here feels like I might not even have basic rights to survive.
Will I ever be able to sleep?
Even if I catch prey in the hunting ground, I feel like it would be taken away by those creatures.
What is wrong with my neighbors?
….
Hey spider. How are you doing?
I miss you today.
So much has happened to me.
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