[The sub-ability of Predation Evolution, 'Being Evolution', is activated.]
[Evolution paths are now available.]
?[1. Green Red Dragon Centipede]
?[2. Black Red Dragon Centipede]
I examined the messages that appeared before my eyes.
Among them, the message about 'evolution' particularly stood out.
'Evolution...!'
Just being reincarnated into the cultivation world was already overwhelming.
I could continuously extend my lifespan through cultivation.
But now evolution was added to the mix!
Evolution is every man's fantasy. As series like Poké■ster and Di■mon have proven, no man dislikes evolution.
Performance enhancement, dramatic physical transformation. There was no reason not to like it. The only issue was that I was the subject of this evolution.
Of course, I don't dislike evolving.
If I were evolving from a human body into some strange monster, I might be reluctant, but I've already been reincarnated as a centipede Demon.
Things couldn't get worse from here.
Moreover, evolution would help me survive better, so there was absolutely no reason to hesitate.
I calmly read the message again.
I shouldn't miss important information because I was caught up in excitement.
'I suppose the Evolution Path is exactly what it sounds like. Seeing [Early] next to Qi Condensation, it seems I can evolve multiple times within the Qi Condensation Realm. Since realms are probably divided into early-middle-late stages... that means I have two more evolutions within the Qi Condensation Realm.'
I roughly understood my 'power.'
1).Acquire characteristics from consumed targets.
2).Undergo evolution when advancing realms.
After engraving the details of Predation Evolution's abilities in my mind, I shifted my gaze.
That's when it happened.
With a ding sound, several more messages appeared again.
[Characteristic
[Characteristic
[New evolution paths are unlocked.]
'Huh?'
?[3. Clear Silver Red Dragon Centipede]
?[4. Stone Armored Red Dragon Centipede]
'New paths?'
Clear Silver Red Dragon Centipede and Stone Armored Red Dragon Centipede.
The appearance of new evolution paths.
'Nice!'
I rejoiced inwardly.
The grinding had been worth it.
To think I'd benefit like this.
I don't know how much better options 3 and 4 are compared to the other two. But one thing was certain.
They would help me survive in this world at least a little better. The evolution paths newly unlocked through interaction with characteristics wouldn't be worse than the existing ones, right?
'Would option 1 Green Red Dragon Centipede and option 3 Clear Silver Red Dragon Centipede be speed types, while the other two are defense types?'
Stone Armored Red Dragon Centipede had "I am a defensive type!" written all over its name, but in the case of Clear Silver Red Dragon Centipede, no characteristics were apparent, which was perplexing.
Isn't Clear Silver just clear silver color? I can only vaguely guess it's a speed type since the characteristic it interacted with was 'Lightness'.
Anyway, options 1 and 2 were naturally excluded, and I had to choose between the remaining two.
Hmm. Which one should I pick?
Clear Silver Red Dragon Centipede or Stone Armored Red Dragon Centipede?
It's a question of speed versus defense.
Realistically, I need both.
Though I've reached the Qi Condensation Stage, I'm still just a lowly creature in this harsh cultivation world.
But I can only choose one option. I contemplated for a while, looking at the messages.
And then.
'This one seems better.'
I made my choice.
[Are you sure you want to select this option?]
[(Warning!) Once selected, it cannot be undone.]
'Yes.'
[Your body is changing.]
[You have evolved into a ...... Red Dragon Centipede.]
※※※
Cyan Path Beast Integration Sect.
One of the five major cultivation powers in the mortal realm's Sacred Origin Continent, a sect with a long history that has produced numerous transcenders.
Led by the sect leader who had reached the Yuan Spirit Realm, the Cyan Path Beast Integration Sect, with numerous Nascent Soul Realm elders and Foundation Establishment and Qi Condensation disciples, had now selected '10 Qi Condensation disciples.'
"All ten Qi Condensation disciples have assembled."
At the call of the Foundation Establishment disciple who was commanding the group, Elder Jin Ling opened his eyes.
Awakening from his meditation, he examined the disciples.
He was at the Nascent Soul Realm.
The cultivation levels of the disciples before him were immediately apparent just by looking at them.
'Three at Qi Condensation Middle Stage, the rest at Late Stage? Hmm. Not bad.'
Most of the disciples were at the Qi Condensation Late Stage, and none were at the Early Stage.
The few disciples at the Qi Condensation Middle Stage each had abilities comparable to those at the Late Stage.
The narrative has been taken without permission. Report any sightings.
After confirming the disciples' cultivation levels, Jin Ling spoke with a satisfied expression.
"The Dao Mixing Secret Realm will soon open. The reason I mention this again is because this matter is of great importance."
Dao Mixing Secret Realm.
A secret realm that opens for 6 months every 20 years, a place where numerous relics of high-realm cultivators are sealed.
If only artifacts were sealed there, the sect leader of the Cyan Path Beast Integration Sect would have gone himself, or the elders would have explored the secret realm.
But they only gave instructions for exploration rather than participating directly.
No. It would be more accurate to say they 'couldn't.'
"Due to the barrier inside the secret realm, only you who are at the Qi Condensation Realm can enter. Similarly, other sects will have no choice but to send their Qi Condensation disciples as well. But, how could disciples of the great Cyan Path Beast Integration Sect be pushed around by others?"
Inside the secret realm, there existed a barrier that repelled beings of 'Foundation Establishment Realm and above.'
Ordinary people and beings who weren't at the Qi Condensation Realm couldn't even enter the secret realm.
Therefore, numerous cultivation sects and families selected Qi Condensation disciples every 20 years to send to the Dao Mixing Secret Realm.
To obtain the relics of high-realm cultivators.
"Those who bring back relics will be awarded a minimum of 50 points to as many as 1000 points of merit, depending on the grade. And the disciple with the greatest achievement will have the opportunity to receive teachings from this elder, so everyone do your best."
An opportunity that comes once every 20 years.
That opportunity was one that neither the elder nor the disciples could afford to miss.
The elder could establish his position as a key figure in the sect by accomplishing meritorious deeds, and the disciples could gain opportunities to grow rapidly through the relics obtained from inside the secret realm.
"Also, Spirit Herbs, Spirit Fruits, and the core and byproducts of Demons obtained from inside the secret realm will also be counted as merit according to their grade and condition. So remember this point well. However, do not forget that obtaining relics is the highest priority."
Relics were not the only items that could be obtained from the Dao Mixing Secret Realm. Inside, there were Spirit Herbs and Spirit Fruits containing enormous Spiritual energy, and Demons that had grown by consuming them.
Those were also targets for cultivators. Materials needed for cultivation were always scarce.
The Qi Condensation disciples brightened their eyes and strengthened their resolve.
In their minds, they were determined to receive teachings from the Nascent Soul Realm elder and to accumulate as much merit as possible during this secret realm expedition.
The teachings of a Nascent Soul Realm expert were something even Foundation Establishment disciples desperately wanted. Moreover, with the merit accumulated from the secret realm, they could obtain a Foundation Establishment Pill.
One Foundation Establishment Pill would greatly increase the probability of breaking through the barrier of Qi Condensation Late Stage.
It was an item that was indispensable for those at Qi Condensation Middle or Late Stage.
However, there was someone who showed no particular interest in these rewards and was distracted.
'Yawn, when will this talk end?'
It was Xue En, a direct blood relative of the sect leader.
Born with a supreme spiritual root called Heavenly Spirit Root, and showing excellent aptitude in cultivation and Cultivation Method practice, she was someone who could advance to the Foundation Establishment Realm in a short time without a Foundation Establishment Pill.
Xue En, who needed neither merit nor the elder's teachings, was someone who didn't have to go on this secret realm expedition.
But she had one personal goal, and for that reason, she joined this secret realm expedition.
'The secret realm must be full of rare Demons?'
Demons.
Life forms born with violent temperaments and peculiar bodies that distinguish them from ordinary animals.
Unlike spirit beasts, they have no intelligence, but these strange creatures can advance in realms like human cultivators.
It had been reported that there were many unique Demons in the Dao Mixing Secret Realm, and Xue En was interested in them.
It was a kind of emotion similar to children showing interest in insects.
'Hehe, I'm looking forward to it.'
Xue En spent her time anticipating the moment she would enter the secret realm.
※※※
[You have evolved into a Stone Armored Red Dragon Centipede.]
[You have acquired the inherent characteristic, 'Stone Shell Molting'.]
My choice was the defensive type, Stone Armored Red Dragon Centipede.
'Speed is valuable too, but defense is more important right now.'
The reason I chose the defense-focused Stone Armored Red Dragon Centipede was simple.
Because of pain.
'How can I endure such pain?'
Even with a Demon's body, pain was still vividly felt.
Despite having Hardness at 10 stars, the attacks from Demons were still painfully dizzying.
Of course, choosing Stone Armored Red Dragon Centipede wasn't just because of the fear of pain.
'I might have to fight other Demons in the future... it would be troublesome if my body freezes up due to pain.'
Pain sensation, the resulting stiffness.
In the world of Demons where life hangs in the balance in a split second, a moment of stiffness could lead to death.
Couldn't I just increase my speed and avoid getting hit?
Of course, such thoughts crossed my mind.
But speed isn't a fundamental solution.
As long as I'm a Red Dragon Centipede, situations requiring close combat will inevitably arise, and at that moment, I can't avoid all attacks.
In other words, getting hit is inevitable. To prepare for that situation, I decided to increase my body's defense.
Higher defense means less pain.
Of course, compared to having high speed, I'd get hit more often, but that was manageable.
In summary,
Less pain but getting hit more VS Occasionally getting hit painfully.
It was a battle between these two.
I chose the former.
No matter how fast my speed is, if I get hit once and my body freezes up, I could end up dead.
'Let's check the characteristics then.'
Having finished my thoughts, I opened the status window to check the characteristics.
───────────────
[Characteristics]
?Inherent: Stone Shell Molting (Level 1)
?General: Lightness (10 stars), Hardness (10 stars)
───────────────
'Oh, subcategories have been added to the characteristics.'
Inherent section and General section. In the Inherent section, there was the characteristic obtained through evolution.
'Let's see, look at [Stone Shell Molting] in detail.'
As I thought about viewing the characteristic in detail, information about [Stone Shell Molting] was revealed.
───────────────
? Stone Shell Molting (Level 1)
Classification: Inherent Characteristic ? Qi Condensation Stage Level
Effect: Gain a harder shell through molting. Can be used at regular intervals. Can be used up to 10 times.
※ Cooldown: Six shichen (12 hours)
※ After reaching the molting limit, the characteristic will evolve when certain conditions are met.
───────────────
'Permanently increasing defense through molting... I think that's how I should understand it. Just from the description, it seems pretty good?'
I nodded with satisfaction.
'Well, shall I try using it?'
Cooldown of 12 hours.
Since defense increases with each use, it seemed good to use it whenever possible.
'Stone Shell Molting.'
I thought about using the characteristic.
['Stone Shell Molting' is being used.]
'Hmm!'
Crackle— Crack—!
I felt heat in my body, and at the same time, my outer shell began to split. After a moment, a transparent shell peeled off and fell to the ground.
[You have acquired Stone Shell Molting (Level 2).]
[Your defense has increased.]
The heat I felt in my body disappeared.
And two messages popped up. I read through the messages and looked at the shell fragments that had fallen to the ground.
'Oh, is this my shed skin?'
On the ground were gray-colored shell fragments that had been my outer shell. It seems the color of my outer shell changed from black to gray after evolving.
I poked the shell with my teeth.
'Wow, the shell is as hard as armor.'
The description "Stone Shell" wasn't an exaggeration.
I tried biting it once, but it only left a slight mark without breaking. If the shed outer shell is this hard, how hard must the shell currently covering my body be?
'That's enough for the characteristic, are there any other changes?'
Although it's the lowest rank, the Qi Condensation Realm, I had formally entered the cultivation system. It wouldn't be strange if there were other changes accordingly.
I calmly observed my body condition.
'Hmm, first of all, my body seems to have grown.'
Without a mirror, I couldn't know exactly how much my body had grown. But I roughly estimated from my changed view.
My body had grown at least 3-4 times larger.
'To think my size would quadruple at once. Is this the effect of realm advancement in the cultivation world?'
To be precise, it seemed to be a characteristic of the 'Red Dragon Centipede' species. The older brother, sister, and mother Red Dragon Centipedes at the Qi Condensation Early Stage were also terribly large.
Other monsters I encountered weren't mindlessly large.
'At this size, I could probably eat not just stone fragments but whole rocks.'
If before I was just a slightly larger than average earthworm, now I'm about the size of a human fist.
It was an enormous change.
To examine the changes in my body more closely, I looked for a lake or puddle. It would be nice to have a hand mirror, but I couldn't find such a thing in this forest.
But wait, what's this? I happened to find a puddle.
'The hard outer shell covers my body like armor.'
A gray-colored armor encased my entire body like an exoskeleton. It looked as if I had crafted and worn real armor.
'Ahem. Honestly, it's a bit cool.'
Even from an objective viewpoint, it's quite a stylish appearance.
I cleared my throat and looked over my entire body. I checked if there were any other changed parts, but there weren't any notable changes.
I thought I might feel inner cores or spiritual energy in my body, but unfortunately, I couldn't detect anything like that.
Is it because my realm is insufficient?
Anyway.
[Your Supernatural Power reacts to your realm.]
[Additional abilities of Predation Evolution are being unlocked....]
'It seems additional abilities are unlocked right after reaching the Qi Condensation Realm.'
Predation Evolution, which unlocks additional abilities corresponding to the realm.
I was excited about what abilities would be added.
'I've checked the characteristics and body condition. Now let's move on to the next activity.'
I thought about what I should do first to survive in this harsh cultivation world.
While contemplating my next plan in the forest, suddenly a thought I had forgotten came to mind.
'Ah! I forgot about this.'
I chuckled at the thought that suddenly crossed my mind.
"Keeee—"
With the cry of a Red Dragon Centipede, I looked in the direction I had come from.
'Now that I'm at the Qi Condensation Realm, I can freely enter the Spirit Herb field, right? Hehe. Good, I'll think about what to do next while gathering some Spirit Herbs.'
That place where I couldn't have a shared meal before, where I had to run away with just two Spirit Herb roots even after gaining Lightness and Hardness.
That place occupied by One-horned Rabbits and Red Jade Snakes.
The Wulong Herb field.
Now that I'm at the Qi Condensation Realm...
Shall we have a shared meal?