Gaining New Skills

The moment the decision was made, the two beasts seemed to become transparent, with light emanating from their bodies.

The Ze Cauldron in his mind shone with brilliant light, echoing the radiance within the two beasts, and then expanding outwards in hundreds and thousands.

Even though it doesn't exist in reality, Liang Qu couldn't help but squint as he stood on the boat.

For a moment, it seemed as if there were two suns, one in the sky and one on the ground, until something pierced the radiance of the Sun Wheel that had gathered on the water's surface.

The light emanating from both beasts shattered in the same way, dissipating like ashes in the wind.

The enormous figure was once again in sight, and Liang Qu stared intently at it.

He watched helplessly as the Fat Catfish, Cannot Move, swelled up and gradually changed shape.

Intense pain spread from the spines of the two beasts, an excruciating agony like a pupa struggling to break free of its cocoon, or a snake painfully shedding its skin.

Its massive form stirred up violent currents of water.

The Black Awning Boat rocked uncontrollably, and waves splashed into the cabin.

Liang Qu stood motionless at the bow of the boat.

The scales of the Taihua Crocodile, which are "Cannot Move," all stand up, gradually turning bluish-gray from the base to the tail, with a glossy sheen.

Its limbs became increasingly agile, its spine as thick as a dragon's, its broad abdomen and jaw slightly contracted, and its sharp claws grew several inches longer, resembling daggers.

Even more surprising is the appearance of two bulges on the back of its head, from which two sections of green wood-like "stumps" grow.

It grows horns after only one stage of evolution? Isn't the second stage supposed to transform it into Flood Dragon?

Liang Qu's eyes lit up.

The Fat Catfish on the other side also underwent an amazing transformation.

Its dark blue body spread out like ink, turning into a light and elegant ink wash color, and its figure became more and more slender, no longer as fat as before.

The fins on both sides continue to grow until they become very wide and flowing, like clouds and mist.

Its most obvious feature, the wide mouth, has narrowed and is no longer flat. The muscles bulge out, creating a layered effect, and finally, individual beast teeth grow out of its mouth, resembling a tiger's mouth! Its massive body splashes huge sprays of water, and its long tail whips through the water with astonishing force.

Like a fledgling bird struggling to break through the eggshell that binds it, uttering its first clear cry to the world.

Liang Qu was extremely excited.

So cool! After evolving, the Cannot Move catfish grows to 5.2 meters in size, and the Fat Catfish even reaches 5.6 meters!

Majestic and imposing!

His own Black Awning Boat was only about five meters long, and the two beasts followed beside him. Their shadows in the water were larger than the boat itself. Any fisherman would be terrified if he came here.

Feeling incredibly safe! Liang Qu, Cannot Move, leaned closer and reached out to touch its head, where the two horns, only half-length and resembling tree stumps, looked rather odd.

The texture and feel are not exactly similar to those of trees, but rather identical.

These are definitely not "dragon horns" in the normal sense. Perhaps its evolutionary path is not that of a dragon? Or is it another horned creature? Touch the scales again; they are very hard.

Liang Qu drew the Azure Wolf and made a light slash. The resistance transmitted from the blade was considerable. He used three-tenths of his strength to cut through it, which was much stronger than ordinary steel.

Looking at the Tiger-Head Catfish, the originally blue catfish has turned ink-colored. Its skin is still smooth and elastic, but it is extremely tough to the touch and also has resistance when cut.

I was right.

The size change isn't the biggest one; the overall quality of the two beasts has improved even more, making them worlds apart!

The Fist stood at the bow of the boat, looking on with envy. Taking advantage of the moment, the Fat Catfish tilted its head back and shot out a jet of water, sending the fist flying off the boat.

Things have changed. The Fist that used to be small and often got hit has grown rapidly in the last two days. Its six legs are like iron nails gripping the wooden board, and it is no longer afraid of this move. But the water arrows that the evolved Fat Catfish spews are even more powerful, and everything is back to the way it was before.

As the Fat Catfish that had been caught rolled over and exposed its belly, the catfish's whiskers trembled incessantly.

"Cannot Move" still has that same calm and collected look. With a pair of "tree horns" growing out, it is even more Zen. Floating on the water, if you don't pay attention, you really think it is a piece of big Wooden Head.

The two beasts have changed a lot in appearance, but their personalities remain the same.

Liang Qu stopped the two beasts from fighting.

"Alright, play later. Let me see how much you've improved after you've done so."

Upon receiving the order, the two beasts raced around the Black Awning Boat, sending huge waves crashing into the cabin, increasing their speed several times over.

Could we attach two saddles to them so we wouldn't need oars to row? Liang Qu fell into deep thought, as if he could see the Black Awning Boat speeding across the water.

"Hmm? There are other abilities as well?"

The Mental Link between the two beasts interrupted Liang Qu's thoughts.

"Quick, let me see."

Then the Fat Catfish dived into the water, with Liang Qu following closely behind.

Upon reaching an open body of water, the Fat Catfish opened its mouth, seemingly emitting a strange ripple. Immediately afterward, all the fish in front of it turned belly up and floated to the surface.

"Some kind of wave attack?"

Liang Qu pondered, wondering what the upper limit of this ability was, whether it could only stun small fry? Then he looked at the "Cannot Move" option.

Cannot Move seemed to have completely shaken off the effects of the cold weather and was no longer sluggish. It swam to the bottom of the lotus root, dug a hole and burrowed in, remaining motionless.

After a long silence, Liang Qu felt as if several crows had flown overhead.

"No, what does this mean?"

Liang Qu didn't quite understand. Did "Cannot Move" mean that his ability to hide was excellent?

Seemingly realizing that its abilities couldn't take effect immediately, "Cannot Move" climbed out of the pit again, pointing its claws at the Lotus Root Field and waving them around.

"It's a plant, and it can stimulate plant growth?"

Liang Qu suddenly realized why there hadn't been any changes; it turned out to be a passive skill.

Any plant near the Jiaomu Crocodile will receive a growth buff and become increasingly robust.

"No way, only 80 points of Marsh Essence? Is it really that powerful after its first evolution? Fist and Awei need 800 and 1000 points respectively. What will happen after they evolve?" Liang Qu found it unbelievable.

The price-performance ratio is too high. Let's take a look at the information of the two beasts.

[Can consume 1491.2 points of Marsh Essence to evolve Jiaomu Crocodile into Jiaomu Azure Crocodile]

[Can consume 1492.6 points of Marsh Essence to evolve the Tiger-Head Catfish into the Fearsome Tiger Catfish]

One thousand and five?

The difference between the Marsh Essence needed by Fist and Awei is not particularly significant; they are creatures at the same stage but different levels.

Then why is it so much stronger? Is it even more powerful after evolving through Ze Cauldron? Liang Qu felt that his guess was correct.

He climbed back onto the boat, looked at the sun, and was surprised to find that it was already late.

Looking down at the Big Carp in the cabin, Liang Qu was unusually conflicted.

Should we eat this Big Carp ourselves or take it home so we can all eat it together?

Normally, I wouldn't be so conflicted; I would just eat it myself.

But tonight is New Year's Eve's Eve, and carp have auspicious connotations, with precious carp being even rarer.

He felt bad about taking it all by himself, Master, Master's Wife, and fellow disciples had helped him so much, yet he had never repaid them.

Liang Qu turned to look at the Fat Catfish and its enormous, Cannot Move form, and the strong sense of security they brought.

That's enough!

With two beasts around, we'll go to the Deep Water Area tomorrow to kill a Spirit Monster; we won't have to worry about running out of Marsh Essence.

If you don't earn any more money, that's fine; being so stingy is unacceptable.

Have a meal!

Let everyone taste the flavor of boiled Treasure Fish!