Inside the cavern.
The raging vortex of spiritual energy broke apart, dissolving into specks of light.
Shi Hao opened his eyes. Without deliberately activating his runes, the bones throughout his body gave a string of sharp cracks like popping beans. The golden Thunder Pulp coating his body flowed like mercury spilling across the ground, seeping entirely into the grooves of his skin.
Then he leaped off the bluestone and landed on one foot.
Thump.
The hard bluestone slab did not shatter. There was only a footprint. His strength was completely contained, without the slightest leakage. His control over his physical strength had climbed another step.
Shi Hao clenched his fists in satisfaction.
Two piercing neighs came from beside him.
Little White snorted, a faint layer of golden markings emerging across its silver scales. Its already magnificent body had grown another foot taller, and the horn on its forehead had turned a translucent jade color, radiating a piercing sharpness.
On the other side of the bluestone, Furball stretched and rose with a yawn, its golden fur glossy and smooth as silk.
"Skinny Monkey, that pot of egg custard was amazing."
Shi Hao rubbed his little belly. Just as he was about to ask about tomorrow's menu, a pitch-black creature beside Shi Hou's feet caught his eye.
Suddenly feeling playful, he shot out a hand, seized the thick, long tail covered in fine black scales, and lifted it.
"Skinny Monkey, where did this ugly thing come from?"
Kang hung upside down in midair, four short legs paddling frantically as furious grunts escaped its mouth.
Shi Hao stroked his chin, swinging the pig's tail twice with his left hand, his big eyes shining.
"Grandpa Chief once said there's a fierce beast in the Great Wilderness called a gecko. When it runs into danger,