Chapter 10: Water Flower Upgrade!

Although he had successfully obtained the fruit, climbing down the slope required equal care and caution.

Finally, Qin Chuan leaped down from the two-meter-high foothold, concluding his first rock-climbing experience.

"Here!" He quickly took out the hard-earned aqua-blue fruit and handed it to Water Flower, "Try this."

"Woof!" (Okay!)

The aqua-blue eyes of Water Flower reflected the faint glow of the fruit as it eagerly stepped forward and gobbled up the fruit in a few bites. Moments later, a flash of light enveloped its entire body.

At the same time, two lines of text appeared in front of Qin Chuan.

[Contracted Spiritual Beast Water Leaf Dog consumes the special fruit [Clear Fruit], Level experience +50]

[Contracted Spiritual Beast Water Leaf Dog's Level has been upgraded to Juvenile Stage Lv5!]

This quickly to Level 5?

Qin Chuan blinked and quickly opened Water Flower's contract page.

The original [Spiritual Beast Level: Juvenile Stage Lv4] (56/100) on the contract page had now changed to [Spiritual Beast Level: Juvenile Stage Lv5] (6/100).

And Water Flower's Race Value had also increased from 320 to 350, a growth of nearly 10%.

If they could come across ten more fruits like this, Water Flower might just reach Juvenile Stage Lv10 directly.

However, Qin Chuan also knew that such fruits were not easy to come by.

"Woof!" (I feel like I've gotten much stronger!)

Water Flower barked excitedly, its two fluffy tails wagging incessantly.

"We're in luck; I hope we can find more special fruits like this," Qin Chuan smiled, "We took a bit of a detour just now, now we must continue to search for a water source."

Water Flower nodded and quickly recalled its mission.

"Woof!" (This way!)

It walked ahead of Qin Chuan with light steps, leading him toward the direction from which the sound of flowing water was increasingly emanating.

As they drew closer, the sound of the water flow became more and more distinct, and even Qin Chuan could easily distinguish that there was definitely a significant water source ahead.

This added a flicker of excitement to Qin Chuan's eyes.

Finding a water source would allow them to build a temporary place to stay nearby.

"Whoosh—"

A slightly sharp sound of something cutting through the air came instantly.

"Woof!" (Careful!)

Water Flower's four ears twitched, instantly pinpointing the attacker's location and, with a fierce flick of its big tail, shot out a stream of water.

"Bang!"

The water collided with a sharp rock in mid-air with a dull sound, and upon impact, the rock shattered into pieces, scattering to one side.

A slender figure swiftly moved through the tree branches and finally clung onto a stout branch, baring its teeth and growling softly at Water Flower and Qin Chuan below.

It was a monkey-like Spiritual Beast with several rock-like plates covering its head like a helmet, its spine also covered by segments of rock resembling external skeletal armor, and even its tail was made of rocks linked together, looking quite peculiar.

[Spiritual Beast Species: Covered Rock Monkey]

[Spiritual Beast Attribute: Earth]

[Spiritual Beast Level: Juvenile Stage Lv4]

[Spiritual Beast State: Uncontracted]

"Spiritual Beast Introduction: Earth Attribute Spiritual Beast Covered Rock Monkey, skilled in climbing, quick-witted and agile, with a strong sense of territory."

Strong sense of territory...

Qin Chuan felt like he understood why the other had attacked him.

"Sorry, I'm just passing through and will leave right away," Qin Chuan spoke loudly, at the same time raising his hands to show he meant no harm.

However, the Covered Rock Monkey was not in a forgiving mood, it bared its teeth and plucked a piece of rock from the tip of its tail, launching it directly at Qin Chuan and Water Flower.

As the rock shot out, it rapidly transformed, quickly turning into a sharp rock spike, while the missing piece from the monkey's tail swiftly regenerated.

This bizarre mode of attack made Qin Chuan internally criticize, but his response was nevertheless quick.

"Water Flower!"

"Woof!" (Watch this!)

Water Flower barked loudly and with a flick of its tail, two streams of Rapid Stream Break were released instantaneously.

One collided with the rock spike thrown by the Covered Rock Monkey in mid-air and both disintegrated, while the other shot towards the Covered Rock Monkey.

The monkey let out a strange cry and leaped onto another tree branch.

And the branch that it had been holding onto snapped into two under the barrage of the Rapid Stream Break.

Seeing the power of this strike, the Covered Rock Monkey made a grimace at Water Flower. In response, it got hit by another two streams of water.

As Water Flower's Level increased, the frequency and power with which it could use Rapid Stream Break had improved. It launched attack after attack, forcing the Covered Rock Monkey to scamper away in fear.

"Okay, stop," Qin Chuan called out, not seeing the Covered Rock Monkey anymore, and quickly discouraged Water Flower from continuing the pursuit. "We're just passing through, as long as it doesn't attack us, that's enough."

Water Flower nodded its head and wagged its tail excitedly at Qin Chuan.

"Woof?" (How did I do just now?)

"Great!" Qin Chuan earnestly praised. "I can't wait to see you become even stronger."

With Qin Chuan's compliments, Water Flower's tail wagged even more vigorously. Tongue lolling with excitement, it continued onward.

After they left, the previously fleeing Covered Rock Monkey returned with a few monkeys roughly its size.

Upon seeing the area empty, the leading Covered Rock Monkey showed its teeth in frustration, stamped its feet on the branches, and let out a series of strange cries.

The reinforcements that had been brought there found no one to fight and exchanged glances. They then thrashed the leader and went their separate ways.

Unaware that the escaping Covered Rock Monkey had gone to fetch reinforcements and had been beaten by them, Qin Chuan and Water Flower didn't encounter any other Spiritual Beasts and successfully found a stream.

The stream was about five meters wide and not deep. One could see the pebbles at the bottom, and several Spiritual Beasts were quietly drinking at the edge. Scanning the scene, Qin Chuan saw no Growth Rank beasts, the highest being Juvenile Stage Lv8.

It seemed he was in luck.

These beasts were focused on drinking and showed no reaction as Qin Chuan and Water Flower approached.

This reminded Qin Chuan of some information from the "Wilderness Survival Guide."

It was said that different creatures drinking at the same water source would tacitly maintain peace and not interfere with each other. This seemed to be the case here.

Plucking a large leaf, Qin Chuan folded and rolled it into a makeshift bowl and scooped up some stream water. The cool, refreshing water with a faintly sweet aftertaste revitalized his somewhat tired spirits.

Water Flower's way of drinking was much simpler.

Under its control, a stream of water flew straight from the stream into its mouth, followed by a second and then a third.

After quenching its thirst, Water Flower looked expectantly at Qin Chuan, eager to know what they were going to do next now that they had found a water source.

Making eye contact with Water Flower, Qin Chuan smiled.

"Next, let's find a place to settle down."