The small wooden house remained quiet beneath the dim lantern glow.
The older woman's soft sobs filled the room as tears continued to fall down her worn face.
Across from her—
the boy sat silently for several long moments.
Then slowly—
his hands tightened into fists atop the blanket.
"…She isn't gone."
The woman's crying faltered slightly.
The boy raised his head.
His eyes were red with pain and exhaustion—
yet stubborn determination still burned within them.
"Mei is still alive."
His voice carried certainty.
Not hope.
Belief.
"She has to be."
The older woman stared at him through tear-filled eyes.
The boy continued quietly.
"Once I become a cultivator…"
"…I'll become stronger."
His gaze drifted toward the spiritual herb and beast materials nearby.
"Then I'll go find her."
"And bring her back."
His jaw clenched despite the pain from his injuries.
"So you don't need to worry."
The woman's eyes trembled harder.
But instead of calming—
fresh tears spilled down her cheeks.
"…Lian…"
Her voice broke weakly.
"You're still thinking about leaving again…"
The boy fell silent.
The older woman stepped closer before gripping his shoulders tightly.
Her hands trembled badly.
"Promise me something."
The boy looked at her quietly.
"Promise me you'll stop putting yourself in danger."
Her voice shook with desperation now.
"No more going deep into the forest."
"No more hunting spiritual herbs alone."
"No more risking your life like this."
Her eyes pleaded with him.
"…Please."
The room became silent once more.
The lantern flame flickered softly between them.
Finally—
the boy slowly nodded.
"…I promise."
The woman froze slightly.
Then the boy gave a weak, tired smile.
"There's no reason for me to enter the forest anymore."
He glanced toward the glowing blue herb nearby.
"With this…"
"…Old Man Wa Shi should finally accept me."
His expression softened faintly.
"Once I start cultivating properly…"
"…things will get better."
The older woman stared at him for several long moments.
Then slowly—
she pulled him carefully into her arms despite his injuries.
The boy stiffened briefly before relaxing weakly against her shoulder.
Outside—
beneath the quiet village and drifting night wind—
the invisible white lizard remained motionless beneath the earth outside the small house.
Golden eyes calm.
Listening silently to the faint sounds above.
The mother's quiet crying.
The boy's exhausted breathing.
The warmth inside the tiny wooden home.
Then—
slowly—
the strange tightness within his chest faded away.
Gone as quietly as it had appeared.
The lizard became thoughtful for a brief moment.
Strange.
Then his attention shifted away completely.
As though the scene above had merely been something mildly interesting to observe.
Like watching a story unfold.
A small performance.
Nothing more.
The lizard sank deeper into the earth before moving soundlessly beneath the forest.
Fast.
The soil parted effortlessly around his body.
Earth Escape had become far smoother after his recent improvements in spiritual control.
The forest rushed overhead as he traveled underground toward the locations of the earlier kills.
Soon—
the scent reached him again.
Blood.
Corpses.
Nearby—
other creatures had already gathered.
Ordinary wild beasts circled nervously around the slain spiritual beast remains while greedily feeding on scattered flesh and blood.
The moment the lizard sensed them—
earth spikes erupted instantly.
CRACK. CRACK. CRACK.
The beasts died before they even understood what had happened.
Silence returned immediately afterward.
Then—
the white lizard slowly emerged from the earth nearby.
His body expanded back to its normal size while moonlight reflected softly across his white scales.
Without hesitation—
he began consuming the corpses.
Flesh.
Bones.
Blood.
Everything useful disappeared rapidly into his jaws.
Several moments later—
the system's voice echoed within his mind.
[Evolution Points Gained: 57]
The lizard swallowed the final remains calmly.
Not much.
Mostly ordinary beasts with only traces of spiritual energy.
Afterward—
his body shrank once more before vanishing completely beneath concealment.
Then he moved again.
Quickly.
Toward another corpse.
And another.
Several spiritual beasts he had killed earlier during the boy's journey still lay scattered throughout the forest.
The lizard consumed them one after another beneath the darkness.
Time passed quietly.
Eventually—
the system's voice sounded again.
[Evolution Points Gained: 126]
[Bloodline Gene Acquired: Stone Rabbit Gene]
[Bloodline Gene Acquired: Iron Fang Cat Gene]
[Bloodline Gene Acquired: Crimson Eye Snake Gene]
Weak genes.
Low-grade.
Nothing particularly valuable.
The lizard understood that immediately.
Mostly traits from ordinary creatures and low-rank spiritual beasts.
Still—
genes were genes.
Potentially useful later.
The forest gradually grew quiet again as the remaining corpses vanished completely beneath the lizard's consumption.
Afterward—
the invisible white lizard rose silently into the night sky before flying back toward the hidden valley.
The moon hung high overhead while cold wind curled softly around his concealed body.
His thoughts remained calm throughout the journey home.
The beasts had provided little evolution value.
But strangely—
he no longer felt the constant hunger gnawing at him as before.
Interesting.
Perhaps consuming Elder Han's Golden Core had temporarily stabilized something within him.
Or perhaps advancing further into the Golden Core realm had altered his biological needs once again.
Either way—
the endless urge to consume had weakened.
For now.
Eventually—
the hidden cave entrance appeared ahead.
The lizard slipped inside silently.
The Crimson Vein Blood Tree still pulsed faintly within the cavern while the fox remained deep in cultivation, surrounded by exhausted spirit stones.
Nothing had changed.
The lizard drifted quietly back toward his corner before lowering himself onto the cold stone floor.
His tail wrapped loosely around his body.
Golden eyes half-closing.
Then inwardly—
he spoke calmly.
Fuse genes.
The system responded instantly.
[Beginning Bloodline Gene Fusion…]
Warmth spread slowly throughout the lizard's body.
Heavy.
Comfortable.
And while the fusion process continued quietly within him—
the white lizard finally closed his eyes completely and fell asleep beneath the dim crimson glow of the cave.
Morning light spread softly across the valley outside.
Mist drifted between the ancient trees while distant birds called faintly through the forest.
Deep within the hidden cave—
the white lizard slowly opened his eyes.
Golden pupils narrowed briefly beneath the dim crimson glow of the Crimson Vein Blood Tree.
The warmth from the overnight bloodline fusion still lingered faintly throughout his body.
Comfortable.
Heavy.
The lizard slowly uncurled.
Stretching.
His claws flexed lightly against the cold stone floor while his tail swayed once behind him.
Then—
he yawned.
A faint ripple of spiritual energy spread through the cave from the motion alone.
Nearby—
the fox still remained deep in cultivation, surrounded by exhausted spirit stones, completely unaware of his movements.
The lizard glanced toward her briefly.
Then looked away again.
Without a sound—
his body rose into the air before fading completely from sight beneath concealment.
Moments later—
he exited the hidden cave.
Wind curled softly around his invisible body as gravity carried him swiftly through the skies.
Fast.
Mountains and forests blurred beneath him.
Within moments—
the village appeared ahead once more.
The lizard descended immediately afterward before sinking directly into the earth outside the small wooden house belonging to the boy called Lian.
Then he moved underground silently.
Effortlessly.
Soon—
the sounds above reached him.
Movement.
Footsteps.
The scent of cooked meat.
Inside the house—
Lian was already awake.
The boy moved carefully despite the bandages wrapped tightly around his side. His face remained pale from blood loss, yet excitement still shone clearly within his eyes.
Nearby—
his mother stood beside the small stove, cooking strips of beast meat over the fire.
The rich scent filled the tiny home.
Lian carefully checked the contents of the carrying bag once more.
The glowing Blue Spirit Berry plant.
The beast claws.
The fangs.
Everything remained safely inside.
Finally satisfied—
he tied the bag shut before standing fully.
"…Mother."
The older woman immediately looked toward him.
"I'm heading to Village Head Wa Shi's place now."
Worry instantly crossed her face again.
"…Lian, your injuries still haven't recovered."
The boy quickly shook his head.
"I'm fine."
"You are not fine."
Her voice carried frustration mixed with concern.
"You could barely stand last night."
But Lian only smiled weakly.
"If I go early, maybe Old Man Wa Shi will see me before the others arrive."
Excitement flickered briefly across his face.
"I can't waste this chance."
The older woman stared at him helplessly for several moments.
Then sighed softly.
"At least eat first."
Lian paused.
Then nodded immediately.
"…Okay."
The woman quickly prepared a bowl using cooked beast meat along with rough grain porridge.
Lian ate quickly.
Very quickly.
Far too eager to wait any longer.
The older woman watched him silently the entire time.
Still worried.
Still unconvinced he should even be walking in his current condition.
But she said nothing more.
Soon afterward—
Lian carefully grabbed the carrying bag before heading toward the door.
"I'll come back soon."
His mother nodded weakly.
"…Be careful."
Then the boy stepped outside into the morning light.
And beneath the earth below—
the invisible white lizard followed silently as Lian made his way through the village paths toward the residence of Village Head Wa Shi.