C16 Flying Insects in the Park!
That evening, the air held a slight chill.
Lin Yih, with Stone perched on his shoulder and Xiaoxiao bounding alongside, set out for some fun.
"Woof! Woof!"
Xiaoxiao was a bundle of joy throughout the journey, leaping and darting about with boundless energy.
"Hiss, hiss ~"
Stone, ever the quiet observer on Lin Yih's shoulder, surveyed the surroundings with a curious gaze.
Their destination was the park, a picturesque spot perfect for an evening stroll, especially with the cool weather and moist air.
"Yo! Is that you, Yih ~"
From the pavilion at the lake's center, an old man with a flowing white beard called out to Lin Yih.
"Hey! Grandpa Lee, sneaking out for another chess match with Old Man Qiu today, I see…" Lin Yih called back with a smile, while walking Xiaoxiao by the lake.
"That's right ~ … I trounced Old Man Qiu yesterday. He's still sore about it, insisting on a rematch today …"
Grandpa Lee declared with a twinkle in his eye.
Before Lin Yih could respond, Old Man Qiu was already riled up.
"Bragging again? Who'd believe those tall tales? Keep it up and even your Tiantian will be blown away by the wind."
(Tiantian was a particularly plump orange cat.)
Grandpa Lee bristled, feeling his pride stung in front of the younger man.
"You doubting me?"
"Of course not … What! I've never lost!" Old Man Qiu retorted, his beard practically standing on end in indignation.
You old fox, trying to pull a fast one on me!
"How about a full game?"
"Let's do it!"
Across the lake, Lin Yih just shook his head, accustomed to their antics.
The two old men were chess enthusiasts, their daily spats as much a part of their routine as the game itself. Despite their constant bickering, they shared a deep bond, having been comrades in arms in their youth. After retiring due to injuries, they settled in the same community, their lively disputes echoing for over two decades.
The neighbors, too, were well-acquainted with their quarrels; a day without their banter would feel strangely unsettling.
"Yih~ Out for a stroll~"
"Yep!"
"Yih~ Got a girlfriend yet?"
"No... not yet..."
"Got your eye on any special lady? I've got a niece who's just..."
Bombarded by the neighborhood grandmothers with well-meaning but intrusive questions, Lin Yih broke into a cold sweat and seized the first chance to make his escape.
The park was at its coolest in the evening, a prime time for the local elders. Spotting a young man like Lin Yih was a rarity, so naturally, the grandmothers were eager to play matchmaker, discussing which family's daughter to introduce him to.
But Lin Yih, a steadfast bachelor, would politely nod along, all the while having no intention of following up. His mind was set on a different goal: to solo top-tier dungeons and cultivate his Pet Beast without distractions.
Eventually, Lin Yih found his way to a secluded grove deep within the park.
"Squeak! Squeak! Squeak!"
The grass was alive with the chirping of countless tiny insects, their songs infusing the tranquil park with vibrancy.
"Squeak! Squeak..."
The source of the chirping was a robust mole cricket.
It was a sturdy creature, about five centimeters long and two centimeters wide, with a yellowish-brown and greenish body. Its head sported yellowish-brown, slender antennae, one of its sensory organs. Its broad, saddle-shaped thorax was edged with white, and it boasted powerful hind legs for jumping. It thrived in the underbrush, hiding in the grass or foraging along plant stems.
Its loud, rhythmic chirps made it a favorite among children.
Lin Yih was here for a reason...
"Stone, Water Spike!"
The little snake, Stone, lay coiled in the grass. Upon Lin Yih's command, it hesitated before finally opening its mouth, a trickle of water forming within.
"Puff!" "Pa!"
A weak jet of water, more a dribble than a spike, landed ineffectually beside the mole cricket.
"Chirp!"
Unscathed, the mole cricket chirped in alarm and hopped away.
"Woof! Woof!"
Xiaoxiao, ever the eager pursuer, chased after the escaping insect.
Lin Yih, sitting in the grass, furrowed his brow in thought. Stone's first attempt at using its innate ability revealed several issues. Firstly, there was the hesitation before the water spike was released. Secondly, the attack itself was slow, feeble, and lacked precision—perhaps due to Stone's youth.
Thankfully, these issues would be resolved as Stone grew and trained.
With that thought, Lin Yih's furrowed brows eased.
The next few days were all about solid training.
...
Three days later.
Lin Yih perched on a low-hanging branch.
"Stone! Focus on the left side of the tree trunk! Form the water spike!"
"Hiss!"
Upon hearing Lin Yih's command, Stone, coiled around a branch, immediately lifted its upper body. Water began to rapidly gather in its gaping mouth.
"Fire!"
"Puff!"
At the command, the water spike shot forth from Stone's mouth.
"Smack!"
The powerful jet of water harshly struck a black cicada that was perched on the tree, engrossed in sipping sap.
Caught off guard by the sudden assault, the cicada had no chance to defend itself and was knocked unconscious.
Limp and senseless, it lost its grip on the trunk and fell helplessly to the ground.
"Thud!"
The black cicada lay on its back, its limbs twitching feebly.
In its wildest dreams, it never imagined a cicada climbing a tree could be ambushed from below by water...
As the black cicada hit the ground, Lin Yih and Stone landed gracefully on the grass.
Observing the damp black cicada on the ground, Lin Yih silently commanded, "Scan!"
"Beep! Scanning..."
Name: Black Cicada (Unconscious)
Species: Insect
Attribute: Wood
Level: Bronze Third Stage
Status: Healthy, Confused
Quality: Normal
Potential: One Star
Skills: Chirping, High Speed
Evolution Path: 1. Normal Evolution: Ironwood Cicada (Criteria Not Met) 2. Ancestral Evolution: Giant Wood Cicada (Criteria Not Met) 3. Mutant Evolution: Twilight Cicada (Criteria Not Met)
Description: A very common insect species with average potential, not recommended for cultivation. A delicacy for the Tooth Wood Bird and essential for its normal evolution...
"Alright, that's good!"
Lin Yih nodded in approval. After three days of intensive training, Stone had perfectly mastered the technique of its innate ability.
Moreover, the force and power of the water spike had significantly improved from the first day.
