"N-no, I am not trying to run!" the fox stammered, its voice edged with nervous energy. "I'm coming, just wait a moment!"
Its body shimmered, shrinking rapidly until it was no larger than a common house cat. Then, without another word, it darted toward the gruesome remains of the fallen humans.
> Even if it kills me, I can't just leave without looting the remains of those damn humans, the fox thought, a glint of practical desperation in its eyes.
Perched on a nearby rock, Lizarius watched with golden, unblinking eyes, his reptilian gaze following the fox's sudden transformation.
> Hmm… what just happened? he mused, narrowing his eyes. It suddenly turned smaller, and its energy disappeared. It just looks like a normal fox now…
His pupils constricted as a subtle glow began to pulse from his eyes, attuning his senses to the spiritual flow around him. His gaze locked onto the tiny creature as it rummaged among the corpses. What he saw now told a different story.
> Its energy is still there… but it's all gathering in its core!
A spark of realization lit up in his mind.
> Wait… I have a core now. Can I also do that?
He reached inward, posing the question to his system.
> System Confirmation: Affirmative.
By compressing your spiritual energy, you can shrink your body size, concealing your cultivation stage, appearing less threatening, and conserving spiritual energy.
Warning: While in this form, your physical strength will be reduced. Use strategically.
> So the warm energy spreading through my body is called spiritual energy? Lizarius thought, the concept finally clicking. I just have to gather it… and compress it.
Focusing, Lizarius felt a gentle, churning heat begin to stir inside him. The spiritual energy pulsed through his meridians, then began to spiral inward, compressing itself into his core. His limbs trembled as the transformation overtook him.
His massive, draconic frame shrank rapidly, scales tightening against muscle, wings folding tightly to his back. Within moments, Lizarius stood at a mere eight inches tall, his sleek body now just twenty-four inches long from maw to tail. His wings, still impressive in proportion, spanned nearly the same length as his new form.
Just then, the fox returned, clutching a small, bloodied bag in its mouth. It skidded to a halt mid-run, eyes locking on the miniaturized Lizarius.
> Hmm... I guess it also changed its form to hide its energy, the fox thought, a flicker of grudging respect crossing its face.
It padded closer, then sat and gently dropped the bag between them. With practiced ease, it used its front paws to open the bundle, revealing five small bottles nestled inside.
The Spoils of the Dead
"This is what I found from the humans' remains," the fox said, voice calm now that danger had passed. "Two bottles of low-grade Qi Recovery Pills, two bottles of low-grade Vitality Pills, and one bottle of mid-grade Spirit Gathering Pill."
Lizarius's eyes narrowed, staring at the pills. The memory returned—one of the corpses, the one who had tried to steal his body, had carried something similar. A bottle, half-hidden beneath the man's scorched robes.
> Pills?
He prompted his system again.
> System Explanation:
Pills are magical medicines made from spiritual herbs and used by cultivators to:
– Boost cultivation speed
– Break through to higher realms
– Heal injuries or restore energy
– Strengthen the body or soul
Pills are made by alchemists using special furnaces and spiritual fire. The higher the pill's quality, the more powerful its effects.
Lizarius tilted his head slightly, then dismissed the thought with casual indifference.
> I can do that with evolution points, he thought, tail flicking. So I don't need it.
The fox, still pawing through the loot, continued speaking, unaware of Lizarius's inner dialogue.
"There are also two mortal-grade swords. They'd probably sell for some spirit stones," it said with a sigh, "but I can't carry them."
Then, it looked down, meeting the lizard's narrowed gaze. Its voice shifted, becoming more practical.
"So, how are we going to split it?" it asked. "How about this—you take the mid-grade Spirit Gathering Pill and one bottle of low-grade Qi Recovery Pills. I'll keep the remaining three: two Vitality Pills and one Recovery Pill. Sound fair?"