Chapter 10: Shui Hua Levels Up!

Although the fruit was obtained smoothly, climbing down the slope still required careful caution.

Finally, Qin Chuan leapt down from a two-meter-high foothold, ending this initial rock-climbing experience.

"Here!" He quickly pulled out the hard‑picked water‑blue fruit and handed it to Shui Hua, "Give it a try."

"Woof!" (Good!)

In Shui Hua's water‑blue eyes reflected the faint glow on the fruit; it rushed forward and gulped the fruit down in a few bites, and moments later its whole body flashed with light.

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

【Contract Spirit Beast Water Leaf Dog consumes special fruit 【Clear Water Fruit】, level experience +50】

【Contract Spirit Beast Water Leaf Dog level up to Juvenile Stage Lv5!】

Is it already level five?

Qin Chuan blinked, then quickly opened Shui Hua's contract page.

"Woof!" (Be careful!)

Shui Hua's four ears twitched, instantly locking onto the attacker's direction; it swung its big tail, shooting out a stream of water.

And Shui Hua's species value increased from 320 to 350, a growth of nearly 10%.

"Bang!"

It was a monkey‑shaped Spirit Beast, with several rock slabs like helmets covering its head, its spine covered with segment after segment of rock resembling an exoskeleton, and even its tail made of connected rock segments, looking quite peculiar.

【Spirit Beast Level: Juvenile Stage Lv4】

This made Qin Chuan's eyes show a bit more excitement.

But Qin Chuan also knew that this fruit wasn't so easy to obtain.

"Woof!" (Over here!)

It trotted ahead of Qin Chuan with light steps, continually leading him toward the direction of the water sound.

"Woof!" (I feel much stronger!)

Shui Hua let out an excited cry, its two fluffy tails constantly swaying.

"Whoosh—"

As the person and beast drew nearer, the water sound grew clearer; even Qin Chuan could easily tell that there was definitely a water source ahead, and a plentiful one.

Once we find the water source, we can set up a temporary shelter around it.

【Spirit Beast Species: Rockcover Monkey】

A sharp whistling sound suddenly came.

The water stream collided with a sharp stone in midair, emitting a dull boom before exploding; the stone also shattered into fragments, scattering sideways.

A somewhat slender figure darted between the branches, finally clinging to a thick branch and letting out a low growl, baring its teeth at Shui Hua and Qin Chuan below.

【Spirit Beast Attribute: Earth-type】

If we could get ten more such fruits, Shui Hua might directly reach Juvenile Stage Lv10.

Originally the contract page showed 【Spirit Beast Level: Juvenile Stage Lv4】 (56/100); now it has become 【Spirit Beast Level: Juvenile Stage Lv5】 (6/100).

"Not bad luck; I hope we can find similar special fruits later." Qin Chuan smiled, "We took a detour earlier; now we need to keep searching for the water source."

Shui Hua nodded, quickly recalling its task.

【Spirit Beast Status: Uncontracted】

【Spirit Beast Introduction: Earth-type Spirit Beast Rockcover Monkey, skilled at climbing, nimble and agile, with a strong sense of territory.】

A strong sense of territory…

Qin Chuan seemed to understand the reason for the other's attack.

"Sorry, I'm just passing through; I'll leave right away." Qin Chuan spoke loudly, raising both hands to show he meant no harm.

But the Rockcover Monkey didn't care; it gritted its teeth again, pulled a rock fragment from the tip of its tail, and hurled it straight at Qin Chuan and Shui Hua.

The rock, while flying, quickly transformed into a sharp stone spike; the missing segment at the tip of the Rockcover Monkey's tail rapidly regenerated.

This odd attack method made Qin Chuan silently complain, though his reaction wasn't slow.

"Shui Hua!"

"Woof!" (Watch me!)

Shui Hua shouted, swung its tail, and two bursts of Surging Water Burst shot out instantly.

One of them collided with the Rockcover Monkey's stone spike in midair, both shattering; the other shot straight at the Rockcover Monkey.

The Rockcover Monkey let out a strange cry and leapt onto another branch.

Meanwhile, the branch it had been holding snapped in two under the impact of the Surging Water Burst.

Seeing the power of that strike, the Rockcover Monkey grimaced at Shui Hua; in response, two more bursts of surging water came flying.

With its level increase, Shui Hua's frequency and power of Surging Water Burst have improved somewhat; now it fires one after another, driving the Rockcover Monkey to flee with its head covered.

"Alright, stop." Not seeing the Rockcover Monkey's trace, Qin Chuan quickly dismissed the idea of letting Shui Hua continue the pursuit, "We're just passing by; as long as it doesn't attack, that's fine."

Shui Hua nodded, wagged its tail, and looked excitedly at Qin Chuan.

"Woof?" (How was my performance just now?)

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

Having received Qin Chuan's praise, Shui Hua wagged its tail even more vigorously, sticking out its tongue excitedly as it continued forward.

After the person and beast left, the previously panicked Rockcover Monkey brought back several Rockcover Monkeys of similar size.

After confirming the area was empty, the guide Rockcover Monkey showed a grimacing expression, angrily stomped twice on the branch, and let out a strange cry.

The few reinforcements it had summoned came to nothing; after exchanging glances, they beat up the guide Rockcover Monkey and left.

Unaware that the fleeing Rockcover Monkey had gone for reinforcements and gotten beaten by them, Qin Chuan and Shui Hua encountered no other Spirit Beasts along the way and smoothly found a stream.

The stream was about five meters wide, not deep enough to hide the pebbles at its bottom; several Spirit Beasts were quietly drinking by the banks. Qin Chuan glanced over and saw no Growth Tier beings, the highest being only Juvenile Stage Lv8.

He seems to be lucky.

These spirit beasts only kept their heads down drinking water; upon seeing Qin Chuan and Shui Hua approach, they made no move.

This reminded Qin Chuan of some descriptions in the wilderness survival guide.

It is said that different creatures drinking from the same water source will tacitly maintain peace and not affect each other; the present situation is probably similar.

He picked a large leaf, folded and rolled it into a simple water bowl; Qin Chuan scooped some stream water and drank it. The clear, icy stream water had a hint of sweet aftertaste, which refreshed his somewhat weary spirit.

And Shui Hua's way of drinking was much simpler.

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

After drinking its fill, Shui Hua looked at Qin Chuan expectantly, wondering what to do next after finding the water source.

Qin Chuan exchanged a glance with Shui Hua and smiled.

"Next, we'll go find a place to settle."

(End of chapter)