Chapter 45

A Strange New Diet

 

Right then, Kujo takes a piece of jade out from his storage ring. The ring no longer fits on his hand after it was changed into a paw, so now he wears it on his tail-tip like I do with all of mine. This piece of jade apparently functions like a flip-phone in this cultivation-based society. Talk, written messages, and if you bought a better model, pics or even video recording and sharing. But it can't do anything more, like a smartphone. No siri siree, it's apples app-less.

Kujo) 'There's a message from Si Yu.' (glare, *growl*) 'I mean, from Mù Lǎohǔ.' (nod)

We listen to the tigress' report while she's waiting to meet with the city's ruler, Lord Yu. I give them some new advice, then instructions. The two innocent orphans they rescued earlier would suffer greatly at the hand of the criminal gang if they are left behind. So I tell them to bring the two back when they return. And to ask around about other cities in the region. Otherwise they should continue as planned. But naming two poor little orphan kits Po Boi and Po Puri? Whatever god-like figure is in charge of this world has a poor sense of humor.¹WACHOOO! *sniff*

It's time to get back to the Blood-Rune Magic. There's one more spell to use, before we can really get started. Not carved though, that could interfere with the other spells later, such as transfering his Physiques to the Putas.

{REGENERATION}

Zo Ro) 'Now you are going to recieve elemental attacks of all types. Which these new spells will make your body absorb, and eventually grant you Unique Physiques from each of those elements. Just stand and take it as best you can and collapse as a signal that you've reached your limit. I'll also make "snacks" to help this process along.'

Now I get the 4 tigers here, along with one of the humans, to attack him all at the same time. Go Rong, the one with the lightning net and technique. But with all of them using weak attacks meant more to expose his body to the various Elemental Qi's rather than to cause damage. Still, avoiding damaging his body is impossible, so better he simply takes it and recovers. This much leaves out wood and wind Qi, for now. So I'll have to focus my efforts on those.

After my nap. It's so exhausting using so many spells at once.

. . .

I awaken late the next morning. Miti immediately begins preparing a breakfast for me.

While she's working on that, I pull out one of the anvils. Then use a small Barrier to rip out a lozenge sized chunk. I finish one round of Barrier-cultivation at it before she finishes. Time for a breakfast break. Much better than a breakslow break.

I still can't understand how she can keep finding the edible roots and plants and things to pair so well with birb-meat in making this dish. She must've had a wonderful teacher for wilderness survival skills. Much better than my 4-day crash course. Not that I blame Momma Vixen. There were some extenuating circumstances, two of whom now walk on four legs each.

Z) 'Delicious, as always. Thank you Miti.'

Miti) "You're welcome, Master. If I may ask, what is happening with Lang?"

Z) 'Oh, I forgot to tell you humans when I explained to the tigers. I carved some spells on him in order for his body to absorb various types of elemental Qi, and gain a Unique Physique for each. But I don't recommend it, for those with a choice in the matter. It would be more pleasant going through Death by a Thousand Cuts, ten times over. I've never tried this before, no one has. So I don't know how long it will take. Or even if it will work properly at all.'

M) "So he may be going through all of this for nothing?"

Z) 'Even if that is the case, this will be the final part of his punishment. Afterwards, I'm going to change his slave seal to a loyal version and include "happy to serve" in his rules. But to help it along, as well as grant more types of elements, I'm going to be "Qi enhancing" various things for him to eat. Starting with pill-size pieces of iron like this one.'

She goes quiet to avoid disturbing her Master, while I resume my Barrier-ing at the piece. It takes three more rounds before it starts glowing dimly. One more after to glow brightly.

Z) 'Okay everyone, take a break. Kujo, eat this.'

I paw him the glowing lozenge of Light Steel. After a quick thought I also paw him the Grade 3 Qi Stone. That should be Stone element Qi, right? I hope so, otherwise it'll either be a waste, or help push him into Tier 4 before I'm ready for him to do so.

Z) 'Lay down to rest, you need it. Now, how does it seem to be going?'

Khan) 'If nothing else, his endurance is getting a big boost.'

T3) 'We can't tell if there is any progress at all.'

Z) 'How about this (I take out my five elements testing stone. Kept it from when I trained in pill refining with Hung Lo so long ago.) See if you have any change from before.'

T2) 'How do you have one of those? Only a sect or a big clan could afford one, as well as have a use for it.'

K) 'It was hidden away in the sect ruins where we met.'

While discussing, the tired wolf had already laid his paw on the stone. Now these words appear.

Metal 145  

 Earth 96                         Water 257

 

   Fire 88             Wood 124

Lang) 'Metal is up by 15, Earth 19, Water 21, and Fire 20. Wood is unchanged.'

Z) ' For now. So it is working. Kinda wish I had a way to test the common and rare elements as well.'

K) 'It's still going up!'

Metal 147  

Earth 99                          Water 257

if you're reading this anywhere from anyone, other than foxinabox on scribblehub, this was stolen.
Please don't support websites or authors who steal.
   Fire 88              Wood 124

Z) 'Just for the 2 types of snacks I had given him. But this means that part works as well. That's good news for you, Uncle. You won't have to go through this literal torture to gain Physiques like he is. But it'll take a lot longer without. Months, or maybe years of focused effort.'

K) 'And you're sure you can dull the pain?'

pet's eyebrows shoot up in surprise. Then he lays his muzzle down upon his paws, apparently in disappointed understanding.

Z) 'Yes, but not until I'm at Tier 3 like you are.'

Suddenly, Lang (wolf) rolls over on his back, with his tail wagging furiously.

Z) 'No. This is your final punishment for earlier.' (it stops)

K) 'You're going to forgive him?'

Z) 'Only halfway. No more pain or torture. (tongue lolling grin) But I wouldn't trust him without a slave mark. . However, this behavior? Kujo, are you in any way human anymore? Like your mind or soul?'

L) 'No, master. I am completely a wolf.'

Z) "KEKEKE"²a chimpmunk version of a hyena's cackling 'It seems your 'become a wolf' spell worked extra hard compared to what it was intended to do, all because of your name. Since your old name meant human, in the same language as the spell, then everything about you; body, mind, soul, and even your name all became "wolf". If you had a choice, would you want to return to being Hu Man the human?'

L) . . 'No, I wouldn't feel comfortable on only two legs or without any fur. And I eat well enough like this.'

Z) 'A very canine answer. Well, all of you go rest up. Work hard all together as one. Then rest and recover as one. He'll need it over the next few days or weeks. .
Hopefully not months.' (*whine*)

I had cancelled the 'quiet' order a while back, but he's usually scared to draw attention to himself.

L) 'Master, the nutrition paste you gave me ran out about an hour ago.'

-Usually-

Z) 'I'll get started on another batch. I keep forgetting how hungry regeneration makes me. And now you've got that going for you as well.'

. . .

It exploderated.

I haven't failed at making a mere paste since Hung Lo was first teaching me. Am I that distracted today? Or is it just the luck of the draw? Either way, first calm down (slow inhale)
. (slow exhale) then start again.

. . .

It's fine this time.

Z) 'Sorry for the wait. Let me know when it runs out again. Same with the regeneration spell. But you could have tried hunting while you waited.'

L) 'But that would have left me exhausted when they start up again.'

Z) 'Clever boy.' (Yapp!)

Okay, now it's back to work. There was metal and stone already. So for completeness I still need water, wood, fire, air and *heart* lightning. Wood is easy. I have an interesting idea on how to handle wind and water. Lightning will need an intermediary for me to make it a snack. And fire would be impossible without the regeneration spell. Speaking of, I'd better check on the cookpit.

Perfect timing. The cooking fire has burnt down to some red/yellow embers.

I use a set of Barriers on one of them, about grape-sized. Pick it up, keep heat in, keep air out. Then proceed to Barrier-cultivate at it like usual. .

After the seventh round, it changes color from a slightly orange-ish red, to a full-on shimmering bright yellow.

Z) 'Okay Kujo. It's time for your fire snack. This might hurt you more than your overnight training did, but that's why I gave you regeneration.'

I can tell by his mannerisms that he wants to run away. But he slowly trots over and gulps it down. Followed immediately by somewhat violently thrashing about, like a trout trying to pull out a barbed fishhook. And about as effective.

Z) 'The lightning one should hurt almost as bad, in a different way. But the rest should be fine. You will even like one or two of them. Now sleep until you're called.'

*plop* (*snore*)

I'd bet soldiers everywhere wish it was that easy for them as well.

Next, I get a pile of nuts and pick one out. Qi enhancing it until it shines with a golden hue.

For the water/air combo, I use 'a special trick they don't want you to know about.' Seriously though, who says stuff like that? And what airhead actually falls for it?³I tried clicking on one once..
ONCE.
It had an ad for every sentence.
To just get past the background setting up for the actual story took about 15 ads.
And it wasn't even that interesting.
Never again. Anyway, my 'special trick' is simply to summon a pallet of sodas.⁴no mention of any pacific brand or flavor.
that's on porpoise.
no flea advertising hear

And there, now I have a few months' supply of water/air combos. Pre-packaged and even flavored. This takes a while longer to upgrade than the otters did today, as it's a much larger size. Probably also because it's never been exposed to Qi before?

Then finally grab another piece of the steel anvil, but instead of simply Qi enhancing it like the rest, I run a pawpad sized lightning bolt through it, over and over and over again. An analog re-enactment of alternating current. Practicing my multicasting/multitasking by maintaining this lightning 'attack' while I Qi enhance it as well. With this, I finally begin to finish my (new) daily routine of Qi-enhanced snacks.

Z) 'Kujo, wake up. Time to finish your "snacks." Then you can continue your training. First is this nut. This special kind of nut doesn't have a name yet, so I'll have to give it one.'

K) 'Don't you hate naming things?'

Z) 'Normally, but I have something in mind. I'll call them Di's Golden Nuts.⁵yes. I went there, and at least some of you enjoyed the ride. Next is a refreshing drink from where I lived my last life. One of you with the thumbs, c'mere. . Tuck your fingernail under this part here then gently lift it up. (*KSHH-CHK*) Now drink it up quick as you can without hurting yourself. NO NOT YOU, RONG! Give it to Kujo to drink. . Of all the things to go wrong, why didn't I guess it would involve Go Rong with a can of pop? At least it wasn't a can of whoopass.'

L) 'DELICIOUS!'

Z) 'And daily, at least for now. Okay, the last one is the "lightning snack". This will taste like you got struck by a bolt of lightning. Enjoy!'