The morning sun crept over the horizon, bathing Clearwater Hamlet in pale light. Lin Feng stood outside his hut, the one-eyed lizard perched on his shoulder. Despite its frail appearance, the creature clung to him with surprising tenacity.
"Alright, little guy," Lin Feng said, stroking the lizard's rough scales. "If we're going to turn you into a Crimson Armored Wyvern, we need resources. But first, you need a name."
The lizard tilted its head as if waiting for his decision.
"How about... Xiao Hei?" Lin Feng chuckled. "It's simple, but it'll do for now."
Xiao Hei flicked its tongue, seemingly approving.
Lin Feng opened the translucent screen of his Eyes of Evolution, rereading the requirements for the Crimson Armored Wyvern path: high-energy mineral stones and physical endurance training. He recalled from the original Lin Feng's memories that there was an abandoned quarry on the outskirts of the village. If he was lucky, he might find some usable mineral stones there.
He secured Xiao Hei inside a makeshift pouch he had fashioned out of old cloth, then set off toward the quarry.
...
The journey to the quarry wasn't long, but it wasn't easy either. The path was overgrown with brambles, and Lin Feng had to navigate around sharp rocks and steep inclines. As he neared the quarry, a low growl froze him in his tracks.
From the shadows of a nearby bush emerged a mangy beast with matted fur and bloodshot eyes. It was a Rabid Rockhound, a low-tier beast known for its aggression and territorial nature.
"Great," Lin Feng muttered. "As if I needed more trouble."
The Rockhound snarled, saliva dripping from its fangs as it lunged at him. Lin Feng barely dodged, stumbling backward. Xiao Hei hissed from his pouch, its tiny body trembling.
Lin Feng's mind raced. He had no weapon and no combat training. But he had one advantage: his Eyes of Evolution. Activating his ability, he focused on the Rockhound.
"Beast: Rabid Rockhound (Mortal Tier, Mid Grade)"
"Evolution Paths Detected:"
1. Steel Fang Hound (Spirit Tier)
2. Lava Fang Cerberus (Celestial Tier)
3. Obsidian Devourer (Divine Tier)
The information flashed before him, but it wasn't helpful. He couldn't evolve this beast—it wasn't his companion. However, the data gave him insight into the creature's weaknesses.
"The Rockhound relies on brute strength and its jaw. If I can avoid its bites, I might have a chance."
The Rockhound charged again, and this time Lin Feng was ready. He grabbed a loose rock from the ground and hurled it at the beast's head. The makeshift projectile hit its mark, dazing the Rockhound for a moment.
Seizing the opportunity, Lin Feng sprinted toward the quarry. Behind him, the Rockhound shook off the dizziness and gave chase, its growls growing louder.
...
Lin Feng reached the quarry, his chest heaving from the effort. The area was littered with jagged rocks and scattered debris. He spotted a narrow crevice between two large boulders—just wide enough for him to squeeze through. Without hesitation, he darted toward it, Xiao Hei clinging tightly to his pouch.
The Rockhound skidded to a halt outside the crevice, snarling in frustration. It clawed at the entrance but couldn't fit its bulky frame inside. Lin Feng let out a shaky breath of relief.
"That was too close," he muttered.
Inside the crevice, the air was damp and cool. Lin Feng's eyes adjusted to the dim light, and he spotted faint glimmers along the walls. Moving closer, he realized they were mineral stones embedded in the rock.
"Jackpot," he whispered, prying one loose. The stone was small but radiated a faint warmth.
"Item Obtained: Low-Grade Fire Essence Stone"
Excitement coursed through him. This was exactly what Xiao Hei needed to start its evolution. He gathered as many stones as he could carry, stuffing them into his pouch.
Suddenly, Xiao Hei squirmed and hissed, its one good eye fixed on the crevice entrance. Lin Feng turned to see the Rockhound still pacing outside, its bloodshot eyes gleaming with rage.
"Looks like it's not giving up," Lin Feng muttered. He glanced at Xiao Hei and the Fire Essence Stones. If they stayed trapped, the Rockhound would eventually find a way in.
Lin Feng's mind raced as he came up with a plan. He took one of the Fire Essence Stones and held it up to Xiao Hei. "Here, eat this," he urged.
The lizard hesitated for a moment before biting into the stone. A faint red glow enveloped its body as it absorbed the energy. Xiao Hei let out a small roar—more like a squeak, really—but Lin Feng could feel its strength increasing.
With renewed confidence, he stepped out of the crevice, Xiao Hei perched on his shoulder. The Rockhound growled, ready to attack.
"Xiao Hei, let's see what you can do!" Lin Feng shouted.
The lizard leaped from his shoulder, its body radiating a faint heat. It opened its mouth, and a small jet of flame shot out, striking the Rockhound in the face.
The beast yelped in surprise and pain, retreating a few steps. Xiao Hei pressed the attack, its flames growing stronger with each breath.
The Rockhound, now wary of the fiery assault, eventually turned tail and fled into the woods.
Lin Feng let out a triumphant laugh, scooping Xiao Hei into his arms. "Not bad for a 'useless' lizard!"
Xiao Hei chirped proudly, its body still glowing faintly from the Fire Essence Stone's energy.
Lin Feng looked at the remaining stones in his pouch and smiled. This was just the first step, but it was proof that with his ability and Xiao Hei's potential, they could overcome anything.
"Let's go home, Xiao Hei. We've got a lot of work to do."
With determination in his heart and a pouch full of resources, Lin Feng began his journey to reshape his destiny and the fate of his so-called "useless" beast.