Chapter 56: Grow, Shadowlight Fox

The shattered Shadowheart Stone—this was the monster’s weakness just now.

Examine.

[Shattered Shadowheart Stone:
Aspect: Shadowheart
Description: When we entrust our hearts to the shadows, we no longer fear the blade that pierces the heart.
Function: A potent shadow-aspect object, a black stone heart condensed from blood, can serve as the heart and spiritual energy reservoir for a shadow-aspected being. It can also be used to repair powerful living shadow weapons.
Equipment Requirement: Sufficient blood connection must be established with the Shadowheart Stone; must be shadow-aspected. (This stone is already damaged. To equip it again, it must be repaired.)]

A shadow-aspect exclusive equipment item...

At last, I’ve encountered one of these items.

Chen Qi shook his head. The two special items he’d found previously—the Bloodblade Fruit and the Dove’s Eye—both had strict aspect requirements, and he just happened to fit those conditions.

Now, he’d finally stumbled upon an exclusive item for another aspect, but he wasn’t shadow-aspected...

Based on the idle posts on the Sunwalkers’ forum, he’d gathered one thing: In District 8 of New Metropolis, there were more shadow-aspect items than others, because shadow disasters were more prevalent there.

The monster woman who attacked him was likely from District 8 as well.

This isn’t an equipment for my aspect—how should I deal with it...?

Chen Qi fell into contemplation. Should he trade it through the Sunwalkers’ forum, sell it in the underbelly, or try an auction house?

For now, he’d keep it... None of those options seemed particularly reliable.

The jagged stone felt unpleasant in his grasp. Through spiritual sight, he could see black energy swirling across its surface.

Better to store it in the game for now...

Chen Qi opened the inventory.

As he sent the item back, a line of text suddenly popped up.

In-game, his character was currently on the road returning to the Tower of Medicine.

A text appeared.

[The Lanternshadow Fox hidden in your clothes has suddenly awakened!
With its keen sense of smell, it’s detected food that can help it evolve!]

“What a little glutton.”

[Food! Food!
The Lanternshadow Fox drools at the mouth, fussing about on your person, until at last it opens its mouth full of tiny sharp teeth, its nose pressing close to the shattered Shadowheart Stone.]

[Suddenly, it remembers that you are its great and wise master, destined to ascend with it to the heights. It must obtain your permission before it can eat.]

[Soon, the Lanternshadow Fox, eyes brimming with tears, shakes the little lantern at its neck, its fluffy tail swaying eagerly.
It rubs its little head against your stomach, begging you for the “Shattered Shadowheart Stone.”]

[Please make your choice.]
[Yes or No]

“...”

What a relentless barrage of cuteness.

But this Shadowheart Stone didn’t seem cheap; I can’t just feed it away like the Shadow Soul...

Before Chen Qi could decide, an unfamiliar pink text appeared.

[The Lanternshadow Fox weakly collapses in your arms, letting out a pitiful whimper, its whole demeanor exhausted.]

[The Lanternshadow Fox gazes at you with plaintive eyes. Bound by contract, you sense its meaning.
It is a disaster beast traveling through the world’s shadows; only by consuming shadow-aspect objects of sufficient purity can it achieve continual breakthroughs and attain new growth.]

[It now stands at the edge of evolution, and the Shadowheart Stone is the perfect catalyst.]

[Upon closer inspection, the little lantern at its neck grows faint. It indeed needs a Shadowheart Stone.]

This stone can help the Lanternshadow Fox evolve...

Chen Qi pondered. At the moment, the fox’s [Great Shadowform] skill was on cooldown.

Once its shadowform was ready, it could be a far better mount than the little donkey...

In the text, the Lanternshadow Fox was an exceedingly rare disaster beast; besides being a mount, its combat prowess was notable—a reliable companion in battle.

And it was only a juvenile; later it could help absorb excess shadow-aspect items.

Worth cultivating...

Moreover, it was trying so hard to be adorable. From the text, Chen Qi could sense its cuteness.

He clicked “Yes,” handing it the Shadowheart Stone.

[You give the Shadowheart Stone to the Lanternshadow Fox.]
[At your command, it opens its tiny mouth and consumes the shattered stone.]
[Grateful for your gift, the Lanternshadow Fox declares you its provider—you are its greatest master! Wherever you go, it will accompany you forever!]
[Loyalty increased to 75%. (Note: If loyalty drops below 25%, contract power will be consumed continuously.)]

A single treat raised loyalty so much—this little creature better not defect to some master chef in the future...

I must keep it away from cooks.

Still, letting the Lanternshadow Fox absorb the Shadowheart Stone was a wise choice.

Just then, another text appeared.

[The Lanternshadow Fox seems to be undergoing a change.]
[The Lanternshadow Fox has evolved; its appearance has altered. The lantern at its neck glows brighter, and its fluffy tail has grown larger!]

The change in appearance wasn’t dramatic...

Chen Qi had expected a transformation akin to creatures in magical games, or perhaps a growth phase was still needed.

[The Lanternshadow Fox has absorbed shadow-aspect power. Skills updated. New skills acquired. See panel for details.]

Ah...

Seeing the Fox evolve, Chen Qi felt his wounds ache less, and he promptly opened the detailed view.

[Lanternshadow Fox:
Level: 7
Growth Stage: Juvenile (rapid growth underway; it was born from the silent river, embarking on its own journey and growth)
Description: A disaster beast birthed in distant lands, fond of roaming, and consumes shadow- and lantern-aspect items to evolve.
Contract: Shell Aspect Pact (this exotic beast will obey your commands; should it show disloyalty, contract power will force compliance)
Loyalty: 75% (you are its wise master, who brings it along on adventures and offers tasty food—it likes you)
Basic Attributes:
Health: 10
Strength: 5
Agility: 10
Inspiration: 30
Spiritual Power: 15/15]

The attribute panel hadn’t changed much. Chen Qi proceeded to the skills panel.

[Skills:
Great Shadowform (Upgraded): Consumes 10 spiritual power to create a formidable outer shell, which boasts 50 health, 25 strength, and 25 agility!
Additionally, the shell rapidly regenerates 20 health. (If the shell remains intact during its duration, 9 spiritual power is refunded upon conclusion)
Shadow Walk: In darkness, the Lanternshadow Fox’s speed is greatly increased.
Shadow Escape: Consumes 1 spiritual power; the Fox (including its shell) can enter the shadows and move within them, evading attacks or hiding.
If the shadow is exposed to light or suffers excessive physical force, the Lanternshadow Fox will be forced out.]

Great Shadowform, the Fox’s core skill, was already a formidable ability.

Shadow Escape—a nimble technique, costing only 1 spiritual power, and could be paired with Shadow Walk.

Chen Qi turned back to the text.

[After eating, the Lanternshadow Fox grew more confident, and its Great Shadowform skill has fully recovered.]
[It glances at the little donkey under your seat, its expression full of jealousy and mockery.]