Inside the small wooden house, faint spiritual energy drifted quietly through the air.
Lian sat cross-legged atop the bed, while thin streams of Qi circulated steadily through his meridians according to the Water Vein Compression Art.
The Water Essence Pearl hidden beneath his coat pulsed softly with a cold, steady energy.
Across from him—
Lizarius remained perched lazily atop the wooden table.
The white lizard's eyes stayed fixed on the boy for several silent seconds.
Then—
he spoke.
"Your spiritual root is truly pitiful."
Lian's eye twitched immediately.
"…I already know that."
He opened one eye slightly.
"So maybe stop reminding me every time we meet."
Lizarius ignored the complaint entirely.
"However…"
The white lizard's tail shifted once behind him.
"Though your spiritual root is poor…"
"…you may compensate through other means."
Lian's expression gradually settled.
He listened more carefully now.
Lizarius continued calmly.
"Spiritual roots are not the only thing that define cultivation."
"Resources are among the most important."
"Inheritance."
"Bloodline."
"Physiques."
Lian frowned slightly.
"…Physiques?"
The white lizard nodded once.
"Special bodies."
"Some are born naturally."
"Others can be granted through external means."
"There are many types."
A brief pause followed.
"But the most commonly known are elemental physiques."
The room fell silent again.
Outside—
the faint sound of water splashing could still be heard where his mother washed clothes in the courtyard.
Lian stared at the white lizard for a moment.
Then finally asked,
"…Why are you telling me this?"
Lizarius looked directly at him.
"Do you want a physique?"
Silence.
Complete silence.
Lian froze.
His thoughts stalled for half a second.
Then immediately surged forward.
*A physique?*
*Wait…*
*Is he saying—*
Slowly—
very slowly—
Lian straightened.
His heartbeat quickened.
"…Can you grant one?"
Lizarius answered without hesitation.
"Yes."
The single word landed heavier than expected.
Lian stared at him in disbelief.
Even someone like Wa Shi had spoken of physiques as near-mythical existences.
Things sect geniuses were born with.
Things ordinary cultivators could never even dream of obtaining.
And now—
this white lizard spoke of granting one as casually as discussing the weather.
Silence stretched on.
Then Lian swallowed once and answered quietly,
"…Yes."
His eyes sharpened.
"I want one."
Lizarius nodded once.
"Alright."
Then immediately—
"Follow."
Lian blinked.
"…Follow?"
He glanced around the small room.
"…Where are we going?"
"Outside."
Lian stared blankly.
"I know outside."
He gestured vaguely toward the walls.
"We're already inside."
"Outside where?"
Lizarius did not answer.
Instead—
gravity suddenly twisted around Lian's body.
His eyes widened instantly.
"…Wait—"
His feet lifted off the bed.
"WAIT—WAIT—WAIT—"
The next moment—
he shot across the room.
The window burst open violently.
Wind rushed past his face.
"MASTER LIZARIUS—!"
Lian was flung straight through the window into open air.
Below—
his mother immediately looked up from the washing basin at the sound of his scream.
"Lian?!"
She turned sharply—
then froze completely.
Her eyes widened in shock.
Her son was floating several feet above the courtyard, while the white, otherworldly creature drifted calmly beside him beneath the afternoon sunlight.
"…The immortal…"
The words slipped out instinctively.
Then panic quickly replaced her shock.
"Lian!"
She rushed forward beneath him.
"Are you alright?!"
Lian flailed awkwardly in the air.
"I'M FINE!"
A pause.
"Probably!"
He twisted slightly again.
"MASTER LIZARIUS, SLOW DOWN!"
The white lizard remained completely calm.
"We are not moving quickly."
"THEN WHY DID I SHOOT THROUGH THE WINDOW?!"
His mother looked utterly lost beneath them.
One moment, her son had been cultivating quietly inside.
The next—
he was screaming midair while being carried by an immortal spirit beast.
Lian looked downward desperately.
"Mother, don't panic!"
"That's easy for you to say!"
"Fair!"
Then suddenly—
the invisible force vanished.
Lian dropped.
"AH—!"
Thud.
He hit the ground hard enough to roll once across the courtyard before groaning.
"…I hate this technique."
His mother rushed over immediately.
"Lian!"
She grabbed his shoulders tightly.
"Are you hurt?!"
Lian slowly sat up, rubbing the back of his head.
"…I'm okay."
Mostly.
Above them—
Lizarius hovered silently, moon-white scales glinting under the sunlight as if nothing unusual had occurred at all.
Then he pointed downward.
"He just threw me out the window."
"I did not throw you."
Lizarius floated calmly.
"I released you."
"…That's basically the same thing!"
His mother looked between them nervously before lowering her head slightly toward the floating white lizard.
"…Immortal sir…"
Her voice carried caution now.
Respect as well.
Lizarius barely acknowledged her.
His gaze returned to Lian.
"Follow."
Lian rubbed his legs once, then muttered,
"…You keep saying that without explaining anything."
The white lizard ignored him completely.
As usual.
Then—
without warning—
gravity around Lian shifted again.
Lian's eyes widened instantly.
"…WAIT—WAIT—WAIT—"
His feet lifted off the ground.
His mother gasped softly.
Lian flailed.
"MASTER LIZARIUS!"
The invisible force tightened.
"WAIT—!"
His voice cracked mid-shout as he was yanked upward again.
For a brief moment—
the courtyard vanished.
Wind slammed into his face.
His stomach dropped.
Then—
"AH—!"
He hit the ground again.
Hard.
Near the side of the house where packed earth met a low wooden wall.
Dust exploded around him as he rolled once and groaned.
"…Damn it…"
He pushed himself up slowly, rubbing his side.
"…Are you trying to kill me by dropping me like this?"
Above him, Lizarius hovered silently, as though the accusation had passed through empty air.
Lian pointed upward, still half-dazed.
"I'm serious!"
Before anything else could happen—
his mother rushed into view.
"Lian!"
She grabbed his shoulders again, scanning him frantically.
"What is going on?! Are you hurt?!"
"I'm fine—"
Lian began, but she was already turning upward toward Lizarius.
Her face paled slightly as she bowed quickly.
"Immortal sir… I'm sorry if my son offended you in any way—he didn't mean it—"
"Mother, stop."
Lian raised a hand, wincing as he stood.
"It's fine."
He shot Lizarius a flat look.
"…That's just how my master is. A bit too direct."
Lizarius did not react.
As always.
Lian exhaled and looked up again.
"Can you at least explain something? That would help. And maybe come down a bit before someone else sees you and panics again?"
Silence.
Then Lizarius spoke calmly.
"To obtain a spiritual physique…"
"You need to remain inside the clam."
A pause.
Lian blinked.
"…Inside the what?"
His mother froze beside him.
Both of them slowly looked downward at the same time.
Toward the ground beneath the house.
The soil.
That faint, almost forgotten presence buried beneath it.
Lian slowly pointed.
"…You mean that thing buried under my house?"
Lizarius nodded once.
"Yes."
Silence.
A very long silence.
Then Lian spoke carefully.
"…Are you serious?"
Lizarius answered immediately.
"Yes."
Lian stared at him.
Then at the ground.
Then back at him.
"…How am I supposed to do that?"
He gestured sharply downward.
"I can't even breathe inside something like that. And for how long? You didn't even say."
His voice rose slightly.
"The last time I followed your instructions, I disappeared for three months!"
His mother flinched at that.
Lizarius remained unmoved.
For a moment—
he simply studied Lian.
Then, without warning, Lian's body lifted again.
"WAIT—WAIT—!"
"PLEASE—!"
He flailed midair.
"LET ME FINISH TALKING!"
His mother gasped.
"Lian!"
Then—
just as suddenly—
he was dropped again.
But this time—
Lian twisted mid-fall.
Air rushed past him.
He slammed into the ground—
skidded—
then managed to plant his feet and remain upright, barely.
"…Tch…"
He exhaled sharply, shaking out his arms.
"…Alright."
He looked up at Lizarius, eyes narrowing.
"I'll go."
A pause.
"But wait a moment."
Without waiting for approval, he turned and sprinted into the house.
"Lian?!" his mother called after him, confused.
Inside—
there was hurried movement.
Wood creaked.
A drawer opened.
Then Lian returned.
He carried a small bundle under one arm and a worn bag over his shoulder.
In his other hand—
three faintly glowing Water Essence Crystals.
He walked straight to his mother.
"Take these."
She froze.
"…Lian?"
He gently pressed the crystals into her hands.
"If anything happens, go see the village head."
Her fingers tightened around them immediately.
"What are you talking about…?"
Lian didn't answer directly.
Instead, he stepped closer and lowered his voice.
"I need you safe."
Her eyes trembled slightly.
"Lian, where are you going—?"
He covered her hands with his.
"It's fine."
A pause.
"I'm not going anywhere far."
His gaze flicked briefly toward Lizarius.
"…Just somewhere under the house."
Her grip tightened further.
"Under—?"
Lian nodded.
Then more firmly:
"Don't worry."
He forced a small smile.
"I'll be back."
She shook her head slightly.
"No… this doesn't feel—"
"Mother."
His voice softened, but carried weight.
"Please."
Silence.
Her eyes shimmered.
Lian exhaled, then pulled her into a brief hug.
"I'll be okay."
A pause.
"You're the only thing I actually worry about, so just… stay safe."
Her hands clutched the back of his clothes.
"…Lian…"
He stepped back before she could say more.
Quieter now:
"Don't tell anyone. Not even the village head."
A pause.
"Just… wait for me."
Above them—
Lizarius watched silently.
Then spoke again, as if nothing emotional had occurred at all.
"Enough."
Lian looked up.
The white lizard's eyes narrowed slightly.
"Come."
The air shifted again.
Lian took a breath.
Then looked at his mother one last time.
"…I'll be back."
"…Just try not to worry too much."
"…It never helps anyway."
Behind him—
his mother stood frozen in the courtyard, clutching the crystals tightly, watching as her son walked toward the floating white immortal creature.
Silent.
Afraid.
But waiting.