My Strangeness Points were now 160.
"You can explore this cave," Xian'er's voice still echoed, pointing to the untouched dark passage. "There are some basic resources there. And I... I will watch over you. Tomorrow, we will continue your lessons."
Chen Ming nodded, feeling a little awkward. He still hadn't fully processed that he was now the "life companion" of Huanglong Zun, the majestic Eastern Sovereign Dragon who had just wanted to vaporize him into ash. An irony so ridiculous, yet also so real in every pulse of his Half-Dragon Meridians. His strange adventure had just begun, and he was no longer alone, although his companion was the most powerful and strangest being he had ever met—who was now forced into human form.
After the "Ridiculous Wall-Crashing Steps" incident earlier, Chen Ming decided to postpone experimenting with movement techniques. He glanced at Xian'er again. The dragon woman was now back in her meditation posture by the Spiritual Pool, her back perfectly straight, her aura calm yet radiating undeniable majesty. She looked like a goddess statue made of gold, too perfect to touch, and too dangerous to provoke.
Okay, Chen Ming, let's be a... unique cave explorer. Hopefully, there won't be any embarrassing incidents that will earn me more Strangeness Points.
He began walking down the passage Xian'er had pointed to. The darkness there felt denser, as if swallowing every last bit of light from the Spiritual Pool. The air became slightly colder, and the scent of damp earth mixed with a sharper mineral smell. The rhythmic sound of water dripping from the cave ceiling became clearer, creating a constant rhythm, drip... drip... drip...
Chen Ming walked carefully, his hand feeling the rough, damp cave wall. Thin moss felt slippery under his fingertips. He tried to activate a little Qi in his eyes, hoping to see in the dark, as cultivators often did in novels. System, can I activate night vision? he whispered inwardly, full of hope.
[Ding! Detection: User attempting to use an unmastered ability. Gathering Strangeness Points from a naive yet brave attempt...]
[+5 Strangeness Points.]
"Huh? Even trying earns points?" Chen Ming mumbled, feeling a little amused. "System, you're truly opportunistic!" My Strangeness Points soared to 165.
Although there was no instant night vision, he felt his senses were a little sharper. He could feel different drafts of air, smell fainter aromas, and hear faint sounds that were previously inaudible. Whoosh! A faint cold breeze swept through a small crack.
A few meters into the passage, he found something. On the cave wall, there were faint shimmering mineral veins, emitting a dim glow. Not gold, but small crystals of deep blue and emerald green, embedded in the rock. They emitted a mesmerizing dim light in the darkness, like tiny stars trapped within the earth.
"Spiritual minerals?" Chen Ming mumbled, approaching. He tried to touch one of the crystals. Cold, but there was a faint pulse of energy within it, similar to the Dragon Essence Stone, but much weaker.
[Detection: Low-Grade Spiritual Minerals (Cold Qi Stone, Green Qi Stone). Can be used for basic artifact forging or slowly enhancing low-level cultivation. Value: Moderate.]
"Not bad!" Chen Ming smiled. "At least it's not just ordinary rock. Maybe I can sell it or use it later." He tried to pry one of the crystals, but it was too hard. Scrape! His hand slipped on the rock surface.
System, is there a tool for mining?
[Suggestion: User may attempt to use Basic Movement Technique: 'Light Shadow Steps' to focus Qi on the hand and temporarily increase physical strength. Risk of failure: 30%.]
Chen Ming blinked. Light Shadow Steps? Isn't that a technique for moving fast? Why can it be used for mining? And a 30% risk of failure? I don't want to stumble again in front of minerals! But... if it works, maybe I can mine a lot!
However, curiosity overcame caution, and also a bit of ridiculous ambition. He closed his eyes, imagining the 'Light Shadow Steps' instructions again, this time focusing Qi into his hand, not his feet.
He extended his hand, trying to hit the crystal with his palm.
Thud!
A dull sound was heard. The crystal did not break. Instead, his palm felt a little sore, and he felt an uncontrolled wave of Qi rebound into his arm, making it slightly numb.
[Ding! Detection: User failed to practice Basic Movement Technique in an inappropriate way. Gathering Strangeness Points from unexpected failure...]
[+7 Strangeness Points.]
"Ouch!" Chen Ming complained, shaking his hand. My Strangeness Points soared to 172. "System, you're really... I don't even know what to say anymore! Why do I always end up with strangeness points every time I try something?!"
He glanced back, towards Xian'er who was still meditating in the distance. Fortunately, Xian'er didn't seem disturbed by his little commotion.
Chen Ming decided to look for easier resources. He continued down the passage, which slowly began to widen. At some points, he found clusters of faintly glowing spiritual moss on the walls, emitting a refreshing, calming aroma.
[Detection: Moon Spiritual Moss. Low-grade spiritual plant. Can be used for basic healing elixirs or slowly increasing Qi. Value: Low.]
"Now this makes sense!" Chen Ming smiled. He carefully scraped the moss with his finger, collecting it into a small pouch that somehow appeared on his robe. The System provides pouches? Not bad.Now I can be the strangest spiritual moss collector on Tian Xuan Continent.
He collected a few handfuls of Moon Spiritual Moss. It felt cold and slightly sticky in his hand, with an aroma like refreshing menthol and damp earth.
Grrrrummm... GRRRRUMMMMM!
A low rumble sounded again, this time much closer than before, and stronger, shaking the entire cave to its foundations. The sound resonated throughout the passage, making Chen Ming tense. No way! Is that her? Xian'er? Moving? This aura... even in her human form, she's terrifying! I know she won't hurt me, but what if she sees me digging for moss like a monkey? Or worse, what if she thinks I'm trying to escape her guidance? This would be so awkward! He immediately looked for cover.
He saw a narrow crack in the cave wall, almost invisible, hidden behind a curtain of dangling vines. He crawled in, hiding behind protruding rocks. From there, he could see the main passage.
Graceful yet powerful footsteps approached. Not ordinary steps. These were Xian'er's steps. Swish... Swish... Swish... Each of her steps felt like a subtle yet powerful wave of energy, radiating across the cave floor.
Chen Ming's heart pounded, thump-thump-thump!Oh my god, it really is her! This aura... even in her human form, she exudes immense pressure. I know she's a dragon, but seeing her like this... this is a different level! She must be patrolling or looking for something. I don't want to disturb her concentration and look like a foolish mortal. He held his breath, hoping Xian'er wouldn't notice his presence.
And then, the graceful figure passed through the passage. It was Xian'er, in her enchanting human form, moving slowly, as if observing her surroundings. Her golden hair shimmered faintly in the dimness of the cave. Her golden eyes swept every corner of the cave, searching for something. Faint whoosh! The wind created by her movement swept past Chen Ming's hiding place.
Chen Ming held his breath, his body trembling. He could feel that powerful dragon aura sweeping over him, sending shivers down his spine. She's so strong. I just kicked her in the previous chapter, how could I be that brave? This is crazy! Xian'er moved slowly, passing the crack where Chen Ming was hiding, barely noticing him. Phew, safe!
After what felt like an eternity, Xian'er passed by, the rustle of her steps fading in the distance. Chen Ming sighed in relief, leaning against the rock wall. Phew!
[Ding! Detection: User successfully avoided detection by a Guardian-level Spiritual Creature. Gathering Strangeness Points from thrilling success...]
[+10 Strangeness Points.]
"Phew!" Chen Ming let out a long sigh. My Strangeness Points soared to 182. "That was close! Luckily she didn't see me. Or maybe she saw me but pretended not to because I was too ridiculous to catch?" An absurd thought crossed his mind, making him chuckle slightly.
He emerged from his hiding place, feeling more relieved. This cave exploration was more dangerous than he thought. He decided not to go too far. He had already collected some spiritual moss, and that was enough for now.
He returned to the main chamber of the cave, where Xian'er was still meditating. The light from the Golden Dragon Spiritual Pool still glowed softly, providing tranquility.
"Finished exploring, mortal?" Xian'er asked, opening her eyes. A faint smile was etched on her lips.
"Ah, yes," Chen Ming nodded. "I found some spiritual moss. And... I looked around the other passages." He didn't mention the incident of hitting the wall or almost being caught by Xian'er in her human form.
Xian'er merely nodded. "Good. That spiritual moss will be useful. Tomorrow, we will begin with deeper breathing techniques. You must learn to control the Qi in your Half-Dragon Meridians."
Chen Ming nodded. He still hadn't fully processed that he was now the "life companion" of Huanglong Zun, the majestic dragon who sometimes took human form, sometimes emanated a terrifying dragon aura, and sometimes mocked him. However, one thing was certain: his strange adventure had just begun, and he was no longer alone.