I Became an Evolving Lizard in a Martial Arts Novel

Chapter 121

My precious scales and the feathers of the golden phoenix are set to become the weapons of the Snake Queen.

The items I received from Argenta are now sorted out, and all that's left is the elixir obtained from catching the phoenix.

One is for Shweshwe, and the other is for me.

Since this is the first time I've seen this kind of elixir, it will likely be more effective than any elixir I’ve had before.

However, just like with the Cockatrice's elixir, I can't swallow it immediately.

I need to refine the elixir with the help of the Snake Queen.

Of course, my body is a bit different from others, so I should be able to swallow it without much trouble.

Additionally, I’ve opened my dantian this time, so I have a bit more leeway.

But there’s really no rush to eat the phoenix’s elixir.

I can wait until I refine it with her power, and then consume it just before confronting the King of Birds.

The Snake Queen slowly examined the two elixirs.

*Flash!*

Her eyes sparkled.

She must have used the power of her mystical vision.

I don’t know the exact principle, but she probably utilized the power of petrification.

Turning the impure energy into stone entirely, perhaps.

...I’m not sure if that’s even possible.

Shweshwe was clinging tightly to my shoulder, his mouth gaping open.

It seemed he wanted to eat that elixir.

But it wouldn’t be easy to refine the elixir immediately.

It took some time when I dealt with the Cockatrice, and this elixir is of a higher grade than that.

I felt bad for Shweshwe, but there was nothing to do but wait.

*Gulp.*

*Gulp?*

Shweshwe seemed to be swallowing something.

“Gag!”

*Swallow.*

I quickly grabbed Shweshwe’s tail and lifted him up.

“Peep?”

Shweshwe dangled from my grip.

After lifting his head, he had a puzzled expression as if to ask why.

“Gag!”

This isn’t the time for that!

What if you swallow it right away?

Spit it out.

I gently shook his tail.

“Peep!”

Wait, why didn’t the Snake Queen stop him?

“Gag!”

What if Shweshwe's body explodes from this?

I was about to put my fingers into Shweshwe’s mouth to make him open up.

“You don’t need to do that. The refining is already finished.”

“Gak?”

*Slither.*

Shweshwe gently fell to the ground.

“Peep...”

He looked disappointed.

From his perspective, I had teased him by making him grab the elixir I offered as a gift.

“Gag...”

Who would have thought it would be that quick?

Shweshwe curled his body into a ball.

I almost poked him to apologize but stopped immediately.

I guessed the reason he assumed that position after eating the elixir.

*Qi Gathering.*

A snake without legs can’t sit cross-legged.

So he’s curling his body like that to practice Qi Gathering.

...Does the Snake Queen do the same?

“Why do you look at me like that?”

“Gak-gak.”

It’s nothing.

“The princess won’t instantly reach a higher realm just because she ate the elixir, either. It’s better to think of it as stored energy in her body. The Qi Gathering she’s doing right now is to prevent her inner energy from getting twisted.”

Shweshwe is still a Ball Python.

While pythons aren’t particularly small snakes, they’re a bit less intimidating compared to the ferocious beasts I’ve seen before.

I’ve also consumed many elixirs, but I can’t use all that power yet.

I naturally became able to handle the inner energy of the elixirs after evolving into a Komodo and then a Komodo-Rania.

Shweshwe will be the same.

The immediate effects may not be significant, but at the moment of evolution, the elixir he just consumed will explosively enhance his growth.

Will he transform like the Snake Queen?

Train hard and evolve quickly.

By the way, the speed at which the elixirs are being refined is incredible.

That means mine is ready as well.

*Roar.*

Then I can’t just sit still.

*Thud.*

“Your turn is still coming.”

Instead of the phoenix’s elixir, the Snake Queen’s hand came toward my mouth.

Still early, huh?

“The princess has a body structure similar to mine, so she can easily refine the elixir. However, your body structure is different from mine. Thus, it’ll take more time to refine your companion’s share.”

Well, if it was going to happen that easily, I would have been fed it earlier.

I felt a bit disappointed, but the elixir isn’t going anywhere, so I can wait.

However, if the Great Arhat were to target Shweshwe, it would be troublesome in many ways.

It would affect both me and the Snake Queen, and if Shweshwe was taken hostage, we wouldn’t be able to attack.

Therefore, using the young dragon, a high-level personnel, to protect Shweshwe seems like a reasonable choice.

Of course, Shweshwe had no idea about this.

Now that he had

eaten the elixir, he seemed determined to participate in the battle while clinging to my shoulder.

While Shweshwe’s abilities shouldn’t be underestimated, I couldn’t bring him to the battlefield.

“Peep!”

Shwooo!

Seemingly filled with leftover energy from the elixir, Shweshwe shot rays into the air.

I worried about what would happen if he got into trouble with other beasts, but given Shweshwe’s inherently gentle nature, he wasn’t targeting any living beings.

Although occasionally, he did make holes in some poor trees.

“Peep!”

Shwooo!

He seems quite excited.

If I had to name two things Shweshwe loves, one would be going out, and the other would be me.

Going out with me.

A combination of his favorite things.

I could understand why Shweshwe was so thrilled.

“Peep!”

*Shwoom!*

But let’s keep it moderate now.

So far, it’s been fine, but someone might get hit.

“Gak-gak.”

“Peep.”

Shweshwe nodded, as if he understood.

“Peep!”

*Shwoom!*

Then he shot one more small ray.

Given its diminutive scale, he probably thought that was the last one.

It was like shaking off the remaining energy.

This should be a suitable conclusion.

Shweshwe used up his excess energy and didn’t seem to cause any trouble around.

“Partially....”

I thought I heard someone sobbing far away, but it must have been my imagination.

Thus, I walked with Shweshwe toward the territory of the young dragon.

“Gak!”

As soon as we arrived at the entrance, I let out a *gak* sound.

“Gak-gak!”

“Gegak!”

Geckos sprang out and greeted me.

Shaking their plump tails, they welcomed me.

“Gak.”

Have you been well?

“Gegak!”

“Gak-gak!”

A gecko stretched out its short legs, showing off its curves.

Some of them climbed onto my claws, rubbing their tails against me.

This is a bit over the top for a welcome.

“Zzss...”

Shweshwe glared at the geckos with his triangular face.

Though they were gentle creatures and didn’t need to be wary, it was understandable that Shweshwe would react this way since it was their first meeting.

“Gegak!”

“Zzss...”

The geckos also took on a defensive posture.

But they only glared at each other; nothing more happened.

The geckos clung to my legs, while Shweshwe slithered near my neck.

“Gak.”

I spoke to the geckos.

Enough with the warm welcome; could you call Old Kompi for me?

That was the implication.

“Gek!”

I heard a familiar cry.

Old Kompi was hopping toward me from a distance.

Wow, even though I’m happy, there’s no need for such an exaggerated entrance.

“Gak-gak.”

Good to see you, Old Man.

I brought your granddaughter along.

“Gak.”

Shweshwe, say hello.

“Peep!”

Old Kompi’s eyes widened.

Is it the first time he’s seeing my granddaughter?

“Grahhh....”

How happy could he be to let out a dragon’s roar?

...Huh?

Why did that old man’s face suddenly turn triangular?

“Grahhh!”

Old Kompi, unable to contain his anger.

No, why is he getting mad?

What did I do wrong?