The night was still heavy, and the faint glow of dawn had yet to touch the sky. Darkness clung stubbornly to the land, making the road ahead almost invisible.

Outside the Moon Lake Tribe, Luciel quietly led Liyue and Youfeier toward the massive creature waiting for them—the rock turtle. Its colossal body rested like a hill, breathing slowly in the shadows.

Liyue's silver-white eyes fell on the large cloth bag Luciel carried in his hand. The faint glow of fierce beast spars shone from within it, scattering like tiny fragments of stars. She frowned softly and asked,

"Luciel… the Moon Lord suddenly handed over so many beast spars to you. Do you think she has some hidden intention behind it?"

At the moment of parting, the Moon Lord had instructed Yue Feiyan to give Luciel every single beast spar her tribe had accumulated. The gesture was too generous to be dismissed as a simple gift.

Luciel smiled faintly, his expression unreadable. "That depends on how you interpret it."

Was it a subtle way of binding him, ensuring he would feel indebted and would come to their rescue if needed? Or perhaps it was nothing more than gratitude, expressed in the only currency a tribe of warriors could offer?

Either way, Luciel knew one thing for certain: the intention was there. Yet thinking too deeply about it would only entangle them in needless speculation.

"In the end, whatever her purpose, these beast spars are already in my hands," Luciel said calmly. "That's a fact no one can deny."

Liyue nodded slightly, though unease flickered faintly in her eyes. She parted her lips, as if wanting to voice a concern, then closed them again, hesitant.

"Say it," Luciel urged gently. He could feel her hesitation as if it were his own.

The girl lowered her head, her voice soft as winter wind. "If we take in so many people… won't Little Black Tortoise become too crowded?"

Her tone carried guilt, as though she were selfish for even mentioning it. Originally, she had thought that taking in a dozen or so people would be the limit. That number would suit the thousand-square-meter back of the young rock turtle perfectly. But Luciel hadn't stopped at a dozen—he had promised shelter to more than fifty. With so many people, how could the tortoise's small back possibly hold them all?

Luciel blinked, then chuckled. "Crowded? Is that what you're worried about?"

Startled by his reaction, Liyue panicked and waved her hands quickly. "I—I didn't mean anything by it! Please don't misunderstand. I wasn't trying to complain or…"

"I know," Luciel interrupted softly. He reached out and ruffled her silver hair with a tenderness that made her freeze for a moment. His eyes then lifted to a small hill in the distance, and his smile deepened.

"Don't worry. Little Black Tortoise grows faster than you think."

Liyue blinked in confusion. "Grows… fast? What do you mean?"

No matter how fast, it couldn't possibly double in size overnight, could it?

"You'll see soon enough," Luciel replied, already striding ahead.

Yu Feier, who had been quietly following behind, hurried to catch up. Her golden eyes sparkled with curiosity. "Yueyue, what are you two talking about? What's this 'Little Black Tortoise'?"

"You'll know in a while," Liyue replied in the same mysterious tone Luciel had used.

Yu Feier puffed out her cheeks, pouting like a child. "You've actually learned to keep secrets now? How annoying."

Liyue's lips curved beneath her mask, her eyes glinting slyly. "Just wait. When you see it, you'll be stunned."

Yu Feier groaned dramatically. "That only makes me more curious!"

"Don't worry. We're almost there," Liyue said, lifting her chin to point at the hill ahead.

Yu Feier followed her gaze, and sure enough, Luciel had stopped at the base of the hill.

"Come over here," he called, waving. "We're going up."

He intended for the next evolution to take place on the tortoise's back. It would be safer there, away from the fragile structures of the tribe.

Liyue tugged Yu Feier along, and the two ran over quickly.

Luciel placed a hand on the shell of the sleeping creature. "Little Black Tortoise, wake up."

A low, rumbling groan echoed like distant thunder. The rock turtle opened its heavy eyelids, revealing eyes as vast and calm as ancient stone. Warm breath surged from its nostrils, washing over them like a wave.

Yu Feier froze, her golden eyes widening. "I-It's so big…" Her voice trembled, and she dared not move closer.

"Send us up," Luciel commanded.

The creature groaned again and raised its massive body. Earth shifted beneath their feet as the ground itself lifted, carrying the three of them upward like an elevator of stone.

"Wahh—!" Yu Feier squealed in panic, clinging tightly to Liyue as the ground rose.

Liyue's lips quirked in amusement. "Don't be scared. We're going home."

"Home?" Yu Feier blinked, dazed. It had been so long since she'd heard the word spoken with such warmth.

"Yes," Liyue replied softly. "A new home." Though her smile was hidden beneath her mask, the warmth in her voice made it clear.

At last, they were carried onto the wide back of the rock turtle.

"Luciel! Liyue! You're back!" A cheerful voice greeted them. Mino came running, her long rabbit ears bouncing with excitement.

Luciel reached out to ruffle her head affectionately. "Still busy gathering plants, I see."

His gaze swept across the familiar scene: tricolor lizards lazing in the courtyard, and red ghost spiders weaving their silken traps. The sight brought a faint smile to his lips.

Mino's face grew serious. "We have to plant them quickly. If we don't, they'll wither and die." She bit her lip, then admitted, "But the space here is too small. There's nowhere left to grow more plants…"

Luciel chuckled softly. "Don't worry. That problem will be solved soon."

Mino blinked. "Could it be…?" Her blue eyes widened in astonishment. She alone knew the rock turtle's secret—that it had once been small enough to fit in the palm of Luciel's hand.

Luciel nodded with a smile, lifting the cloth bag in his hand. "Exactly what you're thinking."

Her breath caught. "Are you going to start now?"

Yu Feier tilted her head curiously, glancing between them. She still didn't understand what "starting" meant.

Luciel simply shook his head. "It doesn't matter if they see. This is something that can't remain hidden forever. As the rock turtle continues to grow, everyone living here will eventually realize the truth."

Finding a reasonable explanation was better than letting suspicion fester.

He knelt, pouring out the beast spars onto the ground. With both hands resting upon them, he issued a silent command.

System, convert all fierce beast spars into evolution points. Then evolve the Rock Turtle to Level 6.

The response came instantly.

Ding! Successfully transformed. Evolution points gained: 86,210.

Ding! Evolving Rock Turtle from Level 4 to Level 6. Evolution points consumed: 110,000.

Ding! Rock Turtle has successfully evolved to Level 6.

Ding! Do you wish to inherit the Rock Turtle's talent: "Earth Rock – Tenfold Weight"?

"Inherit," Luciel replied in his heart.

Warmth exploded through his body. His muscles tore and reknit themselves, bones burned as though gnawed by a thousand invisible insects. Veins bulged against his skin, his face flushing red from the overwhelming force flooding through him.

"Luciel!" Mino cried out, panic filling her eyes. She rushed forward but froze, not knowing how to help.

"It's alright," Liyue reassured her, though her voice trembled slightly. She held the rabbit-eared girl close. "This is… strengthening."

Yu Feier studied Luciel closely, her sharp instincts telling her the truth. "He's advancing to Tier Seven."

"What?" Liyue gasped, her silver eyes wide. Tier Seven? That was already the realm of great figures in Dacheng.

The ground beneath them trembled violently. The rock turtle groaned, its massive shell quaking as it suppressed the destructive force of evolution while simultaneously shielding the plants and structures on its back.

For twenty minutes the ordeal lasted. At last, Luciel opened his eyes. His vision was sharper, his hearing clearer, his body stronger than ever before. Every sense had been elevated.

"Luciel, are you alright?" Mino's eyes glistened with unshed tears.

Luciel wiped the corner of her eyes gently, smiling. "I'm more than alright. I feel better than ever."

He summoned the system's display.

---

Trainer: Luciel

Stamina: 109.2

Speed: 103.5

Strength: 105.5

Spirit: 120

Lifespan: 24 years / 2650 years

Abilities:

Earth Rock: Tenfold Weight (Level 6)

Regeneration of Severed Limbs (Level 5)

Baisi Control (Level 4)

Starlight Realm (Level 3)

Water Elemental Condensation (Level 3)

Angel Tears (Level 1)

Domesticated Beasts:

Rock Turtle (Talent: Tenfold Weight – Level 6)

Tricolor Lizard (Talent: Regeneration – Level 5)

Red Ghost Spider (Talent: Baisi Control – Level 4)

Crystal Fish (Talent: Water Condensation – Level 3)

Domesticated Plants:

Starlight Tea Tree (Talent: Starlight Realm – Level 3)

Angel Wing (Talent: Angel Tears – Level 1)

---

Luciel's lips curved. Every attribute had broken past the hundred mark. He was no longer merely human—he was a humanoid beast, capable of pulverizing stone with a single punch.

The Rock Turtle itself had grown immensely, its talent evolving into a gravity-like force capable of changing the very weight of stone.

"What happened just now?" Liyue asked softly, worry lacing her tone. She had seen the beast spars vanish beneath his hand, then watched Luciel undergo unimaginable strengthening.

Luciel exhaled slowly. "It's my awakening ability. I can use beast spars to evolve the creatures I've tamed—and when they evolve, I receive part of their power in return."

Liyue's eyes widened. "What a miraculous ability…"

Luciel smiled faintly, then gestured for them to look around. "Rather than marvel at me, shouldn't you be paying attention to our new home?"

The three women turned—and froze.

The turtle's back had expanded massively, its area stretching wide enough to feel like an open plain.

"It's so spacious!" Mino's delighted cry rang out.

"It really… grew this much?" Liyue whispered, stunned.

Yu Feier stared blankly. "Wait, what…? Don't tell me this—this giant is our home?"

Liyue removed her mask, revealing a pure smile. "Exactly. Our new home is a living fortress—a beast that can walk across the world."

And so, the Black Tortoise City was born.

"Thank you so much, Grodt_7216, for the golden ticket and the ice cola. That was really kind of you—I truly appreciate it!"

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