Spirit Taming

Chapter 569: The Cross Section

"There will not be any food left if you sit in there any longer." Clark jolted from his knapsack and jumped from the tent. He had no idea how he had ended up sleeping this deep. However, when he looked at himself and the others, he realized he was definitely the last one awake this morning.

"It's rare for you to be the last one out here." Isa's basic comment was enough to attract the other's attention.

"Well, he does sit up meditating like all the time. Hell, I am pretty sure he was using that moving meditation technique while we set up camp last night." Jerold's opinion was valid. Clark nearly used the flowing storm meditation technique at all times. It was just easier for him to do so since it led to more improvement.

"I'm fine. I was just more tired because Crim is sleeping. He consumed a lot of materials I had saved up and without him sharing the dragon energy like normal, it threw me off." This was an understandable result.

Because Crim was providing the dragon energy that allowed Clark to function above the current level of strength that he had. The bond was still there, but now, Crim needed some of Clark's energy to allow for the growth that he was undergoing.

It wasn't necessarily a step in growth that would change his form massively. Instead, it was a purification of energy. To do that, Crim needed the time and smoothness of energy through the bond he shared. Therefore, without it, the energies Crim is trying to purify and strengthen would cause more issues because they would react more violently.

Crim's entire focus was on his growth, not the bond and energies that were normally shared.

"Really? Does that mean Crim is going to be a giant dragon now?" The entire group looked at Grace like they were afraid what she said might come true.

"No, he is just going to be better able to mix certain energies that he has access to. He was from a very unique kind of dragon. Now that he has access to the energies at a deeper level, he might be able to mix them and make lightning just like the black lightning spear. But he might get a little bigger. He is still a smaller dragon. He could probably grow another foot taller."

"So you're saying that Crim will get even stronger. You known that he is already one of the strongest beasts between all of us. And that's just because we have no idea how strong Devi is since her is always hiding and getting stronger." Maria was certain that Clark was still hiding the strengths of his beasts because he wasn't sure exactly how strong they were.

"Well, you are kind of right. But Devi actually spends a lot more time out and about. He hunts the smaller beasts that we won't be bothered with. He uses chilling bite to collect soul energy and death energy. Understanding and being able to use both energies efficiently.

They are both dangerous forms of energy and I try my best not to let them get out of hand…" Clark watched as they all looked at him with their eyes wide.

"You know you never understood that you and Devi used death energy. Like, death as in things dying!" Ella's sudden reprimand was enough to make Clark understand that this was a much worse topic to be on. "I have been recording the growth of all beasts within our group. It was already hard enough to examine the characteristics of Crim and Shy since they hid themselves within the taming space so much.

But now you tell me that the mystery of Devi, your spirit beast, is actually more complicated than before?"

This didn't make sense to Clark. He was sure he had said it out in the open before. He was certain that the group should know this. But then again, he always spoke about the other's beasts. Not about his. He shared some details, but they were usually materials he needed or just the fact that his beasts needed certain food or materials.

Never in specific details related to the forms of energies they used.

After a few moments of the group trying to get Clark to go over everything again, he stopped and looked ahead of them. "We have to get going. The sooner we make a moves the better. If we sit here and worry about my partners all day, then we won't make it to the edge of the violent jungle. The odds are high that we will run in to more beasts now." This was true.

The deeper wildernesses weren't separated by a hard line. That was only in theory and maps. Realistically, beasts traveled over that imaginary line all the time. Plants grew through it as well. It was only something that intelligent species and territorial beasts did to make themselves feel more in control of the areas that they lived.

This created the added worries that there would be a strong beast that crossed this imaginary border. That would mean that their group could encounter a more powerful opponent sooner than they realized. Not that this was the greatest danger here.

Once camp had been cleaned up, Clark took the lead. He wasn't using the violent jungle map just yet. He felt that the sooner he looked at it, the more that his course would change. The outskirts area that they were currently in, was valuable.

The mix of two areas was important to their growth. Specifically, because that was where more unique beasts could live. That was evident between the lava fields and the massive fields of tall grass between where Solar and Lunar Cities were.

Because of the mist and heat, the two areas had an interesting cross sections where beasts with multiple affinities could grow safely. It also meant that they grew in a different way than many of the other beasts in the world. Making them valuable materials or a very valuable new partner if tamed.

"The jungle is more hot and humid compared to the forest. Different things grow there than here. But we can already feel the small warm breeze." Since Ella had the most knowledge on the basics, she was educating them of this cross section while they walked.

When Clark and shown interest in it, she had taken the position next to them while speaking. "This warm air is what will cause more mushrooms, molds, and unique plants. We should be on the look out for brightly colored herbs and beasts since they prefer these sorts of warmer winds."

"That's going to be list weed or the purple frenzy leaves? Right?" Isa had a decent understanding from some of her mercantile knowledge. These two were somewhat well known herbs.

"Yes, the list weed is a small grassy plant that when boiled helps someone sleep. Then the purple frenzy leaf is good to help boost adrenaline. It's often used when someone is unable to sleep due to head injuries. It will keep someone away. Both have varying effects, but are valuable because of their uses." Ella was glad to have the support of Isa since they could share the education even more.

Clark was already using the analysis of this system though. He had decided that the more knowledge he could gather, the better. There were many things that could be affected here when it came to the crossing environments.

'False ginger- uncommon

The false ginger mimics the appearance of the ginger plant above the ground. However, its roots are thin and carry no flavor. Instead, it is better known for being very high in nutrients. Having kids chew on dried roots will promote healthy growth.

There are rarely large groups of this due to the requirement of a humid breeze for these to grow. But when farmers find them, they are often killed since they are not the ginger that they wish to grow. It is advised to allow it to remain in the wilderness since it is becoming rarer by the day.'

"Hmm, false ginger. I will pick a few roots just to have in case." Clark's mumbling was nothing new. The group was used to him doing this while looking around. With him admitting that he could see more than meets the eye, they had just accepted it even more.

"Is this the purple frenzy leaves you said before?" Grace and the first finch started to approach another bunch of slightly purple leaves. However, the tall stalks that they were attached to before becoming a blossoming bunch put Clark off.

'Purple acid trap plant- rare

The purple acid is from the unique species of purple toes frogs that the plant attracts with sweet sap. However, this beast is both plant and beast. It must set down roots to be able to survive. That is how it keeps water flowing within its body.

This beast is blind and will open up and trap anything that gets too close to the false cluster of leaves it uses as bait for purple toed frogs…'