Chapter 16.1: Why Do I, As A Potato, Still Have To Study?

Liu Ji felt that perhaps he had been a potato for far too long. So long that he only felt at peace after turning into a potato.

However, he understood that this peace was imaginary.

When fighting, he had once turned into a potato. Indeed, at that moment, he instinctively felt unparalleled peace and a sense of safety.

But, on the other hand, his rationality made him feel a contrary sense of intense unease.

He couldn't see or hear. Being in the dangerous situation without his five senses was like having his life in the hands of the enemy.

That didn't feel good. Not good at all.

That was why Liu Ji, in the next moment, had changed form once more, into a huge bear.

That's right. The moment he had consumed that first piece of bear meat, Liu Ji knew that he could turn into a huge bear.

Perhaps, his ability wasn't turning into a potato but rather, turning into whatever he consumed.

However, this inexplicable ability came without a manual or a system to explain it, leaving Liu Ji clueless about its scope, strength, and usage details. He could only figure it out slowly over time.

In any case, exploring this ability of his would need long-term consideration. But first, he had to get out from the ground; otherwise, he would forever remain a potato that might be dug up and eaten.

Thus, when the sun rose the next day and Liu Ji felt the first rays of sunlight on his leaves, he forcibly suppressed the urge to laze, transformed into human form, and opened his eyes.

The morning air had the unique scent of dew, and the temperature was low, giving a distinct chill, but this chill perfectly complemented the warmth of the morning sun.

Liu Ji could not remember the last time he had greeted the morning as a human; he had almost forgotten this feeling. It felt really great, this distinctly human feeling.

After digging out his lower hall from the ground, Liu Ji discovered that an old robe had been placed beside him.

It appeared to be the robe he had gotten wet before, which had now since been dried and was likely left beside him by Yaine.

How thoughtful, but in the sort of place we are at, clothes aren't exactly a renewable resource… Liu Ji thought to himself as he put on the robe.

His previous robe had been ripped to shreds when he transformed into the giant bear; his body expanding too quickly for the fabric to handle.

Thinking back, Liu Ji realized that he had been helped back here by the young lady all while completely naked yesterday. His mind had been preoccupied with the image of dripping intestines and hadn't given any thought to his nudity at that moment, which was horrifically embarrassing in retrospect.

No, he couldn't dwell on the events of yesterday any longer. Thinking about it would only bring back the image of those mangled intestines. That image was too visceral, and just the thought of it made his stomach churn.

After putting on clothing, Liu Ji surveyed his surroundings. And then, he got a huge shock.

He recalled having slept in the ground for only a day, yet the scenery around him had drastically changed from before.

The surrounding weeds had been neatly trimmed, while scattered stones were neatly stacked. And in the middle of this cleared land stood a two-story wooden house.

Liu Ji had lived in an apartment all his human life and was rather unfamiliar with a construct like wooden houses. This might even be the first real wooden house he had ever seen.

But there was one thing he was certain of. This kind of house couldn't possibly be built by three ordinary people in a day…

Oh, right, those three aren't ordinary folk. Never mind.

It was unfair to compare. Liu Ji could only struggle to survive in this wilderness as a potato, whereas they settled into a two-story villa in just a day.

It was still early, and since Liu Ji had come out at sunrise, the others, sleeping in a wooden house lacking glass windows and without alarm clocks or roosters, were probably still asleep.

Liu Ji looked around and discovered that there was a new earth stove just to the side of the house.

He went over and found a pile of wild potatoes, mushrooms, and other vegetables, likely gathered yesterday as food supplies.

How convenient, Liu Ji was also feeling a tad hungry.

Having buried himself on an empty stomach the day before, the small amount of energy from half a day's photosynthesis had been almost entirely depleted overnight. Now that the ingredients and the stove were ready, he could make breakfast for the three.

"Well, I once aspired to go to New Oriental if I couldn't get into university," Liu Ji muttered as he rolled up his sleeves by the mud stove. "While it's just breakfast… preparing four dishes and a soup shouldn't be too extravagant, right?" [TL note: New Oriental is a provider of private education services in China, with emphasis on online education.]

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Two figures, one tall and one short, were struggling through the desert.

The taller one—actually wasn't very tall, roughly 1.6 meters in height—was shrouded in a brown robe and holding a beautiful white jade staff. However, this exquisitely crafted staff was currently being used as a walking stick, its end constantly jabbed into the rough sand and gravel.

The shorter figure was truly short, no more than a meter tall, which was even shorter than most dwarves.

Just that unlike the stocky and stout build of dwarves, this figure was petite and a tad round. Were Liu Ji here, he would probably think that this was a lalafell.

"Cali, we've been walking all night, I'm tired…" a female voice, hoarse from dehydration, squeaked from beneath the shorter one's cloak.

"Shall we find a place to rest for a while?" a similarly hoarse voice from the taller figure responded. "Let me see… It looks like there are two seaberry trees ahead. We might be able to pick some seaberries for sustenance."

Yes, this was the Calidora that a certain young swordsman was pinning for.

"Yeah…" the shorter one replied, her gulping audible.

The two staggered toward the distant seaberry trees. In this flat and barren desert, even if one could see a tree, one wouldn't know how long it would take to reach it. An hour, perhaps two, sometimes even half a day's walk wouldn't be out of the question.

But they didn't have a choice. Time was their most precious resource, and even the time for resting had to be utilized wisely.

Fortunately, they could still hold on.

After an indeterminate amount of time, when the two finally reached the seaberry trees, the shorter woman nearly collapsed face first. Thankfully, she managed to brace herself just before her face hit the ground.

"Girunini, are you okay?" Calidora hurried over to help her.

"I'm okay, just somewhat tired," the short female by the name of Girunini replied, turning around to lean against one of the seaberry trees and sitting down. "Ah, this is much better…"

"Huff, that's good." Calidora breathed a sigh of relief as she sat down beside her companion.

"Haa… How embarrassing. I got tired before you did," Girunini muttered. "And I'm supposed to be a warrior. This is the disadvantage of having short legs…"

"What are you talking about? I don't even know if I'd still be alive without you around," Calidora said, rubbing Girunini's head gently. "Now it’s my turn to take care of you."

While saying that, Calidora raised her staff and lightly tapped the tree behind her. In no time, like falling feathers, grape-like fruits came cascading down.

These were seaberries, practically the only food that could be found in this dessert. Rich in various vitamins and containing a fair amount of sugar, each tree would often have at least a single bunch.

Just that its taste…

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by Aunomay Read