Disciplining the Naughty Toad! 1
“Wh-what?!”
The event was so sudden that not only Lin, but even the Village Chief and the elders watching from nearby widened their eyes in shock. Over the past few centuries, as they had faithfully managed this divine relic generation after generation, nothing like this had ever happened.
Well, I was pretty surprised myself... but it wasn't a bad feeling at all. If anything, it felt warm and familiar somehow. Far from harmful, it seemed helpful—and that instinct proved spot on.
◈ Function: Item storage and preservation
“Ooh! A storage pouch?”
Lin had heard of these often while reading xianxia novels—they were like an in-game inventory, letting you store items at will! No more lugging around heavy loads; they were essential for cultivators. She'd been planning to get one someday, but acquiring it like this was an unexpected windfall.
Curious about its effects, Lin immediately tested it out.
Schluck!
She pried open the clamshell mouth and slipped in the wooden box she was carrying. In an instant, it sucked the box right in—and the pouch felt as light as ever! As expected from a relic left by an immortal(?), its performance was top-notch.
This is seriously awesome!
“I've guarded this divine relic as village chief for decades... but I never dreamed it had such power. To awaken it with a mere touch—truly, Lady Immortal, you are extraordinary.”
“Eh... hehe, I just touched it, that's all...?”
“Hoho... It must be something only exalted ones like immortals can awaken. I'm glad it's finally found a worthy owner, hoho!”
“Aw, shucks! Still, thanks so much for this amazing gift!”
Lin bowed politely to the Village Chief, who had given her this unforeseen treasure, then snapped a photo of the new storage pouch. She was curious about its origins, and maybe the forums would reveal its previous owner.
No presumed original owner showed up, which was a shame. But she learned it was an exceptionally fine dharma treasure—and its previous owner was no ordinary person. Worth the post for sure.
Anyway, with the storage pouch in hand, Lin no longer had to haul cumbersome loads. Any spirit herbs or beasts from the mountains? Straight into the pouch. She'd already stashed the bundles of Extreme Yang Heavenly Flame flowers from her leaf bag long ago. No baggage meant pure bliss.
Getting something this good has me all motivated outta nowhere?
She was itching to go smash that naughty toad right now. The pouch alone made the effort worthwhile.
“Um... Lady Immortal, there's one more thing about the relic.”
“Huh? What is it?”
“Could you flip the storage pouch over?”
As the Village Chief suggested, Lin obediently turned the clamshell pouch upside down. There, in a spot that looked like it should hold something, yawned a large, empty hole.
“This is...?”
“Originally, the storage pouch came as a pair with a large pearl ornament. They're symbiotic dharma treasures—their powers amplify when together.”
“Oh? So where's the pearl?”
“That's... the toad demon stole it.”
“What?! For real? Why would a demon want this??”
“We don't know... Perhaps it coveted the immortal aura emanating from it...”
“Ugh...! That naughty toad jerk!”
One more reason to hunt down that bad toad. If it weren't hers now, maybe she'd let it slide—but stealing her dharma treasure? Unforgivable. She had to teach it a lesson.
Sound attack dharma treasure, works like a charm on amphibian demons like toads to be honest
Especially water-dwellers, total poison for 'em lol
YongyongJukgesji has purchased Clear Silver Bell Flower ×10
To prepare for the toad hunt, Lin stayed in the village a few days, making every preparation. She scoured the forums for weaknesses, diligently practiced her Extreme Yang Heavenly Flame, and even bought the bell dharma treasure said to work great on demons. She left nothing to chance.
And so... the day of reckoning arrived.
At the village entrance, a couple of sturdy young men waited.
“Alright, shall we head out?”
“We'll guide you from here, Lady Immortal.”
The Village Chief would have been ideal, but his age kept him from such dangers. Instead, Seojin—Seorin's father, whom Lin had personally healed—joined the group.
“We'll escort you.”
An experienced hunter, he knew the forest like the back of his hand. Thanks to him, Lin reached the naughty toad's territory far quicker than expected.
“We're here.”
“This the place?”
“Yes, Lady Immortal. From that pond ahead to the marsh beyond... that's its domain.”
“Hmm...”
True to its ice-wielding Bingdamwa nature, the entrance was a chilling, frigid streamside. The marsh where it lurked felt like midwinter—unnaturally cold for a swamp, which should be humid and hot.
“Thanks for the guide! You can head back now!”
“We...! We'll fight too!”
But Lin urged the village youths to leave. Mortals like them wouldn't help much in the battle ahead, and she didn't want them caught in the crossfire.
I don't even know how strong that toad is—protecting them while fighting would be too risky. Plus...
She'd have to revert to her true form to fight properly. It wasn't a big deal if they saw, but... she didn't want to show her hatchling self. It just lacked dignity!
“Are you sure?”
“Totally! I'm tougher than I look, hehe!”
“Understood. We'll withdraw then. Please take care...”
“Won't take long—wait for me!”
Once they fully departed the stream, Lin confirmed it.
Fwoomp!
Kyuu~!
Back to her small, cute hatchling form in a flash.
Whew...! Been ages since I went hatchling. Feels so refreshing?
Human form was nice, but as a demonkin at heart, her true shape felt more comfortable and natural. Inevitable, really.
She stretched, reacclimating to the familiar hatchling body.
Growl!
Hehe. Time to start?
Fwahahaha~!!
Lin drew a deep breath and exhaled a massive blaze toward the marsh. Flames from such a tiny dragon mouth engulfed the area—and soon...
Crroooaaaakkkk~!!!
Kyuu!
A furious croak echoed from deep within, as if the toad couldn't believe this bolt from the blue.