C1 He Was Reborn as a Squirrel

The night had deepened, and a moon like a silver platter hung high in the night sky. Its light spilled across the pristine snow, casting a soft glow that brightened the forest below.

A chestnut-brown squirrel with silky fur lay sprawled on a branch, gazing at the moon above. Its mouth opened and closed in a surprisingly human-like manner.

Qin Biao had been in this world for over a year, transitioning from initial shock and disbelief to a deep sense of despair. He felt as though he was trapped in a dream—a vivid and prolonged one.

The dream seemed to stretch on endlessly, becoming ever more tangible. Numb to his existence as a "mouse," Qin Biao's heart sank further into despair.

Each day began with the same routine: confirming he was still alive, then scurrying in search of food. His life was a cycle of eating, sleeping, and constant vigilance against predators that might make a meal of him. This was the harsh reality of the natural world.

Yet Qin Biao yearned for change, for strength.

Despite being a mere squirrel at the bottom of the food chain, he possessed a human soul—a squirrel capable of thought.

It was undeniable that a thinking squirrel would survive longer than its unthinking counterparts.

This world was unlike Qin Biao's original one; it was a realm infused with spiritual force, a place where mystical creatures roamed.

Unsure of how to cultivate this power, Qin Biao knew he had to at least attempt it.

After organizing his thoughts, he embarked on the first step of his "Mouse Life" cultivation—the Moon Spiritual Breathing.

This technique, born from numerous trials, allowed him to cultivate at any time, though the absorption of spiritual force was painstakingly slow.

But on clear, moonlit nights, everything changed. The moon's pale light bathed Qin Biao's chestnut-yellow fur, transforming into spiritual force that he eagerly absorbed. With each breath, he expelled the impurities from his body, continuing this purification until dawn's early light.

As the first rays of dawn's light broke across the sky, a strand of pure purple qi transformed into a dense spiritual force and infused itself into Qin Biao's body.

Cultivation was simply this: gathering the spiritual energy of the heavens and earth, drawing in the essence of the sun and moon.

Having absorbed the moonlight all night, Qin Biao felt neither exhaustion nor the chill of the air. His mind and body were both brimming with vitality.

And so, the cycle repeated itself. Before he knew it, three years had flown by.

Over these three years, Qin Biao's body had changed dramatically.

Initially, he resembled an ordinary squirrel, with unremarkable chestnut-yellow fur.

But as time went on and he absorbed more spiritual energy, his fur began to lose its color. Now, Qin Biao's fur was as white as moonlight, with just a hint of gold shimmering through.

Moreover, Qin Biao had grown several times larger than he once was, resembling a young leopard rather than a common squirrel.

Presently, Qin Biao was no ordinary creature; even tigers and lions would hesitate to confront him. This extraordinary-looking squirrel was certainly not one to be underestimated.

Feeling the bizarre transformations within him, Qin Biao became even more dedicated to his practice, refusing to relax even during daylight hours.

Yet, Qin Biao's sole dissatisfaction was that despite his lengthy cultivation, he had not sensed any trace of mana.

Could the issue lie in his method of cultivation?

Determined to seek answers, Qin Biao decided to leave the place he had called home for three years and embark on a journey.

But as fate would have it, just as he made his preparations, a vast expanse of rain clouds gathered ominously in the sky.

Qin Biao's spirits dampened. Was this a sign from the heavens to stay put?

Though Qin Biao's preferred mode of travel was leaping from tree to tree, the rain forced him to proceed with caution; the wet branches were treacherous.

With a sigh, he conceded, "It's getting dark. I'd better find a place to rest before continuing on..."

In the midst of the rain, he had merely moved from one forest to another, not venturing very far.

"Sha Sha Sha..."

As Qin Biao settled on a branch to absorb spiritual force, an eerie noise reached his ears.

"Hiss..."

A massive python!

Despite Qin Biao's efforts to evade, he was grazed by the serpent's fangs.

By the time Qin Biao noticed it, the python had already coiled itself around the tree he was on.

Qin Biao could sense that the python had been cultivated, and its presence felt even stronger than his own!

Blood streamed down Qin Biao's leg, the scent of which further incited the python. It hissed and flicked its tongue, seemingly eager to devour Qin Biao.

"Brother Snake, I'm hardly a meal with so little flesh on me. You wouldn't be satisfied even if you ate me. How about I fetch you a wild boar instead?" Naturally, Qin Biao hadn't mastered the art of human speech, so his voice was still a squirrel's squeak.

The python paid no heed to Qin Biao and lunged at him.

The pain in his leg was intense, but the foul odor from the python's gaping maw only heightened Qin Biao's will to survive.

He sprang up, landing on a different tree.

Next to the colossal python, Qin Biao seemed as insignificant as a ping pong ball beside a basketball.

He didn't understand why the python was attacking him, but he certainly wasn't about to surrender his life without a fight! The standoff with the python pushed Qin Biao to his limits.

It was the most severe injury he had ever suffered!

"Hiss..."

A vicious glint appeared in the python's eyes as it opened its maw wide once more, but Qin Biao managed to hurl a stone down its throat.

The python twisted in agony.

"Go eat your own fart, you big snake!"

Enraged, the python coiled tighter around the tree, snapping at Qin Biao, who was forced to frantically dodge between the branches.

Already wounded, Qin Biao's once pristine white fur was now stained crimson with blood.

The substantial blood loss left Qin Biao feeling lightheaded, yet the python continued its relentless assault.

Heh...

While the python's method of attack certainly put it in an unbeatable position, it also significantly restricted its attack range.

I might not be able to defeat you, but who says I can't run away?

With an effortless leap, Qin Biao sprang out of the python's striking distance.

"See you later!"