Level 37? Stage Four, Tier Seven!!
Chu Yi's pupils contracted.
In their millennia of exploration, the Federation had divided Pet Beast levels into ten stages. Generally, once a Pet Beast reached a certain level, it was limited by its aptitude and bloodline, ceasing to progress. To grow further, a Master had to cultivate it personally, choose an evolution path, and help it achieve a higher level cap.
Unfortunately, the vast majority of Pet Beasts possessed mediocre aptitude, resulting in a high probability of evolution failure. Only Pet Beasts of higher rank could advance further.
And this Bloodthirsty Rose had completed two evolutions early on, transforming into a War General-rank Pet Beast, which was extremely rare. The ability to evolve multiple times was a testament to its immense, almost unimaginable potential.
After comforting her own Pet Beast, Lias looked at the somewhat surprised Chu Yi, her beautiful eyes narrowing slightly. She deliberately lifted a delicate, snow-white foot, her toes gently tilting his chin upwards. "Put on my shoes."
"Yes," Chu Yi replied calmly.
A warmth surged from his left hand; this was the [Ghost Hand] beginning its evolution. Evolution wasn't an instantaneous process; it involved a waiting period.
He lifted one of her Jade Feet, as white as snow. His palm emitted a gentle warmth as he caressed the tender skin, provoking a tingling sensation akin to an electric shock.
Lias felt something unusual. Her toes curled instinctively. She stroked the Little Fox in her lap while watching Chu Yi bow his head to serve her. Her icy blue eyes softened, a hint of pleasure within them.
It seems he still likes white silk stockings, Lias thought. Even though before... he always seemed to oppose me...
After he had put on her shoes and socks, Chu Yi sat in a corner. "Young Miss," he said calmly, "shouldn't you return Bika to me now?"
"Oh." Lias casually tossed Bika over.
Forced to act cute, Bika squeaked and leaped into Chu Yi's embrace, then dived into his pocket, only its head sticking out. It peeked around, observing secretly.
Chu Yi wasn't surprised by his adopted sister's behavior.
Lias had always possessed a proud personality. Besides being the daughter of a Count, she was also an excellent Beast Tamer, very popular at the academy. Her looks, temperament, and talent were all top-tier.
Suddenly, Lias clapped her hands.
A vine snaked out, carrying a meticulously wrapped gift box to Chu Yi. "This young lady never mistreats those loyal to her," Lias declared. "Here, a tip for the massage."
"Thank you for your generosity, Young Miss," Chu Yi said, giving her a surprised glance before nodding.
"Hmph." Lias snorted softly, arms crossed, her icy blue eyes revealing an almost imperceptible softness.
Chu Yi accepted the gift box without further comment.
Lias furrowed her brows. After a moment's hesitation, she said, "Chased out of the Starfire Sequence like a stray dog... Chu Yi, are you truly content to live out your life as an ordinary person?"
After a pause, seeing the young man remain silent, the blonde girl shook her head. "Being a Pharmacist is fine too. You wouldn't have to worry about food or clothing, and you wouldn't need to go to the front lines. It's quite safe."
Chu Yi smiled bitterly.
Although Lias is sharp-tongued and seemingly dark-hearted, occasionally bullying me, her real intention is to find excuses to give me resources, he thought. Sympathy from a "childhood sweetheart," alms, and... pity. Her rewards and encouragement... they also carry a hint of frustration at my lack of ambition, don't they?
As for my own future... Awakening the evolution guide means infinite possibilities.
Before activating his Golden Finger, Chu Yi might have considered becoming a Beast Tamer and part-time Pharmacist, eventually joining the military's logistics department. This was for safety's sake.
Ordinary people would go insane in this Beast Taming World, where such mighty power is concentrated in individuals. Besides Pet Beasts, there were many unknown ancient beings. Order and stability in this world were merely relative, especially when compared to other nations.
「Late at night.」
Dark clouds obscured the bright moon. Stars glimmered faintly, dotting the drawn curtain of the night sky.
After getting out of the car, Lias left without a word.
Though she had offered to take him back to the castle, Chu Yi had refused again. The Janet family had raised him to adulthood, thereby repaying the debt of gratitude owed to his parents' generation. Moreover, as a "mediocre person" incapable of contracting Pet Beasts, he would undoubtedly face whispers and scorn if he stayed there.
Most crucially, his [Ghost Hand] was on the verge of awakening. If any strange phenomena occurred, how could he explain it? He would inevitably attract the attention of those with ulterior motives.
On a street corner, Chu Yi pondered for a moment, then decided to open the gift box.
Inside was a flowerpot containing a palm-sized plant resembling a White Lotus.
No, its petals were thick, plump, and layered—white at the bottom, turning pinkish at the top. It was a succulent.
Chu Yi's Spiritual Power was keen; he sensed a strong Spiritual essence emanating from this succulent plant.
A Pet Beast! he realized. Only life forms rich in Spiritual essence can give birth to Pet Beasts!
Chu Yi quickly used his Star Bracelet to scan it. Three minutes later, information about the newborn Pet Beast appeared:
[Name]: Lulina
[Rank]: High Servant
[Level]: 1
[Attributes]: Wood, Water, Light
[Weakness]: Thunder
[Skills]: Healing Technique, Flash Technique
[Specialty]: None
[Status]: Anxious
[Evolution Path]:
① Star Beauty: Moon Fruit x3, Jade Light Stone x8…
② Moonlight Luna: Tier-3 Light Crystal Core x2…
It's actually Lulina!? Chu Yi's heart trembled.
Bika poked its head out of his pocket, still chewing on beef jerky, and curiously observed this ultra-rare Wood-attribute Pet Beast.
Around the succulent, its numerous thick, tender white petals unfurled. A gentle phosphorescence swayed around them, like a rain of light, scattering a fine mist.
Its three attributes meant it could learn skills of three different types, and it was a High Servant to boot. Lulina was exceedingly rare, with few known evolution paths. However, compared to its potential, this was a minor flaw.
Even if sold, it would fetch at least three million Federation Coins. It was a highly sought-after commodity among new Pet Beast Masters. After evolution, its rank would become High Elite, and its value would increase at least tenfold!
I never imagined Lias's tip would be so astonishing! Chu Yi thought. Had I known, forget the massage... even if she'd asked me to lick her foot... it wouldn't have been out of the question. I, Chu Yi, love ice cream the most! Not only would I have licked it, I'd have dragged Bika along to lick it too!
Bika: "ABA ABA..."
Suddenly, a gaze swept past, catching Chu Yi's attention. His Spiritual Power was incredibly keen; someone was observing him from the darkness.
Don't flaunt your wealth, he reminded himself.
Chu Yi froze for a moment, then quickly calmed down. He swiftly closed the gift box and said nonchalantly, as if to himself, "I wonder if my girlfriend will like this teddy bear. Hehe."
Then, he turned and bumped into a girl in a short skirt.
"Hey handsome, want to add contacts and get to know each other?" the girl asked sweetly, holding out her Star Bracelet.
Chu Yi glanced at her tattoo, waved his hand dismissively, and turned to leave. "No, thanks. I have a girlfriend."
The girl was stunned. To think that even with my looks, I'd be rejected!
Still, that handsome guy's box looked really nice, she mused.
Just then, in a nearby corner, a shadow writhed. It revealed a man in tattered robes, his features twisted, and a thread of greed glinting in his eyes.
"It's actually Lulina!" the man hissed.