ã€ŠBe A Global Beast Master By System Bugsã€‹


 Chapter 1

    C1 ¨C Sacrifice

    ¡°Have you decided which university you¡¯re applying to? I¡¯m aiming for Northstar College¡ªI¡¯ve heard it¡¯s teeming with gorgeous guys and girls!¡±

    ¡°Are you living in a fantasy?¡±

    ¡°I guess I¡¯ll shoot for Stonewall College.¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s the only college you can apply to.¡±

    Amidst their bickering, Zhou Mu was sprawled across the table, his face etched with despondency.

    A week had passed since he found himself in this new world, a rollercoaster of bewilderment, indecision, and a fleeting thrill, now leaving him in the depths of despair. Here, the Qing Dynasty was but a figment, erased by the emergence of fearsome fiend beasts.

    Some four centuries ago, the world was besieged by innumerable spatial rifts, unleashing fiend beasts that ravaged all life with a relentless fury. Death was rampant, and despair reigned until humanity mounted a desperate counteroffensive, wing back a tenuous triumph.

    The conflict raged for over a century until the advent of the ¡°Soul Contract¡± mode turned the tide in mankind¡¯s favor. Humans began to subdue and domesticate the fiend beasts, bending their might to serve as protectors rather than destroyers.

    These tamed creatures were known as spirit animals, and those with the gift tomand them were hailed as Animal Whisperers. This new era saw humans drive the fiend beasts into the wilderness, giving rise to a formidable civilization centered around beast mastery.

    As the epoch unfolded, the Animal Whisperers rose to prominence. To be one meant liberation from the daily struggle for survival. Attaining level three heralded wealth and status.

    Nearly everyone aspired to wield such power, Zhou Mu included. Yet, fate had dealt him a cruel hand; his innate potential was woefully inadequate. His soul intensity fell embarrassingly short of the minimum required for an Animal Whisperer, and his physical prowess was simrlycking.

    A level one Animal Whisperer needed a soul intensity of one point; Zhou Mu had a mere 0.7. The physical attribute requirement stood at five points, but he possessed only three. Soul intensity was the linchpin, capping the level of the spirit animal one could bond with. Should the spirit animal surpass the contract¡¯s limit, it risked breaking free and fleeing.

    Ferocious spirit animals have been known to attack even the Animal Whisperers who tame them.

    Once bound by a Soul Contract, the spirit animal bestows its bloodline power upon the Animal Whisperer. However, should the Whisperer¡¯s physical attributes becking, there¡¯s a risk of being assimted by the spirit animal¡¯s bloodline.

    Zhou Mu hailed from a wealthy family, but his modest talents meant he could only manage to contract with a spirit animal of the lowest tier.

    With a mere thought, he called forth his spirit animal.

    It was a grass snake, but not your garden-variety one. Its scales shimmered with a green hue, as stunning as jade.

    The snake¡¯srge eyes brimmed with innocence. Upon seeing Zhou Mu, it quickly slithered up his arm, licking him incessantly.

    ¡°What good are you, other than making me damp?¡± Zhou Mu grumbled, resigning himself to a sigh.

    It wasn¡¯t the snake¡¯s fault; the mey squarely on his own shorings.

    With the university term starting in two months, Zhou Mu faced a grim reality: he had only two more opportunities to pass the test. Failure meant abandoning his dream of bing an Animal Whisperer forever.

    He looked to the heavens and sighed, a picture of utter hopelessness.

    ¡°I¡¯d trade ten years of my desk mate¡¯s life for a stroke of luck!¡± he dered to the indifferent skies.

    Silence was his only answer.

    Undeterred, Zhou Mu bargained inwardly, ¡°I¡¯d give up a decade of my own life for some good fortune!¡±

    Suddenly, a voice echoed in his mind, ¡°Square deal system ready! Activationmencing!¡±

    ¡°Everything you own can be exchanged for points!¡±

    ¡°Use points in the shop to acquire the items you need!¡±

    The voice, materializing from thin air, left Zhou Mu momentarily dumbfounded.

    Eagerly, he attempted to ess this mysterious square deal system.

    Instantly, a semi-transparent interface appeared before him:

    Name: Zhou Mu

    Level: None

    Strength: 4 (Enhances physical attack, carrying capacity)

    Agility: 4 (Improves movement speed, reflexes, dynamic vision, etc.)

    Physique: 3 (Boosts body¡¯s defense, healing, stamina, etc.)

    Martial Arts: None

    Soul Intensity: 0.8 / 222 (Gradually recovering)

    Soul Arts: None

    Spirit Animal: Grass Snake

    The average graduate boasts body attributes over 5 points and soul intensity over 1 point. Zhou Mu met neither benchmark.

    He had a hunch.

    When Zhou Mu found himself in this new world, his soul had weathered a tempest through space and time. It stood to reason that his soul intensity shouldn¡¯t be so meager.

    The only exnation was that he had expended an excessive amount of soul intensity.

    Had he fully recuperated, he would boast 222 points of soul intensity. Currently, he was down to a mere 0.8 points.

    With time, his soul intensity would gradually return, or he could expedite the process with items known to bolster the soul.

    ¡°Despite my body¡¯s subpar attributes and my feeble soul intensity, I possess the system. I¡¯m destined to outpace the rest and emerge as the strongest!¡± Zhou Mu silently rallied himself.

    His prospects were bright!

    ¡°Zhou, what¡¯s the matter with you? Why are you shivering?¡± his ssmate Hai Ming inquired, bewildered. He was oblivious to the fact that Zhou Mu had nearly forfeited fifty years of his life.

    ¡°I¡¯m alright,¡± Zhou Mu dismissed with a nonchnt wave.

    Ignoring Hai Ming¡¯s confusion, Zhou Mu summoned the virtual screen to inspect his pet¡¯s stats.

    Name: Grass Snake (Gator)

    Quality: Ordinary

    Level: First Rank, One Star

    Attribute: Poison

    Upgrade: Requires 25 kg of first rank fiend beast flesh or other energy-rich substances.

    First Rank Skill: Bite.

    ¡°Pathetically weak!¡± Zhou Mu exhaled sharply, inspecting Gator¡¯s mouth. His irritation red when he saw, ¡°You don¡¯t even have teeth?¡±

    Then it struck him, ¡°The system mentioned I could trade anything of mine!¡±

    A daring thought seized him. After a brief pause, hemanded, ¡°System, trade my hemorrhoids!¡±

    He earned 1 point!

    A chime echoed in his mind, apanied by a chill that made him shiver uncontrobly. Zhou Mu was ecstatic, feeling as though he¡¯d stumbled upon a system glitch.

    ¡°What¡¯s going on with you now?¡± Hai Ming, standing nearby, noticed the odd behavior.

    ¡°I¡¯m not going to exin,¡± Zhou Mu replied, brushing him off.

    With a feigned air of serenity, Zhou Mu made his next move. ¡°System! I¡¯d like to trade away the toxins and impurities in my body!¡±

    He scored 233 points!

    Freed from the toxins and impurities, Zhou Mu felt a profound sense of lightness.

    It felt like the massive weight that had been bearing down on him was suddenly lifted, and he was on the verge of taking flight.

    ¡°I¡¯ve got a total of 234 points. I¡¯m not sure what that can get me.¡±

    Zhou Mu licked his lips and browsed the shop. The sight of the items before him sent him into another uncontroble shiver.

    Real dragon¡¯s blood!

 Chapter 2

    C2 ¨C Evolution: Dragon Blood

    Real Dragon¡¯s Blood: During your transmigration, your physical form was ravaged by a space-time tempest, leaving only a sliver of your pure bloodline intact. When a spirit animal is imbued with the real dragon¡¯s blood, its quality will significantly increase, allowing it to evolve toward a true dragon.

    This item belongs to the host. The system will charge a nominal storage fee of 1 point.

    Upon reading the description of the real dragon¡¯s blood, Zhou Mu was astounded.

    He had never imagined that he was actually a descendant of dragons.

    Zhou Mu calmed his surging emotions. But as he perused the other items, his excitement grew.

    Second-Rank Spirit Crystal: Elevates a first-rank, five-star spirit animal to a second-rank, one-star, granting it a new skill. It requires 200 points.

    Third-Rank Spirit Crystal: Advances a second-rank, five-star spirit animal to a third-rank, one-star, and bestows a new skill. It requires 300 points.

    Bloodline Refining Stone: Enhances the spirit animal¡¯s bloodline, offering it a chance to advance. The higher the quality, the more Bloodline Refining Stones are needed, and the slimmer the chances of advancement. It requires 500 points.

    A spirit animal¡¯s quality is usually set in stone. An ordinary spirit animal remains ordinary, even if it ascends to the ninth rank.

    Yet, the System Shop¡¯s items could actually improve a spirit animal¡¯s quality. Should this information leak, it might send the entire world into a frenzy.

    Moreover, spirit crystals were treasures in their own right.

    Once a spirit animal reached five stars, a mountain of materials was needed to climb to the next rank.

    This process was not only time-consuming andbor-intensive but also fraught with the risk of failure.

    Spirit crystals, on the other hand, could directly upgrade a spirit animal¡¯s level.

    And he could only acquire them with points.

    To earn these points, he would have to trade something of his own.

    ¡°Zhou, did you overeat today?¡±

    Hai Ming was startled.

    ¡°No, I¡¯m alright. I¡¯m heading home now.¡±

    Zhou Mu gestured dismissively.

    Due to his frail health, his parents had purchased a house for him near the school and hired a caretaker to look after his well-being.

    Once home, Zhou Mu locked the door behind him. He summoned Gator and exchanged for the real dragon¡¯s blood.

    Gator fixated on the real dragon¡¯s blood for a full ten seconds before finally turning to gaze at Zhou Mu.

    Its instincts assured it that this object held great benefits.

    It persistently nuzzled Zhou Mu¡¯s hand.

    ¡°If you keep evolving, could you turn into a human?¡±

    Zhou Mu stroked its small head.

    ¡°Drink this and strive to evolve!¡±

    Zhou Mu presented the vial of real dragon¡¯s blood to Gator. It seemed to grasp his intent, nodding before diving in.

    The scarlet blood was licked clean in an instant. The next second, Gator¡¯s body began to expand swiftly.

    In under thirty seconds, it transformed into a massive serpent, six centimeters in diameter and over three meters in length.

    Its scales took on a deeper emerald hue, and its head rounded out even more.

    Moreover, Zhou Mu noticed that four retractable, razor-sharp fangs had emerged in its mouth.

    Having evolved, Gator immediately coiled around Zhou Mu¡¯s arm and, catching him off guard, took his finger in its mouth.

    ¡°What do you intend to do?¡±

    Zhou Mu¡¯s first thought was that Gator intended to consume him. As he was about to withdraw his finger, he felt a chilling energy.

    Instantly, the pressure in his chest vanished, and his breathing eased considerably.

    Stunned, Zhou Mu hastily checked his attribute panel.

    Name: Gator (Little Green)

    Quality: Leader

    Level: First Rank, One Star

    Attribute: Poison

    Upgrade Requirement: 2,500 kilograms of first rank fiend beast flesh or other energy-rich substances.

    Reversal of Feed: Elite skill. It can store its power to enhance its master¡¯s strength, agility, and physique. The enhancement depends on its quality, level, and the frequency of reversals.

    Dragon¡¯s Might: Leader skill. It can overpower any fiend beast or soul not exceeding its own quality, with a chance topel their submission.

    First Rank Skill:

    Bite: Targets are bitten and torn.

    Zhou Mu was astounded. The real dragon¡¯s blood had elevated Gator to leader quality.

    He could benefit from Gator¡¯s Reversal of Feed!

    Spirit animals below leader quality couldn¡¯t muster even half their strength before Gator.

    Those with feeble wills might even sumb to Gator¡¯s dominance.

    The quality of a contracted spirit animal is constrained by the master¡¯s physique attribute. A person with a physique of five can contract an ordinary quality spirit animal. With twenty points, an elite quality. And only with a hundred points, a leader quality spirit animal.

    Aside from the exceptionally gifted and wealthy few, 99.999% of students could only bond with ordinary-grade spirit animals upon graduation.

    Achieving 20 points in Constitution before acquiring a spirit animal was a monumental challenge.

    No one had reached a physique score of 100 points in over four centuries.

    The spirit animal consumed Zhou Mu¡¯s bloodline. Once it advanced, it nourished Zhou Mu in return.

    As Gator¡¯s level and quality increased, Zhou Mu grew stronger as well.

    His return to health brought him immense joy.

    Zhou Mu¡¯s inherited memories revealed he was poisoned at a young age. Though he clung to life, his body was severely damaged.

    Despite consuming numerous tonics, his physical condition remained subpar.

    Thus, he was limited to contracting with the smallest spirit animal, one that wouldn¡¯t overtax his frail body and risk his life upon forming the bond.

    However, Zhou Mu¡¯s predecessor passed away the day after the contract was made, leaving Zhou Mu with an unexpected boon.

    Zhou Mu traded all the toxins within him to the system. Following Gator¡¯s promotion to leader grade and its subsequent nurturing, Zhou Mu¡¯s chronic illness vanished, and his physical quality began to improve gradually.

    Five minutester, Zhou Mu checked his panel and discovered his attributes had doubled from before.

    Name: Zhou Mu

    Level: None

    Strength: 8 (Enhances physical attack, carrying capacity, etc.)

    Agility: 8 (Enhances movement speed, reflexes, dynamic vision, etc.)

    Constitution: 6 (Enhances body defense, recovery, stamina, etc.)

    Martial Arts: None

    Soul Intensity: 0.8 / 222 (Recovering slowly)

    Soul Technique: None

    Spirit Animal: Gator

    His Soul Intensity remained unchanged. To restore it, he¡¯d need to resort to special methods.

    ¡°Thank you for your hard work!¡±

    Zhou Mu removed his finger from Gator¡¯s mouth and cleaned it off.

    Gator¡¯s new skill, acquired after its advancement, was a pleasant surprise. He hadn¡¯t yet tested the might of Dragon¡¯s Presence and was unaware of its full potential.

    The required amount of fiend beast blood and flesh for leveling up had skyrocketed from 50 to 5000 catties.

    ¡°Chunhua, could you buy me a hundred catties of third-rank fiend beast meat?¡± Zhou Mu sent the payment to Chunhua via his phone.

    At this stage, Gator¡¯s hearty appetite was no cause for concern. Its diet could easily be substituted with the flesh of higher-grade spirit animals. However, once Gator ascended to the seventh rank, things would get moreplicated. High-rank fiend beasts were scarce, and hunting them was a formidable challenge. Yet, recalling Gator¡¯s abilities, Zhou Mu¡¯s confidence was renewed. He nned to enlist fiend beasts to procure food for Gator in the future.

    Within just thirty minutes, someone arrived with the meat. The flesh of a third-rank fiend beast, teeming with nutrients, fetched a steep price, well beyond the reach of most. But Zhou Mu¡¯s family had deep pockets. The vendor had conveniently chopped the meat into manageable chunks.

    Zhou Mu offered a piece to Gator. Typically, snakes swallow their food whole, but Gator ate with the delicacy of a young girl. After consuming roughly sixty catties, Gator¡¯s level had progressed from first rank one star to first rank two stars.

    Zhou Mu then purchased an additional 500 catties for Gator¡¯s consumption. It¡¯s worth noting that Gator was exceptionally beautiful, with a vibrant emerald hue and a sleek figure.

    Time flew by, and with an endless supply of third-rank fiend beast meat, Gator eventually reached first rank five stars. Zhou Mu refrained from using a second-rank spirit crystal to elevate Gator to the second rank one star, as the second round of testing was imminent.

    In this world, the college entrance exam offered three opportunities, each consisting of two parts, with overall scores determining eligibility. Three months before universitymenced, candidates could attempt the exam once per month. The first part assessed attribute strength, and the second,bat prowess. A soul intensity of one point and a physical attribute of five points were the benchmarks for passing. Combat scores needed to be at least second rank.

    If a candidate¡¯s bonded spirit animal achieved second rank before the exam, they automatically received a second-rank evaluation. Zhou Mu held back Gator¡¯s advancement, aiming for the rewards that came with an A-rank assessment.

    The exotic resources offered by the Animal Whisperer Union are beyond the reach of any currency. Even if they¡¯re of no immediate use to him, he can trade them for points within the system.

    Aside from Zhou Mu, it¡¯s a path nearly every graduate would take.

    Failure is not the end for them; they still have opportunities ahead.

 Chapter 3

    C3 ¨C I Have Money

    The second test arrived on schedule. Zhou Mu pulled up to the exam hall in a supercar valued at 88 million yuan, eliciting gasps from the crowd. Several girls couldn¡¯t resist asking for his contact details.

    ¡°Look, it¡¯s the sickly one from the Zhou family!¡±

    Someone sneered, setting off a wave of murmurs among the onlookers.

    ¡°Didn¡¯t he fail thest test? His physical attribute is a mere 3 points.¡±

    ¡°He¡¯s no match for Mr. Rouge. Mr. Rouge boasts a physical attribute of 8 points!¡±

    The trio lobbed taunts at Zhou Mu.

    Unfazed, Zhou Mu stepped out of his car and faced them with a sneer. ¡°You¡¯re all so pitifully poor!¡±

    ¡°You dare insult us?¡±

    They were incredulous at Zhou Mu¡¯s audacity. The usually timid Zhou Mu was now domineering.

    Zhou Mu just smirked. ¡°A bunch of paupers!¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m at 8 points for physical attribute. How do you evenpare?¡±

    Mr. Rouge retorted with a cold snort.

    Zhou Mu simply smiled and countered, ¡°I¡¯m wealthy!¡±

    ¡°My spirit animal is a first-rank, five-star!¡±

    Mr. Rouge boasted once more.

    Zhou Mu coolly replied, ¡°And I¡¯m good-looking!¡±

    ¡°Just shut it! You¡¯re both poor and ugly!¡±

    Zhou Mu spat in contempt and strode confidently towards the exam hall, leaving Mr. Rouge seething with rage.

    ¡°He¡¯s bound to fail!¡±

    Mr. Rouge spat out a vicious curse. ¡°If he passes, I¡¯ll livestream myself eating three pounds of feces!¡±

    Zhou Mu, having checked his attributes, proceeded to the practicalbat test. The task was to battle fiend beasts. Killing ten first-rank, one-star fiend beasts meant passing the test. Continuing to challenge meant extra rewards. The higher the level of challenge, the better the rewards, and the higher the ranking of universities he could apply to. Achieving a ¡°first-rate¡± evaluation would earn him an extremely rare soul skill.

    The practicalbat test unfolded in a circr coliseum, surrounded by a throng of spectators and anxious parents. Below the stage, a level six Animal Whisperer stood watch. With each additional challenge Zhou Mu faced, the stakes¡ªand the danger¡ªsoared.

    Without the presence of a seasoned Animal Whisperer, it¡¯s tough for inexperienced examinees to muster the courage to fullymit to the challenge.

    ¡°You¡¯re taking the exam yourself!¡±

    The speaker was the proctor for this examination, Zhou Ming.

    His duty was to prevent cheating and ensure the safety of the examinees.

    ¡°Uncle Ming, I¡¯m certain I¡¯ll pass this time!¡±

    Zhou Mu said with a confident smile.

    Zhou Ming was indeed his uncle.

    Zhou Mu¡¯s father had two brothers.

    After decades of hard work, Zhou Mu¡¯s father had risen to be a leading merchant in Ambergrasp. His second brother had ascended to the role ofmander of the Ambergrasp military.

    Zhou Mu¡¯s father¡¯s youngest brother, still girlfriend-less in his thirties, would invariably end up scolded by their grandfather every New Year.

    Zhou Mu had the closest bond with Uncle Ming.

    ¡°The Zhou family kids are all outstanding!¡±

    Uncle Ming gave Zhou Mu¡¯s shoulder a gentle pat as something the size of a finger slipped down Zhou Mu¡¯s neck and into his shirt.

    ¡°The first trial¡¯s fiend beast is the hare. Toss out the Water Jade Radish, and the rabbits won¡¯t kick you,¡± whispered a faint voice, moving Zhou Mu.

    Zhou Ming, as the proctor, wasplicit in the cheating. His career prospects seemed of little concern to him.

    The Zhou family¡¯s eldest son was wealthy, and the second son wielded power.

    ¡°Don¡¯t worry! I¡¯ve got this!¡±

    Zhou Mu grinned, pulling out the radish and biting into its crisp flesh. It was no surprise the rabbits were fond of it.

    Zhou Ming sensed something amiss, yet the examination had to proceed.

    He opened the enclosure, and ten hares darted out.

    Their snow-white fur and long ears made them look adorable and seemingly harmless.

    Yet, as first rank, one-star fiend beasts, hares served as prey for other fiend beasts.

    One should never underestimate a group of hares; a misstep could result in broken bones.

    A slightlyrger spirit animal would have no trouble defeating these hares.

    The ten hares quickly turned their attention to Zhou Mu.

    Zhou Mu remained unflustered as he casually summoned Gator with a wave of his hand.

    The emerald-hued Gator was strikingly beautiful.

    Its arrival instantly caused a stir.

    Once Gator appeared, the ten ferocious hares surprisingly settled down andy t on the ground.

    Gator leisurely made its way over to feast on the rabbits.

    What was happening?

    Why had all the hares suddenly stopped moving?

    Gator didn¡¯t waste time eating.

    In under thirty seconds, it polished off ten Hare Rabbits and let out a burp.

    ¡°I really underestimated you!¡±

    Zhou Ming watched Zhou Mu breeze through the challenge with ease and nodded in approval. Without hesitation, he unleashed the second wave of fiend beasts.

    ¡°Meet the Gopher, a first-rank, two-star fiend beast. They excel at burrowing and tunneling. The floor here has been fortified with a mode, so they can¡¯t escape. Your prize for winning is a martial arts technique of your choice.¡±

    Zhou Ming briefly described the fiend beast¡¯s traits, seemingly concerned that Zhou Mu might be at a disadvantage.

    ¡°Understood!¡±

    Zhou Mu acknowledged with a nod.

    Gator had achieved leader quality. Apart from third-rank fiend beasts, it could vanquish any other fiend beast.

 Chapter 4

    C4 ¨C Pig

    Upon detecting Gator¡¯s presence, the Gopher instantly ttened itself against the ground, shivering uncontrobly. One particrly faint-hearted Gopher was so terrified it wet itself.

    With a look of disdain, Gator sidestepped the scared creature and devoured the remaining nine.

    Zhou Mu felt somewhat resigned as he put an end to the skittish rodent with a quick stomp.

    The first-rank fiend beasts¡ªa three-star wild dog, a four-star mule, and a five-star fiery fox¡ªwere all overpowered, lying on the ground, quaking incessantly.

    Gator breezed through five checkpoints with eerie ease.

    To Zhou Mu, this seemed perfectly normal, but the spectators buzzed with spection.

    usations flew, condemning Zhou Mu for cheating and Zhou Ming for flouting thew.

    ¡°Silence!¡± Zhou Ming¡¯s roar cut through the murmurs, his level six Animal Whisperer authority radiating in all directions.

    The crowd in the stands fell deathly quiet at Zhou Ming¡¯s fury. Known as a notorious devil king and a level six Animal Whisperer, Zhou Ming was no stranger to controversy.

    He was prone to slip-ups, like the time he berated an old woman trying to scam him for two hours straight, leaving her so enraged she suffered a brain hemorrhage.

    Though he had mellowed with time, his fundamental nature remained unchanged.

    ¡°It¡¯s my call whether he cheated or not. If you think you can, then step up and challenge him,¡± Zhou Ming dered, his gaze sweeping over the silenced onlookers, who all averted their eyes, none daring to meet his stare.

    ¡°Uncle Ming, please, let me deal with this,¡± Zhou Mu interjected with a sigh, his desire for a low profile thwarted once again.

    ¡°Fine,¡± Zhou Ming conceded with a nod, stepping back to let Zhou Mu take the lead, curious to see how his mild-mannered nephew would navigate the usations.

    ¡°It seems everyone¡¯s convinced I¡¯ve cheated. But no exnation from me will suffice,¡± Zhou Mu stated, prompting a fresh wave of murmurs from the crowd.

    ¡°So, you¡¯re admitting to cheating?¡± The sultry voice that followed belonged to none other than his former girlfriend, Wu Yuexia.

    Wu Yuexia was the Wu family¡¯s 56th daughter, a family where the patriarch had sired a legion of offspring. Her eldest brother had already reached his sixties, while her youngest sibling was still in diapers.

    She entered into a rtionship with Zhou Mu with the sole intent of pilfering the Zhou family¡¯s trade secrets.

    The Wu family¡¯s power was formidable, matching the Zhou family stride for stride. They were well-positioned for healthypetition.

    Regrettably, the Wu family resorted to deploying Wu Yuexia to entice Zhou Mu.

    Zhou Mu, disengaged from family matters, left Wu Yuexia¡¯s half-year efforts fruitless, acquiring no valuable intelligence.

    Enraged, Wu Yuexia ended their rtionship, maliciously spreading rumors of his impotence.

    ¡°When have you ever heard me confess?¡±

    Zhou Mu scoffed, his gaze on Wu Yuexia as dismissive as one would look at amon fowl.

    ¡°Afraid to own up to your actions?¡±

    A flicker of scorn crossed Wu Yuexia¡¯s eyes at Zhou Mu¡¯s retort.

    Handsome he may be, but his physical and soul intensity fell short. He had no interest in mastering business management.

    ¡°Why would I admit to something I haven¡¯t done?¡±

    Zhou Mu had no inclination to engage with her. Scanning the crowd, he challenged, ¡°If you¡¯re so convinced, prove it. Defeat me with a spirit animal of no more than second rank, and I¡¯ll concede to cheating.¡±

    ¡°You¡¯re on!¡±

    Wu Yuexia didn¡¯t hesitate, descending from the stands upon hearing Zhou Mu¡¯s challenge.

    The breakup had left Zhou Mu in a prolonged slump.

    Zhou Chun, Zhou Mu¡¯s father, noticing his son¡¯s despondency,unched an investigation. Discovering the Wu family¡¯s machinations, he initiated a business onught and, with Zhou Hao, decimated the Wu family¡¯s key yers.

    Had it not been for the fear of public scrutiny, the Wu family would have been eradicated already.

    Now, facing Zhou Mu, Wu Yuexia clenched her teeth with loathing.

    ¡°I won¡¯t take advantage of you. Just endure three minutes, and I¡¯ll acknowledge your fairness.¡±

    She stressed ¡°three minutes¡± as she beckoned forth her spirit animal with a wave of her hand.

    A pig emerged, its hide sheathed in a dense carapace.

    ¡°A second rank, three-star barbed sus scrofa!¡±

    The crowd buzzed with excitement at the sight of Wu Yuexia¡¯s formidable spirit animal.

    Even Zhou Ming couldn¡¯t help but take the situation seriously.

    The barbed sus scrofa was a formidable spirit animal of elite quality, known for its high attack and defense capabilities, as well as its recklessness. Animal Whisperers who battled in the wild preferred to face tigers or leopards rather than confront a wild boar. Injured tigers or leopards would flee, but an injured wild boar would be frenzied.

    Wu Yuexia¡¯s intent in summoning the barbed sus scrofa was clear to all onlookers.

    ¡°With everyone¡¯s eyes on him, Zhou Mu can¡¯t back down. He¡¯s fresh out of graduation; he¡¯s no match for the barbed sus scrofa!¡± they murmured.

    Zhou Ming weighed the option of taking Wu Yuexia down. Years of being criticized had left him indifferent to the stigma of picking on the weaker.

    But the next turn of events caught Zhou Ming off guard. Wu Yuexia was just as stunned.

    The barbed sus scrofa unexpectedlyy down and began inching towards Gator.

    ¡°What¡¯s happening?¡± Wu Yuexia¡¯s face betrayed her bewilderment.

    In every battle, the barbed sus scrofa either sustained severe injuries or inflicted them. But now? Ity there, tail wagging.

    Wu Yuexia was powerless to stop it. As she stood there, dumbfounded, the barbed sus scrofa had already crept up to Gator and gently nudged its tail with its nose.

    Zhou Mu sighed in resignation, his hand instinctively covering his face.

    Gator¡¯s round eyes looked on with disdain at the barbed sus scrofa¡¯s antics. With a couple of barks, the wild boar sprang to its feet.

    This cleared the fog of confusion for Wu Yuexia. The barbed sus scrofa wouldn¡¯t just lie down to be attacked. It must be feigning weakness before striking lethally.

    While curious about the wild boar¡¯s sudden show of intelligence, Wu Yuexia¡¯s current focus was solely on defeating the snake.

    Her n was sound in theory, but reality proved to be far more brutal than she could have ever imagined.

    Upon hearing Gator¡¯s shriek, the barbed sus scrofa lifted its head high before violently mming it down onto the ground.

    A muffled thud was punctuated by the sharp crack of splintering. Incredibly, the barbed sus scrofa had snapped its own tusks.

    Zhou Ming watched in disbelief as the creature disregarded its master¡¯smands in its frenzy.

    What was happening?

    It had broken its tusks?

    Weren¡¯t those tusks the barbed sus scrofa¡¯s most formidable weapons?

    The whole spectacle was beyondprehension.

    The barbed sus scrofa then rose to its feet, only to be gradually consumed by Gator.

    At that moment, everyone grasped the truth.

    The barbed sus scrofa had shattered its tusks to avoid injuring Gator.

    It stood to facilitate Gator¡¯s consumption.

    Wu Yuexia, stricken with terror, pointed at Zhou Mu.

    The barbed sus scrofa was dead.

    As the soul contract linked to the barbed sus scrofa dissipated, Wu Yuexia suffered severe injuries and vomited blood.

    ¡°You really are a glutton!¡± Zhou Mu remarked, paying no mind to the ashen Wu Yuexia. He affectionately stroked Gator¡¯s sleek head, his voice filled with adoration.

    Gator appeared shy, coiling its tail around Zhou Mu¡¯s thigh and softly caressing it.

    Overwhelmed with rage at the sight of Zhou Mu and Gator, and the loss of the barbed sus scrofa she had fought so hard to bond with, Wu Yuexia spat another mouthful of blood and copsed unconscious.

 Chapter 5

    C5 ¨C Who Else???

    The sight was beyondprehension.

    An elite barbed sus scrofa being devoured by that snake?

    There was no way Wu Yuexia would collude with Zhou Mu to stage such a spectacle.

    After her breakup with Zhou Mu, Wu Yuexia had publicly maligned both him and the Zhou family.

    The Zhou family¡¯s patience had worn thin.

    What followed was a battle that rocked Ambergrasp.

    The Wu family¡¯s business empire crumbled, losing over ny percent of its holdings, with only the core assets remaining.

    The Wu family¡¯s numbers were decimated, with over seventy percent perishing. Wu Yuexia¡¯s siblings suffered grievous losses. She even mourned the loss of more than thirty mothers.

    Had the Wu family patriarch not personally sought reconciliation, and without intermediaries stepping in, the Wu family might have faced total annihtion.

    With such a bitter feud, Wu Yuexia would never join forces with Zhou Mu in deception.

    She was filled with shock and bitterness, spitting blood in anguish. Even her own confession wouldn¡¯t convince anyone.

    Murmurs spread among the onlookers.

    Had it not been for the ban onmunication devices during the exam, the news of Zhou family¡¯s prodigy, Wu Yuexia, coughing up blood would have gone viral.

    ¡°Have I crossed into another world?¡±

    Even the worldly Zhou Ming was baffled, suspecting he had slipped into an alternate reality.

    With a gesture, a white fox materialized at his feet.

    The fox, sensing an unspeakable terror, immediately sought refuge in Zhou Ming¡¯s embrace, shivering uncontrobly.

    ¡°What¡¯s the matter?¡±

    Zhou Ming was genuinely startled. His chief snow fox was reduced to a quivering mess.

    What was the story behind Zhou Mu¡¯s serpent?

    ¡°Master, it¡¯s the presence of a dragon!¡±

    The snow fox stammered, too frightened to even nce at Gator.

    ¡°Why are you so scared?¡±

    ¡°I am merely a leader among foxes. The dragon reigns supreme over all fiend beasts! This snake may seem feeble, but to me, it¡¯s as if I¡¯m in the presence of a true dragon. Master, I am terrified!¡±

    The snow fox was petrified. Without Zhou Ming¡¯s presence, it would have likely fled.

    ¡°My nephew must be incredibly fortunate!¡±

    Zhou Ming secured the snow fox within the confines of the contract space.

    ¡°Anyone else?¡±

    ¡°If you¡¯re so capable,e and kill him!¡±

    Zhou Mu was taken aback.

    ¡°Be quiet!¡±

    Zhou Mu swiftly mped a hand over Zhou Ming¡¯s mouth.

    ¡°I¡¯m done talking!¡±

    Zhou Ming appeared to still have more to say.

    After a brief silence of around ten seconds, Zhou Ming yelled out once more, ¡°If anyone can use a spirit animal of second rank or lower to defeat Zhou Mu and prove he¡¯s cheated, then do so. Otherwise, I¡¯m dering Zhou Mu¡¯s practicalbat test grade as first-rate!¡±

    The crowd in the stands exchanged bewildered nces.

    Typically, to earn a first-rate evaluation, one would need to y ten five-star, second-rank fiend beasts.

    Amon third-rank fiend beast paled inparison to an elite second-rank one. Gator had effortlessly devoured the barbed sus scrofa. None of the other fiend beasts stood a chance against its might.

    Thus, any furtherbat was unnecessary.

    ¡°Get going now. And don¡¯t forget to call your granddad.¡±

    With no one else speaking up, Zhou Ming handed Zhou Mu a pocket-sized pouch and gave him a nudge with his foot. He roared with excitement, ¡°Next tester, step forward!¡±

    The footage and audio from the practicalbat test would be archived. They would be released on the Animal Whisperer Union¡¯s website once the examination concluded.

    Wanting to avoid the spread of news, Zhou Mu intended to make a quick exit.

    Encountering those obstinate folks meant he wouldn¡¯t get away easily.

    As he was about to open his car door to head home, he was surprised to find Qi Xiang in his vehicle.

    ¡°Why are you in my car?¡±

    Zhou Mu gave her a sidelong nce, his annoyance palpable.

    Qi Xiang was the daughter of the neighbors¡ªadorable and beautiful.

    Her family was wealthy.

    Marrying her would mean no more struggles for him.

    But to Zhou Mu, she represented nothing but trouble.

    His focus was solely on increasing his strength.

    ¡°It¡¯s because Uncle Zhou gave me the keys!¡±

    Qi Xiang giggled, unting arge bunch of keys in her hand.

    Zhou Mu¡¯s frustration only deepened at the sight.

    She held not just the keys to three cars but also to his rented ce and his family home.

    Zhou Mu couldn¡¯t shake the suspicion that Qi Xiang might have more keys than he did.

    ¡°Every time I touch my left chesttely, it hurts. What should I do?¡± Qi Xiang asked, herrge eyes blinking innocently.

    ¡°Just stop touching it!¡± Zhou Mu retorted with a snort.

    ¡°Do you think I¡¯m sick?¡±

    ¡°Prostatitis!¡± he eximed.

    The two bickered back and forth.

    In a typical scenario, Zhou Mu would have married Qi Xiang and taken over the family estate with the blessing of both their families. If hecked the talent to be an Animal Whisperer, he would simply inherit the family wealth.

    But things were different now. Zhou Mu had crossed over from another world, and he had the aid of a system.

    He was determined to rise to the top and be the ultimate powerhouse!

    Upon reflection, he realized that with his current advantages, he might just be able to retire early!

 Chapter 6

    C6 ¨C I¡¯m Really a Genius

    ¡°Ugh¡­¡±

    With a resigned sigh, Zhou Mu instructed Qi Xiang to take the wheel while he settled into the passenger seat. He was eager to discover the rewards of the actualbat test.

    At graduation, ying ten second-rank, five-star ordinary fiend beasts was a formidable challenge, yet not unheard of.

    One only needed a physique attribute of 20 points to contract with an elite-grade spirit animal.

    Reaching a first-rank, five-star level, securing a decent skill, and employing superior tactics could push the sess rate beyond thirty percent.

    That sounded simple enough, but the reality was that it all boiled down to money.

    Even the least impressive elite-grade spirit animal cost upwards of 100,000 yuan, a sum a dual-ie family might scrape together only after three years of scrimping and saving.

    And even with an elite-grade spirit animal in hand, there was no guarantee the skill would suit its owner.

    Take Gator¡¯s elite skill, for instance¡ªrarer than one in a billion.

    While others toiled to afford spirit herbs or gambled with their lives in the wilderness to boost their physique to 20 points, Zhou Mu had it easy. A mere lie-down on the bed, and Gator would do the work, enhancing his strength, agility, and physique all at once.

    And then there was the leader skill, Dragon¡¯s Might. Though slightly less rare than Gator¡¯s skill, its practicality was second to none.

    Given these odds, even the wealthy had to rely on luck to find a skill that matched their needs.

    Annually, those achieving a ¡°first-rate¡± grade A were fewer than the fingers on one hand.

    For Zhou Mu, anything purchasable with money was no obstacle. He was keen to see just how extraordinary those regted items were, courtesy of this reward.

    The moment his soul energy merged, a cubic meter of space materialized before him, etched with the same spatial modes as the storage bags of his past life¡¯s novels.

    The rewards were fivefold, each a treasure for the Zhou Mu of today.

    Empire¡¯s Book Collection Key: This key grants ess to the first level of the Empire¡¯s Book Collection and aplimentary martial arts secret manual.

    Dongfang Divine Herb: A prized medicinal nt from Blousia, capable of enhancing one¡¯s constitution by 5 to 10 points. However, the herb is toxic; repeated use leads to toxin buildup and a significant reduction in medicinal efficacy.

    Soul Fragment Powder: This rare substance has a slight chance of forming upon the death of a third rank or higher fiend beast. Utilizing it can boost one¡¯s soul intensity by 0.1 points, with a maximum increase of 2 points.

    Tianxi Technology¡¯s Energy Shield Model III: A gship product from Tianxi Technology, this device generates a ten-meter diameter spherical shield with no blind spots upon activation. It¡¯s capable of withstanding attacks from third rank elite fiend beasts for ten minutes.

    Soul Crystal ¨C Soul Spike: This valuable crystal is inscribed with a soul technique. Upon use, the skill is instantly acquired.

    As Zhou Mu delved deeper, the items grew increasingly valuable.

    The martial arts of this world were pure and straightforward, devoid of internal energy or true qi. Take the Eagle w Technique, for example; it required relentless repetitive training and the aid of medicinal herbs to forge fingers as formidable as the talons of an eagle.

    The second item was a medicinal herb akin to goji berries, known for enhancing physical constitution and supporting kidney health and vitality¡ªa necessity for many.

    The third item, which Zhou Mu was in dire need of, directly increased soul intensity. Yet, this item was exceedingly scarce; one might y a hundred third rank fiend beasts without obtaining a single one. Coupled with the 2-point cap on soul intensity, it had be a luxury reserved for the wealthy.

    The fourth item was Tian Gong Technology¡¯s exorbitantly priced energy shield, which even made Zhou Mu, with his monthly allowance of over a million yuan, wince at the cost.

    The final item was a reward of the highest caliber: a potent and versatile soul technique.

    Each of the five items had its unique purpose and was of immense value to Zhou Mu at this juncture.

    Particrly the Eastern Divine Wolfberry, which sparked an audacious idea in Zhou Mu¡¯s mind.

    The square deal system allowed for exchanges exclusively with items that were Zhou Mu¡¯s own. This ranged from the minuscule, such as skin kes, bacteria, and viruses, to the substantial, like limbs and heads, and even the elusive concept of lifespan.

    One question needed rification: what exactly constituted as ¡°Zhou Mu¡¯s¡± possessions? Through experimentation, Zhou Mu formted a tentative hypothesis: anything internal to his body was considered his own.

    What he earned through his own hard work was rightfully his.

    With these two premises in mind, Zhou Mu devised a n.

    And that n was to consume medicine with wild abandon!

    ¡°I¡¯m simply a genius!¡±

    He couldn¡¯t resist a surge of genuine self-admiration, and a smile naturally spread across his face.

    Who else coulde up with such a method?

    Who else indeed!

    He popped the Gator into his mouth, finding it as sweet as raisins.

    ncing at the attribute panel, he was in luck, having gained eight points in physique.

    ¡°System, clear out all impurities and toxins from my body.¡±

    He earned 12 points!

    Just as Zhou Mu anticipated, this strategy was entirely viable.

    No need to fret over the side effects of spiritual medicine; with the system¡¯s aid, he could just eat his way to power.

    The application of soul fragment powder and soul crystal was straightforward¡ªpress it to the forehead, and it would be absorbed on its own.

    ¡°Hmm!¡±

    With the motion, the item in his hand transformed into tiny points of light and vanished. Zhou Mu felt invigorated, as a wealth of knowledge suddenly filled his mind.

    Unlike bodily attributes, the enhancement of soul intensity was a gradual process.

    It would take at least two hours to fully assimte the soul fragment powder.

    Zhou Mu pulled up the attribute panel, and thanks to Gator¡¯s efforts, his stats were worlds apart from before.

    Name: Zhou Mu

    Level: None

    Strength: 27 (Enhances physical attack, carrying capacity, etc.)

    Agility: 28 (Improves movement speed, reflexes, dynamic vision, etc.)

    Physique: 35 (Boosts body defense, healing, stamina, etc.)

    Martial Arts: None

    Soul Intensity: 1.0 / 222 (Recovering slowly)

    Soul Technique: Soul Spike

    Soul Spike: Concentrates soul energy into a spike to attack the target¡¯s soul. The greater the soul intensity, the more numerous and powerful the soul spikes.

    It must be said, Gator was an exemry ally.

    In service to Zhou Mu¡¯s well-being, he had given his all.

    Through his relentless dedication, Zhou Mu was now as formidable as an ox.

    No, he could now fell an ox with a single punch!

    Setting aside the energy shield and martial arts for the moment, Zhou Mu navigated to the Animal Whisperer Union¡¯s website, intent on purchasing some medicinal herbs.

    Previously, his body was riddled with toxins, so weak that it couldn¡¯t benefit from any medicinal herbs. Many potent remedies were off-limits.

    But now, things had changed. He was back on his feet.

    Spirit medicine, demonic potions? He¡¯d start by cramming them in by the basketful.

    ¡°Damn it! Is this highway robbery?¡±

    Zhou Mu couldn¡¯t hold back his expletives upon seeing the prices.

    Dongfang Divine Herb for 660,000!

    Six-Eyed Flying Fish for 880,000!

    ¡­¡­

    A dual-ie family of three, scrimping and saving for three years, might manage to put away 100,000 yuan.

    And yet, this damned goji berry was going for 660,000 yuan!

    It wouldn¡¯t be so bad if it were just overpriced, but the thing was toxic to boot!

 Chapter 7

    C7 ¨C Spicy Palm(1)

    ¡°What¡¯s the problem?¡±

    Upon hearing Zhou Mu¡¯s remark, Qi Xiang inquired.

    ¡°A fish selling for 880,000 yuan? That¡¯s outrageously expensive.¡±

    ¡°Expensive? Your car is over 80 million yuan!¡±

    Qi Xiang pouted and teased, ¡°Think about it this way, every time you leave the house, you¡¯re essentially driving the equivalent of a hundred fish. Isn¡¯t that impressive?¡±

    ¡°Riding a fish, I get, but driving a fish? What¡¯s that supposed to mean?¡±

    Zhou Mu grumbled to himself, then it hit him¡ªhe wasn¡¯t the poor soul from his past life anymore.

    He was the sole heir to the Zhou family. A mere 800,000 yuan couldn¡¯t even buy a tire.

    With this realization, Zhou Mu immediately rang up his father to state his intentions.

    Predictably, the conversation didn¡¯t go well.

    His frugal father, Zhou Chun,id out his terms: engage Qi Xiang this year with a gift of ten million yuan, and upon marrying by year¡¯s end, receive a 10% stake in the Zhou family business.

    And if a child came into the picture, he¡¯d retire on the spot.

    Zhou Mu tly refused.

    His ambition was to be the world¡¯s most formidable, not to be sidetracked by romance.

    Zhou Chun¡¯s temper red.

    ¡°From now on, your monthly allowance is cut to 500,000 yuan. Let¡¯s see how you manage!¡±

    Zhou Chun¡¯s bellowing voice echoed from the phone as Zhou Mu nonchntly tossed it aside.

    What a joke.

    How to survive on 500,000 yuan a month?

    He¡¯d lived through months on just 50 yuan in his previous life. A grown man couldn¡¯t possibly starve, right?

    His body was in peak condition, far surpassing an average person, and he had Gator, his loyal pet with leadership qualities.

    A simple jaunt into the wilderness could him thousands, if not tens of thousands of yuan.

    ¡°Brother, be honest with me, am I pretty?¡±

    Qi Xiang mmed on the brakes and turned to Zhou Mu, her words deliberate and clear.

    ¡°Extremely pretty, like a celestial beauty!¡±

    ¡°Then why won¡¯t you marry me?¡±

    ¡°You know that¡¯s not what I¡¯m after!¡±

    ¡°I get it now, you think my chest is too small!¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s not about disliking your chest size, it¡¯s that you¡¯re t-chested.¡±

    Zhou Mu massaged his temples. There she was, a stunning girl, yet the only bump on her chest was a mere dot. Any less, and it might just cave in. A man can handle some hardship, but it¡¯s not fair to make the kids suffer.

    ¡°You¡­¡± Qi Xiang¡¯s face flushed with fury. Struggling to find words, she instead unleashed her rage onto the car.

    Boom! The engine bellowed,unching the vehicle forward like a rocket.

    Straightaway, elerate¡­

    Drift, then elerate¡­

    elerate, elerate, elerate¡­

    Qi Xiang drove as if she were Schumacher reborn,pleting a fifteen-minute drive in just a fraction of the time.

    Bang! Zhou Mu pushed the car door open, stumbled, and nearly ended up on his knees on the pavement. This was terrifying; the girl was an absolute maniac! She drove the sleek sports car as if it were an airne¡ªit was a miracle it didn¡¯t sprout wings and take to the skies.

    After crouching by the roadside for a full three minutes, Zhou Mu finally regained hisposure. He made a vow then and there¡ªnever again would he let Qi Xiang behind the wheel. Never!

    Once home, Zhou Mu shut the door and logged onto the Noshar Empire¡¯s library website. Centuries ago, the invasion of fiend beasts had jolted the decaying Stouseon Kingdom into action. The emperor put aside his personal projects, and the eunuchs and civil officials ceased their squabbles for self-preservation.

    Fiend beasts didn¡¯t negotiate; they didn¡¯t ept human surrender. To them, every human¡ªman, woman, child, or elder¡ªwas prey.

    In the face of such adversity, the nation united like never before, gradually reversing their fortunes. Over time, this unity evolved into a society where might equals right, with the strong dictating the path forward.

    Noshar, Earth¡¯s uncontested sovereign!

    The Empire¡¯s library, a testament to the collective might of countless warriors. Periodically, new martial arts techniques were vetted and added to its archives. This was the pride of the Empire, a treasure shared by all.

    The library spanned three levels: the first housed an array of martial arts, the second contained knowledge across numerous industries, and the third safeguarded a vast collection of soul techniques.

    Zhou Mu¡¯s secret key granted him ess only to the first level, where he could select a martial art suited to his abilities. Upon entering the website, the first martial art to catch his eye was dubbed ¡°Spicy Palm.¡±

    ¡°The initial practice is like a zesty breeze caressing your face, barely noticeable. At the Initial Stage, it¡¯s as ifva erupts, shattering bones and tearing flesh. By the Advanced Stage, it¡¯s akin to a mountain copsing and obliterating everything in its path.¡±

    Despite its odd name, the description of Spicy Palm was nothing short of daunting. Zhou Mu scrolled down to thements section, which was a sea of five-star reviews.

    ¡°This is epic! I¡¯ve never encountered such an incredible martial art!¡±

    ¡°Before mastering this art, I was nothing but a pushover. Now, I can stand toe-to-toe with a level three fiend beast. Enough said, five stars.¡±

    ¡°Ever since I took up this martial art, my back pain and leg aches are gone, my chronic stomach issues have healed, and it¡¯s even improved my marital life. Spicy Palm is the essential martial art for every man.¡±

    ¡°Wait a minute, I take issue with thatstment. Who says it¡¯s just for men? We women need it too!¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s beautifying, rejuvenating, and strengthens the body. My skin is softer, my figure improved. No more chit-chat, I¡¯m off to train.¡±

    ¡°The creator of this martial art deserves the title of grandmaster. At 120 years old, I¡¯m sharp as ever¡ªno dizziness, clear vision, and even my urinary issues are fixed.¡±

    ¡°¡­¡±

    Zhou Mu was perplexed. ¡°Really? Can it be that miraculous, or does this smack of snake oil salesmanship?¡±

    He muttered to himself, his curiosity piqued as he perused the higher-ranked martial arts. Among them were bizarre ones like Stinky Foot, Cupping Fist, and the absurdly high-tech ones such as Excavator Fist, Impact Drill Fist, and the Four-Wheel Drive Body. Then there were the explosively named Hydrogen Bomb Fist, Atomic Leg, and East Wind Express Fist.

    Each martial art boasted ster ratings and glowing reviews. Yet, Zhou Mu couldn¡¯t shake the feeling that something was amiss.

    Scrolling down the list, Zhou Mu came across traditional martial arts like the Five Elements Fist, Eight Trigram Palm, and Vanishing Step. The ratings were mediocre, with a mix of positive and negative reviews, but they looked much more reasonable than the earlier ones.

    After a few minutes of indecision, Zhou Mu chose to trust his elder¡¯s advice. With so many positivements, it couldn¡¯t possibly be that bad.

    Once he entered the secret key, the detailed instructions for mastering the Hot Palm technique arrived in his inbox.

    Zhou Mu read the instructions thoroughly, his face turning from pale to flushed, then from red to purple, and finally to a shade of angry ck before he exploded with expletives.

    This was utterly outrageous! It was even more egregious than Qiao Biluo! At least Qiao Biluo, despite transforming from a young girl to an olderdy, remained a woman. The Hot Palm, on the other hand, was like a nuclear bomb devolving into a dud firework, and a silent one at that.

 Chapter 8

    C8 ¨C Spicy Palm(2)

    Spicy Palm Technique: Submerge your hands in chili-infused water for ten-minute sessions. Persist until your hands adapt, then graduate to chili powder or even spicier herbal concoctions. Striking an enemy, the fiery essence infiltrates their skin, inducing swelling, inmmation, and excruciating pain.

    ¡°Have they lost their minds? Who¡¯s the moron that came up with this martial art? And it¡¯s got a bunch of idiots pping on five-star reviews? ims of beauty enhancement and fixing a split stream? Ridiculous.¡±

    Zhou Mu ranted furiously, yet despite his tirade, he too left a five-star rating.

    He couldn¡¯t be the only one duped; he had to rope others in, or else how could he live up to the legacy of his predecessors¡¯ tall tales?

    Dismissing the Spicy Palm Technique as a worthless trick, Zhou Mu pondered its purpose. Was it only good for spicing up dishes without the need for actual chilies?

    ¡°The real issue is myck of soul intensity and the absence of money,¡± he mused.

    His father was pushing for an engagement between Zhou Mu and Qi Xiang, but his heart wasn¡¯t in it.

    In a world overrun by fiend beasts, power was the currency of survival.

    Without it, wealth could be plundered, loved ones could drift away, and even life itself could slip through one¡¯s fingers.

    Thus, Zhou Mu¡¯s priority was to be formidable. Only after achieving strength would he entertain thoughts of career and romance.

    ¡°Enough of this. Time to enhance my physique, then head into the wilds to hunt fiend beasts.¡±

    Given his current capabilities, taking down a level three fiend beast was well within reach.

    The demise of these creatures sometimes yielded soul fragments, and their carcasses could fetch a good price.

    If he hunted prolifically, wealth and prosperity would soon be his.

    Upon essing the system store, Zhou Mu was momentarily taken aback.

    ¡°What¡¯s this? New items?¡±

    A semi-transparent list materialized before him, piquing his curiosity.

    Soul Fragment, Granule: There¡¯s a slim chance of obtaining this from a fourth rank or higher fiend beast upon its death. Using it boosts soul intensity by 0.2 points, with a maximum increase of 3 points. It requires 500 points to acquire.

    Capsaicin: Sourced from the fiery Devil Pepper, it boasts an extreme level of heat. Only 1 point is needed for purchase.

    The Soul Fragment, in granule form, is twice as potent as the powder, with the cap increased from 2 points to 3 points.

    Yet, inparison to a total soul intensity of 222 points, these items hardly seem significant.

    But there¡¯s no alternative; items that enhance soul intensity are regted, and even with money, they¡¯re tough to acquire.

    The few that do make it to the outside world are only avable on the ck market, at exorbitant prices.

    The Capsaicin, however, is somewhat of a curiosity.

    It¡¯s cheap and highly effective, clearly baiting Zhou Mu to give it a go.

    Others might have been tempted, but Zhou Mu? He¡¯s the man who faces the world with unabashed confidence!

    Since it¡¯s inexpensive, why not give it a try?

    After redeeming points for five units of Capsaicin, Zhou Mu dipped his finger in it and tasted it.

    Instantly, his pale cheeks flushed crimson, andrge tears rolled down uncontrobly.

    Shaking all over, Zhou Mu was filled with regret. Why did he recklessly decide to taste it?

    Qi Xiang entered just in time to witness Zhou Mu¡¯s tear-streaked face, her shock evident.

    ¡°Brother, what happened to you?¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m feeling sorry for you. Short in stature, small in chest. Not the brightest, yet full of troubles.¡±

    Qi Xiang stood there, dumbfounded.

    After a long, silent half-minute, Qi Xiang delivered a swift kick to Zhou Mu¡¯s chest.

    It was infuriating!

    She was so concerned for him, and he repaid her with mockery!

    Enough was enough; she couldn¡¯t stand it any longer!

    Seizing a handful of Capsaicin, Qi Xiang flung it at Zhou Mu.

    Refusing to be outdone, Zhou Mu, tears and all, tossed the chili back at Qi Xiang¡¯s face.

    And so, both of them ended up in tears.

    Their cries were loud and heart-wrenching.

    ¡­¡­

    It turns out that, despite its seemingly absurd appearance, Spicy Fist can be quite formidable when practiced with substances of high spiciness.

    Over the following period, Zhou Mu embarked on his self-improvement journey.

    He sold off two sports cars and a collection of unnecessary luxuries, pouring all the proceeds into purchasing Eastern Divine Pills.

    Physical attributes are crucial for both defense and recovery, as well as being a strict requirement for contracting high-quality spirit animals. Therefore, he prioritized enhancing his physique.

    He managed to sell a mishmash of items for over seventy million, which still didn¡¯t match the value of the sports cars.

    But that¡¯s the nature of the second-hand market; you can¡¯t expect to sell used items for their original price. Doing so would only indicate ack of integrity on the seller¡¯s part.

    Zhou Mu invested all his funds into Eastern Divine Pills, quickly boosting his Constitution to 80 points. He traded the toxins umted in his body with the system, earning 100 points.

    However, the benefits of these spirit medicines were ultimately finite, diminishing with each use.

    Zhou Mu estimated they would lose their effectiveness entirely once his Constitution hit 100 points.

    But on the flip side, Zhou Mu was likely the only person throughout history who could consume such an amount of spirit medicine at once without perishing.

    Once his Constitution reached 100 points, he¡¯d be capable of withstanding the bloodline shock from a leader-grade spirit animal.

    Havingmitted to this path, he intended to secure only the best.

    From now on, any spirit animal he dealt with had to be at least of leader quality.

    In battle, Gator would unleash its dragon¡¯s might, a force no enemy could match unless they were leader-grade.

    Facing a normal, an elite, and a leader-grade spirit animal, Zhou Mu countered with three leaders of his own, rendering the fight almost trivial.

    With his funds depleted, Zhou Mu¡¯s progress had to pause for the time being.

    Post-dinner and bath, hey in bed, nning to visit the Animal Whisperer Union the next day to pick up a few assignments.

    As the sun dipped below the horizon and the moon ascended, silence enveloped the darkness, punctuated only by the soft cadence of breathing within the room.

    That night, Zhou Mu dreamt of a captivating beauty¡ªa woman with skin like satin, a slender waist, and a cool, stunning visage.

    Despite the chill of her touch, her intense ardor ignited a fiery passion within him.

    Just as he was about to grab his spear and mount his horse, he abruptly woke from the dream.

    ¡°Damn!¡±

    Zhou Mu couldn¡¯t help but let out an exasperated curse, quickly realizing something was amiss.

    There was something on him!

    Upon this realization, Zhou Mu broke out in a cold sweat.

    To avoid startling the creature, he stifled the impulse to roll over and flee, carefully extending his hand to flick the switch.

    Click!

    The harsh light flooded the room, revealing Gator with its head pressed against his chest, stirring a mix of emotions within Zhou Mu.

    He had been dreaming, and just as things were getting interesting, he woke up?

    So he was awake, but the smooth object he¡¯d felt in his dream was a snake?

    And why was it outside when it should have been in the special space provided by the Soul Contract?

    ¡°Hiss hiss!¡±

    Gator seemed to notice Zhou Mu¡¯s awakening, lifting its head and gently licking his chest, its gaze bing hazy.

    Zhou Mu was baffled.

    Since when did a snake¡¯s expressions be so rich and hazy?

    ¡°If only you were a girl, how great would that be! I¡¯d enhance your bloodline, you¡¯d boost my physical attributes, and we¡¯d support each other. I¡¯d always treat you well, and you¡¯d never betray me.¡±

    Zhou Mu stroked Gator¡¯s head, sighed in resignation, turned off the light, and went back to sleep.

 Chapter 9

    C9 ¨C Crocodylus Niloticus

    The sun crept up the sky, heralding the arrival of a new day.

    Zhou Mu arrived at the Animal Whisperer Union in his sleek sports car.

    Of the three cars he once had, only this one remained¡ªthe other two had been sold.

    Did they really think luxury items could fetch over seventy million yuan?

    Luxury goods are essentially a tax on the foolish; they cost a fortune to buy and lose half their value the moment they¡¯re resold.

    ¡°A world where technology and cultivation coexist is far superior to one that relies on a singr approach to development.¡±

    Zhou Mu surveyed the rows of machines before him and nodded in approval.

    To liberate the workforce and save Animal Whisperers¡¯ time, the Union had installed numerous machines in the lobby.

    Animal Whisperers could independently search for and ept missions here, and most of the verification work after missionpletion could be done on these machines.

    The Union¡¯s missions fell into three categories.

    The first was the kill mission, issued by the Union and various universities. These had low barriers to entry, modest rewards, but could be undertaken repeatedly.

    For instance, if a mission required the elimination of ten second-rank fiend beasts, ying a thousand would count aspleting the mission a hundred times, yielding a hundredfold reward.

    The second type was the collection mission, typically posted by alchemists and refiners from various factions.

    These were challenging, but the rewards were correspondingly generous.

    Multiple people could ept this mission, but only the first to submit it would earn the full reward.

    The third type was the special mission, epassing a diverse array of tasks.

    The Animal Whisperer Union¡¯s missions were open to all, with no restrictions on identity or level. From level one to level nine Animal Whisperers, anyone could take on a mission.

    However, aside from kill missions, most others required a deposit.

    Complete the mission, and the deposit was returned; fail, and it was forfeited.

    As the old adage goes, extreme joy begets sorrow, and the greatest of things can lead to their opposites.

    He had once ridiculed Mr. Rouge for being destitute, only to find himself treading the same path of poverty.

    That¡¯s what you call instant retribution!

    After scanning the area, Zhou Mu noted that there were over seventy kill missions within a hundred-mile radius, targeting fiend beasts ranging from first to sixth rank, with numbers varying from ten to a thousand.

    He sifted through the options and eventually took on a mission dubbed ¡°ck Sweep of the Crocodiles.¡± His task: to eliminate a hundred third-rank ordinary fiend beasts known as Crocodylus niloticus on the northern ins.

    These crocodiles, unlike their aquatic and swamp-dwelling counterparts, resemblednd turtles. They were swift and moved in packs, leaving barren patches in their wake. Indiscriminate in their destruction, the Crocodylus niloticus decimated both flora and fauna alike. Within their rank, they were nearly unbeatable, with even elite third-rank fiend beasts reluctant to confront them.

    Due to their unchecked dominance, these crocodiles had thrown the ecosystem off bnce and posed a significant threat to humans working outdoors. Consequently, the Animal Whisperer Union had put out a bounty: for every hundred crocodiles killed, the reward was 100,000 yuan.

    While ordinary folks without the skills of an Animal Whisperer could only toil for a modest wage, an Animal Whisperer could easily rake in tens of thousands with minimal effort. However, this profession came with its own set of risks and rewards. Although Animal Whisperers earned well, their mortality rate was high. In the perilous wilderness, even a formidable level seven Animal Whisperer could fall, not to mention those of lower ranks.

    ¡­¡­

    The engine¡¯s furious roar left a trail of weaker fiend beasts in the dust. The Dongfeng supercar, despite its hefty price tag, proved its value. Constructed with heavy metal, its body could withstand attacks from third-rank elite fiend beasts. Equipped with an energy shield, rocket boosters, and a suite of other advanced tech, it could effortlessly break free from a fiend beast onught. However, this was only true for lower-level fiend beasts; materials capable of withstanding higher-level fiend beast attacks were regted and not avable for purchase.

    After a two-hour journey, Zhou Mu finally spotted his quarry.

    After over two hours of travel, Zhou Mu finally reached his target. d in scaly armor, with serrated, menacing teeth, a pack of Crocodylus niloticus was besieging a group of hapless turtles. Despite both being third-rank fiend beasts, the turtles stood no chance against the crocodiles.

    Snap! Snap! A crocodile mped down on a turtle, its thick shell as good as paper against the predator¡¯s bite, and blood sprayed out immediately. The turtles, under the crocodiles¡¯ assault, were as helpless as carrots ready for the chopping board. The meat was crispy and crunchy, reminiscent of chicken.

    Sensing an intruder, the hunting crocodiles ceased their feast and turned to face Zhou Mu. The oppressive force of hundreds of third-rank fiend beasts was truly terrifying. Zhou Mu, a man of two lifetimes and no stranger to danger, couldn¡¯t help but shudder before them.

    ¡°No wonder the Animal Whisperer Union has such a hefty bounty on these creatures. Without something to rely on, even a level four Animal Whisperer would be doomed,¡± Zhou Mu marveled before summoning Gator without a second thought.

    As expected, with the release of the dragon¡¯s aura, the ferocious crocodiles instantly turned docile, their murderous intentpletely retracted as theyy submissively on the ground. Gator, seizing the opportunity, opened its jaws wide and gulped down one of the smaller crocodiles.

    Having advanced to a first-rank, five-star creature, Gator¡¯s appetite had surged, now able to consume food more than five times its own weight. But even with this increased capacity, there was a limit. After devouring two crocodiles, Gator was sated.

    Zhou Mu was at a loss for words, watching Gator sprawlzily on the ground, motionless. The sight of a snake and a crowd of crocodiles lying together was simply too bizarre.

    ¡°Maybe I should have a bite too?¡± The thought barely crossed Zhou Mu¡¯s mind before he dismissed it. An adult Crocodylus niloticus measured three meters in length and weighed around 600 kilograms. The two that Gator had swallowed, though not fully grown, must have weighed at least 500 kilogramsbined.

    Zhou Mu, certainly not a snake, didn¡¯t have the capacity for such a feast. It would be remarkable if he could manage three kilograms of meat.

    Zhou Mu wasn¡¯t a snake,cking the stomach to devour three pounds of meat, yet managing that feat was impressive enough. The smallest of the grasnd crocodiles weighed in at a hefty hundred kilograms; if Zhou Mu were to eat his way through one, he¡¯d likely be at it until the New Year rolled around.

    ¡°Forget it, forget it. As the host, it¡¯s up to me to take action!¡± Zhou Mu dered, flicking away imaginary bangs from his forehead. Striding forward with a determined step, he indulged in a fantasy of his own grand, world-saving heroism. With a casual backhand, he smacked the nearest crocodile right across the face.

    Bang!

    The sound was dull and heavy,ced with a crisp undertone, as if something had just split apart.

    Rubbing his slightly numb palm, Zhou Mu noticed the crocodile had tears in its eyes. With its mouth agape and body trembling, it shed tears the size of soybeans.

    Zhou Mu felt a wave of unspeakable sorrow wash over him, a blend of pain and despair so potent it almost seemed to resonate within him.

    This king of the grasnd crocodiles, though of ordinary quality, boasted abat strength that rivaled a second-rank elite fiend beast. But it had the misfortune of encountering Zhou Mu.

    With a formidable 80-point physical attribute, Zhou Mu¡¯s p had cracked its skull. Moreover, an intense burning sensation seeped through its skin, overwhelming its eyes and nostrils almost instantly.

    This burning wasn¡¯t just a vor but a fierce mix of heat and pain, each intensifying the sensation. Ovee by the p, the crocodile¡¯s tears flowed uncontrobly, making it appear as though it was weeping.

    And indeed, it was weeping.

    In this wilderness, it had once roamed freely, feared by all. Then, inexplicably, a leader-quality snake had appeared and devoured its two offspring. That alone was a blow, but then this cruel human had to go and shatter its skull.

    To whom could this crocodile turn in its hour of need?

 Chapter 10

    C10 ¨C The Might of the Soul Technique

    The Crocodile King grew increasingly heartbroken the more it dwelled on its thoughts, the relentless sting of spiciness causing its tears to stream without end.

    ¡°Wow, I think I¡¯ve figured out the genius of this spicy palm technique.¡±

    Zhou Mu watched the weeping crocodile and an amusing image sprang to mind.

    In battle, a single p would leave his enemies in tears.

    Witnessing such a spectacle, his allies¡¯ morale would plummet to rock bottom, their fighting spirit taking a nosedive.

    It was utterly unstoppable!

    ¡°I had pegged it as a gimmicky martial art, but who knew it could also debilitate groups? Truly, there are no useless martial arts, only useless people.¡±

    Zhou Mu stood with his hands on his hips, radiating confidence.

    Now that he grasped the formidable nature of the spicy palm, Zhou Mu turned his attention to the next issue: the Crocodile lying motionless on the ground.

    But this was no challenge for him.

    Under Gator¡¯s imposing presence, the Crocodylus niloticus was like amb to the ughter.

    Having recently acquired a soul technique, it was the perfect opportunity for a test run.

    With a mere thought, soul energy formed into spikes, striking a Crocodile three meters away in an instant.

    Silent and formless, the crocodile¡¯s eyes lost all fear, reced by a vacant stare.

    Its soul was shattered, leaving behind a lifeless husk weighing over six hundred pounds, unresponsive to the gnawing of insects or the elements.

    ¡°This¡­¡±

    Zhou Mu¡¯s face turned grave as he regarded the fallen crocodile.

    The power of a soul attack was chilling. Inbat with another¡­

    ¡°I must be stronger, so powerful that no one can pose a threat to my life.¡±

    Zhou Mu resolved to push himself to his limits, to enhance his abilities.

    Soul techniques were fearsome and took a heavy toll.

    After several uses, a wave of fatigue swept over him.

    So, Zhou Mu retrieved a dagger from the trunk of his car and plunged it into the crocodile¡¯s skull.

    Over two hours of grueling work followed, and more than three hundred crocodiles, along with over four hundred dim-witted turtles, met their end at Zhou Mu¡¯s hand.

    Initially, the killings were slow, each taking about thirty seconds.

    After mastering the technique, Zhou Mu could dispatch the beasts in a single stroke.

    ¡°Not bad at all, and there¡¯s even a bonus surprise!¡±

    He had in over eight hundred third-rank fiend beasts, yielding five soul fragments and powder.

    These items were regted, not something one could simply purchase with money.

    Should Zhou Mu decide to sell, the starting price would be no less than ten million yuan.

    This figure is no exaggeration; after all, money loses its sway beyond level three.

    Items for Animal Whisperers above level three are strictly controlled. One must either enroll in a university or join the Animal Whisperer Union to acquire such goods, as obtaining them through other means is exceedingly difficult.

    In a world ruled by Animal Whisperers, high-level items are exchanged exclusively among their ranks.

    Without the requisite strength, one simply isn¡¯t eligible to ess them.

    Though Zhou Mu is the heir to the Zhou family, the family¡¯s support could only elevate him to a level three Animal Whisperer at best.

    Beyond that, he would need to seek help from his uncles, Zhou Ming, the militarymander, and the entric Zhou Hao.

    Zhou Mu aimed to increase his soul intensity to three points within the next month, reaching the standard of a level three Animal Whisperer.

    By bonding with a second spirit animal, he¡¯d significantly bolster his power.

    The wilderness brimmed with peril, home to creatures like the dim-witted tortoises and the formidable crocodylus niloticus, as well as powerful solitary predators.

    Without Gator¡¯s might, Zhou Mu wouldn¡¯t dare venture alone into the wilds.

    It¡¯smon knowledge that Animal Whisperers travel in groups, pooling their strength to vastly improve their odds of survival. In dire moments, they might even sacrifice a teammate to save themselves¡ªa strategy far superior to going it alone.

    Moreover, gathering the spoils bes much simpler.

    Driving a small truck or several, teams can y a fiend beast, harvest its valuable parts, and transport them away, unlike Zhou Mu, who handles everything personally.

    The crocodylus niloticus¡¯s teeth are its most prized feature, capable of piercing the armor of a third-rank fiend beast with ease, impervious even to elite-grade defenses.

    Just one tooth could fetch over five thousand yuan at the Animal Whisperer Union.

    The dagger in Zhou Mu¡¯s grasp was crafted from the teeth of a Crocodylus niloticus, renowned for its razor-sharp edge.

    After crouching and digging for over half an hour, Zhou Mu had to admit defeat. Lacking professional tools and expertise, the task was frustratingly inefficient.

    ¡°It looks like I have no choice but to abandon it,¡± he muttered with a sigh. As he was about to head back, a sudden thought struck him. Anything he owned could be exchanged for points, and surely the fiend beast he had in counted as his possession. The realization sent a surge of excitement through him.

    ¡°System, convert all these crocodiles and dim-witted turtles into points!¡±

    2301 points rewarded!

    ¡°Holy smokes!¡± Zhou Mu¡¯s excitement sent shivers through his body as the system¡¯s notification chimed in his mind. His hunch was correct; the system acknowledged the fiend beasts as his property.

    This discovery opened up a lucrative new avenue for umting points. It was efficient, reliable, and even at level ten, he could amass a significant number of points.

    ¡°With the previous 340 points, I¡¯m now sitting on 2641 points. Let¡¯s start with five soul shards and granules.¡±

    Absorbing them would potentially boost his soul intensity to 2.7 points. If he could naturally recover another 0.3 during this time, all the better. If not, he¡¯d simply exchange for another shard.

    Each increment in soul intensity marked a significant leap in power. Two points would upgrade his Soul Contract to level two, three points to level three, and five points to level four.

    Zhou Mu¡¯s potential was staggering, with an upper limit of 222 points. Fully restored, his power would be unimaginable. He could effortlessly dispatch a tenth rank ordinary-quality fiend beast as if it were an ant, and perhaps even stand toe-to-toe with a leader-quality one.

    Resolved, Zhou Mu pressed on through the wilderness. Encountering any fiend beast above fourth rank, he¡¯d flee instantly. Those at fourth rank or lower, he¡¯d confront and defeat.

    By the dawn of the third day, Zhou Mu¡¯s soul intensity had finally breached the two-point mark, elevating him to a level two Animal Whisperer.

    It must be acknowledged that the Soul Contract is the most remarkable invention of thest four centuries, bar none. It uses the soul as a foundation to inscribe a series of modes capable of subjugating fiend beasts. This ingenious method requires no additional materials or special training techniques; as the soul intensity grows, the Soul Contract upgrades itself.

    Gator, having traded for a second-rank spirit crystal, swiftly advanced from first rank, five stars to second rank, one star, and was presented with two potential skills to choose from:

    Draw: Enhances the power of the tail, the resilience of the skin, and the strength of the bones.

    Coil: Boosts the muscle¡¯s constricting force.

    Reflecting on the dream he had that night, Zhou Mu made a decisive choice to enhance the Draw ability. Not only would this significantly improvebat efficiency, but Gator was already clingy enough. Any more coiling, and peaceful sleep would be a distant memory.

    Upon selecting the skill, a soft glow began to emanate from Gator¡¯s body. The light shrouded its form, growing brighter as it neared the tail, and at the tip, it was dazzling. The transformation took nearly ten seconds, and once the light faded, Gator immediately curled up around him. Its round head nuzzled against his face, creating an unexpectedly tender sensation.

    ¡°I must be losing my mind!¡± Zhou Mu thought, as the dream¡¯s imagery resurfaced in his mind. He dwelled on it for a moment before hastily casting it aside. He wasn¡¯t Xu Xian, after all. ying with a snake? The thought was unnerving!

    ¡°Let¡¯s go! For a brighter future, we continue the fight!¡± Zhou Mu called out to the dawn, his spirit unyielding.

    With the attainment of the second rank and a new skill, Gator¡¯sbat prowess had markedly improved. A singlesh of its tail could now kill a third-rank spirit animal, while those below the third rank were reduced to a mangled mess. Such was the awe-inspiring power of a leader!

 Chapter 11

    C11 ¨C Beast Tide(1)

    Gator¡¯s efficiency in dispatching enemies skyrocketed, sparing Zhou Mu the need to lift a finger.

    When faced with a horde of fiend beasts, Gator would first subdue them with its draconic presence before dispatching them as effortlessly as if they were rubber balls.

    Meanwhile, Zhou Mu dedicated himself to mastering the Spicy Palm technique.

    The deeper he delved into his training, the more he marveled at the martial art¡¯s extraordinary nature.

    Yet, there was a significant downside¡ªhe couldn¡¯t use that hand to handle food, nor could he rub his eyes or pick his nose.

    How did Zhou Mue to realize this? A few tearful experiences ensured he wouldn¡¯t soon forget.

    ¡°Let¡¯s move on to the next spot!¡±

    Having traded all the fiend beast carcasses to the system, Zhou Mu coiled Gator around his waist and drove on.

    With each transaction, he uncovered more of the Square Deal System¡¯s unique features.

    True to its name, the system upheld the ts of fairness, justice, openness, and transparency.

    It wasn¡¯t just fiend beast carcasses¡ªgathered spirit herbs and mined ores were also fair game for exchange.

    In essence, anything he earned through his own efforts was rightfully his.

    Through his recent exploits, Zhou Mu had amassed 4,200 points.

    He intended to save them to enhance a new spirit animal or perhaps to discreetly improve Qi Xiang¡¯s condition.

    Despite his tough exterior, Zhou Mu was deeply caring toward his little sister.

    Qi Xiang had been by his side since childhood, never once scorning him for his physical condition; instead, she frequently shared her treats with him.

    Had he not been so single-mindedly blinded by the arduous quest to be the ultimate warrior, Zhou Mu would have long returned to start a family with Qi Xiang.

    ¡°Ah, life can be so monotonous!¡±

    With a heavy sigh, Zhou Mu floored the elerator.

    ¡­¡­

    ¡°Speed up,e on, faster!¡±

    ¡°Why the hell have you stopped?¡±

    Fury erupted from the driver as he mmed his fist onto the steering wheel, his face contorted with rage.

    ¡°Damn it, I should¡¯ve known better than to rely on this clunker from Honda¡ªgood for nothing but saving gas!¡±

    Shaking with anger, the driver was at his wit¡¯s end.

    At the moment, the fiend beasts lurking outside wouldn¡¯t afford them any opportunity for repairs.

    ¡°Out of the car, and get ready to fight!¡±

    With thatmand, the driver leaped through the window.

    Outside awaited a pack of evil wolves, creatures that sent shivers down the spines of countless Animal Whisperers and other fiend beasts.

    These fiend beasts were notoriously brutal and sly, always hunting in packs, never engaging in solobat.

    Typically, fiend beasts would swarm their prey, overwhelming them with sheer numbers.

    But these evil wolves were a different breed; they targeted the vulnerabilities of their prey with precision.

    They were particrly despised by male fiend beasts and men alike.

    ¡°Damn, not these vile creatures!¡±

    A hefty man jumped out, his face as dark as a burnt pan.

    The evil jackal was the epitome of shamelessness.

    Once, a lone fifth-rank elite giant-toothed elephant calf fell victim to a pack of these wolves.

    Despite its thick hide and elite status, which would normally repel the attacks of fourth-rank fiend beasts, the evil wolves found and exploited its weaknesses.

    Amidst the heart-wrenching screams of the calf, its innards were gruesomely extracted from behind¡­

    ¡°Don¡¯t worry, we¡¯re going to make it out alive. I¡¯ve got a secret weapon,¡± the driver reassured, patting the hefty man¡¯s shoulder.

    ¡°Really? You¡¯re not kidding?¡±

    ¡°No lies here!¡±

    ¡°Then look me in the eye and swear, Nosharian to Nosharian, that you¡¯re telling the truth!¡±

    The hefty man¡¯s face was etched with gravity.

    ¡°Cut the chatter; the evil wolves are closing in.¡±

    The driver barked, summoning his two spirit animals¡ªamon fire fox and an elite boar.

    Called to action, the spirit animals instantly readied themselves for the impending battle.

    s, they were outnumbered by the encircling evil wolves, a challenge too great for just the two of them.

    ¡°We fight! One kill means no loss, two means we¡¯ve scored!¡±

    The hefty man clenched his teeth, his eyes zing with resolve.

    Fiend beasts knew no mercy, never epting surrender. An encounter in the wild guaranteed bloodshed.

    ¡°Hey, I¡¯m only 23 years old, and I haven¡¯t even had a boyfriend yet!¡±

    Thest woman in the group let out a sigh and called forth her spirit animals. With three ordinary and three elite beasts at hermand, theirbat strength was decent. However, against hundreds of ferocious wolves, they stood little chance of making an impact.

    Typically, by level three, an Animal Whisperer could bolster their physical attributes to 20 points, enough to endure the bloodline shock from an elite spirit animal. As for possessing a leader-quality beast, that was out of the question until at least level six, requiring a physique of 100 points.

    In this world, most beast tamers formed contracts with ordinary spirit animals at level one, elite ones at level three, and leader beasts at level six. Zhou Mu was an exception; in four hundred years, no one else had managed to bond with a leader-quality spirit animal at level one.

    ¡°Three elite spirit animals should hold them off for a couple of minutes. How about we fire off a shot so you don¡¯t die with any regrets?¡± Fatty suggested with a mischievous raise of his eyebrows.

    ¡°Go to hell. I¡¯d rather be mauled by a dog than give you the satisfaction,¡± the woman retorted fiercely, not holding back her words.

    Fatty let out a sly chuckle, his face quickly turning solemn. The pair had known each other for years and understood each other¡¯s temperaments well. Such banter wasn¡¯t a serious death wish but a way to lighten the grim mood.

    Sure enough, their spirits lifted slightly after the exchange of yful banter. ¡°We may not have been born on the same day, month, or year, but dying together is a testament to our friendship,¡± Fatty said, pulling a box from the car¡¯s back seat. Inside was a two-meter-long Miao Dao, its slender de resembling young shoots, hence the name.

    For someone of Fatty¡¯s size, heavy weapons were the norm¡ªusing brute force to overwhelm opponents. It was rare to see him wield the Miao Dao, a weapon famed for its agility.

    ¡°If we manage to survive this ordeal, I¡¯ll give you a chance,¡± he said, offering a glimmer of hope amidst the tension.

    The woman nced at the heavyset man and whispered, ¡°Dream on. If we make it out alive, I¡¯ll indulge until the heavens spin and the earth goes dark, with no light from the sun or moon.¡±

    The hefty man grunted, brandishing his machete and shing forward. ¡°Kill!¡± ¡°Kill!¡± ¡°Aooo!¡± ¡°Aooo!¡± The roars and howls erupted simultaneously as three humans and six spirit animals shed with a swarm of vicious jackals.

    These jackals were ordinary third-rank fiend beasts with unremarkablebat strength individually. But in numbers exceeding a hundred, they were more than a match for a handful of people.

    Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh! The porcupine quivered, and hundreds of quillsunched, swiftly turning the encroaching jackals into pincushions.

    The Forest Boa encircled the trio, forming a sturdy wall with its body. Meanwhile, the armored wolf charged valiantly into the fray, fiercely mping onto the throats of its foes.

    The three elite spirit animals demonstrated formidable strength, while the three regr ones maintained a vignt stance, ready to thwart any jackals that might breach the Forest Boa¡¯s defenses.

    The battle raged fiercely, with jackals falling and the three Animal Whisperers, along with their spirit animals, sustaining injuries.

 Chapter 12

    C12 ¨C Beast Tide(2)

    ¡°Pfft!¡±

    The driver shuddered, his previously flushed face from the intense battle now ashen, as he opened his mouth to expel a gush of blood.

    The porcupine was dead, shredded into fragments by a pack of vicious wolves.

    With only two elite-grade spirit animals remaining, the squad¡¯sbat power had plummeted by at least thirty percent.

    The number of encircling vicious wolves was increasing, now exceeding two hundred.

    That alone would have been manageable, but among the wolves, they spotted a few barbed sus scrofa and vicious jackals.

    In the wild, the barbed sus scrofa were the epitome of brutes, charging at anything in sight. A group of more than ten would deter even the vicious jackals from engaging.

    Both the feral jackals and the evil jackals belonged to the same category of fiend beasts, sharing the same elite status.

    Typically, barbed sus scrofa and vicious jackals wouldn¡¯t mingle, so what was unfolding before them?

    ¡°Could this be¡­ a beast tide?¡±

    Fatty and the driver exchanged a nce, each seeing the mirror of their own despair.

    ¡­¡­

    ¡°What¡¯s this? It¡¯s a bit over the top, isn¡¯t it?¡±

    Zhou Mu, having set the car to autopilot, pulled out his phone to dive into a novel.

    A cataclysm four centuries prior had steered the world onto a path vastly different from his previous life, triggering a domino effect of changes.

    Every piece of literature revolved around spirit animals, monotonously simr and devoid of originality.

    The majority featured fortunate Animal Whisperers stumbling upon a high-quality spirit animal cub, sharing in battles and growth.

    On rare asions, the narrative flipped: the spirit animal became the Animal Whisperer¡¯s master, or transformed into a human to lead an unabashed life with its Whisperer.

    And then there were those second-rate authors, whose works were frankly too dreadful to endure.

    Titles like The Tyrannical Bear Fell in Love with Me, The Secrets I Must Keep from My 1200-Year-Old Nine-Tailed Fox Landy, and The Young Snake¡­

    Zhou Mu flipped through a book and felt a sense of d¨¦j¨¤ vu with some of the plots.

    Thendlord¡­

    The Snake¡¯s academic performance was less than ster¡­

    ¡°Damn, I¡¯m an upstanding guy. Why do they keep rmending these kinds of books to me?¡±

    He grumbled under his breath but was soon engrossed in the reading.

    Life in the wilderness was monotonous, a never-ending cycle of travel andbat.

    Thankfully, the vehicle¡¯s state-of-the-art energy system made these prolonged journeys possible.

    ¡°I¡¯ve racked up over 8,000 points. I¡¯ll head back once I hit 10,000.¡±

    Zhou Mu stretched, feeling the growth in his soul intensity, now at 2.9 points. He was on the cusp of bing a level three Animal Whisperer and bonding with a second spirit animal.

    For now, his sole focus was on umting points, setting aside concerns about money and missions.

    After all, the items in the points shop couldn¡¯t be purchased with money. Some were regted goods; others didn¡¯t even belong to this world.

    Money was the least of his worries. Despite his father shing his monthly allowance to 500,000 yuan, the head of the Zhou family wasn¡¯t him.

    A little charm with Grandpa, coupled with a disy of his newfound strength, would surely open the family coffers.

    ¡°Ah, having such a family really saps one¡¯s drive.¡±

    Zhou Mu sighed in frustration, his whiny demeanor almost too much for Gator to stomach.

    ¡°Hiss!¡±

    Gator, feigning sleep on the co-pilot¡¯s seat, suddenly perked up, itsrge, round eyes reflecting a grave alertness as it sensed impending danger.

    The next moment, a shrill rm red through the cabin.

    The vehicle¡¯s radar had picked up a massive assembly of fiend beasts¡ªover five hundred.

    ¡°Clumsy Turtle, Savage Jackal, Fire Fox, and Barbed Boar. What¡¯s happening here? Aren¡¯t these fiend beasts part of a food chain hierarchy? Why aren¡¯t they attacking each other?¡±

    Zhou Mu¡¯s brow furrowed deeply as a troubling thought struck him.

    A Beast Tide!

    Periodically, the wilderness would be overwhelmed by a beast tide.

    Their scope varied; the smaller ones involved hundreds of thousands of ordinary fiend beasts, while therger ones could exceed ten million, including numerous elite fiend beasts among them.

    The superrge beast tide numbered in the hundreds of millions, with countless Commander-level fiend beasts leading the charge. A small beast tide could obliterate a county-level city, arge one could wipe out a city, and a superrge beast tide was an apocalyptic force that no one could withstand.

    In front of Zhou Mu, there were about six hundred fiend beasts, the strongest among them only at the fourth rank. He figured it wouldn¡¯t pose much of a problem. With that thought, he promptly dispatched a small drone to capture photos and ry the information back to the Animal Whisperer Union. It was always better to err on the side of caution¡ªa false rm was preferable to being caught off guard.

    ¡°Hmm? Is someone there?¡±

    The beasts seemed to notice the drone overhead, and desperate cries for help rose from within their ranks. Zhou Mu pondered briefly before deciding to intervene. Human life was precious, and he was willing to lend aid, provided his own safety wasn¡¯tpromised. Besides, he had already documented the scene. Ignoring these people could lead toplications with the Animal Whisperer Unionter on.

    And after all, these were just ordinary fiend beasts. Once Gator unleashed his dragon aura, they¡¯d all be subdued.

    Sure enough, as Zhou Mu approached, the fiend beasts ceased their assault andy down submissively. A few even wagged their tails, as if currying favor.

    After Zhou Mu sent several vicious wolves flying with his vehicle, he executed a stylish drift and came to a stop before the three stranded individuals. The driver, still reeling from the brush with death, felt as though he¡¯d been given a second chance at life.

    ¡°Are you guys alright?¡± Zhou Mu asked, propping himself against the car and flicking back his nonexistent long hair.

    ¡°Thank you for saving us! We would have been goners without you,¡± the plump man responded, his gratitude evident.

    Though it was odd to see the fiend beasts so docile, it was clear that the man before them had something to do with it. Among Animal Whisperers, it was a serious faux pas to ask about another¡¯s spirit animal¡¯s abilities. The man, now safe thanks to his rescuer, wouldn¡¯t dream of making such a blunder.

    ¡°Let¡¯s get out of here before it gets any moreplicated,¡± Zhou Mu suggested.

    ¡°Is your car still operational?¡± Zhou Mu inquired.

    ¡°Uh, seems like it¡¯s not,¡± the driver replied with a sigh, frustration etching his face. ¡°Stupid Trishaw, I swear if I buy one of these again, I might as well write my name upside down.¡±

    ¡°Upside down? Might I inquire as to your surname?¡±

    ¡°Tian!¡±

    Zhou Mu just stared nkly for a moment.

    ¡°Come on, get in. We¡¯ll figure it out once we¡¯re away from here,¡± the driver motioned.

    Zhou Mu exhaled deeply, sensing that this squad might not be the most dependable.

    ¡°Thanks!¡± he said.

    After expressing his gratitude once more, the portly man led the way, squeezing into the car first. The other two quickly followed, not wanting to be left behind.

    Zhou Mu, in contrast to Qi Xiang, drove with much more care and restraint.

    The engine bellowed furiously, the car shooting forward like a wild donkey breaking free from its tether.

    The pack of ferocious wolves that had been in their path was instantly reduced to a pulp, taken out before they even had a chance to react.

 Chapter 13

    C13 ¨C Chaos Horse

    ¡°The Dongfeng really holds up. If it had been a San Tian taking that hit, it would¡¯ve fallen apart by now.¡±

    The chubby guy murmured under his breath, his voice a mix of awe and scorn.

    ¡°We¡¯re over a hundred kilometers from the safe zone. We should make it there in under two hours, tops.¡±

    Zhou Mu spoke nonchntly, his demeanor utterly rxed.

    After being out for over half a month, he was looking forward to some rest before it was time to apply for university.

    With his grades, getting into Bayshore School was a sure thing.

    Anything less than a first-rate evaluation would suggest foul y¡ªthere was no other exnation.

    Having killed ten second-rank, five-star ordinary fiend beasts right after high school, hisbat prowess was clearly elite.

    Students of his caliber were rare, with maybe five a year at most.

    And Zhou Mu was in a league of his own, possessing a leader-grade spirit animal at level one¡ªa feat unmatched in four hundred years.

    ¡°My name¡¯s Zhang Liang, and these are Zhang Dabao and Zhang Xiaomei. May I ask your name, brother? If there¡¯s ever a need, we¡¯re ready to go through fire and water for you.¡±

    Zhang Liang said earnestly, having collected himself.

    ¡°Absolutely! I¡¯d face death without flinching!¡±

    Zhang Dabao nodded vigorously, his belly fat quivering with the motion.

    Zhang Xiaomei reacted simrly, though it wasn¡¯t her belly that rippled.

    ¡°Aren¡¯t you a Tian by surname?¡±

    Zhou Mu was puzzled.

    ¡°Just a little cleverness, a joke.¡±

    ¡°Oh!¡±

    Zhou Mu nodded, then added, ¡°I¡¯m Zhou Mu. You might have heard the name.¡±

    ¡°Zhou Mu? Sounds vaguely familiar¡­¡±

    Zhang Dabao mumbled, struggling to ce it, while Zhang Xiaomei gaped in astonishment.

    ¡°Zhou Mu? The Zhou family¡¯s young master? The one who effortlessly ughtered the elite barbed sus scrofa and scored a first-rate on thebat exam, Zhou Mu?¡±

    ¡°My idol! I can¡¯t believe I¡¯m meeting my idol in person!¡±

    Zhang Liang¡¯s eyes sparkled with excitement and his face showed his amazement.

    The incident where Zhou Mu killed Wu Yuexia¡¯s spirit animal, leaving her vomiting blood and unconscious, had be the talk of the entire Ambergrasp Province.

    Miss Wu, once perched atop her lofty pedestal, now found herself crushed underfoot by a man she had once scorned. The stark reversal resonated deeply with many onlookers.

    In a world where power was paramount,ws could only do so much to stem the tide of oppression.

    There¡¯s an old adage that says, ¡°Troubled times breed demons, and prosperous times, ghosts of the wronged.¡±

    Regardless of the era, it¡¯s always themon folk who bear the brunt of suffering.

    Four centuries of conflict had cemented the Noshar Empire¡¯s formidable reputation, yet peace remained elusive.

    The world was already full of fissures, with new rifts emerging constantly.

    The Empire was in dire need of the strong. Beyond the perks, their status would soar.

    This gave rise to a culture ofbat, with incessant brawls and bloodshed.

    It was an inescapable reality.

    Despite the dire straits, the Empire maintained a semnce of order.

    Any breach of itsws, bymoner or Animal Whisperer alike, would be met with harsh retribution.

    Moreover, the people of this world were far more pragmatic than those in Zhou Mu¡¯s past life.

    Your history mattered little; present strength was what garnered adtion.

    In such a world, it was no wonder Zhou Mu became an icon to many.

    With a first-rate evaluation in the practicalbat exam, the Zhou family heir was on track to join the ranks of the Empire¡¯s elite warriors.

    But what of the shadows that plot and lurk, ready to strike¡­

    Are they prepared to face the Zhou family¡¯s wrath?

    ¡°It was just a casual move. Who knew they¡¯d be so frail?¡± Zhou Mu said with a wry smile, half in earnest, half in jest.

    Wu Yuexia was indeed formidable; her first spirit animal was an elite barbed sus scrofa, a testament to the Wu family¡¯s investment in her.

    Yet, Gator defied all rules. When the dragon¡¯s might was unleashed, all but the alpha had to submit.

    ¡°Your pretense is so refreshingly noble, I¡¯m thoroughly impressed!¡± Zhang Liang gave a thumbs-up, his tone heavy with sincerity.

    Ordinary folks look foolish trying to act cool, but when the strong do it, they¡¯re genuinely impressive.

    The four friends shared jokes andughter, lightening the mood even for Zhang Liang, who had just been revived from the pain of his spirit animal¡¯s death.

    But the respite was short-lived. As the shrill rm red again, Zhou Mu¡¯s eyes fixed on the radar screen, now swarming with red dots, signaling trouble.

    Red dots were everywhere¡ªfront, back, left, right.

    They werepletely surrounded!

    ¡°This isn¡¯t random; it¡¯s a deliberate move.¡±

    Zhang Liang¡¯s face was grave as he spoke deliberately, ¡°Among these fiend beasts, there¡¯s definitely a leader, and a highly intelligent one at that.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m with you on that!¡±

    Zhou Mu nodded, his gaze shifting to the horizon where an uncountable horde of fiend beasts surged towards them like a deluge.

    From first to fourth rank, from rabbits to horses, all were in a frenzy, including a significant number of elite beasts.

    ¡°Hehe!¡±

    A piercing call echoed from a distance, instantly turning Zhang Liang and the others¡¯plexions pale.

    ¡°The Chaos Horse! That¡¯s a Chaos Horse!¡±

    ¡°The Chaos Horse?¡±

    Zhou Mu¡¯s expression grew grim upon hearing Zhang Liang¡¯s words.

    A Chaos Horse was an elite fiend beast, not a leader, but in some ways, far more fearsome.

    It could disregard the presence of a leader fiend beast and even charm those with lesser intelligence to serve its bidding.

    Encountering a Chaos Horse in the wild meant one thing: run. But now, with fiend beasts on all sides, escape was impossible.

    ¡°We¡¯ve escaped the wolf¡¯s den only to enter the tiger¡¯sir. Though death seems certain, it¡¯s been worth it to have met you.¡±

    Big Fatty Zhang refrained from clich¨¦s like ¡°You go first¡±¡ªin this predicament, no one could escape.

    ¡°We haven¡¯t reached the end yet. How can we just give up?¡±

    With a defiant snort, Zhou Mu wasted no time in activating the third version of Heaven¡¯s Crafting Technology¡¯s Energy Shield.

    With a hiss, a semi-transparent dome sprang into existence, ten meters in diameter, encasing the fourpanions within its protective embrace.

    In an instant, a cacophony of roars erupted from the distance, quickly followed by a swirling cloud of dust and a dark, oppressive mass of fiend beasts.

    ¡°What¡¯s our next move?¡±

    Zhang Xiaomei couldn¡¯t help but ask as she watched the fiend beasts close in at an rming rate.

    The terrifying presence of the countless beasts rushing from every direction made their breathing growbored.

    ¡°Wait!¡±

    Zhou Mu spoke with a deceptive calm, as though he had everything under control, but internally, he was in full-blown panic.

    With such a multitude of fiend beasts, even Gator¡¯s intervention would be futile.

    The Chaos Horse was nowhere to be found, having driven the nearby fiend beasts into a frenzy with its influence.

    In essence, these fiend beasts were maddened, utterly fearless of Gator¡¯s Dragon¡¯s Might.

    There were only three possible solutions to their predicament.

    The first was to wait for Zhou Mu¡¯s soul intensity to hit three points, allowing Gator to ascend to the third rank and take a chance on its abilities.

    The second option was to push Gator to the third rank by force, but that came with the risk of the spirit animal turning on him. There was a real possibility that he might not fall to the fiend beasts, only to end up devoured by Gator.

    The final alternative was to trade his lifespan with the system. If Zhou Mu could pay the price, the system had the power to whisk him away.

 Chapter 14

    C14 ¨C The Poisonous Breath

    Zhou Mu¡¯s instinctive choice was the first one. If the situation was dire, he would resort to a dangerous gambit and force Gator to level up.

    The gap between 2.9 and 3.0 wasn¡¯t significant; perhaps they could pull through.

    As for thest resort, it was a desperate measure for desperate times.

    After all, a shorter life was preferable to no life at all. Being alive meant there was hope, and who knows? Maybe he¡¯d find a treasure that could extend his lifespan someday!

    ¡°Wait?¡±

    Upon hearing Zhou Mu¡¯s n, the group exchanged bewildered nces.

    They were encircled by a horde of fiend beasts. If the energy shield failed, death was the only certainty.

    But what other option did they have? Their only hope was for Zhou Mu to somehow reverse their fortunes.

    Time flew by, and the first fiend beast had already reached them, mming into the energy shield with ferocity.

    Puff!

    It was like a ripe squash hitting the ground, bursting into a spray of gore.

    The beast had charged too recklessly and met its end upon impact.

    Meanwhile, the energy shield stood unyielding, a steadfast guardian for the quartet.

    Designed to withstand ten minutes of elite fiend beast assaults, the shield¡¯s endurance would surely dwindle given the onught they faced.

    As expected, with each beast that hurled itself against it, the shield¡¯s surface began to show faint ripples.

    With each second, the ripples multiplied, quickly escting from one to over twenty in a mere five seconds.

    Bang!

    A rhinoceros-like fiend beast charged, its sturdy horns snapping, a visible crack splitting its skull.

    It fell dead, and the shield, once ripple-free, now trembled slightly.

    ¡°Do I really have to do it?¡±

    Zhou Mu gritted his teeth, his determination hardening.

    He was on the verge of trading for third-rank spirit crystals to forcibly upgrade Gator when it felt like something snapped in his mind, followed by a wave of cool relief.

    In this critical moment, his soul intensity had finally hit the three-point mark!

    ¡°Gator, eat this!¡±

    Without a moment¡¯s dy, Zhou Mu produced the third-rank spirit crystals and thrust them into Gator¡¯s mouth.

    A sudden glimmer caught the eye, this time concentrating on the head.

    Zhou Mu nced at his attribute panel, and his anxiety swiftly melted away.

    Poison Fang: A bite that delivers venom into the target¡¯s body through the teeth.

    Poison Breath: A spray of toxins projected forward, entering the target¡¯s body through inhtion.

    Two abilities, one for a single target, the other for multiple.

    One packed a powerful punch, the other covered a broad area.

    The choice was clear¡ªZhou Mu didn¡¯t hesitate to pick thetter.

    With just a thought, Gator instantly acquired the new skill.

    ¡­¡­

    ¡­¡­

    Perched atop a small hill, roughly five hundred meters from the fiend beast horde, stood a ck horse, its mane fluttering in the wind.

    Majestic and muscr, it bore an expression of utter contempt; to its gaze, everyone was a fool.

    This was the Chaos Horse, a fifth rank elite fiend beast of exceptional rarity.

    Not quite a leader, but merely a hair¡¯s breadth away.

    Unintimidated by the leader¡¯s might, it possessed abilities scarce even among those of leader caliber.

    Were it not for the constraints of its lineage, it might well rank among the top echelons of the leaders.

    ¡°Hehe!¡±

    The Chaos Horse trumpeted a defiant neigh, its resonant call echoing far and wide.

    It was issuing amand to the peripheral fiend beasts: to ughter the humans at any cost.

    The beast tide had been in the making for a long stretch, and it was imperative that humans remained oblivious for now.

    In no more than a month, the fiend beast leaders would be fully prepared, and even more formidable beasts, those surpassing the leaders, would emerge.

    Humans, in its eyes, were nothing but chickens and dogs!

    With this thought, a surge of excitement coursed through the Chaos Horse.

    Yet, in that moment, it sensed an anomaly.

    The numbers of fiend beasts were dwindling at an rming rate.

    ¡°Hehe?¡±

    Bewilderment washed over the Chaos Horse. It had rallied close to three thousand fiend beasts, mostlymon ones of the first and second rank, a veritable overkill for a mere handful of humans.

    So what was happening now?

    Why were the fiend beasts perishing so swiftly?

    Puzzled, the Chaos Horse pondered briefly before deciding to vacate the area.

    Whatever the cause, any force capable of decimating three thousand fiend beasts with such speed was no ordinary adversary.

    No matter the reason, the ability to swiftly eliminate three thousand fiend beasts was a clear sign that this was no ordinary character. If he confronted them, there was a near certainty of death.

    ¡­¡­

    Puff!

    In a dire situation, Gator unleashed a new skill, spewing forth a cloud of toxic gas. A verdant fog of poison enveloped a twenty-meter radius in a fan shape before him, instantly killing the nearest fiend beast. A third-rank leader could effortlessly overpower a fourth-rank ordinary fiend beast with a mere flick of the wrist. This skill sacrificed the ultra-high damage against a single target in favor of a wider area of effect. While it might not be as effective against a leader of simr strength, it was devastatingly simple against a horde of ordinary and elite fiends.

    Puff!

    Puff!

    Puff!

    Hundreds of ordinary fiend beasts sumbed to the poison in less than a second. A handful of elites fared slightly better,sting a mere two seconds before copsing.

    ¡°Squeak, squeak, squeak!¡±

    A hare with blood-red eyes seized the moment of chaos, leaping through Gator¡¯s blockade and into the air. Its snow-white teeth glinted with a chilling brilliance in the sunlight, and its soft, long fur rippled in the wind, creating waves like those on ake. Amidst the frenzy of fiend beasts and andscape littered with corpses, there was an unexpected beauty to its ferocity.

    Then¡­

    Smack!

    A hand materialized from thin air,nding squarely on the hare¡¯s face and sending it hurtling away.

    ¡°A delusional rabbit really thought it was a warrior!¡± Zhou Mu scoffed, though his mood was somber.

    With Gator present, these fiend beasts posed little threat. But what if their numbers multiplied by hundreds, thousands, or even hundreds of thousands? That would be a Beast Tide: frenzied, ferocious, and seemingly endless. They wouldn¡¯t retreat unless more than half were in.

    Over the past four hundred years, the Noshar Empire had experienced over a hundred such events, and its schrs had long since understood the cause of the Beast Tides: rampant reproduction. Fiend beasts were simply powerful wild creatures that bred without restraint in the absence of natural predators. The inevitable result was an overabundance of offspring.

    With resources stretched thin and fiend beast poptions out of control, food shortages were inevitable. This scarcity would drive the varied fiend beasts into conflict with one another.

    With numerous high-level Animal Whisperers, humans wielded formidable modes and technology, making tens of thousands of fiend beasts seem like mere dental floss.

    Under normal circumstances, fiend beasts wouldn¡¯t dare to challenge such formidable species.

    But reality begged to differ!

    Just as humans had their elite Animal Whisperers, fiend beasts boasted high-ranking leaders.

    While humans relied on advanced modes and technology, fiend beasts had an endless supply of low-level fodder.

    To alleviate the survival pressures of their kind, many fiend beast leaders, including those of higher ranks, banded together to strike human settlements, thereby thinning out their lower ranks.

    This was the onset of the Beast Tide!

    Once the cause and effect were clear, the strategy was straightforward.

    Match soldier for soldier, general for general.

    High-level Animal Whisperers faced off with formidable fiend beasts, and upon their defeat, the lesser beasts descended into disarray, ripe for a firestorm.

    Despite the inevitable human casualties and property losses with each Beast Tide, it remained the most effective response.

    The fiend beasts nearby were insignificant in number, and they were but four.

    Had Zhou Mu not bought time with his energy shield, or had Gator not ascended to third rank at the crucial moment, they might have perished.

    In the end, Zhou Mu was prepared to fight to the death, but not for three strangers.

    Lending a hand was alreadymendable; self-sacrifice for others was out of the question.

    Witnessing Gator¡¯s rampage, annihting hundreds of low-rank fiend beasts with a single toxic st, Big Fatty Zhang couldn¡¯t contain himself, eximing, ¡°Holy shit, that¡¯s badass!¡±

    ¡°Heh, mind yournguage!¡±

    Zhou Mu nced over with a loaded gaze.

    Big Fatty Zhang was dumbfounded.

    ¡°Pfft! Hahaha!¡±

    Zhang Liang burst into uncontrobleughter, while Zhang Xiaomei blushed and bowed her head.

    ¡°I didn¡¯t mean it that way; it was just an exmation.¡±

    Regaining hisposure, Big Fatty Zhang quickly rified, ¡°Xiaomei¡¯s the one I love, not badassery!¡±

    ¡°Go to hell!¡±

    Zhang Xiaomei retorted with a kick, having none of Big Fatty Zhang¡¯sparison.

    When Gator advanced, the dire crisis facing everyone was averted, and the perilous situation quickly turned around.

    Zhou Mu surveyed the swathes of in fiend beasts with no sense of triumph in his heart, only a burning rage.

    ¡°I swear, if I catch that beast¡­¡±

    After stowing his telescope, Zhou Mu¡¯s eyes fell on the sports car, now resembling something repeatedly impaled by a horde of men, and he seethed with frustration.

    The vehicle, renowned for its durability, had withstood the onught of numerous fiend beasts. Its windows shattered, its body riddled with dents, and its paint stripped away, yet its frame remainedrgely intact.

    If the damage wasn¡¯t too severe, it could likely be fixed.

    Prying open the car door, he gave it a try. True to the reputation of the Noshar Empire¡¯s craftsmanship, the Dongfeng car roared to life.

    ¡°We should head out and report today¡¯s events to the Animal Whisperer Union. I have a feeling something significant is on the horizon.¡±

    Zhou Mu¡¯s face was etched with concern. The image of the Chaos Horse lingered persistently in his thoughts, an unwee specter.

    He was aware that higher-ranked fiend beasts possessed intelligence on par with humans, yet the fact that a mere fifth-rank elite could achieve such havoc was astonishing to Zhou Mu.

    While a fiend beast¡¯s quality was supposedly unchangeable, its rank could climb indefinitely, much like humans.

    Should the Chaos Horse continue to evolve, reaching the ninth or tenth rank, it might be uncatchable.

    And yet, was it truly impossible to enhance a fiend beast¡¯s quality as the books imed?

    Zhou Mu harbored his doubts!

    Considering Gator¡¯s case, it might not be that improvement was unattainable, but rather that it couldn¡¯t be achieved through conventional means.

    It was akin to the protagonists in certain lowbrow novels who, after oveing great hardships, undergo a metamorphosis that alters their destiny.

    ¡°I must contract a second spirit animal soon. If I face a simr situation again, luck may not be on my side.¡±

    With a heavy sigh, Zhou Mu resolved to seek out the elder.

    His first spirit animal was a leader; the second could not merely be an elite.

    Yet, whether elite or leader, acquiring them demanded substantial funds. Moreover, with his father pressuring him into an engagement with Qi Xiang, his options were limited.

 Chapter 15

    C15 ¨C My Good Grandson Don¡¯t Cry Anymore

    After saying goodbye to Zhang Liang and the others, Zhou Mu handed the car keys to the housekeeper, Chunhua, and hailed a taxi back to the Zhou family estate.

    ¡°Grandfather! Grandfather! Grandfather!¡± Zhou Mu called out instinctively, then paused, feeling a bit off. Why did he sound like a character from a children¡¯s show?

    ¡°My dear grandson, you¡¯ve finally decided to visit your old grandpa,¡± the elder Zhou greeted him with a warm, twinkling smile, showing no trace of the ferocity he had when he chased Uncle Ming and Zhou Ming out of the house during the New Year festivities.

    ¡°I¡¯ve been swamped with examstely!¡± Zhou Mu exined as he settled next to the old man, carefully avoiding any mention of needing money and instead chatting about school life.

    The old man had weathered many storms over the years; he had seen it all and could read people like an open book. The moment Zhou Mu shifted ufortably, the old man knew exactly what wasing.

    On the surface, the two engaged in trivial family talk, but inwardly, each was biding their time, waiting for the other to show their hand.

    Eventually, Zhou Mu caved.

    The old man had the patience of a saint and could wait days, even weeks, if necessary. Zhou Mu, on the other hand, was in dire straits¡ªhe urgently needed the cash.

    ¡°Grandfather, could you lend me some money? My dad¡¯s been so harsh on me, only giving me five hundred thousand a month. It¡¯s barely enough to live on. I¡¯ve had to hunt fiend beasts in the wilderness just to survive, always on edge, always in danger. If luck hadn¡¯t been on my side this time, the Zhou lineage might have ended with me.¡±

    As he spoke, Zhou Mu covertly rubbed his eyes with his finger, releasing the sting of capsaicin and causingrge tears to stream down his face.

    The capsaicin he¡¯d bought from the system store was potent¡ªafter practicing his ¡®spicy palm¡¯ technique for so long, he wouldn¡¯t dare touch his food with that hand, let alone his eyes.

    But desperate times called for desperate measures. He risked it for the sake of convincing his grandfather, only to immediately regret it as the fiery sensation invaded his nostrils, triggering a flood of tears and mucus.

    That was bad enough, but then memories of his past life¡¯s struggles for survival surfaced, overwhelming him with a wave of sorrow that left him sobbing uncontrobly.

    Then, he burst into uncontroble tears!

    The sight of his grandson sobbing so deeply took the old man by surprise.

    He had assumed the boy was merely whining about being broke, but now, seeing his current state, he couldn¡¯t fathom the hardships he¡¯d enduredtely.

    Recalling Zhou Mu¡¯s earlier words about struggling without enough food or warm clothes, living in constant fear, and facing endless crises, the old man¡¯s heart ached, quickly followed by a surge of rage.

    Of the Zhou family¡¯s second generation, the youngest son was a wild card, the middle son preupied with quelling spatial rifts, leaving only the eldest to produce an heir.

    It was bad enough not to coddle the sole sessor, but to cut off his allowance, driving him into the perilous wilds to hunt fiend beasts, was beyond the pale!

    The old man¡¯s fury knew no bounds. He embraced Zhou Mu, offering words offort, then furiously dialed Zhou Chun¡¯s number and unleashed a tirade, ¡°Zhou Chun, you wretched cur, damn you¡­¡±

    His tirade left Zhou Chunpletely bewildered, clueless as to what had set him off.

    Once the old man¡¯s anger seemed to cool slightly, Zhou Chun was about to inquire about the cause of the outburst, but the line went dead.

    Zhou Chun: ¡°???¡±

    Feeling terrible after the inexplicable scolding, Zhou Chun pondered briefly and suspected it had to do with Zhou Mu.

    The old man, long retired and living a life of quiet cultivation at the family estate, could only be driven to such fury by the Zhou family¡¯s lone heir.

    After calling a subordinate to pinpoint Zhou Mu¡¯s location, Zhou Chun¡¯s own anger red.

    ¡°That little wretch!¡±

    Zhou Chun was so livid he nearly shattered his cup, seething with frustration.

    He had hoped to bend the boy to his will, not expecting him to seek refuge with his grandfather.

    Where was the justice in that?

    ¡°Qi Xiang has been his childhood sweetheart, always so docile and pretty. Why the refusal? Maybe it¡¯s time for tougher measures, perhaps a potion?¡±

    Zhou Chun stroked his stubbled chin, feeling a twinge of guilt for considering such extremes.

    ¡°But then again, the boy¡¯s recent behavior is quite suspicious. I personally examined that little snake; apart from its lively, intelligent eyes and pretty color, there was nothing unusual. How then did it evolve from an ordinary beast to a leader? And his body¡¯s toxins, so deeply embedded in his cells and genes, even his second brother is at a loss. How on earth did he detoxify?¡±

    ¡°Gic mutation? Or perhaps the work of some ancient creature?¡±

    Zhou Chun paused briefly before finally making the call to his younger brother, Zhou Hao.

    ¡­¡­

    ¡°There, there, my good grandson, no more tears.¡±

    The elder patted Zhou Mu¡¯s shoulder, only to find that his attempt at constion only made the boy weep harder.

    Having navigated the martial world for decades, the old man had seen it all. Yet, faced with his grandson sobbing uncontrobly, he found himself unexpectedly disconcerted.

    Gently wiping the tears from Zhou Mu¡¯s face, the elder¡¯s own nose tingled with emotion as memories of his own childhood surfaced.

    Orphaned at a young age, shunned by kin who feared him as a curse, he was left to fend for himself at the tender age of eight.

    Scrounging for food in trash heaps, brawling with stray dogs¡ªhe had endured untold hardships.

    ¡°Ah, you¡¯ve suffered so much through the years,¡± he murmured.

    As he dabbed at his moistening eyes, the old man realized something was amiss.

    Burning!

    Intensely burning!

    His eyes were on fire, tears streaming uncontrobly!

    Sensing something, Zhou Mu looked up to see his grandfather¡¯s tear-streaked face.

    An odd tableau unfolded as the two locked gazes¡ªone astonished, the other solemn.

    The elder remained silent, and Zhou Mu was at a loss for words.

    After nearly two minutes of silence, Zhou Mu¡¯s eyelids began to twitch uncontrobly.

    He sensed danger, an overwhelming sense of dread.

    ¡°Grandfather¡­¡±

    Zhou Mu¡¯s voice trailed off as he contemted making a break for it.

    Money was the least of his concerns now.

    The real question was whether he could make it out in one piece.

    ¡°You little rascal, acting like you¡¯re my elder!¡± the old man bellowed, pulling off his shoe and delivering a swift smack to Zhou Mu¡¯s backside.

    ¡­¡­

    ¡°Old timer, that was a low blow.¡±

    Zhou Mu clutched the bank card in one hand and his sore backside with the other, wincing in pain.

    This was a localized bruise, not the result of energy or toxins, and thus, it couldn¡¯t be traded with the system.

    Of course, Zhou Mu could opt for some potent but toxic medicinal herbs to expedite healing before making the exchange.

    ¡°Despite being found out, I¡¯ve aplished my mission.¡±

    Zhou Mu slipped the bank card into his pocket and boldly made his way toward the Love Lovely Pet Breeding Base.

    ¡°Sure, I blew my cover, but I achieved my goal.¡±

    Zhou Mu tucked the bank card into his pocket and strode confidently toward the Love and Care Pet Breeding Center. In a world ruled by Animal Whisperers and spirit animals, the trade and breeding of these creatures were incredibly lucrative.

    Centuries of evolution had given rise to innumerable shops dedicated to the sale of spirit animals, and the Love and Care Pet Breeding Center was among the elite. Whether you needed a melee, long-range, or a hybridbatant¡­

    Attack, defense, or healing types¡­

    If you had the cash, you could acquire anything your heart desired.

    Even the most unusual spirit animals could be found here.

    Zhou Mu was feeling lucky, hoping to find the perfect match. If not, he¡¯d check out the Animal Whisperer Union next.

    ¡°Big brother, looking to buy a spirit animal?¡±

    The moment he entered the shop, a piercing voice greeted Zhou Mu.

    ¡°Yep!¡±

    He replied casually, taking in his surroundings. The Love and Care Pet Breeding Center was modest in size, under a thousand square meters, but it was packed with dozens of metallic cages, each housing a young spirit animal. Rows of temperature-controlled incubators held a spectrum of eggs, and the area was surrounded by hundreds of varieties of feed and food.

    The quantity of spirit animals might have been limited, but their quality was exceptional. There were the dopey barbed sus scrofas, the boisterous white-horned bullfrogs, and the adorable snow foxes.

    A few steps in, Zhou Mu¡¯s eyes caught a stunning emerald creature in a water tank.

    ¡°A Crystal Cold Toad? I never expected to find such a rare spirit animal here!¡±

    He marveled, knowing he was in the right ce.

    ¡°Brother, what kind of spirit animal are you after? You must know the reputation of the Love and Care Pet Breeding Center. There¡¯s nothing you can¡¯t find here.¡±

    The sharp voice rang out once more. Zhou Mu scanned the area but couldn¡¯t pinpoint the speaker.

    ¡°I¡¯m looking for abat-ready spirit animal. The more powerful, the better,¡± Zhou Mu stated, continuing his search.

    He found it odd that the shopkeeper wouldn¡¯t meet him face-to-face. This disembodied conversation was bordering on rudeness.

    ¡°The more powerful, the better?¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m all about practicality. Types don¡¯t matter to me. As long as it¡¯s battle-ready, I¡¯m interested.¡±

    As Zhou Mu made his way eastward, the sound of a voice seemed to beckon him from that direction. Curious, he decided to investigate what the shopkeeper was up to.

    ¡°For those in need of a creature with formidablebat abilities, I¡¯d rmend the Giant Toothed Elephant. Its hide is tough, and it can take quite a beating. There¡¯s no elite spirit animal more resilient than it,¡± the voice rang out, guiding Zhou Mu.

    ¡°The Giant Toothed Elephant is well-armored, but itcks speed. It¡¯s liable to be an easy target on the battlefield. Do you have anything else?¡± Zhou Mu inquired.

    ¡°Consider the Iron Armored Rhinoceros, a leader-grade beast known for itsbat prowess and defense. It¡¯s swift too, capable of easily ripping through the hide of the Giant Toothed Elephant.¡±

    ¡°The Iron Armored Rhinoceros has the speed, but it¡¯s not the most agile. Once it charges, it¡¯s quite challenging to redirect. We can keep it as an option. Anything else?¡± Zhou Mu continued to probe as he navigated the aisles.

    He was close now, no more than twenty meters from the shopkeeper, after weaving through several shelves.

    ¡°If you¡¯re looking for a bnce of attack, defense, speed, and agility, your options are limited. Most elite spirit animals excel in one area, and a leader might cover two or three. For a truly versatile creature, you¡¯d be looking at the stuff of legends¡ªthe dragon species,¡± the voice advised sharply.

    After rounding a couple of bends and circling a massive water tank, Zhou Mu finallyid eyes on the ¡°shopkeeper¡±¡ªa plump, colorful parrot with a small crest of feathers atop its head.

    The parrot perched nonchntly by a pile of dried fruit, effortlessly shredding the tough shells with its sharp ws before tossing the morsels into its beak, exuding an air of cheeky defiance.

 Chapter 16

    C16 ¨C The Scarlet Macaw

    ¡°It¡¯s not just any spirit animal with a hint of dragon essence, nor is it a worthless trinket. It¡¯s the real deal, the king of fiend beasts¡­¡±

    The parrot was rambling on when it abruptly stopped mid-sentence.

    It caught sight of a pair of eyes, eyes filled with skepticism and scrutiny.

    After a few seconds of hesitation, the parrot ventured, ¡°Uh, you know, I¡¯m actually the shop owner. Would you believe that?¡±

    ¡°Yes, I believe you!¡±

    Zhou Mu nodded earnestly. ¡°I¡¯ve changed my mind. I¡¯m looking to purchase a scarlet macaw. It must stay within one meter of me and be capable of speaking humannguage.¡±

    The parrot: ¡°???¡±

    Just say it needs to talk within a meter, why not be direct?

    The parrot fell silent for a long thirty seconds before turning and belting out a bloodcurdling scream, ¡°Boss, someone¡¯s here to buy your bird!¡±

    The moment the parrot¡¯s cry rang out, a flurry of footsteps drew near.

    Atst, the owner appeared!

    Standing at a towering two meters, his build was broad and stout, his arms, protruding from his half sleeves, as thick as Zhou Mu¡¯s thighs.

    His bushy, ck beard was unkempt, his hair greasy and curled.

    Despite his disheveled appearance, his eyes were sharp and lively.

    ¡°Do you want this bird?¡±

    The owner sized up Zhou Mu, his brow slowly creasing.

    ¡°Indeed. Let¡¯s talk price,¡± Zhou Mu replied, nodding.

    The scarlet macaw was an elite spirit animal, excelling in close-quartersbat.

    Agile, with potent attacks and solid defense, it ranked among the top tier of elite spirit animals.

    Initially, Zhou Mu had set out to buy a leader, but upon encountering the scarlet macaw, he instantly had a change of heart.

    It wasn¡¯t just for its intelligence, on par with humans, but also for the two skills it had intuitively mastered.

    Name: Scarlet Macaw

    Quality: Elite

    Level: First Rank, Five Stars

    Attribute: Metal

    Upgrade Requirement: One fully mature Arctic Banyan seed.

    Quality Skills:

    Bone Strengthening: An elite skill that significantly enhances bone density, boosting both skeletal defense and the offensive capabilities of the ws and beak.

    First Rank Skills:

    Heart-tearing w: Delivers a rapid triple attack on the target.

    As a melee-specialized spirit animal, the scarlet macaw boasted not only innate prowess but also two impressive skills. The elite skill, Bone Strengthening, was particrly remarkable¡ªnothing short of perfection. The scarlet macaw¡¯s primary modes of attack were its beak and ws, both of which were bone-based. This elite skill enhanced bone density, significantly boosting both defense and attack power¡ªa wless synergy.

    Such abat-savvy and clever spirit animal should have been snapped up long ago. Its continued presence here, however, had a rather sad exnation. The more powerful a being, the greater the constraints it faces¡ªa timeless edict of nature. Take the tiger, the so-called king of beasts, for example; its poption has always been kept within a very narrow margin, teetering on the brink of extinction on multiple asions. The scarlet macaw was subject to the same harsh realities.

    An elite creature with leadership-level talent andmendable reproductive capabilities, the scarlet macaw, once proliferating to a certain threshold, could massively disrupt the current spirit animal market and even upset the delicate bnce between humans and fiend beasts. Imagine a scenario where with just 20 points in physical attributes, one could form a contract, wieldingbat strength just a notch below that of a leader. If every soldier in the Noshar Empire had one at theirmand, the result would be a fearsomely formidable force.

    Yet such a scenario was never meant to be, as the materials required for the scarlet macaw¡¯s advancement were exceedingly scarce. The Arctic Banyan, a precious spirit medicine from the spatial rift known as the Diamond Realm, could significantly fortify bones without any adverse effects. Over four centuries, numerous spatial rifts had emerged, some teeming with fiend beasts, others deste and silent, and still others abundant with specific spirit medicines or minerals. Typically, these rifts harbored abination of dangerous beasts and valuable resources.

    The Diamond Realm was a prime example. The presence of the Arctic Banyan meant that the fiend beasts dwelling within had exceptionally high defenses and were notoriously aggressive and irascible. Upon encountering an enemy, they would swarm in a frenzied assault, relentless until their foe was shredded to pieces. The formidable defenses and robust physiques of these creatures posed a significant challenge for the Noshar Empire¡¯s leadership.

    With the might of the Noshar Empire, obliterating the Diamond Realm was within the realm of possibility. Yet, the cost of such an endeavor, merely to seize a few spirit herbs, seemed like a ssic case of the juice not being worth the squeeze.

    Consequently, the empire¡¯s elite pivoted their approach, opting to domesticate the Diamond Realm¡¯s fiend beasts into spirit animals. Once nurtured, these creatures were tasked with seeking out the elusive Arctic Banyan.

    In doing so, Noshar secured a reliable channel for gathering the coveted herb.

    However, the initiative was so recent that the Arctic Banyan rarely circted outside elite circles. Only those who had distinguished themselves to the military or the Animal Whisperer Union had the privilege of purchase.

    This meant that the prospects for the scarlet macaw were effectively locked down. Barring any miracles, it seemed doomed to never ascend beyond the first rank.

    ¡°The Arctic Banyan is a treasured spirit herb from the Diamond Realm, and it¡¯s regted. Without it, this bird will never advance. Are you sure you want tomit a contract slot to it?¡± The muscr man locked eyes with Zhou Mu, emphasizing each word.

    ¡°I¡¯ve chosen it for a reason. Just because it¡¯s beyond your reach doesn¡¯t mean it¡¯s beyond mine,¡± Zhou Mu replied with a smile, gently stroking the head of the scarlet macaw.

    ¡°Boss, someone¡¯s petting your bird,¡± the macawined, turning its head away in a huff.

    ¡°Such confidence? You must be from no ordinary family,¡± the burly man said, ignoring the macaw¡¯sment and giving Zhou Mu a second, more scrutinizing look. Recognition dawned on him. ¡°You¡­ wouldn¡¯t happen to be a Zhou, would you?¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m Zhou Mu.¡±

    ¡°I thought so!¡± The man nodded in understanding. ¡°The Zhou family¡¯s scion, no wonder you¡¯re so self-assured. The bird¡¯s yours. And do pass on my regards to your father.¡±

    ¡°Sure.¡± Zhou Mu acknowledged with a nod, firmly pulling the macaw closer.

    There was no need for further inquiry; clearly, the shopkeeper had a history with his father, perhaps a debt of gratitude.

    Zhou Mu preferred to leave the past to those who lived it and steered clear of entanglement.

    ¡°Boss, you¡¯re giving up your bird¡­¡± The macaw looked forlorn, struggling to break free, but Zhou Mu¡¯s grip was unyielding, and all its efforts were in vain.

    ¡°His dad¡¯s the wealthiest man in Ambergrasp, and his unclemands the military there. If you can¡¯t secure an Arctic Banyan, you might as well consider your life over.¡±

    The muscr man dismissed the concern with a wave of his hand, ¡°Just look after it well. This bird¡¯s great, except for its smart mouth.¡±

    ¡°Got it, thanks!¡±

    Zhou Mu nodded his acknowledgment and walked away.

    Once he left the Love Lovely Pet Breeding Base, the forlorn expression on the scarlet macaw vanished.

    Leaping onto Zhou Mu¡¯s shoulder, the bird cocked its head and inquired, ¡°Big guy, can you actually get your hands on an Arctic Banyan?¡±

    ¡°Why would I need an Arctic Banyan when I¡¯ve got something even better?¡±

    Zhou Mu let out a lightugh and gently shut the car door behind him.

 Chapter 17

    C17 ¨C Be Stronger

    ¡°Something better than the Arctic Banyan? You sure talk a big game.¡±

    The scarlet macaw scoffed and hopped beneath the windshield, fiddling with a small object at its side with its ws.

    ¡°We¡¯ll see if I¡¯m all talk soon enough.¡±

    Zhou Mu said this while channeling soul energy to etch the mode.

    The basic qualification for an Animal Whisperer is the ability to inscribe a Soul Contract independently.

    Typically, with a soul intensity of just one point, a bit more practice would suffice.

    Zhou Mu¡¯s natural talent wascking. When he made the pact with Gator, he needed Zhou Ming¡¯s assistance.

    ¡°Enter!¡±

    It took just over ten seconds for Zhou Mu toplete the Soul Contract inscription. He gestured to the glowing mode, signaling the scarlet macaw to step in.

    The macaw didn¡¯t hesitate. As a spirit animal, it was fated never to grow, its best hope being to serve as a diminutive steward in the shop.

    Despite its protests, the scarlet macaw was deeply thankful to Zhou Mu.

    Even if it couldn¡¯t reach the second rank!

    ¡°Given your size, you¡¯re no bigger than a chick, and quite the goofball. How about Chicken Two for a name?¡±

    ¡°Chicken Two?¡±

    The name left the scarlet macaw momentarily dumbfounded, then seething with anger.

    ¡°You¡¯re Chicken Two, your whole family¡¯s Chicken Two!¡±

    It ranted, pecking at Zhou Mu¡¯s head in a fury, yet it only managed to ruffle his hair without causing real harm.

    ¡°Oh? Not fond of Chicken Two?¡±

    Zhou Mu casually flipped a second rank spirit crystal in the air, catching it with ease.

    The macaw¡¯s gaze locked onto the crystal, tracking Zhou Mu¡¯s every move with rapt attention.

    ¡°Keep it up!¡±

    After several tosses, Zhou Mu yfully lobbed the crystal to the macaw.

    ¡°Boss, I¡¯m proud to be your Chicken Two!¡±

    The scarlet macaw caught the spirit crystal, affectionately nuzzling Zhou Mu¡¯s face.

    The crystal was asrge as its own head; swallowing it would surely lead to a choking hazard.

    It must be acknowledged that the system¡¯s service was exceptionally attentive.

    With a peck at the spirit crystal, the scarlet macaw transformed it into a mist that spiraled into its nostrils.

    ¡°Oh~~~¡±

    The scarlet macaw emitted an odd noise, clearly having watched the movie alongside its previous owner.

    ¡°I¡¯m starting to have regrets.¡±

    Zhou Mu massaged his temples, sensing that this bird¡¯s issues went beyond its sharp tongue; its mind seemed equally off-kilter.

    The scarlet macaw leveled up rapidly, and within ten seconds, two options materialized on the panel.

    [Wing de: Turns wings into des to shred targets.]

    [Strong Wind: Generates a gale by rapidly pping wings.]

    After some deliberation, Zhou Mu selected Wing de.

    If the spirit animal was meant for closebat, he figured he might as wellmit fully to that path.

    For area attacks, Gator was sufficient; the scarlet macaw could be honed into an assassin.

    ¡°Ah¡­ Oh¡­ Mm¡­ Pah¡­¡±

    After two minutes of squawking, an exasperated Zhou Mu smacked the scarlet macaw against the car window.

    Chicken Two quieted down considerably after the p, slumping to one side, subdued.

    Zhou Mu paid it no mind; the bird was clearly feigning.

    With the second spirit animal in tow, he proceeded to purchase various spirit herbs to enhance his attributes.

    He acquired a plethora of supplements, including East Asian Divine Herbs for constitution, Six-Eyed Flying Fish for agility, Dragon Horn Root for strength, and an assortment of other tonics.

    The inheritance from the elder would eventually pass to Zhou Chun, who, upon retirement, would entrust the Zhou family¡¯s business affairs to Zhou Mu.

    Rounding up, it was essentially spending his own future money.

    No pain, no gain!

    Zhou Mu parked his car outside and retreated to his room, securing the door behind him.

    Having stocked up on spirit herbs, it was time to elevate his prowess to unprecedented heights.

    Moreover, both Gator and the scarlet macaw were due for their own advancements.

    The Bloodline Advancement Stone demanded 500 points each, and with 10,000 points at his disposal, Zhou Mu could redeem up to 20 stones.

    Once Gator was summoned, it immediately coiled its tail around Zhou Mu¡¯s leg and affectionately nuzzled his chest.

    ¡°Wow, what a stunning little snake.¡±

    The scarlet macaw let out a rogue whistle and cocked its head, asking, ¡°Boss, are you gearing up for a little interspecies romance?¡±

    ¡°Hey, you charming parrot, how about going hungry for three days?¡±

    Zhou Mu shot it a cool nce and remarked dryly.

    ¡°I¡¯m sorry, boss!¡±

    The scarlet macaw might have a sassy beak, but it was quite good at owning up to its mistakes.

    Zhou Mu, however, held no illusions about it truly changing its ways.

    The spirit medicine would take at least half an hour to arrive, so Zhou Mu decided to upgrade the scarlet macaw to leader quality in the meantime.

    ¡°Here, eat this!¡±

    He tossed a Bloodline Advancement Stone to the bird, whose eyes practically popped out of its head.

    It might never say it out loud, but deep down, it felt Zhou Mu was akin to its own father ¨C no, even closer than that!

    With a gentle peck, the stone vaporized into a mist and entered through every orifice.

    In the blink of an eye, the scarlet macaw bulked up, its ws turned fiercer, and its feathers grew fuller.

    ¡°Boss, got any more? I reckon with just two more, I could level up to leader grade.¡±

    Desire shone in the scarlet macaw¡¯s eyes as it gazed at Zhou Mu.

    Zhou Mu had already amazed it with numerous upgrades, bypassing the need for Arctic Banyan to reach the second rank, and now he even had a method to refine its bloodline.

    If he had enough of that earlier substance, it could potentially evolve into the stuff of legends ¨C a Bird King!

    Or rather, a phoenix!

    ¡°Two more? Even though I¡¯m down to myst dime, I¡¯ve still got some to spare.¡±

    Zhou Mu chuckled and flicked two more Bloodline Advancement Stones its way.

    Snap! Snap!

    True to its nature as a closebat spirit animal, the scarlet macaw¡¯s reflexes were lightning-fast.

    Its beak snapped up the stones with precision and ferocity.

    ¡°Ugh¡­¡±

    The bird, known as Chicken Two, shook violently as it swelled to thrice its size in under five seconds, its ws and beak gleaming menacingly in the sunlight.

    The talons and beak were now razor-sharp, gleaming with a chilling light under the sun¡¯s rays. The feathers atop its head stood like angry swords thrusting into the heavens, while the edges of its wings sliced through the air as if they were knife des.

    It exuded power and a domineering presence, with a palpable aura of lethality.

    This creature was an assassin. Despite its mboyant appearance, its formidable strength was unquestionable.

    Zhou Mu watched the transformed scarlet macaw, now amanding leader, and marveled at the wonder of evolution.

    What was once a humble bird had be impressively majestic.

    Yet, Zhou Mu realized he had erred.

    The bird¡¯s form had undergone a dramatic transformation, but at its core, it remained the same.

    ¡°Boss, your Chicken Two has gotten stronger!¡± the scarlet macaw chirped as it hopped about, wiggling its rear end at Zhou Mu.

    ¡°I¡¯m exhausted. Embrace the darkness, embrace destruction!¡± Zhou Mumented, deeply regretting the silly name he had bestowed upon the bird.

    ¡°From this moment forward, you¡¯re Goldie. Utter those two words again, and you¡¯ll be cut off from your food for three days,¡± Zhou Mu dered, fixing the scarlet macaw with a stern gaze.

 Chapter 18

    C18 ¨C The Blood of the Phoenix

    ¡°Alright, alright, Goldie is a fine name.¡±

    The scarlet macaw nodded, almost too well-behaved to be true.

    ¡°Yep, stick with me and you¡¯ll be living the high life¡ªnothing but the best for you.¡±

    Zhou Mu huffed and essed the panel to review Goldie¡¯s new abilities.

    Feather Strengthening: A leader skill that significantly boosts feather flexibility, body defense, wing attack power, and reduces air resistance.

    Goldie was a top-tier closebat pet, elite among elites. Each of its skills was tailored forbat, with not a single one wasted.

    ¡°Boss, boss, do you have any more of that stuff? I feel like I¡¯ve still got untapped potential, maybe enough for another level up.¡±

    Goldie was buzzing with excitement, chattering and hopping around, incessantly babbling in Zhou Mu¡¯s ear.

    ¡°Easy there. Rest up a bit, and let¡¯s give Gator a shot first.¡±

    Zhou Mu stroked Goldie¡¯s glossy head, and under Goldie¡¯s control, the feathers softened to a silky texture, incredibly soothing to the touch.

    ¡°You got it!¡±

    Goldie nodded, leaped onto the bookshelf, and with its ws, pulled out a novel about a human-serpent romance, engrossed in the story.

    ¡°You can read?¡±

    Zhou Mu was taken aback. The bird¡¯s ability to speak was impressive enough, but reading would make it a schrly prodigy.

    ¡°I can¡¯t read, but I can make sense of the pictures.¡±

    Goldie exined earnestly.

    ¡°Pictures?¡±

    Zhou Mu paused, his inherited memories iplete,cking details like the content of the books on the shelf.

    He nced over and was taken aback by the explicit illustrations.

    ¡°This silly bird isn¡¯t just a smart aleck; it¡¯s got a taste for the risqu¨¦ too¡­¡±

    Zhou Mu exhaled and conjured ten Bloodline Refining Stones, offering them to Gator.

    ¡°Sss, sss, sss!¡±

    Gator affectionately licked Zhou Mu¡¯s face a few times before gulping down five stones in one go, then coiled up on the bed, motionless.

    ¡°Boss, I¡¯ll need five as well.¡±

    Watching the remaining Bloodline Refining Stones, Goldie cautiously requested.

    ¡°Okay, it¡¯s yours.¡±

    Zhou Mu nodded. Goldie immediately put down the picture book and bounded over with a hop and a skip.

    The two spirit animals¡¯ advancement was remarkably swift, finishing in under three minutes.

    Name: Flood Dragon (Gator)

    Quality: Lord (Requires the bloodlines of a horned dinosaur, dragon, fish dragon, coiling dragon, and dragon)

    Level: Third Rank, One Star

    Attribute: Poison

    Upgrade Requirement: Flesh of a third rank or higher fiend beast or other energy-rich substances.

    Quality Skills:

    Reverse Feeding: An elite skill that allows the umtion of the spirit animal¡¯s own strength to enhance the master¡¯s strength, agility, and physique. The extent of the enhancement is determined by the frequency of reverse feeding and the beast¡¯s quality and level.

    Dragon¡¯s Might: A leader¡¯s skill that suppresses any fiend beast or soul not exceeding its own quality, with a chance to subjugate them.

    Unity and Harmony: A Lord¡¯s skill that enables the Animal Whisperer to utilize all of the spirit animal¡¯s abilities, with the spirit animal bearing the energy cost.

    First Rank Skill:

    Bite: Biting the target.

    Second Rank Skill:

    Lash: Enhancing the tail¡¯s strength and the hardness of the skin and bones.

    Third Rank Skill:

    Toxic Breath: Spewing poison forward to infiltrate the target¡¯s system through respiration.

    ¡­¡­

    Name: Mystic Bird (Goldie)

    Quality: Lord (Requires the bloodlines of a phoenix, swan, green luan, swan, and swan)

    Level: Second Rank, One Star

    Attribute: Metal

    Upgrade Requirement: Various nuts and fruits rich in nutrients.

    Quality Skills:

    Bone Strengthening: An elite skill that significantly enhances bone hardness, boosting both skeletal defense and the offensive capabilities of ws and beak.

    Feather Strengthening: A leader¡¯s skill that substantially increases feather flexibility, body defense, wing attack power, and reduces air resistance.

    Eagle Eye: A Lord¡¯s skill that focuses killing intent into a single point, intimidating the enemy.

    First Rank Skill:

    Heart-tearing ws: Launches a triple attack on the target.

    Second Rank Skill:

    Wing de: Uses the wings as des to rend the target.

    Following their advancement from leader to lord, both Gator and Goldie gained new abilities, though their paths to further evolution were momentarily halted.

    Gator had absorbed the dragon blood extracted from Zhou Mu, setting its evolutionary path toward that of a true dragon.

    Regrettably, the quantity of dragon blood was insufficient. To ascend from a Lord to a King, Gator would require the bloodlines of five additional dragon species.

    Zhou Mu had anticipated this challenge; after all, it wouldn¡¯t be easy for a dragon of myth, with the power to prate heaven and earth, to undergo its metamorphosis.

    What he hadn¡¯t foreseen was that Goldie¡¯s bloodline was nearly as potent as Gator¡¯s. To reach the status of a King, Goldie would also need the bloodlines of five phoenixes.

    ¡°No wonder there are no useless skills. It¡¯s the blood of the phoenix coursing through his veins!¡±

    Zhou Mu marveled, feeling incredibly fortunate.

    Of course, the system deserved most of the credit.

    Without its assistance, Goldie would have remained a first-rank, five-star elite for life, never advancing until its dying day.

    Goldie¡¯s Lord-tier skill was quite straightforward¡ªa control skill, exceptionally handy for assassins.

    Gator¡¯s skill, on the other hand, was fascinating, granting Zhou Mu the ability to use its skills without restrictions.

    Naturally, not every skill was essible. Using its tail, for instance, was out of the question¡ªtoo short and fragile.

    After advancing to Lord-tier, Gator¡¯s appearance didn¡¯t change significantly, just a sleeker physique.

    Goldie, however, had put on more weight, now resembling a plump young rooster.

    ¡°Not bad at all. I should easily rank within the top three among this year¡¯s students.¡±

    Zhou Mu mused, content with his prospects.

    It was a good thing no one overheard him; they might have been green with envy.

    For a high school senior to possess a spirit animal of such fine quality was impressive. If he managed to elevate it to the second rank, he¡¯d be a shoo-in for the top three among university freshmen.

    As for bing a leader, that could wait until the Soul Contract reached level three.

    Even the least impressive leader pet could leave all the freshmen in tatters.

    With the right skills, taking on third-year seniors would be a breeze.

    With two Lord-tier spirit animals, Zhou Mu was untouchable,manding respect from peers and teachers alike.

    Zhou Mu possessed two spirit animals of lordly quality, which left even his university-educated seniors without recourse, and some teachers had to concede defeat to him. The only method to ovee him was through the use of soul techniques and soul intensity.

    He shooed Gator and Gold aside to amuse themselves while he eagerly dove into the pages of an illustrated book. Despite theckluster plot, the detail wasmendable, and the illustrations were nothing short of spectacr.

    Time flew by swiftly, and before he knew it, half an hour had psed. The spirit medicine Zhou Mu had ordered finally arrived: 20 Dongfang Divine Pills, 73 Six-eyed Flying Fish, and 56 Dragon Horn Roots. With such an abundance of spirit medicine, he should be well supplied.

    Zhou Mu popped the 20 Dongfang Divine Pills into his mouth, not even pausing for the poison to take effect before he traded them in for the system.

 Chapter 19

    C19 ¨C It Was a Win-win Situation

    Racked up 233 points!

    Zhou Mu gulped down 20 Eastern Divine Ginsengs in one breath, but his body couldn¡¯t break them down quickly enough, leading to an umtion of toxins.

    Thankfully, he had the system to rely on; otherwise, that single mouthful could have done him in.

    Post-ginseng, his physique attribute skyrocketed, eventually teauing at 100 points.

    Despite feeling a surplus of unprocessed medicinal power, he hit a ceiling and couldn¡¯t push further.

    As he had anticipated, there was indeed a limit to the efficacy of ordinary herbal remedies.

    Next up were the Dragon Horn Roots, which resembled ginseng but crunched like carrots.

    Biting into them sent a spray of juice across his pte¡ªa truly delightful taste.

    Devouring 30 Dragon Horn Roots, Zhou Mu¡¯s Strength attribute leaped from 37 to 100 points, then teaued just like his physique attribute.

    He set aside the remaining 26 roots for Goldie to enjoy upon her return.

    The Six-Eyed Flying Fish, about ten centimeters long and as thick as a pinky finger, had a tender and delicate flesh that was often marinated and eaten raw to preserve both its effects and vor.

    Zhou Mu, short on time and unconcerned about the slight nutritional loss, simply gutted the fish and stewed them in arge pot.

    The fish was sulent, and the broth was richly aromatic¡ªa truly exceptional treat.

    After polishing off half a pot, Zhou Mu¡¯s Agility attribute maxed out.

    Gator eagerly imed the leftovers.

    Full and content, man and snake sprawled on the bed, faces brimming with bliss.

    Goldie, upon her return, nibbled on a few Dragon Horn Roots and settled down beside them, drifting into a nap.

    The robustness of a Lord-tier spirit animal meant it could fully withstand the toxicity of these spirit medicines, so there was no concern over toxin buildup in their systems.

    ¡­¡­

    Time flew by, and only ten days remained until the start of the new school term.

    With the exams concluded, sessful students began filling out their enrollment forms, while those who didn¡¯t make the cut were left to seek alternative paths.

    As he approached the ssroom, the mor from within was unmistakable. Peering inside, there was a clear divide: some students huddled together in animated discussion, while others, faces etched with disappointment, packed up their belongings. It was a single room, yet it held two very different realities.

    ¡°Zhou Mu, you¡¯re incredible!¡± Hai Ming, his deskmate, appeared out of nowhere, delivering a hearty p to Zhou¡¯s shoulder. His smug expression suggested his exams had gone well.

    ¡°To think you got Wu Yuexia so riled up she nearly burst a blood vessel¡ªssic Zhou Mu, always living up to my expectations!¡± Hai Ming¡¯sughter boomed, drawing a slew of disapproving res.

    ¡°She¡¯s too sensitive and quick-tempered; can¡¯t handle a bit of ribbing,¡± Zhou Mu sighed, stepping away to distance himself from the immaturity. He had no desire to catch the foolishness bug¡ªhe aimed to stay sensible.

    ¡°Give it a rest. You devoured her elite spirit animal and then call her sensitive? Lucky for us, Wu Yuexia isn¡¯t here, or else¡­ Uh¡­¡± Hai Ming¡¯s taunt trailed off as his face twisted into an awkward grimace.

    Following Hai Ming¡¯s gaze, Zhou Mu spotted Wu Yuexia standing not too far off, her face a stormy shade of thunder.

    ¡°Looking quite recovered. When will you let your new spirit animal out to y?¡± Zhou Mu¡¯s greeting, light and casual, could have passed for friendly banter between old pals¡ªif one were oblivious to the bad blood between them. To Wu Yuexia, however, it was nothing short of scorn.

    Predictably, Wu Yuexia¡¯s body shook with uncontroble rage at Zhou Mu¡¯s words.

    ¡°Got a case of Parkinson¡¯s?¡± Hai Ming couldn¡¯t resist a jab, ¡°You should consider working in the cafeteria; you¡¯d be a hit with the boss.¡±

    ¡°You¡­ you¡­¡± Wu Yuexia, still not fully recovered, was overwhelmed by fury and cked out.

    As Wu Yuexia copsed, the woman beside her reacted with rm. ¡°You two are squabbling with a woman? What kind of men are you?¡±

    ¡°What does it matter to you whether I¡¯m a man or not? If you¡¯re so curious, why don¡¯t we find a room? I¡¯ll show you what a real man is.¡±

    What does it matter to you whether I¡¯m a man or not? If you¡¯re so curious about my manhood,e on, let¡¯s go to a hotel room, and I¡¯ll show you what a real man is like.¡±

    Hai Ming gave a coldugh, feigning an attempt to drag the woman off to a hotel.

    But before he couldy a hand on her, a scream erupted from the woman.

    ¡°Help! This pervert is molesting me! Somebody save me!¡±

    Her voice was shrill and grating, reminiscent of a pig awaiting ughter.

    Hai Ming¡¯s face fell; he knew he was in deep trouble.

    Reason with her, and she¡¯ll debate gender roles.

    Talk equality, and she¡¯ll im victimhood.

    Encountering such a shrew meant endless, irrational disputes.

    Sure enough, the woman¡¯s outcry turned heads, drawing the attention of nearby students. A few who thrived onmotion quickly made their way over.

    ¡°It¡¯s him! It¡¯s him!¡±

    The more onlookers gathered, the more the woman thrived, clutching at Hai Ming¡¯s clothes and causing a scene.

    But just as Hai Ming¡¯s face grew darker with anger, and he was about to react, a voice cut through from the side.

    ¡°What a sight, this fatdy here. All width, no height, just a big waist where her butt should be. Did some pigpen copse and let you out? Haven¡¯t you ever looked at yourself in the mirror?¡±

    ¡°Who said that?¡±

    Stung by the insult, the woman let out a screech and zeroed in on her heckler.

    A parrot, no bigger than a rooster, with piercing eyes and an air of confidence, was the source.

    Its words, sharp as needles, punctured the woman¡¯s inted ego mercilessly.

    ¡°You¡­ You¡­¡±

    ¡°What about ¡®you¡¯?¡± Jin Zi cut her off, his mockery relentless. ¡°If I were you, I¡¯d stay home and spare the public the sight. Otherwise, you¡¯d be taking up two seats on the bus with that rear of yours.¡±

    ¡°You¡­ you¡­¡±

    Fuming, the woman trembled, pointing at Jin Zi, speechless.

    Just as she was on the brink of exploding with rage, a figure emerged, a beacon of hope in her eyes.

    ¡°Mr. Rouge, Mr. Rouge,e quick! Someone¡¯s harassing your girlfriend!¡±

    At the woman¡¯s shout, the man known as Mr. Rouge stiffened, then turned around with an icy re.

    Recognizing the face before him, Zhou Mu couldn¡¯t help but chuckle.

    It was none other than Mr. Rouge, the same guy who had ridiculed him outside the exam hall.

    ¡°Didn¡¯t you say that if Zhou Mu managed to pass, you¡¯d live-stream yourself eating three pounds of¡­ well, you know. Now that Zhou Mu didn¡¯t just pass but also secured a first-rate evaluation, isn¡¯t it time to honor your word?¡±

    Hai Ming, ever the instigator, pushed the harpy aside without a second thought.

    At Hai Ming¡¯s provocation, the crowd erupted in taunts.

    Why waste time on a harpy¡¯s curses when a live-stream of a more¡­ unsavory nature promised far more entertainment?

    ¡°You¡­¡±

    Mr. Rouge¡¯s face turned a sickly shade of green as he inwardly unleashed a tirade on his girlfriend, sparing no insult.

    Being scorned for breaking a promise was one thing, but it was a far cry from the alternative he¡¯d wagered.

    Yet, Mr. Rouge wasn¡¯t ready to concede. He decided to challenge Zhou Mu to another bet.

    A win would wipe the te clean.

    A loss? At worst, he¡¯d just triple the stakes.

    Either way, he was determined toe out ahead.

 Chapter 20

    C20 ¨C The Dignified Person

    ¡°I confess, I said those things, and I confess I had no intention of keeping my word.¡±

    Mr. Rouge locked eyes with Zhou Mu, each word deliberate, ¡°Let¡¯s make another bet. If I win, we¡¯ll call it even on everything that¡¯s happened before. If I lose, then¡­¡±

    ¡°Then you¡¯ll kneel and call me daddy!¡±

    Hearing Zhou Mu¡¯s challenge, Mr. Rouge actually felt relief wash over him.

    Better to call him daddy than to eat six pounds of¡­ anything.

    ¡°Name your challenge.¡±

    Zhou Mu was intrigued, eager to see if Mr. Rouge would truly kneel and fulfill the taunt.

    ¡°We¡¯ll fight it out with our bare hands¡ªno spirit animals, no soul techniques.¡±

    Mr. Rouge¡¯s gaze was stern as he made the proposition.

    He was certain Zhou Mu would ept, just as he had when he killed Wu Yuexia¡¯s elite spirit animal in front of thousands during thebat exam.

    ¡°Deal!¡±

    Zhou Mu didn¡¯t hesitate to ept.

    But before Mr. Rouge could brace himself, a crisp sound rang out, followed by searing pain.

    Stunned, Mr. Rouge couldn¡¯t even process what had happened.

    One solid p had shattered his self-assurance.

    If this was the damage done unarmed, what if weapons were involved? Or soul techniques?

    Not to mention, Zhou Mu had a spirit animal capable of taking down an elite in seconds!

    Mr. Rouge stood there, shell-shocked, as the memory of his mockery yed over in his mind.

    Could he have been as magnanimous as Zhou Mu?

    Tears streamed down Mr. Rouge¡¯s face, a mix of guilt and regret, with an overwhelming majority of the sensation being sheer agony.

    Thud!

    Mr. Rouge copsed to his knees, his shirt soaked through with tears.

    Watching Zhou Mu and Hai Ming walk away, Mr. Rouge finally let himself cry out loud.

    It burned too much!

    ¡°Man, Mr. Rouge has his pride, doesn¡¯t he?¡±

    Hai Ming nced at the weeping Mr. Rouge, pitying him, ¡°He must be torn apart by the agony of defeat, forced to kneel by his own promise.¡±

    His pride and his word were at war, leaving him no choice but to weep bitterly.

    As the instigator, Zhou Mu was well aware of why Mr. Rouge was acting this way.

    The sting of a p had triggered a flood of tears and mucus, leading to the current mess.

    Don¡¯t question how Zhou Mu knew the details so intimately¡­

    ¡°Zhou Mu,e to my office.¡±

    No sooner had he entered the ssroom than the homeroom teacher materialized from thin air.

    ¡°Alright.¡±

    Zhou Mu nodded and followed the teacher to the office.

    Upon opening the door, he found three people seated inside.

    One, d in a military uniform, was leisurely enjoying his tea. The other two fixed him with such intense stares that their gazes seemed to spark in the air.

    ¡°Uh, Uncle Luo?¡±

    Zhou Mu greeted the man in uniform, who was Zhou Hao¡¯s secretary and bodyguard, and undoubtedly his second uncle¡¯s most trusted confidant.

    He must be here on behalf of his second uncle.

    ¡°Don¡¯t stand on ceremony. I¡¯m just a simple admissions director now.¡±

    Zheng Hao dismissed the formality with a wave and a smile. ¡°These gentlemen are Yuwen Hao from Northstar College and Fong Ju from Bayshore School. You¡¯ve earned a ¡®first-rate¡¯ evaluation in the practical exam, and all three of us are here to extend an invitation.¡±

    Zheng Hao gave Zhou Mu a knowing eyebrow raise, hinting that this was his chance to negotiate terms.

    ¡°Good day, teachers. I¡¯m Zhou Mu.¡±

    Zhou Mu nodded, catching Zheng Hao¡¯s drift.

    ¡°Good day, teachers. I¡¯m the boss¡¯s Chicken Two.¡±

    Jinzi blurted out with a mischievous grin.

    Before Yuwen Hao and Fong Ju could respond, a green blur materialized from nowhere, and Jinzi was suddenly stered against the reinforced ss three meters away.

    As Jinzi slowly slid down in a heap, Zhou Mu couldn¡¯t help but wince.

    Clearly, Gator was the culprit.

    Whether out of irritation or just fed up, it had swiftly dispatched Jinzi with a flick of its tail.

    ¡°This¡­¡±

    ¡°This is a Mystic Bird!¡±

    Zheng Hao, as expected from the secretary and bodyguard of the Ambergrasp areamand, had an exceptionally keen eye and instantly recognized Jinzi¡¯s true nature.

    ¡°Mystic Bird? Of lordly quality? With Phoenix lineage? And how did he manage to contract a second spirit animal? Has his Soul Contract been elevated to level three?¡±

    Yuwen Hao and Fong Ju exchanged a nce, both spotting the surprise in the other¡¯s eyes.

    Fresh out of high school and already at level three, with a Lord-grade spirit animal to boot ¨C ¡®genius¡¯ didn¡¯t even begin to cover it.

    Though puzzled about how Zhou Mu withstood the bloodline bacsh when signing the Soul Contract, they trusted Zheng Hao¡¯s judgment.

    ¡°Wait, if that was the ck Bird, then the one who sent it flying¡­¡±

    Yuwen Hao and Fong Ju shared another look, a tidal wave of astonishment crashing over them.

    Only a Lord-grade spirit animal, at the very least, couldunch one with Phoenix lineage through the air ¨C and its bloodline would be no less formidable.

    Recalling the barbed sus scrofa that had been swallowed without resistance, and the many fiend beasts cowering on the ground, the same thought struck them both.

    Could that snake be of the dragon species?

    They inhaled sharply.

    A dragon species and a phoenix species, both Lord-grade spirit animals, and they¡¯re talking about university? Might as well just hand out the diploma.

    ¡°We need to have a detailed discussion with the principal about this.¡±

    Yuwen Hao¡¯s voice was grave.

    ¡°Please, go ahead!¡±

    Zhou Mu nodded, signaling his willingness to wait.

    ¡°Come, have a seat.¡±

    Zheng Hao gestured to the chair next to him.

    ¡°Uncle Luo, what did Second Uncle send you for? To recruit me into the military?¡±

    ¡°No.¡±

    Zheng Hao shook his head, adding, ¡°Themander sent me to force the others to show their hand. The two universities are on par with each other, so naturally, you¡¯ll go to the one with the better offer.¡±

    ¡°I see!¡±

    Zhou Mu nodded, appreciating his second uncle¡¯s thoroughness.

    After about ten minutes, Yuwen Hao and Fong Ju returned.

    ¡°Let¡¯s dive right into the heart of the matter,¡± Yuwen Hao suggested, then borated, ¡°At Northstar College, you¡¯ll receive 1000 credits monthly, priority ess to resources, unrestricted library ess, and personal instruction from the principal, a level ten Animal Whisperer.¡±

    After Yuwen Hao had his say, Fong Ju took the floor.

    ¡°The offerings at Bayshore School are quiteparable. You¡¯ll receive 1000 credits monthly and gain annual ess to the Sanctuary for Spiritual Growth at no cost. Moreover, once your Soul Contract hits level six, the principal has pledged to gift you a Moon Beast.¡±

    Zhou Mu listened to the exchange but didn¡¯t rush to ept. He inquired, ¡°What treasures does the Northstar College library hold? And could you exin the Sanctuary for Spiritual Growth and the Moon Beast?¡±

    ¡°The Northstar College library is essentially the first level of the imperial library, housing theplete collection of martial arts from across the Noshar Empire. The Sanctuary for Spiritual Growth is a spatial rift that¡¯s been cleared out and maintained by a team of level ten Animal Whisperers, transforming it into a secret haven for training. It¡¯s an ideal ce for honing soul techniques and significantly enhancing soul intensity. The Moon Beast is a unique spirit animal with a Yin attribute, known for its superior healing abilities, even surpassing those of the wood attribute.¡±

    Zheng Hao rified Zhou Mu¡¯s questions with precision before falling silent.

 Chapter 21

    C21 ¨C The Walking Chicken

    Just exin things clearly, and Zhou Mu will make his choice.

    His role was simply to secure the best advantages for Zhou Mu, but given the current circumstances, it seemed unnecessary.

    ¡°Uncle Zheng, in your opinion, which school is better for me?¡± Zhou Mu inquired.

    ¡°It really depends on what you¡¯re looking for. If you want to enhance your physical strength, Northstar College is the ce to be. The dean is a martial arts master, and his mentorship could save you from taking many wrong turns,¡± Zheng Hao said, pausing briefly before continuing, ¡°However, if it¡¯s your soul intensity you wish to boost, then Bayshore School is your best bet. The energy in the Sanctuary for Spiritual Growth replenishes slowly, and to sustain growth, they offer only three spots each year. Plus, the Moon Beast is no ordinary spirit animal; it can greatly ensure your safety.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯ve got it,¡± Zhou Mu nodded, his decision firmly in mind.

    He didn¡¯t need to put much effort into martial arts; Gator would help him enhance his three fundamental attributes. What would be toxic herbs to others served as powerful supplements for him. If he could stand his ground in battle without his defenses being breached, was there any point in further martial training?

    Moreover, Zhou Mu could leverage Gator¡¯s skills to significantly boost hisbat abilities. In this scenario, the only thing he needed to focus on was improving his soul intensity; the rest was inconsequential.

    ¡°I¡¯m choosing Bayshore School!¡± Zhou Mu dered his decision.

    Fong Ju beamed with joy, while Yuwen Hao let out a resigned sigh. With Zheng Hao present, no one dared to resort to any underhanded tactics¡ªnot that top-tier institutions like Northstar College and Bayshore School would need such measures.

    ¡°Well then, all I can do is wish Zhou Mu a flourishing martial arts journey and a swift rise to greatness!¡± Yuwen Hao offered a respectful bow to Zhou Mu before turning to leave.

    ¡°I should be going as well. Do give my regards to your father. Oh, and when you see the dean, you should¡­¡± Zheng Hao¡¯s face twisted with indecision. After more than ten seconds of hesitation, he still couldn¡¯t finish his thought and simply gestured farewell before departing.

    Zhou Mu stood there puzzled. ¡°???¡±

    What was that about? Doesn¡¯t he know leaving a conversation hanging is like asking for trouble? Doesn¡¯t he realize that¡¯s practically inviting bad luck?

    Zhou Mu couldn¡¯t shake the feeling that the principal of Bayshore School might be a tough person to deal with.

    ¡°Prepare yourself. We leave in three days,¡± Fong Ju said, pping Zhou Mu on the shoulder, his smile wide and infectious.

    Before even starting school, Zhou Mu had achieved a level three Soul Contract. His spirit animals were of the dragon and phoenix species, both ranking above the Lord tier. Such prowess already outshone many third-year students.

    With the right guidance, he was destined for greatness, perhaps even to ascend to the throne one day.

    Moreover, his background would provide immense support. His father was Ambergrasp¡¯s leading businessman, and his unclemanded the area¡¯s military forces. Money wasn¡¯t a concern, nor were the usual power struggles. With the principal and teachers¡¯ protection, all he needed to do was concentrate on enhancing his soul intensity.

    Finding a student like him was like looking for a needle in a haystack. No wonder Fong Ju was overjoyed.

    ¡°Understood,¡± Zhou Mu responded, picking up his droopy bag of gold and heading out.

    Bayshore School was situated in Haixian City, nearly two thousand kilometers away. The journey was fraught with danger; fiend beasts and monsters roamed freely, despite regr military sweeps.

    That¡¯s why, each year, universities dispatched their admissions officers and faculty to escort new students back to campus.

    To conserve resources, only five universities in the Noshar Empire were authorized to recruit students from other provinces. For instance, Northstar College could only recruit within the northern district.

    Three days could pass in the blink of an eye or stretch on indefinitely.

    It dawned on Zhou Mu that he might have been duped.

    ¡°So, you¡¯re basically a ground-bound chicken?¡± he asked Jin Zi, eyeing the creature critically.

    He had initially thought Jin Zi avoided flying because it disliked it or the room was too cramped. But it turned out, the creature simply couldn¡¯t fly.

    ¡°Boss, I actually can fly. It¡¯s just that I don¡¯t get very far or very high,¡± Jin Zi confessed.

    Goldie spread its wings in a disy of feigned helplessness, yet it was riddled with guilt.

    There¡¯s truth to the old adage: all that glitters is not gold, and nobody¡¯s perfect.

    The same holds true for birds!

    With their formidable defense and attack capabilities, coupled with swift agility and decent speed, the ability to fly would simply be overkill.

    Despite its advancement to a Lord through bloodline refinement, its essence remained that of a scarlet macaw.

    Only by consuming the bloodlines of five fiend beasts of the phoenix species and undergoing aplete transformation into a phoenix could it ever hope to soar.

    ¡°You can barely make it fifty meters, hardly better than a rooster. Better not go around iming you¡¯re of the phoenix species¡ªit¡¯s a total embarrassment.¡±

    Zhou Mu covered his face, struggling to hide his own mortification.

    A bird that can¡¯t fly is as absurd as a fish that can¡¯t swim.

    But then again, ostriches and penguins can¡¯t fly either.

    ¡°Ah well, if it¡¯s meant to be a ground bird, so be it. It¡¯s not the end of the world.¡±

    Zhou Mu exhaled a sigh and gently stroked Gator¡¯s head, which was peeking out from his clothes.

    Neither of the spirit animals enjoyed confinement within the special space of their Soul Contract, so Zhou Mu had taken to carrying a backpack for Gator to curl up in most of its body. Goldie, on the other hand, was content to scamper along the ground.

    ¡°We¡¯re just waiting on one more person, and then we¡¯ll be on our way.¡±

    Upon spotting Zhou Mu, Fong Ju greeted him with a warm smile.

    The iing ss was small this year, a mere two hundred or so students, easily amodated by a handful of buses.

    Zhou Mu was seated at the forefront, alongside Fong Ju, the head of admissions.

    To put it bluntly, Fong Ju valued Zhou Mu above all the rest; in a crisis, he¡¯d ensure Zhou Mu¡¯s safety first, leaving the others to fate.

    The Noshar Empire was in dire need of champions!

    With new spatial rifts opening daily and innumerable threats emerging, the empire would quickly crumble without a cadre of powerful defenders.

    ¡°Sorry, sorry, got held up in traffic.¡±

    A voice called out from nearby, and Zhou Mu looked up to find Hai Ming approaching.

    ¡°Your grades barely cut it for second-tier colleges, so what brings you here?¡±

    Zhou Mu asked with a hint of skepticism.

    Hai Ming had only managed to secure a top-tier B rank in thebat exam this time. That kind of performance would ce him near the bottom even at the second-tier university, let alone getting into the prestigious Northstar College. Under normal circumstances, it would be impossible for him to gain admission.

    ¡°There¡¯s no helping it. I guess I¡¯m just that lucky!¡± Hai Ming said with a sly grin. ¡°My spirit animal has advanced to the second rank and gained an incredible skill that allows it to rapidly replenish its energy.¡±

    ¡°That impressive?¡± Zhou Mu was genuinely astonished. To acquire such a skill at the second rank was an extraordinary stroke of luck.

    ¡°Absolutely!¡± Hai Ming responded with a smug hum, gesturing to call forth his spirit animal.

    The creature that appeared was a plump, white-feathered hen.

    Upon its arrival, the hen gazed at Hai Ming with adoring eyes and proceeded toy an egg, its rear end pointedly raised.

    ¡°Cluck cluck!¡± It seemed to boast, fluttering its wings with a touch of pride.

    Zhou Mu: ¡°¡­¡±

    Fong Ju: ¡°¡­¡±

    The crowd of students: ¡°¡­¡±

    While a henying an egg was hardly unusual, Zhou Mu couldn¡¯t shake the feeling that something was amiss.

 Chapter 22

    C22 ¨C Lies

    Before Zhou Mu could even react, Goldie sidled up to him.

    Lifting his wings, he gently stroked the crest on his head, his rear end wiggling in a way that seemed undeniably flirtatious.

    ¡°Hello there, beautifuldy! My name is Goldie, and I¡¯m the boss¡¯s chicken¡­¡±

    Whoosh!

    Pow!

    A jarring sound erupted, and Goldie vanished into thin air, only to reappear stered against a nearby tree.

    Zhou Mu: ¡°¡­¡±

    Fong Ju: ¡°!!!¡±

    The students: ¡°???¡±

    With a resigned sigh, Zhou Mu plucked Goldie from the tree and nonchntly tossed him onto the car roof.

    It had to be said, the creature was surprisingly resilient.

    Once Gator advanced to a Lord-tier fiend beast, a single swipe of its tail could reduce a peer elite fiend beast to mush, and even a leader would be left critically wounded.

    Yet Goldie, after two hits, looked a bit disheveled but was otherwisepletely unscathed.

    pping his wings, Goldie hopped down and sauntered over to the hen, adopting an air of nonchnce.

    ¡°May I have the pleasure of your acquaintance, beautifuldy?¡±

    ¡°Cluck cluck?¡±

    The hen gave him a sidelong nce and promptlyid another egg, rump in the air.

    Zhou Mu: ¡°¡­¡±

    Hai Ming: ¡°¡­¡±

    ¡°Zhou, I can¡¯t help but feel your bird is a bit¡­ well¡­ it¡¯s just not quite¡­¡±

    Hai Ming struggled to find the words, but Zhou Mu got the gist.

    ¡°The biggest regret of my life was making a contract with it. I¡¯ve got this nagging feeling it¡¯s going to ruin my reputation.¡±

    Zhou Mu facepalmed, feeling the onset of a massive headache.

    ¡°I¡¯ve never seen a spirit animal that can talk before. Zhou, how much did you pay for this bird?¡±

    ¡°It didn¡¯t cost a dime; the boss gave it to me!¡±

    Hai Ming: ¡°???¡±

    Though Hai Ming was clueless about Goldie¡¯s origins, the velocity at which the bird had been flung and the depth it embedded into the tree gave a rough idea of Gator¡¯s formidable strength.

    Yet, despite such a fearsome attack, Goldie acted as if nothing had happened. One could only wonder about the extent of his resilience.

    ¡°Get in the car, quick! Get in the car!¡± Fong Ju couldn¡¯t stand it any longer. One was strutting around like a person, the other squatting andying eggs ¨C it was a sight for sore eyes.

    ¡°Okay, okay!¡± Hai Ming quickly nodded and bowed, hastily gathering up the old hen.

    ¡°Heartbreak is sometimes unavoidable, but why should I fall so deeply? Youth is bound to leave some regrets.¡± Zhou Mu let out a sigh, leaping onto Zhou¡¯s shoulder. ¡°Boss, your bird¡¯s heartbroken.¡±

    Zhou: ¡°¡­¡±

    Once everyone was aboard, the driver set off. With over a thousand kilometers to the destination, they were in for a twenty-hour journey.

    Zhou dozed off in his seat, while Gator hopped about the vehicle.

    ¡°Hello there, beautiful,¡± Gator greeted, eyeing the curve entuated by the girl¡¯s clothes.

    ¡°Hi!¡± The girl beamed, petting Gator¡¯s head and then cing him on herp.

    ¡°For such a sweet and lovely girl, you must have plenty of admirers,¡± Gator remarked, eyes narrowing contentedly under her touch.

    ¡°Not at all, I¡¯ve never even had a boyfriend,¡± the girl sighed, her expression forlorn. ¡°My best friend has had five in three years, yet I¡¯ve never even held a man¡¯s hand. Maybe I¡¯m not good enough, or maybe my chest is too big ¨C guys seem to prefer smaller chests.¡±

    ¡°Oh really? But lying isn¡¯t nice!¡± Gator dove into the girl¡¯s blouse and emerged with a round, thick pad.

    As he did, her chest went from an E-cup to an A, deting instantly.

    The girl: ¡°¡­¡±

    She nced at the sponge pad in Gator¡¯s mouth, then at her uneven chest, her fair cheeks flushing with mortification.

    ¡°Drop dead!¡± Her scream,ced with murderous intent, startled Zhou so much that he leapt from his seat.

    ¡°Who¡¯s there?¡± Zhou bellowed, drawing a dagger and hurling it toward the source of the threat.

    With a strength of 100 points, the dagger flew with formidable piercing power.

    If it struck its target, even the body of a third-rank fiend beast would be ripped open.

    Zhou Mu¡¯s reflexes were lightning-fast and incredibly intense.

    Hai Ming, standing next to him, didn¡¯t even have time to process what was happening before a tiny cut appeared on the tip of his nose.

    Given the physical condition of these students, including the girl who screamed, everyone in the vicinity would have been impaled by the dagger and met a tragic end.

    Fortunately, the situation hadn¡¯t escted to that extent. A dark green tail emerged from a backpack, intercepting the airborne dagger.

    Ding!

    The sound rang out, crisp with a faint echo.

    Zhou Mu was so startled that he broke out in a cold sweat. Had it not been for Gator¡¯s swift reaction, he would have found himself in serious trouble.

    ¡°What¡¯s going on?¡±

    Hai Ming looked at Zhou Mu, then at the dagger on the ground,pletely bewildered.

    He had no idea what had just transpired; all he knew was that Zhou Mu had suddenly yelled, followed by a gust of wind whipping past him.

    Hai Ming¡¯s nose felt itchy. Touching it subconsciously, he was surprised to find blood.

    ¡°What in the world? What just happened? Did I wake up to the apocalypse after a quick nap?¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s nothing, just an annoying fly.¡±

    Fong Ju pulled his hand back into his sleeve, his approval of Zhou Mu growing. Such alertness would surely serve him well in this perilous world.

    ¡°Thank you, Teacher!¡±

    Zhou Mu expressed his deep gratitude. He had noticed Fong Ju¡¯s readiness to act; if Gator hadn¡¯t intercepted the dagger, Fong Ju would have stepped in.

    Moreover, Fong Ju¡¯s offhand remark had quelled themotion and conveniently shifted the me onto the girl.

    While it seemed somewhat unfair, under the circumstances, it was the best course of action.

    Zhou Mu exhaled deeply, resolving to make it up to the girlter. He couldn¡¯t let her be wrongly used without making amends.

    ¡°Boss, I admit my mistake!¡±

    Jinzi hung his head, his eyes darting around.

    Clearly, he hadn¡¯t genuinely recognized his error. Or perhaps he had, but had no intention of correcting his behavior.

    ¡°You¡¯re cut off from food for two days!¡±

    ¡°Boss, I¡¯m sorry, please no!¡±

    Jinzi wailed, clinging to Zhou Mu¡¯s leg and sobbing pitifully.

    Unfortunately, Zhou Mu wasn¡¯t buying it. All talk and no action¡ªwhom did he think he was fooling?

    With a dismissive snort, Zhou Mu intended to stash the gold into the Soul Contract space.

    But just then, a brilliant idea struck him.

    What¡¯s the use of fake tears? If you¡¯re going to cry, at least make it genuine.

    With that thought, Zhou Mu gently rubbed his finger across Jinzi¡¯s eyes.

    Jinzi was dumbfounded.

    Tears streamed down uncontrobly; Jinzi was truly crying this time.

    He wailed with raw emotion, his cries filled with profound grief.

    Fong Ju was at a loss for words.

    He was incredibly frustrated and confused. Something told him that bringing Zhou Mu into Bayshore School might not have been such a wise decision.

    The kid was a once-in-a-lifetime talent, no doubt. Fresh out of high school, his Soul Contract had already reached level three, and he was apanied by two Lord-grade spirit animals.

    But his knack for stirring up trouble was unparalleled. Once he enrolled, it seemed the teachers and the principal could kiss their peace and quiet goodbye.

 Chapter 23

    C23 ¨C A Crisis Had Arrived

    ¡°Wait a minute, I¡¯m just the admissions director. How is this my problem? That¡¯s for the principal and his teaching staff to worry about.¡±

    Fong Ju grumbled to himself, his mood suddenly brightening.

    The ride was tedious. After the initial thrill wore off and the sky grew darker, everyone began to sumb to sleepiness.

    The moon disappeared into the night, with only a few stars scattering their faint glow across the earth.

    The wilderness was eerily quiet, save for the ¡°shush¡± of tires against the ground.

    The car¡¯s instion and soundproofing were top-notch, keeping the interior noise and engine¡¯s roar at bay.

    Moreover, the military regrly cleared this road, so theoretically, the chance of encountering a fiend beast was virtually nil.

    But theory is just that¡ªtheory.

    In this perilous wilderness, many things defy logic.

    Zhou Mu, feigning sleep, suddenly opened his eyes, taking in his surroundings at a nce.

    The driver sat ramrod straight, eyes fixed on the road ahead.

    Fong Ju¡¯s expression was grave, his brow furrowed.

    Jinzi stood motionless beneath the windshield.

    Even Gator, typicallynguid, poked its head out from the backpack.

    Clearly, trouble was afoot, and it was no small matter.

    ¡°There are over five thousand fiend beasts, and their numbers are still climbing,¡± Fong Ju announced after a nce at Zhou Mu.

    ¡°Are they targeting us?¡±

    ¡°Most likely!¡±

    Zhou Mu¡¯s brow creased at Fong Ju¡¯s words.

    Unless they were off course or the fiend beasts were migrating, it was highly unlikely toe across such a massive gathering on this route.

    And given thete hour, it seemed certain that the beasts were after them.

    ¡°Turn on the headlights andunch the res. Everyone, prepare for battle!¡±

    With no time to hesitate, Fong Ju sounded the rm, and everyone snapped to alertness.

    Zhou Mu wasn¡¯t overly concerned about the five thousand fiend beasts.

    Once Gator unleashed its dragon¡¯s might, both ordinary and elite beasts would be forced to the ground.

    Even a leader¡¯sbat strength would be severely diminished.

    Yet, Zhou Mu hesitated to act. He suspected someone was manipting the fiend beasts.

    If we don¡¯t root out the main instigator, it¡¯s an endless cycle of killing¡ªfive thousand down, another five thousand rise. It¡¯s an infuriatingly never-ending task.

    ¡°Keep your dragon species spirit animal out of the fray to avoid spooking the enemy,¡± Fong Ju advised, finding that he and Zhou Mu were on the same wavelength.

    He had pored over thebat exam video more than a dozen times, discerning that Gator likely possessed a skill akin to a domain of influence. Moreover, having ascended to the Lord tier, Gator¡¯s intervention would render these fiend beasts negligible.

    The enemy¡¯s tactic to manipte the fiend beasts into an encirclement rather than engaging in directbat betrayed theirck of confidence in a sure victory. Thus, holding Gator in reserve could prove to be a game-changer at a pivotal moment.

    Better yet if his hunch was incorrect¡ªno puppet master, just a mere convergence of fiend beasts. Fong Ju and the driver could dispatch the higher-level threats, leaving the rest for the students to hone their skills.

    ¡°What¡¯s the matter?¡±

    ¡°What¡¯s going on?¡±

    ¡­¡­

    Chaos erupted in the vehicle following the rm. Most students were visibly shaken, but a select few remainedposed, assessing the situation outside.

    Fong Ju took note of everyone¡¯s reactions, mentally bookmarking those who maintained their cool. They might not match Zhou Mu¡¯s prowess just yet, but with proper guidance, they could very well be the core strength of the team.

    The growling of the fiend beasts intensified as they drew nearer, their ominous howls finally reaching the ears of those inside.

    These students, though inexperienced, were the cream of the crop at Bayshore School¡ªeach a genius endowed with intellect, bravery, and tenacity. In less than thirty seconds, they were battle-ready.

    A handful of elite spirit animals and a swarm of their ordinary counterparts had the carpletely encircled.

    ¡°When the timees, take out all the elite ones. Leave none standing,¡± Zhou Mu instructed in a hushed tone, receiving an affirming nod in response.

    The head fiend beasts would be Fong Ju and the driver¡¯s responsibility, while the students would tackle the ordinary ones. The elite beasts posed too great a threat and needed to be dealt with swiftly.

    With the fiend beasts closing in, the tension mounted. The students were brimming with abative zeal, eager to leap into the fray.

    ¡°Battle on!¡±

    With a thunderous cry from Fong Ju, the shmenced instantly.

    Hundreds of spirit animals and a swarm of fiend beasts engaged in closebat, while Goldie vanished in the blink of an eye.

    His presence was like the break of dawn piercing the night, or thunder fracturing the heavy clouds.

    Goldie unfurled his wings, leaving a trail of fiend beasts dead in his wake.

    Fierce, cutting.

    Graceful, dashing.

    He danced on the knife¡¯s edge, a shadowy assassin in the dark.

    In mere moments, enemies fell.

    ¡°Roar!¡±

    A deep bellow echoed from the horde as a Steel Armored Rhinoceros zeroed in on Goldie, charging with wild abandon.

    The rhino, heavy and unwieldy, could only charge straight ahead, nearly incapable of altering its course.

    Yet its defense was formidable, its attack power fearsome; few leader fiend beasts could withstand its might.

    ¡°Pfft, brute!¡±

    Goldie scoffed at the oing Steel Armored Rhinoceros, casually pecking a hole in the skull of a monkey at his feet.

    Even if it were a higher grade, Goldie could easily outmaneuver such a dimwit.

    With a flourish of his talons and a flicker of movement, Goldie was like a specter¡ªeach appearance heralded the death of at least two fiend beasts.

    ¡°You beast, it¡¯s my turn to face you!¡±

    Themotion caused by the Steel Armored Rhinoceros didn¡¯t go unnoticed, drawing the attention of the driver.

    A bellowing shout summoned a fiery red gori, which pummeled towards the rhino with thunderous fists.

    Fong Ju was far from idle, engaging two leader fiend beasts with a trio of animals, the battle reaching a tense impasse.

    ¡°Zhou Mu, something seems off,¡± Hai Ming remarked, back-to-back with Zhou, shield in his left hand and spear in his right.

    His contracted spirit animal was weak, its first-rank abilities skewed towards support, prompting the development of his currentbat strategy.

    The spirit animal provided assistance while he fought.

    Though human strength paled inparison to spirit animals, if they could just stall their foes, they could await their allies to dispatch the enemies before lending aid.

    Certainly, one could opt to grind their enemies down to defeat.

    During the practicalbat exam, it was this very tactic that secured him a B-plus rating.

    He yed it safe, concentrating solely on defense, never striking back unless he was absolutely sure of sess.

    He battled ten first-rank, one-star fiend beasts for ten minutes.

    He grappled with ten first-rank, two-star fiend beasts for thirty minutes.

    He engaged ten first-rank, three-star fiend beasts for a grueling two hours.

    The audience in the stands was nodding off, and Zhou Ming was so frustrated he nearly resorted to swearing.

    ¡°Something¡¯s not right, is it?¡±

    Zhou Mu sent a leopard flying with a kick, then swiftly beheaded a nearby duck.

    He mused about the taste of a fourth-rank duck if it were roasted.

    ¡°Do you think it¡¯s possible that it¡¯s not just bad luck that we¡¯re running into these fiend beasts, but that they¡¯re actually targeting us?¡±

    ¡°Mm-hmm, you¡¯ve hit the nail on the head!¡±

    Zhou Mu agreed, decapitating another duck with a swift stroke.

 Chapter 24

    C24 ¨C Five Thousand Fiend Beasts

    ¡°Seriously? I was totally shooting in the dark!¡±

    Hai Ming¡¯s voice rang out in astonishment, his expression one of sheer incredulity.

    ¡°Even a blind cat finds a dead rat now and then¡ªyou got it right.¡±

    Zhou Mu let out a sigh and decapitated the third duck.

    The ducks seemed unusually plentiful among these fiend beasts.

    ¡°Stay alert and protect yourself. With so many fiend beasts, I might not be able to look out for you.¡±

    Zhou Mu¡¯s eyes swept over the area, taking in every skirmish.

    The driver was holding off a leader fiend beast, while the headmaster, Fong Ju, was managing to hold back two.

    Goldie was a force of destruction, tearing through the elite fiend beasts with such ferocity that many didn¡¯t even have a chance to react before their heads were crushed or their necks severed.

    The two hundred-plus students were engaged inbat with the ordinary fiend beasts, gradually forming several cohesive teams amidst the fierce fighting.

    It must be said, the students admitted to Bayshore School were truly top-notch in every way.

    They fought with a calm, methodical approach.

    Those who were injured or fatigued were shielded, with the more robust students forming a protective front line.

    Though initially their movements were somewhat unpolished and clumsy, with time their teamwork became increasingly fluid and efficient.

    Hundreds of fiend beasts fell, yet not a single student or spirit animal perished.

    ¡°Is he the top scorer of this exam? He¡¯s taking down third-rank fiend beasts without breaking a sweat.¡±

    A few students watched Zhou Mu in action and couldn¡¯t contain their awe.

    ¡°There¡¯s no such thing as a weakling among those who achieve a first-rate evaluation.¡±

    Panting heavily, a ssmate added, ¡°Whether it¡¯s their spirit animals or their martial skills, they¡¯re the cream of the crop.¡±

    ¡°Where¡¯s his spirit animal? Why do we only see him fighting?¡±

    ¡°Have you not noticed? Among the fiend beasts attacking us, not one elite has shown up.¡±

    ¡°¡­¡±

    Facing an overwhelming number of over five thousand, the three hundred humans felt the crushing weight of the disparity.

    Despite the driver and Fong Ju stalling three leaders, and Goldie keeping the elite at bay, the students began to suffer casualties.

    ¡°Ah!¡±

    A scream pierced the air as a lupine fiend beast breached the defenses, ripping a sizeable gash in a student¡¯s torso.

    Blood spurted and a body hit the ground¡ªthe first casualty had finally urred.

    The fiend beasts were dwindling in number, and the human defenses were teetering on the brink of copse.

    As time went on, and the few spirit animals skilled in defense perished, the true crisis emerged.

    The sounds of flesh ripping, bones snapping, and agonizing screams filled the air¡­

    The battlefield had be a meat grinder, iming the lives of fiend beasts and humans alike with each passing moment.

    ¡°Ah!¡±

    Zhou Mu sighed in resignation and, with a mere thought, unleashed his dragon¡¯s might.

    It was grand and authoritative.

    This was the presence of the king of fiend beasts, an invincible force among those of equal rank and ss.

    With the emergence of the dragon¡¯s might, the previously ferocious fiend beasts were now cowering on the ground, shaking uncontrobly.

    The lower-level ones were so terrified they lost control of their bodily functions, while the higher-level ones cautiously wagged their tails.

    ¡°What the¡­¡±

    The students stared in astonishment at the drastic shift in the fiend beasts¡¯ behavior.

    ¡°It¡¯s Zhou Mu! Zhou Mu has made his move!¡±

    Someone shouted, and the memory of Zhou Mu¡¯s battle with Wu Yuexia shed through their minds, bringing rity to the rest.

    ¡°Kill!¡±

    ¡°Exterminate these cursed fiend beasts!¡±

    Fueled by rage, the roars echoed, and even the most fatigued students mustered the strength to stand.

    One side was spent, the other unmoved.

    Zhou Mu¡¯s intervention had turned the tide of a battle that was nearly a mutual annihtion. The scales of victory now tipped in favor of humanity.

    Looking around, only the three leader fiend beasts remained standing, locked inbat with Fong Ju and the driver.

    The dragon¡¯s might was overwhelming, radiating in all directions.

    Unlike their ordinary and elite counterparts, the three leader fiend beasts did not tremble on the ground, but theirbat strength was still reduced by at least fifty percent.

    Under the relentless assault from Fong Ju and the driver, they soon sustained grave injuries and were beaten to death.

    ¡°We owe you big time for this one!¡±

    Fong Ju wiped the blood from his face as his racing heart gradually steadied.

    Leader against leader, such battles are rarely resolved quickly unless there¡¯s an advantage of bloodline or race. But his fight with the leader fiend beast was an entirely different scenario.

    An Animal Whisperer, an ordinary spirit animal, and an elite spirit animal joined forces to confront the leader of the fiend beasts. Their struggle was akin to a dance on a knife¡¯s edge, with every moment teetering on the precipice of death.

    Moreover, the area teemed with numerous elites. Had it not been for Zhou Mu, they might have truly met their demise.

    ¡°Should you ever need my aid in the future, I will face death without flinching.¡±

    A handful of students approached, expressing their gratitude.

    Zhou Mu, through his own formidable power, had managed to hold off all the elite fiend beasts and quell the threat of the remaining ordinary and leader fiend beasts at the critical juncture. His fearsome strength left everyone in profound awe.

    ¡°We¡¯re all ssmates here; there¡¯s no need for such formality.¡±

    Zhou Mu nodded, his gaze piercing the darkness ahead.

    His instincts warned him that the crisis was far from over.

    The true enemy was about to reveal itself.

    Sure enough, with a chilling and maniacalugh, a pair of blood-red eyes emerged from the shadows.

    Following close behind was a ghastly head emzoned with the word ¡°Darkness,¡± attached to a muscr and formidable frame.

    This was a tiger-type fiend beast, a standout among its peers.

    ¡°Blood Eye Demon Tiger, you¡¯re with the Brightsmiths!¡±

    The driver eximed, his face etched with disbelief.

    ¡°Quite perceptive. I upy the Seventy-Two ck Hand seat, known as Sinister Six.¡±

    The eerie voice resonated once more, this time from the Blood Eye Demon Tiger itself.

    ¡°Are you man or beast?¡±

    Zhou Mu demanded, his brow furrowed in consternation.

    The spirit animal before him exuded an aura of savagery, ruthlessness, madness, and chaos. It seemed undeniably a fiend beast.

    Yet, instead ofunching an immediate attack, it conversed in human tongue, referring to itself as Sinister Six.

    ¡°Does it matter whether one is human or beast? In this dog-eat-dog world, both are merely fighting for survival.¡±

    Sinister Six¡¯sugh wasced with malice, as though he sought to impart a twisted lesson to Zhou Mu.

    ¡°This creature is a member of the Brightsmiths, who practice modes to transnt their souls into fiend beasts, thereby usurping their power.¡±

    Fong Ju advanced two steps, subtly positioning himself in front of Zhou Mu as a shield.

    ¡°The Brightsmiths are a malevolent organization that stands against humanity,prised of four factions: the Brightspeakers, the Vision of the Ended, the Poisongarde, and the ck Hand. The Brightspeakers and the Vision of the Ended are enigmatic, always lurking in the shadows, while the Poisongarde and the ck Hand wreak havoc far and wide.¡±

    ¡°The influence of the Brightsmiths extends globally. At present, we¡¯re aware that the might of the 36 Pleuft stars is uniformly at a kingly level, whereas the 72 ck Hand stars are somewhat inferior, with their strongest reaching only the stature of a lord.¡±

    ¡°They¡¯re essentially a bunch of maniacs intent on annihting the world!¡±

    Zhou Mu nodded, his tone dripping with irony. ¡°Here I was, expecting some high-and-mighty big shot, only to find a mere underling. You¡¯re like someone trying to cross a river on a gourd, pretending to be something grand!¡±

 Chapter 25

    C25 ¨C Sinister Six

    ¡°Heh, foolish humans, all you have is a sharp tongue.¡±

    Sinister Six let out a coldugh, his blood-red eyes brimming with lethal intent.

    The more advanced the creature, the more challenging the progression.

    Take the scarlet macaw, for instance, which requires the Arctic Banyan from the Diamond Realm just to reach the first rank.

    And each subsequent upgrade is tougher than thest.

    That¡¯s merely for the elite. What about a leader, or a Lord?

    Or even a king?

    Currently, Gator and Goldie need a tremendous amount of energy to level up even one star rank. Without the system tackling the major hurdle of rank, they¡¯d likely be stuck at the second rank for quite some time.

    The Blood-Eye Demon Tiger, being of Lord quality as a spirit animal, is no exception.

    Despite his formidablebat strength, he¡¯s capped at the fifth rank with five stars.

    The resources and effort required to ascend to the sixth rank are immense.

    Nevertheless, he¡¯s more than capable of handling two leaders and a low-level Lord.

    ¡°Human, meet your end!¡±

    Sinister Six bellowed, his Lordly presence radiating outward.

    In an instant, the red-haired gori went ck, nearly dropping to his knees in submission.

    Fong Ju¡¯s spirit animal fared no better, its pupils shrinking and neck fur bristling.

    The dominance of a Lord over a leader was terrifyingly unexpected.

    A seventh-rank leader seemed almost powerless before a fifth-rank Lord.

    ¡°Little runt, figured out how you want to die yet?¡±

    Sinister Six couldn¡¯t be bothered to nce at the leaders, instead turning to taunt Goldie.

    ¡°Little chick¡­ are you talking to me?¡±

    Goldie paused, scanning the surroundings, only to find that he seemed to fit the ¡°little chick¡± description.

    ¡°It¡¯s you who¡¯s the little chick, your whole family¡¯s a bunch of little chicks!¡±

    With a screech, Goldie transformed into a bolt of lightning, closing the distance to Sinister Six in a sh.

    Sssst!

    His attack was razor-sharp, slicing through Sinister Six¡¯s hide.

    Goldie¡¯s transformation from elite to Lord through two evolutions had drastically amplified his attributes and skills to an almost ludicrous degree.

    Among his peers, only the regal dragon species could hope to overpower him.

    With a swift maneuver, Sinister Six¡¯s neck was ripped open, gushing bright red blood that stained the ground a deep crimson. Yet, the wound miraculously healed in under two seconds.

    ¡°Little Chick, I¡¯ll concede you¡¯re strong,¡± Sinister Six sneered, his tiger-like face dripping with scorn. ¡°But often, size equates tobat prowess. The same strike from me would leave a wound dozens of timesrger on you. A hit from you barely tickles, while one from me could split you in two. What¡¯s your move?¡±

    Before Sinister Six could finish his taunt, a green blur streaked by, followed by a sharp snap.

    Crack!

    The blow was swift, vicious, and merciless. Sinister Six reeled from the pain as several teeth were knocked loose.

    ¡°Who¡¯s there?¡±

    Sinister Six bellowed, his blood-red eyes locked onto Zhou Mu¡¯s position.

    ¡°Another Lord, and a dragon species at that?¡±

    Gator revealed itself, no longer concealing the majestic aura of a true dragon, which made Sinister Six¡¯s eyelids twitch uncontrobly. Dragons were the epitome of invincibility, unmatched by any spirit animal at the same level, and even the rare god and demon species paled inparison.

    ¡°Had you been at the fifth rank, I¡¯d have retreated without a second thought. But you¡¯re merely third rank¡­¡± Sinister Six¡¯s voice dripped with malice as he suppressed his astonishment. ¡°I¡¯ll give you one chance to leave, and I¡¯ll let bygones be bygones. Otherwise, don¡¯t me me for not holding back.¡±

    The Gator responded with a disdainful hiss, its round eyes conveying utter contempt.

    ¡°You¡¯re asking for it!¡±

    Though Gator couldn¡¯t articte words, Sinister Six got the message loud and clear. Ovee with rage, he lunged forward.

    The Gator met his advance with equal ferocity. Its slender tail sliced through the air, striking Sinister Six squarely.

    Thud!

    The sound was heavy and jarring, the impact immense. Sinister Six tumbled to the side, his nose smashed, one eye bursting, a picture of utter defeat.

    Gator was anything but at ease. Its tail¡¯s scales were sent flying, exposing the raw flesh beneath. The very tip burst open, leaving the stark white bones exposed to the air. Zhou Mu¡¯s heart twisted in pain at the sight of Gator¡¯s condition. Yet, he couldn¡¯t approach; he had to keep his distance. The fallout from the sh of the two Lords alone could leave him gravely injured. Any attempt to intervene would only add to Gator¡¯s troubles and be of no help.

    ¡°Damn it!¡± Zhou Mu¡¯s fists tightened in frustration, seething with rage at the Sinister Six¡¯s malevolence and his own helplessness.

    ¡°Roar!¡± ¡°Hiss!¡± The simultaneous roars and hisses marked the Lords¡¯ renewed confrontation. Sinister Six mped its jaws onto Gator¡¯s tail, while Gator coiled its body around its adversary. Meanwhile, Gator wasn¡¯t just ying defense. A cloud of green poison mist furiously spewed at Sinister Six, and Gator¡¯s four sharp fangs plunged deep into its neck.

    The tide seemed to turn in Gator¡¯s favor. Barring any unforeseen events, Gator would likely emerge victorious but not without sustaining severe injuries in the process of killing Sinister Six. However, reality can be far harsher than one¡¯s expectations. Realizing it was trapped in a fight to the death, Sinister Six resolved to go down fighting.

    ¡°You think killing me is that easy? Hahahaha, let¡¯s go down together!¡± The tiger¡¯s maw echoed with maniacalughter. What skill Sinister Six had unleashed was unknown, but its body began to swell rapidly, forcibly stretching Gator¡¯s body.

    ¡°Crack!¡± ¡°Crack!¡± The sound of fabric tearing filled the air as Gator¡¯s scales shattered and its sturdy frame was ripped open with gashes. If this continued, Gator¡¯s body would be severed into pieces, and even if it miraculously survived, full recovery would be a distant hope.

    Without a moment¡¯s hesitation, Zhou Mu forcefully returned Gator to the protective confines of the Soul Contract¡¯s special space.

    ¡°Heh, is that it? Where¡¯s your pride now? Your bravery? Gone?¡± Sinister Six sneered, the dark Qi swirling around it as its body continued to bloat.

    ¡°I won¡¯t gamble with its life. In the end, death is the most I¡¯ll face.¡±

    Zhou Mu¡¯s face was a mask of impassivity, yet inside, he was ready to make a break for it.

    If he didn¡¯t intervene, Gator stood a chance of dying, and then he¡¯d be forced to confront the Sinister Six directly.

    Taking Gator into his care meant a head-on battle with the Sinister Six either way.

    The end result would be the same, so why let Gator die needlessly?

    Deep down, of course, there was another reason.

    Gator shared his bloodline, making him the closest thing to family he had in this unfamiliar world.

    He wanted Gator to survive, to continue living alongside him.

    ¡°Wow, such a profound bond between master and servant!¡± Sinister Six taunted, clicking his tongue in a mocking tone, his face twisted with derision.

    ¡°And if it were that little chick, would you make the same choice?¡±

 Chapter 26

    C26 ¨C Phoenix

    Upon hearing the words, Goldie remained silent next to it, yet its tiny ears perked up stealthily.

    It was exceptionally intelligent, an anomaly among its scarlet macaw kin, with a wit rivaling that of an average human.

    Aware of its neer status, Goldie understood it could never hold the same ce in Zhou Mu¡¯s heart as Gator did.

    Thus, it refrained frompeting with Gator, free from envy. Even when Gator roughed it up, Goldie appeared utterly unfazed.

    The underlying reason, of course, was that it simply couldn¡¯t win.

    Yet, deep down, Goldie yearned for affection and care, aspiring to Gator¡¯s esteemed standing.

    ¡°Absolutely, the moment it entered into a pact with me, it became my most faithful ally. It wouldy down its life for my protection, and I would spare no effort to safeguard it,¡± Zhou Mu asserted with unwavering conviction, not a trace of hesitation in his voice.

    Goldie¡¯s crown feathers involuntarily quivered as Zhou Mu¡¯s words reached its ears.

    ¡°Bravo! Since you¡¯remitted to giving it your all, I¡¯ll grant you that opportunity!¡± Sinister Six bellowed,unching himself at Zhou Mu.

    It was undeniable; Sinister Six was a formidable foe.

    Bold and resolute, he wasted no time.

    Upon realizing he was outmatched, he swiftly pivoted his tactics.

    His earlier conversation with Zhou Mu was merely a ploy to stall for time, allowing him to adapt to his newfound surge of power.

    Now, Sinister Six harbored a lethal intent toward Zhou Mu.

    In his possession were two lord-tier spirit animals, one of dragon lineage and the other of phoenix descent.

    Should they reach their potential, they were bound to be powerhouses on par with the likes of Poisongarde and Vision of the Ended.

    ¡°No!¡±

    As Sinister Six made his move, Fong Ju and Hai Ming let out involuntary shrieks.

    One was their promising prot¨¦g¨¦, the other a childhood friend and longtime desk mate. In this critical moment, their emotions surged to the surface.

    With the cries echoing in his ears and Sinister Six bearing down on him, Zhou Mu¡¯s expression remained stoic. In his heart, he beckoned to the system, ready to trade years of his life for a sliver of a chance to escape.

    At that moment, a vibrant shadow suddenly interposed itself before him.

    It was like a moth to a me¡ªcourageous, resolute, and unstoppable.

    Simultaneously, a piercing cry echoed across the wilderness.

    ¡°Chirp!¡±

    Zhou Mu gazed at the familiar silhouette bathed in light, his face betraying utter astonishment.

    Regal and resplendent, it shimmered with an array of colors.

    The crown of feathers atop its head seemed to sprout like branches, its wings undted like waves, its robust body was as solid as the earth, and its talons were as keen as des.

    Behind it, the long plumes bore mes so intense they could warp space itself.

    This was the sovereign of birds! The mythical harbinger of good fortune! The phoenix!

    In the face of impending doom, as Sinister Six lunged at Zhou Mu, Jin Zi made the valiant choice to ignite his bloodline, sacrificing his life to save Zhou Mu.

    A fleeting, radiant bloom of youth.

    There was no weighing of worth, only the steadfast resolve to act!

    ¡°Flying Feathers in the Sky!¡±

    A myriad of five-colored lights gathered behind Goldie, transforming into swords that streaked towards Sinister Six.

    The power of the five elements, each enhancing and countering the other.

    They tore, solidified, corroded, scorched, and assimted.

    Five distinct forces burst forth simultaneously, dealing a severe blow to Sinister Six.

    ¡°You¡¯ve lost your mind! Burning your bloodline will reduce you to a mere beast, less than a sparrow!¡±

    Sinister Six bellowed in disbelief.

    Yet, what met him was not a reprieve but a searing white brilliance.

    ¡°Golden Sword Qi!¡±

    The radiance coalesced into a de, piercing through Sinister Six¡¯s brow in an instant.

    Boom!

    The colossal form crashed to the ground, kicking up clouds of dust. The splendid five-colored light in the sky, like a me spent, dwindled to mere embers descending to the earth.

    Zhou Mu reached out to catch Goldie, his eyes misting over.

    ¡°Boss¡­ your bird¡­ it¡¯s broken¡­¡±

    Goldie murmured faintly before sumbing to unconsciousness.

    ¡°Don¡¯t worry. As long as I¡¯m here, you won¡¯t break.¡±

    Zhou Mu sealed Goldie back into the Soul Contract, his face etched with a fierce resolve for vengeance.

    ¡°Those Brightsmiths¡­ I won¡¯t rest until I¡¯ve annihted you all, until my fury is quelled by your utter destruction!¡±

    Boom!

    Crash!

    Thunder suddenly shattered the silence, with dark clouds having stealthily nketed the sky.

    The ghastly lightning cast an eerie glow on Zhou Mu¡¯s face, rendering him a fearsome sight.

    Without a word, everyone silently supported their wounded peers back into the vehicle.

    The battle had been brutal. Over thirty students perished, with more than a hundred sustaining serious injuries. Nearly everyone bore the marks ofbat. Over half of the spirit animals were lost, with the survivors barely clinging to life.

    The driver and Fong Ju¡¯s spirit animal were gravely injured, desperately needing care.

    Even Zhou Mu¡¯s spirit animals were critically wounded, one teetering on the brink of death.

    Thankfully, the Soul Contract greatly aids in the healing of spirit animals. Even if full recovery was impossible, it could at least prevent their condition from deteriorating.

    For Zhou Mu, as long as Goldie was alive, everything else was secondary.

    What did it matter if he dropped to the first rank? Or reverted to an ordinary quality?

    They were mere points!

    In no time at all, Zhou Mu was confident he could restore Goldie from a mere chick to a majestic phoenix, once again robust and mighty!

    The carriage was filled with a somber air, silent except for the few students adept in healing quietly tending to everyone¡¯s injuries.

    Amidst the darkness, destion, and relentless downpour, the battle loomed like an oppressive shadow over their spirits.

    Failure to ovee it meant a lifetime haunted by this nightmare.

    But for those who prevailed, it was a step onto the path of the mighty.

    This was a challenge each had to face alone; no one else could break through it for them.

    Compared to the others, Zhou Mu was significantly moreposed.

    After a thorough check confirmed Goldie was not in mortal danger, he finally allowed himself a sigh of relief.

    ¡°Once we return, I¡¯ll request a supply of resources from the school,¡± he said.

    Fong Ju pped Zhou Mu on the shoulder, gratitude in his eyes. ¡°We owe you big time. Without you, we¡¯d all be goners.¡±

    ¡°I was just looking out for myself,¡± Zhou Mu replied, shaking his head.

    ¡°You could¡¯ve easily walked away unscathed, but you chose to stand with us. Remember, if you ever need help, just ask. I¡¯m sure the others will be just as eager to support you.¡±

    Fong Ju chuckled and cast his gaze beyond Zhou Mu.

    As Zhou Mu followed his line of sight, he saw his ssmates looking back at him with eyes brimming with admiration and gratitude, stirring something within his once cold, unyielding heart.

    In his past life, he was alone,peting with wild beasts for sustenance, with humans for gain, and with the very forces of nature for his existence.

    To survive, his heart had turned to ice, always looking out for himself above all else.

    But in the end, that life was nothing more than a ludicrous dream.

    Now, in this life, he had loving parents and family, a loyal spirit animalpanion, a quirky girl next door, and a childhood friend who was his desk mate¡ªfoolish, yet endearing.

    This life was filled with so much more happiness than thest.

    Zhou Mu faced forward as the rain poured and the wind howled.

    Yet his heart, against the elements, beat with a warmth like that of a zing fire.

 Chapter 27

    C27 ¨C Demolishor

    The remainder of the trip unfolded without much fanfare. The sporadic fiend beasts posed no real threat, and the group arrived at Bayshore School without incident.

    Thanks to a heads-up from Fong Ju, the recruitment director, three fully-staffed medical teams were ready and waiting at the entrance by the time everyone got there.

    Injuries were tended to, and rest was taken; within thirty minutes, everyone was settled in.

    By the following noon,pensation had been distributed. Zhou Mu wasn¡¯t sure about the others, but he was quite pleased with his own reward.

    He received ten thousand credits and an opportunity to enter the Sanctuary for Spiritual Growth.

    Zheng Hao had mentioned that the Sanctuary only offered three spots each year. Now, Zhou Mu had snagged two of them, and he could only imagine how many people might be green with envy.

    But Zhou Mu wasn¡¯t concerned about them. He had earned his ce fair and square and had nothing to feel guilty about.

    The credits served a simr purpose to the points in the system store, acting as a special currency for exchanging restricted items.

    Gator¡¯s injuries were minor and quickly healed after brief treatment.

    However, due to burning its bloodline, Gator¡¯s quality had downgraded from Lord to ordinary, though it remained at the second rank with three stars.

    This setback was minor, and Gator was expected to regain its Lord status before long.

    The uproar caused by the Sinister Six incident had the school¡¯s senior administration tied up in meetings. Coupled with other issues, the official start of the academic year was postponed by two weeks.

    With time to kill, Zhou Mu browsed Bayshore School¡¯s website to see what his credits could fetch.

    He discovered an array of valuable items: energy-rich spirit herbs, cutting-edge technological gadgets, and a variety of foods perfect for nourishing spirit animals.

    Yet, what caught Zhou Mu¡¯s eye the most were items that could enhance soul intensity.

    Soul Fragment: A rare condensation that may form upon the death of a fifth rank or higher fiend beast. Using it could boost soul intensity by 0.3 points, with a maximum increase of five points.

    This item was outrageously expensive, requiring 1000 credits for just one.

    Zhou Mu might have balked at anything else, but he didn¡¯t bat an eye at the chance to enhance his soul intensity.

    He snapped up six in one fell swoop, and with his natural recovery, he was on track to hit five points within a month, allowing him to upgrade his Soul Contract to level four.

    He spent the remaining credits on high-grade spirit animal meat and energy-packed nuts.

    Gator and Little Green had really pulled their weight in the recent battle; it was only right to treat them well.

    ¡­¡­

    Sea Immortal City, aptly named for its coastal location, boasted a rich variety of seafood.

    But why not just call it Seafood City?

    Imagine if other ces were named after their signature dishes¡ªPancake Province, Meat Bun Metropolis, Donkey Burger Borough, Teppanyaki Town, Mutton Skewer Municipality¡­

    Sounds odd, doesn¡¯t it?

    ¡°What¡¯ll it be?¡±

    At a fish stall in the cafeteria, the kindly-faced owner asked with a beaming smile, brandishing a cleaver.

    The knife wasn¡¯t particrly long, but it was wide enough to eclipse the sun when held aloft.

    ¡°I¡¯ll take a hairtail, a pomfret, and a seabass. Fry the hairtail then stew it in broth, steam the pomfret with scallions, and braise the seabass¡ªbut hold the Sichuan peppercorns and prickly ash.¡±

    These were his favorites from a past life. Normally, one fish would suffice for his appetite, but now he had to consider Gator and Little Green, so he ordered extra to ensure there was plenty to go around.

    As for the cost, he still had the old man¡¯s bank card.

    Money was no object¡ªspend away!

    After all, rounding up, it was practically his own money!

    ¡°Would you like your fish live or dead?¡±

    ¡°Live, of course! Wait¡ªlive fish for two credits, dead fish for five? What¡¯s going on here?¡±

    Zhou Mu scrutinized the price list, wondering if his eyes were deceiving him.

    Live fish were two credits per jin, while dead fish were five.

    Clearly, either his eyesight was failing, or the stall owner had lost his mind!

    ¡°It¡¯s easier for me to deal with dead fish,¡± the boss said cheerfully.

    ¡°You must be out of your mind! If dead fish are easier to handle, shouldn¡¯t they be cheaper? It seems to me you just don¡¯t want the fish to live!¡± Zhou Mu grumbled, decisively opting for a live fish.

    After settling down at a spot, Zhou Mu and Gator waited for the boss to prepare the meal, while Goldie was restlessly scanning the room.

    Before long, Goldie zeroed in on a target¡ªa woman with a seductive look and a generous spirit.

    How generous? She could effortlessly nurture four kids.

    Not like Qi Xiang, who¡¯d probably be cursing and rushing to the kitchen to whip up a couple of dishes as soon as her child was born.

    ¡°My beautifuldy, may I have the honor of introducing myself?¡± Goldie preened, fluffing the feathers on his rump and gently caressing the plumes on his head in a rather showy manner.

    ¡°I am Goldie, the most cherished and talented spirit animal of the past four hundred years, descendant of the Phoenix n, with wealth in abundance. Might I have the pleasure of making your acquaintance?¡±

    ¡°Hehe, you¡¯re quite the character. Did your owner send you over because he¡¯s too shy to chat?¡± The woman nced around, failing to spot anyone who looked like Goldie¡¯s owner.

    ¡°Not at all!¡± Goldie shook his head. ¡°I¡¯ve seen your magazine before¡ªyou¡¯re so captivating, like a ray of light piercing my heart. I¡¯ve been utterly smitten, thinking of you constantly, almost to the point of self-destruction. This is destiny, a ssic case of ¡®no fight, no acquaintance,¡¯ I suppose.¡±

    While Goldie was busy charming thedy, Zhou Mu was listlessly surveying the scene, unaware of the trouble his feathered friend was stirring up.

    ¡°Hey Zhou, what¡¯s up?¡± Hai Ming asked, settling down next to him with a hen in his arms.

    ¡°Just waiting for food,¡± Zhou Mu replied, his attention drifting to Goldie in the distance.

    Hai Ming followed his gaze, his face darkening as he blurted out a stunned ¡°Damn!¡±

    ¡°What¡¯s wrong? Is that woman a big deal?¡± Zhou Mu inquired, puzzled.

    Beyond her magnanimous demeanor, he couldn¡¯t spot anything unusual, nor did he feel any sense of danger.

    Aside from his broad-mindedness, he saw nothing unusual, nor did he sense any threat. If Hai Ming hadn¡¯t mistaken someone else for her, it meant that she was even more formidable than he had anticipated.

    ¡°It¡¯s not about how tough she is!¡± Hai Ming swallowed hard, scanning the surroundings before lowering his voice to a conspiratorial whisper, ¡°She¡¯s the one everyone at Bayshore School agrees you don¡¯t mess with. She¡¯s a senior this year. For the past three years, she¡¯s had a different boyfriend each year¡ªthree guys in total.¡±

    ¡°That doesn¡¯t sound like a big deal. It¡¯s just a case of liking the new and getting tired of the old,¡± Zhou Mu replied, puzzled by Hai Ming¡¯s concern.

    ¡°The boyfriends aren¡¯t the issue. It¡¯s that after each rtionship, she ended up with their fathers. She¡¯s infamously known as the Demolishor.¡±

    Hai Ming pped Zhou Mu on the shoulder, his face a mix of emotions, ¡°Looks like Uncle Wang might be in for some trouble.¡±

    Zhou Mu: ¡°???¡±

    Damn Demolishor!

    Why not call her Thanos?

    With a snap of her fingers, does she make half the dads disappear?

    ¡°Are you the owner of this bird?¡±

    While Zhou Mu and Hai Ming were quietly discussing, it wasn¡¯t their father who showed up¡­

    It was the Demolishor herself, knocking at their door!

 Chapter 28

    C28 ¨C The First Meeting with the Principal

    ¡°No! I don¡¯t recognize it! You¡¯ve mistaken me for someone else!¡±

    Zhou Mu¡¯s head shook like a bobblehead, leaving Goldiepletely baffled.

    What happened to the deep bond between master and servant?

    What about the love and affection?

    In just a few minutes, he¡¯s pretending not to know her?

    ¡°Boss¡­¡±

    Goldie almost called out instinctively, but then a light bulb went off in his head.

    Could this woman¡­ possibly be too formidable even for the boss to handle?

    ¡°Boss, what¡¯s with the act? You look ridiculous!¡±

    Goldie didn¡¯t hold back his mockery, acting as though he truly didn¡¯t recognize Zhou Mu.

    ¡°And you?¡±

    The woman turned her gaze to Hai Ming and inquired.

    ¡°I¡¯m an orphan!¡±

    Hai Ming dered with conviction. After a brief pause, he added, ¡°And so is he!¡±

    Zhou Mu: ¡°¡­¡±

    ¡°Enough with the charade. Your stories are already legendary across the university. The sole heir of the Zhou family, with elders wielding absolute influence over both the military andmerce in Ambergrasp province. A prodigy of this generation, having bonded with two lordly spirit animals, the dragon and phoenix species. As long as you don¡¯t meet an untimely end, you¡¯re destined for greatness.¡±

    The woman¡¯sughter was light and airy, and as she moved, the atmosphere seemed to shift. ¡°You¡¯re not too shabby either. A support spirit animal with such a rare skill¡ªif nurtured properly, you¡¯ll have the elite vying for your allegiance.¡±

    ¡°Thank you for the vote of confidence.¡±

    Zhou Mu nodded, shooting Goldie a knowing look, prompting him to leap from the woman¡¯s embrace.

    ¡°Heh, such a dull man. But I¡¯m in no rush; our paths will cross again.¡±

    The woman sent a flirtatious look Zhou Mu¡¯s way before sashaying off.

    ¡°Tsk tsk, Uncle Zhou¡¯s going to be one lucky man with her¡­¡±

    Watching the woman¡¯s retreating figure, Hai Ming quickly wiped the drool from his lips.

    Caught between frustration at unmet expectations and the envy of wishing to be in another¡¯s shoes!

    ¡°You¡¯re overthinking it. I won¡¯t be going home for a whole year.¡±

    Zhou Mu rolled his eyes and turned his attention to Goldie on the table, asking, ¡°So, what have you discovered?¡±

    Goldie might have seemed cheap, but it was far from foolish. In fact, Zhou Mu suspected its intelligence might even surpass Hai Ming¡¯s by a fraction. Its proactive approach toward that woman likely meant it had discovered something significant.

    ¡°Boss, that woman is quite unique. She carries a blend of auras from various special spirit animals. It¡¯s faint, yet distinctly pure. I sense an aura that resonates with my own bloodline,¡± Goldie exined, prompting an epiphany in Zhou Mu.

    The woman bore a mix of spirit animal auras, one of which resonated with Goldie¡¯s bloodline¡ªundoubtedly phoenix blood.

    ¡°How intriguing,¡± Zhou Mu mused, a smirk ying on his lips. ¡°I was just fretting over where to find phoenix bloodline, and here it is, delivered right to me.¡±

    He had a new n now¡ªto engage with this Demolishor and uncover her capabilities.

    Shortly after the woman departed, the entric boss served up three portions of fish. Despite his oddities, the boss¡¯s cooking was exceptional.

    The aroma was so enticing it even drew in a small, greedy cat. Zhou Mu, being the generous sort, didn¡¯t hesitate to share, giving the cat the fish bones while he, Goldie, and Gator devoured the flesh and soup.

    Satiated, Zhou Mu casually wiped his mouth with the cat and headed to the principal¡¯s office. Fong Ju, the recruitment director, had called him for an important discussion with the principal.

    Recalling Zheng Hao¡¯s troubled look when mentioning the principal, Zhou Mu felt a twinge of apprehension. His gut feeling was that the principal might be difficult to deal with.

    But Zhou Mu walked with confidence, his conscience clear. After all, the principal couldn¡¯t just concoct a reason to punish him without cause.

    Arriving at the principal¡¯s office with aposed pace, he encountered a man exiting the room. The man, in his early twenties and slender, locked eyes with Zhou Mu, a sh of murderous intent briefly crossing his gaze.

    Zhou Mu maintained a stoic expression, suppressing the impulse to strike as he sidestepped to avoid confrontation.

    He was in the dark about this person¡¯s identity and the nature of their feud, but the sheer murderous intent directed at him gave Zhou Mu ample justification to retaliate with lethal force.

    Knock, knock, knock!

    ¡°Come in!¡±

    After Zhou Mu knocked, a gentle female voice beckoned from within.

    He entered, and the principal looked up.

    Recognizing the face before him, Zhou Mu eximed in surprise.

    ¡°Second Aunt?¡±

    ¡°No, that¡¯s not right! My Second Aunt has been gone for years, plus she had a tear-shaped mole under her left eye.¡±

    His thoughts raced. Now he understood Zheng Hao¡¯s troubled look; it wasn¡¯t that the principal was difficult¡ªit was about his Second Aunt.

    Unless there was some mistake, they were likely sisters.

    ¡°You¡¯re correct. I am indeed your Second Aunt¡¯s sister. You may call me Auntie.¡±

    The principal gestured for Zhou Mu to take a seat beside her.

    ¡°This time, we owe you a debt of gratitude. Without your intervention, we would have faced serious trouble, risking the loss of numerous outstanding students and falling prey to the Brightsmiths¡¯ schemes.¡±

    ¡°It was nothing, merely self-preservation on my part.¡±

    Zhou Mu remained humble, eschewing any sense of self-importance. ¡°But what exactly happened with this attack? And the Beast Tide¡ªI can¡¯t shake the feeling that something¡¯s off.¡±

    ¡°The Beast Tide was merely a diversion. The Brightsmiths¡¯ true target is the Fire Grounds.¡±

    ¡°The Fire Grounds?¡±

    Hearing the principal¡¯s words, Zhou Mu was puzzled.

    It was his first time hearing the name, and his instincts¡­

    Never mind, he thought, dismissing his earlier intuition as incorrect.

    ¡°The Fire Grounds is a secret realm under the control of the Ambergrasp areamand, rich in molten ore used for crafting armor and weapons. It¡¯s the military¡¯s vital resource, and a ce your Uncle Zhou holds in high regard. These secret realms are scarce, controlled only by powerful entities, such as the Sanctuary for Spiritual Growth at Bayshore School and the Animal Whisperer Union¡¯s Ten Thousand Spirit Forest.¡±

    The principal fell into a thoughtful silence before continuing, ¡°The Brightsmiths areposed of beings with human souls and beastly bodies, capable of manipting lower-tier fiend beasts to some extent. While their beast tide seems aimed at attacking various towns, their true target is the Fire Grounds. Should the Fire Grounds fall, the areamand of Ambergrasp would be severed, significantly weakening its strength and its ability to maintain stability across the cities. In such a scenario, Ambergrasp would be at a severe disadvantage.¡±

    ¡°I see!¡± Zhou Mu nodded, grasping the situation.

    ¡°In this battle, even the elusive Vision of the Ended and Poisongarde made an appearance. Following a fierce conflict, the Brightsmiths were driven back, with a few casualties on their side, marking a victory for us.¡±

    The principal paused briefly, then turned to Zhou Mu, ¡°What¡¯s your next move?¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m heading to the Sanctuary for Spiritual Growth to boost my strength as quickly as possible. If it weren¡¯t for the awakening of my bloodline, I might not have survived the Sinister Six¡¯s onught. Considering the sheer power of just one Sinister Six, I wouldn¡¯t stand a chance against the Vision of the Ended or the Poisongarde.¡±

    Zhou Mu looked up, his gaze steely with resolve. The sense of powerlessness he¡¯d felt against the Sinister Six had pierced his heart. He was determined to be the strongest, to gain the power necessary to protect himself.

    ¡°That¡¯s a wise decision,¡± the principal affirmed, gesturing with a wave of his hand as two white flowers materialized from nowhere. ¡°These are the keys to the Sanctuary for Spiritual Growth. Once you arrive at the entrance, crush them, and you¡¯ll be transported inside.¡±

    ¡°Thank you, Aunt!¡± Zhou Mu epted the keys, then something seemed to cross his mind. ¡°When I stepped out earlier, I encountered someone who appeared to hold a grudge against me.¡±

    ¡°The n was to allocate one of the three spots this year to him, but you slew the Sinister Six and saved hundreds of students. Given the significant advancements at the Sanctuary for Spiritual Growth, I¡¯ve awarded the spot to you instead.¡±

    The principal dismissed the concern with a wave of his hand, ¡°No need to worry, you¡¯re in my domain. No one here will dare to challenge that decision.¡±

    ¡°I understand!¡±

    The ensuing conversation was filled with the usual parental small talk. The principal inquired extensively about Uncle Zhou, but Zhou Mu had little to offer. His responses were mostly evasive, enough to muddle through.

    By the time he stepped out of the office, night had already fallen.

    Zhou Mu didn¡¯t linger; idleness had nearly driven him to hatch a bird from sheer boredom. He was eager not to waste another minute.

    As Zhou Mu disappeared into the evening, the principal pulled out his phone.

    ¡°The soul and body are in seamless alignment, with no trace of rejection. There¡¯s no scent of rot or decay, not like those half-dead relics. It¡¯s almost certain the soul is untampered with. It seems to have encountered some fortuitous event.¡±

    ¡°Thanks for your diligence!¡±

    ¡°Words alone? How about showing some gratitude with a meal?¡±

    ¡°The Brightsmiths are getting restless again. Let¡¯s discuss this another time when the opportunity arises.¡±

    ¡°¡­¡±

 Chapter 29

    C29 ¨C The ck w Specter

    En route to the Sanctuary for Spiritual Growth, Zhou Mu dialed Zheng Hao to rify the intricate rtionships at y.

    His second aunt and the principal were twin sisters, both having fallen for their second uncle.

    Over a decade ago, during a fierce battle, his second aunt fell victim to a surprise attack by the nefarious Brightsmiths and was killed. This tragedy extinguished his second uncle¡¯s capacity for love, turning his quest for vengeance into his life¡¯s sole pursuit.

    Through the years, a myriad of foes met their end at his second uncle¡¯s hands, his heart growing ever colder with each battle.

    The principal sought to heal his second uncle¡¯s emotional wounds, but her advances were consistently spurned, leading to a prolonged stalemate.

    Zheng Hao, serving as both bodyguard and secretary to his second uncle, secretly hoped for a union between the two. Yet, his second uncle¡¯s obstinate nature left no room for the principal¡¯s overtures.

    ¡°Ah, such tormented souls,¡± Zhou Mumented, ovee with a wave of mncholy.

    What is this thing called love, that itmands such life-and-death devotion?

    Tragic, indeed. Heartbreaking.

    ¡­¡­

    The gateway to the Sanctuary for Spiritual Growth was tucked away behind the office building. Guarded by a level ten Animal Whisperer, it was imprable unless confronted by a trio from either the Vision of the Ended or the Poisongarde.

    Zhou Mu shattered the key in his grasp, vanishing amidst a ripple of space.

    The journey through teleportation was serene. Once the vertigo cleared from his mind, Zhou Mu discovered he had arrived somewhere entirely new.

    It was a ce of shadows and silence, devoid of animals, nts, wind, and celestial bodies.

    A peculiar essence permeated the air¡ªindescribable yet oddly soothing to Zhou Mu.

    ¡°Truly, this is a Sanctuary for Spiritual Growth,¡± he marveled, sensing a subtle yet tangible enhancement in his soul¡¯s intensity.

    Summoning Gator and Goldie, the two creatures explored their new surroundings with keen interest.

    ¡°Boss, what is this ce? It¡¯s incrediblyforting!¡± Goldie remarked, pawing at the ground to dig a hole, driven by a simple, instinctive urge.

    Such a mundane act was expected to be inconsequential.

    Yet, as is often the case, reality had a surprise in store¡ªa ghostly figure emerged leisurely from the freshly dug pit.

    ¡°Damn!¡±

    Goldie let out a startled cry, pping its wings in an attempt to slice the entity in two, but what happened next was even more horrifying.

    Its wings might as well have swished through an illusion, inflicting no damage whatsoever.

    ¡°What is this thing?¡±

    Zhou Mu¡¯s brow furrowed as he watched the white apparition emerge from the pit.

    Standing half a meter tall, cloaked in white, it floated aimlessly through the air, seemingly devoid of any intent to attack them.

    It reminded him of a ghost from Western tales of old, more a tool for frightening the faint-hearted than anything else.

    Gator opened its jaws and released a cloud of venomous mist. Just like with Goldie, the white specter seemed impervious; the mist simply wafted through it.

    ¡°Hiss hiss hiss!¡±

    Perplexed, Gator drew its tail from the backpack, ready to strike, but Zhou Mu intervened.

    ¡°It¡¯s a soul body. You can¡¯t touch it, nor can you harm it.¡±

    With that, Zhou Mu unleashed a soul spike.

    Sure enough, as soon as the soul spike, a concentration of soul energy, touched the ghost, it dissipated into a wisp of white smoke, leaving no trace behind.

    Simultaneously, Zhou Mu sensed the soul energy he had expended rapidly replenishing. In under ten seconds, it was fully restored.

    Moreover, he noticed a slight increase in his soul energy.

    ¡°This ce is incredible!¡±

    Zhou Mu eximed, now understanding the nature of the Sanctuary for Spiritual Growth.

    Martial arts were futile here, spirit animals ineffective; only soul techniques could damage the ghosts.

    Due to the unique properties of this location, not only could one swiftly recover spent soul energy, but it could also incrementally enhance the upper limit of one¡¯s soul intensity.

    In essence, this was a sacred training ground for soul techniques.

    With this realization, Zhou Mu¡¯s excitement surged.

    If he could train here for a year, his soul intensity might well recover to over 50 points.

    And with additional time to strengthen Goldie and Gator, adversaries like the Sinister Six would be no match for him¡ªbring on ten or eight at a time, and Zhou Mu would remain undaunted.

    Without urging Goldie to resume digging, Zhou Mu and his spirit animals pressed on, soon encountering several more aimless spirits.

    The discovery of the spirit animal in the pit turned out to be sheer luck. Spirit animals,cking a physical form, could pass through most materials with ease.

    Had Zhou Mu not dug the pit and chosen to chop down a tree instead, he might have stumbled upon a spirit animal just the same.

    Dispatching several spirits with ease, Zhou Mu set his sights on a direction and pressed on.

    He relentlessly executed soul techniques, taking down spirit after spirit.

    In a mere two hours, Zhou Mu¡¯s soul intensity had increased by 0.1 points.

    This boost came while keeping his soul energy in rtive bnce. Fighting ten hours a day, he¡¯d gain a minimum of 0.5 points in soul intensity. That¡¯s five points in ten days, and fifty points in a hundred days.

    A year spent in the Sanctuary for Spiritual Growth could elevate Zhou Mu¡¯s soul intensity to 200 points, equivalent to a level ten Animal Whisperer.

    What was this ce?

    It was freaking paradise!

    But that was just wishful thinking.

    If reaching level ten were that easy, the Noshar Empire would have been unbeatable long ago.

    Moving on, Zhou Mu soon encountered a different kind of spirit animal.

    In contrast to the previous, more innocuous creature, this one boasted a pair of menacing ck ws.

    Clearly, it was aggressive.

    ¡°Both of you, fall back!¡±

    Spirit beasts couldn¡¯t interact with spirits, but the spirits had no trouble touching them.

    This might involve some intery of the corporeal and ethereal, and Zhou Mu would have risked Gator and Gator¡¯s safety if necessary.

    But now, it wasn¡¯t.

    The soul spike hit the ck-wed spirit without warning.

    Indeed, this creature was a cut above the earlier spirits¡ªnot only was its soul body more robust, but it could also retaliate.

    ¡°Aooo!¡±

    The ck-wed spirit¡¯s mouth gaped open, emitting a silent roar.

    Zhou Mu¡¯s mind reeled as the spectral entity suddenly closed in on him.

    ¡°This is bad!¡±

    The situation was dire. Gator and Gator were too distant, and it was doubtful they could intervene in time.

    Zhou Mu tried to evade, but his physical reactions paled inparison to the spirit¡¯s swiftness.

    With no other option, he braced for a direct confrontation.

    The second soul spike struck the ck-wed spirit, causing its phantom form to quiver violently, as if struggling to keep its shape.

    Wang Yan didn¡¯t dare to dy a moment longer, unleashing another soul spike.

    ¡°Crack!¡±

    The ck w Phantom finally vanished, but not before its talons grazed Wang Yan¡¯s body.

    There was no pain, just a wave of weakness and disorientation.

    Undoubtedly, despite its seemingly corporeal form, the ck w Phantom was essentially a soul.

    Once struck by it, a soul would suffer severe depletion, plunging into a state of frailty.

    If the soul energy couldn¡¯t withstand the phantom¡¯s assault, it would disintegratepletely.

    ¡°It appears unassuming, yet its peril exceeds that of shes between spirit beasts and martial arts.¡±

    Wang Yan wiped away the nonexistent sweat from his brow, resolving that should he encounter another ck w Phantom, he must eliminate it without hesitation.

    ¡°Boss, guess what I found?¡±

    Jinzi¡¯s voice rang out nearby. Wang Yan turned to see a soul shard clutched in its mouth.

    It could increase soul intensity by 0.3, with a maximum of 5 points.

    It was of no use to Wang Yan at the moment, but it could be sold for money or exchanged for credits.

    Of course, Wang Yan had another option¡ªto trade it with the system.

    He received 400 points!

    ¡°Damn it, what a rip-off! Wasn¡¯t the square deal system supposed to exchange a shard for 500 points, not just give me 400?¡±

    Hearing the system¡¯s prompt, Wang Yan couldn¡¯t help but let loose a string of expletives.

    After a solid ten minutes of swearing without any response, Wang Yan ceased his tirade.

    Truth be told, the system was rtively fair, albeit a bit of a gouge, but it was far better than some that would offer only a fraction of the value.

    Take diamonds, for instance¡ªcosting 100,000 yuan to purchase, but upon resale, hardly anyone would take them for 10,000 yuan.

 Chapter 30

    C30 ¨C An Intense Battle!

    The ck w Spirits were few and far between. After dispatching over thirty regr spirits, Zhou Mu finally encountered a second one. This time, he was far more cautious, unleashing his soul sting from a safe distance and managing to eliminate the ck w Spirit before it could even reach him.

    No soul fragments dropped, indicating that his previous sess had been a stroke of luck. Yet, Zhou Mu wasn¡¯t disheartened. He knew that with enough kills, the odds would eventually turn in his favor. After all, a 1% drop rate meant a virtual certainty of sess after a hundred kills.

    Zhou Mu¡¯s routine was relentless, consisting of nothing but the necessary breaks for food and rest. Time blurred as he fought on, and eventually, his soul intensity hit the 5-point mark. He also umted enough points to enhance Goldie to a Lord-grade status.

    Throughout Zhou Mu¡¯s battles, Goldie had been feasting non-stop. A diet rich in energy-packed nuts allowed it to ascend from second rank four stars to second rank five stars. Zhou Mu then invested 300 points to acquire a third-rank spirit crystal. Bathed in a soft glow, Goldie ascended to third rank one star, unlocking new abilities.

    Golden Essence Sword Qi: Harnessing the power of golden essence to forge sword qi, inflicting severe damage upon foes.

    Feather Spread: Manipting golden essence to coat feathers, dealing damage to enemies in the vicinity.

    Both skills, one for single targets and the other for area attacks, had been showcased in the sh with the Sinister Six. Back then, Goldie had briefly transformed into a phoenix by igniting its bloodline, using Feather Spread to grievously wound the Sinister Six, and Golden Essence Sword Qi to deliver the killing blow.

    But things were different now. Feather Spread could only manipte Golden Essence Qi, not thebined power of the five elements ¨C gold, wood, water, fire, and earth. Goldie was, after all, just a Lord-tier Xuan Bird, not an actual phoenix.

    The choice was clear without a second thought: Golden Essence Sword Qi. Goldie was an assassin, and Zhou Mu hadmitted to that path from the start. There was no sense in changing course now.

    The confrontation with the Sinister Six had been telling. At equal levels, Goldie could almost effortlessly overpower other fiend beasts. Its only limitation was its small size, which made it challenging to inflict fatal damage on massive fiend beasts like the Sinister Six.

    The Golden Essence Sword Qi perfectlypensated for that shoring!

    With its growth, the amount of Golden Essence Sword Qi that could be wielded increased, bing ever more potent.

    What did size matter?

    The Golden Essence Sword Qi shot right through!

    ¡°Wow, boss, your bird¡¯s gotten even stronger!¡±

    Goldie, feeling the rush of power within, pped his wings and hopped about, clearly thrilled.

    ¡°You¡¯re losing three days¡¯ worth of food!¡±

    ¡°Boss, my bad!¡±

    ¡°Ah¡­¡±

    Zhou Mu let out a sigh, contemting whether to make a stew out of Goldie.

    The bird was quick to own up to its mistakes but just as quick to repeat them, causing Zhou Mu no end of frustration.

    Zhou Mu was thriving in the Sanctuary for Spiritual Growth, his soul intensity steadily climbing, his points umting.

    Meanwhile, the principal was growing concerned.

    ¡°There¡¯s a cap to the enhancement humans can gain in the Sanctuary for Spiritual Growth. Each visit can only boost their soul intensity by a maximum of 50%. Zhou Mu¡¯s at level three, with a soul intensity of three points. He should have been more than ready in ten days, yet it¡¯s been half a month¡­¡±

    The principal was in a quandary. Zhou Mu was Zhou Hao¡¯s sole nephew; any mishap would be difficult to ount for.

    ¡°No need for rm. This kid¡¯s got an extraordinary gift. The usual human limits don¡¯t apply to him. Just give it more time; he¡¯ll be fine.¡±

    Fong Ju, head of recruitment, had full faith in Zhou Mu.

    A high school graduate with two Lord-grade spirit animals was unheard of in four centuries.

    If not for the protection of Zhou Hao from the areamand of Ambergrasp, Zhou Mu would likely have been seized for research by now.

    ¡­¡­

    Inside the Sanctuary for Spiritual Growth, Zhou Mu opened his attribute panel, feeling immensely pleased.

    His soul intensity had soared from three points to eighteen, and his Soul Contract had reached level five.

    Just two more points, and he could bond with a third spirit animal.

    For anyone else, such a rapid surge in soul intensity would be unbearable.

    But Zhou Mu was no ordinary person. With a soul intensity ceiling of 222 points, he could stay for months without issue.

    During his time in the Sanctuary for Spiritual Growth, Zhou Mu noticed a troubling trend: the spirits within seemed to be dwindling.

    Initially, he could encounter at least ten ordinary ghosts in thirty minutes, ande across three ck-wed ghosts daily.

    But as time went on, the ck-wed ghosts nearly vanished, and the ordinary ghosts¡¯ numbers plummeted.

    After roaming for over half an hour, he hadn¡¯t spotted a single one.

    It was baffling!

    ¡°Is there a limit to this ce?¡±

    Zhou Mu remembered Zheng Hao¡¯s words. The sanctuary only offered three spots each year, not because the principal was hoarding ess, but due to the slow replenishment rate of soul energy¡ªit could only support the needs of three average Animal Whisperers.

    Zhou Mu had recklessly ughtered, consuming the share meant for three.

    In essence, this year¡¯s allotment for the sanctuary had been exhausted.

    To continue using it, he¡¯d have to wait until next year.

    ¡°ording to thew of conservation of energy, energy can¡¯t be created from nothing or vanish into nothingness. It transforms from one form to another, or transfers from one object to another. Given this, there must be a source of soul energy within the sanctuary. If I can find it¡­¡±

    Zhou Mu licked his lips, his eyes shining with avarice.

    He didn¡¯t need much¡ªjust a two-point increase in soul intensity to bond with a third spirit animal.

    With that boost, hisbat abilities would surge. Should he face the Sinister Six again, Zhou Mu could effortlessly crush him.

    The pressing question was, how to locate the source of soul energy?

    After some thought, Zhou Mu faced another conundrum: how to exit the sanctuary.

    Typically, once soul intensity hit a temporary peak, one would be ejected.

    Yet, Zhou Mu was far from that peak. Even after another year, he wouldn¡¯t reach it.

    He would¡¯ve dly stayed if soul energy was abundant. But now, with the energy scarce and his supplies of food and water dwindling, he had to consider his departure.

    ¡°I need to find a way out of here,¡± Zhou Mu murmured under his breath. As he was about to resume his search, Goldie suddenly burst out with a shout, ¡°Who¡¯s there?¡±

    ¡°Ah, true to the Phoenix lineage, your perception is incredibly keen.¡±

    A sultry voice drifted over from nearby, prompting Zhou Mu to look up, only to find Demolishor approaching.

    ¡°How did you get in here?¡±

    Zhou Mu blurted out instinctively, then quickly realized the obvious answer¡ªDemolishor must have used a key. After all, there were only three annual entries to the Sanctuary for Spiritual Growth, and he held two of them, with the third in someone else¡¯s possession.

    ¡°Wow, you¡¯ve bounced back quickly.¡±

    Demolishor¡¯s alluring face registered surprise upon seeing Goldie, then shifted his scrutinizing gaze to Zhou Mu. ¡°Little brother, you¡¯ve truly caught me off guard!¡±

    For some inexplicable reason, Zhou Mu felt a tangible threat when Demolishor¡¯s eyes met his own.

    Yes, danger!

    It was as if a fiend beast had locked its sights on him¡ªthere was no malice, just the mere act of being watched that instinctively made him tense up.

    ¡°Exactly who are you?¡±

    Zhou Mu pulled two daggers from his storage bag, etched with spatial runes, readying himself forbat.

    Since acquiring the system, he had lived as if life were a game.

    With the system¡¯s aid, he was already a step above the rest. As long as he avoided foolish risks, ascending to the pinnacle seemed inevitable.

    Even when faced with the daunting Sinister Six, Zhou Mu¡¯s n was to leverage the system to train Gator and Goldie.

    But now, he was all seriousness.

    Demolishor¡¯s spirit animal was every bit as formidable as his own.

    ¡°This is the Yellow Carriage!¡±

    Zhou Mu¡¯s face tensed with gravity. He hadn¡¯t expected to encounter such a revered and rare mythical beast so soon after enrolling at Bayshore School.

    The ssic of Mountains and Seas describes and to the north of the Dragon Fish, inhabited by white-skinned, long-haired people. Among them is the Yellow Carriage, a creature resembling a fox with horns on its back, said to grant a lifespan of two thousand years to those who ride it.

    The Yellow Carriage, shaped like a fox with a long horn on its back, is steeped in legend. It¡¯s said that mounting it can extend one¡¯s life by two thousand years.

    Both Cheng Huang and the Nine-Tailed Fox are celebrated mythical creatures from Chinese lore.

    Anything connected to these ancient myths would at least be of lordly stature. The potential of a mythical creature like Cheng Huang is beyond imagination.

    Zhou Mu wasn¡¯t sure of Cheng Huang¡¯s strength, but judging by Goldie and Gator¡¯s wary stance, it was no pushover.

    ¡°Such pure dragon blood is a rarity. This chick¡¯s lineage is slightly inferior, likely a descendant of the Phoenix n.¡±

    Demolishor¡¯s lips curled into a tantalizing smile, stirring a ripple of excitement in Zhou Mu¡¯s heart.

    ¡°Radiant yet modest, alluring without vulgarity. Sister, you¡¯re the most beautiful woman I¡¯ve ever encountered, it¡¯s just a shame¡­¡±

    Zhou Mu trailed off, sparking Demolishor¡¯s curiosity.

    ¡°A shame about what?¡±

    ¡°A shame I¡¯ve never savored your essence, sister!¡±

    Demolishor paused at Zhou Mu¡¯s words, then burst into a delicateugh.

    The scene was a tumult of surging waves and quivering blossoms, an unparalleled beauty.

    Yet Zhou Mu wasn¡¯t swept away by the charm; instead, his guard was up.

    ¡°This woman is dangerous, far from the simplicity she portrays.¡±

    A chill shed in Zhou Mu¡¯s eyes as he braced for confrontation.

    But before he could act, Demolishor vanished from sight.

    No, not vanished¡ªher speed was just too fast!

    Thud!

    The sound reverberated as Zhou Mu took a heavy blow to the chest, stumbling back three steps involuntarily.

    ¡°Oh, brother, you¡¯re quite sturdy. Sister has a fondness for strong men.¡±

    Demolishor¡¯s face was all smiles, devoid of any murderous aura.

    Yet the more pleasant she seemed, the more peril Zhou Mu sensed.

    ¡°Damn it, what about me attracted you? Can¡¯t I change that?¡±

    With a frustrated curse, Zhou Mu regained his footing and lunged forward.

    We have to fight, no matter what. It¡¯s better to strike first than to counterattack passively.

    ¡°I really like how tough and unyielding you are, little brother. You always leave me in so much distress.¡±

    ¡°Sister, can we not do this? I¡¯m still pure.¡±

    The sharp dagger thrust toward Demolishor¡¯s chest. If it struck, at least two children would be without their sustenance.

    Zhou Mu¡¯s strikes were fierce, but Demolishor was no ordinary foe.

    His slender fingers fluttered like butterflies, repeatedly deflecting the dagger¡¯s de.

    The force of each deflection wasn¡¯t overwhelming, but when dozens umted, Zhou Mu¡¯s arms felt as if they¡¯d been hammered.

    A fearsome power surged back, numbing Zhou Mu¡¯s hands and sending his weapon flying from his grasp.

 Chapter 31

    C31 ¨C An Even More Intense Battle

    ¡°Sorry, little brother, that won¡¯t do.¡±

    After knocking Zhou Mu¡¯s dagger aside, Demolishor didn¡¯t press the attack but instead began to mock him.

    Meanwhile, Jinzi and Gator were locked inbat, their battle fiercely contested and nowhere near conclusion.

    The daggery a mere three meters away, yet Zhou Mu didn¡¯t dare to move an inch.

    The woman was too quick; any sudden motion would invite a swift and painful reprisal.

    ¡°You¡¯re a virgin, and I¡¯m single by birth. We could have a more profound exchange,¡± Demolishor said, tucking a strand of hair behind his ear with a gentleness that could captivate countless men.

    But Zhou Mu was in no mood for allure, his chest and arms aching with the desire to give this woman a thrashing.

    ¡°Heh, are you saying you¡¯re single after having a child? Is the father of your child a ck man?¡±

    Zhou Mu scoffed, then had a mock epiphany, ¡°Actually, that can¡¯t be right. ck men tend to vanish the moment they learn their girlfriend is pregnant, long before the child arrives.¡±

    ¡°You! Scoundrel! How dare you insult me with such lowly nder!¡±

    Demolishor¡¯s face turned icy at Zhou Mu¡¯s words, her bright eyes shing with lethal intent.

    Any woman would bristle at such an insult, akin to equating a pure goddess with a prostitute. The goddess would be lenient not to smite him then and there.

    ¡°So, you do get angry,¡± Zhou Mu noted, toning down his rhetoric as he realized he had gone too far.

    ¡°Let me educate you on what respect means.¡±

    No sooner had he spoken than Demolishor lunged at him.

    Her long legsshed out like steel whips, slicing through the air with a piercing screech.

    An ordinary Animal Whisperer would be dead on impact.

    But Zhou Mu was no ordinary man; with strength, agility, and constitution all at a perfect score of 100, he could take the hit.

    Bang!

    Zhou Mu stepped back, catching Demolishor¡¯s strike with unwavering resolve.

    But he didn¡¯t stop there. His hands quivered, shifting from brute force to fluid motion, gliding up her calf like a swimming fish.

    ¡°You!¡± Demolishor let out a startled cry, struggling to free his leg, but Zhou Mu¡¯s hands clung to her like they were covered in suction cups.

    The heat was intense, like mes engulfing her.

    The pain was sharp, like electricity coursing through her veins.

    As Zhou Mu¡¯s hands glided upward, Demolishor shivered involuntarily, a blush creeping across her pale, delicate cheeks.

    She had never felt such searing heat before and was at a loss for what to do.

    Zhou Mu caught every nuance of her reaction. There¡¯s a saying: strike when the enemy is sick. A lethal intent shed in his eyes as he pressed down hard on a critical pressure point.

    ¡°Ah!¡±

    A scream escaped Demolishor¡¯s lips,ced with an undefinable undertone.

    She trembled uncontrobly, her body momentarily going limp.

    Zhou Mu¡¯s strike hit its mark without a hint of mercy.

    He clenched his fingers into a fist and mmed it down with ferocity.

    Bang!

    The force was immense, reducing a mountain peak to a mere hill.

    But Demolishor was no ordinary foe. His body was incredibly resilient, and as the punch¡¯s force neared depletion, he managed to forcefully repel Zhou Mu¡¯s hand.

    ¡°Why did it bounce?¡± Zhou Mu muttered, momentarily taken aback, before realizing the gravity of the situation.

    Indeed, a moment¡¯s negligence had cost him. Demolishor had broken free from his grasp and retreated over ten meters.

    ¡°Pervert!¡± Demolishor bellowed, his face flushed with a redness that seemed almost to bleed.

    In her many years of martial exploits, she had never encountered someone as persistent and shameless as Zhou Mu.

    But she would soone to realize that there¡¯s no limit to shamelessness; there¡¯s always someone more despicable.

    What defines shamelessness?

    This was the epitome of it!

    ¡°Pervert? Hehehe!¡± Zhou Mu chuckled, rubbing his hands together like a mischievous fly, his expression suddenly taking on ascivious cast.

    This woman was formidable, her body and martial arts skills surpassing his own. And then there was the spirit animal, whosebat prowess was off the charts.

    Without resorting to some unconventional tactics, he stood no chance of defeating her.

    ¡°Come on, you little wretch!¡± Zhou Mu sneered with a twisted smile, as his whole persona took on a dark and treacherous air.

    ¡°Behold my Dragon w technique!¡±

    ¡°And my ck Tiger Heart Pluck!¡±

    ¡°Heart-Shattering Palm!¡±

    ¡°Wailing Infant Fist!¡±

    ¡°¡­¡±

    There¡¯s an old saying: ¡®A tree without bark will surely perish, but a person without shame is truly invincible.¡¯

    Once Zhou Mu decided to abandon his humanity, the tide of battle, which had been against him, swiftly turned in his favor.

    Zhou Mu¡¯s tactics were shameless and unrestrained, driving Demolishor into a relentless retreat, leaving him in utter agony.

    His clothing was shredded, his skin marred with welts.

    These were the swollen patches from the fiery sting that had seeped into his flesh, soon to be metabolized away.

    ¡°You¡­ you lecherous thief¡­¡±

    Demolishor panted heavily, struggling to articte his words.

    ¡°What about me? Try this on for size¡ªPocket-Picking Hand!¡±

    Rip!

    With a fierce yank, Zhou Mu tore at the fabric, and in an instant, the dark clouds shrouding the towering peaks scattered.

    The sky cleared, the sun beamed down¡ªit was a sight to behold.

    ¡°Damn!¡±

    Zhou Mu gulped, suddenly feeling peckish. ¡°If this were real, I¡¯d devour it all.¡±

    ¡°Ahhh! You lecherous thief, I¡¯ll fight you to myst breath!¡±

    Despite his ¡°grave injuries,¡± Demolishor let out a piercing scream and, disregarding his wounds, lunged at Zhou Mu.

    As the saying goes, ¡®When a woman gets tough, men are out of the equation.¡¯

    Blinded by rage, Demolishor cast aside all shame and resorted to the same dirty tricks as Zhou Mu.

    Thud! Thud! Thud!

    Rip!

    His sharp nails ripped through the upper garment, leaving three bloody trails across the chest.

    The sturdy leather belt snapped, and his trousers were torn open.

    ¡°Crazy woman, are you trying to end my lineage?¡±

    Zhou Mu swore angrily. But before he could strike back, Demolishor¡¯s foot was already flying towards him.

    The kick was heavy and vicious.

    In any other circumstance, Zhou Mu would have taken the blow and countered.

    But not this time!

    A man must protect his family jewels from any harm.

    He tensed his abdomen, absorbing much of the kick¡¯s force, then arched his back, repelling the attack with sheer force.

    ¡°Big bro, you¡¯re sitting on a pretty hefty stash, huh?¡± Demolishor licked his lips, his face twisted into a menacing sneer. ¡°Today, I¡¯m gonna relieve you of that cash, keep you from wreaking havoc everywhere!¡±

    ¡­¡­

    In the office, the principal was the picture of distress, his brows furrowed into a deep ¡°S¡± shape. Typically, a person would hit their breaking point within ten days and be automatically ejected. Yet Zhou Mu had been inside for a whole month without a peep. He was the Zhou family¡¯s sole heir, Zhou Hao¡¯s own nephew; they couldn¡¯t afford a single mishap. With that in mind, the principal resolved to extract him by force.

    His hands fluttered like butterflies, weaving modes into the air. Roughly thirty secondster, a brilliant light shed in the principal¡¯s eyes. ¡°Got it!¡± The moment the words left his lips, the space before him twisted, and two people, stark naked and locked in intensebat, were expelled.

 Chapter 32

    C32 ¨C I Have Smelled It Before

    ¡°Drop dead!¡±

    Demolishor straddled Zhou Mu¡¯s stomach, relentlessly raining punches down on his face.

    Zhou Mu refused to surrender, his body writhing in an attempt to escape Demolishor¡¯s hold.

    Both were locked in a fierce battle, their minds devoid of any thought but the fight.

    To the principal, however, the scene took on a different meaning.

    Demolishor was marked with red handprints, his hair disheveled, eyes bloodshot, tears streaming down his cheeks.

    Zhou Muy pinned beneath him, his waist bucking wildly, his body marred with scratches.

    ¡°Do young people these days always y so rough?¡±

    The principal mumbled to himself before quietly exiting the office. ¡°I saw nothing. Carry on, carry on.¡±

    With a bang, the door shut, jolting the twobatants back to reality.

    As they grappled with confusion, unsure of their next move, the door swung open again.

    Peeking in, the principal asked slyly, ¡°Need protection?¡±

    ¡°No!¡± they both shouted in unison.

    ¡°Ah, got it.¡±

    With a nod, the principal shut the door once more.

    By now, continuing the fight seemed pointless.

    Physically, they were evenly matched. Although Demolishor¡¯s martial arts skills were slightly superior, killing Zhou Mu would be no easy feat.

    Persisting might only lead to real trouble.

    ¡°Let¡¯s call it quits on the count of three,¡± Zhou Mu proposed, his tone grave.

    ¡°Agreed!¡± Demolishor responded instantly.

    ¡°One¡­ two¡­ three¡­¡±

    p! p! p!

    Neither ceased their assault; the battle only grew fiercer.

    Listening from outside, the principal marveled at their stamina: ¡°Young folks sure have energy!¡±

    After nearly half an hour, exhaustion finally overtook them.

    With a casual swipe of his hand, Demolishor¡¯s clothes materialized from nowhere.

    Unabashed, he dressed in full view of Zhou Mu.

    Everything that could be seen had been seen, everything touchable had been touched¡ªhe¡¯d even given the insides a good rub. Modesty was long gone.

    Seeing such boldness from a woman, Zhou Mu felt no need for bashfulness.

    ¡°You vile rogue, next time we cross paths, your life is mine!¡±

    Demolishor huffed and swung the door open. But just before she departed, she whipped her head around to toss back a cryptic remark.

    ¡°Make sure you remember, my name is Zhao Qianqian!¡±

    ¡°Call yourself whatever the hell you want!¡±

    Zhou Mu flung his shoe in frustration.

    Since his rebirth, he had never been dealt such a blow.

    To be pummeled by a woman was the ultimate embarrassment.

    If anyone found out, his lifelong reputation would be destroyed in an instant.

    Enraged and feeling cornered, Zhou Mu was about to give chase and settle the score with her when, to his surprise, the principal walked in.

    The principal scrutinized Zhou Mu from head to toe, clicking his tongue in a peculiar way, his face etched with mockery.

    ¡°Kid, you¡¯ve got quite the physique, I must say!¡±

    ¡°Auntie, cut it out. Didn¡¯t you see how that woman nearly killed me?¡±

    Zhou Mu was livid, unable to fight back, escape, or even get a rise out of her with his insults. He felt utterly defeated.

    ¡°Don¡¯t y the victim here. If you could handle her, you¡¯d save yourself a century of struggle.¡±

    The principal smirked and settled into the sofa nearby.

    ¡°Forget it. Remember her nickname? I¡¯m worried about my dad¡¯s safety.¡±

    Zhou Mu huffed. He had been through three boyfriends, each one after their fathers. He had no intention of bing the fourth.

    ¡°Hahaha, you naive kid. You take everything you hear at face value.¡±

    The principal burst intoughter at Zhou Mu¡¯s concern.

    ¡°Do you have any idea what someone might do when they¡¯re spurned and love turns to hate?¡±

    ¡°Desperate¡­ Love turning to hate¡­¡±

    Zhou Mu murmured to himself, his mind flooding with phrases: ¡°Furious with embarrassment, spreading lies, vicious nder, assault followed by murder¡­¡±

    ¡°Holy shit! What have I done!¡±

    Zhou Mu clutched his face, in disbelief.

    All his clothes were gone, and all he could think about was fighting.

    What was Liu Qiyue inparison?

    He, Zhou Mu, was the true definition of a gentleman!

    ¡°That girl¡¯s upbringing is incredibly strict. No ordinary man can get within half a meter of her, and here you are, scratching and groping. Tsk tsk tsk¡­¡±

    The principal emitted a bizarre chuckle. ¡°Young man, that won¡¯t do. You missed out on such a golden opportunity.¡±

    ¡°Just a woman,¡± Zhou Mu retorted with confidence. ¡°On my own, I can still rise to be an unbeatable warrior. Struggle for a century? Please, I¡¯ll surpass others by two centuries in just a decade.¡±

    He snorted dismissively, the principal¡¯s words barely registering.

    With the system at his disposal, as long as he didn¡¯t make any fatal mistakes, reaching the pinnacle was a certainty.

    ¡°People who¡¯ve eaten are more prone to hunger. You, a virgin, haven¡¯t savored the delights of a woman¡ªit¡¯s excusable for you to talk like that.¡±

    Zhou Mu¡¯s eyebrows quirked up as he threw down a challenge. ¡°Heh, I¡¯ve never indulged, true. And you?¡±

    ¡°I¡¯ve caught a whiff,¡± the principal imed.

    Zhou Mu was left puzzled.

    Not quite grasping the ¡°caught a whiff¡± part but noting the principal¡¯s increasingly irate demeanor, Zhou Mu swiftly steered the conversation elsewhere.

    ¡°If there¡¯s nothing else, I should be on my way.¡±

    He sighed, ready to depart.

    As the space transitioned, the Soul Contract automatically retracted the spirit animals, so there was no need to fret over Goldie and Gator; they were both safely inside.

    It must be said, the Soul Contract was indeed the most magnificent invention of thest four centuries¡ªstable, convenient, multifunctional, and best of all, it upgraded itself.

    ¡°Hold on, don¡¯t rush off. There¡¯s something I need to discuss with you.¡±

    The principal gestured to the seat next to him, signaling Zhou Mu to sit.

    ¡°Under normal circumstances, you would have proceeded to the Freshmen Ranking Competition right after emerging from the Sanctuary for Spiritual Growth. Now, it¡¯s been postponed by half a month. If it¡¯s dyed any longer, I suspect those old fogeys might start calling for my impeachment.¡±

    ¡°The Freshmen Ranking Competition? What¡¯s the point? To im the top spot and strut around? To draw the ire of a horde of resentful challengers? Or to attract a bunch of petty individuals eager to recruit me, only to harass me with endless troubles if I refuse?¡±

    Zhou Mu scoffed, his disdain for thepetition evident.

    With the system at his disposal, steady progress was the key to sess.

    He refrained from bringing up the Sanctuary for Spiritual Growth, sensing that the decline in wandering souls and soul energy might be tied to him.

    Keeping silent could let him slide by, but speaking up could earn him a beating.

    ¡°The prizes for the Freshman Ranking Tournament are incredibly generous.¡±

    The principal gave Zhou Mu a meaningful look. ¡°Artifacts that enhance soul intensity, potions that unlock the constraints of 100 basic attributes, and leader-ss spirit animals¡­¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m in! For the glory of the school, and to make my aunt proud, I¡¯ll undoubtedly take the top spot!¡±

    Zhou Mu¡¯s eyes gleamed with determination. The rewards were irresistible. A little trouble meant nothing; he¡¯d take down anyone who dared to challenge him.

    The principal asked, ¡°Is that all?¡±

 Chapter 33

    C33 ¨C The Ranking Competition

    ¡°Where¡¯s your sense of decency? Don¡¯t you have any limits?¡±

    The principal shook his head in resignation. This kid was too pragmatic, a ssic case of ¡®no rabbit, no eagle¡¯¡ªhe wouldn¡¯t lift a finger unless the benefits wereid out before him.

    ¡°I¡¯m just trying to boost my strength. Without it, how can I protect myself, let alone my family and my aunt?¡±

    Zhou Mu dered unabashedly, with a brazen look on his face.

    ¡°The rankingpetition starts tomorrow. Remember to show up on time.¡±

    With an eye roll, the principal gestured for Zhou Mu to leave.

    ¡°Got it. I¡¯ll take first ce for sure. I won¡¯t disappoint my aunt!¡±

    Zhou Mu gave a salute and strode out the door, full of confidence.

    ¡°This kid¡­¡±

    Watching Zhou Mu¡¯s retreating figure, the principal couldn¡¯t suppress a smirk. ¡°He may be a scoundrel, but he¡¯s also quite amusing.¡±

    After a moment of silence, the principal started tracing the mode in the air.

    Zhou Mu had been in the Sanctuary for Spiritual Growth for an extended period without being rejected, indicating something unusual.

    She needed to conduct a thorough check to prevent a recurrence.

    As she opened the space and delved in with her senses, her brow furrowed.

    Besides the near-total depletion of soul energy in the air, she detected no anomalies.

    ¡°Zhao Qianqian was only in there for less than half an hour before I brought her out. The soul energy must have beenpletely absorbed by Zhou Mu. To consume the equivalent of three people and still not hit his limit¡ªthis kid is full of secrets.¡±

    The principal murmured, harboring no desire to pry.

    After all, Zhou Mu was Zhou Hao¡¯s nephew, practically her own by extension.

    For a level ten Animal Whisperer, it would be shameful to covet a younger family member¡¯s opportunities.

    ¡°The soul energy in the Sanctuary for Spiritual Growth has the potential to create a level ten Animal Whisperer. We¡¯ve used it sustainably for years, retaining over eighty percent of its energy.¡±

    After a brief hesitation, the principal made up her mind, ¡°Well then, faced with such talent, it¡¯s time for the Sanctuary to fulfill its true purpose. When the crucial momentes, I¡¯ll give him the support he needs to be another level ten Beast Whisperer for the Noshar Empire.¡±

    As he finished speaking, the space before him began to warp and contort. Within a mere two minutes, it copsed inward, condensing into a crystal the size of a walnut.

    This was the Sanctuary for Spiritual Growth in its true form!

    ¡­¡­

    Stepping out of the principal¡¯s office, Zhao Qianqian lifted her hand, and a big-headed fish materialized in her palm.

    ¡°Have you got it?¡±

    Zhao Qianqian inquired.

    ¡°I¡¯ve secured the Phoenix¡¯s blood, but there¡¯s been a snag with the dragon blood. I sense a deep-seated fear, a dread rooted in its bloodline,¡± the big-headed fish hesitated before responding.

    ¡°Fear? But you¡¯re the Heaven Devouring Fish, capable of consuming all. What could possibly scare you?¡±

    Zhao Qianqian¡¯s brow furrowed in confusion.

    ¡°Among the legendary deities with the might to cleave the heavens and forge the earth, one was a true dragon. The lineage of that serpent instills fear in me; it has to be his bloodline.¡±

    ¡°The bloodline of a true dragon? Fascinating.¡±

    A smirk yed on Zhao Qianqian¡¯s lips as she heard the Heaven Devouring Kun¡¯s revtion. ¡°My dear big brother, you never cease to amaze me!¡±

    ¡­¡­

    ¡­¡­

    The Freshmen Ranking Competition¡¯s rules were straightforward: groups of two or more first-year students teamed up to hunt fiend beasts within a designated zone.

    Scores varied based on the beasts¡¯ grades and qualities, with rankings determined by the total points rued.

    In addition to themon fiend beasts roaming the area, numerous elite and boss-level beasts were released, including a handful of Lord-tier ones.

    These higher-tier fiend beasts were confined to specific zones, posing no threat unless approached.

    Defeating them yielded locator devices that could be exchanged for substantial points, with an elite beast¡¯s score surpassing that of ten ordinary fiend beasts.

    ¡°The prizes are incredibly generous. I¡¯m not aiming for the top ten; I¡¯d be content to make it into the top hundred,¡± Hai Ming said, his gaze brimming with desire as he salivated.

    Due to the team requirement, Zhou Mu roped in Hai Ming to fill out their ranks.

    As thest member and an auxiliary spirit animal handler, he knew his ce in such a contest was at the very bottom.

    Dragging Hai Ming up the ranks posed no problem for Zhou Mu.

    ¡°First ce gets a Soul Crystal and 5000 credits. Second ce, a Furless Papaya with 4000 credits. Third ce, an Iron Armored Rhinoceros cub for 3000 credits. ces fourth to tenth, Elite Spirit Beast Cubs at 2000 credits each. And eleventh to one hundredth, also Elite Spirit Beast Cubs, but with 1000 credits.¡±

    ¡°What¡¯s a Soul Crystal? And that Furless Papaya, does it enhance the chest?¡±

    Hai Ming mulled over the prizes, sensing the Iron Armored Rhinoceros cub as the most valuable.

    ¡°Soul Crystals boost soul intensity, while Furless Papayas enhance physical constitution. These two are far more precious than any leader cub,¡± Zhou Mu rified for Hai Ming.

    Both the Soul Crystal and the Furless Papaya were exceptional treasures.

    Soul fragments were somewhat essible, asionally purchasable on the ck market for a steep price.

    But Soul Crystals and Furless Papayas were under strict control. Only top-tier universities, the five military districts, and the Animal Whisperer Union could handle them. Unauthorized sales meant certain death.

    The principal had unveiled these items not just to spur the new students to strive but also to entice them.

    Zhou Mu was the sole freshman who could truly benefit from the Soul Crystal and Furless Papaya; for anyone else, it would be a squandered luxury.

    The Brightsmiths and the Beast Tide had inflicted severe casualties on this group of students, with nearly a third perishing.

    The survivors were either exceptionally lucky or significantly stronger than their predecessors.

    Securing the top spot in such fiercepetition was a formidable challenge.

    Yet, for the average freshman, that was the case. Zhou Mu, however, believed that not iming first ce would be the real challenge.

    ¡°The rankingpetition will take ce within the Illusion Mirror. There, death is not final, but injuries incurred will trante to the physical body at a certain ratio.¡±

    The Illusion Mirror, a prized artifact of Bayshore School, epassed a unique space capable of housing living beings.

    Over several generations, the principal had etched countless modes into it, enabling a myriad of functions. The current projection of the students¡¯ souls was merely one of its lesser features.

    ¡°Thepetition begins!¡±

    With the principal¡¯s announcement, a wave of dizziness swept over the crowd. As rity returned, they found themselves within the Illusion Mirror.

    ¡°Truly remarkable!¡±

    Zhou Mu couldn¡¯t help but marvel as he opened his eyes.

    Over four centuries, innumerable spatial rifts had emerged. Humanity had forged numerousbat modes in their battles against fiend beasts, delving deep into the enigmas of space.

    Mastering the maniption of space¡ªopening, sealing, and transferring it¡ªhad be almost routine. Yet, what astonished Zhou Mu was the capability of soul projection.

    This skill dramatically increased the safety of venturing into new spatial rifts.

    Though death still echoed back to one¡¯s physical form at a certain ratio, it was a far lesser risk than facing true mortality.

 Chapter 34

    C34 ¨C zing Wind

    Upon stepping into the Illusion Mirror, a voice immediately rang out beside him.

    Additionally, a map began to drift downward.

    ¡°Defeat a first-rank, one-star fiend beast, earn 1 point!¡±

    ¡°Defeat a first-rank, two-star fiend beast, earn 2 points!¡±

    ¡­¡­

    ¡°Defeat a second-rank, one-star fiend beast, earn 10 points!¡±

    ¡°Defeat a second-rank, two-star fiend beast, earn 20 points!¡±

    ¡­¡­

    The higher the rank, the greater the points awarded.

    Moreover, elite beasts yield ten times the points of ordinary ones, and leaders yield ten times that of elites. Taking down a leader is tantamount to ying a hundred ordinary beasts.

    The points for lords, however, have escted to an rming extent.

    Defeating one is akin to vanquishing ten thousand ordinary fiend beasts.

    The map was sparsely marked, save for a few cryptic lines and six blood-red dots.

    Barring any unforeseen circumstances, each of these dots likely represented the location of a Lord-grade fiend beast.

    ¡°The locator drops after ying a fiend beast, and using it to exchange for points is quite the ingenious concept,¡± Zhou Mu mused, his eyes narrowing. He harbored a daring n.

    If sessful, he¡¯d sweep the top three rewards for himself.

    ¡°Zhou, which way to? With your prowess, taking out a leader should be no sweat,¡± Hai Ming said, full of faith in Zhou Mu. Despite their near wipeout by the Sinister Six, he remembered that was a Lord they faced, a creature far beyond any leader.

    ¡°No need to dally, let¡¯s go straight for those six lords,¡± Zhou Mu dered, striding toward the closest red dot.

    ¡°What? No need to dally?¡± Hai Ming¡¯s mind reeled at Zhou Mu¡¯s words.

    Just the two of them against lords? Madness.

    But Hai Ming knew Zhou Mu well enough; once set on a path, he wouldn¡¯t waver.

    ¡°Ah well, it¡¯s just a shot in the dark. If ites to it, I¡¯ll just bite the dust,¡± Hai Ming grumbled, hastening to keep pace.

    Unbeknownst to him, Gator and Goldie had made a full recovery. Had he known, his confidence would have surely outstripped Zhou Mu¡¯s.

    Within the vast expanse of the Illusion Mirror, fiend beasts were innumerable. Zhou Mu and Hai Ming had barely covered fifty meters when they stumbled upon a mass of fiend beasts in a gaping pit. And yes, it was quite literally a mass!

    A swarm of ants, each the size of a peanut and a fiery red hue, had clumped together into a sphere, seemingly engaged in some sinister ritual. Their oversized pincers grated against one another, emitting a grating sizzle that set the air on edge.

    ¡°Army Ants!¡± Hai Ming cried out, recognizing the notorious fiend beast.

    ¡°Army Ants?¡± Zhou Mu¡¯s memory shed back to a past life, recalling a species of ant that left devastation in its wake¡ªwherever they marched, death followed, and thend was stripped bare.

    ¡°Exactly, Army Ants. They may be of ordinary quality, but their threat level exceeds 90% of all leader-ss beasts,¡± Hai Ming said, his voice grave as he cautiously stepped back. ¡°When Army Ants mobilize, they number in the tens of thousands. Their resistance to fire and poison is formidable, making them a formidable adversary. I rmend we retreat immediately and avoid any confrontation with them¡­¡±

    His warning was cut short, his expression turning nk. Gator opened its mouth and released a cloud of toxic mist, and the so-called mighty Army Ants began to perish en masse. In under ten seconds, the once-massive ant ball was reduced to a red carpet of death.

    ¡°What were you saying?¡± Zhou Mu inquired.

    ¡°Nothing¡­¡± Hai Ming muttered.

    ¡°Alright then,¡± Zhou Mu nodded and proceeded, while Jin Zi fetched the locator device.

    The locator didn¡¯t tally the Army Ants individually; instead, it counted them as a single entity. A first-rank, three-star fiend beast scored ordinary at 3 points, elite at 30 points, and a leader at 300 points. The locator disyed a score of 300 points, equivalent to a first-rank, three-star leader fiend beast. To the average person, the Army Ants were a terror, but to Zhou Mu, they were less significant than rubbish.

    Undeterred, the duo pressed on, with neither ordinary nor elite beasts capable of halting Zhou Mu¡¯s advance.

    Outside the Illusion Mirror, the entire school¡¯s faculty and students were engrossed in the spectacle.

    Images flickered rapidly, moststing only briefly before the scene switched after the battle¡¯s conclusion.

    Yet, a select few teams were broadcasting their entire journey, including Zhou Mu and Hai Ming.

    ¡°Is that the one with the dragon species? Truly, Commander Zhou Hao¡¯s nephew does not disappoint ¨C he¡¯s quite formidable.¡±

    A teacher nodded in agreement, attributing Zhou Mu¡¯s efforts and the system¡¯s cultivation to Zhou Hao in just a few words.

    It was an impressive disy of ttery.

    ¡°The dragon species lives up to its name ¨C truly formidable. That giant turtle¡¯s defense is top-tier among leaders, yet it couldn¡¯t withstand a single blow and was instantly defeated.¡±

    ¡°Indeed, the power of the dragon species is evident for all to see. They even outss the god and demon species, albeit slightly. But the challenge of raising a dragon species is immense, and their proud nature means they¡¯d rather die than submit to a master. Otherwise, we, as descendants of dragons, would have long since ruled the world.¡±

    ¡°Let¡¯s be grateful. Despite their pride, dragon species at least deign to interact with us. Remember the incident from the year beforest? That king-grade dragon species devoured over 18,000 bears from the Thamaiweth Empire, left behind its droppings, and then settled on Mount Tai, even agreeing to help us train spirit animals. The Thamaiweth Empire has lodged numerous protests, but to whom can they appeal?¡±

    ¡°Exactly, to whom indeed!¡±

    ¡°Ha ha ha!¡±

    The teachers¡¯ conversation drifted from the dragon species to international affairs, and from there to the great war that spanned four centuries.

    They arrived at a profound consensus:

    Noshar is truly incredible!

    ¡­¡­

    ¡°Zhou, are we seriously going to confront this creature? Can I still make a run for it?¡±

    Within the Illusion Mirror, Hai Ming gazed at the menacing fiend beast before him, his body shaking uncontrobly.

    The old hen he held was just as terrified, nearly rolling her eyes back in fear.

    zing Wind, also known as the three-headed dog, stood at two meters tall, cloaked in ck. His robust neck supported three heads, each endowed with the elements of wind, fire, and poison. His eyes glowed blood-red, and his fangs were menacingly sharp.

    At the moment, zing Windy sprawled on the ground, asleep, with thick drool trailing from the corner of his mouth. The air was filled with a mix of foul odors: the stench of decay, the scent of char, and a sense of utter disarray.

    Thebined might of his tri-elemental nature was far moreplex than a mere sum of parts; it wasn¡¯t as simple as 1+1+1=3. As a Lord-grade fiend beast, zing Wind was a formidable opponent, and only a select few species could im dominance over him in a head-to-head battle. These included the likes of mythical creatures, god species, and demon species.

    However, if one were to avoid a direct confrontation, zing Wind¡¯s odds of victory would dwindle significantly. There¡¯s truth to the adage that with great poweres great sacrifice; his immensebat abilities came at the cost of other weaknesses.

    If he were perfect in every way, he would have overrun the world by now. His shorings could be due to the challenges in advancing to higher ranks or perhaps a low fertility rate.

    zing Wind¡¯s most significant vulnerability, however,y in his intellect. His intelligence was perpetually absent, asionally requiring a metaphorical ¡®recharge.¡¯ Against zing Wind, a touch of cunning could easily send him into a tailspin.

 Chapter 35

    C35 ¨C Truly Omniscient

    Despite its limited intelligence, the zing Wind¡¯sbat prowess was formidable.

    This Gator, ranked at the third tier, was on par with Goldie and Gator. In a one-on-one battle, it should be able to hold its ground for some time.

    ¡°Boss, I¡¯ll take this one. It¡¯s a good chance to get some practice in!¡±

    Goldie pped its wings with gusto, looking ready to dive into the fray with sleeves rolled up, eager for action.

    The skill Golden Essence Sword Qipensated for Goldie¡¯s smaller stature, enabling it to take onrger fiend beasts inbat.

    Right now, it needed a fight to shake off the shadows left by the Sinister Six and to continue its ascent to the throne of the bird kingdom.

    ¡°Golden Essence Sword Qi!¡±

    With an angry cry, Goldie unleashed a dazzling light that coalesced and struck the Gator squarely on the rear.

    ¡°Awoo!¡±

    A piercing howl erupted as the Gator was jolted awake, its six blood-red eyes instantly zeroing in on its assant.

    The battle was on¡ªa fierce sh between bird and beast.

    Goldie¡¯s sword qi had missed its mark, but the impact was nheless impressive. The next time Gator was constipated, it would surely recall Goldie¡¯s ¡°assistance.¡±

    After all, if one eye failed, there was always another in reserve!

    ¡°Damn, that¡¯s like a knife to the butt¡ªquite the eye-opener. I better keep my distance from this birdbrain to avoid friendly fire.¡±

    Hai Ming¡¯s face was grave as he recalled his own painful and embarrassing experience at the hospital for hemorrhoids, empathizing with the pain inflicted.

    As lords of their kind, Goldie and zing Wind were evenly matched, neither able to gain the upper hand for the moment.

    Given zing Wind¡¯s low intelligence, one could easily set a trap to ensnare it.

    But Goldie was eager to prove itself, and Zhou Mu didn¡¯t intervene.

    Even if Goldie couldn¡¯t win, it wasn¡¯t the end of the world¡ªGator was still in the wings.

    At equal rank, Gator feared no fiend beast.

    Outside the Illusion Mirror, the teachers exchanged nces, bewildered.

    ¡°Has this kid always been this headstrong?¡±

    ¡°zing Wind may not be the brightest, but itsbat strength is undeniable. Such cockiness, though, could lead to a harsh lesson.¡±

    A teacher d in ck huffed disdainfully, his gaze toward Zhou Muced with revulsion.

    ¡°Even if he loses, your student won¡¯t im first ce. No can do. Even if everyone ahead of him fails, he¡¯s not up to the mark.¡±

    Fong Ju, the head of admissions, scoffed, eyeing the man in ck as if he were looking at an idiot.

    ¡°Fong Ju, seems like you¡¯re courting death.¡±

    The man in ck shattered the armrest with a punch and rose swiftly to his feet, looking ready to strike at any moment.

    Fong Ju might have been outmatched in strength, but he was far from cowardly.

    ¡°Go ahead, kill me if you dare, or else keep your mouth shut.¡±

    Fong Ju shot him a dismissive nce, unwilling to squander more time. ¡°I¡¯d suggest you y it straight. Zhou Hao doesn¡¯t mess around. If anything happens to Zhou Mu, he won¡¯t bother with an investigation; he¡¯ll just eliminate all suspects on the spot. And Zhou Chun, if you fancy spending the next few decades paying through the nose for your daily greens, or being hunted down, then by all means, take your chances.¡±

    ¡°Damn it, does the Zhou family really rule unchallenged?¡±

    The elder in ck spat out the curse, hisplexion turning a ghastly pale.

    ¡°In Ambergrasp Province, the Zhou family indeed rules supreme.¡±

    The principal¡¯s voice emerged from nearby, startling the man in ck.

    Her beautiful face was expressionless, surrounded by countless modes of Soul Magic that glimmered faintly.

    Seemingly stirred by the principal¡¯s emotions, the modes quivered gently, enveloping the vicinity within a hundred meters.

    ¡°If you beat him fair and square, the Zhou family won¡¯t utter a word. Even if Zhou Mu ends up dead, someone will back you up. But if you stoop to underhanded, disgraceful tactics¡­¡±

    The principal left her warning hanging, but the implication was clear.

    The world is full of decent folks, but it¡¯s also rife with scoundrels.

    Compete fairly, and he¡¯ll resort to dirty tricks.

    Resort to dirty tricks, and he¡¯ll preach to you about honor among thieves.

    How can one repay kindness with malice?

    And how should kindness be repaid? With kindness, and malice with justice!

    ¡°Excellent! My disciple will surely defeat him honorably. I only hope that when the timees, you elders won¡¯t lose yourposure.¡±

    The man in ck robes huffed coldly, tucking away his murderous aura deep within.

    At Bayshore University, the premier institution in Ambergrasp, talent was as abundant as the clouds.

    Besides the principal, there were two other level ten Animal Whisperers on staff.

    This ck-robed elder, Liu Shibin, was known for his cunning and vicious nature. Having lost the bid for the principal¡¯s position a decade ago, he harbored a grudge, opposing the principal at every turn.

    When Zhou Mu saved hundreds of new students, the principal rewarded him with the slot meant for his own disciple. Liu Shibin, embittered by Zhou Mu¡¯s identity, was eager to eliminate him swiftly.

    ¡°Such pettiness and disgrace, utterly unworthy of any significant role.¡±

    The principal looked skyward, spotting a figure in ck rapidly approaching, seemingly headed towards the zing Wind¡¯s location.

    ¡­¡­

    ¡°Damn, that¡¯s awesome!¡±

    Watching Hai Ming hold his own in a fierce battle with the hulking zing Wind, Jin Zi couldn¡¯t help but swear in amazement.

    So powerful!

    Incredibly powerful!

    The zing White Golden Essence Sword Qi was exceedingly sharp, with attack angles that were particrly cunning.

    Though zing Wind was formidable, he was steadily pushed back by Goldie¡¯s relentless onught, blood streaming from numerous wounds.

    Both lords and both third rank, zing Wind and Goldie were evenly matched inbat strength.

    But in terms of intellect, zing Wind was utterly outssed by Goldie.

    One was the lowest among fiend beasts, the other smarter than Hai Ming¡ªhow could theypare?

    Sword Qi sliced through the air, tearing zing Wind¡¯s ears, while Goldie still had the energy to taunt.

    ¡°Brother Wei, mind your hygiene!¡±

    Hai Ming: ¡°???¡±

    ¡°God damn, Brother Wei!¡±

    Zhou Mu couldn¡¯t help but burst intoughter, while Hai Ming stood there, bewildered.

    The course of history had shifted, and this world never saw the emergence of that special medication developed for heart disease, whichter became a global sensation due to its side effects.

    Yet, Hai Ming understood the advice to ¡®mind your hygiene¡¯.

    Bang!

    Goldie was struck by the fierce wind¡¯s tail, followed by a flurry of inexplicable maneuvers.

    Despite itsck of intelligence, the fierce wind fiend beast¡¯sbat instincts were sharp. It whipped its head around, its three gaping maws opening simultaneously. mes, wind des, and venom were unleashed in rapid session, followed by a swipe of its lethal ws. Any ordinary spirit animal would have been gravely injured, if not killed, by such an assault. But Gold was exceptionally tough and sustained only minor injuries.

    ¡°You¡¯re quite the brute, aren¡¯t you, silly dog?¡± Gold taunted, his body shooting away like a meteor tond fifty meters distant. His feathers were disheveled, his body coated in dust. The crest feather atop his head had been bitten off, leaving him looking somewhat bare.

    ¡°Hahaha! You¡¯ve got a ¡®machine gun¡¯ hairdo now!¡± Hai Ming roared withughter. Gold, on the other hand, was utterly baffled. ¡°What¡¯s a ¡®machine gun¡¯ hairdo?¡± he asked.

    ¡°It¡¯s when you suddenly go bald in spots¡­¡±

 Chapter 36

    C36 ¨C Good Show!

    Goldie eximed, ¡°???¡±

    ¡°You mangy cur! I¡¯m going all out against you!¡±

    With a roar of fury, Goldie charged at zing Wind.

    Despite the ferocity of the earlier battle, Goldie had been holding back.

    The skirmish with zing Wind had given him a rough idea of his own capabilities.

    Provoked by Hai Ming¡¯s taunts, Goldie resolved to finish the fight quickly and confront Hai Ming head-on.

    But just then, a thunderous boom erupted, shaking the ground violently as a horde of fiend beasts stampeded their way.

    ¡°What¡¯s happening?¡±

    Zhou Mu looked back to see a massive, scale-armored lizard locking eyes with him, its cold vertical pupils brimming with lethal intent.

    It was an Earth Armored Dragon, a leader among beasts.

    The lizard-type fiend beasts trailing it were clearly under itsmand.

    A select few leader-quality fiend beasts and spirit animals possess unique abilities.

    Some can intimidate, others dominate.

    Gator¡¯s talenty in intimidation, instilling fear in fiend beasts within a certain radius, sapping their will to fight.

    This Earth Armored Dragon¡¯s skill was likely domination, bending lower-tier fiend beasts of its kind to its will.

    zing Wind might be a Lord, but it was shackled by numerous modes, unable to leave and its Lordly presence suppressed to a whisper.

    One would have to be within three meters to detect zing Wind¡¯s presence.

    The Earth Armored Dragon, aware of this, had led the charge with its fiend beast army.

    ¡°In this school, only two people bear a grudge against me: Zhao Qianqian and the man whose chance at the Sanctuary for Spiritual Growth I took. Zhao Qianqian¡¯s spirit animal is a lordly one, unlikely to bother with riffraff like the Earth Armored Dragon. Thus, the sequence of events bes clear.¡±

    Zhou Mu faced the Earth Armored Dragon with an impassive expression.

    He had seen such disys before;pared to the Sinister Six, this was mere child¡¯s y.

    He didn¡¯t need to lift a finger. At the mere release of his dragon¡¯s might, every fiend beast would prostrate themselves on the ground.

    What good is it to control fiend beasts if they¡¯re not utterly mad? They¡¯d still be overwhelmed by the dragon¡¯s presence.

    Zhou Mu was on the right track with his thinking, but reality often defies expectations.

    In the midst of Golden Child and zing Wind¡¯s fierce battle, a colossal creature burst from the earth, catapulting them both through the air.

    Golden Child: ¡°Damn!¡±

    zing Wind: ¡°Crystal!¡±

    The behemoth, stretching nearly ten meters long, was encased in hard, bony armor, its tailshing like a chain of iron whips.

    Its protruding mouth bristled with sharp teeth, while lethal wsy concealed beneath its bulk.

    This was the Armored Dragon, a tyrant beast resembling a giant mantis.

    Though the Iron Armored Dragon and the Earth Armored Dragon belonged to the same category of fiend beasts and bore the ¡°Dragon¡± moniker, they bore no rtion to true dragons.

    Emerging from the ground, the Armored Dragon didn¡¯t strike at zing Wind or Golden Child; instead, it fixed its sights on Zhou Mu.

    It was unmistakably targeting him.

    ¡°A new student rankingpetition, and yet it¡¯s riddled withplications. The tree yearns for calm, but the wind will not cease. I¡¯m not looking for trouble, but it seems to find me regardless,¡± Zhou Mu sighed, his head throbbing with annoyance.

    The rumbling grew louder, the quaking more severe; thousands of fiend beasts had closed in to within a hundred meters.

    Zhou Mu cast a nce their way, his unperceivable dragon¡¯s might radiating outward, causing the front line of beasts to copse to the ground.

    The advance halted, the rear surged forward, and chaos ensued among the fiend beasts.

    Even the leader-quality Earth Armored Dragon, along with all the others, tumbled over like scattered gourds.

    Zhou Mu had no interest in dealing with this rabble. He summoned Gator and made a strategic withdrawal.

    With his prowess, he could dispatch ordinary fiend beasts in a heartbeat, elite ones in no more than three moves, and he could hold his own against a leader, perhaps even managing a draw if fortune favored him. But facing a tyrant beast? Better to call it a night.

    ¡°Heh, getting cold feet?¡±

    Zhou Mu had barely retreated ten meters when a chilling voice cut through the air. His adversary was a sight to behold, with his ck clothes caked in dust and a rip across the right side of his hip. His hair was disheveled, blood trickled from his nostrils, and his speech whistled with the breath escaping through it. Clearly, he had been thrown off a fiend beast, no thanks to the dragon¡¯s aura Zhou Mu had unleashed, which had brought the creatures to their knees.

    ¡°I suffer from megalophobia.¡±

    Zhou Mu gave him a sidelong nce and quietly stepped back a few paces.

    ¡°Megalophobia?¡±

    The man paused, seemingly slow to grasp the meaning.

    ¡°I¡¯m terrified of colossal idiots like you, so I need to keep my distance. Idiocy is contagious, and I have no desire to end up like you.¡±

    Zhou Mu retreated a few more meters, casually adjusting his clothes.

    ¡°You¡¯re asking for it!¡±

    The man¡¯s reaction was dyed, but when Zhou Mu¡¯s words sank in, his face contorted with rage, and his eyes zed with murderous intent. He hade for Zhou Mu with a swift death in mind, and now, incensed by his taunts, he was seething.

    ¡°Attack! Take down that snake!¡±

    With a furious cry, the man lunged at Zhou Mu. Simultaneously, the iron-armored dragon fixed its steely gaze on Gator. The fierce wind shed with Goldie, the iron-armored dragon with Gator, and the man in ck with Zhou Mu. The fight was imminent!

    ¡­¡­

    Outside the Illusion Mirror, the crowd of teachers and students was stunned.

    ¡°What¡¯s happening? Wasn¡¯t the iron-armored dragon ensnared by the mode? How did it escape, and who¡¯s controlling it?¡±

    Fong Ju shot to his feet, his face etched with incredulity. While the Illusion Mirror was under the principal¡¯s control, other school leaders and teachers had free ess. Tampering with it was hardly a challenge. With this in mind, Fong Ju whipped around to confront Liu Shibin.

    ¡°Hmph!¡±

    Confronted with Fong Ju¡¯s murderous re, Liu Shibin¡¯s lips curled into a sneer. He neither confirmed nor denied anything, but the truth was self-evident.

    ¡°To slip by my notice, undo the mode on the Armored Dragon, and even direct it into battle¡­ it seems you¡¯ve been quite busy over the years.¡±

    ¡°Managing to elude my perception, unlocking the mode on the Armored Dragon, and even guiding it into battle¡ªit seems you¡¯ve been quite busy over the years,¡± the principal remarked with a calm that belied the gravity of the events that had unfolded right under her watch.

    She was well aware of Zhou Mu¡¯s capabilities. A third-rank zing Wind and Armored Dragon stood no chance against the young man.

    And as for Liu Shibin¡¯s disciple, that was even less of a concern.

    Zhou Mu had held his own against a prodigy like Zhao Qianqian. He was leagues beyond what Liu Shibin¡¯s disciple could hope to match.

    ¡°You don¡¯t seem the least bit concerned?¡± Liu Shibin¡¯s brow furrowed, sensing that the principal¡¯s reaction was off-kilter.

    He reyed every detail in his mind but found no oversight. Therefore, he concluded that the principal was merely feigning nonchnce.

    ¡°The real show is just about to start!¡± he dered.

    ¡°Indeed, the main event is nearly upon us,¡± the principal agreed, her voice heavy with implication.

 Chapter 37

    C37 ¨C Extremely Angry

    Bang!

    The man in ck was sent flying backward, crashing heavily to the ground.

    He had talked a big game, puffing himself up with arrogance, yet hisbat skills left much to be desired.

    Zhou Mu had defeated him thoroughly, not even breaking a sweat as the man failed to withstand a single move.

    ¡°Truth be told, I¡¯m quite disappointed. I was expecting a decent challenge, but turns out you¡¯re all bark and no bite,¡± Zhou Mu said, shaking his head, a hint of longing in his voice as he remembered his fierce battle with Zhao Qianqian.

    Despite being on the losing end, that fight had been exhrating.

    ¡°How can this be? Why are you so strong? It¡¯s not possible!¡±

    The disbelief was etched across the face of the man in ck. ¡°I grew up alongside the Earth-Armored Dragon, using a secret art to fuse with its bloodline. That¡¯s how I managed to forge a pact with it in adulthood, to avoid bloodline corruption and gain twenty percent of its power. I¡¯ve been through hell and back to get here. How can you be so strong? Why?!¡±

    His face twisted with rage, he seemed on the brink of madness.

    He couldn¡¯t stomach the oue¡ªhis hard work was nothingpared to Zhou Mu¡¯s effortless strike. The cruelty of it all was unbearable.

    ¡°Why? Maybe because my dad is the wealthiest man in Ambergrasp, and my unclemands the area¡¯s military forces. Does that answer your question?¡± Zhou Mu taunted, finding the man¡¯s weaknessughable.

    His opponent¡¯s strength wascking, and his resolve was even weaker.

    But to unravel after one defeat? Was it really necessary?

    True strength isn¡¯t about an unbroken streak of victories; it¡¯s about the courage to stand up and fight on after every defeat.

    ¡°You¡­ you¡­ you¡­¡±

    The man in ck was so enraged he nearly passed out, his finger trembling as he pointed at Zhou Mu. It took him a moment, but he finally spat out, ¡°Show some real skill¡ªstop hiding behind your family!¡±

    ¡°Not rely on my family? Fine by me,¡± Zhou Mu retorted, closing the distance with deliberate steps. ¡°I possess two Lord-grade spirit animals, one of the dragon species and one of the phoenix species. My martial arts prowess is unmatched, and I can take you down with a single move. I¡¯m better-looking than you, I have a childhood friend who¡¯s dear to me, and I¡¯m wealthier than you could imagine. Spending money? I do it on a whim.¡±

    Every word struck his heart like a hammer blow.

    If he could once stand firm, now there was no need for even a pretense of struggle.

    He was utterly overwhelmed, without a sliver of hope for aeback.

    ¡°You¡­ you¡­ Puff!¡±

    The man in ck pointed at Zhou Mu, a gush of blood spilling from his mouth before he copsed lifelessly.

    The shock was too much for him; he was literally fumed to death!

    ¡°Are young people really this fragile nowadays?¡±

    Zhou Mu sighed, his expression one of feigned innocence.

    All he did wasnd a punch and share a bit about his family and possessions.

    Young, yes, but with a temper to match!

    With the man in ck¡¯s demise, his body dissolved into twinkling lights, his spirit animal, the Earth Armored Dragon, vanishing with him.

    Without their leader¡¯smand, the fiend beasts ceased their aggression.

    As Zhou Mu retracted his imposing dragon aura, they scattered in disarray.

    The man in ck¡¯s scheme was nothing if not thorough. Employing an unknown technique, he had neutralized the mode on the Tyrant Beast Iron Dragon, drawing it here to upy Zhou Mu¡¯s spirit animal.

    He orchestrated a horde of lesser fiend beasts to encircle the fight, aiming to overwhelm Zhou Mu and cut off his escape.

    Yet, he had sorely miscalcted the prowess of both Gator and Zhou Mu, grossly underestimating them.

    Zhou Mu, in particr, proved an unforeseen force.

    Effortlessly, with a single move, Zhou Mu dispatched his foe, leaving no opportunity for counterattack.

    All ns crumbled to dust,pounded by Zhou Mu¡¯s relentless assault.

    Those brief seconds would likely take a lifetime to recover from.

    Upon the man¡¯s death, the iron-armored dragon grew agitated.

    Its intellect was inferior to humans, certainly, but it was far from the simpleton that zing Wind was.

    Sensing the tide turning, the dragon knew danger loomed.

    And just as it decided to flee, zing Wind¡¯s pitiful cries echoed as it crashed to the ground.

    Goldie unleashed his full might, swiftly dispatching zing Wind.

    Against a dragon species and a phoenix species, the iron-armored dragon stood no chance, especially not outnumbered.

    The Iron Armored Dragon didn¡¯tst long, sumbing to thebined assault of Goldie and Gator. With its fall, only four of the six tyrant beasts remained.

    Zhou Mu remained unfazed after ying two formidable lords, but Hai Ming was petrified, rendered speechless by fear.

    There was a time when Zhou Mu was as delicate as a young girl. Now, in what seemed like no time at all, he had transformed into a formidable warrior.

    Hai Ming felt a pang of nostalgia as he nced at the old hen cradled in his arms.

    ¡°Cluck cluck!¡±

    The old hen gazed up at Hai Ming with endearing eyes before proudlyying an egg.

    Hai Ming was speechless.

    ¡°Let¡¯s move on to the next target,¡± Zhou Mu announced, leading the way to the nearest point on the map.

    ¡­¡­

    In the square, the man in ck¡¯s eyes snapped open, hisplexion ashen, his mind in turmoil. Defeated in a single blow and infuriated by Zhou Mu¡¯s taunts, he was seething with a desire for revenge. He scanned the area, eager to locate Zhou Mu.

    Should he find him, his vindictive nature would surely drive him to strike.

    Observing the man¡¯s state, Liu Shibin quickly teleported his disciple to his side. His actions were not born of generosity or enlightenment, but out of fear of the principal¡¯s intervention. In such a public setting, the principal had every right to retaliate against an attack on the new students, disregarding the rules.

    Liu Shibin knew that if he were in the principal¡¯s shoes, he wouldn¡¯t hesitate to punish the enemy¡¯s disciple.

    The man in ck¡¯s surroundings blurred, and in an instant, he was whisked away to a different location.

    ¡°Teacher!¡± he cried out, overwhelmed by his emotions, he copsed into Liu Shibin¡¯s embrace, weeping.

    ¡°Rest assured, I won¡¯t let him off easily. I¡¯ll make sure he pays dearly, his body dismembered and his ashes scattered to the winds,¡± Liu Shibin vowed, his eyes aze with murderous intent. He had already condemned Zhou Mu in his heart.

    For years, he had worked to secure a spot in the Sanctuary for Spiritual Growth for his disciple, aiding in the enhancement of his soul intensity.

    By breaking the spell the principal used to restrain the Iron Armored Dragon and using the bloodline of the Earth Armored Dragon¡ªa spirit animal of leader quality¡ªas bait, the Iron Armored Dragon was briefly deceived into believing the Earth Armored Dragon was its offspring. This ruse would prompt the Iron Armored Dragon to attack other tyrant beasts, leading to mutual destruction and leaving the man in ck to reap the benefits.

    With the boost from the Sanctuary for Spiritual Growth and the rewards from the New Students¡¯ Ranking Competition, the man in ck had plenty to keep him upied for a good while. Yet, he hadn¡¯t anticipated Zhou Mu¡¯s unexpected intervention, who stole the spot for the Sanctuary for Spiritual Growth right from under his nose.

    Fuming with humiliation, the man in ck resolved to take action during the New Students¡¯ Ranking Competition. After all, when someone decides to dig their own grave, there¡¯s often another eager to hand them a shovel, helping them dig deeper.

    Just before thepetition kicked off, the man in ck encountered Zhao Qianqian, who handed him apass that could pinpoint Zhou Mu¡¯s location. Despite finding it odd that Zhou Mu would sh with Zhao Qianqian, the man in ck was too consumed by vengeance to ponder theplexities of their dispute.

    Astride the Earth Armored Dragon, nked by his minions, he set out on a vengeful quest, only to be infuriated to his demise. Inparison to Zhou Mu, the man in ck was nothing but a mere footnote.

 Chapter 38

    C38 ¨C Great Tree

    The six Lord-grade fiend beasts were confined to six distinct locations, necessitating some travel time to reach them.

    Yet, Zhou Mu felt no urgency. The Freshmen Ranking Competition spanned a full 24 hours, affording him ample time to hunt them down at his leisure.

    ¡°Zhou, level with me, are you unbeatable?¡± Hai Ming asked abruptly, his face etched with seriousness.

    The recent battle had left him astounded. A Lord-grade fiend beast, just like that, dead? And not just one, but two at the same time?

    Such prowess might even surpass that of the senior students in their fourth year.

    Zhou Mu was merely a freshman. What would the next four years hold for him?

    Would he be so formidable upon graduation that he could bring his teachers to tears?

    ¡°I¡¯m only invincible among the new students. The upperssmen are still formidable; there are some I can¡¯t beat,¡± Zhou Mu replied.

    His mind wandered to something white, soft,rge, round, and tender¡­

    Ugh! His thoughts had drifted to the detestable Demolishor and Zhao Qianqian!

    That wild woman had been excessively harsh; he still ached from their encounter.

    But on reflection, how had her spirit animal achieved Lord-grade status?

    To forge a contract with a spirit animal, one needed a physique capable of withstanding the corrosive assimtion of its bloodline.

    An ordinary grade required five points, elite grade twenty, and chief grade a hundred.

    The Lord grade demanded a staggering six hundred points of physical attribute.

    One would have to emte Zhou Mu, who after signing a contract, sought ways to enhance his spirit animal¡¯s grade. This not only protected him from the bloodline¡¯s erosion but also bestowed substantial benefits.

    The conundrum, however, was that a spirit animal¡¯s quality was predetermined at birth. How had Zhao Qianqian managed it?

    Possessed she some arcane method to elevate her spirit animal¡¯s grade? Or perhaps she utilized a rare spiritual elixir?

    Zhou Mu was deeply curious, yet his thoughts quickly shifted.

    The transformations he had undergone likely didn¡¯t escape the notice of certain individuals.

    The fact that no one had approached him about it suggested they might be conducting ndestine investigations or had been intercepted.

    The principal was well aware of Zhao Qianqian¡¯s capabilities, yet showed no sign of surprise. Clearly, a Lord-grade spirit animal was not enough to pique her interest, and the secrets thaty behind it seemed to be an open book to her.

    In such a scenario, the truth came to light.

    The quality of a spirit animal could indeed be enhanced, but only a select few knew the secret method. Zhou Mu surmised that this technique likely required immense power or a high status. The challenge was either incredibly difficult or the criteria were exceedingly stringent. It was so tough that only a level ten Animal Whisperer could manage it, and the conditions so strict that typical factions couldn¡¯t hope to fulfill them.

    ¡°But then again, what¡¯s that got to do with me? I¡¯m just a quiet, good-looking guy!¡± Zhou Mu pushed his musings aside and pressed on.

    The Illusion Mirror¡¯s map was expansive, teeming with neers. Despite the Brightsmiths and the Beast Tide iming the lives of many, over ten thousand had made it through. With such a crowd, shes were bound to happen, which was all part of the contest.

    There were only six Lord-tier fiend beasts and fifty leaders. The elites were more numerous, with a count exceeding three hundred. The rest were a variety of ordinary fiend beasts. No one except Zhou Mu dared to challenge the Lord-tier fiend beasts. The leaders were formidable, but with the right coordination and strategy, there was a sliver of opportunity.

    The elite fiend beasts were hotspots for fierce battles. In less than two hours since thepetition began, hundreds of neers had already perished at the hands of others. The skirmishes grew more brutal as time went on. With positioning devices up for grabs, the endgame often saw several strong teams banding together to eliminate obstacles before turning on each other. This pattern was typical of pastpetitions, but with Zhou Mu in the mix, the oue was less predictable.

    For the current batch of neers, the two Lord-tier spirit animals were insurmountable obstacles. Having lived two lifetimes, Zhou Mu had anticipated this. He sought out the tyrant beasts partly to avert such scenarios. If all the tyrant beasts were eliminated, then an influx of leaders would be meaningless.

    And as for the neers bonding with spirit animals? That wasughable. The odds of them securing a leader, let alone a Lord, were next to none. The third Lord was a tree, an exceptionally rare nt-type fiend beast.

    The third lord was a tree, an exceptionally rare nt-based fiend beast. Its defenses were formidable, its attacks were fearsome, and its speed was breathtaking. Its sole vulnerability was its inability to move.

    ¡°Zhou Mu, what is this?¡± Hai Ming, encountering such an entity for the first time, couldn¡¯t contain his curiosity.

    ¡°If I¡¯m not mistaken, this is a tall tree,¡± Zhou Mu responded.

    ¡°A tall tree?¡±

    ¡°Yes, a tall tree¡ªbecause it¡¯s covered with people!¡± Zhou Mu spoke with conviction, having been hung from such a tree numerous times himself.

    In his past life, Zhou Mu had no one to lean on. The adversity he faced in his youth drove him to work harder than his peers. Yet often, hard work didn¡¯t measure up to natural talent. Life could deceive you, teammates might betray you, and women could lead you astray, but high mathematics was unforgiving. No matter the effort, it remained elusive.

    The towering tree ahead stood about ten meters high, its branches lush and robust. Countless bodies hung from the twigs, swaying with the breeze, seemingly writhing in struggle. Outside this ce, Zhou Mu might have felt a pang ofpassion and sought to rescue them, to see if they still had a chance at life. But here? No such luck.

    All present were soul projections; upon death, they dissolved into starlight and vanished. Corpses? Nothing but bait.

    ¡°I¡¯ll give it a shot!¡± Hai Ming dered, sensing something amiss.

    He gently patted the old hen¡¯s back, prompting it to squat andy an egg. ¡°Here goes!¡±

    With a full swing of his arm, Hai Ming hurled the egg toward the nearest body. The white egg traced an arc through the air, rapidly closing in on the tree. In a sh, the ¡°person¡± that appeared to be alive suddenly burst apart, transforming into a gaping maw that devoured the egg whole.

    ¡°Damn, that¡¯s revolting!¡± Hai Ming grimaced, his face contorted in disgust.

    The supposed corpses were, in reality, organs akin to those of a Venus flytrap¡ªdisguised as humans, but revealing gaping mouths lined with razor-sharp teeth upon opening. A bite from one could mean no escape, even for a leader. A single mouth wasn¡¯t much of a challenge, but with at least two hundred such deceivers adorning the tree, the situation was dire.

    The tree was covered in bodies, easily two hundred of them. Without any means to attack from a distance, it was a death sentence for anyone who approached.

    ¡°Your move!¡± Zhou Mu signaled to Goldie with a knowing nce.

    ¡°Golden Essence Sword Qi!¡± In a sh of brilliant white, a razor-sharp sword of light formed and lunged fiercely at the flower, piercing it straight through.

    ¡°Oops, right in the flower¡¯s heart!¡± Goldie quipped, nearly causing Zhou Mu to choke on his spit.

    Really? Stabbed in the flower¡¯s heart? Is a little seriousness too much to ask for?

    ¡°Keep talking like that, and everyone will start thinking I¡¯m some lecherous old man!¡± Zhou Mu retorted, annoyed. Goldie¡¯s careless words were tarnishing his noble image.

    ¡°Are you saying you¡¯re not?¡± Goldie cocked his head, his gaze dripping with scorn.

    Zhou Mu was left at a loss for words.

 Chapter 39

    C39 ¨C What a Smart Guy!

    ¡°He managed to lose his clothes in a fight and still denies being a lecher?¡±

    Zhi Jin scoffed, seeing right through Zhou Mu¡¯s facade. Despite Zhou Mu¡¯s outward decorum, he was no different at his core.

    The only difference was that Zhi Jin was openly flirtatious, while Zhou Mu was a closet pervert.

    ¡°Fine, fine, I¡¯ll own up to it¡ªI¡¯m a pervert. But let me make one thing clear: I¡¯m not old.¡±

    Zhou Mu cleared his throat, his expression tinged with embarrassment.

    For years, he¡¯d cultivated an image of innocence, and now that he¡¯d been exposed, how could he possibly face the respected elders of Jiangdong?

    Having tested his mettle against the zing Wind and the Iron Armored Dragon, Zhi Jin had a firm grasp of his capabilities, making the confrontation with Gao Shu even more effortless.

    His Golden Essence Sword Qi whirled through the air, piercing through flowers with each strike.

    Gao Shu shook violently under the assault, eager to retaliate against Zhi Jin, but the distance was too great, leaving him to copse in defeat.

    This battle was uneventful and straightforward, albeit draining.

    Post-battle, Zhi Jin was nearly spent, his strength sapped, leaving him a dispirited bird.

    ¡°Boss, your bird¡­¡±

    Zhi Jin began, but the warning re from Zhou Mu quickly silenced him.

    Any further sass, and he¡¯d likely go hungry tonight.

    It was only after joining Zhou Mu that Zhi Jin truly learned what it meant to live as a bird, to truly be alive.

    His storage bag brimmed with an assortment of nuts, allowing him to feast at will without so much as a second thought.

    A little cheekiness was usually harmless, but if he truly upset Zhou Mu, his favorite treats would be off the table.

    ¡°Come on, onto the next one.¡±

    Zhou Mu, pleased with Zhi Jin¡¯spliance, nodded approvingly.

    Three of the six tyrant beasts remained.

    Setting aside other considerations, the points from these three locators alone topped three million.

    Unless he dispatched the remaining three tyrant beasts, even rounding up every elite and leader within the Illusion Mirror wouldn¡¯t be enough to close the gap in points.

    For the ordinary fiend beasts, they just weren¡¯t worth the effort.

    A third-rank, five-star beast onlyted 500 points. He¡¯d have to take down a whopping 6,000 of them to match the score of just three third-rank, one-star tyrant beasts.

    So, the optimal strategy was clear: eliminate thepetition and seize their positioning devices.

    Zhou Mu had no intention of vying with others for these points. The scores from the six tyrant beasts he¡¯d defeated were more than enough to keep himfortably in the lead.

    But let¡¯s be clear, Zhou Mu wasn¡¯t one to shy away from conflict. The Freshmen Ranking Competition was all about the struggle for supremacy, and in this arena, there were no questions of morality. He was determined to im all the top three rewards, and he was prepared to pull a few clever moves to do it.

    As someone who had crossed over from another world, Zhou Mu had devoured all kinds of novels and had a firm grasp on their clich¨¦s and plot devices.

    This time, he was going to take a page out of a ssic feel-good story¡¯s ybook ¡ª he was going to sell those positioning devices!

    By offloading the devices he¡¯d acquired from the six tyrant beasts, he could secure the top three rewards for himself.

    All Zhou Mu really wanted were the soul crystals and the wrinkled papayas; he¡¯d leave the academic credits to the buyers.

    After all, they were paying customers, and he wouldn¡¯t let them walk away empty-handed.

    ¡°I¡¯m a genius!¡± Zhou Mu congratted himself with a self-satisfied p of his hands.

    Just from the name, he knew the soul crystals were a significant upgrade from mere soul shards. They might even boost his soul intensity to 20 points in no time.

    With that kind of power, he¡¯d be ready to bond with a third spirit animal.

    The wrinkled papaya promised to shatter the 100-point barrier of his basic attributes, fortifying his body and enhancing his stamina.

    And when he next crossed paths with that wild woman, Zhao Qianqian, he wouldn¡¯t be on the receiving end of such a thrashing.

    ¡°Boss, we¡¯ve gotpany!¡±

    Goldie¡¯s voice at his ear snapped Zhou Mu to attention.

    The man in ck was gone, so who else was looking to stir up trouble?

    It wasn¡¯t long before the figure Zhou Mu had been waiting for finally appeared.

    The guy was in his early twenties, riding arge, flower-furred dog that was so exhausted its tongue lolled out.

    ¡°Pant¡­ Pant¡­ Pant¡­¡±

    The man was out of breath, managing to ¡®pant¡¯ three times in the span of thirty seconds.

    Zhou Mu waspletely bewildered.

    What in the world was happening?

    Teeth chatter?

    A human and dog soul swap?

    Rabies transmitting from dog to human?

    ¡°Woof¡­ Woof¡­ Zhou Mu¡­¡±

    After gasping for breath for over ten seconds, Zhou Mu finally grasped what he was trying to say.

    ¡°Take it easy, talk slowly.¡±

    Zhou Mu pulled out a water bottle and passed it over. He had a nagging feeling that he recognized the person but couldn¡¯t quite ce where they had met.

    ¡°Zhou Mu, we¡¯ve got a serious problem!¡±

    The man took several gulps of water before he could collect himself. ¡°Except for those you¡¯ve saved before, all the new students have banded together. They¡¯re aiming to take you out first, then fight it out amongst themselves. Those of us who disagreed are now targets. We¡¯ve been through hell, dozens have died just trying to escape.¡±

    His eyes reddened and tears started streaming down his face as he spoke.

    ¡°Is that so?¡±

    Zhou Mu¡¯s brow furrowed as he listened, a cold sense of fury building within him.

    That¡¯s why he seemed familiar¡ªit was one of the new students who had stood by him in the battle against the Sinister Six.

    ¡°Lead the way. I¡¯m going to see for myself who¡¯s got the nerve!¡±

    With a contemptuous snort, Zhou Mu made up his mind without a second thought.

    These were hisrades-in-arms, whose looks of admiration and gratitude he deeply appreciated. Plus, their refusal to betray each other, even when outnumbered by tens of thousands, spoke volumes about their character.

    Zhou Mu was resolved to rescue them. They were in this mess because of him, after all. Besides, he was curious to see how his contemporaries measured up.

    ¡­¡­

    ¡°Think Zhou Mu will actually show up?¡±

    ¡°Does it matter? The whole school is watching thispetition. He¡¯s a dead man if hees, and just as dead if he doesn¡¯t. The only difference is whether he¡¯s surrounded by a mob or not.¡±

    ¡°???¡±

    ¡°What are you even saying? Why can¡¯t I follow?¡±

    ¡°You don¡¯t understand Mandarin? Are you even a Nosharian anymore?¡±

    ¡°Have I been stripped of my nationality already?¡±

    ¡°¡­¡±

    The group buzzed with conversation. The new students caught in the middle wore looks of defiance on their faces.

    A group was buzzing with heated discussions, and at the center of their circle, the neer stood with a face flushed with rage. It¡¯s only natural to be angry when you¡¯re being gawked at like a monkey in a zoo. And to add insult to injury, more than half of their original group of over two hundred had been ughtered.

    ¡°This is thest straw! We¡¯re going to take them on!¡± A handsome young man with a clear-cut face shouted, ready to throw himself into a desperate struggle. But as he lifted his leg to charge, he was firmly held back.

    ¡°With fewer than a hundred of us against at least two thousand, what are you going to fight with? Just stay put!¡± another voice chided.

    ¡°What then? Are we supposed to just stand by and watch Zhou Mu be tricked by traitors?¡± the young man retorted, frustration evident in his tone.

    ¡°What choice do we have? If there was even the slightest chance to break out, I wouldn¡¯t be sitting here waiting to die. Meaningless sacrifices are just foolish. We¡¯ll wait for Zhou Mu to get here, then we¡¯ll make our move. Don¡¯t forget, his two spirit animals took down a Lord-grade Sinister Six with a single strike.¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s right! Once Zhou Mu arrives, we¡¯ll be saved! We¡¯ll wipe out these scum and strip them of their dignity. They¡¯ll never be able to hold their heads high again!¡± With these words, a spark of hope was reignited in the young man¡¯s eyes.

 Chapter 40

    C40 ¨C A Bunch of Stupid Things!

    ¡°Interesting, indeed. This year¡¯s freshman rankingpetition is something else!¡±

    ¡°What on earth did he do to unite over ten thousand freshmen against him? Zhou Mu is a goner. If he manages tost until the end of thepetition, I¡¯ll confess to a dinosaur girl!¡±

    ¡°I¡¯d suggest you live stream yourself pooping upside down. It¡¯s humiliating, sure, but it beats a lifetime without happiness.¡±

    ¡°A true man keeps his word. Said you¡¯d confess to a dinosaur girl? Then you¡¯re gonna do it!¡±

    ¡°¡­¡±

    The developments within the Illusion Mirror caught everyone off guard. Who would have thought that a bunch of strangers would band together to target a freshman?

    It could be jealousy, or maybe something else.

    But the situation is spiraling towards the uncontroble.

    ¡°These old timers, are they challenging me?¡±

    The principal let out a coldugh, as a sense of murderous intent began to swell within.

    Bayshore School boasted three level ten Animal Whisperers. Lampo was an old academic who generally stayed out of school affairs. The principal had been reassigned from the areamand of Ambergrasp, while Liu Shibin was a seasoned veteran of the school.

    As such, even though the principal was more powerful, many teachers saw her as an outsider and were more inclined to back Liu Shibin.

    With the backing of the areamand of Ambergrasp, these individuals wouldn¡¯t dare cause trouble openly, so they resorted to underhanded tactics.

    Liu Shibin had freed the irond dragon, and now over ten thousand freshmen were conspiring against Zhou Mu.

    The sordid details couldn¡¯t be summed up in just a sentence or two.

    ¡°So you want to y? Let¡¯s make it a big game!¡±

    The principal huffed, as hundreds of modes materialized and then disintegrated around her.

    Simultaneously, three thunderous roars erupted from within the Illusion Mirror.

    All constraints on the tyrant beast were lifted!

    ¡­¡­

    ¡°We¡¯re nearly there, just ahead!¡±

    The students leading the way were out of breath and anxious, but Zhou Mu sensed something was amiss.

    The guide, a neer, was panting heavily, his face etched with worry. Yet, Zhou Mu sensed something was off. Why did he sound almost cheerful?

    ¡°Brothers, Zhou Mu has arrived! We¡¯re saved!¡±

    His shout carried across the fifty to sixty meters, resonant and vigorous.

    ¡°Just up ahead¡­ it¡¯s¡­¡±

    Puff!

    He turned, seemingly eager to say more, but in an instant, a sharp dagger plunged into his heart. His face flickered through confusion, resentment, realization, and regret before settling into a look of eptance. In the face of death, he seemed to understand¡ªtraitors never meet a good end.

    ¡°Gold, Gator, eliminate them all!¡±

    There was no room for negotiation, no concern for their intentions. If they had resorted to such tactics to draw him out, their intentions were clearly hostile.

    ¡°Gold Sword Qi!¡±

    At Zhou Mu¡¯smand, Gold and Gator charged into the crowd. For two lord-level spirit animals, facing a group of novices was overkill. They could stand still and remain unscathed.

    Screams of agony filled the air as the new students fell in droves, their essence fading into twinkling lights within a minute.

    ¡°Why are there so few of them?¡±

    Zhou Mu¡¯s brow furrowed. Barely two thousand five hundred¡ªfar from the ten thousand he had anticipated.

    ¡°Zhou Mu, head southeast now! They¡¯re trying to release the tyrant beast¡¯s restraints. These people are sacrificial pawns, left behind to dy you!¡±

    A roar from a survivor snapped Zhou Mu to attention. With two lord-quality spirit animals by his side, thebined force of the new students was futile.

    Even if Zhou Mu couldn¡¯t y them all, escape would be effortless. But against another tyrant beast? If Gator and Gold were tied down, Zhou Mu could be overwhelmed, even if it cost them their lives.

    Whether the fiend beast would willingly cooperate was almost a foregone conclusion.

    Creatures like the zing Wind Spins, with their limited intelligence, are an exceptionally rare type among fiend beasts. Even though a Lord-grade fiend beast isn¡¯t as intelligent as a human, it can still engage in simplemunication. Moreover, with certain special techniques, it¡¯s not difficult to entice or manipte them into battle.

    Just think of the Iron Armored Dragon from before; in the presence of a true heavyweight, a Lord-grade fiend beast is nothing special. Humanity¡¯s reign as the supreme rulers of Earth is owed not just to our formidable martial strength but even more so to our intelligence.

    ¡°Why is there so much trouble over a mere freshman ranking tournament?¡± Zhou Mumented, feeling exasperated. His gut feeling was that it probably had something to do with the principal. Aside from the two hundred people he had rescued, it seemed almost all the new students had banded together against him, which was beyond belief.

    They were all freshmen, strangers to each other, so why target him? Clearly, there was a powerful figure behind the scenes, someone capable of influencing the entire future of Bayshore School!

    This person had gone to great lengths to target him during this widely-watched freshman ranking tournament, and it seemed the principal might be the real objective. It was all a game of cunning and deceit, a ruthless quest for power and influence, and Zhou Mu was just an innocent casualty.

    He had never hidden his identity; a simple inquiry would reveal his connection to the principal. ¡°Damn it, if I find out who¡¯s behind this, I¡¯ll make them pay¡ªone by one, or in pairs if necessary. I¡¯d go as far as to take down the entire school leadership to get my revenge,¡± Zhou Mu seethed with anger. It had been only a few months since his rebirth, and already he was being plotted against?

    This was beyond endurance. He might put up with his uncle¡¯s grievances, but not his aunt¡¯s. The principal could potentially be his aunt in the future, contributing to the Zhou family¡¯s lineage¡ªessentially making her one of his own. How could he stand by while his people were bullied?

    ¡°The uing battle is not for you to join. Go quickly to where the zing Wind Spins is being held, and wait for me there. I¡¯lle to you once I¡¯ve handled things,¡± Zhou Mu instructed, then immediately set out to find the nearest tyrant beast.

    These new students posed no real threat to him. While he couldn¡¯t take them all on, if Zhou Mu chose to flee, no one could stop him.

    Zhou Mu¡¯s agility score of 100 made him twenty times swifter than the average person, allowing him to move with the grace and speed of the wind itself. Did those neers, without even a single mount to their name, really think they could catch up to him? Not a chance!

    Ordinarily, three Lord-level fiend beasts wouldn¡¯t be much of a threat to Zhou Mu. With Gator and Little Green at his side, they could systematically take them down one after the other. However, Zhou Mu¡¯s current fear was that his adversaries might employ some tactic to band the three tyrant beasts together.

    Even with odds of three against two, Little Green and Gator wouldn¡¯t necessarily be defeated. But one mustn¡¯t overlook the presence of over 10,000 neers. Swarmed by such a massive crowd, even a man of steel would be ttened.

    The nearest Lord was a fiend beast resembling a massive gori, standing three meters tall and shrouded in darkness. Upon Zhou Mu¡¯s arrival, he found the freed gori amusing itself with its excrement. Repulsive, yes, but not out of the ordinary. In Zhou Mu¡¯s past life, there had been numerous instances of ck goris flinging feces at people, and even situations where they were force-fed feces byrger goris.

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 Chapter 44

    C44 ¨C I Rejected It!

    The principal and Lampo Wan struck with such sudden ferocity that Liu Shibin was caughtpletely off guard.

    By the time he was ready to fight back, the battle had already concluded.

    He wasn¡¯t the only one taken by surprise; the surrounding teachers were equally unprepared.

    In less than two seconds, a level ten Animal Whisperer from Bayshore University had vanished.

    This was a level ofbat far beyond Zhou Mu¡¯s capabilities; he couldn¡¯t even handle the slightest ripple of its aftermath.

    So, he made the swift decision to distance himself, to avoid bing an unintended casualty.

    And the man in ck? Merely a nonentity, hardly worth a second thought.

    ¡°Hmm?¡±

    Zhou Mu halted abruptly after rounding a few corners near the dormitory.

    A woman was approaching, about ten meters ahead.

    Her features were exquisite, her skin, wless.

    Loose pants concealed her long legs, and a trench coat draped over her slender waist.

    With each step, she moved with a captivating grace.

    Without witnessing it himself, Zhou Mu would never have believed that a woman so modestly dressed could possess such a stunning figure.

    ¡°A woman like that,¡± he mused, ¡°would leave you with kidney failure within three days of marriage.¡±

    ¡°Boss, keep your cool,¡± Jinzi whispered in his ear. ¡°I worry your body won¡¯t hold up.¡±

    ¡°Kids are the ones who can¡¯t handle it. Us adultse prepared with kidney tonics.¡±

    Zhou Mu¡¯s eyes were locked onto Zhao Qianqian, the enormity of the situation rendering him momentarily powerless to look away.

    Pah! It was a hatred so deep, so irreconcble!

    How could he let go of the fury of being overpowered and beaten, unless he returned the favor in kind?

    ¡°I never expected someone so young to be so merciless. You¡¯ve wiped out over ten thousand freshmen,¡± Zhao Qianqian observed, her gaze sweeping over Zhou Mu, her eyes shimmering like waves at sea.

    ?With her striking figure and looks, she was nothing short of a rare beauty.

    Yet, Zhou Mu¡¯s thoughts were consumed with increasing his strength, his only desire for Zhao Qianqian being retribution.

    Engaging in other pursuits wasn¡¯t out of the question, but first, a confrontation was in order.

    ¡°If no one crosses me, I won¡¯t cross them. But since they¡¯ve had the audacity to gang up on me, they¡¯ll have to face the consequences.¡±

    Zhou Mu snorted dismissively. That woman was aplete madwoman; he had no desire to interact with Zhao Qianqian more than necessary.

    ?¡­

    Before he knew it, three days had flown by. The turmoil at Bayshore School had been settled, and the rewards were handed out.

    True to the agreement, Zhou Mu imed the soul crystals for first ce and the wrinkled papaya for second, leaving the credits for them to sort out.

    He kept the third-ce reward for himself.

    But there was an unexpected twist¡ªthe reward, initially a leader-quality iron-armored rhinoceros cub, had turned into a dog.

    ¡°What¡¯s this supposed to be?¡±

    Zhou Mu couldn¡¯t help but feel exasperated as he peered at the whimpering cub inside the box.

    It was a zing Wind cub, leader-quality.

    Since it hadn¡¯t been time for its birth, the zing Wind was in by Jinzi, leaving the premature cub malnourished and its quality downgraded from lord to leader.

    For Zhou Mu, the quality wasn¡¯t a big deal¡ªin fact, a leader was much more manageable than a lord.

    Contracting with a lord spirit animal required a whopping 600 points of Physique to withstand the bloodline assimtion, while a leader needed only 100 points.

    However, looking at the puppy in the box, Zhou Mu felt a strong aversion.

    On one hand, the zing Wind¡¯s intelligence was pitifully low. On the other, the creature was somewhat ¡°off.¡±

    After inspecting its attributes, Zhou Mu¡¯s reluctance only grew.

    Name: Cryo

    Quality: Leader

    Level: First Rank One Star

    Attribute: Wind

    Upgrade Requirement: Flesh or energy-rich substances from a first rank or one star fiend beast.

    Quality Skills:

    Wind Wings: An elite skill that significantly boosts movement speed in windy areas.

    Child of the Wind: A leader skill that harnesses the power of wind, continuously generating tornadoes around the user, reducing iing damage and keeping enemies at bay.

    First Rank Skill:

    Awooo: Just¡­ Awooo.

    ¡°Great, Cryo, you¡¯re looking ridiculous. Did the zing Wind mate with a husky or something? And what¡¯s with this skill¡ªAwooo? Seriously, Awooo my foot!¡±

    Zhou Mu felt utterly exasperated; due to a premature birth, he had only inherited the wind attribute of the ming Wind. Aside from its speed, it was practically worthless.

    ?¡±Wait a second! Fast?¡±

    He smacked his forehead. Didn¡¯t he need a spirit animal that could whisk him away in a sh?@@novelbin@@

    At the same level, Gator was unbeatable, and Goldie¡¯sbat prowess was off the charts. What theycked, however, was mobility.

    Gator wasn¡¯t as quick on its feet as Zhou Mu, and Goldie, being small and unable to fly, had explosive power but dismal stamina.

    That¡¯s when it hit him¡ªthe dopey dog was his perfect counterpart!

    Despite this revtion, Zhou Mu was reluctant.

    Soul Contracts were incredibly valuable, with additional slots granted at level one, three, six, and ten.

    This meant that even a level ten Animal Whisperer at the pinnacle of this world could only bond with a maximum of four spirit animals.

    Gator was of the dragon species, Goldie of the phoenix species, and Cryo¡­ well, Cryo was just a bad breed.

    ¡°No way, I can¡¯t bond with this fool. One Goldie is already a handful; throw in a husky and I¡¯ll lose my mind.¡±

    Rubbing his temples, Zhou Mu pondered his options for a third spirit animal.

    The principal had promised a Moon Beast at level six.

    He¡¯d assess the Moon Beast¡¯s attributes first; if it lived up to Zheng Hao¡¯s description, he¡¯d make the bond. If not, he¡¯d look elsewhere.

    As for Cryo¡­

    ¡°Ugh, that name¡¯s a mouthful. From now on, you¡¯re Rice Bucket.¡±

    He muttered under his breath, christening the pup.

    ¡°Yip! Yip! Yip!¡±

    Rice Bucket couldn¡¯t grasp Zhou Mu¡¯s words, but it continued to yip incessantly.

    Its sunken belly suggested hunger.

    Zhou Mu logged onto the Animal Whisperer Union¡¯s website, typed in ¡°Dog¡± and ¡°zing Wind Ape,¡± and purchased the top ten bestsellers.

    When you¡¯re wealthy, you call the shots!

    Unsure what it should eat?

    He¡¯d sample them all!

    Zhou Mu resolved to raise Rice Bucket as a pet and mount for the time being.

    Without a contract, it couldn¡¯t enter the realm of the Soul Contract. Should it sustain a fatal injury, there¡¯d be no stabilizing its condition, much less a gradual recovery.

    Moreover, for an Animal Whisperer, not having a contract is incredibly risky; a single misstep could lead to a bacsh from the beast.

    After about a thirty-minute wait, the items I ordered arrived.

    In this world, the powerful are masters of Space Mode, and since Zhou Mu is a valued customer, they simply opened a space channel to deliver the goods directly.

    I let Rice Ball sample all the food, and Zhou Mu noticed the little one had a particr fondness for milk.

    Especially the milk from a high-level spirit animal¡ªit guzzled it down as if in a race for every drop.

    Even when it drank so hastily that it snorted milk up its nose, Rice Ball didn¡¯t pause for a moment.

    Watching its messy antics, Zhou Mu couldn¡¯t help but sigh in resignation.

    The more he watched, the dumber it seemed, and the more irredeemable.

    Considering the zing Wind Ape¡¯s intelligence was already pitiful, paired with the husky, it was abination that wasically hopeless!

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 Chapter 47

    C47 ¨C Moon Girl

    Zhao Qianqian was the epitome of beauty with her fair skin and stunning figure, not to mention her broad-mindedness. In Zhou Mu¡¯s eyes, she was nearly wless. Yet, there were times when even her allure couldn¡¯t sway his resolve. Matters of a man¡¯s pride took precedence over all else, and he couldn¡¯t rest until he had settled his score with Zhao Qianqian.

    ¡°Aunt, I have another question,¡± Zhou Mu said, taking a deep breath to quell the fury within him. ¡°When can a spirit animal transform?¡±

    ?¡±Transform?¡± The principal¡¯s smile hinted at aplete understanding of Zhou Mu¡¯s inquiry.

    In a world ruled by Animal Whisperers, one debate was inescapable: Should a transformed spirit animal be granted human rights? This question had sparked numerous ethical and moral discussions. After years of contention, the Empire had issued a definitive decree: Spirit animals were the private property of their Animal Whisperers. Upon transformation, they did not possess independent human rights but were tied to their Whisperers. Put simply, the rights enjoyed by a transformed spirit animal were an extension of their Animal Whisperer¡¯s rights¡ªthe greater the Whisperer¡¯s power, the greater the rights of the spirit animal. Additionally, imperialw dered that spirit animals with human lineage were entitled to the same rights as humans. This meant that the offspring of spirit animals and humans were recognized as human by the Empire and granted all associated rights.

    When Zhou Mu inquired about the transformation of spirit animals, the principal naturally assumed Zhou Mu had ulterior motives. But of course, he was mistaken. Zhou Mu was a man of ethics, honor, principles, and responsibility¡ªa true gentleman of the modern era who would never stoop to base acts.

    ¡°Typically, spirit animals can assume human form once they reach the Lord tier. However, those with potent bloodlines, such as the mythical, divine, and demon species, must attain the King tier,¡± the principal exined with a smile. ¡°Gator and Golden need to reach the King tier, while Genie only needs to reach the Lord tier.¡±

    ¡°Understood,¡± Zhou Mu acknowledged, nodding before departing with the Moon Beast.

    With the opening of the Fire Grounds only half a month away, he would soon facepetition from the entire northern warzone. It was time to prepare¡ªand prepare well.

    The Moon Dew and Moon Sprout aren¡¯t solely skills; they epass a portion of knowledge as well.

    Once, a pharmacist attempted to replicate the Moon Beast¡¯s concoction. Though sessful in creating the product, its effectiveness was merely a third of the original.

    That said, the trade-off was the ability to produce it in bulk, presenting both pros and cons.

    Upon returning home with Genie, Zhou Mu opened the door to a bizarre sight.

    Goldie was sprawled on the sofa watching TV, while Rice Bucket was tied up, limbs bound and mouth gagged, squirming on the floor.

    ¡°What¡¯s happening here?¡±

    Zhou Mu was baffled. Rice Bucket had a penchant for nibbling, but this was excessive.

    ¡°Boss, I¡¯m starting to think this guy isn¡¯t just dumb; he might be brainless. No reaction when spoken to, and no learning from mistakes. If I hadn¡¯t reacted quickly, the TV would be history,¡± Goldie said, looking utterly spent.

    ?¡±Fine, we¡¯ll leave it like this for now.¡±

    Zhou Mu exhaled deeply, his resolve to cook Rice Bucket growing stronger.

    Advancing from a leader to a lord required five Bloodline Refining Stones, or 2,500 points.

    Short on points, Zhou Mu had no choice but to hunt fiend beasts.

    Stocked with enough food and water for two weeks, and apanied by Gator, Goldie, Genie, and Rice Bucket, Zhou Mu set out with vigor to start his points-earning quest.

    As Zhou Mu¡¯s level rose, the carcasses of lower-level fiend beasts no longer qualified for rewards.

    With no other option, he sought out the challenges posed by elites and leaders.

    Two fourth-rank lords were virtually unbeatable in the wilds, ying gods and annihting buddhas.

    ?Only a fifth-rank or a seventh-rank or higher stood a chance; all others were doomed.

    Meanwhile, Genie had been productive, creating numerous Moon Dews and Moon Sprouts with impressive results.

    Each drop of Moon Dew could restore roughly thirty percent of Goldie¡¯s energy, while the Moon Sprout could regenerate Goldie¡¯s lost feathers.

    Indeed, Goldie had gone bald once more!

    They had a close encounter with an eighth-rank leader. Gator and Goldie battled fiercely for over two hours, barely managing to hold their ground with Genie¡¯s assistance.

    The ordeal resulted in theplete depletion of the Dew of the Moon and the Sprout of the Moon, resources they had carefully conserved for days. Goldie and Gator nearly met their demise.

    The wilderness, it must be said, was perilously dangerous.

    Venturing out alone was a gamble with death at every turn.

    Zhou Mu learned his lesson this time and vowed to abandon his reckless ways.

    After several days of relentlessbat and the defeat of numerous high-level fiend beasts, Zhou Mu had finally rued enough points for Genie¡¯s advancement.

    Without a moment¡¯s hesitation, upon returning to school, he immediately redeemed a Bloodline Tempering Stone for Genie¡¯s use.

    A soft glow emanated from Genie, creating a harmonious echo with the moonlight streaming through the window.

    The Moon Beast¡¯s lineage, while not on par with that of a mythical creature, possessed its own unique traits.

    With each evolution, it wasn¡¯t Genie¡¯sbat strength that grew, but rather the ancestral knowledge she inherited.

    The moonlight draped over the scene like a cool, serene veil.

    Responding to the Moon Beast¡¯s silent summons, the scattered beams of moonlight began to coalesce, flowing like water into Genie¡¯s being.

    The Moon Beast¡¯s evolution unfolded more slowly than Zhou Mu had anticipated, taking a full ten minutes toplete.@@novelbin@@

    As the glow subsided, there before him stood a delicate little girl, carved from jade.

    Herrge, dewy eyes and soft, pale cheeks were captivating. In her left hand, she held a stone mortar; in her right, an alchemy pestle.

    Her shy demeanor unleashed a flood of paternal affection in Zhou Mu.

    ¡°Genie,e here.¡±

    He squatted down and beckoned. After a brief pause, Genie leaped into his embrace.

    With her ascension to Lord-tier, Genie¡¯s attributes had significantly increased, and she had acquired a new, exceptional skill.

    [Moon Girl: Lord-tier skill. In the glow of moonlight, it can boost energy recovery speed by up to tenfold and reduce iing damage.]

    This ability not only enhanced Genie¡¯s work efficiency but also bolstered her survival capabilities, marking it as truly outstanding.

    ¡°In such a short time, he¡¯s already elevated Genie to a Lord-tier? Perhaps it¡¯s better for her to be with him than with me.¡±

    Yon gazed at the moonlight cascading from the heavens, her heart a tumult of emotions.

    She had initially resisted the principal¡¯s decision to entrust Genie to Zhou Mu. Genie, barely born, had not yet savored a mother¡¯s love before facing the prospect of being handed over.

    ?But as a mere spirit animal, Yon was powerless to defy the will of an Animal Whisperer.

    Now, she understood the principal had been correct.

    Zhou Mu, the boy shrouded in mystery, possessed the ability to elerate Genie¡¯s growth, potentially guiding her to heights beyond Yon¡¯s own reach.

    ¡°He is Zhou Chun¡¯s son, Zhou Hao¡¯s nephew; a life of mediocrity was never in his cards.¡±

    Approaching Yon, the principal affirmed, ¡°Under his guidance, Genie will undoubtedly ascend to the Holy Throne. Perhaps she¡¯ll even transcend, achieving true divinity.¡±

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 Chapter 50

    C50 ¨C Stop Right There!

    The Fish Dragon was ratherrge, so Zhou Mu carved up the carcass and fed it piece by piece to Gator.

    During the recent skirmish, Zhou Mu noticed that despite both being of dragon species and fourth-rank lords, Gator¡¯sbat prowess seemed to far surpass that of the Fish Dragon.

    The Fish Dragon¡¯s fiery breath was no more than a tickle to Gator, who shattered its scales with a mere flick of its tail.

    ¡°Could there really be differences among dragons?¡±

    Zhou Mu pondered this briefly, but soon gave up on unraveling the mystery.

    The Fire Grounds were under the jurisdiction of the Ambergrasp areamand, where fiend beasts had been culled numerous times. Only the strongest elites, leaders, and lords were deliberately spared.

    They were either of a special lineage or a unique species.

    Take the Rock Monsters, for instance; they weren¡¯t eradicated because they harbored high-purity Fire Ore within.

    The primary objective for the many students venturing into the Fire Grounds was to target these creatures.

    The territory of the phoenix species was quite a distance from the Fish Dragon. Zhou Mu had to sprint for over an hour to reach its domain.

    The more formidable the fiend beast, therger its realm.

    Had the Fish Dragon not been confined to itsva pool, the gap between their territories could have been dozens of times wider.

    The phoenix species was no less challenging to confront than the Fish Dragon.

    Though the Fish Dragon resided in theva pool, driving it out would allow Goldie to team up with Gator for a two-on-one assault.

    The fiend beasts of the phoenix species were all capable of flight, making it difficult for Zhou Mu to capture them if they chose to flee.

    ¡°Let¡¯s just see how things unfold,¡± he decided.

    Zhou Mu couldn¡¯t help feeling frustrated. Goldie, a member of the phoenix species, couldn¡¯t fly?

    He shot Goldie a stern look before popping a nut into his mouth and crunching down on it noisily.

    Goldie: ¡°???¡±

    The fiend beast of the phoenix species made its home atop a volcano. Though it didn¡¯t soak in ava pool like the Fish Dragon, it was still a formidable opponent.

    With Gator unable to assist and Goldie flightless, their chances of sess were slim.

    ¡°Hmm? Is there a battle up ahead?¡±

    Upon reaching the base of the volcano, Zhou Mu was greeted by a violent explosion.

    A fissure had torn through the cylindrical volcano, with moltenva cascading down its sloped stone face.

    ¡°Looks like we¡¯ve gotpany!¡± Zhou Mu marveled, a sense of camaraderie with another warrior washing over him.

    ?To tackle the Fish Dragon, he had turned the entireva pool into ice.

    This mysterious individual had gone so far as to blow up the volcano to take on a phoenix species fiend beast.

    But then again, phoenixes can fly, so what good does blowing up a volcano do?

    ¡°There¡¯s truth to the saying, ¡®The mantis catches the cicada, unaware of the oriole behind.¡¯ We might just find an opportunity to benefit from this,¡± he mused.

    Zhou Mu and Goldie exchanged a nce, each finding unwavering resolve in the other¡¯s gaze.

    Resources were scarce, yet people were plentiful.

    To thrive, they knew they mustpete and im.

    Zhou Mu would take from others, and they from him ¡ª a fair exchange.

    At the volcano¡¯s summit, a group was locked inbat with a fire bird.

    The Fire Bird unfurled its wings, spewing mes, while beneath ity a nest of haphazard branches cradling a watermelon-sized egg.

    Ten people, along with over twenty spirit animals, were engaged in battle with it.

    They encircled the Fire Bird, unleashing a relentless barrage of attacks.

    To shield its egg, the Fire Bird had no choice but to withstand the onught and retaliate with its clumsy mes.

    The egg was fragile; the wide-reaching attacks could harm the enemy but also risked crushing the stones around it.

    The egg needed warmth to hatch, yet a fall into the volcano would incinerate it.

    Concerned for its offspring, the Fire Bird held back, but the humans grew increasingly frenzied.

    ¡°Hahaha! Try this on for size!¡±

    A man pulled an explosive from his storage bag, yanked the pin, and hurled it toward the bird.

    Boom!

    The st left the Fire Bird disheveled, yet it remained steadfast.

    Enraged but resolute in protecting its egg, the Fire Bird¡¯s counterattacks were feeble.

    ¡°Keep up the attack, don¡¯t let up. If we can¡¯t kill this fledgling, no matter ¡ª getting the egg is what counts. If we can¡¯t secure the egg, then we¡¯ll just have to destroy it.¡±

    The man¡¯s face twisted into a snarl, his words dripping with shamelessness.

    ¡°Heh, I thought I had no shame, but next to you, I¡¯m practically a saint.¡±

    A scornful voice echoed from nearby, as a sh of murderous intent red across the man¡¯s contorted face. He bellowed, ¡°Who¡¯s there?¡±

    ¡°Chi!¡±

    His answer came in the form of a searing white sword qi that sliced through the air, severing his arm.

    ¡°Ah!¡±

    A piercing scream erupted as the man¡¯s right arm was cleanly cut from his body, blood gushing forth like a geyser.

    Had his reflexes been any slower, his head would have been the next to fall.

    Zhou Mu wasn¡¯t one to take lives without cause.

    In the Illusion Mirror, killing ten thousand people didn¡¯t truly end their lives, and often, those people were the instigators.@@novelbin@@

    But this was different; Zhou Mu felt a genuine urge to kill.

    If he couldn¡¯t have something, he¡¯d rather destroy it. Such shamelessness, cruelty, and pettiness were intolerable.

    Leaving him alive would only bring harm to countless others.

    Zhou Mu didn¡¯t consider himself a saint, but he wouldn¡¯t stoop to such lows.

    Without any personal vendettas, he¡¯d rather leave what he couldn¡¯t have for someone else.

    Maybe, thanks to his restraint, Noshar would gain a new champion in the future.

    But those who would rather destroy than let go, who were vindictive and spiteful, were a burden best left behind.

    ¡°Who are you?¡±

    The man¡¯s voice was faint, his vision blurring from the loss of blood. He copsed to the ground mid-sentence.

    ¡°Boss, something¡¯s not right.¡±

    Jin Zi¡¯s voice rang out with grave concern.

    ¡°What is it?¡±

    ¡°The human is nearly dead, and his spirit animal isn¡¯t reacting at all.¡±

    Jin Zi spoke, his eyes scanning their surroundings.

    Somehow, the spirit animals that had been besieging the fire bird had all pulled back, seemingly intent on encircling them.

    ¡°Retreat!¡±

    Zhou Mu didn¡¯t hesitate for a second before turning on his heel and fleeing.

    Their identities and motives didn¡¯t matter; escape was the only sensible option.

    Facing an enemy of unknown power, a direct confrontation was unwise.

    Time was on their side. For now, they would retreat and regroupter.

    Zhou Mu wasn¡¯t concerned about ying for time. He had the ability to purge the fire toxin from his system, unlike the others.

    The more he dragged it out, the bigger his edge grew.

    He even had a hunch that these people weren¡¯t after the fledgling at all¡ªthey were after him.

    As expected, the moment Zhou Mu made a break for it, an angry shout erupted from behind.

    ¡°Zhou Mu, hold it right there!¡±

    With thatmand, the nine pursuers and their twenty-plus spirit animalsunched into a frenzied chase.

    ¡°You expect me to stop just because you say so? What do you think I am, your dad?¡±

    Zhou Mu let out a contemptuous snort, his pace not only unslowed but even quickening a notch.

    ¡°Kid, you¡¯re asking for it!¡±

    His taunt sent the chasers into a rage, hurling insults and unleashing their skills in attack.

    But Goldie was no pushover. As Zhou Mu surged ahead, Goldie hurled back insults and counterattacks.

    ¡°Moron, with your dog¡¯s head and toad¡¯s eyes, you¡¯re as useless as a barrel. Still chasing? You¡¯re chasing your own tail!¡±

    Whoosh!

    ¡°What¡¯s the use of you? You¡¯re hopeless at everything and leave nothing behind. Why should you even exist?¡±

    Whoosh!

    ¡°Give it up. Your mom couldn¡¯t catch up with you back in the day, what makes you think you can?¡±

    Whoosh!

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