C46 â Moon Beast
Time flew by, and with an uninterrupted supply of high-grade fiend beast meat and nuts, Goldie and Gator finally reached the third rank with five stars.
Zhou Mu spent 1000 points to exchange for two fourth-rank crystals, and with a soft glow, Gator advanced and gained two new skills.
[Flying Scales]: Scales transform into blades and fly towards the target.
[Poison Burst]: A large mouthful of toxic liquid is expelled, splashing and vaporizing upon contact with the target or the ground.
The first skill was quite intriguing, suitable for both single and multiple targets, though it required the use of Gatorâs own scales.
If overused, Gator risked becoming bald.
The second skill was an enhanced version of Poison Breath, boasting a larger area of effect and increased potency.
In the Freshmen Ranking Competition, deploying Poison Burst could swiftly conclude a fight.
Without hesitation, he opted for Poison Burst.
Goldieâs skills were equally impressive, each offering options for single or multiple targets.
[Blade Wings]: The golden essence coalesces on the wings, adjustable in length and size.
[Ten Thousand Swords Return to Origin]: The golden essence gathers in the surrounding feathers, transforming into swords that can be shot out.
Both skills exuded coolness, and Zhou Mu unhesitatingly selected the former.
While the golden essence sword Qi was powerful but short-lived, Blade Wings significantly compensated for this weakness.
The golden essence on the wings acted like two razor-sharp swords, further enhanced by Goldieâs physical strength.
âWith this skill, Goldie wouldnât tire after just a few battles; now, it could take on ten at a time.
Both Gator and Goldie had made significant strides, and Rice Bucket wasnât far behind.
Regrettably, since no contract had been signed, Rice Bucketâs skills were unpredictable.
âAh, I made the right call rejecting that fool. Had I chosen him, it wouldâve been the end of me.â
Gazing at the uneven wooden table and the two broken chairs, Zhou Mu pondered whether to stew Rice Bucket.
In the meantime, his days were filled with feeding the trio and occasionally whipping up a meal.
Every meal, Rice Bucket would devour everything on his plate, regardless of what it was.
Zhou Mu began to feel a mysterious surge of self-confidence, thinking his culinary skills were quite impressive. However, after sampling his own cooking, he realized that Rice Bucket was just a voracious eater.
An ancient proverb says: To be able to eat is a fortune; to eat wisely is a sign of intelligence.
Gator had an enormous appetite, and coupled with Rice Bucket, they were more than an ordinary family could sustain.
Fortunately, the two little rascals werenât fussy and would eat anything.
But there was an issue â Rice Bucket was a bit too indiscriminate in his tastes.
Vegetables, meats, buns â he ate it all, even gnawing on wood.
Within just a month, Zhou Mu had gone through three beds.
By the time Zhou Mu was on the phone ordering a fourth bed, the salespersonâs tone had shifted, and he couldnât help but remark, âBro, you must have some strong back muscles!â
âThis creatureâs intelligence is too low. No matter how much I scold or punish it, it just doesnât learn. What am I supposed to do?â
Zhou Muâs mood was as gloomy as if heâd been dealt a bad hand by fate, watching Rice Bucket chew on the leg of a table.
After some contemplation, he finally dialed a mysterious number.
âHello, is euthanasia for pets something you offer? No, itâs not sick; I just simply want it to be put down.â
âBeep beep beep!â
The call was cut off before he could finish, followed by the insult âLunatic!â from the other end.
Rice Bucket: â???â
Sensing Zhou Muâs foul mood, Rice Bucket scampered over and gave his hand a few affectionate licks.
âAh, forget it. Whatâs a few beds and tables? I am the young master of the Zhou family; money is no object!â
Zhou Mu exhaled deeply and whistled to Rice Bucket, gesturing for a handshake.
It turned out that huskies have a peculiar way of thinking.
Despite hundreds of attempts at teaching the handshake, Rice Bucket failed to develop a conditioned response. Instead, he turned away and plopped a dog egg into Zhou Muâs hand.
Zhou Mu: â???â
As he gazed into Rice Bucketâs expectant eyes, Zhou Muâs frustration boiled over. He couldnât help but snap, flicking his finger against the dog egg.
âAwoo!â
A heart-wrenching howl erupted from the dogâs mouth, tears brimming in its eyes as the potbelly trembled and scurried under the sofa.
âAh, thatâs better!â
Zhou Mu patted his chest contentedly, having been recently driven to near heartbreak by the potbellyâs antics.
Feeling a sense of triumph, he was suddenly invigorated and light-hearted.
âKeep an eye on it, and make sure this fool doesnât start chewing on the TV!â
Zhou Mu gave Goldie a few instructions before he changed his clothes and headed out.
With his growing strength, the rejuvenation of his soul intensity accelerated significantly.
Having upgraded the Soul Contract to level six and unlocked the third slot, it was time to consult the principal about the Moon Beast.
The teachersâ residential area was a mere ten-minute walk from the office building.
He knocked softly on the door to find, aside from the principal, a woman present.
Her almond-shaped eyes sparkled with vivacity, her allure fresh and captivating.
She seemed like a bud on the verge of blooming, waiting for someone to gently unfold her petals.
âAllow me to introduce you. This is Youlan, my most trusted ally and a fellow teacher here. The Moon Beast I promised you is her daughter,â the principal said, gesturing to the couch, inviting Zhou Mu to take a seat.
ââAh? Daughter?â
Zhou Mu was taken aback by the principalâs revelation.
Youlan was a spirit animal and a teacher at the school?
She appeared to be no more than sixteen or seventeenâcould she really have a child?
ââThis young man, he doesnât seem very proper,â Youlan remarked, eyeing Zhou Mu. âEven though youâre Wangshuâs nephew, you should still address me as âteacher.'â
âGood day, Teacher!â
Zhou Mu responded with a respectful bow upon hearing Youlanâs words.
âAs the old adage goes, âWater quenches fire,â and honoring oneâs teacher is a cherished virtue, steeped in the five-thousand-year cultural legacy of the Noshar Empire.
âMm-hmm!â
Pleased with Zhou Muâs deference, Youlan nodded approvingly.
With a flick of her wrist, a fluffy creature materialized from nowhere.
âWhatâs this? A little bunny?â
Zhou Mu blurted out, looking at the creature in Youlanâs hand.
But as soon as the words left his mouth, he realized his mistakeâthis little one was probably the legendary Moon Beast.
ââThe Moon Beast, also known as the Moon Rabbit, can certainly be called a little rascal without any issue,â Youlan said, her voice soft as she tenderly stroked the creatureâs plush fur. âOur Moon Beast clanâs favorite food is moonlight, followed by energy-rich fruits and vegetables. I trust youâll treat her well and uphold the esteemed reputation of our clan.â
âAbsolutely, leave it to me. Next time we meet, Iâm sure to astonish you!â Zhou Mu confidently assured her. He knew he had to maintain the principalâs respect, and regardless of whether this little rascal was worthless, he was determined to nurture her.
âHe gingerly received the small rabbit from Youlanâs hands and simultaneously opened the attribute panel.
Name: Moon Beast
Quality: Leader
Level: Second Rank, One Star
Attribute: Yin
Upgrade Requirement: Various fruits and vegetables rich in energy.
Quality Skills:
Moon Dance: An Elite Skill that draws in moonlight to rapidly restore energy.
Pure Yin Body: A Leader Skill that absorbs nearby Yin energy for swift self-healing.
First Rank Skill:
Moon Dew: Dew mixed with moonlight that can quickly replenish energy.
Second Rank Skill:
Moon Sprout: A tender sprout cultivated with Yin energy that can rapidly heal injuries.
ââHoly smokes!â Zhou Mu could barely contain his excitement upon seeing the little bunnyâs attributes.
Whatâs a healer? This is a healer! A spirit animal capable of energy recovery and injury healing was a rare find indeed.
âThough the Moon Beast lacked combat abilities, the support it offered far surpassed that of typical battle-oriented spirit animals. With the Moon Beastâs backing, Goldie and Gatorâs stamina would be significantly enhanced, enabling them to fight seven or eight consecutive battles with ease.
âThis is fantastic! Iâll take excellent care of her,â Zhou Mu declared, affectionately nuzzling the rabbitâs soft fur.
ââYou should name her! From now on, sheâll be your most faithful partner. Weâre counting on you not to disappoint our expectations,â Youlan said, her tone tinged with a hint of reluctance as she gazed at the little bunny.
ââIâll call her Genie! With me by her side, she wonât face any hardships,â Zhou Mu vowed, thumping his chest with a solemn promise.
ââGood, Iâm holding you to that,â Youlan replied, hopeful.
âYoulan nodded silently, having said all that needed to be said. Now, it was the principalâs turn to impart his directives.
âIn half a month, the Ambergrasp area command will open the Fire Groundsâ¦â
He was cut off mid-sentence by Zhou Mu.
âDo I have to go? The freshman ranking match was chaotic enough. If I go to the Fire Grounds, who knows what mayhem will ensue?â
Zhou Mu was clearly exasperated. âIâd rather be a quiet, handsome guy, not get tangled up in pointless skirmishes.â
âYou donât have to go, provided you can endure a thrashing from your Second Uncle.â
The principalâs face was etched with a teasing smile. âThe Fire Grounds arenât just teeming with Fire Ore; theyâre home to numerous fire-attribute fiend beasts. And according to the area commandâs records, there are even formidable dragon and phoenix species!â
âIâll go! Okay, Iâll go!â
Zhou Mu gasped, wincing at a sudden pang.
Goldie and Gator were stuck at the Lord grade, needing the bloodlines of five dragon and phoenix species to level up.
The Fire Grounds were Second Uncleâs domain, replete with dragon and phoenix fiend beasts. It was a trip he couldnât skip.
âFor one thing, the Fire Grounds were the lifeblood of the Ambergrasp area command. Missing this opportunity meant an uncertain wait for the next. For another, it was his uncleâs territory, practically his own by extension. To pass up on claiming what was his and letting others benefit was unthinkableâlike inviting a lightning strike for his folly.
âThis opening of the Fire Grounds is extended to all universities in the northern war zone, and the competition will be fierce. Get ready ahead of time.â
The principal continued, a chuckle escaping him as an amusing thought struck him. âOh, and that Bai family girl will be there too. Seize the moment, Zhou Mu, and try to win her over quickly.â
âAh?â
Zhou Muâs eyes widened in disbelief at the principalâs suggestion.
The dust had barely settled from one ordeal before another loomed. With his current capabilities, the chances of besting Zhao Qianqian were next to none.
If he saw her again, a thrashing was inevitable.
âJust half a month to go. I canât give up now.â
Zhou Mu gritted his teeth. No matter how shameless it made him, he was determined to give Zhao Qianqian, that madwoman, the beating she deserved.
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