CHAPTER 163: CHAPTER 123: SPIRIT-DEVOURING VINE EVOLUTION

Can’t blame Chen Yun for being surprised.

The Catalyst Master’s services are too expensive, so they’re generally not considered for something like a Plowhorn Beast.

Unless some big shot is conducting research...

Xiaobai wasn’t happy to hear this.

What’s wrong with a Plowhorn Beast?

In Lin Chen’s hands, it can become very strong too.

Lee Zhen wasn’t surprised by Chen Yun’s astonishment either, he said, "This Plowhorn Beast is not ordinary."

Unexpectedly, Chen Yun said, "I can see that."

Chen Yun circled around Xiaobai, examining it, and said, "It’s green, a mutated species."

A Master is indeed a Master; she can see right through it at a glance.

Chen Yun continued, "I really don’t know much about Plowhorn Beasts, why don’t you first demonstrate its strength."

...

Ten minutes later, Chen Yun swallowed and looked at Xiaobai in disbelief.

To be honest, Chen Yun didn’t have high expectations initially.

Until she saw Xiaobai use both the Soul-Calming Hoof and the technique of transforming into four oxen at once.

"And it’s not over yet." Lee Zhen smiled slightly, seeing Chen Yun’s expression.

He knew, Chen Yun would definitely be even more shocked next.

Xiaobai glanced back at Lin Chen, who said, "Activate the first stage, that’s fine."

"Moo~~"

Xiaobai nodded, then unleashed a powerful aura, directly activating its Barbaric Bloodline.

"Bar... Barbaric Bloodline?" Chen Yun was genuinely unsettled this time, she instinctively stepped back two steps, after all, she wasn’t good at combat, Lee Zhen said, "Don’t worry, it’s controllable."

"It can control the Barbaric Bloodline?" Chen Yun was so surprised she was speechless.

Then Xiaobai started its performance, and this time Chen Yun really believed it.

But Lin Chen asked, "Need to continue?"

"It can still continue?"

"It can activate another stage of the Barbaric Bloodline, but the power might be too overwhelming and hard to control."

"Then forget it, it’s enough." Chen Yun shook her head, then said, "Once more, it could be helpful for understanding its evolution."

Lee Zhen and Lin Chen were pleased to hear that.

Chen Yun meant she agreed to help them.

Then Xiaobai activated the second stage of its Barbaric Bloodline, and when it performed the transformation into five oxen, Chen Yun was completely stunned.

"Today has overturned my understanding of Plowhorn Beasts." Chen Yun said frankly.

Lee Zhen laughed heartily, "It’s just that this ox is extraordinary."

Chen Yun nodded, looking at the two and said, "Your spirit beasts are all very commendable; I suggest you directly pursue the Ancestral Evolution path."

As the words fell, Lin Chen said, "Senior, I want to pursue Divergent Evolution."

"Divergent Evolution?" At these words, Chen Yun’s brows furrowed, "Your Plowhorn Beast’s beast power is indeed impressive, it has a high chance of successfully evolving to the Spirit Transformation level, the future will not be far off, there’s no need to choose Divergent Evolution."

Lin Chen wasn’t hesitant, providing his reasons.

Chen Yun still objected, feeling Lin Chen was too ambitious.

According to the Ancestral Evolution route, the evolutionary limit of a Plowhorn Beast isn’t high, but Divergent Evolution is inherently unconventional, more like the path of a rogue.

The potential gains might be high, but they could also be very low.

However, Chen Yun didn’t continue to stop them, but said, "It’s only at level 19, no rush, let me first help Senior’s spirit beast evolve, and by then you can decide."

....

Following that, they stayed there. The Beast Mirror Institute was large and luxurious, just Chen Yun’s own courtyard was twice the size of Young Master Qin’s Celestial Spirit Mansion, showcasing the high demand for Catalyst Masters in this world.

Lin Chen handed over Qin Shaoshao’s evolution materials to her and also informed her about the Spirit-Devouring Vine.

"Alright." Chen Yun noted everything down seriously before saying, "Your plan is good, but updating two materials would make it better."

"Which two? We can buy them." Lin Chen asked.

"No need, we have them here, I’ll have someone bring them later."

Chen Yun stopped them and explained to Lin Chen that many of the evolution plans in the "Beast Taming Treasure Manual" are outdated, and the Beast Mirror Institute generally updates its recipes regularly.

"Won’t my recipe have problems too?" Lin Chen hurriedly asked.

"Let me see." Chen Yun asked, and Lin Chen handed over the list.

She was surprised upon seeing it and said, "Heart of the Ox King? You’re quite generous."

Generally, the Heart of the Ox King is used for Level 2 or Level 3 evolutions.

"It earned it itself from competitions." Lin Chen pointed to Xiaobai, who proudly lifted its head...

Chen Yun glanced at the list and said, "The plan is generally fine, just need to switch one material, but whether to choose Divergent Evolution is up to you."

In the two days of getting to know Lin Chen, Chen Yun’s opposition actually grew weaker.

She felt Lin Chen was different from ordinary young people; he was steady and logical in his actions.

Three days later, Chen Yun decided to take action, beginning to evolve Qin Shaoshao’s Spirit-Devouring Vine.

"Generally, the first time a spirit beast enters evolution, it will sleep for over ten days. The more difficult the evolution, the longer it sleeps, which also indicates its potential for higher qualities..." Chen Yun explained simply and began to summon her spirit beasts:

[Forest Beast, Wood Element Spirit Beast]

[Xiyue Beast, Water Spirit Beast]

These spirit beasts are not particularly rare. Besides having pure support class spirit beasts of the wood and water elements, a Beastmaster’s own talent must also relate to catalysis.

Spirit beasts can be obtained later, but the talent is innate.

So, just this requirement alone bars ninety-nine percent of people.

The Forest Beast, all green like a little elf from the woods, flapped its wings, and just by passing through the air, it gave a relaxing feeling.

"Stop stirring, they’ll all fall asleep if you keep it up." Chen Yun scolded.

The Forest Beast cutely stuck out its tongue.

Then Chen Yun led them to a large cauldron, which was already being heated, with the Spirit-Devouring Vine’s evolution materials stewing inside.

"Grumble~~~"

The Little Fox quizzed, why did it feel like they were making soup at home?

Lin Chen laughed heartily. The Spirit-Devouring Vine seemed startled and turned back to look at Qin Shaoshao with a ’pop’.

Qin Shaoshao attempted to soothe it with a touch, but Lin Chen quickly stopped and said, "Senior, you mustn’t!"

Qin Shaoshao sobered up.

If touched, the Spirit-Devouring Vine might rise to Level 40.

Then they’d lose the first opportunity for evolution.

Chen Yun didn’t understand at first, until Lin Chen explained it, after which the woman laughed heartily, "The Celestial Spirit Body is essentially out of print, it will become rarer in the future. I’m also curious if a spirit beast bonded to a unique constitution will differ."

Then she gently comforted the Spirit-Devouring Vine, "Don’t worry, it won’t burn."

The Spirit-Devouring Vine, Xiaobai, and Xiao Hong, the three-headed spirit beast, looked at the steaming cauldron, evidently skeptical.

Ultimately, Qin Shaoshao said, "Go ahead."

The Spirit-Devouring Vine trusted Qin Shaoshao and approached the cauldron, closed its eyes, and leapt in.

Plop~~

At this moment, Chen Yun acted. She formed strange seals with her hands, followed by her two spirit beasts sitting on either side of her.

Then the Forest Beast began chanting, and one could see green notes flying towards the cauldron.

The Xiyue Beast exhaled a blue splash, which upon touching the cauldron, immediately cooled the temperature down.

Finally, forming a small green and blue intertwined water prison at the cauldron site.

The Spirit-Devouring Vine, trapped inside, looked fearfully at Qin Shaoshao...

In its world, Qin Shaoshao was the only one it could rely on.

Qin Shaoshao coldly said, "I’ll stay here to guard you."

"Pop~~"

The Spirit-Devouring Vine was reassured; its eyes slowly drooped.

It felt very tired...

Finally, it fell into a deep sleep as the fire under the cauldron grew more vigorous.

...

After finishing all this, Chen Yun was visibly pale, showing how taxing using her talent was.

It was akin to Lin Chen using the Bloodline Golden Hand.

"You both guard here, I need to come back every four days to perform again, to maintain the water temperature balance." Chen Yun instructed, then put away her spirit beasts and went to rest.

Qin Shaoshao sat nearby, looking at the water prison, lost in thought.

But this time, Lin Chen noticed that she hadn’t been picking petals.

Lin Chen’s lips curved into a slight smile...

Maybe for Qin Shaoshao, this was a good start.

Just unsure when Qin Shaoshao would get a decent night’s sleep like a regular person.