CHAPTER 26: CHAPTER 26: SECOND SKILL: SOUL-CALMING HOOF

According to the Beast Taming Treasure Manual, the better the Beast Taming Talent, the earlier the Skill will awaken.

Previously, Xiaobai’s Talent was very good, awakening the Skill earlier than other Plowhorn Beasts in the same batch, so it was pre-ordered.

Unfortunately, it was returned due to its obsession with cleanliness.

Now it has awakened a second Skill at Level 5, which is very early.

However, it is not the earliest.

According to the Beast Taming Treasure Manual, some Spirit Beasts can awaken dual Skills at birth, which is extraordinary.

Awakening a second Skill at Level 5 is also considered an outstanding Talent.

Ordinary Spirit Beasts typically awaken around Level 10.

Lin Chen was very happy; it seems that purifying the bloodline once was indeed effective, and he’s looking forward to Xiaobai’s changes after the second purification.

[Plowhorn Beast]

[Low-level Mortal Beast]

[14 months]

[Level: 5]

[Skill 1: Iron Horn Impact (Mastery)]

[Skill 2: Soul-Calming Hoof (Entry-Level): Raise the front hoof high and stomp the ground hard, causing a certain range of fan-shaped shockwaves, resulting in temporary stun effect and damage to enemies within the range]

Lin Chen was surprised; this Skill is not simple.

The Beast Taming Collection mentions that the Soul-Calming Hoof is supposed to be awakened only by Spiritual Type bovine Spirit Beasts.

And Spiritual Type bovine Spirit Beasts are very rare, generally of Saint Level quality or above.

Normally, most Plowhorn Beasts’ second Skill is named: [Muscle Solidification]

It’s not a very powerful Skill, not even as good as Iron Horn Impact.

"Could Xiaobai evolve toward the Spiritual System in the future?" Lin Chen pondered.

However, Lin Chen also understood this was just a meaningless speculation.

With the Bloodline Golden Hand, Xiaobai’s evolution route can be precisely selected from three evolution routes, but the evolved variety and quality cannot be chosen.

"Moo~~"

Xiaobai was very excited and wanted to try it.

Lin Chen also wanted to see it, so they went outside the courtyard and set up a wooden stake for it.

"Coo coo~~"

The timid Little Fox ran far away, covering its ears.

Lin Chen laughed and said to Xiaobai, "Begin."

Xiaobai mooed once, and then its pupils were filled with battle intent, immediately raising its hoof and activating the Skill.

Pop~~

The front hoof, wrapped with immense force, stomped heavily on the ground, causing the nearby ground to directly collapse and stir up rolling dust.

Instantly, a visible energy accompanied by rippling dust rushed forward in a fan shape at high speed.

Boom~

The sturdy wooden stake shattered along with it, splitting into two halves and falling to the ground.

After executing the Skill, Xiaobai immediately felt a bit exhausted.

Lin Chen stepped forward and first checked the wooden stake, which was split, but the effect wasn’t great.

"Compared to Iron Horn Impact, the power is much weaker," Lin Chen evaluated in front of Xiaobai.

Though a bit discouraging for Xiaobai, Lin Chen still spoke honestly.

In real combat, there’s no joking around.

Xiaobai indeed felt some disappointment, and Lin Chen continued:

"Its power isn’t reflected in the damage but in the stun..."

"A moment on the battlefield can often change the outcome."

"It can assist you in completing a one-hit kill."

Niu Niu seemed to somewhat understand but trusted Lin Chen.

Lin Chen simply explained that it should release Soul-Calming Hoof first, then follow up with Iron Horn Impact immediately.

Xiaobai rested for a while, regained some energy, and began to try.

Without Lin Chen needing to brainwash it like the Little Fox, the cow’s nature made it firmly believe in one principle:

The Heavenly Dao rewards diligence.

Moreover, it had to set a good example for Little Hong, its little brother.

....

Xiaobai started the first training session.

Moo~~

Boom!

Pop!!

In the end, it wasn’t the wooden stake that fell but Xiaobai.

This time, Xiaobai’s legs went soft; the exhaustion from Soul-Calming Hoof was too great, causing weakness during Iron Horn Impact.

This was normal.

Combined Skills aren’t easy to execute, just like humans, internal energy bursts have limitations.

Iron Horn Impact and Soul-Calming Hoof are both explosive Skills; to perfectly integrate the two requires quick connection speed.

Lin Chen, who had been watching, and Little Hong hurried over to support the cow.

"Are you okay?" Lin Chen observed the cow lying there, legs injured.

Xiaobai shook its head, indicating it was fine.

Lin Chen was still worried and checked it over, finding only a slight skin break, and treated the wound simply.

"Moo~~"

Xiaobai asked Lin Chen if its low Level and insufficient energy were why it couldn’t achieve it.

Lin Chen nodded.

This was indeed a fundamental reason.

Xiaobai was instantly disappointed, realizing awakening the second Skill wasn’t as empowering as imagined.

Lin Chen seriously analyzed it and came up with a solution:

"It’s not impossible; if energy distribution can be controlled appropriately..."

Xiaobai listened like a good student, and the Little Fox also sat obediently, not daring to play with fire.

Simply put, Xiaobai’s problem was using full power every time it used a Skill.

If Xiaobai’s strength is likened to 100 points, it should use 40 points on Soul-Calming Hoof, leaving 60 points for Iron Horn Impact.

Xiaobai understood and began to try again.

However, another problem arose.

Though doing so could indeed connect the Skills successfully, the effectiveness greatly diminished.

Overall, it was better to perform each Skill separately.

After releasing Soul-Calming Hoof, Iron Horn Impact could no longer produce Residual Shadow, reducing damage significantly.

"Keep thinking."

Lin Chen wasn’t discouraged.

If Combined Skills were easy to succeed, the Beast Taming Treasure Manual would be filled with various Combined Skills.

Combined Skills among Single Spirit Beasts are very rare, though not nonexistent.

Lost in thought, this night was doomed to be sleepless.

.....

The next day, Lin Chen sluggishly woke up, realizing he had slept on the floor.

And Xiaobai had already begun training.

As for Little Hong, it had prepared breakfast and cheered on the side.

"How’s it going?" Lin Chen asked.

Xiaobai shook its head, telling Lin Chen it still wasn’t achieving the best effect, but its control over strength had improved.

Lin Chen was delighted; this was a good thing.

Strength is based on Level, and being able to control it precisely is also an improvement.

Like money, if you can’t increase your income, saving is also a good strategy.

After eating, Lin Chen took them and prepared to go to the Monster Hunter Guild.

This time, Xiaobai wasn’t inside the Beast Taming Space but outside, with Little Fox sitting atop its head, making Lin Chen quite envious.

And at the moment, in the Beast Tamer Guild, a quarrel was taking place.

"What do you mean, questioning my judgment?" Huang Xiaotian was very angry.

"Yes."

The middle-aged man in front nodded.

His name was Lee Zhen, vice president of the Jiuxing City branch of the Monster Hunter Guild.

Simply put, only with his agreement could someone join the Monster Hunter Guild.

"You...."

"Three reasons: First, the opponent’s strength is too low; second, the opponent’s Spirit Beast quality isn’t high; third, the opponent’s Spirit Beast isn’t even an information-type Spirit Beast, and you’re telling me it can join the information group?"

Lee Zhen knocked on the table, mercilessly saying:

"Who would be convinced by passing this quota!"

"Our Monster Hunter Guild doesn’t need useless people; such individuals become a burden on the battlefield for the team!"

"Huang Xiaotian, this is the Monster Hunter Guild, people die here!"