CHAPTER 48: CHAPTER 48: SPIRIT BEAST EVOLUTION INSTITUTE

"It’s true," Lin Chen said, "I’m more of an information type, fighting isn’t really my strong suit."

In the distance, Xiaobai heard this and looked at its own hooves with a lack of confidence...

The Beastmaster said so, it seems I’m not strong enough yet, I need to keep working hard.

"..."

Qin Hao rolled his eyes, ignoring both the person and the ox.

"How much were you offered?"

"Eighty."

Lin Chen was taken aback upon hearing this, paused with the teacup in hand, and said:

"Should I sell too?"

"Chairman Lee would probably flip out, he’s counting on you to lead the team..."

"Bai Jiajia doesn’t seem short on cash either, did she agree?"

"Yes." Qin Hao said, "Bai Jiajia was the first to agree, I was still holding back a little."

"Why?"

"She said it’s nice to follow you, but it’s easy to pick up bad habits."

"..."

"Actually, she doesn’t want to drag you down."

"I think the first part of what she said is the truth," Lin Chen smiled wryly.

Qin Hao was stunned for a moment, then burst into laughter.

After a bit of conversation, the two headed to the Monster Hunter Guild.

These days, no one questions Lin Chen’s strength anymore, a double newcomer king, treating the first and second place as laborers, such a record is unprecedented.

But they focus more on Xiaobai.

It’s their first time seeing such an outrageous Plowhorn Beast...

Overpowers Snow Lion and Fire Monkey together

Awakens the advanced Ox Race skill, Soul-Calming Hoof

The skill mastery level is higher than usual

Combined Skill

Level-crossing kills a Mutated Demon Beast King

...

The buffs on it are maxed out.

It’s not an overstatement to say it’s the king among oxen.

As they entered the guild, everyone looked at Lin Chen like he was a monster, and beside him, Qin Hao was the subject of envy.

Even the Panlin Python climbing to the newcomer king’s position was history.

Winning just by lying down!

Although it did exert some effort facing the last demon beast, still...

If I went, I’d succeed too!

Who doesn’t know how to win by lying down?

...

Lin Chen and Qin Hao arrived at Lee Zhen’s office; upon seeing Lin Chen, even though he still looked stern, he liked him more and more.

Now, in Lee Zhen’s eyes, Lin Chen is quite a talent.

As a seasoned Monster Hunter, Lin Chen has the qualities to become a top-tier Monster Hunter.

With powerful analytical abilities, cool composure, and terrifying combat abilities.

Lin Chen’s future undoubtedly holds the potential for him to become a team leader.

Who would have thought, Lin Chen’s first words upon entering would be a bucket of cold water:

"I can go, but I won’t guarantee first place."

"...."

Lee Zhen looked at Lin Chen with disapproval, asking, "Why?"

"I’m going because this particular relic shouldn’t be very dangerous, but with many masters in the inner courtyard, there’s no need for me to take excessive risks," Lin Chen said.

Lee Zhen was fuming after hearing that, "This is a relic, full of wealth and treasures..."

"But also danger," Lin Chen interrupted his spellcasting.

He was serious; striving to improve is a must, and moderate training is beneficial for both him and his spirit beast.

However, he currently saw no need to take undue risks.

He planned to train and purify his bloodline here first before venturing out again.

"Suit yourself," Lee Zhen said calmly, unexpectedly. Instead of looking at Lin Chen, he looked at Xiaobai, examined it closely, and then, like a kindly yet lecherous uncle, squinted and smiled, saying, "It’s called Xiaobai, right?"

Then he looked up and asked Lin Chen, "Can I take a look?"

Lin Chen nodded at Xiaobai.

Lee Zhen leaned in, carefully examining it, finally saying:

"Its breed might have mutated since normal Plowhorn Beasts don’t have this skin color."

"Soul-Calming Hoof is its second skill?"

"Yes," Lin Chen replied.

"What an incredible ox! If it can successfully evolve to the next mutation quality, that would be amazing," Lee Zhen said excitedly, then changed the subject, "Have you heard of Thousand Leaf Grass?"

Lin Chen nodded.

Thousand Leaf Grass is one of the highly advanced materials for evolving ox-type spirit beasts, with a market price over a million, but due to its rarity, you can’t find it on the market.

It’s not because the output is low, but because many large forces control these precious materials.

After all, they are not short of money.

Institutions like the Nine Star Institute use these methods as a source to attract students continuously.

"I heard there might be some in that relic," Lee Zhen said, feigning casualness.

Lin Chen immediately saw through it and said, "Chairman Lee is quite the tactician."

"Believe it or not."

"I don’t believe it’s just that coincidental."

"You..." Lee Zhen was frustrated but couldn’t refute because he indeed didn’t know if there were any inside.

This time, the relic was provided by the Nine Star Institute, with the main participants being inner courtyard students. The Beast Tamer Guild got a sponsored team slot, and the Monster Hunter Guild also got one.

"How about this, if you are the first to pass, I’ll give you a piece of Thousand Leaf Grass," Lee Zhen said. "I also know a Catalyst Master..."

In recent competitions, the inner courtyard always took first place, and Lee Zhen wanted to snatch a victory, so he’s willing to spend big.

Moreover, Lin Chen is genuinely worth nurturing.

Lin Chen’s eyes finally lit up.

Catalyst Master, that’s a rare profession with strict requirements:

First, the spirit beast must include both wood and water spirit beasts, and both are pure support.

Second, the Beastmaster’s talent is to catalyze spirit beasts’ evolution.

According to the Beast Taming Treasure Manual, an excellent Catalyst Master can increase the evolution rate by about 5%, or even higher.

Catalyst Masters are essentially a must-have for every major force, treated like ancestors.

At the same time, Catalyst Masters themselves had their own organization, called:

Beast Mirror Institute.

The homophonic name means:

Spirit Beast Evolution Research Institute.

Lin Chen was tempted. From a statistics perspective, every 1% increase is a significant boost.

He previously played a game called "Selia and the Warriors" on Earth, where the concept of statistics was fully explored. Players wouldn’t hesitate to spend a fortune to increase a reinforcement chance by 1%.

Thus, Thousand Leaf Grass and a Catalyst Master hit Lin Chen’s weak spot directly.

All Beastmasters wish for their spirit beasts to complete evolution.

"Deal," Lin Chen nodded.

Lee Zhen’s eyes glinted with cunning. He didn’t think Lin Chen was greedy, because if he was, he would have agreed right from the start.

Lin Chen is smart and likes to weigh the pros and cons.

However, deep down, Lee Zhen doesn’t wish to become such a person.

Because he feels that one only needs to keep moving forward in life, no need to worry too much.

Even though he knows such people will go farther and higher in the future.

"Tell me about the relic information," Lin Chen’s expression turned serious.

He always believed in one truth:

The greater the profit, the greater the danger.

But to make Xiaobai stronger, he was willing to take risks.

Thousand Leaf Grass is much better than Deer and Sheep Flower, plus a Catalyst Master can to some extent increase Xiaobai’s evolution success rate.

The 20-level evolution is considered a crucial life-and-death barrier for many basic spirit beasts...

If one can cross it, there’s potential for a leap and complete transformation.

But if the evolution fails, it results in no progress or even regression, leading to abandonment.

Though Lin Chen has no intention of abandoning, he must ensure Xiaobai’s evolution success rate is as high as possible.

Although there’s still time, it’s necessary to start preparing for evolution now.