CHAPTER 66: CHAPTER 66: SAVE ME

Training Ground

The Shadow Tiger confronted Xiaobai once again, and this time Lin Chen aimed to test the evolution effects of the Soul-Calming Hoof.

When Xiaobai unleashed a Soul-Calming Hoof, the Shadow Tiger immediately felt dizzy, a sound of explosion echoed, and the tiger’s fur turned black.

Lin Chen watched expectantly, knowing that the damage from the Soul-Calming Hoof was not high, so he needed to observe the effects on Spiritual Power.

"How was it?"

Lin Chen eagerly looked at the Shadow Tiger.

The Shadow Tiger, hit by the Soul-Calming Hoof, had its eyelids half-closed, not out of sleepiness but sheer exhaustion.

After about six seconds, it finally returned to normal and warily eyed Xiaobai.

"Brother Lin, has your bull evolved again?" Cai Yuanji asked incredulously.

This effect in battle seemed almost too overpowering.

This kind of mental fatigue was akin to a weakened version of debilitation.

Do not underestimate these mere six seconds; they can change the entire course of battle.

Ning Zimo was also speechless, initially thinking that with the third skill awakening of the Snow Lion, it might be able to catch up with Xiaobai.

Who could have imagined, Xiaobai was venturing further down the path of abnormality, now not even keeping up with its taillights?

So in the evening, the two humans and two beasts indulged themselves; Lin Chen generously told them to order whatever they liked.

When they finished eating, the table was piled with bones.

"Burp~~ Brother Lin, you really went all out," Cai Yuanji ate heartily.

"Between friends, no need to mention it," Lin Chen shook his head.

Ning Zimo nodded as well, considering money not to be money in his eyes.

Cai Yuanji felt he had been shallow that afternoon, realizing Lin Chen genuinely considered him a friend, while he had been penny-pinching.

The server came over, and Lin Chen instructed him to settle the bill.

"Hello, the total expense is one thousand six hundred, but I’ll round it down for you; one thousand," the server happily said.

Usually, people cannot eat up to one thousand; a few hundred is quite a lot.

Only when Spirit Beasts eat along does it get so expensive.

These three... were big customers.

Lin Chen glanced behind him and asked, "Where’s your shop owner?"

"The owner isn’t here today..."

Great...

Lin Chen felt troubled and then heard the server ask, "Young Master, do you wish to file a complaint?"

Though he said that, the server watched Lin Chen warily, fearing he might dash without paying.

Seeing this, Ning Zimo added, "Brother Lin, if you’re short on money, let me cover this meal."

Lin Chen quickly responded, "No need, I’ll take care of it."

He pulled out a black card right after saying that. Upon seeing the card, the server’s eyes lit up and quickly said, "Young Master, take your time."

Jiang Dadong had instructed that if someone shows a black card, no need to ask more questions, just let them go.

Those who could get a black card from the best barbecue joint were not to be offended by a mere server.

Ning Zimo and Cai Yuanji were both surprised, wondering if Lin Chen might be some wealthy scion.

Once outside, Cai Yuanji commented, "Brother Lin, you sure hide it well."

Lin Chen thought for a moment and then explained to Cai Yuanji that he wasn’t some rich young master but had met Jiang Dadong by chance and helped him out, thus receiving a black card.

Cai Yuanji didn’t pry further, and Lin Chen added, "When Brother Ning treated us last time, I wanted to take it out, but since I only have a nodding acquaintance with the owner, I didn’t dare impose."

"I see," Cai Yuanji seemed to understand, and Ning Zimo wasn’t bothered.

As they walked with their three friends, Ning Zimo suddenly announced, "I’m leaving tomorrow."

"Where to?" Cai Yuanji blurted, pursuing an answer.

"To Lion Heart City," Ning Zimo admitted frankly.

Lion Heart City is famous for lion Spirit Beasts. His family had already arranged for him to go there first, using the city’s resources to help the Snow Lion undergo its first evolution.

Then, he would strive for a spot at the Spirit Academy.

The Spirit Academy is the highest standard institution in Cangling Ancient Country, also known as the National Academy, selecting excellent students from inner courtyards of major cities for examination.

It only recruits genius students, with extremely high requirements.

After speaking, Ning Zimo glanced at Lin Chen.

Previously, he had been eager to follow in his brother Ning Tian’s footsteps, believing he was no lesser.

But after meeting Lin Chen, Ning Zimo realized that there were always people beyond people, skies beyond skies.

He would never be a match for Ning Tian and Lin Chen.

Yet, he would always follow Ning Tian’s path until he caught up.

Upon hearing this, Lin Chen and his friends were sad but also happy for him.

"Brother Ning, may fate bring us together again."

Cai Yuanji actually realized it was difficult, given the Ning Family’s foundations, compared to his ordinary status.

If Ning Zimo truly entered the Spirit Academy, meeting again in this life would be challenging.

After all, the Cangling Ancient Country is vast.

Finally, the three of them sat on the ground, bought some drinks, and chatted about the future until late at night before parting ways.

In the dim night, Ning Zimo watched Lin Chen’s fading steps.

He knew that two mountains lay ahead of him.

One was Ning Tian, and the other was Lin Chen.

However, he was no longer fixated on climbing them, but...

He, too, intended to become a mountain!

Even a taller and larger one than them.

...

Just having left, Xiaobai let out a moo, asking if they would not see the Snow Lion again.

Lin Chen earnestly told him that in life, many are just passing by, and knowing them is a kind of fate, without worrying too much about whether they would meet again.

Xiaobai shook his head, then mooed again.

Lin Chen was taken aback because Xiaobai said that Lin Chen was different to him; they must always be together.

Lin Chen laughed heartily and said, "We’re not the same; we are family."

"Guu!"

The Little Fox nodded as well.

The man and two beasts quickly recovered, realizing Ning Zimo and the Snow Lion were just chasing their dreams, not gone forever.

Gazing at the moonlight, Lin Chen walked and thought, reminded today by Ning Zimo’s words.

Now Xiaobai was Level 11, and given his leveling speed, preparing for Xiaobai’s evolution was indeed necessary.

"I wonder if the Catalyst Master known by Lee Zhen is reliable."

Lin Chen was still very much looking forward to Xiaobai’s first evolution.

Half an hour later, Lin Chen saw his home, and both Spirit Beasts were extremely happy, rushing forward eagerly to get in first.

"I wonder if Master Qin has eaten or not?" Lin Chen hadn’t forgotten Qin Shaoshao, asking Xiao Hong to leave food for her before departing.

But Lin Chen thought Qin Shaoshao probably wouldn’t eat.

Engrossed in thought, Lin Chen saw Xiaobai and Xiao Hong stop in their tracks, turning to look back at him.

Lin Chen was perplexed and then noticed a person outside the yard gate.

It was Huang Xiaotian.

Lin Chen delightedly was about to ask when he returned.

As he walked closer and the moonlight illuminated, he saw Huang Xiaotian’s condition...

His clothes were tattered, his body covered in dried bloodstains, a dark red crack stretched across his forehead, with the edges tinged in bluish-grey, several stitching lines protruding menacingly like centipede legs, and nearly half his hair had turned white.

Lin Chen’s smile froze while he locked eyes with Huang Xiaotian.

Their encounter revealed lifeless, dim pupils filled with countless blood vessels, starkly different from the former youthful, vibrant ones.

This Huang Xiaotian was completely different.

The old Huang Xiaotian was optimistic and cheerful, proactive, yet the current one hovered at the abyss’s brink...

Perhaps, he had already fallen in.

Before Lin Chen could speak, Huang Xiaotian croaked with a hoarse voice:

"Lin Chen, help me!"

"I beg you!"

Falling into Lin Chen’s ears, it seemed like he was saying: Lin Chen, save me!