Chapter 324: Fishing Competition? The Ray Saint's Provocation!

Chapter 324: Fishing Competition? The Ray Saint's Provocation!

Shangguan Ye was perplexed.

He couldn't understand why he was here, intending to instruct a genius Beast Tamer in cultivating a Companion Beast that defied conventional wisdom.

The reason was that, at this very moment, what was happening before his eyes was something he had never witnessed in all these years.

It wasn't that the evolution of Mist Water Pine was particularly difficult.

The evolution of Frosty Fog Locking Pine was actually quite simple.

After all, after so many years, Mist Water Pine was the only evolved form discovered.

Using Snow Fog Ice to freeze the roots of the Mist Water Pine, while allowing it to absorb the power of snow and fog, and then supplementing it with Heart of River Cold Liquid, followed by the final grafting of Dragon Willow, completing the enhancement of its body and energy, was considered a great success.

But still, any Companion Beast evolution seemed deceptively simple.

However, when it came to actual execution, there were many variables and unforeseen circumstances.

The slightest mishap could affect the Companion Beast's well-being.

Nevertheless, Shangguan Ye wasn't overly concerned about Su Ping messing up the process.

But what he witnessed before him was truly baffling.

The evolution speed of a Wood Attribute Companion Beast like Mist Water Pine was, in fact, already very fast.

After three days of accumulating power, stimulating and supplementing energy with Heart of River Cold Liquid while sealing the Ice Attribute, and then completing the grafting with Dragon Willow, the entire process took no more than four days.

Not to mention the evolution of Old Sha's Ten Thousand Trees Wolf, which took half a month.

Indeed, this evolution speed was exceptionally fast.

But how could it possibly take just two hours to complete the evolution?

Under normal circumstances, even if it wasn't a Wood Attribute Companion Beast but an Animal Attribute one, it would still require some time to fully digest the resources consumed.

Moreover, what was the meaning behind Su Ping's evolution method? Using Snow Fog Ice to freeze the water of the Sacred Ground, connecting it to the Mist Water Pine, and then reconnecting to the Sacred Ground, while the amount of Heart of River Essence and Dragon Willow used was also different.

Of course, they were different.

What was even more outrageous was that the evolution was actually successful!

That faint, ice-cold evolution light, even now, left Shangguan Ye bewildered.

What was even harder for him to accept was that he had previously considered guiding this young man in cultivating Wood Attribute Companion Beasts.

At this moment, Shangguan Ye finally understood why Old Liu had said those words when he arrived earlier.

This young man was truly capable of bringing people down a peg! However, it took Old Liu half a year to realize this, while Shangguan Ye cruelly understood it in less than a day.

On the other hand, Li Shu, standing nearby, wasn't the least bit surprised. Instead, he eagerly watched the evolution light, his expression filled with anticipation.

To outsiders, Li Shu's behavior might seem like blatant flattery, but for someone who had spent half a year in the Heart of All Spirits, his words were undoubtedly true.

Brother Ping was always unpredictable, yet he consistently achieved results that exceeded expectations.

Now was no exception.

Su Ping observed the evolution light without pondering these thoughts.

At this moment, he was contemplating the capabilities of the Sacred Ground and the experience gained from this evolution, which consumed a significant amount of experience points, and the insights he had acquired from the Heart of All Spirits.

Currently, the Heart of Spring had effects specifically for Beast Tamers, and just from this single evolution of the Mist Water Pine, two capabilities had manifested.

The first, of course, was the accelerated absorption of resources by Wood Attribute Companion Beasts.

This was the most apparent effect.

The Mist Water Pine's ability to evolve in just two hours, defying the norms of Companion Beast evolution, was precisely due to this reason.

The second effect, however, was that Wood Attribute Companion Beasts no longer required excessive resources to supplement their energy reserves during evolution.

The final step of evolution typically involved stockpiling massive amounts of energy for a single, decisive transformation.

But within the Heart of Spring, it seemed that energy remained abundant at all times.

However, this method of utilization would undoubtedly deplete the Heart of Spring's reserves, as evidenced by the dimming glow of the Wood Spirit Grass.

Furthermore, from the experience gained, the connection to the Sacred Ground's energy veins and the feedback from the resource infusion provided Su Ping with insights and experience in cultivating Wood Attribute Companion Beasts for the first time.

For the evolution of plant-type companion beasts, there has been a deeper understanding.

The connection toSacred Ground for evolution is, in fact, another method of irrigating the resources for the companion beast.

However, for plant-type companion beasts, this method of resource irrigation is more efficient, and the absorption effect is better.

As long as the attributes do not severely conflict, many resources can almost completely replace those used in the evolution of plant-type companion beasts.

This made Su Ping marvel once again at the mysterious and profound nature of the evolutionary process of these blue planet companion beasts.

As he pondered, the shimmering light of evolution gradually dimmed, and the speed of the evolution itself, which was not slow, reached its peak with the Fog Water Pine, completing the transformation at the fastest speed possible.

Finally, the evolutionary light faded away, and the evolved Fog Water Pine appeared before the three of them.

The previous dark brown trunk had changed to a light blue-white color.

The entire body emitted a faint cold aura.

In the middle of summer, wisps of white mist involuntarily emerged from its body.

Approaching slightly, one could feel the extreme coolness.

Not to mention, after the evolution, the Frosty Fog Locking Pine was like a giant air conditioner in the summer, with a truly excellent cooling effect.

Its branches and leaves had also turned light blue-white.

Translucent and crystal-clear, it was as if they were adorned with snow and frost, creating a scene of beauty like a misty rime.

The size of its body and the thickness of its branches and leaves had significantly increased.

Just this one evolution had doubled the size of the Fog Water Pine.

Su Ping smiled slightly and stroked the trunk of the Fog Water Pine.

The branches and leaves of the latter gently swayed, as if coquettishly flirting at Su Ping.

It was like a shy and timid young lady.

Su Ping paid no attention, his True Eye instantly focused, looking at this evolved Fog Water Pine, now the Frosty Fog Locking Pine.

【Frosty Fog Locking Pine】

【Attributes: Water, Ice】

【Current Rank: Sovereign Second Stage】

【Racial Potential: Sovereign Tenth Stage】

【Skills: Frosty Fog Cold Breath (Beginner), Mistwater Domain (Beginner), Water Quality Purification (Proficient), Ice Storm (Proficient), Air Lock (Skilled), Fog Demon Condensation (Beginner)】

Only six skills, and if not for the fact that Su Ping had used the Ten Thousand Spirit Codex to grant it two additional skills, this Frosty Fog Locking Pine would only have five skills?

No wonder the Fog Water Pine hasn't had a diligent and fond plant-type beast tamer to develop it for so many years. Looking at its potential, it is indeed relatively average.

But that’s fine. Even with average potential, a Sovereign Rank companion beast's evolutionary body is still a Sovereign Rank evolutionary body.

Moreover, the few skills of the Frosty Fog Locking Pine are quite decent.

Apart from the Water Quality Purification skill based on the Fog Water Pine's body, the other skills, except for the Ice Storm which is a bit lacking, the rest seem to have quite good effects.

Especially the last skill, which Su Ping glanced at a few more times, was not the Frosty Fog Cold Breath or the Mistwater Domain,

But the last skill.

Fog Demon Condensation.

A summoning-type skill?

This is a type of companion beast skill that Su Ping rarely sees.

Now that it has emerged from his hands, he really needs to take a good look.

【Fog Demon Condensation (Beginner): A special elemental creature formed from mist energy, capable of moving and fighting within the mist. In the mist, it cannot be detected, possessing mysterious and unpredictable combat abilities. Skills of the Fog Demon: Mist Shadow, Mist Scythe.】

Fog Demon? Is there such an elemental companion beast?

Su Ping’s heart stirred with some curiosity. This thing is somewhat similar to the theme of the Soul Heart.

However, it's not the time to try it now. He could only communicate mentally and chat with the Fog Water Pine for a bit before letting it enter the Beast Taming Realm.

"I now understand why Old Liu said what he did, Su Ping. Next time, for such joint taming matters, find someone else. I don’t want my Dao Heart to shatter!"

At this moment, looking at the two skills the Frosty Fog Locking Pine possessed, Shangguan Ye waved his hand.

Su Ping chuckled: "Senior Shangguan, you're exaggerating. It was just good luck for me, but this time the taming was greatly beneficial thanks to your guidance! How about this, let's go fishing at the Water Core today?"

"Hehe, that would be great. I’ve heard from Old Liu that your Water Core is one of the must-visit places in Linzhou now!" Shangguan Ye laughed, while Li Shu blinked his eyes: "Brother Ping, you're not continuing with the plant-type taming?"

Su Ping glanced at him: "Didn’t I finish the taming already? Didn’t you see it?"

Li Shu: "???"

All I saw was you showing off, how could I understand anything?

Besides, just watching the taming and evolution, what’s the point?

But after so many years of interacting with Su Ping, Li Shu understood his meaning and scratched his head: "Alright, I have something to do with Guai today..."

This time, Su Ping glanced at him: "What’s going on between you two? I warn you, don’t cause any trouble."

L

Intermediate?

This time, Shangguan Ye glanced at him. In such a short time, he's already qualified to take the Intermediate Certificate exam?

Despite being a specialist in only one type of Beastmaster, it's still impressive for someone his age.

This is the advantage of having a good teacher.

Su Ping believed in their abilities and nodded.

"Alright, you two can go. But remember, if you embarrass the Heart of Ten Thousand Spirits, don't bother coming back."

Li Shu patted his chest confidently.

"How's the Forest Wolf of Zhao Qingqing doing?"

"It has good talent. Guan Lili is taking care of it. These days, Guan Lili and Zhao Qingqing have been together. Brother Ping, I heard..."

Su Ping nodded.

"Zhao Qingqing's father helped me with something. If Zhao Qingqing is willing, it's fine. But mainly, she'll be in charge of the future Cloud Pattern Tree Python and Snake Python-type Companion Beasts' nurturing. You don't need to worry about it."

"Alright! Then I'll go find Guan Lili in the city center first."

"Hmm!"

After Li Shu left, Shangguan Ye continued with a smile,

"Cloud Pattern Tree Python, Snake Python-type Companion Beasts... Su Ping, you sure have a lot of interests!"

"Apologies for making you laugh, Elder Shangguan. I had some small success in this area, so I'm trying to get a foothold."

Speaking of Snake Python-type Companion Beasts, Su Ping remembered the Red Devil he had prepared for his father.

This psychic-type mutated devil snake, after hatching, had been staying with him. It was still too young for any nurturing.

As a Holy Spirit Rank potential cub, there was no upper limit to its nurturing, at most, it would learn some skills.

However, after hatching, this little guy slept most of the time, up to twenty hours a day, so there was no rush to release it for free-range.

On the other hand, Su Ping needed to dedicate some time to Zhao Qingqing's side.

Without saying more, he needed to establish a relationship with the Forest Wolf and increase its intimacy. Once the intimacy reached the standard, he could use the Wood Heart with the other Forest Wolves to improve the skill levels of the Wood Heart and other skills to proficiency or even perfection.

After all, this was Su Ping's first Heart of Ten Thousand Spirits version of the Ten Thousand Trees Wolf's nurturing, so he couldn't be careless.

"By the way, Su Ping, how did you think of combining those resources with the Sacred Ground..."

"Hehe, it's not difficult..."

Of course, it's not difficult to deduce the cause and effect and rephrase it. At the very least, it's enough to make Elder Shangguan pause and exclaim, realizing that Su Ping had been underutilized as a Forest Wolf Beastmaster and should have joined the ranks of plant-type Companion Beast trainers earlier.

The two chatted as they boarded the sightseeing car and arrived at the Water Heart, which had just reopened the day before.

These days, the water disaster gradually subsided, although there were still remnants in the West Dragon Lake area. However, there were also intermittent Beastmasters returning.

The business at the Water Heart was not only unaffected but also thriving due to the reduced price of the Water Heart and the aversion towards aquatic Companion Beasts.

Su Ping even spotted a child, no older than ten, holding a fishing rod and staring at the calm water surface, muttering to himself:

"What's so fun about fishing? How can these people think this is more interesting than virtual games? This doesn't make sense!"

Su Ping glanced at the kid. What did he know?

And whose child was this? They should keep a better eye on him; if he really hooked something, he might get pulled into the river.

If something happened, it would cause a mess.

Indeed, the risk was significant. As mentioned earlier, fishing was an extremely dangerous activity, akin to an extreme sport, when it came to catching ferocious beasts.

Beastmasters of lower ranks were strictly prohibited from such activities.

With this thought, Su Ping called out to the nearby security personnel,

"Xiao Fang, who allowed such a young tourist to enter the Water Heart? Who's responsible if something happens?"

Xiao Fang was an Elite Peak-ranked Beastmaster, quite skilled, and most importantly, an expert in firearm-type mechanical weapons.

He was a sharpshooter.

If needed, he could immediately take down any aquatic ferocious beasts that came ashore.

Hearing Su Ping's question, Xiao Fang scratched his head.

"He's the child of Lu Heng. Lu Heng has been taking good care of him these days."

"Lu Heng?"

Su Ping's eyebrows furrowed.

"Regardless, it's not safe for him to be here. Lu Heng is a retired Legion Beastmaster, how can he not understand this? And what's a kid doing fishing here?"

Su Ping looked at the child's empty fish bucket, speechless.

However, they were several dozen meters away from the child, and although they didn't whisper, their voices weren't loud either. In this area filled with the sound of water, a normal child wouldn't be able to hear their conversation.

Unfortunately, this child was no ordinary kid.

Hearing Su Ping's obvious disdain, the child with rosy lips and white teeth abruptly turned around, his big eyes fixed on Su Ping.

Su Ping was indeed startled by this, and then he straightened his face. When dealing with a troublemaker, one must never show any kindness.

Su Ping was quite adept at handling such situations.

However, this seemed to provoke even more defiance from the child, who ran over to Su Ping's side as if meeting him for the first time:

"Who are you? Why do you look down on me?"

Looking at the little one, Su Ping recalled seeing him yesterday at the independent suite.

It was just a glance, nothing more.

Su Ping clearly had no interest in exchanging introductions with a child:

"Alright, since you know Lu Heng, go find him quickly. There's a children's amusement park at the Heart of Cloud, so stop causing trouble here. It's dangerous!"

"Hey! Don't look down on me! Are you good at fishing? Dare you to compete with me?"

Seeing that Su Ping was ignoring him, the child became even angrier.

Su Ping was speechless.

This was indeed a troublemaker, and what was the point of competing with a child like this? If Shangguan Ye saw this, there might be a new rumor spreading in the Jianghai Linzhou breeding world that this genius breeder was a quirky individual who punched old folks at the Nan Mountain Nursing Home and kicked toddlers at the Bei Hai Kindergarten.

In this beast taming society, there might be a one-in-a-billion chance of finding a hidden master at the Nan Mountain Nursing Home, but at the Bei Hai Kindergarten, it was a sure bet.

A win would be embarrassing, and a loss would be even more so. He wouldn't consider it unless he had lost his mind.

Su Ping glanced at Little Fang, who seemed clueless about what to do, simply watching the scene like a bystander. The child continued to provoke and challenge Su Ping, making him seethe inwardly.

'When I get back, I'll tell Old Guan to deduct this kid's bonus for the month for having no sense at all!'

"Alright, I concede, now leave. I'll go find Lu Heng after I'm done with my guest."

However, the child clearly wasn't going to back down and shouted:

"Concede? You have to apologize to me! Otherwise, let's have a fishing competition!"

Su Ping sighed deeply and said, exasperated:

"Fine, fine, I apologize. I shouldn't have looked down on you. You're the best, okay? Can you leave now?"

As he spoke, he decided to also deduct Lu Heng's bonus for the month. But as Su Ping fumed inwardly, he didn't notice the child adding fuel to the fire.

"What kind of apology is this? You should apologize to me, a little kid! Hurry up and let's have our 300 rounds of battle, and after I win, I'll propose the bet of the Dream Heart Helmet!"

"Are you trying to fool a child? I'm telling you, if I win, you have to agree to one condition. Rest assured, it's a simple matter for you, and I won't let you off the hook easily!"

"Fine, fine, if you lose, get out of the Heart of Water and go to the children's amusement park. If you keep causing trouble, I'll have someone escort you out!"

Su Ping didn't pay much attention to the conditions or the simplicity of the task, as he was solely focused on getting rid of this troublemaker. He couldn't force the child to leave, but he didn't want to deal with a potential tantrum later.

Lu Heng was a valuable talent in Su Ping's eyes, managing the training and security of the Forest Wolf team.

Su Ping wanted to quickly win against this child and have him leave.

Many onlookers were enjoying the spectacle, including the director of Flame King Corporation, Xu Li, who had accompanied them to the West Suburbs before. He laughed heartily, "Su Ping, this is the most shocking competition I've witnessed this year! I'm rooting for you!"

Su Ping's face darkened. The last time at the West Suburbs, the Flame King Corporation hadn't gained much, but now they had found an opportunity.

Su Ping ignored the old man, who was clearly trying to make the child feel respected. It was obvious to everyone that he wanted the child to concede.

Amidst Shangguan Ye's amused gaze, the two adults and one child, under the watchful eyes of the crowd, made their way to the fishing platform by the water's edge.

An abstract fishing competition was about to begin, leaving everyone present with a sense of confusion as to how to interpret the situation.

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end