Beast Taming: Slaughter Atlas

Heavenly and Earthly Treasures can be divided into four ranks: Heaven, Earth, Mysterious, and Yellow. Each rank is further divided into three grades: Upper, Middle, and Lower.

"Sister Zhou, are you suggesting that I go into the Secret Realm to find Thunder Fruit?" Chu Chen asked in a serious tone.

Zhou Ying nodded in response and said, "Yes, the Thunder Fruit is located in a First-Level Secret Realm co-managed by the Five Great Daoist Schools. The next opening is in half a month, and my father spent a considerable price to secure a spot."

Chu Chen asked seriously, "Sister Zhou, my Realm is only at Eighth Rank Soul Pupil Level. Why not choose someone at the Peak Soul Pupil Level?"

Zhou Ying smiled and said, "Through more than a month of interaction, I've come to understand your character. You wouldn't break a promise for treasure, and having secured the first place in the practical assessment, I trust your strength is considerable."

Chu Chen nodded quietly but did not immediately agree.

Chu Chen was not one to be ungrateful, but the unknowns and dangers within the Secret Realm were too great; caution was warranted.

The uncertainty of the Secret Realm lies in its formation. Though it's a space cut from another place, it's not cut from the Blue Star but from other unknown lands, and what kind of Star Beasts exist within is unknown.

The danger of the Secret Realm lies in the unknown strength of Star Beasts. A Secret Realm takes years, even decades, to form.

The level of a Secret Realm is determined by the strength of the most powerful Star Beast in the slice of space when it was first formed.

This means that during the formation of the Secret Realm, Star Beasts can continue to cultivate. Despite suppressive rules, these Beasts can breakthrough to War General Level over time and continue to enhance their level through cultivation. Over time, their Skill Levels are generally higher than those of external Star Beasts, making them naturally stronger.

Some Servant Level Seventh or Eighth Rank Star Beasts can rival the War General Level Star Beasts outside.

Zhou Ying noticed Chu Chen's concern and immediately reassured him with a smile: "Don't worry, we won't let you go for nothing. This Secret Realm has only opened once, and many Star Treasures and some Heavenly and Earthly Treasures have yet to be collected. Anything you obtain in the Secret Realm is yours, and we'll provide information about the Secret Realm, so what do you think?"

Chu Chen didn't immediately respond. With Lei Yao's current strength, he had some degree of self-preservation within the Secret Realm. However, the Thunder Fruit, as a Yellow Rank Middle-Grade Heavenly Material and Earthly Treasure, was surely guarded by a powerful Star Beast.

Even if Lei Yao used all his trump cards to obtain the Thunder Fruit, it would leave him weakened. Encountering other Star Beasts could lead to Chu Chen not making it out alive.

Thinking of this, Chu Chen shook his head and said, "Sorry, Sister Zhou, but this is too dangerous for me to accept."

Zhou Ying showed no change in expression upon hearing this, seemingly having anticipated his response.

"Don't be quick to refuse. I know you're interested in the Thunder Ape Secret Technique. If you can retrieve the Thunder Fruit, I'll offer you the Thunder Ape Secret Technique with my own hands," Zhou Ying said in a serious tone.

Chu Chen raised an eyebrow at this. The Thunder Ape Secret Technique was something he long aspired for, even hard for the Five Great Daoist Schools to offer.

Chu Chen took a deep breath and shook his head, "If I don't make it out of the Secret Realm alive, the Thunder Ape Secret Technique is useless to me."

Zhou Ying promptly became anxious after hearing this.

"What will it take for you to agree?"

Chu Chen replied seriously, "How about we make a bet?"

"What do you mean?" Zhou Ying asked with furrowed brows.

"Hand over the Thunder Ape Secret Technique to me now. That way, I have a better chance of making it out alive. Don't worry, I'll definitely do my utmost to find the Thunder Fruit." Chu Chen said seriously.

Zhou Ying didn't answer immediately. Her fingers tapped continuously on the desk, clearly weighing the pros and cons.

After a moment, it seemed Zhou Ying made up her mind. She slapped the table and said seriously, "Alright, I'll take this bet with you. Hope you won't let me down."

Chu Chen was overjoyed upon hearing this. He quickly stood and smiled, "Don't worry, don't you know my character yet?"

Zhou Ying laughed and said, "I didn't expect you to be so hard to deal with. By the way, don't come to the Daoist School during this time. Focus on your cultivation; I'll notify you when the Secret Realm opens."

"That's good. By the way, Sister Zhou, could you acquire a potion that quickly restores energy?" Chu Chen inquired with a smile.

Zhou Ying shook her head and said, "Never heard of such a potion, but there's a Star Treasure in the Secret Realm with such an effect."

Chu Chen quickly asked, "What Star Treasure, and where exactly is it located?"

Zhou Ying paused to think and said, "The Four-Armed Strength Ape's Monkey Wine, a Ninth-Grade Star Treasure. I don't recall the exact location, but it should be in that information packet. Look it over carefully. Oh, the Thunder Fruit is at the center of the Secret Realm, don't forget this."

Chu Chen smiled and said, "Don't worry, I've noted it all down."

With that, Chu Chen rubbed his hands together and said, "So, when can I get the Thunder Ape Secret Technique?"

Zhou Ying smiled wryly and said, "Understood, I'll get it for you now."

A moment later, a wooden box appeared in Chu Chen's hand.

He carefully opened the wooden box, revealing a Skill Inheritance Pearl.

Chu Chen rubbed his hand as he cautiously took out the Skill Inheritance Pearl.

Just as he was about to take the next step, a woman wearing a work suit hurried in.

Before Chu Chen could ask, the woman spoke first, "Are you Chu Chen?"

Chu Chen was taken aback by her unfriendly tone. She probably wasn't looking for trouble, though her voice seemed familiar, but he couldn't quite place it.

"Yes, I am. May I know why you're looking for me?" Chu Chen asked, puzzled.

The woman took a deep breath as if suppressing anger.

After two breaths, she adjusted her demeanor and flashed a professional smile, "Hello, I'm Li Wen, the sales manager at Cyan Dragon Daoist School."

Upon hearing Cyan Dragon Daoist School, Chu Chen immediately recalled the recent scam call.

He awkwardly scratched his head and said, "Sorry, I thought the call was a scam."

Hearing this, the woman's expression softened significantly, though her gaze at Chu Chen took on a peculiar undertone.

Chu Chen understood her meaning and could only respond with an awkward smile.

The woman saw this and chose not to say much. She took out a contract and said, "Given your excellent performance in the academy's practical assessment, our Daoist School is interested in nurturing you. Take a look at this contract first. If you have any questions, feel free to ask me." With that, she handed the contract to Chu Chen.

Chu Chen instinctively accepted the contract. He was aware that the Five Great Daoist Schools always had plans to cultivate talents, but he never thought he would catch their attention.