The Evolution Compendium

In the dim light, a silver gleam swiftly flashed. A spider the size of a sheepdog emerged from Luo Yin's shattered head, an Earth Crystal Core held in its mouth.

Its head bore a rhinoceros horn, and its body was small. Its eight spider legs had densely packed muscle fibers, granting it astonishing jumping and explosive power, making it an outstanding predator.

"Senior Chen Heng, your Unicorn Spider is incredibly powerful! Is it evolving along the path of the Shadow Demon Spider?" a boy couldn't help but ask, his eyes filled with envy.

Although Luo Yin was a low-level elite with generally weak attributes, his Defense Power was comparable to that of a high-level elite, as he had focused entirely on resilience. The fact that it could kill in one blow, combined with its Stealth Ability, demonstrated this Unicorn Spider's offensive prowess and highlighted its Master's exceptional training skills.

"It's just that this Luo Yin was too weak. He hadn't even activated his Earth Technique and was only at a third-tier level of proficiency," Chen Heng said, shaking his head. He then smiled at a sweet-looking girl. "Junior Yan Er, I only agreed to this commission for your sake, don't forget that."

The other two boys were suddenly stunned, realizing that Zhao Yan seemed to have hidden something when asking their senior for help.

The atmosphere became slightly tense, creating an awkward silence.

"Yes," Zhao Yan's eyes flickered, her eyebrows twitching slightly, revealing an unnatural expression. "Thank you, Senior. I'll definitely treat you to a meal afterward."

The boy who had spoken earlier seemed to realize something and smiled. "Yeah, Senior helped us so much. We must thank him properly later."

Nearby, a boy wearing glasses seemed shy. He looked as if he wanted to speak but stopped himself, eventually remaining silent.

The three of them were from the same class and had grown up together. After graduating from the Beast Taming Academy, they faced the employment issues that every graduate encounters.

With the advent of the Beast Taming era, new Beast Tamers emerged one after another. Each year's graduating class was an explosion in numbers, creating considerable job pressure. The countless accounts registered on Pet Beast Home each year alone reflected this issue. Even Pet Beasts had joined various sectors of society.

For example, security was handled by Gale Dogs. Construction sites used Powerful Monkeys, which were much cheaper than human workers. A few bananas could sustain them for a day, and their dull nature meant they wouldn't demand wages, allowing unscrupulous bosses to exploit them. Even trash collection was handled by Mire Monsters, which required no food expenses since garbage was their source of sustenance.

Competition was fierce; everyone was caught up in it! They couldn't even get jobs moving bricks!

The three rookie graduates had naively believed they could work together and earn money easily. However, they soon discovered how challenging the world of Beast Taming truly was. As mediocre Beast Tamers, they found it difficult to advance.

For the first time, they were shocked to discover that the money they earned wasn't even enough to sustain their Pet Beasts. When a Pet Beast went hungry, its combat strength would be affected, and its future evolutionary potential could be severely hindered.

Therefore, left with no choice and too ashamed to ask their families for help, they eventually took a risk by forming a Demon Hunting Team, accepting commissions from employers, and completing bounty missions.

However, newbie Demon Hunting Teams like theirs were far too common, with fierce competition, each more cutthroat than the last. To make big money and receive high-reward tasks, besides the tedious process of grinding missions, they needed veterans to lead the rookies on several high-difficulty missions to raise their team's level.

Through an acquaintance's introduction, Chen Heng, once a prominent figure at Star Dragon Academy, considered their shared alma mater and decided to lend a helping hand to his juniors.

The task they took on was collecting Earth Spirit Ore, a food beloved by Earth-type Pet Beasts and a rare material on the market. An abandoned mine, unused for over ten years, became their target.

"My Unicorn Spider will keep watch for you two. Go ahead and clean up," Chen Heng glanced at the two boys, then turned to Zhao Yan with a gentle smile. "Junior, let's check over there. Some overlooked corners might contain Earth Spirit Ore."

The girl's pure and cute appearance stirred his interest, making him feel a little hot under the collar. This year's junior girls are truly lovely and fresh. I even brought some Puffs to let this one have a taste.

His goal had always been Zhao Yan. Otherwise, what benefit was there in helping this fledgling team for no reason?

A wicked smile touched Chen Heng's lips. Watching this junior walk the path to depravity, I wonder how long I can play with this new toy. She'd better not disappoint me.

"Senior, it's safer for everyone to stay together," Zhao Yan hesitated for a moment and said.

"The mine is too large, and Earth Spirit Ore is hard to find. It's more efficient if we split up," Chen Heng said, squinting his eyes. "I'm an experienced Demon Hunter; I wouldn't deceive you. Don't worry."

Under Chen Heng's half-threatening, half-enticing persuasion, coupled with the silent acquiescence of her two companions, Zhao Yan felt quite disappointed. She gritted her teeth and followed Chen Heng, maintaining a safe distance.

After the two left, the boy with glasses glared at the companion who was holding him back, whispering, "That senior has ill intentions towards Yan Er! Are you just going to stand by and do nothing?"

"She's alone with him; it's too dangerous! What if Yan Er gets hurt..."

Ye Qing released him, gave him a look, snorted coldly, and said, "Why did I stop you? I'm trying to save your life! Zhang Wei, has all that studying made you stupid?"

"What?" Zhang Wei was stunned, anxiously saying, "But the senior took Yan Er away! What if he has ulterior motives?"

"Let's not talk about that first," Ye Qing took a deep breath and said solemnly, "He left his Unicorn Spider, claiming it was to protect us, but it could just as easily be to monitor us and ensure we don't disrupt his plans."

"Think about it. If we anger him, with that War General-level Unicorn Spider, he could easily kill us and then disguise our deaths as a Demon attack or a mine collapse."

Ye Qing paused at this, opened his Star Bracelet, and said, "Besides, I just had a friend send over some information on this senior. He's not a good guy."

"There have been several instances where female Beast Tamers who undertook missions with him disappeared shortly thereafter. You should consider that carefully."

Zhang Wei's mind filled with the image of a girl with a faint smile. He immediately panicked. "Then Yan Er is in danger..."

Ye Qing appeared calm and whispered, "Yan Er is like a sister to me. If that senior tries anything, I'll risk my life to make him pay."

At the same time, he glanced at the anxious Zhang Wei, his eyes holding a trace of disdain. If he truly wanted to protect Zhao Yan, why did he let me stop him so easily? How hypocritical.

「The dark mine.」

A handsome young man was entangled by vines. Tender, thick petals slowly unfurled, as if a monstrous plant was parasitizing him. From a distance, deep within the dim mine, it looked like a monster entirely covered in swollen, parasitic tumors, wildly waving its tentacles.

Chu Yi said, "Get down."

Lulina whined, "No, no! I want to stay close to Master..."

After finding a good place for Bika's evolution, Chu Yi had left a ghost to stand guard while he went to uncover the mine's secrets himself.

As a result, without Bika to disturb them, Lulina had immediately wrapped herself around him. Her vines provided a warm, soft, and yielding embrace, accompanied by a moist, sweet fragrance. Overall, it was very... humid.

At that moment, a bold idea suddenly struck Chu Yi, but... humans can't, or at least, they shouldn't...

"AAAH!"

Suddenly, an extremely fearful scream echoed from not far away!