The Evolution Compendium

CLANG! CLANG!

Two worried boys swung their tools, striking the cave walls as they dug for Earth Spirit Ore.

Mining was a tough job, but fortunately, there were special instruments to help precisely locate the Earth Spirit Ore.

"Ye Qing, do you think Yan Er will be in trouble?" Zhang Wei looked worried, itching to throw down his pickaxe and rescue Zhao Yan, to play the hero saving the damsel.

But lacking courage and strength, he could only complain to Ye Qing.

Ye Qing frowned. For some reason, he felt that Zhang Wei was being overly anxious and somewhat cowardly at that moment. Normally, he would have already punched Chen Heng in the face. But on second thought, considering he himself kept hitting walls in society, his personality had become more diplomatic and cautious, which was understandable.

Perhaps this is the price of growing up.

HISS...

Just as he was about to say something, a rustling sound emerged from the darkness deep in the mine—it was the Unicornium Spider preying on its victim.

The sound startled Ye Qing. Discarding his chaotic thoughts, he whispered, "Zhang Wei, if we ambush it, maybe we can take down the Unicornium Spider first."

"But, think it through. The one we have to face next is a Silver-level Beast Tamer! And he's our senior!"

Upon hearing this, Zhang Wei's expression changed, and he hesitated.

Just as Ye Qing proposed the plan, the rustling noise grew more frequent, accompanied by a piercing screech.

Immediately, he whipped his head around, using the lighting equipment to peer into the depths.

The light was dim, casting chaotic and distorted shadows. The darkness seemed to writhe slowly, and a grating chewing sound that set their teeth on edge now echoed, unconcealed.

This was the Unicornium Spider's warning to them!

In the face of absolute strength, any trickery would gain nothing.

Ye Qing immediately dismissed the idea of a counterattack. He returned to mining obediently, waiting for an opportunity.

However, the chewing noise grew louder. From the thick darkness burst a splash of scarlet blood, a blatant threat directed at the two of them.

Zhang Wei was so scared his arm went limp, and he collapsed onto the ground.

Ye Qing frowned. No matter what, we can't give up. There's always a way.

"Ye Qing, something seems wrong..." Zhang Wei looked terrified, pointing with a trembling finger to a corner of the darkness, asking a question that was horrifying to ponder: "How can a spider make a beast-like chewing noise!"

"Zhang Wei, you... what?" Ye Qing reacted instantly, his face turning a shade paler. "Don't talk nonsense."

If that wasn't the Unicornium Spider, or if the Unicornium Spider had been eaten by this monster, did they still have any chance of survival?

Soon, what made their scalps tingle was a gulping sound. This was clearly not something the Unicornium Spider could do; it always tore its prey into small pieces to stuff into its mouth.

"Run!" Ye Qing made a snap decision, dropping his pickaxe and sprinting towards Chen Heng.

"Wait for me!" Zhang Wei stumbled, nearly falling, but Ye Qing grabbed him, and the two fled quickly.

ROAR—

At this moment, the remaining lighting equipment illuminated a corner. It revealed a grotesque creature, its massive body slowly coming into view. It was pieced together from countless dismembered limbs. Its head was a protruding fleshy tumor formed from numerous rat brains, resembling a writhing mass of maggots.

Its maw gaped open, revealing concentric circles of sharp teeth. It was caked with viscous blood and still held remnants of the Unicornium Spider's severed limbs...

***

"Junior, if I may be so bold, what is your Beast Taming level? I'd like to find a few Pet Beasts for you to practice with," Chen Heng said curiously, walking ahead with his Golden Leopard clearing the path.

Chu Yi followed behind. Sensing Bika's evolving state, he chuckled lightly. "Senior, I only recently formed a contract, so my level isn't high."

The sweet, gentle girl, Zhao Yan, kept her distance from this 'beastly' senior, Chen Heng, inching closer to Chu Yi whenever possible.

She remembered the blank spots in her memory. No matter how naive I am, I realize what that senior must have done to me, and this junior happened to intervene.

Moreover, this junior's face is very... handsome, with refined, striking features. Especially captivating are his ink-black eyes, which shine dazzlingly, like a star-filled summer night sky.

Zhao Yan's almond-shaped eyes sparkled with an indescribable emotion that was beginning to blossom in her heart.

Not high? Chen Heng thought. He understood. After all, Chu Yi had only recently formed a contract with his Pet Beast. But with Super Talent, he would soon catch up, closing the gap with his peers and eventually far surpassing them.

This was the terror of Super Talent—potential maxed out, immeasurable by data.

Chen Heng was about to say some encouraging words, but Chu Yi sighed with feigned annoyance, "It's only the peak of Red Copper. I'm hardly comparable to those true geniuses."

Peak of Red Copper?

Chen Heng was stunned. He paused, rooted to the spot for a long moment, his pupils quaking.

How long has it been since he formed the contract? And he already soared from an ordinary person to the ninth stage of Red Copper?! Skipping Black Iron, jumping straight to Red Copper, and directly reaching the peak of this realm—this Cultivation speed is too unbelievable! Even with a solid foundation, it shouldn't be this fast! Among the top ten third-year students, only a handful have reached the peak of Red Copper!

Indeed. Geniuses shouldn't be judged by common sense; that would be an insult to them!

However, when thinking about the Demons guarding the border, Chu Yi's achievements were merely a bright Starfire. It couldn't yet compare to the blazing sun, but it still placed him far above most Beast Taming Geniuses!

Chen Heng composed his expression, unsure what to say. He added awkwardly, "Junior, you are truly... astonishing. The peak of Red Copper is already the highest achievement for an entry-level Beast Tamer."