The Evolution Compendium

「Twilight.」

The distant, majestic mountains, under the reflection of the setting sun, were coated with a layer of chrysanthemum-red wax, appearing exceptionally splendid. The golden afterglow cast obliquely on the ginkgo trees lining the road. A breeze swept by, and the fan-shaped leaves fluttered down, their descent weaving a tapestry of mottled light and shadow, evoking a sense of time passing.

After saying goodbye to the fairy junior, Chu Yi sat down on a leisure bench at a street corner, listening to pop songs played by his Star Bracelet, quietly waiting for his "benefits."

For convenience in commuting to and from the academy, and to prevent retaliation from the Shen and Xiao families, the academy had specially assigned him a single-room dormitory. However, Chu Yi declined. With too many prying eyes around, it's best to use the cover of night for a visit to the underground world.

"YIP?"

Bika, holding a bag of savory crepes, looked at Chu Yi in confusion. Isn't Master hungry?

Soon, it was devouring them with gusto, being a chowhound fox. Fill the stomach first!

Chu Yi smiled. Glancing at the street, bustling with worldly life, he couldn't help but sigh. It had been a long time since he'd felt such tranquility, a calm for his restless heart.

His mind delved into the evolutionary codex. Myriad shadows, like fluttering willow branches, brought forth a rustling whisper.

The fourth page still isn't unlocked.

Chu Yi was sure it was related to the strength of his Soul. The stronger the Soul, the greater the rank of Deceit Beast it could bear.

Currently, he possessed the Divine Hand, Clock Eye, and Painted Skin.

The path for the Divine Hand is set: collect the remaining four pieces and assemble a complete Divine Hand, one at the root-level! The subsequent advancement of the Clock Eye is related to time, though its path can be altered to evolve in other directions. As for the Painted Skin, there are even more options.

[Soul-Calling Banner]: Collects souls for the holder to command; can also refine collected souls into pure energy for the holder to absorb. Price: 150.

[Human Skin Kasaya]: Immune to attacks, isolates curses, reflects damage. Price: 70.

[Human Skin Drum]: Creates sonic attacks by drumming, unsettling blood and qi. Price: 35.

[Heart-devouring Demon]: Devours hearts to amplify all attributes; can disguise as the heart's owner. Price: 80.

[Curse Ghost]: Exhausts humanity to transform into a Curse Ghost, mastering curse power. Price: 90.

...

After some screening, Chu Yi immediately chose the [Soul-Calling Banner].

Using his own skin as a Magical Treasure made Chu Yi feel a bit speechless, but mostly curious and excited. This was a renowned Magical Treasure in fantasy novels, with unrivaled offensive capabilities and immense might, a must-have Divine Artifact for major villains!

Don't ask why this Magical Treasure is made from my own skin; just ask if it's powerful! Chu Yi was excited.

The thought of himself wielding a Soul-Calling Banner, stirring the world's currents, with thousands of Undead rushing out, wailing mournfully, gave him the distinct impression of an Undead apocalypse.

But Chu Yi also had concerns. The Divine Eye was sealed within the Painted Skin. If the evolution succeeded, would it be released? Of course, if he prepared adequately, this Divine Eye could also be one of his trump cards. If an invading enemy proved too strong, he could unleash it. Afterwards, he could use causality to seal it back. This process was akin to letting a prisoner out for some fresh air—an "airing out," colloquially speaking.

As this line of thought expanded, Chu Yi's pupils contracted slightly, a barely perceptible tremor running through him.

The Painted Skin... it might be his strongest Deceit Beast. Sealing, unleashing... isn't that just what a Beast Tamer does? A supreme Beast Tamer, one who could command Evil Gods, or even the Evil God's Favored! Even if things went disastrously wrong and the situation became dire, he could mimic the Gray Mist Authority to escape. All in all, he was set to win big.

I need to make some feast items to get Painted Skin to level 20 quickly. As for ingredients for the other two Deceit Beasts, a trip to the underground world might yield some surprises. Next, I need to level up Lulina quickly. With good training, she'll be no less capable than Bika, allowing me to advance further in the Starfire Sequence and secure more resources.

Chu Yi's eyes burned with determination as he formulated his plan for the month.

Suddenly, a delicate silhouette flitted by in his vision.

Chu Yi instinctively looked up, becoming wary. His gaze fell upon a... Huh, was that an illusion?

His left eye revealed a Doomsday Clock, its twilight light wheel turning, foreseeing the future.

[Prophecy of Time]!

Yet, it yielded no results. Chu Yi was slightly stunned, only to hear a tender voice from behind him.

"Hee hee."

A little girl, holding onto a woman's hand, was playing with a Magic Wand. She pointed it at a young man's back and declared, "I'm going to turn you into the most handsome man in the world!"

Chu Yi pondered for a moment, then smiled and turned his head.

The moment he turned, he saw the little girl freeze for an instant, then excitedly raise her Magic Wand. "Mommy, Mommy, I can do Magic!"

...

「On top of a high-rise building.」

A white-purple dress flowed, its folds like streaming moonlight on snow. Beneath its hem, long, slender legs wrapped in black silk were revealed. The dress billowed with the wind, clinging to an exquisite and graceful figure. An invisible ripple spread out, as if isolating her from this world.

It's not him.

Beneath the veil, ethereal eyes like purple crystals showed a hint of doubt. Her gaze shifted away from a young man, continuing to search the crowd.

In the next moment, she lightly tapped her toes, the purple ribbon of her dress sash fluttering in the wind, as ethereal and graceful as a lilac blossom drifting away.

...

The main course has arrived.

Glancing at the luxury car parked by the roadside, Chu Yi skillfully got in. This time, the driver was still a pretty maid; he had no idea where the butler was.

The next moment, he met a pair of beautiful eyes filled with a murderous aura; the blonde loli was angry. Her previously innocent Lolita dress had been replaced with a dark, Gothic Lolita style one. The pitch-black of night and stunning blood-red blended perfectly, highlighting the girl's snow-white, jade-like skin and emanating an aura of cold, noble elegance. Her waist was so slender it seemed barely a handful. Beneath the dress, a pair of long, slender, jade-like legs were wrapped in black silk, and even her delicate feet were encased in Gothic-style shoes.

Prepared this time, she gave Chu Yi no openings.

"Brother, did you have a great time today?" Lias narrowed her beautiful eyes slightly.

She was a seasoned member of the Starfire Sequence. After a day of cultivation, a servant had delivered a report on Chu Yi to her.

Who is Chen Xi? That princess of the Charm Demon Race? Why is Chu Yi so close to her?

Lias calmed herself and looked at Chu Yi. It seems I'll have to take the offensive from now on. I just looked it up online; these days, tsunderes are destined to be the losing ones.

"Young lady, actually I..."

"Call me Lias." The blonde loli tucked a strand of hair behind her ear, revealing her delicate white neck. "Brother, didn't you often call me that when we were kids?"

Chu Yi paused. He inexplicably felt something was off.

But he had the [Prophecy of Time] as his ace. He appealed to her with emotion, reasoned with logic, and relying on his eloquence, finally managed to sway the girl's heart.

He used Lias's Bloodthirsty Rose as a starting point. With Lulina also being a Wood-type Pet Beast, he naturally wanted to discuss in-depth the training of such Pet Beasts.