Chapter 306: Chapter 302: The Yixiu Family
Upon seeing the bug-plant in front of him, an unusual glow sparked in the ever-stoic You Kui’s eyes.
“A hybrid of the insect and plant systems?”
You Kui, at a glance, discerned the nature of the bug-plant and promptly examined it carefully.
“The surface is a Dream Vine, and if you look at the insect body inside, it appears to be a Soul Eater?”
“Most Soul Eaters prefer to parasitise animals, but there are some that choose plant hosts. However, I’ve never seen this kind of symbiotic situation. Perhaps due to encountering a topic of interest, You Kui-unlike his usual self -was nonchalantly analysing the reason for the bug-plant’s circumstance. “Alright, You Kui, we can research this complex matter later. Please guide the boy first.”
Luo Xiang, understanding You Kui’s character well, spoke up to interrupt him. Realising his lapse, You Kui paused before saying, “I can’t offer any useful advice about the plant system. As for the Soul Eater, there are only a few conventional ways of raising them.
“The first one involves soul eating. Through consuming the brain of ferocious beasts, it strengthens itself. Although cultivation is quite difficult in the initial stages, the advantage is that it has a higher potential. If you can train it into a , king-level Golden Silkworm undead insect, other beasts of the same level won t be able to resist its soul-eating ability-a truly formidable weapon.”
“The other involves parasitism. You could choose a powerful beast’s corpse for the Soul Eater to live off. This immediately forms a fighting force. Subsequent cultivation depends on a king-level Puppet Master Mother insect, which can parasitise a large number of ferocious beasts at once. Although its actual fighting power is less, it has excellent control and isn’t afraid of battles involving numerous enemies.”
You Kui paused before adding, “There are other methods too, although they’re exceptional cases and not something I would strongly recommend. Thus, you should mainly choose between these two.”
Bai Qi nodded, realising that these two methods, one elite and the other brute force, each had its benefits and drawbacks.
However, he wanted both…
A Golden Silkworm undead insect, adept at beheading, and a Puppet Master Mother insect, proficient in legion combat-if he could merge the two, wouldn’t he be invincible?
Seeing the conflicted look on Bai Qi’s face, You Kui fell silent before saying, “However, your pet can no longer be considered purely an insect system creature. There might be another direction you could explore, but you’ll have to figure that out.”
“I understand. Thank you, Master You.”
Bai Qj nodded. Indeed, the bug-plant, with attributes and skills from both the insect and plant systems, did allow for different combinations to be considered. Moreover, they were currently in an insect-system-themed secret realm; who knows, he just might have some breakthroughs this time.
Glancing at the sky, You Kui said, “Enough, tomorrow we still have more road to cover. Let’s eat something and rest.”
“Alright.”
Bai Qi patted his stomach. He hadn’t noticed earlier, but now that You Kui mentioned it, he was rather hungry.
“Master Luo, Instructor You, please wait a moment. My pet will be preparing
our food.”
Saying this, Bai Qi summoned Gamma, along with a whole set of cooking utensils and ingredients.
Clackety-clack.
(“Master, what would you like to eat today?”)
“Just something nutritious.”
Clackety-clack!
(“Alright, Gamma understands.”)
Receiving Bai Qi’s directions, Gamma immediately got to work. Its mimicry and diamondification morphed Gamma into an octopus-like creature. It operated various kitchen appliances all at once, and soon, a lavish meal laid before the trio.
“Damn…how unexpected, Bai Qi. Did you teach your pet this?
Upon seeing the feast, Luo Xiang uttered with a chuckle.
“Ahem…Gamma’s hobbies aren’t really something I have anything to do with.” Scratching his head, Bai Qi took a moment to praise Gamma, then dismissed both pets back into the secret space.
After fulfilling their appetites, they allocated the night watch duties and began taking turns sleeping.
Considering their levels, it was unlikely they would encounter dangerous beasts near the city outskirts. Yet habits needed to be upheld; otherwise, a mistake could cost them dearly.
Nile City.
Nile City, at the edge of the Federation’s western region, was diagonally opposed to Thousand Cliff Stone Forest.
One aspect these two areas had in common was their barrenness, bordering on
a desert-like feel.
“As I recall, there’s an Association chapter not far from here. Let’s rest there and meet up with Bai Chuanqi.”
Luo Xiang roughly gauged the direction, and promptly led Bai Qi to a somewhat deserted building.
“Instructor Luo, are you sure this is the Association s chapter?
Bai Qi cast a glance at the deserted Association’s entrance and – ensuring he had the right address – asked in disbelief.
As the recognised Beast Master organisation appointed by the Federation, the Association was spread throughout cities big and small across the Federation, receiving considerable popularity.
However, the Association in Nile City was evidently deserted. There weren’t even many Beast Masters here to battle.
“It’s normal. The west still has some powerful and influential families that have great influence. Compared to the Association, local Beast Masters are more trusting of these family powers.
“However, it shouldn’t be this desolate. They must have gone to the outskirts
of the secret realm.”
Luo Xaing shrugged, as if he was quite accustomed to this concept.
“Is the family power the same as the Bo Ge family?”
Luo Xiang nodded, saying, “But the Yixiu family’s base should be here in Nile
City, which is quite far from the Bo Ge family.”
“I see…”
Hearing this, Bai Qi was a bit disappointed. He had been hoping to seize the other Angel’s Wings on this trip to the West, but it seemed that this was not going to be possible.
“However, with the emergence of this Mythical Creatures Inheritance Secret Realm, the Bo Ge family should also come. They won’t miss any advantageous situation.”
Bai Qi’s disappointment didn’t last long; Luo Xiang’s following words immediately revitalized his spirit.
If they came, it would be perfect. This way, Gamma’s skills would become more balanced.
The three walked into the Nile City Association’s main hall. Just like outside, there wasn’t much of a crowd. Apart from a receptionist idling away, there were no other people in sight.
“Um, are you here for a mission?”
Noticing their approach, the receptionist quickly came to his senses and asked with a warm smile, unfazed by the quietness of the business.
“No, we want to ask if Bai Chuanqi is in the association?”
Luo Xiang showed his identification, and the receptionist immediately seemed more serious. “Bai Chuanqi went out this morning. He probably won’t return until evening. If Master Luo isn’t in a hurry, shall I arrange rooms for you first?”
“That’ll be good. We could use a rest.”
Luo Xiang nodded and followed the receptionist to the association’s lounge. Then he read through the information handed over by the receptionist.
“Hmm… The emergence of the Inheritance Secret Realm… all sorts of creatures are coming out of the woodwork.”
Luo Xiang put down the information in his hands, turned to Bai Qi and said, “Bai Qi, you’d better be prepared. You might be in for a bit of a struggle.
“Me?”
Bai Qi was startled as he quickly scanned through the information. It primarily recorded the emergence time of the secret realm and the Beast Masters and various powers recently appearing around Nile City.
Apart from some scattered Beast Masters and advanced forces sent by corporate groups, the only forces Bai Qi recognized were the Bo Ge family, the Thirteenth Bureau, and the Jiuli Group.
However, what caught Bai Qi’s attention the most was the last piece of information.
“Qualification test for entry to the Yixiu family?”
Looking at the location of the Secret Realm recorded in the information, Bai Qi frowned slightly.
The location of the Secret Realm’s emergence was very crafty; it happened to emerge straight from the Yixiu family’s territory, so the Yixiu family held the absolute initiative.
But for some reason, the Yixiu family didn’t monopolize it. Instead, they organized a contest to determine who would enter.
It seemed like there was a suspicion of using people as cannon fodder…
Bai Qi looked at the conditions marked in the report with suspicion in his eyes. Luo Xiang, on the other hand, laughed saying, “Don’t overthink it. The Yixiu family does not have the power to influence a legend beast’s Secret Realm, otherwise, the Bo Ge family would not be so prominent in the West.
“The reason they are doing this is merely due to the pressures from various forces. Such a contest is a way of asserting their sovereignty.
“Since the Yixiu family dares to do this, they must have great confidence in their Beast Masters. So… you have to exert more effort.” Luo Xiang patted Bai Qi on the shoulder and smiled mischievously.
“If you lose in this kind of test, Chairman Zhao definitely won’t let you off.” “Instructor Luo, is this a threat?”
“Yes, it is.”
Seeing Luo Xiang blatantly admit it, Bai Qi couldn’t help but roll his eyes. Although he knew he had to seize the opportunity to enter the Inheritance Secret Realm, wouldn’t you scare your brother away if you threaten him like this?
Bai Qi nonchalantly shrugged his shoulders, saying, “Forget it, let’s fight. It’s all the same.”
“Hahaha…”
Luo Xiang burst into laughter, saying, “I foresee that there will be a marvelous fight tomorrow.”
Saying that, Luo Xiang stretched lazily and said, “After such a long journey, I am exhausted. I am going to get some sleep. Bai Qi, you should prepare yourself for tomorrow’s fight. The information of the Beast Masters you may face is at the back.”
Bai Qi flipped to the last page of the report and indeed found information on the Beast Masters who had already arrived in Nile City. Naturally, the largest portion was dedicated to the local family: the Yixiu family.
“What about you, Instructor Luo?”
“Me? Didn’t you see it written above? In order to ensure that the Inheritance Secret Realm isn’t damaged, Beast Masters below the sixth stage are only temporarily allowed in. Until you all come out, I won’t be needed.”
“It feels more and more like they’re drafting cannon fodder. Bai Qi pursed his lips, unable to resist grumbling.
The conditions were extremely strict. The Yixiu family was certainly going to great lengths to ensure that other powers didn’t snatch the inheritance first. However, they were also very confident in their Beast Masters.
Speaking of which, since they’re both ancient families, does the Yixiu family also have a Mythical Species…