Chapter 27 – Stubborn Stone Monster, Divinity Path

The Deathknell Striker was taken down by Lin Ze alone.

According to adventurer customs, the corpse naturally belonged to him as his sole spoils of war.

If Lu Peixin wanted it, he would have to purchase it from Lin Ze.

Lin Ze was momentarily taken aback, then nodded after processing the words.

“That’s no problem.”

The Deathknell Striker’s corpse was of no use to him, and selling it for money would be just as good.

Lu Peixin pondered for a few seconds before speaking slowly:

“The Deathknell Striker is a Ferocious Beast King, so its corpse is worth considerably more than an ordinary Tier 4 Ferocious Beast. I won’t shortchange you—how about three million Credit Points?”

Lin Ze’s heart skipped a beat.

The combined materials from an ordinary Tier 4 Ferocious Beast wouldn’t exceed two million Credit Points.

Even though the Deathknell Striker was a Ferocious Beast King, it shouldn’t warrant a price fifty percent higher.

The price Lu Peixin offered was more than fair.

It even let Lin Ze come out ahead by a good margin.

“As expected of a Silver Beast Tamer—rolling in wealth, throwing three million without batting an eye.”

Lin Ze clicked his tongue inwardly and nodded in agreement without hesitation.

“Deal!”

Both parties were delighted and completed the transaction on the spot.

Lu Peixin obtained the rare Ferocious Beast King corpse, and a rare smile—seldom seen on his usually stoic face—appeared.

Lin Ze, now three million Credit Points richer, was equally overjoyed.

With this, he had enough money to buy evolution materials and a new Pet Beast.

He had originally thought it would take half a month to earn enough, but he’d accomplished his goal in just one trip out.

“This trip was a bit dangerous, but the rewards are absolutely massive!”

Lin Ze suddenly couldn’t wait to return to Pinghai City.

Seeing that there was nothing left for him to do here, Lin Ze didn’t linger. He excused himself to He Zhenwen and the others, then left Deathknell Canyon.

Many adventurers, including Loda and Li Pei, gazed at Lin Ze’s retreating figure, lost in thought for a long while.

Everyone knew.

After today, Pinghai City had gained another dazzling rising star.

Back in Pinghai City.

Lin Ze headed straight for the Pet Shop.

It was the same shop as before.

The office-attired young woman at the front desk was about to greet the incoming customer when she was pleasantly surprised to recognize the handsome young man with outstanding aptitude from last time.

“Oh, it’s you!”

The office-attired woman gasped, covering her mouth, then quickly realized her lapse in composure and smiled apologetically at Lin Ze.

“Welcome! How can I help you?”

“I’d like to purchase a Pet Beast.”

Lin Ze got straight to the point.

Large Pet Shops like this one typically also sold Pet Beasts. The office-attired woman smiled and gestured with her hand.

“Right this way, please.”

Led by the office-attired woman, the two arrived at the second-floor hall.

In the spacious, bright hall were over a dozen transparent glass cabinets.

Each cabinet held rows of neatly arranged beads, each about the size of a longan fruit.

Densely packed, there were no fewer than a thousand in sight.

These were all Sealing Beads—tools used to store tamed Pet Beasts.

“These are all Tier 1 to Tier 3 Pet Beasts. Feel free to browse.”

The office-attired woman said with a smile.

Lin Ze thanked her and walked to the nearest cabinet, stopping to examine it closely.

Beside each Sealing Bead was a card.

It was filled with related intel about the Pet Beast.

Including Name, Attribute Type, Level, Potential Rating, Evolution Path, and so on.

Very detailed.

The vast majority of Pet Beasts had ratings below C-grade.

The highest potential was only B-rank.

And there were only three of them.

Thinking about it, truly high-rated pet beasts wouldn’t be sold in shops anyway.

Putting them up at the auction house was the way to maximize profits.

But Lin Ze’s targets weren’t these high-rated pet beasts to begin with.

Not only were they extremely expensive, but their maximum level caps were only Tier 7 or 8.

Far from the standard he had in mind.

His focus was on pet beasts with hidden evolution paths and enormous potential.

Disappointingly enough.

After spending nearly an hour, Lin Ze still hadn’t found a suitable target.

There were plenty of pet beasts with hidden evolution paths—three or four out of every ten.

But their potential was mostly very limited.

The highest level cap among them was only Tier 8.

Still a huge gap from the King Rank ceiling Lin Ze wanted.

“If it comes down to it, I’ll just have to check a few more pet shops. If there’s still nothing, I’ll head to the neighboring cities to take a look!”

Lin Ze thought with a frown.

Fortunately, perseverance paid off. Just as he was about to give up, a pet beast’s profile suddenly caught his eye.

【Name】: Stubborn Stone Monster

【Attribute Type】: Earth

【Level】: Tier 2, Stage 5

【Growth Rate】: 21%

【Skills】: Earth Spike, Stone Shot Volley

【Selectable Evolution Paths】

【① Giant Rock Path: An evolution method that strengthens close-combat abilities, focusing on enhancing Constitution and strength while weakening Earth Element manipulation. Next evolution form: 【Giant Rock Monster】. Maximum evolution: Tier 4.】

【② Divinity Path: An evolution method that traces ancient bloodlines, unearthing a trace of transcendent divinity deep within the bloodline. Enhances both close combat and Earth Element manipulation. Next evolution form: 【Rock Ghost】. Maximum evolution: King Rank.】

Lin Ze’s eyes lit up.

He knew about the Stubborn Stone Monster’s Giant Rock evolution path.

Loda’s Giant Rock Monster had evolved from a Stubborn Stone Monster.

Its final potential ceiling was only Tier 4—not particularly high.

In the Beast Tamer Association’s ratings, it was only E-rank, close to D-rank.

However, the second evolution path’s potential ceiling was as high as King Rank.

Clearly, this was an undiscovered hidden evolution path.

It fit Lin Ze’s needs perfectly.

“And it’s a type that excels at both close combat and spellcasting!”

Joyful light shone in Lin Ze’s eyes.

Earth Attribute pet beasts were already renowned for their excellent defense, commonly serving as tank-type pet beasts.

If Earth Element manipulation could also be strengthened, that would be something else entirely.

A tank that can cast spells… just thinking about it made his heart burn with excitement!

Without hesitation, Lin Ze immediately selected this Sealing Bead.

“I’ll take this one.”

Lin Ze took the bead in hand, then said to the young woman in uniform:

“Also, I’d like to purchase some materials.”

Besides the evolution materials for the Ice Crystal Soul, Lin Ze planned to buy all the evolution materials for the Stubborn Stone Monster as well.

【Divinity Path, next evolution form 【Rock Ghost】, requires: Growth Rate 100%, Intermediate Earth Element Essence x20, Cultivation Spirit Soil 500g】

The evolution materials for both pet beasts totaled 940,000 in total.

The Stubborn Stone Monster was actually the cheapest of the two.

An E+ rank Tier 2 pet beast only cost 150,000 Credit Points.

In addition.

Lin Ze also purchased some lower-grade Element Essences, planning to give them to his pet beasts as treats on a daily basis.

This would keep the pet beasts in a good mood while also slightly boosting their Growth Rate.

When it came time to settle the bill, Lin Ze had spent a total of 1.69 million Credit Points.

The 3 million Credit Points he had just received were gone before he could even get comfortable with them—more than half spent in one go.

Money truly flowed like water.

But it was money well spent.

With the materials in hand, Lin Ze immediately returned home.

Next up: evolution and contracting a new Pet Beast!