Chapter 85 – That is the Light of Evolution

On a small hillside three to four hundred meters away from Lin Ze and the others.

Xu Bing and a group of Gaoshan Club members lay low, only their heads visible, staring intently at the distant battle.

When they saw the Stone-Condensing Magic Dragon spew its Stone-Condensing Blood Mist and take down three Pet Beasts in an instant, a smile of scheming satisfaction crept onto Luo Han’s face.

“They’re dead for sure!”

Luo Han’s gaze was fixed on Lin Ze, his heart filled with vindication and resentment.

It was this damned commoner brat who had made him lose face.

He had endured countless sneers and mockery, both openly and behind his back.

He was a dignified cadre of the Gaoshan Club, a direct descendant of a major family—when had he ever suffered such a loss?

All of it was thanks to Lin Ze!

But now, he could finally get his revenge!

At that thought, a sinister grin spread across Luo Han’s face.

Among the Gaoshan Club members behind him, many wore hesitant expressions, their faces full of unease.

After exchanging uneasy glances, one of them finally couldn’t hold back and said:

“Club President, Brother Han, is it really okay to do this?”

The Gaoshan Club usually acted arrogantly and domineeringly.

But resorting to such vicious means—scheming to kill fellow schoolmates—was a first.

Many present were deeply conflicted.

Luo Han glanced sideways at the speaker and sneered:

“What’s the problem? Those bastards stole our prey, so they should be prepared for retaliation. When has the Gaoshan Club ever swallowed a loss?”

“But… even so, isn’t this going too far? What if… what if one of them manages to get back alive? They’ll definitely report it to the academy. Once the academy launches an investigation, won’t we be in deep trouble!”

Luo Han scoffed, curling his lips in disdain.

“You’re overthinking it!”

“That’s a Stone-Condensing Magic Dragon, a Tier 6 Dragon-type Pet Beast! How could Lin Ze and Liu Man’s group possibly stand a chance against it?”

“Just watch—within a few minutes, they’ll all be turned to stone!”

The Stone-Condensing Magic Dragon’s power and terror were no secret among the second and third years.

The Gaoshan Club members present didn’t believe Lin Ze and the others could escape from the Stone-Condensing Magic Dragon either.

It was just that this was their first time doing something like this, and they couldn’t help but worry, fearing that if it were exposed, the consequences would be disastrous.

But since Xu Bing and Luo Han had made the decision, despite their fear, they could only accept it.

Luo Han continued:

“Besides, if we didn’t do this, who would block the Stone-Condensing Magic Dragon for us?”

“Or do you want to fight the Stone-Condensing Magic Dragon head-on?”

Several Gaoshan Club members immediately shook their heads like rattles.

No way.

Who would want to fight that kind of monster?

Even with a team of over a dozen Tier 5 Pet Beasts, they would still be no match for the Stone-Condensing Magic Dragon.

The enormous gap in strength between tiers could never be bridged by mere numbers of ten to one.

If they truly faced the Stone-Condensing Magic Dragon, it would be their side that suffered heavy casualties.

At that thought, those who had been uneasy and wavering moments before suddenly felt at ease.

Better others die than themselves.

“Alright, no time to waste. Get ready to move. Liu Man’s group can’t hold off the Stone-Condensing Magic Dragon for long.”

Xu Bing spoke in a low voice, cutting off the conversation.

“Use this time to grab the dragon egg!”

The Club President spoke, and everyone immediately perked up and acknowledged the order.

Their purpose for entering the Stone-Condensing Secret Realm this time was, in fact, to go after the dragon egg.

Three days prior, a second-year squad from the Gaoshan Club had accidentally discovered traces of a Stone-Condensing Magic Dragon in the second ring.

Startled, they followed the trail all the way.

What they found was that the Stone-Condensing Magic Dragon had built a nest in a hidden, remote cave in the second ring.

And inside the nest was a dragon egg waiting to hatch.

When this news was relayed back to the Gaoshan Club, all the executives were alarmed.

After deliberation, they quickly guessed the reason behind it.

The Stone-Condensing Magic Dragon had most likely migrated from the first ring to the relatively safer second ring in order to successfully hatch its offspring.

This discovery immediately filled the Gaoshan Club members with great excitement.

That was a Stone-Condensing Magic Dragon’s egg, after all!

One had to know that for a pure-blooded dragon race like the Stone-Condensing Magic Dragon, the maximum potential ceiling was absolutely, without a doubt, King Rank.

The value of a King Rank pet beast went without saying.

Even if they couldn’t use it themselves, selling it would fetch a hefty fortune.

So the Gaoshan Club immediately formed a team to enter the secret realm.

Their original plan was to sacrifice a portion of their flying pet beasts to lure the Stone-Condensing Magic Dragon away, then seize the opportunity to steal the dragon egg.

After that, as long as they could evade the dragon’s search and pursuit and successfully leave the secret realm, the plan would be considered a complete success.

The appearance of Lin Ze and the others, however, greatly increased the success rate of the Gaoshan Club’s plan.

With them holding off the Stone-Condensing Magic Dragon, the Gaoshan Club could easily steal the dragon egg and leave at their leisure.

Thinking that his flash of inspiration had greatly reduced the difficulty of executing the plan, a hint of smugness flashed in Xu Bing’s eyes.

He looked at Liu Man and her group struggling in the distance, and a cold smile curled at the corner of his mouth.

“You lot can use your lives to help hold off the Stone-Condensing Magic Dragon for me!”

But just then, the situation on the field suddenly changed.

[Name]: Rock Ghost

[Level]: Tier 5, Stage 3

[Skills]: Earth Thorns, Boulder Impact, Stone Burst, Rock Guardian

[Divinity Path, next Evolution Form: Spirit of the Earth. Requirements: Growth Rate 100%, Superior Earth Element Essence x30, Spirit-Bearing Stone x3]

Looking at the data on the panel, Lin Ze’s gaze flickered slightly.

Originally, he had thought that with their strength, they might be able to drive back the Stone-Condensing Magic Dragon.

But the latter turned out to be unexpectedly formidable.

It had crushed their pet beasts almost like a whirlwind sweeping away withered leaves.

“As expected of a Tier 6 dragon-type ferocious beast—its strength simply isn’t on the same level.”

That said, Lin Ze had remained perfectly composed from start to finish.

After all, he held more than one trump card in his hand.

One of them was, naturally, pet beast evolution.

“Plans can’t keep up with changes. In a situation like this, I can only spend Achievement Points.”

Having made his decision, Lin Ze didn’t hesitate any further.

With a thought, he decisively spent Achievement Points to raise the Rock Ghost’s Growth Rate to 100%.

Then, Lin Ze turned to look at Guo Xinyi, signaling the girl to take out his backpack.

Although she didn’t understand what Lin Ze intended to do, Guo Xinyi still did as he asked.

The materials needed for the Rock Ghost’s evolution had long been purchased.

And just in case, Lin Ze hadn’t left them behind when entering the secret realm this time—everything was placed in his tactical backpack.

Sensing its master’s intent, the Rock Ghost quickly retreated to the rear, reached out to take the superior Earth Element Essence and Spirit-Bearing Stone that Lin Ze handed over, and shoved them into its mouth, chewing loudly and greedily.

Liu Man and the others nearby looked utterly bewildered, unable to fathom what Lin Ze was doing with this move.

But soon, they no longer needed to wonder.

As the materials entered its stomach, a dazzling light quickly flared up from the Rock Ghost’s body.

That was…

The light of evolution!