Chen An was speechless. This kind of hopeless situation was too violent and cruel.
After a moment, the apparent defeat was announced.
"So, this is the Joint Combo? It's quite cool." Chen An had already begun to imagine what kind of Joint Combos Dou Buxiang could comprehend.
"That's right. Normally, Joint Combos are not that simple and a lot more than this. I don't know why its full power was not unleashed. It might be because Liu Ran surrendered early or that the Beast Tamer's level is too low."
"Are you saying that a Joint Combo should be more formidable than this?"
"Yes." Lin Yingxue pouted. "Why didn't Liu Ran persist…"
Chen An laughed. If he were to endure it any longer, there was a high chance that he might turn into a sand dune.
On the stage, the defeated Liu Ran walked toward his opponent dejectedly and muttered something in a low voice. That man nodded continuously, and the two then descended the stage.
Chen An was very curious. It was seldom that a beast combat's opponents would interact.
He moved into the crowd and listened to the discussions.
"Liu Ran had been overconfident. Why did he accept the challenge? Look, he lost."
"Is it a big deal? It's a fact that he has lost. But they were betting on a beast skills book. To Liu Ran, this is not considered a loss."
"That's true. Anyway, Liu Ran can extract the skill and create a skills book. He lost some face, but that's a small matter."
Chen An turned around. Lin Yingxue was still standing there. "Is this the other method that you were referring to? Using the combat outcome to attain someone's item?"
Lin Yingxue nodded. "That's right. At Treasure Cove, there won't be a situation of runaway losers. As long as there is a promise, one has to accept the outcome and then pay the price."
"Is this why you want to maintain a low profile? You don't want to be discovered by anyone?"
"The battles in Treasure Cove are different from the arena's. There are no restrictions here, and they won't match the opponents for you according to your level. Sometimes, people only have eyes for the items, but they regret it the moment they suffer instant defeats on the battle stage."
Suddenly, Chen An realized that this was not a great place. It was no wonder Lin Yingxue did not like to come here.
"I have no choice. There are many more precious treasures at Treasure Cove than at the auctions. We have to make a trip here, no matter what." Lin Yingxue shrugged her shoulders.
The weaker ones would have to take some risk if they wanted to advance in their levels and attain good stuff. Of course, they might face the more powerful ones' bullying and oppression and become worse as a result.
Alongside the danger was a huge temptation.
"Let's go and take a look at your good buddy. Did he also lose his underwear?" Lin Yingxue deliberately enunciated the words 'good buddy'.
Chen An waved his hands. "That's enough. He called me buddy because he wanted to take the Evening Moon Vine from me."
"The stakes are very high at Treasure Cove. After all, to both parties, every battle carries a huge risk. Many people bet on their respective beasts. That Liu Ran might have lost his Evening Moon Vine to the other guy."
Chen An was momentarily distracted as he recalled his words to Liu Ran. If Liu Ran were to abandon the Evening Moon Vine, he would take it back personally.
If that was the case, he would have to fight with the person that had beaten Liu Ran to a pulp.
He had just fought with Zheng Qing not long ago, so at the thought of another match, Chen An felt somewhat fatigued.
No matter what, he would go over and take a look.
As he approached them, Chen An saw Liu Ran and his opponent sitting in a corner of Treasure Cove.
Liu Ran summoned the Evening Moon Vine, and a thin vine entwined his wrist.
The Evening Moon Vine was wounded, so its color looked faded, and it was yellowish and withered, like a plant that had not been watered for a long time.
Liu Ran poked the Evening Moon Vine with his fingers and muttered, "Don't be afraid. I'm very good at extracting skills books. I will definitely be very careful and won't harm you."
Upon saying that, he removed the Evening Moon Vine from his wrist and placed it flat on the table. Then he took out a skills book and put it aside.
Liu Ran made a strange hand gesture. His left hand tapped on the Evening Moon Vine with his eyes closed while his right hand pressed on the skills book.
Chen An was very curious about his actions. If Liu Ran was making the beast learn a skills book, he should emplace the book directly in the skill chamber and not do this.
Along with Liu Ran's movement, the Evening Moon Vine emitted a bright emerald light. It resembled the time when Dou Buxiang had absorbed the Stone Mythical Snake's spirit core. The beast was seemingly "opened" and obediently giving something.
At the same time, the skills book was changing as well.
Chen An immediately launched the system to identify the skills book, only to discover that it was a blank skills book with no record or data whatsoever.
Nevertheless, he received more information soon. The skills book was titled "Growth" shortly after. This was Evening Moon Vine's talent skill!
Liu Ran opened his eyes and looked relieved. He immediately checked on his Evening Moon Vine anxiously, and after confirming that it was fine, he wiped away his sweat.
He looked exhausted as he slumped on the chair.
The other party was exhilarated when he received the skills book. "Liu Ran, they tell me that you're great at creating skills book. That's true. There shouldn't be any problem, right? You can replicate your Evening Moon Vine's talent skill completely without hurting the beast the slightest bit. You're certainly good."
Liu Ran rolled his eyes. "My Evening Moon Vine's Growth is out of the world amongst the plant-based beasts. Now that you've got it, please save your hypocrisy."
"Don't feel indignant. I've already given you some face by not asking for the Evening Moon Vine. Aren't you grateful for that?"
"Save it. Both you and your Sandstorm Rose have already comprehended the Joint Combo. Can you bear to leave it and take a new beast? No matter how powerful my Evening Moon Vine is, you won't dare to exchange for it, right?"
Liu Ran had hit the nail on the spot, so the other party left embarrassedly with the skills book.
Liu Ran was left behind in the corner, holding his face and rubbing it hard. "It's so embarrassing."
Chen An and Lin Yingxue walked toward him, and the quick-tongued Lin Yingxue spoke. "Do you also know what shame is? Weren't you full of promises when you wanted to exchange for the Evening Moon Vine?"
As soon as Liu Ran heard her voice, he straightened his back and forced a smile. "What a coincidence. It's you guys. Come, sit here. Why did you come to such a place?"
He sized up Lin Yingxue. "Aren't you a rich man's daughter who can buy anything that you want at the auctions?"
"If I hadn't come here, I wouldn't have been able to see how badly beaten you are now."
Lin Yingxue bore a grudge against Liu Ran as the latter had made Chen An forsake the Evening Moon Vine.
On the other hand, Liu Ran was not afraid of Lin Yingxue's aggressiveness, and he would always retort her.
Hence, there would be bickering whenever those two met.
Chen An's gaze landed on the Evening Moon Vine, and he asked, "Liu Ran, what were you doing earlier?"