Lin Su slowly opened his eyes and sat up in bed.
After a whole day of practice in the Divine Martial World, he still hadn't managed to concoct the perfect grade energy liquid, though he had improved several previously high-grade ones to near-perfect levels.
Meanwhile, Qiuqiu had also improved in its use of Frost Storm throughout the day's training, gaining slightly better ease in handling it although the power hadn't increased much – it still counted as progress.
Both master and pet might need a breakthrough opportunity.
Qiuqiu was currently resting in his Beast Taming Space, while Lin Su picked up the communicator from the bedside, turning it on to check his messages.
A night had passed, and his inbox contained two new emails.
The first was from Qin Nan, and upon reading it, a brilliant smile spread across Lin Su's face.
The email only mentioned two things.
First, the contribution points from the previous research project were distributed. Due to some peculiarities in the research process, the final grant was increased to 110,000 points and Lin Su had received 20,000 of those points, which had already been credited.
Second, the research project that he had applied for on the evolution path of the Indestructible Duck was approved, and the first batch of the required pet creatures and supernatural resources would arrive at the research institute that afternoon. Qin Nan had requested Lin Su to receive them.
After reading the email, Lin Su promptly checked his Beast Tamer account and, seeing an extra 20,000 contribution points credited there, his face broke into wide smile.
Truly overnight riches.
But soon he sighed.
Initially, he had planned to immediately order the level-six supernatural resource needed for Qiuqiu after gaining the points. After all, the eye nucleus from the Commander Grade Fear Demon Statue was a rather scarce resource, and it was better to procure it sooner for peace of mind.
But now, with the Grand Competition in Taming Masters in the Divine Martial World, he wanted to try his best to win the championship first.
If he could achieve that, he might enhance Qiuqiu with the resources and the Nirvana Pool from the Beast Tamer's Association rewards, meaning these 20,000 points could be saved for other uses later.
Perhaps for a second pet yet to be encountered?
If not, these 20,000 points would serve as a safety net, ensuring Qiuqiu's smooth evolution.
With thoughts racing, Lin Su casually clicked on the unread second email and glanced through the content, raising his eyebrows involuntarily.
"A one-on-one pet creature battle invitation?"
The email was sent from the Battle Arena, where he had just been enlisted as a nominal trainer, outlining that his first client had approached and needed him to reply whether to accept the battle invitation and to confirm the time.
After reviewing the client's detailed pet creature information, a look of interest appeared on Lin Su's face.
This pet creature...
It was undoubtedly an old friend of Qiuqiu's.
Fortunately, the required pet creatures and supernatural resources for the research wouldn't arrive at the institute until that afternoon.
He'd schedule it for the morning.
After responding to the email to set the battle time, Lin Su got up from the bed.
Time for a wash and breakfast.
He had earned 20,000 contribution points today. It was time for a good breakfast as a treat.
Mountain City University's cafeteria made excellent deep-fried dough sticks, crispy yet soft—three sticks for him today!
And two cups of soy milk!
...
Upon entering the private battle room assigned for trainers in the Battle Arena, Lin Su quickly spotted his client.
It was a bespectacled young man, looking rather scholarly. On seeing Lin Su, his eyes lit up and he hurried forward to greet him, "Hello, Trainer Lin."
"No need to be so formal," Lin Su said, noticing the university badge on the young man's chest, adding with a quirky smile, "You're from Mountain City University, aren't you? Then I should probably call you senior."
"That works, then I'll call you junior," the bespectacled young man said with a smile. "This is my first time seeing a Lightning Fox with such high normal energy levels, so I couldn't help wanting to see it in action."
"No problem," Lin Su nodded, then his expression turned curious, "Senior, since you're already a student at Mountain City University, you must be at least an upcoming sophomore. Why do you still have a juvenile-stage pet?"
"Oh, this is a secondary pet I bonded with recently after breaking through to the third tier of the Beast Taming Space," the young man explained, and then from under his feet, a yellow light wove into a pattern. Soon a fox-like pet creature sporting golden fur and lightning marks appeared.
It was unmistakably a Lightning Fox.
With its paws touching the ground, bright golden sparks flared from its feet, and lightning arced continuously through its fur, the soft crackling sound ever-present.
This Lightning Fox seemed significantly stronger than the one raised in the garden in the Divine Martial World.
[Item ID: IAM-0133
Species Name: Lightning Fox
Species Rank: Low Commander Grade
Attribute: Lightning
Growth Stage: Juvenile
Normal Energy Value: 387P
Talent Skills: Thunderclap Claw (Core Skill), Electric Chasing, Electric Lock Chain]
After reading the data feedback on his communicator, Lin Su nodded. Light yellow patterns slowly weaved under his feet, and Qiuqiu, now back at its peak, quickly appeared by his side.
Soon, it heard the faint sounds of electricity in the air and looked around instinctively, its expression a bit surprised.
"Meow?" (Is that the little fox?)
"No, this is another Lightning Fox," Lin Su explained with a slight smile.
"Meow! (｡✪ω✪｡)" (Another little fox!)
Qiuqiu moved closer, its large eyes curiously sizing up the newcomer.