Chapter 8: Supreme Mother River, Contract Beast Taming! |
"Uncle Zhou, I choose the Phantom Dream Spider!"
Lu Yu was not the type to procrastinate; he made his decision quickly.
Seeing the fiery look in Lu Yu's eyes, Zhou Cheng knew he would definitely choose the Phantom Dream Spider and couldn't help but offer a reminder:
"Are you sure?"
"Yes, I'll choose it.
After my parents passed away, the nightmares about the sun have been haunting me, and psychiatrists haven't helped. The Phantom Dream Spider can weave pleasant dreams for me and regulate my spirit.
I can choose powerful combat-type pet beasts once I reach the Silver Rank."
Lu Yu's reasoning was very solid.
After all, he was a madman in many people's eyes, so choosing a dream-type pet beast to regulate his mental state seemed normal.
If it weren't for that mission, his parents wouldn't have died, and Lu Yu wouldn't have suffered such a heavy blow and started having hallucinations.
The Hundred Flowers Soul-Forging Wine was also something he had brought specially, just wanting to take better care of the descendants of his former comrades.
What made him feel worse was that the mission was still incomplete. If it failed, it would trigger a major crisis…
But now the situation had escalated, and he would only be qualified to participate if he successfully advanced to the Morning Star Rank.
At this thought, a hint of gloom flashed in Zhou Cheng's eyes, but it was quickly concealed as he comforted him:
"That makes sense. Besides, this is the last relic from before the thousand-year-old Dream-Eating Cult was annihilated. Maybe yours is the Holy Beast they were trying to cultivate. It's just that the Spiritual Puzzle for a dream-type will need careful consideration."
Great, I'll use that excuse!
Lu Yu scratched his head with a touch of "youthful" shyness, but what he was really thinking was that after unlocking the Secret Food Inheritance, the Dream-Eating Cult and the "Lord of the Eternal Dreamland" could take the blame for all of the Phantom Dream Spider's transformations.
This would plant a reasonable, self-contained explanation for his future increase in strength.
After all, there was no one who could confront him about it.
However, Lu Yu didn't rush to get the Phantom Dream Spider, but instead turned and asked:
"Uncle Zhou, what is a Spiritual Puzzle?"
Zhou Cheng had frequently mentioned this term with a suggestive tone, indicating its importance.
He finally asked!
Zhou Cheng revealed a cunning smile and said righteously, "Normally, information about Spiritual Puzzles is a secret you only learn after becoming a Gold Beast Tamer.
However, since you're here to redeem a Gold Medal, the Warden is required to answer your questions during the process, so it's within the rules."
Of course, he had guided Lu Yu to this intentionally.
He repeatedly emphasized Spiritual Puzzles because he wanted to reveal some hidden knowledge to Lu Yu. But as the acting Warden, he couldn't proactively disclose it according to the rules, though he could answer passively.
Zhou Cheng asked Lu Yu, "Do you know why the Beast Taming Space can accelerate a pet beast's growth?"
"Because of the Supreme Mother River. A human's Beast Taming Space is connected to the Mother River, allowing it to draw Primordial Spirituality and convert it to nurture pet beasts. The stronger you are, the more efficient the conversion. This is a talent unique to us humans."
Lu Yu answered without hesitation; this was basic material from the beast tamer curriculum.
"Correct, it's because of the Supreme Mother River. Countless worlds, billions of dimensional laws, are all just grains of sand within the Mother River, differing only in size. It is the origin of all spirituality, and our human Beast Taming Spaces are miracles bestowed by the Mother River."
Zhou Cheng organized his thoughts and continued:
"If you compare the Mother River to an ocean, we humans are like inhabitants of an Island of Ignorance in a dark sea.
This ocean is vast and boundless, holding infinite secrets, but it also contains endless dangers. If you jump straight into the water, only drowning awaits.
That's why you need a ship to help you sail."
"A ship?" Lu Yu seemed to have thought of something and asked in surprise, "You mean humans can enter the Mother River?"
"Very clever!"
Zhou Cheng had an expression like 'this child is teachable,' glanced at the unsurprised Chiyue Meng, and continued:
"I can tell you that in order to advance to the Morning Star Rank, you must enter the Mother River.
And the Spiritual Puzzle is equivalent to a ship that helps you sail. The quality of the puzzle determines how far you can travel, and most importantly, it helps you hide yourself, preventing you from being discovered by certain unknown existences…"
Hearing this, Lu Yu murmured, "The Dark Forest Law…"
Zhou Cheng asked in confusion, "Dark Forest? What does that mean?"
"It was written in a book I happened to read…"
Lu Yu didn't hide it.
After all, the sky of this world was also a starry sky. Although he didn't know if a universe existed, the term was the same, so it wasn't hard to understand.
He gave a simple explanation.
Chiyue Meng's expression was indifferent, but the ripples in her eyes proved she was not as calm as she appeared.
After listening, a trace of surprise appeared on Zhou Cheng's usually impassive face, and he couldn't help but praise:
"This author is quite something, comparing the universe to a dark forest where every civilization is a hunter with a gun, stalking like a ghost through the woods, gently pushing aside branches, trying not to make a sound with their footsteps, even breathing carefully.
It seems to be about hunting, but it's actually about the plundering of resources between civilizations and the Chain of Suspicion.
This person has a wild imagination. They must be a top-tier expert who has entered the Mother River.
I can't help but want to read this book. What's its title?"
"I forgot the name too. I'll look for the title when I get back and tell you next time."
Lu Yu casually gave a "pigeon" quote; after all, he had only watched some summaries in his past life.
He couldn't possibly replicate the author's book based on a few fragmented passages.
Zhou Cheng didn't press the matter and continued:
"But regarding the Mother River, you can think about it when you reach Gold Spirituality. What I want to talk about is another ability of the puzzle: balance."
"You should know that when humans absorb spirituality, it causes Aberration.
This is actually because humans get too close to the Mother River and absorb too much incomprehensible knowledge. Using a pet beast is like installing a filter, however…
Even a filter has its limits.
It's like a water purifier that can filter pure water, but one day the filter core will become completely contaminated, and even after filtering, the water will still be polluted.
Using a pet beast is the same principle.
Normal daily use and raising are fine, as it's like a lake that purifies itself. But once you engage in high-frequency combat and overdraft your spirituality, over time, the 【Filter Core】 will be stained black, eventually contaminating the pet beast.
In mild cases, its temperament will change drastically; in severe cases, it will undergo Aberration and turn against its human. But you can't just discard a pet beast like a normal filter core, so what should be done?"
Lu Yu pondered, and Chiyue Meng, who was beside him, gave the answer:
"Upgrade it!"
Zhou Cheng nodded in satisfaction and continued, "Correct, upgrade it.
Since the original filter core is no longer durable, you use a new pet beast to bear the load and build a new balance. And it's not a random choice; it needs to match the attribute of the first beast.
For example, your little girlfriend's first beast is Abyss-type, so her others will also be Abyss-type, or pet beasts with negative attributes like Dark, Undead, and so on. If she forcibly chose a Holy Light-type pet beast, it would likely conflict, constantly repelling, and eventually cause the pipes to burst.
Of course, some people have succeeded, mastering multiple extreme attributes and becoming powerful, but those are exceptions.
The Spiritual Puzzles of geniuses from large families have been passed down after countless years of experimentation, and they monopolize the related pet beasts.
Not only does high-frequency combat not affect their minds, but the perfect coordination of their beasts also greatly increases their combat power. Some prodigies can even gestate a Law ahead of time…
Never mind, I'm getting sidetracked.
If you've chosen a dream-type, your subsequent pet beasts must be of non-conflicting attributes. Be careful to ensure the spirituality between your beasts reaches a balance."
At this "little girlfriend" tease, hearts silently appeared in Chiyue Meng's pupils, brimming with an emotion called joy.
Lu Yu didn't notice the girl's reaction beside him. Like a sponge, he continuously absorbed this precious knowledge, sighing in his heart:
A single true teaching is worth ten thousand scrolls of false scripture.
These words alone would save him from countless detours.
Thinking of this, Lu Yu said with sincere gratitude, "Uncle Zhou, thank you!"
"Get lost, don't give me that sappy stuff, you big man!" Zhou Cheng cursed with a laugh, then manipulated the roots of the Phantom Prison Demon Flower to retrieve the Phantom Dream Spider's egg from the cave and hand it to Lu Yu.
It didn't have the sticky feeling he had imagined; instead, it was like stroking top-grade silk, incredibly smooth.
Faintly, he could feel the weak stirrings of life within.
Before leaving, Zhou Cheng said meaningfully:
"Don't think you're crazy. In the future, you'll find out that beast tamers… are a damn bunch of lunatics!"
After speaking, he left a piece of paper with his contact information and departed with a flourish.
Lu Yu was speechless with laughter. This old man who loved to act cool wasn't as optimistic as he seemed.
Since there was no turning back, he might as well crush the thorns and see the view from the mountaintop.
After registering the information for receiving the pet beast, because he was anxious to unlock the new inheritance with the 【Key of Truth】, Lu Yu said he would treat Chiyue Meng to a meal in a couple of days.
The latter remained silent.
"Then let's just…"
"Soup Dumplings!"
Lu Yu thought she was looking down on his offer of a meal and was about to say 'forget it' when he heard Chiyue Meng's voice.
Looking down, although her expression was still calm, he could feel a sense of anticipation.
Although he didn't quite understand why a young lady like Chiyue Meng would like this kind of street food, since she liked it and he could save money, why not?
"Alright!"
Lu Yu nodded in agreement.
Just then, the bus arrived. He swiped his monthly pass, got on, and waved goodbye.
Chiyue Meng just watched quietly, her almost perfect looks causing all the passengers on the bus to turn their heads.
Only after the bus disappeared from view did she retract her gaze and take out her phone.
It was a screenshot of a chat log.
【Dusk Crow: The Soup Dumplings near my house are pretty good. I'll treat you sometime.】
Chiyue Meng's gaze was profound as she murmured:
"I want to eat…"
……………………………………
Meanwhile, Lu Yu returned home, quickly locked the doors and windows, drew the curtains, and then, following the method taught in his textbooks, drew a Beast Taming Formation.
He placed the Phantom Dream Spider egg in the center and dropped a drop of fresh blood onto the cocoon.
Hum!
Accompanied by a soft hum!
The Contract Ritual activated.
Dozens of nodes lit up one after another, and brilliant points of light like stars rose from the formation, quickly filling the entire room.
The starlight flowed, establishing an invisible connection between him and the Phantom Dream Spider before him.
Lu Yu felt his soul gain some weight as an emotion of adoration and longing was transmitted to him, a desire to be born.
The first pet beast, contract successful!