C23 New Strengthening Function

Jiao Yuanju was in a rush to leave because an electronic voice had echoed in his mind: "Congratulations on successfully unlocking the Body Enhancement Panel and activating the Body Enhancement Function. As this is your first activation, you will receive a complimentary enhancement opportunity. Please select your enhancement option."

Having single-handedly defeated over a dozen opponents in the arena, Jiao Yuanju was exhausted, but his rewards were substantial. He had earned eight energy points, prompting the system to unlock a new panel for him.

[Body Enhancement Options now available: Strength Enhancing Fluid, Speed Enhancing Fluid, Bloodline Enhancing Fluid, and Perception Enhancing Fluid.]

Jiao Yuanju was astounded by these four enhancement options. The system could actually enhance his body!

"Strength Enhancement!" he declared, deciding to test it out. A bottle of the fluid materialized in his hand, which he drank without a second thought. Soon, a warm sensation spread throughout his body, and he could feel himself growing stronger in a slow, extraordinary process.

With a sudden punch, Jiao Yuanju realized his strength was immense, easily surpassing 150 pounds. What did that mean for a sixteen-year-old? It was almost inconceivable.

Extremely pleased with the outcome, Jiao Yuanju shared the news with his parents upon returning home, omitting his venture into the wilderness and simply stating that he had joined the Combat Pet Squad to support the military.

His parents, far from ordinary, understood the significance of the Combat Pet Squad. Their son had a boundless future ahead of him! They spent half the night speaking with Jiao Yuanju, emphasizing the need for caution and urging him to strive harder to secure a place in the military.

All the while, Jiao Yuanju's gaze was fixed on the lower half of Jiao Huai's body.

Meanwhile, in the wilderness, the night air was pierced by chilling wolf howls and the gruesome combat of massive beasts. The darkness was alive with carnage. The Mutant Beasts, having evolved, were now more formidable, throwing the natural order into chaos.

In this new world, wild cats sometimes fell prey to mice, and fist-sized cockroaches and ants had become fearsome predators. Nothing was safe; even a towering two-meter bull could be devoured in mere minutes.

In a valley encircled by innumerable Mutant Beasts, an array of modern machinery and energy shields created an impenetrable fortress.

Scores of black-robed figures paced the area—some on patrol, others feasting.

Every so often, a gigantic rat would scurry by, only to be effortlessly snatched up by the figures, their mouths agape with a sinister red glow in their eyes as they gnawed on the living creature. They resembled demonic spirits cloaked in human flesh, their thirst for blood matched only by their ferocity.

Within the base, a man knelt trembling on the ground. He was the black-robed individual who had commanded the Crazy Lion and narrowly escaped death at the hands of Jiao Yuanju.

In a panic, the man stammered, "Chief, I swear I had no part in this. I never anticipated an elite Combat Pet Master would be there, with such an unorthodox fighting style. He dispatched the Crazy Lion with a mere slap and nearly captured me. The beast tide only lured a few thousand beasts to roam the area. But grant me another chance, and I assure you, I won't fail!"

Another black-robed figure extended a hand, its claw-like skin shriveled as if belonging to a corpse, and adorned with fine scales along the arm.

With a patronizing tap on the man's head, he sneered, "You've been compromised. Do you think you could survive another beast tide summoning? We may be a branch, but we cannot afford to disgrace the organization. Take two level-two Mutant Beasts with you, but this time, we'll forego the beast tide."

The man looked up, bewildered. "What's the plan?"

"The lord of Krukshire has a granddaughter with modest talent, yet she's been seen around the barracks lately. I've heard she might show up at the Mutant Beast battlefield in Sunrise Borough. It's the perfect chance to seize her. Those Mutant Beasts are a nuisance, and penetrating Krukshire would be ideal. I'm tired of dwelling in those decrepit tribal settlements!"

Jiao Yuanju and his companions had been waiting outside Azure Academy for quite some time. Led by two military officers, they climbed aboard a military truck and made a beeline for the central military district of Krukshire.

Jing Haokuo and his companions were brimming with excitement. Every so often, he'd gaze out at the city's skyscrapers and high-tech structures, exclaiming, "I never imagined I'd get to cruise the streets in a military vehicle in my lifetime. I'm going to brag about this to my dad when I get back!"

Zhen Heyi chuckled in response, "How can you do that to your dad?"

With a sly grin, Jing Haokuo replied, "He's a no-nonsense kind of guy. He used to be a soldier and would always berate me for being a lazy fat pig. I can't wait to go back and flaunt my accomplishments to him!"

Jing Dehai and the other two came from prestigious families and seemed uninterested in such matters. They kept to themselves, not bothering to engage with Jiao Yuanju and his group. Clearly, they formed their own exclusive clique, and despite the team's formation, these three defiant individuals were reluctant to heed Jiao Yuanju's commands.

The most reserved of them all was Xie Ziyu. She sat in solitude in the spacious vehicle, eyes closed, exuding the aura of a detached princess.

Jiao Yuanju, captivated by the landscape, reflected on his transformation. Just half a month earlier, he was a nondescript student, struggling to acquire a Combat Pet. But the events of the past few weeks had unveiled an entirely new world to him. Was he now entering a more enigmatic realm?

Noticing Jiao Yuanju lost in thought, Zhen Heyi nudged Jing Haokuo with her foot, "Haokuo, switch seats with me."

Bewildered at first, Jing Haokuo caught Zhen Heyi's lingering look towards Jiao Yuanju and quickly caught on. He moved aside, chuckling to himself.

Beside him, Jing Junbo inquired with a puzzled look, "What's so hilarious? And why that sleazy laugh?"

Jing Haokuo shot him an eye roll and retorted, "You're clueless!"