C2 Detection Function and Pet Beast Classic!
"Actually... this egg... it's just a medium-sized Jungle Lizard with ordinary aptitude."
"Really?" The girl cocked her head to the side, "Why do I get the feeling it's a Rock Snake egg?"
"No, you're mistaken. Look at what happens when you don't pay attention in class," Lin Yih said with a look of feigned distress, his finger trembling as he pointed at the yellowish cracks on the egg. "See these cracks? Notice how regular they are?"
"Wow! You're right!"
Lin Yih's eyes grew wide as he blurted out, "This is a variant of the Jungle Lizard, likely an earth attribute mutation."
"Oh, is that so..." The girl's face fell with disappointment.
...
Lin Yih glanced over at Nuo Juann, who was examining a Pet Beast Egg on the other side.
"Phew!" He exhaled deeply, relieved to have dodged that bullet.
The girl, Nuo Juann, was the daughter of Lin Yih's father's old comrade-in-arms, and both families had been nudging the two of them together.
But who was Lin Yih to be tied down by romance without first savoring life's ups and downs? What joy could there be in love compared to the thrill of soloing a dungeon?
Ahem, I digress.
But what to do with all these nearly identical eggs?
"Beep! Auxiliary system is now loading..." A robotic, emotionless voice echoed in Lin Yih's head.
"Ah! What's this? A cheat code!" A look of astonishment crossed Lin Yih's face as he morosely sorted through the Pet Beast Eggs.
Then, a wave of irrepressible excitement welled up inside him.
"Auxiliary system loaded successfully!"
"Activate!" Lin Yih silently commanded.
For a young man with otherworldly experiences, cheat codes were nothing new.
Zi Zi!
A grey interface materialized before Lin Yih.
Detect! Lottery! Exchange!
"Wow! This feels amazing!" Lin Yih wiped away the drool that wasn't there, sensing the rhythm of his impending rise.
He glanced around at his classmates picking Pet Beast Eggs, noting nothing out of the ordinary. This meant the panel was visible to him alone.
"Hehe, let's test out the Detection Function."
Zi Zi!
The grey interface flickered before settling down.
"Why is it blank?" Lin Yih pondered, shifting his gaze to a white Pet Beast Egg nearby.
Name: Grass Snake?
Species: Reptile
Attribute: Wood
Level: None!
Status: Unformed!
Quality: Ordinary
Potential: Two Stars (Estimated)
Skills: Entanglement, Whip
Evolution Path: One (Unmet)
Description: A very common reptilian creature with ordinary quality, not recommended for cultivation. The meat is decent and can be turned into a tasty dish.
Name: Shell Insect?
Species: Reptile
Attribute: Wood
Level: None!
Status: Unformed!
Quality: Elite
Potential: Three Stars (Estimated)
Skills: Charge
Evolution Path: One (Unmet) Two (Unmet)
Description: A very common reptilian creature with ordinary quality, not recommended for cultivation. A favorite meal of Fang Rats, it aids their growth.
Name: Waterbird
Species: Avian
Attribute: Water
Level: Early Bronze Third Stage
Status: Ready to Hatch!
Quality: Ordinary
Potential: Two Stars
Skills: Water
Evolution Path: One (Unmet)
Description: A mischievous avian creature fond of teasing passersby, often with dire consequences. Ordinary quality, not recommended for cultivation.
"Wow!" Lin Yih's excitement was palpable, his mouth curving into an involuntary smile.
This feature couldn't have come at a better time, especially since Lin Yih needed it today of all days.
The academy had organized a Pet Beast Egg selection event.
But here, it was just eggs and more eggs, with no descriptions. Yet, hidden among these eggs were many of exceptional quality, treasures money couldn't buy.
Choosing a good Pet Beast Egg involved many factors.
Half of it depended on one's knowledge of pet beasts, as some species naturally outperformed others. This is where one's biological studies could come into play, an edge for those with good grades.
The other half was sheer luck. Every species had its highs and lows in quality, and with a bit of fortune, picking a Divine Beast wasn't out of the realm of possibility.
After all, the thrill of the gamble was the biggest allure of Pet Beast Eggs.
"Hehe, I suppose this is my own form of cheating."
Lin Yih chuckled to himself, his gaze continuously scanning the area.
Name: Fire Crab?
...
Name: Weedle?
...
Name: Beibei Bird?
...
After reviewing dozens, Lin Yih noted that most Pet Beast Eggs had average qualities, though a few elite ones with promising potential stood out. These were ideal for a beginner's first Pet Beast, but Lin Yih wanted to keep looking. After all, he was a man with an ace up his sleeve; he couldn't settle for just ordinary.
"Huh?" Lin Yih paused suddenly.
Name: Holy Beetle!
Species: Reptile
Attribute: Light
Level: Early Bronze Third Stage
Status: In Incubation!
Quality: Perfect
Potential: Four Stars
Skills: Sprint, Baptism, Refraction
Evolution Path: Stage One (Unmet), Stage Two (Unmet), Stage Three (Unmet)
Introduction: An exceptionally rare reptilian creature, believed to be a benign mutation of a beetle. A top pick for a caregiver!
"Perfect quality!" Lin Yih smiled, his search finally yielding a creature that met his expectations.
If there's one, there's bound to be another.
Name: Mutant Water Snake?
Species: Reptile
Attribute: Water
Level: Early Bronze Tier
Status: Awaiting Incubation!
Quality: Perfect
Potential: Four Stars (Estimated)
Skills: Constriction, Stare, Water Spike, ?
Evolution Path: Stage One (Unmet), Stage Two (Unmet), Stage Three (Unmet)
Introduction: Possible hidden lineage? Highly recommended!
"Hidden lineage! Gulp!" Lin Yih swallowed hard.
This was the one!
Without further thought, Lin Yih took out his student card and swiped it through the card reader in front of the display case.
"Ding! Sir, please take your Pet Beast Egg."
A synthesized female voice rang in Lin Yih's ear.
In his hands was a blue Pet Beast Egg!
A bronze-colored tome materialized before Lin Yih's eyes as he focused his thoughts.
The Pet Beast Classic!
This was one of the most enigmatic forces in existence.
Every individual harbored a Pet Beast Classic within them, brimming with boundless energy. It was a vital power that enabled humanity to maintain its dominion over the world.
Lin Yih carefully opened the first page of the Pet Beast Classic and gently placed the Pet Beast Egg at its center.
"Buzz!"
The Pet Beast Classic vibrated faintly, the image of the Pet Beast Egg transforming into a beam of light that was absorbed by the page.
"Flip! Flip!" The pages of the Pet Beast Classic turned, revealing lines of text on what were once blank pages.
Image (Blue Pet Beast Egg)
Name: Unnamed
Level: Early Bronze Tier
Status: Incubating...
"It's quite rudimentary compared to the auxiliary system's Detection Function," Lin Yih mused.
