Chapter 374 - 253: Geological Hub 2

"If you were to destroy it... well, you know the consequences."

"Respect nature." Su Zhi nodded, filled with deep emotion.

"After that, Fuguang Lake was basically developed as a tourist attraction. Many tourists come to Celestial Paradise just to get a glimpse of the lake’s surface, which reflects light no matter the time of day."

"Some Beast Tamers with Gold or Earth Element Pet Beasts love bringing them here. The energy is very active, which helps these two types of Pet Beasts comprehend and break through. Mmm, people just like you."

As Shen Chuqing spoke, she turned her gaze to Yu Bao. "You can let Yu Bao try going into the water. The water here has been irradiated by the Golden Sand Flower’s energy waves for so long that it has become suitable for conducting Earth or Gold Element Energy... Speaking of which, can your Pet Beast swim?"

"Awoo!"

The moment Shen Chuqing finished speaking, Yu Bao had already jumped in with a SPLASH.

Su Zhi squatted on the bank, watching Yu Bao. "You okay, Yu Bao?"

"Awoo!" Yu Bao responded, skillfully doggy-paddling forward.

What mutt can’t swim? It’s not like he’s some clumsy Black Fighting Emperor.

Feeling the feedback from Yu Bao, Su Zhi couldn’t help but break into a smile.

’It’s working.’

Even just standing by Fuguang Lake, the Gold Element Energy within Yu Bao was already stirring restlessly.

After entering the water, this feeling of revival and activity in its energy became even more pronounced. Every cell on its body’s surface became active under the influence of the dense Gold Element Energy, and the effect gradually penetrated deeper.

"Awoo!" Yu Bao’s excited voice came through the Beast Taming Space.

"Really?" Su Zhi was overjoyed.

Just now, Yu Bao had successfully controlled the Gold Element Energy and made it circulate within its body.

This was one of the signs of awakening a new Attribute. Yu Bao was just one final step away from completely mastering the Gold Attribute!

"Awoo!" Yu Bao indicated that it wanted to dive down and take a look.

Thanks to the Vast Sea Condensed Pearl gifted by Han Lan, Yu Bao could breathe freely underwater and was unaffected by the water pressure. It could do whatever it wanted in the water.

"Be careful!" Su Zhi still didn’t dare to be careless.

The scene of Yu Bao being dragged into the Mental World and forced to play a tentacle game during its first evolution was still fresh in Su Zhi’s memory.

Although Fuguang Lake itself didn’t have any very dangerous Exotic Beasts, if Yu Bao triggered something, or was dragged into the Mental World again, things would get out of hand.

Su Zhi focused his attention, waiting by the lake. If anything unusual happened, he would recall Yu Bao to the Beast Taming Space immediately.

...

After getting used to moving in the water, Yu Bao held its breath and dived.

The sound of rippling water rushed past its ears. Schools of small fish occasionally swam by, then darted away in a panic after seeing this not-so-fish-like thing.

Yu Bao’s gaze swept over the fish-like Exotic Beasts.

Fuguang Lake’s Earth and Gold Element Energy was too dense, so most of the Exotic Beasts living here were also related to these two Attributes. Pure Water Element Exotic Beasts were actually quite rare.

Of course, that didn’t mean there were none at all.

"ROAR!"

A huge, nearly two-meter-long black shadow shot over from not far away. Its fist-sized eyes were bloodshot, its eyeballs rolling as they stared at Yu Bao, and its massive maw was filled with jagged, interlocking teeth.

A Water Element High Level Extraordinary Race, one of the fiercest predators of the Freshwater Lake—the Tank Sturgeon!

"⌓‿⌓​" As a newcomer, Yu Bao offered a polite smile and gave a friendly demonstration of its Furious Sand Blade.

The Tank Sturgeon turned and fled.

Sorry, guess I was a bit loud.jpg

This Tank Sturgeon was a local tyrant in Fuguang Lake. After Yu Bao easily scared it away, no other Exotic Beasts dared to court trouble. At most, they cursed from afar that the despicable out-of-town dog wouldn’t get any good juice to drink.

Yu Bao dived deeper and deeper. A brilliant golden radiance grew brighter and brighter.

Eh?

Yu Bao tilted its head in curiosity.

’Why does the energy fluctuation here feel a little strange?’

·

While it rained in some places, others remained sunny.

An interesting contrast was the Huai City Battle Hall in the afternoon. Most of the arenas were empty, while one was hosting a fierce and fiery battle.

"WHOOSH!" Bubble was too slow to release its Wind Blade, and Katie’s High-pressure Water Gun found an opening, shooting toward it.

"Chirp!" Lilith quickly flew in front of Bubble, using her White Flame to cancel out the torrent.

"S-Sorry! I was slow again!" Xu Ruo said anxiously.

"It’s fine, we haven’t lost yet. Focus!" Fang Yuan said in a low voice, trying hard not to laugh.

It wasn’t that Xu Ruo was playing poorly, but that she was trying too hard to play well.

’I don’t have any confidence in winning either, but she’s been fighting so fiercely since she stepped into the arena. Though, her fierceness is kind of cute. After all, everything seems cute when you’re weak...’

But Fang Yuan quite liked her quality of giving it her all.

Even knowing her opponent was invincible, she still dared to draw her sword. This timid-looking girl was far braver than he had imagined.

’Still, it’s just an informal spar. The penalty for losing is just not coming for a month. Is it really that serious?’

Fang Yuan kept a straight face and commanded Lilith to continue the battle.

The doubles Pet Beast Battle had been going on for a while, longer than a regular match.

This Pet Beast Battle, though a spar in name, was actually the training of one Pet Beast accompanied by three others.

In name, Lilith was Bubble’s teammate.

In reality... she was playing a rather subtle role.

Generally, if a doubles team consists of a pro and a rookie, the battle often turns into a scene where the pro fights one-on-two while the rookie can only watch from the sidelines.

But Lilith would deliberately let some not-so-difficult attacks through to Bubble, giving Bubble a chance to fight and learn on its own, ensuring it was never "idle."

Even when she had the advantage or found a weakness, Lilith wouldn’t press the attack. Instead, she would give the offensive opportunity to Bubble, while she herself just went through the motions.

Only when Bubble made a mistake and was forced onto the defensive would Lilith show her true strength, saving the day in the nick of time. Then, after bringing the situation back to a stalemate, she would go back to slacking off.

She had forcibly turned Bubble, who could have easily been marginalized, into the core of the battle.

Bilang and Xue Li also had great control. Although the Skills they unleashed were genuine, they would always play with the angles so that Bubble could just barely dodge them.

They would also coordinate with Lilith to feign a stalemate, unleashing various Water Element Skills in front of Bubble to help it comprehend.

Then they would "inadvertently" reveal a weakness, giving Bubble a chance for some hands-on practice.

"Bubble! Try again!"

Noticing a weak point in the opponents’ positioning, Xu Ruo decisively gave the order.

Observing with such focus for a long time was quite draining for a Beast Tamer, and it was just as taxing for the Pet Beasts fighting in the arena.

Even though Xue Li and Bilang were deliberately holding back their strength, this battle was still extremely difficult for her and Bubble.

They were almost at their limit...

’But I can’t lose yet!’

"SWOOSH—" Bubble also sensed Xu Ruo’s thoughts, forced itself to rally its spirits, and beat its wings in response to its master.

Its internal Energy was nearly depleted. Bubble gathered the last of its Wind Energy, which formed a pale green light concentrated on its wings.

Many times before, it had failed to create a proper Wind Blade.

But now, Bubble’s concentration was unprecedented. Every scene of Xue Li and Bilang releasing their Water Element Skills was reflected in its mind like a slow-motion replay.

’Water flows, and wind flows. Water can form waves, and wind can form waves too...’

Following its own understanding, Bubble organized its energy as if it were releasing a Water Element Skill and aimed at the opponents on the other side of the arena.

’I can’t lose yet.’

’For my Beast Tamer, Ruoruo!!!’

"SWOOSH SWOOSH SWOOSH—"

The whistling of the airflow enveloped the entire arena.

Unlike the sharp-bladed shape of a regular Wind Blade, Bubble’s Wind Blade this time came in clumps. It didn’t look like a blade, but more like a pile of bubbles, just like its name.

These seemingly harmless wind bubbles produced an effect far stronger than a Wind Blade. The Water Element Skills released by Bilang and Xue Li were directly scattered into splashes of water, and the remaining force of the wind bubbles exploded across the arena.

"Quack—"

Xue Li and Bilang glanced at each other, took the opportunity to gracefully exit, and leaped backward, pretending to be knocked off the arena.

"Did I win?"

Xu Ruo was stunned for a moment. Then, with a delayed reaction, her eyes lit up and she looked at Fang Yuan. "That’s great!"

’For the next month, I can still come to the Battle Hall with Fang Yuan.’

’That’s great...’

"Mhm, that was beautifully done."

Fang Yuan smiled lightly. "And congratulations on finding an approach to Skills that suits your Pet Beast."

Xu Ruo nodded vigorously and gave Bubble a big hug.

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