"Resurrect on the spot!"
The Star Wolf Dog reappeared once more.
The ancient face of the Demon Tree Spirit showed a flicker of change. What was going on? Could it not be killed?
"Erbao! Use Screech!"
Zhou Ran transmitted a command through the power of the beast contract. During battle, the Beast Tamer essentially acted as the beast's brain, needing to give correct combat instructions.
It could be said that within this dimension, one could not only train the beast's abilities but also effectively hone Zhou Ran's own command skills.
Upon receiving the command, the star on the Star Wolf Dog's head glowed a fierce red. Simultaneously, a tremendous bark erupted from its throat.
The bewildered Demon Tree Spirit, caught off guard, had no time to defend. An agonizing pain shot through its mind – the Screech had miraculously succeeded!
"Well done! Attack its roots viciously!"
Zhou Ran had already noticed that the most vulnerable part of this ancient Demon Tree Spirit was its roots. Tree-type beasts were usually immobile, so they fiercely protected their roots.
Having just been hit by the Screech, the Demon Tree Spirit couldn't effectively defend itself anymore. This was clearly a prime opportunity.
The Star Wolf Dog immediately launched itself at the roots of the Demon Tree Spirit, ramming into them frantically. Though terrified inside, canine beasts were exceptionally combative by nature. Its head was bleeding from the impacts, yet it refused to give up.
Zhou Ran was also shocked. He hadn't expected his Husky to display such ferocity; it was completely unlike its earlier trembling self.
"Good! Press the attack, finish it!" Just as Zhou Ran was about to shout encouragement, the effect of the Screech wore off. The Demon Tree Spirit began attacking the Star Wolf Dog wildly.
Sickle-like branches instantly sliced the Star Wolf Dog to pieces.
What followed was a repeat of what happened with the Orange Shadow Cat the first time: endless death, resurrection...
After dying seventeen times, the Star Wolf Dog's body became enveloped in a dark green light. Simultaneously, a beam of light shot from its mouth, piercing straight through the Demon Tree Spirit. Its last vestiges of life force finally dissipated.
Wind Demon Cloak and Wind Demon Roar! Zhou Ran was ecstatic. He hadn't expected this big dog to comprehend two high-tier Wind skills at once!
Zhou Ran immediately ran over, about to pick up the Demon Blood Essence lying on the ground, when something strange happened.
The Star Wolf Dog swallowed the Demon Blood Essence in one gulp!
Its originally sapphire-blue eyes instantly turned blood red. It threw back its head and howled at the sky!
"Wh-wh-what are you doing?! My 200,000! Spit it out right now!" Zhou Ran wailed, pounding the ground with his fist in frustration.
But Zhou Ran quickly noticed a change in the Star Wolf Dog's appearance. He immediately used the Beast Identification Device.
Juvenile Body Dark Star Wolf Dog
Attribute: Wind, Demon
Level: Tier 2 Upper Rank
Skills: Savage Hound Assault, Screech, Wind Demon Cloak, Wind Demon Roar, Demon Descent
Potential: C
Score: 30
This...
Zhou Ran was dumbfounded. Dark Star Wolf Dog? What the heck?
Its attributes had actually gained a Demon type? Could this be... mutation?!
In this world, beasts could mutate under specific circumstances, but it was extremely unstable. They could become immensely powerful, or they could become completely useless.
The Beast Encyclopedia recorded an instance of a Dragon-type beast mutating, but it was a malignant mutation; it eventually degenerated back into a snake...
Clearly, his Star Wolf Dog had mutated in a positive direction. Just the fact it was a Juvenile Body at Tier 2 Upper Rank was already incredibly abnormal.
Zhou Ran scrutinized the Dark Star Wolf Dog. Not only had its eyes turned red, but its gray fur now contained streaks of blood-red hair. The light red star on its forehead had also turned completely crimson.
Its looks had instantly leveled up!
"Erbao, you've gotten handsome! Awesome!" Zhou Ran praised his beast.
Beside him, the Dark Star Wolf Dog held its head high with pride, its tail wagging constantly.
"Tch, getting a big head after just a little praise? Think you're going to fly now?"
"Get back to fighting monsters! You ate my 200,000, earn it back!" Zhou Ran shouted.
"Woof!" The Dark Star Wolf Dog clearly protested but still obeyed its master's command.
And so, Zhou Ran stayed within this dimension for five whole days. He even discovered a very convenient method.
Whenever he felt hungry or exhausted, he would simply kill himself. Upon immediate resurrection, he'd be back at full health, full of energy.
Zhou Ran plundered the dimension relentlessly. Anything that looked strange or shiny was taken and stuffed into his storage space. A few times, he even barged into the lairs of Divine Beast-level creatures, fleeing in terror.
...
Meanwhile, an intense battle was unfolding at the Xuanzhong Beast Tamer Academy.
Today was the Academy's annual grade assessment tournament. Feng Ruotong was supposed to arrive early to participate, but remembering that her Snow Maiden Beast was still at Zhou Ran's shop, she ended up arriving late.
The Academy grounds were exceptionally vast, featuring a central plaza as large as an airport runway. Yet, it was completely empty now.
Feng Ruotong wasn't surprised. Everyone was participating in the tournament held for each grade level today.
Feng Ruotong jogged through the grounds and finally spotted a massive structure at the center of the plaza.
Even though she was still hundreds of meters away, the roar of the crowd inside was clearly audible.
Feng Ruotong knew her match wasn't scheduled until the afternoon, which was why she had time to retrieve the Snow Maiden Beast. However, an unexpected development had occurred: the matches were moved up. Understandably, she felt a little nervous now.
"Phew, it's not my turn yet!" Feng Ruotong took a deep breath and sat down next to her classmates.
"Where did you go? I haven't seen you all morning, I've been looking everywhere!" said Zhang Tiantian, Feng Ruotong's friend beside her.
"I went to pick up the Snow Maiden Beast. You know what? There's this super amazing cultivation shop out in the outer city!" Feng Ruotong said excitedly.
"A cultivation shop in the outer city? No matter how amazing it is, how could it compare to the ones in our inner city?" Zhang Tiantian said dismissively, looking unconcerned.
Feng Ruotong didn't have time to explain patiently. She saw that the next match was hers. Because the previous contestant had suddenly fallen ill, their match was postponed, bumping Feng Ruotong up the schedule.
The referee's whistle signaled the end of the current match. It was Feng Ruotong's turn.
"Go Ruotong! You can do it!" Zhang Tiantian and other female classmates cheered enthusiastically for her.
Feng Ruotong nodded and ran onto the stage.
She was very nervous. Her opponent was a boy from another class, rumored to be one of the top fighters.
Soon, her opponent walked onto the stage.
He was about 170 cm tall, with short black hair, wearing gold-rimmed glasses, and had a very sharp gaze.
"You're from Class Three, right? Don't worry, I usually go easy on girls," Li Ze said, smiling easily at Feng Ruotong as if he had already won.
"Alright, the match is best two out of three. Each contestant may only use one beast per round. Harming the beast's life is forbidden. Maliciously harming the opponent is strictly prohibited and will result in expulsion from the school!"
"Begin the match!" the referee beside them called out coldly.