61: Chapter 61 Pangolin Breakthrough

Just as he was rejoicing, a strong fluctuation came from the Spirit-Taming Tower Space!

Lin Xuan immediately put down his talisman brush, his mind sinking into the space.

He saw that on the surface of the cocoon, which was interwoven with earthy yellow and dark gold beneath the thunder-attracting vine, fine cracks were beginning to appear!

"Crack... crack..."

The cracks grew more numerous and denser.

Finally, with a soft "bang", the cocoon shell shattered!

A dark brown figure leaped out from within!

It was the Pangolin, but it was vastly different from three days ago.

Its body was a size larger; its original calf-sized frame was now approaching that of an adult water buffalo.

The most striking feature was the scale armor on its back—it was no longer a simple dark brown, but presented a deep, iron-like dark grey, thick and solid, with a metallic luster on the surface.

And those dark golden thunder patterns were no longer floating on the surface, but were deeply embedded into the scales, as if they had grown there naturally.

The patterns were more complex and profound, faintly forming a kind of natural talisman array. When it breathed, these thunder patterns would flicker, as if inhaling and exhaling thunder.

"Roar..."

The Pangolin let out a low, satisfied roar, the sound containing the heaviness of the earth and the might of thunder.

It looked up at Lin Xuan, its eyes bright with spiritual light, conveying a clear and strong sense of closeness and gratitude.

Lin Xuan walked over and reached out to stroke its head. The scale armor was cold and hard, but when touched, he could feel the surging earth and thunder dual-attribute Spiritual Qi beneath it.

"You broke through?" Lin Xuan asked through the contract.

The Pangolin nodded vigorously, then transmitted a piece of information:

[Earth Perception] range increased from one hundred zhang to one hundred and thirty zhang, and it could now vaguely perceive the flow direction of Spiritual Qi underground—this meant it could not only "see" what was underground, but also "smell" where Spiritual Qi was concentrated, which was a huge help for prospecting mines and veins.

Its speed when traveling underground increased by fifty percent, and the disturbance it caused was greatly reduced.

Previously, it made a huge noise when burrowing, but now it could do so almost silently, greatly enhancing its stealth.

What surprised Lin Xuan the most was that the [Thunder-Patterned Armor] talent had undergone a qualitative change.

The scale armor not only had greatly increased physical defense, but also had stronger resistance and even absorption and conversion capabilities against thunder-attribute attacks.

Simply put, if someone used thunder magic against it now, the effect would be at least halved.

"Good, very good!" Lin Xuan rarely showed such a joyful smile.

These seven hundred and fifty contribution points were well spent!

The Pangolin rubbed against his hand and then transmitted a thought of eagerness: it wanted to go underground to test its new abilities.

Lin Xuan's heart stirred.

Indeed, after the Pangolin's Breakthrough, its scouting ability had greatly increased, and his own cultivation had also broken through to the third level of the Qi Refinement Stage, while his Body Refining cultivation had reached the second level. If he raised the Earth Escape Technique to Perfection, with the Pangolin's help, he might be able to explore the underground space beneath the small courtyard.

But he suppressed this thought: "No rush, consolidate the Realm first. We'll go in a while."

The Pangolin nodded obediently, crawled back under the thunder-attracting vine, and began to inhale the thunder Spiritual Qi in the space to consolidate its newly broken-through Realm.

Lin Xuan exited the space and pushed open the door of the Quiet Room.

Outside the courtyard, the sky had already darkened. The winter night sky was exceptionally clear, with little cold stars twinkling.

He walked into the courtyard, feeling the joy brought by the Pangolin's Breakthrough, as well as the steadily growing Spiritual Qi in his body and the slow but steady progress of his talisman-making.

The Earth Vein Spirit Milk had arrived, and the Pangolin had successfully broken through, its strength greatly increased.

Next, it was time to consider exploring the secrets of the underground space of the small courtyard, hoping to find some legacy left by predecessors.

However, before that, he needed to make more thorough preparations: raise the Earth Escape Technique to the Perfection Realm.

The road was still long, but his helper was stronger.

Lin Xuan looked up at the starry sky, the corners of his mouth slightly raised.

Very good.

The winter morning in the Qinglin Valley herb garden was cold enough to turn breath into frost.

Lin Xuan stood by the thunder-pattern grass test field, his fingertips brushing over a fully mature Spiritual Plant.

The silver electric patterns on the leaves were clearly visible, and when touched lightly, a subtle numbness could be felt.

This was the ninth mature thunder-pattern grass, meaning he had exceeded his quota for this quarter.

"Senior Brother Lin, Deacon Wu is looking for you."

Liu Qingyan walked over carrying a medicine hoe, with that red squirrel, Xiao Huo, lying on her shoulder. After these days of getting along, she was already at ease in the herb garden, and the red sun grass field was well-managed by her.

Lin Xuan nodded and walked towards the bamboo house.

Inside the bamboo house, Deacon Wu was reading a document. Seeing Lin Xuan enter, he put down the document: "Sit. How is the thunder-pattern grass harvest going?"

"Nine stalks have matured, seven have been harvested, and the remaining two can be harvested tomorrow," Lin Xuan reported.

"Very good." Deacon Wu rarely showed a look of approval. "You are the first to complete the quota for the herb garden this quarter. According to the agreement, the contribution points for the excess portion will be doubled. In addition..."

He took a small cloth bag from the drawer: "This is an additional reward of thirty Low-Grade Spirit Stones from the General Affairs Hall for spirit planters who perform well."

Lin Xuan took the bag, which felt heavy in his hand. Thirty Spirit Stones were equivalent to thirty contribution points, which was not much for him now, but it could be considered an unexpected gain.

"Thank you, Deacon."

"It is because you are capable," Deacon Wu waved his hand. "However, the front line has been tight recently, and there are many more tasks for hunting Yao Beasts and gathering resources in the Sect's mission hall. If you have time, you can go take a look. Practical combat experience is beneficial for cultivation."

This was said tactfully, but Lin Xuan understood. The Sect needed more Disciples to participate in logistics and suppression missions to relieve pressure on the front line.

Leaving the herb garden, Lin Xuan did not return to the small courtyard, but detoured to the mission hall next to the General Affairs Hall.

The hall was much livelier than usual. On the huge jade screen, dense mission information was scrolling, ranging from Grade A to Grade D.

Most Qi Refinement Stage Disciples were gathered in the Grade C and Grade D areas, whispering to each other.

"I heard that a nest of 'Iron-Backed Boars' appeared in the Black Wind Forest to the north, destroying several acres of spiritual fields. The reward is not bad..."

"Qinghe Town is asking for help, saying there are water monsters causing trouble, and three fishermen have already died..."

"A pack of Shadow Wolves has wandered into Qinghe Village! These beasts specifically target people at night, and have already injured over a dozen people!"

Lin Xuan's gaze fell on that last piece of information:

[Grade C Mission: Suppress the Shadow Wolf pack in Qinghe Village. Shadow Wolves are wind and dark dual-attribute Yao Beasts, pack animals, extremely fast, and skilled at night ambushes. The pack size is about ten to fifteen, and the wolf king is suspected to be close to the Middle Stage of the First Rank. Mission requirements: Completely eliminate the wolf pack. Reward: Three hundred contribution points, and the Shadow Wolf Materials belong to the executor. Recommendation: Middle Stage Qi Refinement Disciples to accept, Early Stage Qi Refinement Disciples to accept in groups.]

Three hundred contribution points was a high price for a Grade C mission. But a wolf king "close to the Middle Stage of the First Rank," plus a pack of Shadow Wolves skilled in speed and ambushes, was indeed dangerous.

Lin Xuan, however, felt a stir in his heart.

He had practiced the [Thunder Net Technique] for more than half a month and could already condense a thunder net with a diameter of three zhang in the Quiet Room, but he had never used it in actual combat. The penetrating power of the [Thunder Spear Technique] also needed to be tested. The Shadow Wolf pack was fast and numerous, making it a perfect object for testing his group combat control ability.

And... a solo mission.

He walked to the counter and handed over his identity jade token: "Accept the Grade C Qinghe Village Shadow Wolf pack mission."

The Deacon Disciple behind the counter was a round-faced youth. He glanced at Lin Xuan and kindly reminded him: "Junior Brother, this mission is marked with a recommendation to group up. Shadow Wolves are not easy to deal with, especially at night..."

"It's fine, I'll take it." Lin Xuan's tone was calm.

Seeing that he couldn't be dissuaded, the round-faced Disciple had to register it: "Alright. The mission deadline is seven days. This is the detailed mission information and the map of Qinghe Village's location."

Lin Xuan took the Jade Slip and turned to leave.

Back at the small courtyard, Lin Xuan carefully read the mission Jade Slip.

Qinghe Village was on the edge of the Sanyang Sect's sphere of influence, about two hundred miles away from Emerald Bamboo Peak, and was a Mortal village that lived by fishing and farming.

The Shadow Wolf pack had appeared half a month ago. At first, they only poached livestock, but later they began to attack villagers returning home at night. The village invited two passing Cultivators, but one died and one was injured, and the wolf pack became increasingly rampant.

"Wind and dark dual-attribute, fast speed, strong night combat capability..." Lin Xuan mused.

The weakness of the Shadow Wolf was average defense, and they feared thunder, fire, and other yang-attribute attacks. His thunder magic happened to be a counter.

For the next three days, Lin Xuan made full preparations.

He drew five lightning strike talismans and three God-Speed Talismans. He checked the startling thunder whip and re-nourished it.

He practiced the spell gestures of the [Thunder Net Technique] until they were proficient, ensuring he could complete them within two breaths. The condensation time of the [Thunder Spear Technique] was also compressed to one and a half breaths.