129: Lingyuan Mica
Among them were several scales from an unknown water beast, a few pieces of white translucent Mineral Jade Crystal, three units of Purple Jade Essence Ore, fifty Source Spirit Stone, and one meter of Moon-Patterned Spirit Vine.
These Materials alone cost the Chu Family nearly one hundred Source Spirit Stone. While expensive, if one hundred Source Spirit Stone could cultivate a Spirit Beast Species, many families in Zhiyao County would likely be lining up for the chance.
Colored silk threads continuously spread from the stone book in the ancestral hall, processing the various Materials according to their specific methods.
The three Materials—Source Spirit Stone, Moon-Patterned Spirit Vine, and Purple Jade Essence Ore—were blended into a liquid in a special ratio and absorbed by the "Colorful Cloud Jellyfish" through its tentacles.
The scales and Mineral Jade Crystals were ground into a translucent powder and sprinkled over the surface of the "Colorful Cloud Jellyfish's" body.
The already vibrant colored light of the "Colorful Cloud Jellyfish's" body became even more variegated as it reflected off the crystal powder on its surface.
But as time ticked by, the massive body of the "Colorful Cloud Jellyfish" slowly shrank under the gaze of the three people.
The variegated colors on its body also gradually receded, as if being gathered into a core deep within its body, and its surface began to take on a unique crystal-like luster.
Finally, its body shrank from its original thirty-odd meters to about fifteen or sixteen meters. It was still massive for a human, and crystal-like protrusions grew upon its remaining dozen or so tentacles.
Name: Spirit Origin Cloud Mother (Spirit Rank Species)
Rank: Intermediate Alien Tier
Aptitude: 101
Status: Evolving, Thinking
Attribute Tendencies: Crystal, Element, Cloud, Illusion
Skills: 1. Thousand Transformation Cloud Phenomena: Injects elements of different attributes into clouds to create cloud phenomena with different abilities.
Fire Cloud, Wind-Rain Cloud, Sandstorm Cloud, Frost-Snow Cloud;
Spirit Essence Cloud: Gathers a large amount of spirit essence to continuously and rapidly restore the energy consumed within a target below it.
2. Crystal Tentacles: Its tentacles can sprout many sharp crystals, and the damage caused has a tearing effect.
3. Illusion Spirit Core: The Spirit Origin Cloud Mother gathers all illusory light into a single point to form a core. When needed, it can release the core toward a target area, creating illusory lights and images over a large area.
4. Crystal Barrier: A layer of Crystal Barrier automatically adheres to the entire surface of the Spirit Origin Cloud Mother's body, possessing powerful defensive capabilities.
Evolution Route: Viewable when the rank reaches Spirit Rank.
Looking at the skill changes, it wasn't as massive as the evolution from "Flower Medicine Butterfly" to "Myriad Flower Butterfly Spirit," but its attributes across all dimensions had received a very comprehensive improvement.
Especially regarding its appearance, although it wasn't as eye-catching as when it was overflowing with light and color before, its current crystal-and-glass-like body possessed a sense of nobility and luxury.
Furthermore, at the very center of the entire 'umbrella cap,' a colored speck of light flickered like breathing, highlighting the network of veins connecting the entire "Spirit Origin Cloud Mother's" body.
With another Source Beast's evolution completed, Chu Shengfan closed his eyes for a long time before he finished digesting all of today's gains.
Chu Mu glanced at Chu Shengfan, a sigh flashing through his eyes. Materials for evolving from an Uncommon Rank to a Spirit Rank Species were easy to find, but the high-level Materials needed for the subsequent evolution of Chu Jingyu's "Golden Armored Jade Pupil Beast" would likely be difficult to find in the entire Zhiyao County.
It was good that someone could go out now; at least they could see the outside world and perhaps collect some high-level Materials from there while they were at it.
The first thing Chu Shengfan did upon opening his eyes was, naturally, to thank Chu Mu.
Chu Mu waved his hand, not particularly caring. "Go back and digest this well. Try to become familiar with both Source Beasts' new abilities before you set out."
After saying this, Chu Mu let the grandfather and grandson leave... It was now February 9th.
Chu Jingyu came to the Central Hall and glanced at the girl of about sixteen or seventeen standing obediently beside Jiang Nian.
He nodded silently. Her appearance wasn't particularly outstanding, but dressed in fine clothes and jewelry, she did have the temperament of a Young Miss from a sheltered home.
This was for the best; she wouldn't stand out too much, nor would anyone be able to find fault with her.
Seeing Chu Jingyu, Chen Suyuan, who was beside Jiang Nian, curtsied and called out cautiously, "Greetings, Old Master."
Chu Jingyu shook his head slightly. "There's no need to call me Old Master. From this moment on, your surname is Chu. You are my, Chu Jingyu's, granddaughter. While you don't need to be overly affectionate, do not use the etiquette of a servant either. Do you understand?"
Chen Suyuan whispered to herself that she could now be called Chu Suyuan. A hint of joy appeared in her eyes, and her whole person relaxed slightly as she addressed him.
"Yes, Grandfather."
Seeing that she was obedient and clever, Chu Jingyu nodded in satisfaction and then turned to Jiang Nian to ask:
"Now that her aperture is opened, what Source Beast have you contracted for her?"
Jiang Nian shook her head. "She hasn't contracted a Source Beast yet. I was waiting for you to make the decision."
The "Moon Worshipping Rabbit" and "Medicinal Fragrance Powder-Eared Rabbit" were naturally not very feasible. If they appeared at a banquet, it would completely expose the relationship between the Medicine Beast Shop and the Chu Family.
Although this matter couldn't be hidden for long once Sun Chunchen left Zhiyao County as long as the Chu Family continued to run the Medicine Beast Shop, Chu Jingyu still wanted to delay it as much as possible.
He hoped his second Source Beast, the "White-Browed Mountain Eagle," could reach the Spirit Rank soon, so at least one could stay to guard the medicine shop.
However, as the Young Miss of a Noble Family, she couldn't contract a Source Beast that was too ordinary. After some thought, Chu Jingyu said, "Contract a Light Healing Butterfly."
The "Light Healing Butterfly" was another evolutionary form of the "Phosphorescent Butterfly," the predecessor of the "Flower Medicine Butterfly." It was a pure healing-type Source Beast.
It was a Different Rank Species, which, at least from an outside perspective, was worthy of the status of a Noble Family's Young Miss.
Hearing Chu Jingyu's words, Jiang Nian quickly led Chu Suyuan toward the backyard, wanting to have her contract the Source Beast before the appointed hour.
During the interval while Chu Jingyu waited, ChuQin Hui also came to the Central Hall. "Father, do you really not need me to accompany you to the county town this time?"
"No need. You just need to guard the home well. If any accident occurs, go to the ancestral hall; I've left the Extreme Ice Snow Lotus there."
Hearing this, Chu Qinhui quickly urged, "Father, why not take all your Source Beasts with you? It has been quite peaceful lately, so surely no accidents will happen at home. Even if there are, isn't Uncle Sun still here? He is in the same Realm as you; surely he can protect us?"
Chu Jingyu shook his head. "We cannot rely on others for everything. We already owe your Uncle Sun enough. Just look after the home. Think carefully about what else Xiao Fan might need for his journey and try to provide as much as possible.
Didn't we get some Source Spirit Stone from delivering the Moon Worshipping Rabbits and the others recently? Give them all to Xiao Fan. If he gets into the Academy, who knows how much the tuition will be."
Seeing his father planning for his son, Chu Qinhui was also very moved. "Yes, Father. I will go back and think it over carefully."
"Mm." Chu Jingyu nodded and then saw Jiang Nian returning with Chu Suyuan.
Outside the Chu Family gates, two carriages were parked. Chu Jingyu was the first to step into the one in front.
Chu Suyuan was assisted by two maidservants into the one behind.
The two carriages traveled smoothly along the road toward the town.