15: Evolutionary paths of the two source beasts
[Origin Artifact: Nameless Book
Rank: Mortal Weapon Lower Tier
Source Spirit: 29 (Note: Recovery rate 4 points/day)
Elemental Affinity: None yet
Abilities: ...]
Chu Mu looked at the 25-point surge in Source Spirit, stroking his chin in complete bewilderment.
However, he soon discovered the origin of this Source Spirit in a newly unlocked function of the [Nameless Book].
[family chronicle
September 9th, Year 3397 of the Yuanhe Era, Jingyuan Dynasty.
The Nameless Book signed a contract with the Chu Family and was enshrined as the Family Origin Artifact; the Chu Family of Fuhe Village officially began their Family journey.
September 12th.
Chu Shengfan, of the Chu Family's third generation, contracted a Phosphorescent Butterfly, becoming the Family's second Contract Master; the Family also officially became an Unranked Family.
The Nameless Book accordingly unlocked the Family Pedigree and other functions.
September 13th.
Chu Family Patriarch Chu Jingyu killed a Heart-Bewitching Ghost, obtaining a 5-point Source Spirit reward.
Assisted the town's Guard Commander in capturing the Intermediate Alien Tier Source Beast, the Mist-Resentment Ghost, obtaining a 20-point Source Spirit reward.
The Nameless Book unlocked the family chronicle function.]
By all counts, Chu Mu had only been under contract with the Chu Family for five days, yet corresponding key world events had appeared in the Chronicle.
They had just killed a [Heart-Bewitching Ghost] and captured a [Mist-Resentment Ghost] today.
Looking at these names, it didn't seem like the kind of world where people only commanded Source Beasts as Chu Mu had imagined; it felt more like a world of ghosts and monsters.
Perhaps he had seen too few types of Source Beasts, making him seem a bit overly surprised. Chu Mu's attention was quickly drawn to how the Chu Family should develop next.
The current Source Spirit balance was 29 points. Performing a Spirit Opening for a new Family member would consume 10 Source Spirit points.
However, the Family had no fixed output. If he performed Spirit Opening for too many clansmen at once, the subsequent Source Beast contracting and nurturing would likely be undersupplied.
After all, for the current Chu Family, even an ordinary Mortal Rank Source Beast was a significant expense, let alone the daily resource consumption of a Source Beast afterward.
Currently, Chu Mu wanted to first heal the injuries on Chu Jingyu's Source Beast, the [Golden Jade Beast], or improve the strength of Chu Jingyu and Chu Shengfan, so the Chu Family could establish a stable output.
Chu Mu flipped to Chu Jingyu's page in the book and found the information for the [Golden Jade Beast].
He prepared to use the [Evolution Pedigree] ability of the [Nameless Book]. Perhaps after undergoing an evolution, its injuries would heal on their own.
[Name: Golden Jade Beast (Chu Jingyu)
Rank: Intermediate Alien Tier
Aptitude: one in a hundred (one in a hundred)
Status: Injured, Recuperating
Elemental Affinity: Earth, Metal
Skills: ...
Evolution Paths: 1. Golden Jade Beast → Gold-Veined White Jade Beast (Requires 30 Source Spirit to view)
2. Golden Jade Beast → Golden Armored Jade Pupil Beast (Requires 30 Source Spirit to view)
3. Golden Jade Beast → Jade Spirit Golden King Beast (Requires 3000 Source Spirit to view)]
There were three evolution paths for the [Golden Jade Beast]. Chu Mu didn't know what so many paths meant, but he couldn't help but click his tongue when he looked at the evolution path for the [Jade Spirit Golden King Beast] that required three thousand Source Spirit to view.
Clearly, the more expensive the evolution path, the higher the potential of the evolved Source Beast would certainly be.
However, this was definitely not something the current Chu Family could dream of. Just viewing the evolution path required so much Source Spirit; the Materials needed would surely be incredibly precious as well.
So, for the [Jade Spirit Golden King Beast] evolution path, Chu Mu could only admire it from afar.
"What a flirtatious evolution path, just trying to tempt me," Chu Mu lamented secretly in his heart.
The [Gold-Veined White Jade Beast] and the [Golden Armored Jade Pupil Beast] were the same in price, and their racial potential after evolution didn't seem to have a huge difference.
It seemed impossible to tell the difference in abilities after evolution based on names alone. Chu Mu hesitated for a brief moment, then sighed softly and looked toward Chu Shengfan's Source Beast.
[Name: Phosphorescent Butterfly (Chu Shengfan)
Rank: Mortal Rank Middle Tier
Aptitude: one in a hundred
Status: Curious
Elemental Affinity: Light, Medicine
Skills: ...
Evolution Paths: 1. Phosphorescent Butterfly → Flower Medicine Butterfly (Consumes 20 Source Spirit to view)
2. Phosphorescent Butterfly → Light Healing Butterfly (Consumes 15 Source Spirit to view)]
Perhaps different races resulted in different evolution paths; the [Phosphorescent Butterfly] only had two paths, and the price was significantly lower.
Now, two choices lay before Chu Mu.
One was to wait another day and choose one of the two evolution paths for the [Golden Jade Beast]. However, the [Golden Jade Beast] was at a higher Realm, and the Materials needed for evolution might be harder for the Chu Family to find.
But the advantage was also obvious: if it successfully evolved, the Family's top combat power would reach a higher level.
The second was to directly view the evolution path of the [Phosphorescent Butterfly], and he could also perform Spirit Opening for a second Family member as soon as possible to nurture the Family's new generation of strength.
Furthermore, the [Phosphorescent Butterfly] was at a lower Realm, so perhaps the evolution Materials and conditions would be easier to complete.
Residing within the stone book on the Eight Immortals Table in the Chu Family's main hall, Chu Mu looked out the window at the non-stop falling snowflakes. A faint worry always lingered in his heart, as if something major was about to happen.
Judging by the behavior of the Chu Family Members, this eerie weather was an extremely abnormal occurrence even in this world.
While Chu Mu was still hesitating, a few words from the returning Chu Jingyu made him reach a decision immediately.
"Father, you said you want Xiao Fan to take up a post in town?"
After hearing Chu Jingyu's words, Chu Qinhui, who looked to be in good spirits, spoke up in some confusion.
Chu Jingyu added wood to the fireplace as he answered calmly, "Xiao Fan has now become a Contract Master and is already twelve years old. It's time for him to slowly shoulder the Family's responsibilities."
The flickering firelight fell upon the face of the silent Jiang Nian. Worry showed in her beautiful eyes; she opened her mouth but ultimately only let her words be buried in a soft sigh.
Chu Qinhui looked at Chu Shengfan, who was playing in the snow with his younger son in the yard, and a flash of self-reproach crossed his face. "Father, isn't this too early? The weather has been abnormal these past few days. Why not wait until the weather clears before letting Xiao Fan go to town for duty?"
Chu Jingyu placed the fire tongs by the side of the fireplace and clapped his hands before sitting down.
"The Town Head spoke of this personally; I'm afraid it cannot be delayed. Tomorrow I will personally escort him to town and have him stay at the Medicine Heart Hall for a while. Once the weather improves, we'll buy a house in town.
Our Chu Family won't stay in the village forever; it's time to step out."
Hearing Chu Jingyu's words, Chu Qinhui stood up and leaned against the doorframe, looking at the three children playing in the yard.
"Father, I understand."
He wondered how much longer the carefree Xiao Fan could remain so.
Just then, a colorful spiritual light glowed from the stone book, instantly drawing the attention of everyone in the room.
Chu Jingyu hurried to the Eight Immortals Table and bowed low, asking respectfully:
"Ancestor Chu, is there a decree you wish to bestow?"