21: Chapter 21 Lin Fan, would you be willing to become my disciple?
President Ye Wenyuan raised an eyebrow: "A recessive Bloodline?"
Lin Fan nodded.
"Yes. Although it is very thin, it does exist. If it can be activated, it can follow a different evolutionary path."
"Earth Pulse Mushroom can activate Earth-type sensory abilities, while Soft Light Stone fragments can soothe its emotions while nourishing its Meridians. Combining the two can stimulate that bit of recessive Bloodline."
"Evolving into an Earth Listener Rat is the best proof."
President Ye Wenyuan listened and remained silent for a few seconds.
Then he smiled.
"Interesting."
President Ye Wenyuan stared at him for several seconds, then suddenly spoke.
"If I were to tell you now that your plan is wrong, would you believe it?"
Lin Fan was taken aback for a moment, then shook his head.
"I would not."
President Ye Wenyuan chuckled.
"Why not?"
"Because I am right."
Lin Fan said calmly, "That Grey Rock Rat can indeed evolve into an Earth Listener Rat."
President Ye Wenyuan nodded.
"Fine, then let's verify it."
He looked at the old man beside him.
"Have someone bring the Grey Rock Rat from Room Nine over."
The old man was stunned for a moment, then nodded and instructed the staff to do so.
A few minutes later, a staff member walked in carrying an iron cage.
Inside the cage, the Grey Rock Rat was still huddled in the corner, shivering.
President Ye Wenyuan walked to the cage, crouched down, and took a close look.
Then he stood up and looked at the crowd.
"Everyone, today happens to be an opportunity to verify this young candidate's theory."
He pulled a small bottle from his pocket, filled with a pale golden liquid.
Someone below exclaimed.
"Intermediate Beast Spirit Liquid!"
"That's a treasure! One bottle is worth 100,000!"
"What a grand gesture!"
President Ye Wenyuan opened the bottle and poured it into the Grey Rock Rat's mouth.
The Grey Rock Rat began to glow, its Rank started to climb, and it finally stopped at Rank 10.
A bottle of Intermediate Beast Spirit Liquid had actually caused the Grey Rock Rat to jump 4 Ranks in an instant.
Subsequently, President Ye Wenyuan took out two more items.
A grey-brown mushroom and a few shimmering stone fragments.
Earth Pulse Mushroom, Soft Light Stone fragments.
He crushed the mushroom, mixed it with the fragment powder, and fed it to the Grey Rock Rat.
The Grey Rock Rat ate it.
The whole room was silent.
Everyone stared at the Grey Rock Rat.
One second.
Two seconds.
Three seconds.
The Grey Rock Rat suddenly moved.
It stopped shivering and raised its head, its dull grey fur beginning to emit a faint shimmer.
The light grew brighter, changing from grey to earthy yellow, and then from earthy yellow to pale gold.
Its physique began to change.
Its body became rounder, its ears grew larger, and its eyes became deeper.
The most obvious change was its front claws.
The originally short and small claws became thicker and stronger, the nails sharper, gleaming with a metallic luster.
The whole process lasted about a minute.
The light faded.
In the cage, a brand new Armor Spirit appeared before everyone.
It was twice the size as before, its fur had turned light brown, and its ears were standing high, constantly twitching as if catching some sound.
Its front claws pressed against the bottom of the cage, tapping lightly.
Then it raised its head and let out a tiny cry.
"Squeak!"
The whole room was deathly quiet.
Then someone exclaimed.
"An Earth Listener Rat! It really is an Earth Listener Rat!"
"The evolution was successful!"
"My god, how is this possible!"
President Ye Wenyuan stared at the Earth Listener Rat in the cage, remaining silent for a few seconds.
Then he turned around and looked at Lin Fan.
His eyes held undisguised admiration.
"Your name is Lin Fan?"
Lin Fan nodded.
President Ye Wenyuan smiled.
"From today on, you are an Elementary Breeder of the Dongyun City Armor Spirit Breeder Association."
He paused.
"Furthermore, I will issue your certificate personally."
The crowd was in an uproar again.
"The President is issuing the certificate personally?!"
"A sixteen-year-old Elementary Breeder, that must have broken the record in Dongyun City's history, right?"
Lin Fan stood where he was, hands in his pockets, a faint smile on his face.
He looked at Ye Qing in the first row below the stage.
Ye Qing was staring at him, her gaze extremely complicated.
There was shock, defiance, and a trace of...
An emotion she couldn't define.
Lin Fan withdrew his gaze and looked at President Ye Wenyuan.
"President Ye, what about my practical test score..."
President Ye Wenyuan smiled.
"Full marks."
He looked at the crowd, his voice resonant.
"I announce that Candidate Number Nine, Lin Fan, has a practical operation score of 100."
Applause thundered.
Lin Fan stood on the stage, facing the gazes of the crowd, the corners of his mouth slightly lifted.
President Ye Wenyuan personally pinned the silver badge engraved with a leaf onto his collar and then patted his shoulder.
"A sixteen-year-old Elementary Breeder, the youngest in Dongyun City's history."
He paused and lowered his voice.
"Don't leave later, I have something to tell you."
Lin Fan was taken aback for a moment, then nodded.
President Ye Wenyuan smiled and turned to face the crowd.
"Alright, today's exam ends here. Those who passed, come to the Association tomorrow to collect your certificates. Those who didn't, come back next year."
He waved his hand and turned to leave.
The crowd began to disperse.
A staff member walked over.
"Student Lin Fan, President Ye invites you to his office for a chat."
Lin Fan nodded and followed the staff member into the elevator.
The elevator went up to the eighth floor and stopped at the door of the President's office.
Pushing the door open, President Ye Wenyuan was standing by the window, his back to him.
"Sit."
Lin Fan sat down and looked around the office.
It was large and spacious, with walls covered in various certificates and awards.
President Ye Wenyuan turned around, looked at him, and got straight to the point.
"Lin Fan, do you know that the ability you displayed today is already beyond the level of an Elementary Breeder?"
Lin Fan was taken aback.
President Ye Wenyuan walked back behind the desk and sat down.
"Even I didn't see that the Grey Rock Rat had the potential to evolve into an Earth Listener Rat. Not only did you see it, but you also provided an accurate plan."
He stared at Lin Fan, "This kind of insight has already reached the level of an Intermediate Breeder."
Lin Fan's heart skipped a beat.
President Ye Wenyuan continued.
"But remember one saying—the tree that stands above the forest will be destroyed by the wind."
He paused.
"A sixteen-year-old Intermediate Breeder is too conspicuous. If word gets out, many people will target you."
Lin Fan remained silent for a few seconds, then nodded.
"I understand."
President Ye Wenyuan looked at him, his eyes filled with admiration.
"Good that you understand."
President Ye Wenyuan's fingers tapped the desk lightly, his gaze deep.
"Therefore, my advice to you is to act as an Elementary Breeder for the time being, accumulate strength, and grow low-key."
He stood up, walked slowly to Lin Fan, and his tone became solemn.
"But advice alone is not enough. You need a true guide."
Lin Fan raised his head and met President Ye Wenyuan's gaze.
"I, President Ye Wenyuan, President of the Dongyun City Armor Spirit Breeder Association and a Grandmaster Breeder."
President Ye Wenyuan said every word clearly.
"Lin Fan, are you willing to accept me as your master?"