11: Flame Lion

'Thump, thump, thump'

Dull footsteps echoed from the staircase leading to the second floor, and a figure emerged from around the corner.

He had neat, short hair and healthy wheat-colored skin. Though his face still held a hint of youthfulness, the firm, masculine angles were already visible.

"Brother, you're back."

The boy's eyes brightened slightly as he looked at Luo Chen, but seeing the Blazing Lion snuggling in Luo Chen's arms, he scolded with some annoyance:

"Chi Yan, get down from my brother's arms right now."

The boy's voice carried a hint of gritted teeth, which, upon reaching the ears of the Blazing Lion named Chi Yan, made it involuntarily shiver.

Chi Yan reluctantly climbed down from Luo Chen's arms, its expression tinged with a trace of resentment.

Seeing this, Luo Chen couldn't help but chuckle, patting its head comfortingly.

"How have things been at school lately?"

The two brothers sat down at the dining table. As they unpacked the takeout, Luo Chen inquired about his younger brother's school life.

"Same as usual, but since I'm about to enter my senior year of high school, there's more combat training than usual."

Luo Chen keenly noticed the hidden fatigue on Luo Yang's face and sighed inwardly. It seemed this kid hadn't been having an easy time lately either.

"Don't skimp on the Beast Master materials you need to buy. I'll transfer some more money to you later. Aim for a good result in the upgrade exam."

But Luo Yang shook his head. "The money our parents left us isn't much to begin with. Let's save it for now. Even without extra Beast Master resources, I'm still the top student in the whole school."

Luo Yang's grades had always been excellent. His Beast Master talent was Ability Inheritance, which, simply put, allowed him to inherit a portion of the abilities of the beasts he contracted.

This ability was extremely overpowered. When he first awakened it, Luo Yuheng repeatedly emphasized that unless absolutely necessary, he must not reveal this ability. Luo Yang obediently followed this advice and never exposed it.

Even so, relying solely on the beasts he personally contracted, he remained the undisputed king of the school, far ahead of everyone else.

Luo Chen had some understanding of his younger brother's situation, but he still said:

"What needs to be spent should still be spent. We can't let resources be lacking during the critical growth period of your beast. You must build a solid foundation."

Luo Yang knew that sometimes he couldn't win against his older brother, so he could only remain silent.

After a while, he cautiously asked, "Brother, have there been any news about Mom and Dad lately?"

"Yes."

Luo Chen told Luo Yang the news he had learned from Official Liu Chengyu, then added:

"As for you, just focus on preparing for your exams now. Don't worry too much about Mom and Dad. They'll definitely come back safe and sound."

Hearing that their parents were simply trapped, Luo Yang's expression visibly relaxed a bit. He nodded and said:

"Brother, I know. I'll prepare well for the exams. But why did you go to the shop today? Hasn't it been closed for over a month?"

Luo Chen raised an eyebrow. "That's the good news I wanted to tell you today. I successfully awakened the Eye of Truth talent, so I plan to reopen the shop. From now on, you don't need to worry about money at all."

"Really?"

Luo Yang was also quite delighted to hear this news. After all, it had been a long time since any good news had appeared in their household.

First, there was their parents' disappearance, then Luo Chen's Soul-Severance Syndrome suddenly worsened. During that time, this young man Luo Yang experienced the darkest moments of his life.

But fortunately, the news now was that his brother's Soul-Severance Syndrome was gradually improving, their parents were only temporarily trapped in a secret realm, and now Luo Chen had even awakened the rare talent Eye of Truth.

"Of course."

Luo Chen took out the Apprentice Breeder badge he had just obtained today and waved it in front of Luo Yang.

Luo Yang's fingers brushed over the tender leaf on the badge a few times. "It's real. That's great."

Luo Yang's reaction now was even happier than when he had awakened his own Beast Master talent. But it was understandable why he behaved this way.

Ever since childhood, Luo Chen had always shown symptoms of Soul-Severance Syndrome, so the family naturally showed him extra care and concern.

Moreover, Luo Yuheng and his wife entered the Han Hai Secret Realm this time precisely because of Luo Chen's Soul-Severance Syndrome. They heard there was a beast inside that could treat stubborn mental illnesses.

That's why the couple entered the Han Hai Secret Realm, hoping to try their luck and see if they could find it.

After Luo Yang's emotions calmed down, he said with a smile, "Then from now on, I'll leave the cultivation of my beast to you, big brother."

Luo Chen also smiled and said, "Alright, I'll definitely help you cultivate the strongest beast in Huaguo."

After saying this, both brothers burst into laughter. Luo Yang naturally didn't have the ambition to become the strongest Beast Master right now; he just wanted to give his older brother some confidence.

And Luo Chen laughed because he had enough confidence to cultivate Luo Yang's beast to the level he had promised.

After finishing dinner.

The Blazing Lion, Chi Yan, restlessly pestered Luo Chen to groom its fur. Neither Luo Chen nor Luo Yang quite understood why Chi Yan had always liked clinging to Luo Chen since childhood.

Even when facing Luo Chen and its master Luo Yang, most of the time it preferred to stay by Luo Chen's side.

There was no other way. Since they could only meet occasionally, Luo Chen resigned himself to taking out the small comb specially prepared for it and gently grooming its dark red fur.

Throughout the entire process, Chi Yan comfortably narrowed its eyes, looking quite content.

While grooming the fur, Luo Chen divided his attention and activated his other talent, Evolution Deduction.

Blazing Lion → Chi Yan Fire Lion;

Blazing Lion → Molten Giant Lion;

Blazing Lion → Ice Flame Lion King

Excellent. The Blazing Lion had three Evolution Paths. The first was currently officially discovered, and there were Breeders in Qingyang City who mastered this path.

However, the latter two had not been heard of before.

The Blazing Lion itself was a spiritual beast species. After one evolution, it meant it would at least become a King Beast species.

Originally, Luo Yuheng and his wife planned for the Blazing Lion to evolve along the first path. But having that Breeder perform the evolution required a large amount of money, and the State after evolution couldn't be guaranteed.

Now that he possessed the relevant knowledge of evolution himself, he could save a lot of money and give the Blazing Lion more Evolution Path options.

However, his Evolution Deduction talent seemed incomplete. It couldn't show introductions to the races after evolution, so unless there was an existing beast of that type, Luo Chen couldn't determine which beast was stronger based solely on the name.

Thinking of this, Luo Chen sighed helplessly.

Hearing Luo Chen's sudden sigh, Luo Yang asked alertly, "What's wrong? Brother, are you tired?"

Then he walked over to Chi Yan and gently gave it a kick. "Move aside. All you know is how to enjoy yourself when you get home."

Luo Chen patted Luo Yang's leg, but he was indeed a bit tired. He stood up compliantly. "It's nothing. Maybe I've experienced too much today. I'll go rest first."

"Alright, brother, you go rest first." Luo Yang also urged eagerly from the side.

Luo Chen felt a slight sense of something off, but he didn't think too much about it. He simply advised, "You should rest early too."

Accompanied by the 'thump, thump' sound of footsteps on the stairs, Luo Chen and Xiao Maoqiu returned to their room.

Seeing Luo Chen return to his room, Luo Yang immediately went back to his own room, changed into dark-colored clothes, put on a jacket, looking as if he was about to go out.

Luo Yang revealed a silver bracelet on his wrist and called out to the Blazing Lion, "Chi Yan."

Chi Yan obediently ran to his feet. A silver light shone from the bracelet onto Chi Yan, and then Chi Yan disappeared from sight.

Luo Yang grabbed a backpack and tiptoed out.