Advance! Flame Cloud Falcon!

The sun sank behind the western hills, and sunset clouds filled the sky.

"Whew, we're finally back." Chen Yuan looked at his farm bathed in the lingering glow of the setting sun and let out a long breath.

Although Flame Tail Fox had sworn up and down that the Flame Flame Fruit was safely hidden in the tree hollow, Chen Yuan had still waited until it ate the Flame Flame Fruit and fully digested it before leaving.

That had delayed them quite a bit.

"Awwoo!"

Cola, already evolved into an Extraordinary Creature, showed no trace of fatigue. It charged excitedly into the farm and ran toward Chen Weiyi, who was standing beneath a tree.

"You're back?" Chen Weiyi turned around, patted the grinning Cola, then looked at Chen Yuan as he approached at an unhurried pace.

"Grandpa, how's the wasteland reclamation going?" Chen Yuan asked.

Chen Weiyi pointed at the Steel-headed Earth Rat busy at work in the wasteland and said with a genial smile, "This little fellow works very efficiently. At most, it'll be finished in another day or two."

Chen Yuan nodded slightly.

The Steel-headed Earth Rat's work ethic and efficiency were simply admirable. It slept soundly in its burrow during the day, then came out to reclaim the wasteland near evening.

It did not even need supervision. As long as vegetables were placed nearby, it could huff and puff its way through an entire night of work.

Once there were more contracted beasts on the farm, Chen Yuan was definitely going to give the Steel-headed Earth Rat a "Best Employee" award and set it up as an example.

Perhaps sensing that someone was talking about it, the Steel-headed Earth Rat raised its head and glanced over. Its stern face was filled with passion and seriousness toward its work.

Seeing that neither of them had given an order, the Steel-headed Earth Rat lowered its head again and diligently tilled the ground.

"Look at that work ethic." Chen Yuan shot Cola a fierce glare.

Cola was a famous slacker. When it was supposed to guard the house and yard, it spent half its time sleeping and the other half chasing butterflies.

"Awwoo..."

Cola smiled sheepishly, hurriedly lowered its head to avoid Chen Yuan's gaze, and pretended to search for ants on the ground.

Walking into the yard,

Chen Yuan set the two Flame Flame Fruits aside before finally having time to study the system panel:

First collection of Flame Flame Fruit. Origin Points +2

Name: Flame Flame Fruit

Level: Level 2 Resource

Effect: Can be used to strengthen Fire-type Contracted Beasts

"Level 2 resource, plus 2 Origin Points?" Chen Yuan rubbed his chin and pondered for a moment.

According to Beast Taming Knowledge, Spiritual Plants were divided into several grades from low to high. Level 1 was the lowest, corresponding to contracted beasts of ordinary quality.

Simply put, if a contracted beast of ordinary quality wanted to strengthen itself, it was best to use Level 1 resources, which could perfectly integrate with its body.

Level 2 resources corresponded to elite quality, which was why they yielded more Origin Points.

"One Flame Flame Fruit let the Flame Cloud Falcon transform from an ordinary creature into an Extraordinary Creature, while two can advance it to elite quality. Doesn't that mean the resources needed for a contracted beast to advance must be one tier higher than the beast itself?" Chen Yuan's eyes flickered as he thought to himself.

But no matter what, with two Flame Flame Fruits in hand and the Flame Cloud Falcon's Flame Surge already at the proficient level, advancement was right before them.

"Are you ready?" Chen Yuan looked at the Flame Cloud Falcon and asked in a deep voice.

"Chirp!" The Flame Cloud Falcon spread its wings, its eyes brimming with confidence as it answered loudly.

Cola silently retreated to a corner and quietly waited for the Flame Cloud Falcon's performance.

"Good."

Chen Yuan secured the camera on a stool, switched on recording mode, and then said to the Flame Cloud Falcon, "Use Flame Surge."

"Chirp!"

The Flame Cloud Falcon's eyes flashed as it suddenly spewed out a thick stream of flame. Firelight surged, and waves of heat rolled forth.

Compared to the basic level, the proficient Flame Surge was considerably more powerful. Moreover, deep orange had begun to mix into its originally light-orange flames.

After demonstrating the proficient Flame Surge, Chen Yuan placed the two Flame Flame Fruits before the camera lens and said, "You can begin."

"Chirp."

The Flame Cloud Falcon nodded lightly and ate the two Flame Flame Fruits in front of the camera.

It did not eat particularly quickly. The process took more than ten minutes, and Chen Yuan patiently waited nearby.

Almost the instant it swallowed them, the Flame Cloud Falcon felt as though a blaze was churning within its stomach, warm and comforting. It could not help narrowing its eyes.

At the same time, its crimson feathers bloomed with waves of firelight, as though flames were dancing and burning upon them.

Seeing the advancement ritual begin, Chen Yuan widened his eyes and witnessed this wondrous process.

"Awwoo!"

Cola cried out in surprise, but abruptly realized it could not disturb the Flame Cloud Falcon. It hurriedly raised a paw to cover its mouth, staring at the latter with wide dog eyes.

They waited for over an hour.

Only after the sun had completely set and the black canopy of night blanketed the Qinling Mountains did the Flame Cloud Falcon complete its advancement ritual.

Its body was a full size larger than before, its build appearing more balanced. Its sharp claws extended forward, while its orange-yellow feather-covered wings had grown broader still. Its crimson feathers were longer and finer, like blazing arrows shooting toward the clouds.

Only those deep blue eyes remained utterly unchanged, their gaze toward Chen Yuan filled with surprise and excitement.

"Chirp!"

Its cry was crisper and clearer than before.

The next moment, the Flame Cloud Falcon beat its wings fiercely. A wild wind rose, and it could have ridden it into the sky at once.

Yet the Flame Cloud Falcon seemed to remember something. It stopped, then flew toward Chen Yuan instead.

Chen Yuan shook his head. "Don't rush to thank me. This sky belongs to you now."

"Go enjoy this moment."

"Chirp!"

The Flame Cloud Falcon abruptly spread its wings and soared high, a long stream of flame trailing from its tail like a comet from the cosmos, glimmering beneath the pitch-black sky.

"Awwoo..."

Cola lifted its head and stared blankly at the Flame Cloud Falcon soaring freely through the night. Its round eyes were filled with envy.

If only I could fly. If only I could be this amazing too.

"No need to envy it. You'll be just like it someday." Chen Yuan stroked Cola's head and said with a smile.

"Awwoo!"

Cola's once-dim eyes instantly turned bright and sparkling. It barked excitedly and stretched out its tongue to lick Chen Yuan's cheek.

Chen Yuan gazed at the blurry figure in the night sky, stroking Cola's head as a smile gradually appeared on his face.

Species: Flame Cloud Falcon

Attribute: Fire

Level: 5 (Tier 1)

Favorability: 73

Skills: Flame Surge (Proficient 1.7/5) + Flame Prison (Basic 2.2/3) +

Flame Energy Assault (Basic 0.5/3) +

Quality: Elite

Conditions to advance to Commander Quality: Insufficient Origin Points (3/10)

Only after the Flame Cloud Falcon landed did Chen Yuan begin examining its post-advancement data panel.

After successfully advancing, the Flame Cloud Falcon's level had risen from 3 to 5. It had also mastered the new skill Flame Energy Assault, and all its skill proficiencies had increased. Its strength had grown tremendously in a short time.

"Unlocking the conditions for Commander Quality requires ten Origin Points. That doesn't seem like much." Chen Yuan rubbed his chin and thought to himself.

However, the Flame Cloud Falcon had no interest in any of that right now. It stared blankly at Chen Yuan's shoulder, having discovered something extremely important—after growing larger, it seemed it could no longer stand on Chen Yuan's shoulder!!!