First Evolutionary Deduction

With a slight shift of his intent, Xu Bai tapped "Yes" next to the prompt for deducing evolution routes and methods.

The screen of the Manual changed:

[Note]: Begin the first stage of deduction? (Yes/No)

Deducing the first stage again? He had assumed it would offer several evolutionary directions for him to choose from.

Xu Bai clicked his tongue twice before tapping "Yes."

The screen changed once more. Just like when he had deduced the cultivation method, a loading icon appeared in the center, with a line of small text below reading: Evolution route and method deduction in progress.

Xu Bai glanced at the sky, then sat down to the side, waiting quietly for the results.

Time flew by. Just as before, the deduction only finished when his head felt like it was splitting and his spirit was utterly drained.

He hurriedly looked at the sky again. Compared to before the deduction, the sun had moved about the width of three or four adult fingers—roughly an hour had passed.

"A 'small amount' of mental energy consumption seems to equate to about an hour. I need to set a rule for myself: whenever I need to perform a deduction, I must find a place that is absolutely safe."

Xu Bai rubbed his temples to ease the throbbing sensation, then shifted his gaze to the Manual:

[Direction Selection]: Life, Resilience, Toxin, Purification, Creation.

[Note]: Focus on the target to detect attribute compatibility.

"Quite intelligent, aren't you?" Xu Bai nodded with satisfaction.

Just a moment ago, he had gained access to more of the Manual's instructions.

This function of deducing evolution routes was essentially the same as the technology or evolution trees in certain games.

Although Xu Bai didn't know the final outcome, the direction was entirely up to him.

As for the attributes listed under the direction selection, he could choose multiple or just one.

However, if he chose multiple, the higher the number, the lower the compatibility between the deduced result and his Soul Beast would be.

And the lower the compatibility, the more expensive and rare the materials required for the advancement would become.

Xu Bai focused on the Mutated Blue Silver Grass and confirmed the detection with his intent.

Before long, the Manual changed again:

[Target]: Mutated Blue Silver Grass

[Attribute Compatibility]: Life 76%, Resilience 13%, Toxin 51%, Purification 15%, Creation 1%

[Note]: Please select an attribute to begin the deduction.

The compatibility for the Life attribute was 76%, and for Toxin, it was 51%.

If Xu Bai wanted to choose both, it would be 76% * 51%, resulting in a compatibility of only 38.7%.

Logically speaking, if this Mutated Blue Silver Grass had been his initial contracted Soul Beast, he wouldn't even have to think about it—he would just mindlessly pick the highest compatibility and be done with it.

As for multi-attribute builds, that was a game for the wealthy.

But now? Xu Bai shifted his intent and tapped on the "Creation" option.

Since it wasn't his pet beast, he didn't have so many concerns.

Besides, even if the compatibility was a bit low, it was "Creation" after all; just the name alone sounded a tier above the others.

Xu Bai guessed that the reason this Mutated Blue Silver Grass had any compatibility with Creation at all was likely because it had once survived a brush with death.

He was also quite curious to see what a Blue Silver Grass possessing the power of creation could evolve into.

The Manual's screen changed:

[Name]: Nine Tribulations Blue Silver Grass.

[Attributes]: Wood, Creation.

[Racial Potential]: Ten-thousand-year.

[Description]: A mutated Blue Silver Grass that has lived through nine reversals of fate. It has lost its affinity for life, but in the space between life and death, it has grasped the profound mysteries of creation, mastering a mere glimpse of the power of creation.

[Note]: Consume a massive amount of mental energy to deduce the evolution method? (Yes/No).

Xu Bai: ?????

Come on, buddy, aren't the evolution route and the method supposed to be a package deal? Why is there another mental energy cost?

So, after I burned through all that mental energy, you're just telling me what this grass can evolve into?

And what do you mean by "massive"? Is that supposed to be even more than "large"?

Xu Bai felt mentally exhausted. He had originally thought the Manual's ability to help him increase his mental energy by recording Soul Beasts was an overpowered skill.

But now it seemed there was a reason for everything.

Whatever the Manual did, it required mental energy, and the consumption was astronomical.

A "small amount" of mental energy for the Manual was equivalent to most of his current reserves. He didn't even dare to imagine how much "large" or "massive" amounts would equate to.

And looking at the current situation, the Manual's units of measurement were far from stopping at "massive." As for what came after, he had no idea.

"I've got my work cut out for me," Xu Bai sighed softly, mentally tallying the things he needed to do in the near future.

During the time it took for Di Yi to awaken his racial skill, he had to find a way to accumulate knowledge about Soul Beasts, especially those of the tiger variety.

It would be best to reduce the mental energy consumption required for deducing the first evolution route and its methodology.

If he remembered correctly, Spirit Hall should have a library open to Spirit Masters free of charge, where he ought to find the books he needed.

Once the first racial skill was successfully awakened and he possessed the most basic ability to protect himself, he would have to find a way to make money.

The profession of Beast Tamer was a notorious money pit; that was not just an empty statement.

Evolving a pet beast required money, improving a pet beast's cultivation method required money, and even training a pet beast's skill proficiency required money. Then there were the heaven-sent treasures used to replenish mental energy, though those were a matter of luck.

Finally, he needed to cultivate Di Yi's age to a hundred years. This would allow him to enter small and medium-sized Soul Beast gathering grounds and the Soul Hunting Forest to record Soul Beasts, thereby increasing his mental energy.

Hmm, that was enough to think about for now; he would deal with future matters when the time came.

"Awoo~"

Suddenly, a faint whimper drifted over, drawing Xu Bai's attention.

"Di Yi, you're awake. How do you feel?" Xu Bai decisively abandoned the Mutated Blue Silver Grass that had caused him such grief and turned his attention to Di Yi with great enthusiasm.

"Awoo~"

I feel great. I can feel a special power within my body being drawn out. At this rate, it won't be long before I can fully manifest that special power.

Di Yi's eyes were bright, and he gazed at his Beast Tamer with adoration.

Although he had been tricked into signing the contract with his Beast Tamer, without him, even if he had miraculously survived jumping off the cliff, he would never have been able to unlock his racial skill in this lifetime.

More importantly, his Beast Tamer had promised to help him take revenge in the future.

His Beast Tamer was more than just his master; he was his benefactor, his greatest benefactor.

He could never repay his Beast Tamer's kindness; not even in this entire lifetime.

Xu Bai, who possessed Telepathy: ...

Very good, knowing how to be grateful—a good pet beast indeed.

Furthermore, his talent seemed quite decent. Looking at the current situation, perhaps he wouldn't even need to use all the magnets he had bought before Di Yi fully awakened his racial skill.

"Let me wash you up first. We'll have a few good meals over the next few days to celebrate your upcoming racial skill awakening in advance."

He happened to have plenty of ingredients at home, as he had bought too much at the time.

Xu Bai was small and couldn't eat much, so he had never been able to finish them.

Originally, he could only watch in heartache as the ingredients slowly spoiled, but now it was fine; a Soul Beast's appetite should be quite large. With Di Yi around, he finally wouldn't have to waste food.

Di Yi naturally had no idea what Xu Bai was thinking, but upon hearing the words "good meals," his already bright eyes shone even brighter.

The mood of both human and beast became incredibly wonderful.

Of course, there was also the Mutated Blue Silver Grass in the corner. Although it didn't understand why the bad guy had poked it and then left, since it was still fine, it would get to live another day. Happy!