Chapter 186: Chapter 136: First Battle of the Evolved Form
The next day, Lin Chen ran into Zhao Li while returning to the dormitory to grab some things.
Unlike Lin Chen, Zhao Li was fond of socializing, so he often caught wind of a lot of news within the academy.
"Do you know about this..." Zhao Li chuckled after hearing the story and said, "Do you know who Sun Hao is?"
Lin Chen shook his head.
"He’s the one officially admitted after climbing thirty-three steps on the Path to Immortality."
Lin Chen immediately understood. It seemed Sun Hao couldn’t stand having his limelight dimmed and planned to be the head of the pack.
"How did he do it?" Lin Chen was curious.
"Sun Hao comes from the Celestial Capital Clan, and he has plenty of money," Zhao Li explained.
After hearing this, Lin Chen could only sigh.
"There’s no need to be surprised. That’s just how it is in the world of the wealthy," Zhao Li thought Lin Chen was taken aback, but Lin Chen simply replied, "If only he had given me the money earlier, I’d take him on directly."
"...."
Zhao Li was speechless and continued, "It’s different."
"How is it different?"
"The official ranking competitions are recorded. If he beats you, he doesn’t just win points; in the mentor selection, you also move up a step."
Lin Chen suddenly understood.
Actually, Lin Chen wasn’t very concerned about mentors, but for the rewards of the later levels, he had noted something down.
That was:
The Spirit Academy Medicine Library.
After experiencing his first evolution, Lin Chen realized that evolution was a costly affair.
The materials Xiaobai used the first time were already so good; they certainly couldn’t be less in the future.
Earning money wasn’t difficult, but the issue was...
Many evolution materials couldn’t be found outside.
For instance, the Heart of the Ox King was worth ten million, but when you take ten million outside to buy it, no one pays attention to you.
This is called resource monopoly.
Those who collect the Heart of the Ox King don’t need your ten million at all.
Only the poor would sell such materials.
So Lin Chen’s first goal was the evolution materials in the Spirit Academy Medicine Library.
Lin Chen thought for a moment and finally said earnestly, "I thought Sun Hao just wanted to be a big shot, but it turns out he’s full of little schemes. He definitely needs a beating."
....
Sun Hao.
The young master of the Celestial Capital Sun Family, with a Beastmaster Level of 9, his First Spirit Beast’s Level is one level higher than Lin Chen’s.
As Zhao Li mentioned, upon discovering that someone in the connected admissions had surpassed him, Sun Hao got a bit anxious.
On his way here, Sun Hao thought that the Spirit Academy was full of hidden talents, and he might not secure first place.
Who would have thought, he actually clinched first place.
As a young man, he was naturally full of spirit and pride.
But upon later discovering someone in the connected admissions who had surpassed him...
The speculation grew louder.
Many students with official admissions spoke up, hoping Sun Hao would challenge him.
Sun Hao, though somewhat coerced, deep down wanted to suppress Lin Chen, to secure his own top spot.
After all, he had a plan.
In his first year at the academy, it was essential to gain a mentor’s favor and succeed in becoming an Inner Disciple.
Yet, Lin Chen had yet to respond; was he thinking of avoiding the fight?
For this battle, Sun Hao was eagerly looking forward to it.
Lin Chen managing to climb thirty-seven steps indicated his formidable strength.
However, Sun Hao had investigated Lin Chen’s Spirit Beast, named Spirit Ruins Ox.
Suddenly, Sun Hao wasn’t worried anymore...
Because his Spirit Beast happens to be a nemesis of the Spiritual System.
Thus, defeating Lin Chen shouldn’t be difficult.
....
Lin Chen wasn’t sure what Sun Hao was thinking, but he wasn’t in a hurry.
As the Level increased, Xiaobai’s upgrades also became more challenging.
However, the Spirit Spring truly had a good effect, even though it was just a Level 1 spring, it had a greater effect than the annual events in the Inner Courtyard.
Even more outrageous is that it provides long-term benefits.
No wonder everyone says entering the Spirit Academy would make even pigs fly.
Though it somewhat insults Spirit Beasts like pigs, it’s the truth.
Sitting in this Spirit Spring to Level up feels like cheating.
Another five days passed, and finally, Xiaobai told Lin Chen it seemed to have reached a bottleneck.
Only then did Lin Chen say, "Then break through first, and afterwards, I’ll take you to hone your skills."
Xiaobai nodded and began another round of meditation in seclusion.
Finally, on the eighth day, Xiaobai broke through to Level 22.
The Little Fox heard the news and quickly climbed up to see if Lin Chen had Leveled up.
But Lin Chen was still at Level 9.
"Guu~~~"
The greater the hope, the greater the disappointment, the Little Fox sighed.
"Next level for sure." Lin Chen comforted.
Lin Chen patted the oxhead, seeing that Xiaobai hadn’t awakened new Skills this time.
Lin Chen wasn’t surprised.
To awaken a new Skill at Level 22 would mean Xiaobai’s talent is unrivaled.
But clearly, Xiaobai’s bloodline wasn’t that exceptional yet.
This was normal.
"Come on, let’s go fight." Lin Chen grinned.
Since arriving at the Spirit Academy, he hadn’t genuinely acted yet.
Lin Chen was convinced that Xiaobai’s horns were itching for action.
Sure enough, upon hearing there was a fight, Xiaobai’s eyes lit up.
Enduring evolution and upgrading...
Isn’t it all for the sake of fighting?
Afterwards, Lin Chen took out the Guild Machine and confirmed Sun Hao’s challenge invitation.
...
In the Arena Area
As one of the core projects of the Spirit Academy, this place was the most bustling area.
Many people, like Lin Chen, would go upgrade at the Spirit Spring and then come here to find someone to fight.
After fighting, they would rush back to cultivation.
Some people even made agreements to come here for sparring and so on.
It was unclear who let the news slip, but by the time Lin Chen arrived, quite a number of students had already gathered.
In terms of numbers, apart from a few senior students watching the show, most were freshman students.
Half were from official admissions, the other half from special admissions.