Beast Taming: I can evolve indefinitely

Chapter 169 Aren't secret realms supposed to be opened with just a touch?

Seeing that Alpha's appearance was becoming increasingly stylish, a far cry from the original thin, weak, and eerie little skeleton, Bai Qi nodded in satisfaction and then began to sense Alpha's condition.

[Name]: Withered Dragon Lord (Alpha)

[Attributes]: Ice, Undead, Dragon

[Growth Level]: Tier 3, Level 8

[Bloodline Level]: High-ranking Lord

[Racial Skills]: Breath of Wither (Super - Proficient), Dragon's Might (Advanced - Proficient), Bone Manipulation (Advanced - Perfect), Ice Crystal Barrier (Advanced - Perfect), Exploding Crystal Spikes (Advanced - Perfect), Shadow Lotus (Intermediate - Perfect), Gravity Amplification (Super - Skilled), Wind Wound (Advanced - Beginner), Blade Storm (Super - Beginner)

[Energy Value]: 4100000

[Status]: Can Evolve

Both levels have been upgraded, but apart from gaining two new skills, Wind Wound and Blade Storm, Alpha's race name has not changed.

"Is it because no qualitative change occurred that it remains a withering dragon lord?"

Bai Qi seemed to be deep in thought, and then he noticed that Shu Ke was squatting next to the battle room, staring blankly at the pile of ethereal gold.

Could it be that he was provoked and is now depressed?

Seeing this, Bai Qi coughed twice, trying to attract Shuke's attention.

According to Instructor Lü, a qualified beast tamer must also pay attention to the psychological state of their pets and properly coordinate the relationships between them; otherwise, it will affect the performance of the pets.

It's time to show off my rhetoric as a beast tamer who has lived two lives.

Shuke was indeed awakened by Bai Qi's cough. After seeing Bai Qi walking towards him with a kind face, Shuke immediately figured out Bai Qi's plan.

"I understand what you want to do, Beastmaster. I'm not as fragile as you think, and I've already figured out a way to enhance our combat power."

Countless data streams flashed in Shuke's electronic eyes, clearly indicating that the simulation had already begun.

"Also, if you have the chance, Beastmaster, you can keep an eye out for materials related to mental energy. Both my abilities and Beta's are based on mental power."

"Okay."

Upon hearing Shuke's words, Bai Qi nodded blankly.

These days, even pets can comfort themselves and improve along the way?

Bai Qi looked at Alpha, who had just acquired a new skill and been promoted to a high-level lord, and was already mastering his new power.

As for Gamma, he also abandoned his usual laziness and started playing with his clones.

Suddenly I feel like he has no presence at all...

Looking at the three pets, each acting independently, Bai Qi suddenly felt like an old father being abandoned by his three grown sons, and a strange sense of emotion welled up in his heart.

"I should go study runes instead..."

Bai Qi shook his head helplessly and returned to his room to begin his struggle with the Rune Cube.

By this time, Bai Qi had already worked his way up to the fifteenth level of the Rune Cube. He was clearly feeling a bit overwhelmed. Just this one side had taken him almost a week to complete, and he still had two sides left to finish.

The further you go, the greater the difference between the runes on the Rubik's Cube and those in Professor Dong's dictionary becomes, making it difficult to operate even while consulting the dictionary.

However, after seeing the ancient runes in the First Emperor's Secret Realm, Bai Qi understood something.

The further you go inside this Rubik's Cube, the older the runes recorded become, and what he's encountered now can be considered ancient runes.

"Here it comes!"

Having seen the rubbings, the previously clueless Rubik's Cube fragments suddenly became clear, and Bai Qi's operation speed increased. What would have taken a week to solve one side was completed in just half an hour, followed by the second side.

Finally, as darkness was about to fall completely outside, Bai Qi finally finished solving the Rubik's Cube.

Kara kara...

With the sound of a mechanism turning, the rune cube slowly floated into the air, then changed shape again and fell back into Bai Qi's hand.

It was a 16x16 Rubik's Cube!

"This is a setup to kill me..."

Bai Qi's eye twitched slightly; he already had the urge to dismantle the rune cube.

"what?"

Just then, Bai Qi suddenly noticed that there seemed to be some gaps on some of the blocks, and without paying attention to the runes on them, he quickly started operating.

The difficulty of the sixteenth-tier runes was significantly higher. It took Bai Qi about an hour to gather the somewhat missing blocks onto the same surface. Although it was still not very clear, a rough outline could be seen.

A keyhole.

Looking at the keyhole on the Rubik's Cube, Bai Qi immediately thought of the key he had sold to the Thirteenth Bureau.

Judging from this, the Rune Cube will ultimately need that key to open it, and since the key is now in the hands of the Thirteenth Bureau, it's definitely hopeless.

Thinking about it this way, perhaps the puppet in the final level could also be used to open something with a key?

"Holy crap, we sold it at a loss!!!"

Bai Qi pounded his chest in anguish, wishing he could travel back in time and stab his past self, who was smug about getting a legendary resource.

I'm so ashamed of my own stupidity...

"I didn't realize you had self-harm tendencies?"

Just then, Luo Xiang suddenly appeared at Bai Qi's door. After seeing the rune cube in Bai Qi's hand, he said, "Is this what you got in the Twin Towers? Um, is this to be opened with that key?"

As expected of a veteran who had ventured into secret realms, Luo Xiang immediately recognized the connection between the rune cube and the key.

Bai Qi was taken aback upon hearing this and asked, "You know Instructor Luo?"

"I suppose so. Beast tamers during the reign of the French emperor all liked to play these kinds of tricks. You get used to it."

Luo Xiang nodded, took the Rubik's Cube from Bai Qi's hand, and said, "However, a level 16 rune Rubik's Cube is really quite rare. I'm afraid the Twin Towers are not the end. There may be some follow-up Secret Realm Towers."

Hearing Luo Xiang's words, Bai Qi became even more dejected.

Since the keys have all been sold to others, there's no point in even thinking about the Secret Tower.

"Are you worried that the Thirteenth Injunction will find that secret location first?"

Seeing this, Luo Xiang smiled and said, "Don't worry. Although I don't know if there are any other components, this cube is absolutely indispensable if we want to open the next Secret Realm Tower. So just wait for the Thirteenth Bureau to come knocking on our door."

"Remember this: the side that has more control over the elements to enter the secret realm is the one that is most anxious. You're the only one, so what's the rush?"

Upon hearing this, Bai Qi was immediately astonished. Was it really the minority who held the advantage?

At this point, Luo Xiang revealed a mischievous grin and said, "Remember to give the Thirteenth Bureau a good beating, and it has to be the kind where you also go in to explore."

"These secret towers, scattered across different areas, are quite valuable."

Bai Qi nodded repeatedly. If the Thirteenth Bureau came to him for a trade again, he would definitely try to see if he could trade for space teleportation technology or some other seventh-tier technology. Even if he didn't need it, it would be good to start researching it first.

"By the way, Brother Luo, did you come to see me for something?"

Luo Xiang nodded and said, "I need to go to the First Emperor's Secret Realm first and won't be coming out for a while. You can follow Uncle Chun for now, he will assign you tasks."

Upon hearing this, Bai Qi's eyes twitched involuntarily. He wondered if he might be forgotten in the secret realm one day by that decadent old man when he was drunk.

"Don't underestimate Uncle Chun. Strictly speaking, Uncle Chun is also my teacher. His methods of breaking through secret realms are definitely among the top three in the association."

"Top three?"

Bai Qi couldn't help but picture Chun Yushui drunk in his mind, finding it hard to connect it with what Luo Xiang had said.

"You'll understand once you spend some time with Uncle Chun."

Luo Xiang smiled, glanced at the sky outside which had completely darkened, and said, "I should probably head out now. Do your best, and how many points you get depends on Uncle Chun's evaluation..."

After saying that, Luo Xiang turned and left.

He still comes and goes like the wind, just like before...

Bai Qi watched Luo Xiang disappear quickly into the night, shook his head, and then took out an Angel Fruit to fill his stomach.

He was unfamiliar with the area and didn't want to go out to find something to eat, so he planned to just grab something quick and easy.

After all, the 16th-order Rubik's Cube, which could be the key to the next secret realm tower, is not yet complete, and the ancient runes have not yet been studied. He has a lot of things to deal with.

"Hey! Bai Qi, come out for dinner!"

Just then, Chun Yushui's shout came from outside the house. Bai Qi came to the door and was surprised to find that there were bonfires set up at the door at some point, and the beast tamers of the association who had been seriously cracking the entrance to the secret realm during the day were singing and dancing around the bonfires.

Is this a bonfire party?

Bai Qi looked at the scene before him somewhat blankly, then heard Chun Yushui, who was leaning against the wall, laugh and say, "Kid, this isn't headquarters, no need for formalities. Let's have a party!"

Is this a good idea?

Seeing this, Bai Qi had a headache. It was really hard for Bai Qi to connect Chun Yushui with the top three experts in solving the secret realm in the association.

"Breaking through the secret realm isn't as easy as you think. Without the talent for breaking through the void, you might be trapped on a single rune for your entire life, your nerves constantly on edge. If you can't find a way to unwind, you could easily break down!"

Chun Yushui smiled, handed the wine bottle to Bai Qi, and said, "How about it, want to give it a try?"

"Never mind, I don't have that habit."

Bai Qi smiled awkwardly, declined Chun Yushui's offer, but also showed no intention of joining the bonfire party.

If what Chun Yushui said is true, then the source of Luo Xiang's previously unpredictable behavior can be found: it was purely for stress relief.

However, he doesn't seem to be under any pressure. A secret realm doesn't just open by itself when you touch it, does it?

(End of this chapter)