The Evolution Compendium
Chapter 48 I’ve never seen this situation before!

Chapter 48: Chapter 48 I’ve never seen this situation before!

Institution Center.

The large Number 1 testing platform was as big as a playground, with various areas equipped with facilities for testing strength, speed, and endurance, all arranged in an orderly fashion.

As soon as Chu Yi entered, he realized he wasn’t the only one there. A group of Beast Tamers were spending money to have their Pet Beasts tested, making it easier to cultivate them with targeted efforts.

Even though Beast Tamers held extraordinary status, it was a profession that burned through money. Testing, feeding, breeding, training, battle... every step required a significant financial investment. To promote the growth of Beast Tamers, the Federation had even launched Pet Beast loans, much like home loans, emphasizing companionship. The cost to train a top-tier Beast Tamer was astronomical.

Nearby, testers were enthusiastically promoting service packages and a series of overpriced products. "If you love it, give it the best!" they touted.

Chu Yi’s mouth twitched. An inexplicable sense of familiarity... Indeed, all capitalists should be hanged from lampposts.

"SQUEAK?" Bika conveyed, huddling at Chu Yi’s trouser leg. Master, I’m scared. It was a bit frightened by the various strange-looking tools the testers were holding.

"It’s okay, it’ll be over soon." Chu Yi was comforting Bika when he saw a tester take a cucumber-shaped rubber rod and stick it into a Thundercloud Leopard’s rear. The leopard’s tail instantly shot up, electric sparks jumping from it. The Thundercloud Leopard’s face was contorted in a mask of pain. Then, with a bizarre, soft moan, the Thundercloud Leopard collapsed to the ground, its body convulsing.

Chu Yi sucked in a breath.

Bika: (ΩДΩ)

This testing... is pretty bizarre, Chu Yi thought. He grabbed a nearby tester. "Are all your tests this wild?"

"Wild? That’s just checking the Pet Beast’s health from behind. No big deal."

Ah, this... Chu Yi suddenly realized it was the same principle as inserting a thermometer rectally.

At that moment, an important guest arrived, prompting Professor Liu to excuse himself. "Xintong, help him with the examination. I’m going to receive Young Master Ji."

"Yes, sir."

Xintong, the assistant, glanced towards a powerful Pet Beast in the distance, his eyes filled with envy.

Chu Yi followed his gaze.

It was an elemental-type Pet Beast, humanoid from the waist up, with its lower body a swirling mass of fire. Clad in Flame Armor and wielding a long spear, it resembled a martial general from a distance.

A high-grade elite: Magma Elf.

Owning such a Pet Beast signified that its Master was either wealthy or noble.

Soon, a group of testers used instruments to repeatedly scan a trembling Red Fox, recording data with a perfunctory attitude. Their bonuses were tied to the Pet Beasts they identified. Were they really going to use precious equipment and exhaust themselves testing a mere servant-grade Red Fox? Its Master was just a student; how much money could he possibly have? Moreover, with a Magma Elf present for comparison, whose Master was clearly wealthy, they anticipated he could be sweet-talked into purchasing more products, yielding a larger commission.

"No matter how you look at it, this is just an ordinary Red Fox."

"Bringing it here for testing is simply a waste of our precious time."

Xintong frowned, growing impatient, and quickly recorded his assessment. He didn’t think there was anything special about this Red Fox. Even the strength test showed the Red Fox was only level 18, second rank, eighth stage—practically at its limit. Of course, due to his disdain, he had used ordinary instruments; it was no wonder he couldn’t discern anything.

Chu Yi didn’t let Bika reveal its true form. He wanted to see how strong its camouflage ability was, whether it could be identified, and also to show off a little at the end. After fighting for so long, can’t I enjoy the pleasure of flexing a bit? Of course, he was also spending time observing how these people performed their tests. The various testing methods were a real eye-opener for Chu Yi.

At this time, Professor Liu returned. He glanced at Xintong and asked, "What are the results?"

Xintong handed over the test report.

CRASH—

Professor Liu tore it to pieces and glanced coldly at Xintong. "Is this the result of your ten years of study?"

"Mentor?!" Xintong was dumbfounded. Why did he tear it up? Did I step out of bed on the wrong side this morning?

"To think you’re a graduate of Pet Beast Evaluation and you don’t even understand such a basic principle," Professor Liu said coldly. "The military required a comprehensive examination. You didn’t listen to a single word of that. Did you really think this was just an ordinary Red Fox? Don’t come back here. Pack your things and find another place by tomorrow."

Xintong was stunned. He glanced at the palm-sized Red Fox, which was acting cute and playful, yet cowering from the testing tools. What special quality could this thing possibly have?

The other testing assistants also froze for a moment.

"Fire-type, Red Fox? The file says it’s a mutation?" Professor Liu turned back, his sharp gaze scrutinizing Bika, who was trying to look innocuous. "This Red Fox... its fur color seems a bit off. It has a disguise skill."

"Is it the Moonlight Fox’s [Chu Lian], or the Fragrant Fox’s [Confuse], or some other skill?"

No wonder he’s a professor, Chu Yi thought. He guessed it just from the military’s request for a comprehensive test.

"Professor, do you really want to see its true form?" Chu Yi pretended to hesitate. "It might be... quite different."

So it really does have a disguise! Professor Liu’s eyes lit up. With his hands clasped behind his back, he assumed the air of a profound expert and declared, "I’ve been identifying Pet Beasts for some forty years. I’ve seen Pet Beasts that underwent Mutated Evolution, like the Iron Armor Snail, the Great Power Vajra Ape King, the Swamp Crocodile, and more. What sort of spectacle haven’t I witnessed?"

"Alright then." Chu Yi nodded. "Bika, show the professor your power."

"SQUEAK!" Bika chirped cutely, appearing charming and lovely.

"I’d like to see what’s so remarkable about this Red Fox of yours!" Xintong said coldly. His mentor had inexplicably shamed him, and he’d lost his job and been told to leave. He desperately hoped Professor Liu was wrong—that this was just an ordinary Red Fox. The professor is old and muddled, completely incompetent! That must be it!

BANG—

Fine sparks erupted from its fur, instantly igniting into a raging inferno that rapidly billowed outward!

"HOWL—"

A resonant roar burst from the flames. Golden light flickered, drawing the attention of everyone on the entire testing platform.

"Whoa, what’s that Pet Beast? My Poisonous Miasma Frog is so scared it’s about to pee itself!"

"Such strong pressure! My Cannon Bee is scared stiff!"

"No way! I just came to get my Pet Beast tested. Does it have to be this intense?"

"..."

"TWEE!"

The Magma Elf threw a Flaming Spear that hit the target dead center, a test of its accuracy. Sensing a piercing aura, it actually trembled. This newcomer’s quality was a whole tier above its own!

What? My Magma Elf is... wary? Afraid? Ji Wu was stunned for a moment. He stared, aghast, at the brilliant Golden Flame. The dazed faces of the testing staff and other Beast Tamers were clearly reflected in the firelight.

Professor Liu was utterly dumbfounded.

I really haven’t seen a scene like this before!

BANG—

Three tails of Golden Flame burned, slowly fluttering.

A tall Red Fox, resembling a Flame Divine Beast, descended from within the Golden Flame.

Its three tails, as long and dramatic as a flying dragon’s, billowed gracefully. Its fur was a noble and elegant orange-gold. Its limbs and torso were lean and powerful, radiating an astonishing explosive force.

Three-tailed Mo Xie!

Descended!