Wu Ming gazed at the Demon Crystal, his eyes gleaming with delight.
The crystal was pitch-black, thumb-sized, radiating a soft luster, and filled with dense demonic aura. It was a high-grade delicacy favored by all ghost-type spirits.
Moreover, for ordinary-type Phantom Spirits, it was also the best material for triggering ghost attribute mutations!
“Even with Dongfang Jie’s wealth, acquiring such a Demon Crystal would be nearly impossible…”
“Right! His Ghost Wolf is also of the ghost type. If it could consume one of these crystals when advancing to the soldier class, it would greatly enhance its demonic abilities… This crystal must have been given by Dongfang Ba. Indeed, it’s great to have the backing of the Grand Elder’s faction!”
Wu Ming glanced again at the gray wolf.
At this moment, the gray wolf had already stormed into the Moon-Gazing Rhinoceros’s den, causing chaos, and afterwards, it presented a Moon Essence Fruit as a gift to please Wu Ming.
The fruit tree was pure white, exuding faint luminescence. Some of the fruits had bite marks on the edges, clearly having been consumed by the Moon-Gazing Rhinoceros.
“The Moon-Gazing Rhinoceros gathers moon essence to nourish this spirit plant, and in turn, it can eat the fruits to enhance its own abilities. It’s a mutually beneficial relationship…”
Wu Ming accepted the fruit with a faint smile: “You’re quite lucky! With both the Demon Crystal and the Moon Essence Fruit, we can attempt a slightly advanced guided mutation…”
His gaze darkened slightly toward the Dongfang family: “Dongfang Ba? Luo Geng?”
Dongfang Ba was the Grand Elder’s favorite grandson, and Wu Ming probably couldn’t do anything to him for now. Even if he managed to kill him in a surprise attack, he would immediately have to go on the run.
But Luo Geng was different. When he returned, he would definitely make him understand what retribution feels like!
…
Unconsciously, more than half a month had passed.
In the beast-fighting arena of Giant Rock City, a large crowd had already gathered.
Today was the Dongfang family’s annual competition!
The Dongfang family took pride in wolves and cultivated new talents through a bottom elimination system. Every year, the last place in the competition would be expelled from the family, thus motivating the younger generation to strive for excellence.
Of course, this was also the best stage for all family members to showcase their abilities. The first place would receive rich rewards—not only tens of thousands of spirit coins but also the right to choose any treasure from the family’s collection!
“Greetings to the Grand Elder, Second Elder, and Third Elder!”
Amidst the respectful welcomes from the Dongfang clan, the Grand Elder Dongfang Ying, the Second Elder Dongfang Xiong who managed the shops, and the stern-faced Law Enforcement Elder Dongfang Tie entered one after another.
“Strange! Shuo Ming still hasn’t arrived?”
Dongfang Dieyu, dressed in a red dress, scanned the arena with her lively eyes, showing disappointment: “If he is late, he’ll be directly declared defeated, which will have a significant impact!”
Since the last place would be punished and expelled from the family, the competition used a combination of round-robin and elimination system. Not only did the winners have to compete against each other, but the losers also had to endure a series of challenges to avoid being last.
Thus, the opening match was extremely important. Losing even once would place one in a disadvantaged position, struggling hard and unlikely to achieve a high rank.
And the ranking directly affected the family’s future investment in the individual!
Looking at his granddaughter, Dongfang Tie silently shook his head in exasperation, secretly relieved that Dongfang Shuoming was also a member of the Dongfang family, so he wouldn’t betray Dieyu. Otherwise, with her personality, she might even help count the money after being sold.
“Ah Ming!”
Dongfang Dieyu anxiously searched the crowd and suddenly spotted the young man entering the gate. Her eyes lit up, and she hurriedly ran forward, playfully scolding him: “I heard you were training alone at Star Moon Lake, worrying me to death!”
“Sorry!”
Wu Ming smiled apologetically: “I encountered some minor troubles and was slightly delayed…”
He wasn’t like those heroes from past TV dramas who always arrived at the most critical moment. This time, he really had something that held him up.
As for what it was, naturally it was the gray wolf’s further advancement.
“Stellar Fire Mountains are indeed a treasure trove! Of course, thanks are also due to the two treasure boys!”
Wu Ming subtly glanced, and sure enough, he saw Luo Geng’s surprised and resentful face.
“Hehe… Ah Ming, my Frost Wolf has already advanced to mid-stage!”
In his ear, Dongfang Dieyu was joyfully chattering: “Among the Dongfang family, only a few like Dongfang Ba can rival me! If we meet, you’d better be careful!”
Dongfang Dieyu’s Phantom Spirit was an exceptional species, naturally endowed with two racial bonuses. At its mid-stage, its strength was comparable to that of an ordinary species at the peak of its infancy stage—much like the previous Moon-Gazing Rhinoceros!
Wu Ming had worked hard for a month to cultivate the gray wolf to its peak, reaching this level!
It must be said that people cannot be compared to each other. Truly, the gap between different social strata was enough to make one spit blood, and the difficulty of catching up was even more disheartening!
“Then I look forward to your performance, dear cousin!”
However, Wu Ming was different. He merely smiled slightly, inwardly sighing at his cousin’s carelessness in arbitrarily changing his name again.
“Shuo Ming Brother, we meet again!”
Beside him, Dongfang Yunhe and Dongfang Hongyan came over, greeting him: “Shuo Ming Brother has been diligently training, obviously gaining much. If we meet in the arena today, please go easy on me…”
They were the Law Enforcement Hall’s chosen candidates, forming a small group with Dongfang Dieyu and Dongfang Shuoming. Dongfang Song wore a dark expression, lingering at the edges.
Groups like this also existed among the competitors, one led by Dongfang Ba with the most members, and another belonging to the Second Elder’s faction, clearly demarcated.
“It seems the Dongfang Elders are intentionally fostering such situations… to observe the hidden competition and discover new talents…”
Seeing this, Wu Ming could only sigh inwardly, once again realizing that factions exist wherever there are people. Yet, his eyes flashed with cold light.
This competitive mechanism was also his opportunity.
…
“Hehe… This year’s family competition has many new faces emerging!”
Although Dongfang Ying was already in his eighties, his appearance was that of a middle-aged man, charming and dashing. As the cornerstone of the Dongfang family, a master of a General-class Ghost Wolf, he was sustained by the wolf’s attributes. His emerald green eyes and wolf-like, cunning gaze gave him a unique charm.
“Where, where! Ba is our child who has grown up under our watchful eyes. Seeing him now, he is indeed a dragon among men. Who else but him could take first place this time?”
Dongfang Xiong and Dongfang Tie both laughed.
The Dongfang family differed from other families in that it did not have a single clan leader but instead implemented a tri-elder council system, with the three powerful elders balancing each other. However, Dongfang Ying, being a General-class spirit master, naturally held more authority.
“Hmph! Two old foxes!”
Dongfang Ying inwardly snorted, yet on the surface, he laughed heartily: “Ba’s talent is merely average. This year’s clan members are full of elites. For example, Dongfang Shuwen, who took a unique path by contracting an Outstanding Species Three-Eyed Stone Monkey. If cultivated to the General class in the future, he might even establish a new spirit lineage for our Dongfang family… And there’s that girl, Die Wu, whose Frost Wolf has already reached mid-stage. Her potential is also extraordinary, worth cultivating!”
These two were leaders of other factions. Without any unexpected circumstances, the top three spots in the family competition would be contested between them and Dongfang Ba.
After all, the bonuses from Outstanding Species were simply too terrifying.
Dongfang Tie gave a hollow laugh, his eyes involuntarily fixed on Dongfang Shuoming: “This young man’s combat talent is remarkable. I’ve heard from Dongfang Ao’s report that he received much praise. Someone who can earn such commendation from Dongfang Ao must be extraordinary… Perhaps, the only variable in this competition lies here!”
Bang! Bang! Bang!
With several cannon shots echoing, the young competitors immediately tensed up.
In the stands of the beast-fighting arena, numerous Dongfang family members were also taking their seats.
“It’s starting! It’s starting!”
Dongfang Yue’s eyes sparkled: “The odds have already been set outside. Every clan member is a betting option! But Dongfang Ba and the others are boring; the odds are too low. I’ve already placed five thousand spirit coins on Dongfang Shuoming, betting he’ll make it into the top ten! The odds are one to fifteen!!!… Haha! These fools outside even set odds betting he won’t finish last and lose his clan name. The odds for that are one to two!”
She laughed so hard her body shook, as if seeing a flood of spirit coins pouring in. Seeing Dongfang Ao’s expressionless face, she couldn’t help but ask in confusion: “You, of all people, know that kid’s strength best. Why aren’t you reacting at all?”
“Too petty!”
Dongfang Ao’s face was cold, shaking a betting slip in his hand, sparing only a few words: “I bet my entire fortune that he’ll make it into the top five!”
…
“The competition begins! First match! Dongfang Shuoming versus Luo Geng!”
The announcer hesitated slightly, then loudly declared.
“Huh?! So the first match is already me?”
Wu Ming sneered inwardly: “The opponent is still Luo Geng. There must have been some manipulation, but fine! In the family competition, casualties are not forbidden, making it the perfect opportunity for revenge!”
Luo Geng, being an exceptional servant’s child, naturally also had the qualification to compete.
This was actually an insurance policy. In previous family competitions, the last place was often occupied by these servants. Of course, if a clan member was too incompetent, there was nothing to be said.
At present, to the Dongfang clan members, Dongfang Shuoming, who had contracted a gray wolf, was undoubtedly such a person.
Therefore, when he stepped onto the arena, he truly became the center of attention.
“Hehe… Dongfang Shuoming!”
Opposite him, Luo Geng crossed his arms, whispering just loud enough for him and Wu Ming to hear: “I don’t know how you managed to escape Jie Ao’s brothers, but now you have nowhere to run! I will publicly kill your gray wolf in front of everyone, making you crawl out of the Dongfang family in disgrace!”
“Fool!”
For this kind of person, Wu Ming had nothing more to say. As soon as the command to start the duel was issued, he immediately summoned his Phantom Spirit.
“Ah?”
Among the clan members watching below, those who had seen Dongfang Shuoming’s mid-stage gray wolf all changed expressions.
Because the gray wolf appearing on the arena was slightly leaner, even smaller than the original mid-stage gray wolf.
“Terrible! Did Dongfang Shuoming not feed his gray wolf enough?”
In the stands, Dongfang Yue covered her eyes with both hands.
“The aura is only at the mid-infant stage… but…”
Dongfang Ao frowned deeply.
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