Lin Chuan found it too slow to go from Level 16 to Level 17 in a week.
If it took a week to go from Level 16 to 17, wouldn't it take two weeks or half a month to go from 17 to 18?
And what about 18 to 19? Wouldn't that take a month or even more time?
And 19 to 20?
Alright, using a scientific and rigorous description, what about ten levels in one stage, or even eleven levels in one stage?
Lin Chuan had originally wanted to evolve both Hao Bao and Sakura into Flower Spirit before the promotion assessment.
With Flower Spirit's average bloodline aptitude of mid-General Grade, plus his cheat-like skill points, he could essentially sweep through the promotion assessment, and admission notices from the Eight Great Academies would be a sure thing.
However, it now seemed a bit unrealistic.
Nevertheless, Lin Chuan's situation was already good enough.
Compared to the other 99.999% of new Beast Masters, Lin Chuan's leveling speed could be described as super-fast.
Currently, the average level of initial Spirit Beasts for new Beast Masters was only Level 9, not even reaching the 1st stage, and they usually only had one initial Spirit Beast.
But what about Lin Chuan?
Two! And both had reached Level 17.
Undoubtedly, Lin Chuan was now absolutely in the first tier among new Beast Masters, even at the top level.
This was also thanks to Lin Chuan being willing to spend money and splurge.
Of course, the most crucial thing was having a cheat.
From the very beginning, Lin Chuan had raised the proficiency of three basic skills that could assist Wood Attribute Spirit Beasts in their Growth and cultivation—Rooting, Photosynthesis, and Growth—to a level that was basically impossible for new Beast Masters to achieve.
Of course, Lin Chuan's other Beast Master talent, Spiritual Wood Heart, also contributed, increasing Growth and cultivation efficiency by about 50%.
Time flew, and three more days passed quietly.
Qinghe City Beastmaster Association, Combat Training Area.
B303, First-Level Sunlight Room.
To prevent the training effects from interfering with each other, Lin Chuan had Hao Bao and Sakura stay a little further apart, practicing in separate corners of the room.
At this moment, they were absorbing and digesting the Primary Flora Meridian Enhancer, which was equivalent to practicing skills.
Sakura still primarily used the Healing Aroma skill, occasionally also using Rooting and Photosynthesis to replenish her stamina and energy.
As for Hao Bao, he temporarily stopped practicing Bomb Fruit.
The main reason was that Bomb Fruit was too difficult and consumed a lot of energy.
Even the consumption of a Mini Bomb Fruit was still significantly higher than other skills, and even the Expert Grade Rooting and Photosynthesis combination couldn't fully replenish it.
At this rate, it wouldn't show much progress in a short time, perhaps not even in one or two months, which would be of little significance for the promotion assessment.
Lin Chuan stated that he would wait until he stumbled upon new Bomb Fruit inheritance materials, then directly use his cheat to add points.
At the same time, there was another crucial reason.
Because there was now a higher priority skill than Bomb Fruit waiting for Hao Bao to practice, and that skill was Vine Armor Shield.
The materials for Vine Armor Shield were not too difficult to find; combining what was scavenged from Tianshang Town earlier with what was found by browsing Beast Master shops in Qinghe City during training breaks over the past week, there were a total of 7 Spirit Beast materials.
However, both Hao Bao and Sakura needed the Vine Armor Shield skill.
Because this shield was simply too good, incredibly thick.
The Primary Flora Resilience Ointment had been used continuously for a week, and Hao Bao and Sakura's basic defense had increased by at least 3 times compared to before.
Now, although the wooden fiber skin of Hao Bao and Sakura looked similar on the outside, the toughness, hardness, and density of the wood fibers within were completely different from before.
Using this wooden fiber skin as an energy output for the Vine Armor Shield skill, once the shield was successfully activated, it could essentially nullify the attacks of other new Beast Masters' Spirit Beasts; for example, if Sun Yinyin's Golden Silk Werewolf fought them again now, as long as Hao Bao activated Vine Armor Shield and stood still, even if Sun Yinyin attacked for a day and a night, she wouldn't be able to break Hao Bao's defense.
Of course, Sun Yinyin and her Golden Silk Werewolf would also improve and become stronger; who knows, they might be able to break through?
Lin Chuan said he wasn't worried; if they could break through, he would just activate the Rooting skill.
Back to the main topic.
Lin Chuan ran back and forth between Hao Bao and Sakura, doing weighted runs and weighted frog jumps, which served as both physical exercise and a way for Lin Chuan to give pep talks to the two little ones.
At Hao Bao's side.
Lin Chuan said with an anxious and fervent expression:
"Come on, Hao Bao!"
"Sakura is about to catch up to you over there. Come on, work hard! You don't want to be surpassed by Sakura, do you?"
Hao Bao: "Yi ya ya ya ya!"
Hao Bao successfully burst into power!
At Sakura's side.
Lin Chuan changed his expression again, looking pleased, but with a hint of disappointment in his eyes, he said:
"Hmm, Sakura, that's very good."
"I see your efforts."
"It's just, sigh, well, never mind. From now on, let Hao Bao protect you and me."
Hearing this, Sakura remained silent.
However, a flame of unwillingness burned in her small black bean eyes, and her chubby little hands clenched into fists.
Turning around, Sakura continued to practice Healing Aroma, working noticeably harder than before.
Sakura burst into power!
Thus, with Lin Chuan fanning the flames on one side and using subtle manipulation on the other, and his various methods of giving pep talks, the two little ones practiced their skills and digested the potions with even greater dedication and effort.
Seeing this, Lin Chuan felt proud.
As expected of him, how could there be such an excellent Beast Master in this world?
Another two days passed.
Qinghe City Beastmaster Association, Combat Training Area.
B301, First-Level Sunlight Room.
"It's been almost two weeks; has this period of training been very hard, very tiring?"
"Do you want to rest? Do you want to relax?"
"If you do, then show your spirit and break through the current difficulties!"
"As a reward, I will let you rest for a day! I'll happily play with you for a whole day!"
Pep talks couldn't be given constantly, and bursts of power couldn't happen every day.
Occasional rest and balancing work with leisure would lead to better improvement. Hmm, Lin Chuan stated that it wasn't him who was about to give up on two continuous weeks of such high-intensity training and wanted to take a breather; he was entirely doing it for the good of the two little ones!
Lin Chuan planned to arrange a day of rest for the two little ones.
However, Lin Chuan didn't intend to just give them a direct holiday; instead, he planned to give it to them as a reward.
By making Hao Bao and Sakura believe that their hard training earned them the holiday reward, they would work even harder in the future.
At this moment, Lin Chuan set a small goal for both Hao Bao and Sakura; completing this goal would earn them a day of vacation as a reward.
These past few days, perhaps due to bad luck, Lin Chuan hadn't found any skill materials suitable for Flower Leaf Leaf when scavenging; he only encountered Water Attribute, Little Fireball, and other types of skill materials. He bought the cheap ones, but not the slightly more expensive ones.
He collected 2 portions of 'Water Gun' materials and 1 portion of 'Little Fireball' materials, but no Wood Attribute skill materials.
Back to the main topic, because there were no suitable materials, Hao Bao and Sakura couldn't use their cheat to add points during this time and could only practice skills themselves to improve their proficiency.
Currently, Hao Bao's Vine Armor Shield skill proficiency was infinitely close to the Skilled Grade.
As for Sakura, her Healing Aroma proficiency had already reached the limit of the Ordinary Grade, and with a little more effort, she could reach the Skilled Grade.
So, Lin Chuan told them that if they could break through today, he would give them a day off tomorrow.
Well, actually, he would give them a day off and take them to play from the moment they broke through.
Hao Bao and Sakura's minds were still very young and immature.
After two continuous weeks of high-intensity, crazy cultivation and constant pep talks from Lin Chuan, the two little ones were willing to continue training hard, but their subconscious instincts were almost at their breaking point, and their patience was nearly worn out.
Now, hearing Lin Chuan's promise of a holiday and a day of playing with them to their heart's content.
The two little ones instantly became enthusiastic, and their training motivation was once again maximized.
Hao Bao used the Vine Armor Shield skill to its limit, and Wood Attribute energy circulated throughout his skin.
The next second, Hao Bao's skin, the wooden fiber layer, pulsed and continuously proliferated, and tiny vines grew out, eventually forming armor-like shapes that enveloped Hao Bao.
But that wasn't enough!
Enveloping himself and protecting himself was merely the Ordinary Grade of Vine Armor Shield.
Hao Bao continued to inject Wood Attribute energy into his wooden fiber layer, constantly stimulating the tiny vines that had grown out.
"Pay attention to activating the vitality within the Wood Attribute energy!"
Lin Chuan reminded him that the key to Vine Armor Shield transitioning from Ordinary Grade to Skilled Grade was the vitality within the Wood Attribute energy.
Regarding this, Hao Bao indicated that he understood; it was the healing effect of Wood Attribute energy!
Hao Bao said he was almost sick of smelling the tea scent, ah, Healing Aroma, released by Sakura, that little green tea, these past few days.
He was already very familiar with the principle of Wood Attribute energy converting into a healing effect.
Hmm, Hao Bao stated that if he smelled the Healing Aroma skill for a few more days, he would probably be able to comprehend it on his own.
However, Hao Bao didn't say anything; he was waiting for the day he comprehended it himself to give Lin Chuan a surprise.
This would prove that he, Hao Bao, was more excellent than that little green tea, Sakura!
Hao Bao concentrated, activating the vitality of the Wood Attribute energy injected into his wooden fiber layer.
Crack, crack, a faint, tiny cracking sound that would be inaudible if not listened to carefully.
Hao Bao's surface wooden fiber skin on his chest peeled off on its own.
However, the detached wooden fiber skin did not lose its vitality; it continued to grow wildly, constantly sprouting tiny vines that intertwined with each other.
The key was!
This detached piece of wooden fiber skin was still controlled by Hao Bao's consciousness.
Hao Bao moved his thoughts.
The vines on this small detached piece of wooden fiber skin grew even faster.
After 3 seconds, it had expanded into a 30-centimeter crooked, ugly vine wooden shield, which Hao Bao grasped with his chubby little hand.
Seeing this, Lin Chuan smiled.
Although the casting time was a bit long, it was undoubtedly a Skilled Grade Vine Armor Shield; goal achieved!
With more practice, the shield activation time should be compressed to within 1 second.
On the other side, Sakura was also desperately using Healing Aroma.
The key to Healing Aroma reaching Skilled Grade from Ordinary Grade lay in balance.
Activating the vitality contained within Wood Attribute energy was not a case of the stronger, the better; the more vitality activated, the more intensely the Wood Attribute energy was consumed.
One needed to find that balance point.
Achieving the highest possible vitality activation effect with the least possible Wood Attribute consumption, thereby maximizing both the healing range and healing effect.
Sakura's talent in energy was indeed not as good as Hao Bao's, but her effort was not inferior.
Healing Aroma was not a very difficult or complex skill; energy talent and comprehension wouldn't create too large a gap in this skill, and as long as one was willing to work hard, it could still be achieved.
Centered around Sakura, a one-meter radius of space was filled with light pinkish-green air.
The next second, the light pinkish-green air suddenly expanded, reaching a three-meter radius centered around Sakura, and the green within it became even more lush and crystalline, like countless tiny stardust particles.
Sakura, Healing Aroma Skilled Grade! Achieved!
"Very good, you've both worked very hard. Then, I'll give you a day off tomorrow. Uh, never mind, I'll give you a day off starting now!"
Lin Chuan said.
Hao Bao: Yi ya ya! ヾ(◍°∇°◍)ﾉﾞ
Sakura: Ying ying, ying ying ying! (#^.^#)
Both little ones cheered with joy.
They ran towards Lin Chuan, then with a splat, one on his left and one on his right, they hugged Lin Chuan's calves.
Since it was a holiday, since it was rest, and since he was going to play with them.
Then, it started with snuggling!
The two little ones hugged Lin Chuan's calves and rubbed wildly, then raised their chubby little hands, bouncing up and down, wanting Lin Chuan to pick them up and lift them high, making Lin Chuan's face flush with cuteness.
So, what to do?
Of course, satisfy them!
Currently, both Hao Bao and Sakura had grown to 60 centimeters in height, with Hao Bao being slightly two centimeters taller, and their weight had reached 50 catties, which was no longer a situation where he could easily pick them up.
However, for Lin Chuan, it wasn't a big problem.
Hao Bao and Sakura were growing, and he was also growing; his Beast Master level had reached Level 6.
Although his combat power was negligible compared to Spirit Beasts, his strength and physique had indeed improved a lot. Moreover, he had been very diligently exercising during this period, so picking up the two little ones was still simple, light, and easy!
Heh-ho, Lin Chuan picked up the two little ones, one on his left and one on his right, and lifted them high.
Rest and play, of course, weren't just simple snuggling and high lifts. Since they had come to a big city like Qinghe City and had been training in seclusion for two weeks, it was time to go out and have some fun.
Lin Chuan sent a Blue Penguin message to a purple-haired young man nicknamed Qinghe Xiaolingtong.
He asked where there were fun places near the Beastmaster Association, such as amusement parks, food streets, or circus performances.
In reality, Tan Yan was already very talkative.
And in online chats, he was 10 times more talkative than in reality.
Lin Chuan had just sent his inquiry message, and in less than 3 seconds, a flood of replies came back like a screen refresh.
Qinghe Xiaolingtong (Tan Yan): Wow, boss, you've come out of secluded cultivation? You're the most insane cultivator among everyone I know, I bow down ORz
During this time, although Lin Chuan had been in seclusion, intensely training, he would also play on his phone during breaks and chat with his former classmates, old friends, his mother, his elder brother and second sister, and the newly acquainted Tan Yan.
Ever since he learned that Lin Chuan had been in seclusion diligently cultivating, Tan Yan had become even more enthusiastic towards Lin Chuan.
After all, being able to continuously cultivate in such high intensity was not only proof of perseverance but also proof of financial resources.
Tan Yan's internal rating of Lin Chuan's 'thigh' (a metaphor for someone powerful to rely on) had already upgraded from 'small thick' level, meaning an ordinary genius Beast Master, to 'big thick' level, a first-class genius Beast Master, the kind who could become a Professional Beastmaster. Thus, Tan Yan naturally wanted to cling even tighter!