Chapter 142: It's truly amazing! Ailikete-kun!

Ha… ha…

Watching Ailikete's Spirit Ascension three talents fully unleashed, a Spirit Beast with a mighty, heaven-shaking presence like that of gods and demons, Songban Zhigui's deathly pale skin, as if soaked in formaldehyde for a long time, flushed with an unhealthy hue.

His body trembled from overexcitement, fingers of one hand shoved into his mouth, and he unconsciously let out beast-like, ragged breaths.

Even Ailikete couldn't help but frown at that crazy, twisted sight.

Let's end this boring battle quickly.

He thought, and in the next instant the Forest Flower Deer let out a low groan, countless thick vines shooting up from deep within the earth, rushing toward the monster formed by the fusion of the three Spirit Beasts before him.

In an instant, the monster was pierced with several bloody holes, emitting a miserable howl that sounded like three different voices overlapping, like fingernails scraping a blackboard, making one's scalp tingle.

The vines that had pierced the monster's body, under the Forest Flower Deer's control, tightly coiled around its flesh, and the terrifying force left deep grooves across its body.

Seeing that the monster was about to be strangled to death, Songban Zhigui, as if just coming to his senses, suddenly let out a strange laugh like a night owl.

"So great~"

"It's truly amazing! Ailikete-kun!!!"

"Well… see you tomorrow~"

As his words faded, Songban Zhigui and the monster's bodies flashed with light and quickly turned ethereal.

Boom!!!

The Forest Flower Deer swung countless vines, smashing toward Songban Zhigui's direction, but after the smoke cleared, there was no trace of Songban Zhigui.

He just vanished like that, suddenly disappearing before Ailikete's eyes.

Looking at the sunken ground, Ailikete's expression wavered between light and dark.

The battle that could have ended in one fell swoop was completely thwarted by Songban Zhigui's instantaneous transfer.

Who would have thought that Soul Fusion actually had the talent effect of instantaneous movement?!

Ailikete furrowed his brows, feeling as if he had overlooked something.

——

【Daily Ranking Settlement Begins】

【Congratulations to the player for achieving 2nd place on the Spirit Beast Ranking (Elite Tier), earning +160 Experience Gems】

【Congratulations…】

Looking at the lines of text appearing before him, Qin Chuan's eyebrows twitched slightly.

At this time yesterday, his Spirit Beast Ranking was third, with first and second places both occupied by Ailikete's contracted Spirit Beasts.

The Spirit Ascension talent has an unmatched advantage in climbing the rankings.

Given that Ailikete's contracted Spirit Beast died, he logically should be in first place.

How did he end up in second?

Before he could figure it out, Yueli suddenly let out an exclamation.

"Luo! Quickly look at the Spirit Beast Ranking!"

Qin Chuan quickly opened the ranking and then saw the name occupying first place.

【Spirit Beast Ranking (Elite Tier) 1st Place】

【Area: 3273】

【Player Name: lion】

【Ranked Spirit Beast: Forest Flower Deer】

【Ranked Spirit Beast Current Tier: Elite Tier Lv30】

【Reference Battle Record: Defeated three opponents single-handedly, overcoming the three contracted Spirit Beasts of player Songban Zhigui.】

One against three?

Wait… Songban Zhigui?!

Qin Chuan scrolled down the ranking and quickly saw Songban Zhigui's three ranked Spirit Beasts.

This guy…

When did he arrive in Area 3273 and even get promoted to Elite Tier?!

"My third talent doesn't seem to be much use…" Yueli's expression was gloomy, "Ailikete won—can that be called bad luck?"

"No, his luck really isn't that good." Qin Chuan thought, then suddenly smiled, "To be able to defeat Songban Zhigui, he must have used his third talent."

"If Songban Zhigui comes after him again tomorrow…"

Yueli's gloomy expression quickly faded, and she smiled, "Then he'll have to delete his account."

They, who also possess the Golden Talent, clearly understand that Ailikete's third talent likely takes effect once per seven dream‑days; otherwise he wouldn't keep being reluctant to use it.

And Songban Zhigui's fused Spirit Beast takes effect once per dream‑day.

The third talent is a trump card, yet it should not be lightly used unless absolutely necessary.

"Shui Hua and Xiao Qing's injuries have healed, everyone's energy is replenished, so tomorrow we can challenge the Area Guardian Spirit Beast of Area 3273." Qin Chuan spoke with a smile, "For our first challenge of the Hall Tier, I'm actually quite excited."

"Together we'll surely take it down!" Yueli swung her arm, full of vigor, "I've already plotted an optimal route map based on the distances to the four Spirit Beasts we need to defeat; from now on we'll take turns challenging the Area Guardian Spirit Beasts according to that map."

"For those that are too far or too strong, we'll exchange Advanced Resource Fragments for whatever we choose!"

"Good." Qin Chuan smiled, "The third Spirit Beast also needs to be put on the schedule as soon as possible."

These past few days, both of them have been preparing for this battle against Ailikete, with no spare attention to the selection and contracting of the third Spirit Beast.

Although directly contracting an Elite Tier Spirit Beast like Ailikete and Songban Zhigui does instantly boost combat power and saves a rare resource, it is not a good choice for Qin Chuan and Yueli.

The reason is simple: the star‑equipment affix levels of wild Elite Tier Spirit Beasts are usually low.

To have an excellent contracted Spirit Beast, one must at least begin nurturing it from the Growth Tier.

If one wants to increase affinity more quickly, contracting from the Juvenile Tier works better.

With the discovery that Spirit Descent requires 100% affinity, the Juvenile Tier has become the theoretically optimal time to select a contracted Spirit Beast.

Although early-stage resource consumption is greater, the mid-to-late stage returns are even larger.

"Third Spirit Beast…" Yue Li's face showed an expectant expression, "I want to contract a Lightning-type one; that would best match my current attribute."

"Wind, Fire, Lightning." Qin Chuan nodded in agreement, then his face grew a bit strange, "It really does match, but isn't it too violent?"

"You're saying I'm violent?" Yue Li turned her head, a dangerous glint flashing in her eyes.

"No, no." Qin Chuan waved his hands repeatedly, "I mean the output of these three attributes is too… too fierce."

Seeing Qin Chuan's flustered attempt to explain, Yue Li curled the corner of her mouth, "Just teasing you."

"The reason I want to choose Lightning is, firstly, the attribute matches well." She chuckled as she spoke, "Secondly, I know quite a bit about electromagnetism, and for Lightning I have many ideas I want to verify, and moreover…"

"I really like the attribute for ranged output, because it's convenient to use."

"Isn't the melee attribute inconvenient?" Qin Chuan couldn't help but speak.

Perhaps due to long practice with Ji Huai, ear soaked and eyes influenced, or perhaps because men naturally yearn for close-quarters combat where fists meet flesh, Qin Chuan prefers attributes and Spirit Beast skills usable in melee.

His choice of third Spirit Beast also leans that way.

"Mm…"

A flicker of barely perceptible gloom flashed in Yue Li's eyes, but she quickly suppressed the surging sad memories in her mind.

Everything will get better.

She silently told herself, then looked at the boy beside her and gave a sweet smile.

"For now, it's not very convenient~"

(End of chapter)