Chapter 8: Contracting the First Spirit Beast!

This time I really owe you.

Qin Chuan's body, fully recovered after eating the second fruit, moved as he looked at the Water Leaf Dog beside him, and a delighted smile appeared on his face.

He was just about to delete his account and start over.

Fortunately, the Water Leaf Dog found fruit and herbs that could heal injuries.

Although I don't know how it managed that.

Qin Chuan sat cross-legged on the ground casually, holding the nearby Water Leaf Dog in his arms; seeing how affectionate it was toward him, his smile grew warmer.

Originally, because of the Water Leaf Dog's departure, he was still torn about what kind of Spirit Beast to contract.

But now, that question seems no longer needing consideration.

"I don't know why you're so affectionate with me right after we met," Qin Chuan said softly. "This probably counts as a kind of fate."

"Woof!"

【Spirit Beast Attribute: Water】

At the same time, lines of text appeared beneath the Contract Slot.

Qin Chuan pressed confirm without hesitation; as light flowed and sparkled, the Water Leaf Dog's image appeared on the first Contract Slot.

【Spirit Beast Species: Water Leaf Dog】

"Woof!"

Grass and Wood Identification…

【Spirit Beast Introduction: Water-system Spirit Beast Water Leaf Dog, keen senses, naturally curious, loves exploration, friendly nature.】

Qin Chuan's gaze continued downward, landing on the Water Leaf Dog's skills.

"Are you willing to form a contract with me?"

The new introduction lacked the Spirit Beast status column, adding traits, species values, and skill descriptions; meanwhile, the Spirit Beast level now had an experience bar. Qin Chuan had already learned about these in the Special Affairs Group's science lecture, so he wasn't surprised.

【Spirit Beast Skills: Water Master (Passive), Dark Current Bind (Active), Torrent Break (Active)】

The Water Leaf Dog has three skills total, each with a corresponding icon above and the skill name below.

Is this why the Water Leaf Dog could help him find healing herbs?

Without a doubt, although this trait has no combat ability, its effect is enormous for him right now.

The contracting method isn't complicated.

The Water Leaf Dog nodded vigorously, and Qin Chuan also began to smile.

【Spirit Beast Species Value: 320】

As long as you open the contract sub-panel in your interface, aim the empty Contract Slot at the Water Leaf Dog before you, the 'Attempt Contract' confirmation button will pop up.

【Spirit Beast Level: Juvenile Tier Lv4】 (56/100)

【Spirit Beast Trait: Grass and Wood Identification】

His gaze quickly fell on the Water Leaf Dog's trait.

The Water Leaf Dog let out a cry, its head poking out from Qin Chuan's embrace, excitedly licking his cheek; the feeling was special, as pleasant as wiping his face with a damp towel.

After a moment's thought, Qin Chuan reached out and touched the first skill.

The next second, more information popped up before his eyes.

【Water Master: Passive skill, granting the Spirit Beast the ability to breathe underwater and condense and control water.】

Having found the correct way to open the skill description, Qin Chuan's eyes lit up, and he promptly opened the two following skills.

【Dark Current Bind: Active skill, hiding great power in water to produce binding or other control effects.】

【Torrent Break: Active skill, releasing a water flow with tremendous impact to damage opponents.】

"So, the skill that made the Water Leaf Dog trip the Shadow Leopard is Dark Current Bind, and the attack method shown earlier is Torrent Break?" Qin Chuan stroked his chin, understanding.

Water Master, this passive skill, essentially gives the Water Leaf Dog the foundation to use water-system skills; its two active skills—one control, one attack—though few in number, are fairly comprehensive and can handle many complex combat situations.

Qin Chuan's gaze shifted slightly, landing to the right of the Torrent Break skill icon.

Behind Torrent Break, there seemed to be a trace of another icon.

He tentatively slid the skill bar leftward and actually saw a completely new skill.

However, this skill is currently dimmed, with a lock on it.

Beneath the lock are the large characters '【Spirit Beast reaches Growth Tier unlock】'.

Does this mean the Spirit Beast can gain a new skill after advancing?

Qin Chuan moved his gaze away from the Water Leaf Dog's description; having just experienced that, he instinctively looked toward the right side of the already-filled Contract Slot.

Although only a corner was visible, it seemed another Contract Slot existed behind this one.

After sliding it similarly, he saw an equally locked, gray Contract Slot.

【Player Level reaches Official Rank unlock】

"Official Rank, if nothing unexpected, is simply the next player level after the Apprentice Rank," Qin Chuan's face showed a hint of helplessness. "But so far, no one has found a way to raise the player level."

"We can only slowly explore or wait for the Special Affairs Group to release information," he muttered quietly, his gaze returning to the Water Leaf Dog in his arms.

After completing the contract, he could clearly feel his relationship with the Water Leaf Dog becoming more intimate; not only could they understand each other's intentions, but they could also communicate across distances without hindrance.

"Let me give you a name."

"Woof!" (Good!)

The Water Leaf Dog licked Qin Chuan's cheek again, its big eyes full of expectation, as if having its own name were very important to it.

"What do you think of the name Shui Hua?" Qin Chuan pondered, asking tentatively, "If not, I'll think of something else."

"Woof! Woof!" (I want this! I like it!)

"That's good." Qin Chuan breathed a sigh of relief; he really wasn't good at naming.

He glanced at the time below the main panel; the earlier healing had taken an hour and a half, so there wasn't much time left for this foray into the Dream World.

The last time I entered, I had already wasted too much time because I was unconscious.

This time, we can't waste any more time.

"Shui Hua, we now need to find a relatively safe place to serve as a shelter where we can stay for a while." Qin Chuan stood up, glanced at Shui Hua in his arms, "Do you know where there is a water source nearby?"

Shui Hua's big eyes turned.

"Woof~" (I heard the sound of flowing water while looking for herbs just now.)

"The sound of water?" Qin Chuan's eyes lit up, "You lead the way, let's go check it out."

Under Shui Hua's guidance, the person and beast quickly followed the route Shui Hua had taken, and after a few minutes they arrived at a low-lying, damp valley.

Shui Hua jumped out of Qin Chuan's arms, after sniffing the ground carefully, it quickly ran excitedly toward a certain direction, circling an area overgrown with herbs.

"Woof~" (This is the place.)

Qin Chuan hurried forward, saw the familiar herbs, and nodded in satisfaction.

Not far from the herbs, he also saw the kind of fruit that can heal injuries.

Both of these things are extremely precious to him now.

(End of chapter)