Chapter 3: Black Tortoise!

Lin Yue pressed the still-warm Energy Crystal firmly onto the small grass turtle's shell, and a cold mechanical tone immediately sounded in his mind.

【Detected a Grade-1 Energy Crystal, energy value 10 points, meets the pet's first evolution condition.】

【Should we charge and evolve the bound pet 'Mutant Grass Turtle'?】

"Yes! Evolve immediately!"

The moment the system's voice fell, Lin Yue shouted out his decision.

The situation now is such that every extra second adds more danger!

Hum—!

A low-pitched resonance exploded from beneath his palm.

The diamond-shaped Energy Crystal quickly liquefied, seeping into the cracks of the turtle's shell.

Immediately, a thick, undissipable emerald-green halo burst outward from beneath the small grass turtle!

The light was not blinding, yet it carried an indescribable vitality.

Wherever the halo swept, even the dust on the ground trembled.

And the Mutant Grass Turtle at the halo's center was undergoing a dramatic transformation, shedding its old self and being reborn.

"This..."

Lin Yue stared, mouth agape, almost forgetting to breathe.

The originally palm-sized small turtle was rapidly expanding at a visible speed, like a balloon constantly being inflated with air.

Its hind legs, crushed into a bloody mess by wheels, under the green light saw flesh, sinew, and bone swiftly reorganize, instantly returning to pristine condition—and even becoming thicker than before!

The ferocious cracks on the turtle's shell also quickly healed; the newly formed carapace was a deep, dark black, with a metallic cold sheen on its surface.

One meter!

One point five meters!

Two meters!

When the green light finally faded, the near-dead little creature had become a massive beast two meters long and nearly one meter tall at the shoulder.

It was no longer a "turtle," but a true giant beast!

Its limbs were as thick as stone pillars, its skull rugged, and the opening and closing of its ancient, simple eyes revealed a heaviness weathered by time.

That black turtle shell resembled a naturally forged heavy shield, brimming with an indestructible quality.

"Roar!"

Just as Lin Yue was stunned into oblivion by the sight, a sharp howl jerked him back to reality.

A mutant rat the size of a leopard, following the scent of blood, was the first to rush forward.

Its scarlet eyes locked onto Lin Yue beneath the car, obviously regarding him as easy prey.

The mutant rat's hind legs kicked hard, turning it into a gray bolt of lightning; it bared its fang-filled maw and lunged viciously!

"It's over!"

Lin Yue's pupils contracted sharply; having just snapped out of the immense shock, his body had no time to react.

This mutant rat's speed far surpassed that of the previous mutant dog by more than a notch!

A hair's breadth from disaster!

"Whoosh——!"

A huge black shadow, accompanied by a fierce wind, swept violently past from his side.

It was the giant turtle that had just completed its evolution!

It made no extra motion, merely swinging its head swiftly; the grindstone-sized skull struck like a thousand-jin hammer, precisely smashing the mutant rat midair!

"Bang!!"

A bone‑cracking sound that made teeth ache exploded.

That ferocious mutant rat couldn't even utter a scream before its whole body, as if hit by a speeding truck, instantly twisted and deformed into a lump of rotting meat, flying backward over ten meters, slamming into an abandoned bus and sliding down, then falling silent.

One strike.

Instant kill.

This simple, brutal yet power‑beautiful scene left Lin Yue's mind blank.

"So strong!!"

He stared dumbfounded at the massive beast before him, then glanced at the distant shapeless mound of flesh, his throat working with difficulty.

The commotion here also caused the monsters gathering around to halt their steps in unison.

They growled restlessly, yet none dared to step forward.

From this black giant beast they sensed death.

After the giant turtle disposed of the mutant rat threatening Lin Yue's safety, it slowly turned its massive head and, with those tranquil, ancient‑well eyes, gazed quietly at Lin Yue.

There was no brutality, no lust for killing, only an innate closeness and reliance.

Lin Yue looked into those eyes, and the taut string in his heart snapped with a soft "pop."

"Hahaha… hahahaha!"

He could no longer restrain himself, leaning against the cold car body and bursting into loud laughter.

As he laughed, the corners of his eyes grew moist.

Having arrived in this damned place less than an hour ago, yet in that short time every second he struggled on the line between life and death.

Without the system, relying solely on himself, he would likely have already become food for that mutant dog.

Only now did his hanging heart finally settle completely.

Lin Yue stumbled out from under the car, his body smeared with the mutant dog's filthy blood, a sorry sight, yet his eyes shone brighter than ever.

He walked to the giant turtle's side, reached out to touch its cold, hard leg plating, then lifted his head to gaze upon its back, like a small mountain.

From today on, you are my most reliable partner.

Lin Yue murmured, his voice trembling slightly from excitement,

You evolved from a black tortoise, and you are so mighty; from now on I will call you 'Black Tortoise'!

Roar——

The giant turtle seemed to understand, letting out a low growl like distant thunder, as if responding to his naming.

Just then, the system panel in Lin Yue's mind quietly refreshed.

【First Evolution Complete!】

【Pet Naming Successful: Black Tortoise】

【Pet Information Updated】

【Pet: Black Tortoise (Level 1)】

【Species: Black Iron Mystic Armor Turtle】

【Body Length: 2 meters】

【Innate Abilities: Indestructible (Passive), Savage Collision (Active)】

【Note: The Black Iron Mystic Armor Turtle is an excellent defensive pet; its shell possesses extremely strong physical resistance.】

【Required for Promotion to Level 2: 0/100 Energy Points.】

One hundred energy points……

Lin Yue looked at that number, not feeling pressured but instead his eyes burned with fighting spirit.

Before, ten energy points were enough to cost him his life.

But now, he has Black Tortoise.

Will obtaining energy still be difficult?

He looked at the monsters outside, hesitating, both greedy and fearful, and curled his lips into a cold smile.

These are all walking energy points.

He patted Black Tortoise's heavy shell, then climbed onto its broad back using both hands and feet.

The turtle's back was astonishingly flat; once steady, it was practically a moving small platform.

Heavens…… If it reaches level 3, its length will surely multiply several times—then the area on its back must be tens or even hundreds of square meters!

Lin Yue's breathing grew rapid.

If Black Tortoise can keep evolving, the area on its back could practically build a city.

Just like the elephant lord in One Piece, with furry folk living on its back!

Black Tortoise, go!

Lin Yue took a deep breath, suppressed his surging emotions, ignored the surrounding monsters, and issued his first command with his will,

Target, the supermarket ahead!

Roar——

Black Tortoise let out a low growl and stepped forward with its heavy steps.

That two-meter-long iron fortress, carrying its master, moved like a small armored vehicle, slowly driving toward the new destination.