Chapter 73: Evolution!

The air in the banquet hall seemed to solidify.

Dozens of full gazes, all looked at Lin Yue.

Wang Gongtou, Han Ya, and others also unconsciously put down their utensils, looking at Lin Yue with tense expressions.

They were very clear that this question touched Lin Yue's deepest secret.

Gui Ying remained expressionless, but a faint ripple flashed in those deep eyes.

Obviously, this question was not only what Zhang Zhen'guo wanted to know, but also him, and the entire Third Prison Refuge most wanted to know the answer.

Lin Yue leisurely set down his utensils, leisurely finished the last sip of wine in his cup, then slowly raised his head, looked at Zhang Zhen'guo across from him, and curled the corner of his mouth into a half-smile.

"Commander Zhang, your question really hits the mark."

"To be honest, I'm curious too."

He spread his hands, wearing an "innocent" look, and said:

"This big guy, Black Tortoise, has been by my side since I opened my eyes. As for why it listens to me and why it grew so big... perhaps that's what talent is."

Upon hearing this answer, Zhang Zhen'guo's smile visibly stiffened, and a flicker of disappointment flashed in his eyes.

Talent?

This answer is as good as saying nothing.

But he, being a sharp person, quickly adjusted his emotions and laughed heartily,

"I see! It seems heaven is favoring you, Mr. Lin!!"

He raised his wine cup, concealing his disappointment,

"Come, Mr. Lin, let me toast you again!"

Although he didn't get the answer he wanted, Zhang Zhen'guo did not continue to press.

He knew that some things are best left at that.

Pressing too hard will only backfire, possibly pushing such a powerful ally to the opposing side.

But while he could understand this reasoning, his subordinate high officials might not.

Lin Yue keenly noticed that, after he gave the answer "talent," the few officials sitting beside Zhang Zhen'guo instantly had their faces darken.

Their eyes also flashed with unwillingness and disbelief.

Had they not been wary of Black Tortoise's earth-shattering terrifying power, they would likely have confronted him on the spot, using force to compel Lin Yue to hand over the "secret."

Lin Yue took all of this in, his heart filled with cold sneers.

A bunch of clueless things.

The banquet's atmosphere, because of this interlude, became somewhat subtle.

Lin Yue also couldn't be bothered to keep up pretenses with this bunch of scheming fellows; he set down his wine cup, stood up, and cupped his hands toward Zhang Zhen'guo.

"Commander Zhang, we've drunk the wine and eaten the meal. We still have matters to attend to, so we'll take our leave."

"Ah, Mr. Lin, you're leaving already?"

Zhang Zhen'guo hurriedly rose to detain him.

"No thanks."

Lin Yue shook his head,

"Until we meet again."

Having said that, he no longer paid attention to the crowd, took Han Ya and the others, and left the banquet hall directly.

Zhang Zhen'guo watched his retreating back, opened his mouth, and finally just let out a helpless sigh.

……

After leaving the Third Prison Refuge, Lin Yue did not choose to return to his previous base, but instead drove straight to a desolate industrial wasteland on the outskirts of Hangcheng.

That place had once been Hangcheng's largest steel smelting base; after the apocalypse it was completely abandoned, with no inhabitants for dozens of kilometers around, making it an ideal location for Black Tortoise's evolution.

"City Lord, where are we going?"

Han Ya looked at the unfamiliar scenery flashing past outside the window and couldn't help but ask.

"To a place…… that can make us stronger."

Lin Yue's gaze fell upon the energy bar on the system panel that was about to fill, his eyes flashing with unprecedented fervor and anticipation.

Xuanwu City, the plaza.

Lin Yue gathered all the core members, as well as the newly joined miners and survivors, onto this open platform.

"Everyone."

Lin Yue glanced around the crowd,

"Next, the place we're going to is Hangcheng's original largest steel smelting base. Black Tortoise will undergo an evolution there."

Upon saying that, the entire venue erupted in an uproar.

Everyone's faces were filled with confusion and bewilderment.

Evolution?

What evolution?

And Wang Gongtou, after the shock, was instantly overwhelmed by a huge surge of joy!

He had personally witnessed Black Tortoise's evolution before!

"Don't be nervous, everyone."

Lin Yue raised his hand and pressed down, signaling everyone to be quiet.

"This evolution's commotion might be extremely, extremely large. But you only need to remember one thing: staying inside Xuanwu City means you are absolutely safe."

Upon hearing this, although the crowd was still somewhat worried, since Lin Yue had guaranteed it so firmly, they couldn't say anything else!

Soon, they arrived at the Hangcheng steel smelting base.

System! Start evolving!

Boom——!!!!!!!!!!

In the next second, a pure-white halo, brighter and more dazzling than the sun, burst forth explosively from within Black Tortoise!

That light was filled with the aura of creation and destruction; all structures within a hundred-meter radius around Black Tortoise were instantly destroyed!

The ashen sky was now dyed a holy pure white.

"My... Oh heavens..."

Wang Gongtou clung desperately to the battlement beside him, his face a mask of shock.

This evolution was completely unlike anything he had seen before.

Having witnessed Black Tortoise's previous evolution, the sight before him was terrifying—more than ten, even a hundred times worse!

The members of the Black Tortoise Guard stood there, stunned, one by one.

At the center of the light, Black Tortoise's body was swelling at an unimaginable speed!

Three hundred meters!

Five hundred meters!

Eight hundred meters!

One thousand meters!

"Rumble——!!!!"

As Black Tortoise kept growing, the concrete ground began to collapse under its weight!

The entire process lasted a full ten minutes!

【Pet Promotion to Lv4 Successful!】

When the dazzling white light gradually faded, Black Tortoise's size had become outrageously huge.

Others might not know exactly how big it is, but Lin Yue knows very well.

Now Black Tortoise's body length has reached a staggering 1,500 meters!

Its width also exceeds 1,200 meters!

And its height, measured from the lowest point of its shell, exceeds 200 meters!

What does that mean?

That's equivalent to placing an entire small town directly on Black Tortoise's back!

At this moment, Xuanwu City truly has the semblance of a city!

Lin Yue eagerly opened the system interface.

【Pet Information Update】

【Pet: Black Tortoise (Lv4)】

【Species: Primeval Earth Vein Black Tortoise (Juvenile)】

【Body Length: 1500 m】

【Width: 1200 m】

【Height: 200 m】

【Talent Ability 1: Absolute Defense (Passive-Epic Enhancement): Immune to most physical and energy attacks, defense greatly increased.】

【Talent Ability 2: Mountain Collision (Active-Epic Enhancement): Can instantly unleash a terrifying impact force equal to ten times its own weight, dealing devastating blows to targets.】

【Talent Ability 3: Celestial Canopy (Active-Epic Enhancement): Energy Shield defense greatly increased, and can reflect all energy attacks.】

【Talent Ability 4: All Things Return to Ruin (Active-Legendary Enhancement): Ability to control earth elements undergoes a qualitative change, allowing decomposition and reconstruction of all matter within a designated range.】

【Talent Ability 5: Fountain of Life (Active-Epic Enhancement): Purification range and efficiency greatly increased, capable of purifying large areas of land and water sources, restoring vitality, and slowly healing non-lethal injuries.】

【New Talent Ability 6: Gravity Domain (Active): Can freely adjust gravity multiples within a designated radius centered on Black Tortoise (range: radius 5 km, multiples: 0.1–10×). Range and strength increase with level.】

Looking at Black Tortoise's six talent abilities, Lin Yue's heart began to pound uncontrollably!

Although Black Tortoise only rose by one level, both its size and talent abilities have undergone earth-shaking changes!

Strong!

Too strong!

Before he could recover from this huge surprise,

【Ding!】

A clear, pleasant system notification tone rang in Lin Yue's mind.

【Pet Promotion to Lv4, System Mall opened!】

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