CHAPTER 426: CHAPTER 245: LITTLE BLUE FISH’S NEW SKILL (PART 2)

Only through war can high-tier resources be redistributed.

Currently, the model of the Cangling Ancient Country suppresses the allocation of resources at the lower levels too rigidly.

In such a setting, Dubhe Pavilion seems to realize that this trend shouldn’t be allowed to spread, so they’ve started vigorously advocating for the benefits of peace, and are releasing high-reward tasks through the Beast Tamer Guild.

This strategy has only now started shifting the focus.

Meanwhile, at the National Master’s Institute, Zhang Jin reported these developments to Zhong Nan. Upon hearing them, Zhong Nan frowned deeply and was silent for a long time before suddenly speaking:

"Jin’Er, I feel my time is running out."

"Teacher, please don’t say such things."

"I’m very aware of my own condition."

Zhong Nan coughed once and asked, "Has Bai Ling already hatched the Fourth Spirit Beast?"

"Yes." Zhang Jin nodded.

Although a year’s period has passed, Zhong Nan told Bai Ling that the evolution of the Calamity-Devouring Beast was still lacking some elements, so she should stay for another year.

"Teacher, Bai Ling’s time to contract the Fourth Spirit Beast isn’t far off. Should I directly teach her the Dragon Fighting Skill when that happens?" Zhang Jin asked.

"No, send her straight back to Spirit Academy."

"What?" Zhang Jin thought he heard wrong, looking incredulously at Zhong Nan, and asked, "But didn’t you say she would be the future National Preceptor?"

Zhong Nan smiled at this moment and said, "I also said that the National Preceptor is determined by heaven, not by me."

After saying this, he took out a scroll and handed it to Zhang Jin.

Upon opening it, Zhang Jin saw the Dubhe Pavilion’s exclusive mark on the back, and inside was a decree appointing a new National Preceptor.

"They’re recommending Gu Ning?!"

...

Zhang Jin was both surprised and unsurprised.

If Gu Ning was being pushed up, that indicated that major powers in the Celestial Capital had reached a consensus.

Celestial Capital’s powers have always had conflicts over interest allocations, especially among the four great families.

If Dubhe Pavilion has nodded this time, it certainly means the four great families have reached an agreement.

Gu Ning is indeed the most well-rounded individual in this cohort, but if he ascends, it signifies the Gu Family’s strong period and potentially breaks the balance among the four families.

Thus, this news is extremely surprising for Zhang Jin.

"It seems this move targets the National Master’s Institute." After pondering for a moment, Zhang Jin said thoughtfully.

Since assuming the position of National Preceptor, many of Zhong Nan’s actions have diverged from the path of Dubhe Pavilion. Now that they’ve confirmed Zhong Nan’s approaching doom, they’re bound to devise a plan.

Their fear is:

Zhong Nan appointing the new National Preceptor himself.

If this person aligns with Dubhe Pavilion’s direction, then fine.

But if this person is another Zhong Nan, then Dubhe Pavilion will face a very daunting situation...

Will they have to wait another generation?

Or perhaps two generations.

So their plan is simple: first, secure the position of National Preceptor within their own grasp.

Understanding this point, Zhang Jin asked, "Did Teacher agree?"

"Yes."

Zhong Nan nodded, saying, "Both Dubhe Pavilion and I have the direct qualification to appoint the National Preceptor; however, both parties must provide suitable reasons. Do you think Bai Ling can catch up with Gu Ning now?"

Upon hearing this, Zhang Jin smiled wryly.

Gu Ning is a once-in-a-century prodigy, not only having a high compatibility with the Dragon Fighting Skill but also possessing excellent talent.

"Is Teacher planning to give up?"

Zhang Jin found it hard to believe, as it didn’t match Zhong Nan’s character.

"Dubhe Pavilion isn’t joking this time. If I don’t agree, perhaps before we even start a fight with the Demon Race, internal strife in Celestial Capital will break out first." Upon saying this, Zhong Nan clenched his fists tightly, and Zhang Jin said, "Would they dare?"

"Of course they would." Zhong Nan said, "Actually, their anxiety isn’t because of me being the new National Preceptor, but because of the Eight Trigrams Nine Cities Plan."

Upon hearing this, Zhang Jin suddenly realized.

The Eight Trigrams Nine Cities Plan was devised by Zhong Nan, intended to fully utilize the Power of Dragon Vein to guard the gates of Cangling Ancient Country.

Yet, such power will grant these people immensely vast power, power that can even confront Dubhe Pavilion, surpassing it.

Though Dubhe Pavilion also desires national stability, they fear this overwhelming power will disrupt the balance.

"But didn’t Teacher say? The Eight Trigrams Nine Cities Plan is merely a grand Immortal Technique formation, requiring nine individuals to activate, and they also have people within it." Zhang Jin said somewhat angrily, "Could they want to cancel this plan?"

Zhang Jin felt a bit disheartened.

The National Master’s Institute has invested heavily in this plan.

The careful schematics and funds over the years; the entire National Master’s Institute has poured tremendous effort into it.

Zhong Nan himself has visited these cities multiple times, personally performing the Dragon Transformation Skill to stabilize the Dragon Vein.

If Dubhe Pavilion insists on canceling this plan, then all their past efforts would be wasted.

"This is a matter for the next National Preceptor to consider." Zhong Nan maintained a peaceful demeanor, saying, "I should have realized earlier; with my declining fortune in late years, it’s impossible for me to wield worldly power anymore."

"Thus, let everything be left to fate."

After saying this, Zhong Nan took out two brocade pouches and handed them to Zhang Jin.

After taking them, Zhang Jin noticed they’d been enhanced with the Qi Observation Skill and was quite surprised, "Teacher, what is this?"

"If one day I’m truly gone and Cangling Ancient Country faces danger, it will open automatically." Zhong Nan said.

After hearing this, Zhang Jin’s eyes turned red.

Even at this time, Zhong Nan is still thinking of the country; why does Dubhe Pavilion harbor such suspicion for noble intentions?

They are just one step away from securing the nation’s peace thoroughly.

Unexpectedly, just at the last step, they’ve lost.

.....

Time flies, and four months passed in the blink of an eye. During this period, Lin Chen’s Spirit Beasts maintained their upgrade and training cycle.

Now they’ve all reached Lin Chen’s predetermined goals:

Xiaobai advanced four levels, reaching Level 46.

The Little Fox rose to Level 40 and is preparing for its second evolution.

The Big White Bear reached Level 31, also rising four levels.

Thanks to them, Lin Chen advanced directly to Level 29, just one step away from the crucial Level 30, at which point Lin Chen can contract the Little Blue Fish.

There’s less than a week until the time agreed with the Great Elder, so Lin Chen decided to stop them all from further cultivation and focus on skill training.

During this time, their progress has been swift. Xiaobai’s mastery of the Illusion Spirit Skill derived from the Demon Bull has improved, and as for the Little Fox, thanks to recent roasting experiences, its control over flame has reached a new level.

Taking advantage of this period, Lin Chen also plans to purify the bloodline power of the Big White Bear.

Back when the Big White Bear was at Level 28, Lin Chen had once purified its Hidden Bloodline. Therefore, the current bloodline of the Big White Bear is:

[Eight Desolates Battle Bear]

[Dominant Bloodline: Iron Palm Bear 77.8%, Profound Armor Bear 0.332%, Frost Bear 0.18%.....]

[Hidden Bloodline: 20.7%]

[Polluted Bloodline: 1%]

After the last evolution, the Big White Bear’s bloodline hasn’t seen major changes and remains primarily as the Iron Palm Bear.

This is the intriguing part about Law Evolution; despite acquiring a new name—Eight Desolates Battle Bear—there seems to be no direct correlation with the power name.

Lin Chen took out the prepared bloodline sample to perform the fourth purification for it.

[Giant Spirit Bear]

[Dominant Bloodline: 56%]

This blood sample was obtained by Lin Chen from Yan Lan.

[Conversion Efficiency: 23.2%]

[Close to danger, but manageable]

After confirming all information, Lin Chen immediately began bestowing the bloodline onto the Big White Bear.

The Big White Bear was unusually excited this time, understanding that the fundamental reason behind Xiaobai and the Little Fox’s current formidable state is Lin Chen’s ability.

However, excitement aside, the Big White Bear experienced excruciating pain, rolling on the ground like a butchered pig.

Witnessing this for the first time, the Little Blue Fish was frightened. During this period, its relationship with Lin Chen and the three Spirit Beasts had rapidly warmed, as they had all shown great affection for this chubby little creature.

The Little Fox and Xiaobai held it back, soothing it until it finally calmed down.

Yet the little creature still lay beside them holding a bottle, quietly guarding like a sentinel.

But the little creature fell asleep as it watched, a sight that made Lin Chen somewhat amused.

However, not long after the creature had fallen asleep, the Little Fox suddenly let out a sound of surprise, prompting Lin Chen to think the Big White Bear had awakened, only to find the Little Fox was indicating towards the Little Blue Fish.

Lin Chen then discovered that this Little Blue Fish had unexpectedly leveled up.

Now it had reached Level 5.

"Ah, talent..."

Lin Chen mused, gently placing his hand on the fish head of the Little Blue Fish, and was pleasantly surprised to discover:

The Little Blue Fish had awakened a new skill.