CHAPTER 78: CHAPTER 78: DIVERGENT EVOLUTION

On the way back, Lee Zhen said, "I wasn’t wrong, was I? He is indeed capable."

Lin Chen nodded. This trip indeed brought great gains.

Not to mention a hundred thousand, even if it were two hundred thousand, Lin Chen would still be willing.

"If you want to contest for the Heart of the Ox King, you can. After all, it’s much better than the Thousand Leaf Grass." Lee Zhen said, "My promise still holds. If you don’t get the Heart of the Ox King, I’ll also arrange the Thousand Leaf Grass for you."

"Thank you, President."

"As for the other materials, should I prepare them according to Ancestral Evolution?" Lee Zhen inquired.

The materials for the three types of evolution differ.

Only one thing remains the same: the primary material, like the Thousand Leaf Grass or the Heart of the Ox King, serves as the main material for evolution.

But secondary materials differ significantly.

"I want to try Divergent Evolution."

"Divergent?" Lee Zhen was surprised, saying, "Xiaobai’s strength is quite good. There’s no need to take such a risk."

Lin Chen replied seriously, "The upper limit of the Plowhorn Beast isn’t very high. I hope to change this outcome, even if it means taking a gamble."

Ultimately, Lin Chen was absolutely confident. With his Bloodline Golden Hand, the direction of evolution is controllable.

"Suit yourself."

After saying that, Lee Zhen added, "If you’re uncertain, I can take you to see that Catalyst Master to consult his opinion."

Lin Chen nodded, agreeing verbally, but in his conversation with Xu Youzhen, his direction was already clear.

....

When they returned to their residence, Huang Xiaotian finally woke up, somewhat recovered.

Though he still couldn’t accept Wu Lei’s death, he understood that the road ahead needed to be continued.

"President Wu Ying came once and asked us whether we want a city burial." Xia Yu didn’t want to mention Wu Lei, but it was an unavoidable topic.

Lin Chen naturally didn’t participate in this topic.

A city burial means being interred in the city’s cemetery.

Only heroes can enter there.

Like Su Yu and his companions’ remains, that is the level we’re talking about.

However, a city burial isn’t available to just anyone. Wu Lei sacrificed himself in Black Mountain City. According to the rules, he can only enter the cemetery there.

If they return to Jiuxing City, he can’t be buried there.

This kind of strict rule is to prevent major powers and wealthy families from using connections to get people in.

"What do you think?" Lee Zhen asked Huang Xiaotian.

"The captain said in the end, he wanted to go home." Huang Xiaotian recalled his conversation with Wu Lei at the medical hall.

"Then let’s go home," Lee Zhen said.

Lee Zhen didn’t insist on a single solution, patiently asking the team members of the sacrificed Beastmasters, ending with some opting for city burial and others planning to be taken back to Jiuxing City.

Two days later, the city burial began. After mourning these fallen heroes, Lin Chen and the others decided to return to Jiuxing City.

Huang Xiaotian and Lee Zhen carried Wu Lei’s coffin, with Lee Zhen walking at the front. At the city gate, looking towards Jiuxing City, he shouted to the sky:

"Xiao Lei, the captain is here to take you home!"

Upon hearing this, Huang Xiaotian and Xia Yu couldn’t hold back their tears.

The former wiped his reddened eyes and said to the coffin,

"Captain, we’re going home!"

...

After riding on a Gale Beast for several hours, they returned to Jiuxing City.

Many at the guild heard about Wu Lei’s situation and came to mourn, delaying the burial.

Lin Chen brought Qin Shaoshao home.

"It’s more comfortable at home." Lin Chen said as he lay down after entering.

The lodge hosting Lee Zhen in Black Mountain City was very advanced, a five-star establishment, yet Lin Chen wasn’t used to living there.

Xiaobai and Xiao Hong didn’t need mentioning; one went off to bathe, the other checked its Coin Bank first...

The two little guys were completely relaxed upon returning home.

As for Qin Shaoshao, she hadn’t spoken much along the way and started picking petals after returning.

Lin Chen didn’t interfere, having his tasks, such as recording the "Cow Evolution Diary" and checking Xu Youzhen’s data and materials for gaps and errors.

Eventually, Lin Chen fell into a deep sleep.

A night without words, only the sound of petals falling to the ground.

The next morning, when Lin Chen got up, he saw a message in red pinned on the guild machine:

[Citywide Announcement]

[Over the vast stretches of rivers and mountains, a lone lamp illumines iron armor through the long night.]

[Recently, the Nine Star Institute, along with the Monster Hunter Guild, successfully retrieved the remains of the Youth Corps. It’s decided that they will be laid to rest in the high cemetery three days from now.]

[The mountains and rivers are still unharmed, yet we must remember those who have borne the burdened path.]

[Thus, the Beast Tamer Guild calls for Beastmasters to voluntarily join, to pray for the souls of the predecessors.]

[Signed: Beast Tamer Guild, Nine Star Institute, Monster Hunter Guild]

Seeing the message, Lin Chen glanced at Qin Shaoshao, just about to speak when Qin Shaoshao asked, "When you handle white affairs now, do you still need to change clothes?"

Lin Chen was surprised, then quickly said, "Generally, one needs to wear black plain clothes."

"Lend me some money," Qin Shaoshao stood up.

Lin Chen didn’t say much but simply added, "Wait till I grind the barbecue powder, then I’ll take you, as I need a set too."

After that, Lin Chen called Xiaobai to start grinding and mixing the seasoning.

By the time the barbecue spice was ready, it was already afternoon.

The two got up and set off, heading towards the city.

...

Inner Courtyard

Lee Zhen came here and met Tang Xuehai to discuss the burial matters.

"I heard about what happened in Black Mountain City. My condolences." Tang Xuehai, though not very close to Lee Zhen, recognized him as a prominent figure worth befriending if possible.

Lee Zhen expressed his gratitude, then the two discussed the details of the city burial.

Finally, Lee Zhen said, "Speaking of which, your students from the Inner Courtyard weren’t very ethical this time."

Tang Xuehai wasn’t surprised; Lee Zhen had been unavailable earlier to address the issue of malevolent grouping.

Now that Lee Zhen was back, the situation was different.

"I’ve already punished them," Tang Xuehai recounted the disciplinary actions he’d taken.

"That’s useless."

"What do you want?" Tang Xuehai asked directly.

"Those who don’t adhere to rules certainly deserve punishment, but Lin Chen and his team, as victims, ought to receive appropriate compensation," Lee Zhen said.

Tang Xuehai smiled wryly, saying, "So that’s what you’re waiting for. Go ahead, what compensation do you want?"

"I don’t want any compensation," Lee Zhen said. "It’s them who want compensation."

"Why beat around the bush, just say it directly."

"Isn’t your Spiritual Energy Small Secret Realm about to open?" Lee Zhen asked with a wide grin.

The Spiritual Energy Small Secret Realm is a treasure trove.

The Nine Star Institute’s prominence is largely due to this Secret Realm, enhancing the cultivation speed of Spirit Beasts significantly.

"Just that?" Tang Xuehai didn’t mind. Although termed ’small’, the Secret Realm is quite vast, so he said, "Let them in then."

"I need a good spot," Lee Zhen said. "The little corners, I won’t take."

"Well... What position do you want?"

"The first position."

"That’s impossible."

"Lin Chen and his team were the first place originally."

"But they aren’t students of the Inner Courtyard, such precedent cannot be set."

Afterward, Lee Zhen haggled, eventually securing the third, sixth, and tenth spots.

"I keep my word; after this, I’ll never mention it again," Lee Zhen said happily, even stating candidly, "I initially thought getting the fifth spot would be good enough, didn’t expect to get the third."

"...."