Astral Pet Store (WN)

Chapter 176 Fast Progress

The green potion antidote was injected into the Death Scythe’s arm. The lump on its arm shrank down for a little bit. However, the pus inside the lump was still there and there was no sign of it going away.

Old Mo’s face was clouded. He didn’t know that the Black Spiders’ toxins would be potent enough to hurt the Death Scythe, a ninth-rank beast.

The others also noticed that the wound was not getting better. This sign made them nervous. They realized that the Black Spiders’ poison was not something to be underestimated.

On the other hand, the Dark Dragon Hound was still full of vim and vigor. It was hunting for food among the dead Black Spiders.

Nie Chengkong threw a glance at the Dark Dragon Hound and then said to Su Ping, “Brother Su, your Dark Dragon Hound is very resistant to the poison.”

Su Ping nodded. The Dark Dragon Hound was practically immune to all the toxic beasts on the dragon scale lands.

Of course, the same was true for the Inferno Dragon and the Purple Python. Naturally, the three pets had adapted, achieving this level of immunity after dying time after time.

Adapting was evolving. The three pets’ combat abilities were still the same as before and their appearances did not change. However, their inner structures were rapidly evolving at all times! The level of resistance could be visibly demonstrated in special situations, such as the one encountered that day. The internal structure was different when compared to the progress in combat abilities but this was one of the parameters considered in the evaluation of the pets’ aptitude.

Su Ping nodded to Nie Chengkong’s comment. Nie Chengkong and the others stared at the Dark Dragon Hound. Some of them found this pet strange and odd, while others became a bit jealous.

Under normal circumstances, none of them would have bothered to build a contract with a Dark Dragon Hound, even if they were given one for free. After all, middle-rank pets were of no use to them. Rather, those pets would waste space in their spirit.

But this Dark Dragon Hound was different. It was very powerful, talented and it had just proven to be resistant to toxins. The Dark Dragon Hound was the best of the best, a rare one. This Dark Dragon was just as valuable, or even more valuable than an average ninth-rank beast!

They were envious of Su Ping, since he had been able to get such a precious pet. Luo Guxue was the only one who knew better. This Dark Dragon Hound had most likely been trained in Su Ping’s store. Pets born with such rare talents did exist. But the ones as precious as the Dark Dragon Hound were few and far between.

Besides, if such pets were auctioned, the organizer would promote the news everywhere. All of them would have known about it. It was unlikely that Su Ping would have bought his pet without leaking any information.

The only thing they felt sorry about was that this Dark Dragon Hound had a middle-rank bloodline. If it had had an advanced bloodline, then the Dark Dragon Hound would truly be priceless. Such a pet would be coveted by some titled battle pet warriors that had retired from society.

“This potion cannot remove the poison but it can stop it from spreading. Let’s go,” Old Mo said with a sour face. He didn’t want the others to check the Death Scythe’s wound any longer. It was humiliating.

Nie Chengkong felt he could breathe again. “Let’s go get the treasure,” He proposed.

Everyone’s eyes glowed at the mention of their goal.

Guo Yuelin and Zhou Jing explored the way. Soon, they were deep into the valley. Inside, they found a tunnel-like cave. They stepped into the tunnel. Luo Guxue used her Flare Bird’s flames to light up the way.

Spider webs were found at every corner; this had obviously been their den. However, no spider could be found inside. All of them had perished in the previous battle.

The cave was empty. They pressed forward. Finally, they found the treasure they were looking for.

The treasure was a sword that had been stuck in one of the walls deep inside the cave. The air around the sword was rippling. This was a piece of treasure that had come into being in ancient times. The recent technology was unable to manufacture this sword.

Rare treasures could generate miraculous effects and could work well with the astral powers cultivated by the battle pet warriors. They could use their astral powers to control those treasures. Many such precious weapons could inflict more harm and do more wonders than those produced with titanium alloys and modern technology.

Although titanium alloy swords were hard and sharp enough, they lacked the mysterious and magical functions found in secret treasures, which could not be replicated by technology.

“Are there… any traps?”

They stopped in front of the sword, looking around nervously.

It was said that, other than the beasts on guard, there would be additional traps around a piece of treasure.

Su Ping was speechless after seeing Guo Linyue act so timidly. But soon, he realized that Nie Chengkong, Chen, and everyone else were also acting with an intense mood. They were checking around as if there were indeed

a trap.

Su Ping did not stop there. He stepped forward and pulled the sword out.

“No—!” Everyone else shouted at the same time when they saw Su Ping moving forward, which was considered reckless.

Before they could finish screaming the word, the sword had already been pulled out. Everyone was frightened stiff.

Nie Chengkong was the first one to come back to his senses. He threw a look around on high alert, just to make sure that no trap had been activated. Relieved, he said to Su Ping, “That was too impulsive. How dangerous would it be if there were traps!”

USV

Su Ping didn’t reply since Nie Chengkong said those words out of worry. He decided to accept this and let it go.

Before that old dragon had passed away, it had scattered all of its treasures across all the dragon scale lands and had beasts guarding those treasures. Everything the old dragon did was to increase the difficulty of receiving its legacy.

Dragons had simple and violent minds. To set up those tests were the best the old dragon could do. The old dragon would not think of setting up traps of any kind.

Besides, this sword had most likely not been left by the dragon, to begin with. Some of the spiders must have found the sword and accidentally stuck it into the wall.

Maybe the next piece of treasure could be found in a pile of beast feces.

Of course, if that were the case, Su Ping would step in to pick up the treasure.

Su Ping wielded the sword. It felt the same as the one he had found in the heritage ground. The heritage ground did a nice job replicating the real thing.

“Who wants it?” Su Ping turned around and asked.

Nie Chengkong was surprised to see that Su Ping was giving it up without looking carefully.

The others were just as stunned. Su Ping was the first one to choose the treasures he liked. Why did he give it up? That being said, none of them voiced their surprise. Perhaps Su Ping didn’t like swords.

“Let me see,” Old Mo said.

Su Ping gave the sword to him.

Old Mo took over the sword and infused it with astral powers. A visible stream of white aura oozed out from the sword.

Old Mo was intrigued. He slashed at the ground with the sword. With a crisp sound, the stone on the ground was easily cracked. It was as if Old Mo had cut a piece of tofu!

“That is sharp!” Old Mo exclaimed. He said to Nie Chengkong without hesitation, “Captain Nie, I’ll take the sword.”

The others saw how sharp the sword was. This was an amazing sword that would cut clean through iron as though it were mud. This sword could hurt eighth or ninth-rank beasts. Such a sword was precious.

They felt sorry that Su Ping had given it up. Old Mo was happy. He waved the sword. He could hardly tear himself away from it. At the same time, he glared at Su Ping from the corner of his eye. Su Ping was too young and had missed his chance of owning such a treasure.

Old Mo didn’t know what other treasures could be found later on. But he was glad enough to have this sword. After all, who could tell what they were going to encounter? Maybe the other treasures they could find were useless or less valuable.

Chen felt pitiful. He would have asked for the sword if Old Mo had not claimed it.

Nie Chengkong threw more looks at this sword without showing his intent. In the end, he said, “Let’s move on, since we already got the sword.”

Guo Yuelin stared at Old Mo with envy and asked, “May I have a look?”

Old Mo was in a good mood after having picked up this treasure. He agreed. “Of course.” Then, he gave the sword to Guo Yuelin and let her look. After all, this sword was his and no one could take it away.

Guo Yuelin took it gladly. She observed the sword and Zhou Jing moved closer as well. Then, Ye Chenshan and Luo Guxue took turns to see the sword as well. Ye Chenshan used his Azure Lizard to build an earth shield and test the sword. To everyone’s astonishment, the Azure Lizard’s earth shield was cut open as if it were a piece of wood!

Old Mo was even happier.

“That is awesome. Even a ninth rank beast may be hurt by this sword with one cut!” Ye Chenshan exclaimed.

Old Mo enjoyed the looks of admiration and envy from everyone.

Nie Chengkong was less envious. He just kept the smile on his face as everyone took turns to see the weapon. Afterward, he urged everyone to check around to make sure that they didn’t miss anything else. Then, he led the team out of the cave.

Su Ping was surprised to see how happy they became with a mere sword. He wondered if he had become a bit too demanding after being educated by the system… They left the corpse-filled valley and then followed Nie Chengkong to the next location.

On the way, Su Ping pointed out some potential habitats of beasts that he already knew but he pretended that it was because of the Dark Dragon Hound’s perception. He managed to save the team from many potential dangers and thus avoided wasting much time.

In regards to scouting and checking the way, Su Ping did better than Old Mo. However, since Old Mo had obtained the sword, he was less depressed than before.

He was no longer in the mood to compete against Su Ping about their pet’s skills. During that battle at the valley with the spiders, he had realized that his pet was weaker than Su Ping’s Dark Dragon Hound in some areas.

After all, Old Mo didn’t find out that there were spiders in the valley, not to mention their exact ranks. This was beyond what scouting could do. This was smart all-round scanning!

To compete against such a pet was asking for annoyance. Old Mo had moved on. They killed some seventh-rank beasts along the way, including a small herd of eighth-rank beasts. Soon, they arrived at the second location.

Su Ping gave them instructions once they arrived and they quickly finished exploring the second location. This place was similar to the spider valley. The treasure found was a damaged armor. It had been there for such a long time that the beasts had broken it.

Naturally, Su Ping didn’t take it and Chen was not interested. No one else was. This armor was put away. When they went back, they would convert the armor into merit points and share them among the team.