Chapter 218: Chapter 204: Spirit Beast

Directed breeding experiments?

"Senior Sister Furlo, what are directed breeding experiments?" one of the new recruits couldn’t help but ask.

Furlo explained, "Simply put, it’s using generation after generation of selective breeding and crossbreeding to slowly alter a plant’s characteristics, ultimately creating a brand-new species that meets our needs."

The crowd listened, only half-understanding.

Furlo didn’t bother explaining further.

For new recruits who hadn’t even refined Spiritual Qi yet, these concepts were indeed too profound. Saying more would only confuse them further.

Once their Cultivation Levels increased and they came into contact with knowledge related to Spirit Plant cultivation, they would naturally understand.

The group left the Spirit Plant Garden and headed north.

After passing through a relatively short, tree-lined path, the smell in the air gradually changed.

The fresh scent of grass and trees was replaced by a complex aroma mingling fur, moisture, feathers, and feed. Faint roars of beasts and cries of birds could also be heard in the distance.

A heavy iron gate came into view. Inlaid on the lintel was a bronze plaque engraved with the two large words: "Beast Garden."

Flanking the gate stood two burly guards. They wore simple leather armor, had short swords hanging from their waists, and stood ramrod straight.

Evan’s gaze was involuntarily drawn to the two guards.

Unlike the jade-white skin and delicate features of an Elf, the two guards had grayish-brown complexions, like earth that had been repeatedly scorched by the sun.

Their facial features were much coarser than an Elf’s, with high cheekbones, square jaws, wide and flat noses, and thick lips. They wore short tunics of coarse cloth, revealing sturdy arms and legs covered in a layer of fine, downy hair.

Although their builds seemed sturdier than that of an ordinary human, they weren’t as exaggeratedly burly as a Beastman.

"Those are the Wildkin, a new vassal race recruited by the Clan, specifically responsible for caring for the Beast Garden."

Mia, who was walking at the front, noticed the new recruits’ gazes and casually explained.

The new recruits came to a sudden understanding, their curious gazes sizing up the two Wildkin.

Noticing their stares, the two Wildkin visibly grew reserved and nervous. They quickly lowered their heads and bowed respectfully to the group.

In their eyes, this group of Taichu City disciples, whose status was even nobler than that of ordinary Elves, were important figures who could not be offended or slighted.

The crowd of new recruits followed Laine and the others into the Beast Garden.

The interior of the Beast Garden was divided into multiple areas, each separated by high walls and not interconnected.

Each area was a large enclosure, housing different types of beasts.

Evan observed his surroundings as he walked, recognizing many Magical Creatures.

A flock of Thunder-winged Cranes was kept in the enclosure closest to the entrance.

These large wading birds from the Thundering River Basin stood over two meters tall with a wingspan exceeding five meters. The edges of their flight feathers shimmered with faint blue arcs of electricity under the sun, CRACKLING softly.

They paced within the enclosure, their long necks turning gracefully. Occasionally, they would spread their wings and flap a few times, sending a shower of fine electric arcs bursting from the edges of their wings, leaving faint blue traces of light in the air.

But to Evan’s surprise, these Thunder-winged Cranes looked somewhat different from the images he had seen in guidebooks.

Their feathers were no longer silver-gray, but had turned a nearly pure white color, with a soft and subtle luster.

They had also grown vermilion crest-patches on their heads, shaped like flames, which were particularly striking against their white feathered crowns.

Their entire bodies also seemed to exude a faint, ethereal aura, a stark contrast to the fierce and aggressive image from the guidebooks.

It wasn’t just the Thunder-winged Cranes.

In the adjacent enclosure, the fur of the Golden-backed Apes had changed from dark brown to a deep gold, and the golden patterns on their backs were more intricate and detailed than in the guidebooks, resembling some sort of natural rune.

The Rock Weasels were more than a size larger than the normal breed, and their sharp claws had taken on a metallic sheen.

The fur of the Moon Shadow Minks had turned from grayish-brown to ink-black, with only their four paws and the tips of their tails remaining white. When they moved, their figures were as ethereal as ghosts, their trajectories almost impossible to follow.

The appearance and build of almost every Magical Creature differed in numerous details from the images in his memory.

Many of the other new recruits noticed this as well. Confused expressions appeared on their faces as they began to whisper amongst themselves.

Laine saw the confusion in the crowd and began to explain, "The beasts raised in the Beast Garden are not purebred Magical Creatures. They are new breeds that have been improved through generations of selective breeding and crossbreeding, so their appearance is naturally a bit different from the original species. We call these successfully improved breeds ’Spirit Beasts.’"

"Compared to the original Magical Creatures, these Spirit Beasts show significant improvements in all aspects. More importantly, they are more Spiritual, making it easier for them to form bonds with their tamers, and they are also more attuned to people."

The new recruits understood, their gazes filled with novelty and amazement as they once again turned to look at the variously shaped proto-Spirit Beasts.

Continuing forward, they also saw a Spirit Pool dedicated to cultivating aquatic Spirit Beasts.

Several Wildkin were squatting by the pool, tossing chopped beast meat into the water.

Their movements were practiced and gentle. The aquatic Spirit Beasts, which looked incredibly ferocious, were surprisingly docile in their presence. They poked their heads out of the water and opened their mouths to catch the tossed chunks of meat, as obedient as domesticated pets.

"They’re so close with the beasts," Ryan said in a low voice.

Evan nodded.

He had heard that the Wildkin possessed a high natural affinity for beasts.

’However, the affinity these Wildkin showed for the Spirit Beasts was clearly, exceptionally high. It was most likely due to them practicing some special Cultivation Technique.’

After leaving the Beast Garden, Laine and the others led the new recruits on a tour of the Library Pavilion, the storage area, the puppet workshop, and more...

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