Chapter 172: The Evolved Shadow Wolf

A spectral bloodline.

A bloodline rarely mentioned in most beast appraisal books.

This, in turn, meant that not many people knew of it as well.

It was through the museum that Lin Jin learned the secrets of this bloodline. Once activated, the host could utilize the bloodline’s powers.

The shadow wolf could now morph into a black haze and keep itself hidden.

Lin Jin who already knew about this could stay calm as he watched the haze around him beginning to shift. The cloud slowly gathered to first form four wolf paws, then its limbs, followed by its torso, and finally, its head.

The shadow wolf was now visibly larger in size. The wolf wasn’t as enormous as Xiao Huo; his frame was much more slender. His claws had gotten sharper as if they were made of heavy steel, and longer like short blades.

His aura had increased by several folds, making even Lin Jin feel intimidated as the shadow wolf stood before him.

His black fur rustled, moving in tune with the haze that wrapped around him as if he would disappear into the darkness without a moment’s notice.

This creature was best suited to wander in the darkness. Even in a perfectly-lit room, it could create darkness just like what it was doing now, filling the house with a dark haze.

The shadow wolf was equally curious about what it could do after having his bloodline activated. Upon receiving Lin Jin’s reassurance, he took a step back and concealed himself in the haze.

The next instant, from the haze behind Lin Jin, the shadow wolf leaped out.

His movements were agile and his movements were barely audible. Like a phantom, it moved without sound, which made it all the more dangerous. The sight of this wolf would probably strike fear into anyone who happened to stumble into Lin Jin’s house.

Lin Jin beckoned and the shadow wolf dashed toward him in a flash.

However, before Lin Jin, he was still the same shadow wolf that he carried home that day.

Lin Jin extended his hand and the wolf nudged its head forward, allowing Lin Jin to touch him.

The creature’s description in the Museum of Deadly Beasts changed.

“Rank 3 spectral wolf.”

“Spectral bloodline has been activated. Attribute: Darkness.”

“The two evolution methods are…”

“Able to learn Beast Energy Formation.”

It was pretty much what Lin Jin had expected. Just like Xiao Huo, perfect evolution had successfully raised the shadow wolf up to Rank 3 and increased his strength by more than ten folds.

If the shadow wolf and Xiao Huo were to have a show-off right now, there was no telling who might win.

Lin Jin studied the next evolution method available.

Comparatively speaking, what the shadow wolf required was much more valuable but after evolution, it would become even more powerful.

While Lin Jin was here helping the shadow wolf evolve, a commotion was rising in the Friar Association because of the open lecture Lin Jin had given.

After all, with so many people in the association, not everyone attended the lecture.

“Have you heard? It was Lin Jin who gave the open lecture this morning?”

“Lin Jin? The guy who has beef with Senior Yang?”

“That’s him, yeah.”

“To be honest, I don’t think much of him. He can’t compare to Senior Yang at all. What did he talk about?”

“A branch of the visualization technique, outer imagery.”

“Did you take notes of it?”

“I’ve borrowed one. Let’s take a look.”

Upon reading the notes, those who initially felt disdain for Lin Jin were instantly shocked. Because even the less intelligent individuals could tell the wonders of this ‘outer imagery’ technique.

The person who recorded these notes hadn’t even managed to record the entire thing either.

“Who knew that there’s a branch called ‘outer imagery’ from visualization… I didn’t even know it could be this amazing.”

“I know, right? I’m regretting it so much now. We should have gone to the lecture.”

“You’re not to blame. It’s always been Senior Yang who gave the lectures but frankly speaking, none of his contents make that much of an impact. That’s probably why we couldn’t be bothered going. Who would’ve thought it would be Lin Jin speaking this time.”

Now, among the disciples, the notes on Lin Jin’s lecture had become the most sought-after study material.

This ‘outer imagery’ also managed to cause an uproar among the assistant lecturers and mentors. And unlike the disciples, the teachers could genuinely see the brilliance of this technique.

Luo Beihe was currently studying Xue Bao’er’s notes. She was reading them carefully and once she was done, Luo Beihe looked ecstatic.

“I’ve been skeptical about Lin Jin providing Bao’er guidance on Fire Spirit Possession. But now, it looks like he’s genuinely well-informed after all. From the looks of it, he likely has an expert guiding him so it’s no wonder he doesn’t want to learn under any of the teachers here.”

This was Luo Beihe’s verdict.

However, she didn’t know who this expert behind Lin Jin’s brilliance was.

But basing her deduction on this outer imagery technique, Luo Beihe concluded that it must be a knowledgeable old man with profound experience. She could tell this based on the formula’s explanation found in Xue Bao’er’s notes.

Even she was greatly impressed by the explanations, much less Xue Bao’er. A person without a strong foundation couldn’t possibly come up with elaborations like this.

Just then, a disciple came bearing news that the Spirit Library’s manager would like to gather all mentors for an important discussion.

Luo Beihe could guess what it was about so she hurried to the Spirit Library without further delay.

Upon arrival, she noticed that several other mentors were present as well.

Mr. Yi had begun drinking tea as he engaged in merry conversation with the other mentors he was well-acquainted with. It was a leisurely atmosphere. At the sight of Luo Beihe, Mr. Yi got up at once to welcome her. The other mentors did the same as well.

This was because Luo Beihe was one of the few female mentors in the association and she was strikingly beautiful.

“Miss Beihe, come come, sit here.” Mr. Yi invited Luo Beihe to join them with great enthusiasm. As mentors, they regularly discussed theories and exchanged insights with each other. Now that they were gathered around, their conversations naturally revolved around such things.

“I heard that the Spirit Library’s manager intends to record a cultivation method, and according to general practice, he has to get our opinions on it. But I’ve also heard that the cultivation method in question is quite a huge deal.”

“I already know about this. Isn’t it just a formula and explanation on outer imagery? I’ve read a few disciples’ notes and while the method is indeed unique in some ways, its level is too insignificant. It can only be used to expand one’s spirit energy at most and isn’t worth much,” a mentor who was known to be conceited suddenly commented.

The sourness was clear in his voice.

Luo Beihe frowned. As she had high praises for the outer imagery method, hearing this comment annoyed her.

“Mr. Ge, I beg to differ. I’ve also read my disciple’s notes for this outer imagery method. Not only can it increase one’s spirit energy and expand our spirit veins, but more importantly, it can help in mediation. You, too, know that as friars, no matter which realm we are on, we would always come across mental disturbances that would force us to lose our focus. We would even encounter our own inner demons at times and these are the biggest hindrances during cultivation. But once we learn this outer imagery skill, we can at least maintain mental fortitude and thus reap even more results from our cultivation.”

After a brief pause, Luo Beihe continued, “I’ve only practiced it slightly and I can already feel the effects. My mental state feels much more stable now and my spirit energy has increased by three stones.”

The mentor, Mr. Ge was immediately humiliated with no way of excusing himself.

As his prestige was slightly inferior to Luo Beihe’s, he dared not fire back a retort. And if he ever did, in consequence, he would definitely be scrutinized by everyone else present, especially Mr. Yi.

Hence, he would endure this challenge to his pride.

“Mr. Huangfu Ming is here,” someone suddenly announced and the group got up to receive him.

In Maple City’s Friar Association, Huangfu Ming was a well-known mentor with a prominent status. His cultivation level was at a realm higher than the others and even Ye Yuzhou would sometimes be awed by his profound knowledge.

And so, when Huangfu Ming entered, the group hastily paid him respects.

Shortly after Huangfu Ming arrived, another person entered the room.

“Mr. Yuzhou!”

The group got up again to bow.

The newcomer this time was Ye Yuzhou, Maple City Friar Association’s number one figure. And not just in Maple City, Ye Yuzhou was also a highly ranked friar in the entire Jade Dragon Kingdom.

Be it his cultivation level or his pet beast’s rank.

Ye Yuzhou approached them with a smile and noticed Huangfu Ming immediately.

He paused, stunned.

“Brother Huangfu, has your blood contract realm reached the eighth realm?”

The group was surprised.

Previously in Maple City’s Friar Association, Ye Yuzhou was the only person with an eighth realm blood contract while Huangfu Ming’s was at the seventh realm. Upon hearing Ye Yuzhou’s exclamation, this must mean Huangfu Ming’s cultivation level has improved.

Huangfu Ming responded with a subtle smile. “Brother Yuzhou, you have keen senses. That is right, I just reached the eighth realm recently.”

This confirmed their suspicion.

The group hurried to congratulate him.

The eighth realm was a distant goal for the others and most of them probably would never achieve that realm in this lifetime.

Ye Yuzhou took a seat.

Everyone could tell that he was in a great mood but didn’t know what encounter delighted him so.

Just then, the Spirit Library’s manager stood up and saluted everyone. “I’ve gathered everyone here today because the Spirit Library would like to record a new cultivation formula. According to the rules, we require approval from all mentors before proceeding.”

This manager was the old man who regularly sat at the entrance of the Spirit Library. He was just below Ye Yuzhou and Huangfu Ming in terms of experience.

Having said that, he took a book out and passed it around for the mentors to read.

“This is ‘outer imagery’ from the visualization technique. There are a total of fifty-six formulas, supplemented by explanations amounting to a little over five thousand words. The author is our association’s disciple, Lin Jin. I’ve examined the cultivation in careful detail and it’s a complete formula. This must be the orthodox formula from ancient times and as for the elaborations, they were done in great detail. I’m a person who adores reading and having been around for so many decades, I can say that even I can’t come up with elaborations of this level.” The Spirit Library’s manager was obviously impressed by the book.

As the crowd skimmed through the contents, they too nodded in approval.

Luo Beihe looked at it and asked, “Did Lin Jin personally write this?”

“That’s right!” The library’s manager nodded.

“It’s well written,” Luo Beihe complimented.

When the book reached Ye Yuzhou and Huangfu Ming’s hands, they read it together. Both their expressions changed for the worse. One frowned hard while the other wore a solemn expression.

Huangfu Ming suddenly commented, “I’ve once traveled across the lands and found some relics left in caves that once housed immortals. I’ve researched this visualization method before and the method itself is divided into outer imagery and inner cognition. The formula for outer imagery indeed consists of fifty-six sentences and I happen to know one-third of it. By verifying this based on what I know, I conclude that it is an authentic specimen, word for word.”

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