Lin Chen considered a certain possibility.
Xiaobai was also fully gaining momentum at this moment, its four hooves clawing at the ground, sending dust flying.
With a deafening moo, it surged forward like an out-of-control heavy tank.
The huge and sharp horns thrust forward, surrounded by a faint energy halo, advancing like it was riding a storm.
Where it passed, the ground bore deep trenches, and the grass and trees were shaken to lie flat on both sides.
"Residual Shadow!"
"It's a Residual Shadow!!"
A sharp-eyed Beastmaster noticed the residual shadow from the horns, a phenomenon that could only be witnessed at the Perfection Level of Iron Horn Impact.
But Xiaobai was only Level 3. Even if it started cultivating in the womb, it shouldn't be possible.
You must know that skill proficiency emphasizes the word "proficient."
This Plowhorn Beast is unexpectedly defying all norms?!
A commotion arose all around.
Lin Chen suddenly realized, understanding why Xiaobai seemed off today.
The most unusual thing was... not letting him pet its head.
Normally, Xiaobai loved Lin Chen petting its bovine head the most.
Today, there'd already been two such instances.
Turns out, it was hiding a surprise move.
Lin Chen was overjoyed inside, showing a fatherly, comforting smile.
He guessed that Xiaobai's skill had likely evolved to Mastery Level.
Due to its previous bloodline purification, Xiaobai's skill was better than an ordinary Plowhorn Beast's. Even at the entry-level, it rivaled a skill at Mastery, so at Mastery Level, its effect might reach Perfection Level.
Qin Hao's jaw dropped wide upon seeing this, calling out to Lin Chen:
"Brother Lin, does your cow ever rest at night?"
You couldn't blame him for thinking this way; everyone thought the same.
....
The Flame Wolf had initially scoffed at Xiaobai for choosing a head-on clash.
Now seeing the residual shadow, it finally realized the danger, but battles erupt in the blink of an eye.
The second punch of the Wind and Fire Fist was aimed at the cow's head.
But in the next second, Flame Wolf felt like its bones were shattering, followed by a sensation of something piercing its leg.
The pain blurred its consciousness, and then it flew backward.
Thud~~~
The ground billowed with dust as Flame Wolf's flames scorched the earth, emitting a burnt smell.
When the dust settled, Xiaobai was standing there, its horn still embedded in Flame Wolf's leg.
"Stop!"
Seeing this scene, Guan Yang's smile froze instantly, and he quickly shouted.
But Xiaobai ignored him.
Lin Chen hadn't called it to stop, so stopping wasn't part of its agenda. It shook Flame Wolf off, ready to give it another round of lessons on the ground.
Guan Yang hastily looked at Lin Chen, saying, "I lost."
Only then did Lin Chen nod to Xiaobai.
Guan Yang couldn't afford to hesitate, rushing over to check Flame Wolf's injuries.
The Iron Horn Impact under the Residual Shadow was immensely powerful. Flame Wolf would likely be down for ten days to half a month.
Xiaobai trotted over to Lin Chen, mooing once before extending its head with squinted eyes.
It meant, "Niu Niu won, aren't you coming over to pet me?"
Seeing this, Lin Chen chuckled as well, reaching out to tenderly pat it, praising, "Well done."
"Moo~~"
"Now you know how to be deceitful, even hiding it from me."
"Moo~~~"
Xiaobai's eyes looked watery, complaining silently that it offered its head to be petted this morning, but Lin Chen didn't pet it, yet it was blamed instead.
It had indeed been practicing diligently these days, focusing on its horns whenever not sleeping, all to surprise Lin Chen.
When it broke through to Level 3, the skill also just happened to advance.
"Alright, my mistake."
Lin Chen explained; by this time, he had noticed Xiaobai's transformation:
[Plowhorn Beast]
[Low-level Mortal Beast]
[Skill: Iron Horn Impact (Mastery)]
Lin Chen grew curious; if Xiaobai's Mastery Level had Perfection Level power, then Perfection Level should hold Divine Enlightenment power, so what about Divine Enlightenment?
Lin Chen couldn't help but look forward to it.
After enjoying the pets from Lin Chen, Xiaobai went to wash its horns on the side.
Lin Chen stepped up, asking Guan Yang, "So, does the bet still count?"
One of the Black-Toothed Crocodile's partners glanced at Xiaobai, pondering how much Xiaobai expended, and heard Guan Yang solemnly say, "Of course."
Having said that, he took out three eggs and addressed his two partners, "I lost. These three eggs are on me."
"Brother Yang, what's there to say between us?" The two partners shook their heads.
Even if Guan Yang lost, he was still an Inner Court Disciple and had limitless potential in the future; one little egg was inconsequential in value.
In the end, each gave one egg, and Lin Chen accepted them, still appreciating Guan Yang.
Reputation isn't something everyone has.
There was no need to placate or step on further; he turned with the eggs and said to Qin Hao, "Let's go."
"Wait."
Unexpectedly, Qin Hao shook his head at this moment.
Under Lin Chen's questioning gaze, Qin Hao moved towards Zhao Xue and the other two with the Panlin Python.
"?" The three snapped back, and Qin Hao's palm already reached.
Slapping while saying:
"Always causing trouble, always causing trouble!"
Thrashing Zhao Xue until her face looked like a pig's head, leaving her unpresentable, Qin Hao turned back to Lin Chen, saying, "Let's go."
Lin Chen didn't delay, walking away promptly.
Now, they truly had gained guilty holds on the eggs and should not linger any longer.
They took advantage of everyone still commenting to slip away early.
Everyone would certainly be amazed at how Xiaobai managed it, but it was more curiosity than surprise.
Because the Plowhorn Beast's level is very low, its future limit is limited, and there's no need to be overly amazed.
....
Arriving at the entrance, they saw staff collecting eggs outside.
Lin Chen said to Qin Hao, "How about I give you one?"
"A rule is a rule, 20 percent as agreed is fine, with three eggs, I get three thousand bucks. I'm quite content." Qin Hao wasn't greedy, though he was short of money, he understood he hadn't contributed to the last fight.
If he had contributed, taking one egg would be reasonable.
Without contributing, he naturally wouldn't credit himself for it.
Lin Chen naturally wouldn't refuse either; his willingness to share was because this time Qin Hao had informed him to come. Otherwise, he'd still be home cultivating.
A total of six eggs, five for Lin Chen; at six thousand each, that's worth thirty thousand. As agreed, giving Qin Hao four thousand would leave a net gain of twenty-six thousand.
"Quite the gain, huh?"
The staff was quite surprised seeing this duo of rookies haul in six eggs.
"Just luck."
Lin Chen smiled, not providing an explanation; after collecting payment, they left with Qin Hao.
Both were quite happy, earning more than they did working odd jobs before.
"No wonder there are so many Monster Hunters in this world," Lin Chen sighed.
Monster Hunter is a profession that traverses the mountains, capturing Spirit Beasts for rewards.
However, the rewards for this job are high but equally dangerous.
The two headed to town to have a meal and then went their separate ways, planning to team up for any future assignments.
Meanwhile, in the welfare area, Flame Wolf, who had been knocked out inside, finally woke up, lowering its head in embarrassment as it looked at Guan Yang.
Guan Yang had high hopes for it, but now with rank suppression, it had lost to a cow, indeed a disgrace to the wolf name.
Guan Yang didn't scold but rather comforted it:
"It's okay, losing is just losing, the future you will not be comparable to that."
"As long as you grow smoothly, crushing it will be easy."