Monster Pet Evolution

"Da Zi, what are you doing? Get your *ss back here!" Gao Peng was pissed.

A streak of purple light flashed across the mountains and landed with a crash in front of Gao Peng.

Da Zi snuck a quick glance at Gao Peng before turning around nonchalantly to leave.

"Stay where you are!" It froze, its antennas starting to twitch wildly. Had it been noticed by Gao Peng?

"What were you doing just now?" Gao Peng asked furiously.

Da Zi turned around with a expression on its face that said "who, me?"

"Hisss?"

Gao Peng lifted up one of Da Zi's claws. "Explain yourself!" He said as he gestured at the dirt and splinters between them.

"These are yummy!" said Da Zi with an innocent smile on its face as it licked its claws clean.

Gao Peng rolled his eyes. Ever since Stripey had come back, Da Zi would go play with it every other day. If Stripey was a lazy sloth and Goldie was a violent duck, then Da Zi was a mischievous monkey.

"Let go of me, ugly!" said Da Zi as it struggled to free itself from Da Zi's grip.

"You're always picking on Stripey. Did you go plant trees on its back again?"

Da Zi stopped struggling, closed its eyes, and pretended not to have heard him.

"It's all good with the trees, but why did you have to go plant oranges as well?"

Da Zi stared at him with eyes wide open. "Oranges are delicious. You know us centipedes love oranges!"

After hearing that, Gao Peng brushed off Da Zi's hand and turned to leave.

"Stay right there, Gao Peng. Let me get you some oranges..."

Gao Peng didn't know whether to laugh or be mad. Ever since it had learned how to use the Internet, Da Zi had been picking up strange things.

Even though the situation had stabilized slightly, the news about the Disaster Mountain Spider and the Emperor-tier familiar was still spreading like wildfire.

Nonetheless, the masses still had no idea about this, because those in power were doing everything they could to control the narrative. However, all it took was one person who knew what was going on to leak it. It was only a matter of time until everyone found out.

Because of this, Gao Peng and Ji Hanwu were flooded with a tide of visitors. A lot of these people were random strangers who just wanted to be seen with the both of them.

The rise of the Southern Sky Group as a major superpower was seen as a sure thing. It had already been a big player before, but with the addition of two Emperor-tier familiars, there was no telling how much bigger the group could grow.

In other news, the Southern Sky Group's "Evolutionary Potion" started selling like hot cakes. Their selling point was the claim that Chairman Ji's familiar had evolved into an Emperor-tier familiar using the product. The customers ate this up and cleaned out their stock. The Southern Sky Group made thousands.

...

"Young master, a young lady named Lin Xinrui is here to see you."

"Send her in."

Lin Xinrui walked into his lab with her familiar by her side. "Looks like you made a pretty good haul." Since she had been the one to tell him about the Hand of White Gold, he wasn't surprised at all by her razor-sharp eyes.

Gao Peng smiled wordlessly.

The familiar behind her was a 10-foot long shrimp-like creature made of pure gold.

Upon closer inspection, it wasn't an Armored Shrimp but a close relative of it—the Sparrow-tailed Mantis Shrimp. Even though they were related, their battle strengths were worlds apart.

Before the Cataclysm, the Sparrow-tailed Mantis Shrimp had been able to strike with its claws at speeds of up to 50 miles per hour, making it about as fast as a handgun. The heat from the friction generated could cause the water around it to combust spontaneously, and it also had a mystical pair of eyes that allowed it to see multiple spectrums of light.

This kind of creature had already existed before the Cataclysm. The Cataclysm had only helped it take the next step in its evolution.

[Monster Name]: Goldtail Divine Shrimp

[Monster Level]: 40

[Monster Grade]: Excellent

[Monster Ability]: Muscle Growth Level 2 Shell Harden Level 1

[Monster Attribute]: Gold

[Monster Weakness]: 1. Fire. 2.The point in its tail where the 3rd and 4th joints connect is very weak.

[Ways of Reaching Perfect Grade]: Six

It's abilities seemed fairly common, but Gao Peng couldn't help but notice that it had a set of claws lined with fine, saw-like teeth hidden underneath its body that resembled a pair of swords. The speed of its strikes combined with the structure of its claws meant that it could rip any kind of flesh to shreds at the drop of a hat.

It's diamond-like exterior also meant that its defense was nothing to laugh at. Gao Peng nodded silently in approval. This Goldtail Divine Shrimp had some real potential. If it were ever to make it to Epic grade, it would most certainly be a sight to behold. Unfortunately, it would likely be held back by its grade even though it should theoretically have been strong enough to evolve tier-wise.

After Gao Peng looked through all six ways, he closed his eyes to think.

He did have some of the materials on hand. Some of the others he could find at the other labs. However, he ultimately lacked something for each and every way.

Gao Peng let out a deep sigh. This was truly unfortunate.

"I still lack certain materials," he said regretfully.

"If you're not in a hurry, I can send some men out to gather the necessary materials. If we're fortunate, we should have all we need in a week. If not…" he trailed off.

Lin Xinrui nodded in understanding. There was no such thing as a sure thing when it came to monster breeding.

"Don't worry. I'll definitely keep the promise I made to you." His eyes were earnest and unwavering.

"I'll hold you to it then."

…

'Master Gao, I've done as you instructed." Huang Ya's voice crackled over the phone.

Satisfied, Gao Peng hung up after giving him additional instructions.

Under his instructions, Huang Ya had taken in orphans from the Bai Ye region and found them honest jobs at the local factory. Furthermore, he'd had Huang Ya build a school in his name for them as well. The school had been built close to the Southern Sky Group, which all but assured the orphans of their safety. Everything was free to these children. Many different kinds of courses were taught to these orphans, but they all carried the same lesson—loyalty to Gao Peng and the Southern Sky group.

As the Headmaster, Gao Peng couldn't guarantee loyalty, but he could try his best.

After the Cataclysm, there had been an explosion of orphans. Even with the considerable resources of the Alliance, it was hard to care adequately for them all. Their lives were definitely not as amazing as they were often portrayed in the media.

Gao Peng wouldn't force anyone to attend. It seemed like a great deal to him. He would provide top-class education, and even familiars, for those who excelled in return for their loyalty.

Quid pro quo. All he wanted was a little bit of loyalty.