Start With Contracting Sprites

"These are…?"

The "Ecstasy Fragrance" was burning very fast, in just ten seconds, half of it was used up.

"This incense is a secret recipe created by Master Yan. It can affect sprites and put them in a 'non-resistance' state."

Zhong Yunrui said, "However, it's not that magical. It can only work on sprites that haven't reached entry level. The weaker it is, the more effective it gets. Even so, it still depends on whether the sprite's resistance desire is strong."

"Jade powder is also specially made. It's said to be able to empty the mind of the sprite after consumption and make it's mood pleasant. It's also used to increase the chances of contracting."

He said, "Especially that Ecstasy Fragrance. It's really super expensive. It's okay if the contract is successful, but if we still fail after using it up…"

"For example, sprites like Electric Tail Bats are very difficult to contract. Even after using various methods, the success rate is only 20 to 30%. If it fails, it's best to change to another one. Trying to contract it again will lower the success rate."

Su Hao noticed that Older Brother Zhong and Older Brother Huo had complicated looks on their faces, as if they had some unbearable memories.

He pondered.

"Since this is a method that affects the mind, does it mean that… illusionary spells can affect the success rate of contracting?"

"Illusion sprites? I've never seen one even until now…"

As Zhong Yunrui spoke, he suddenly remembered that sprites like Reverie Butterfly seemed to be able to learn unique skills of the illusion element, right?

"However, there seems to be research showing that a unique skill of illusion only affects the superficial level of the mind, while contracting requires the whole body to be at ease… Illusion may be useful, but it must also be a high-level illusion skill."

He looked at Reverie Butterfly, then at Tang Xin's Sleeping Owl.

After the final evolution of Reverie Butterfly, it was estimated that it would possess the illusion attribute. It could also utilize a unique skill of the illusion attribute that was much harder to describe. That was hard to say.

But for a wood-element sprite like the Slumbering Owl with a bit of hypnotic power, it was definitely impossible.

Otherwise, the Silk-Cotton Owl would have long been sold out.

As expected…

Su Hao nodded.

However, in the future, he could let the little rascal develop an illusion technique that could increase the chances of a good impression on the basis of building dreams.

As long as my liking for him reaches 100%, I can do whatever… Cough, cough.

...

The Unknown Lake seemed to be a gathering point for sprites. As they walked along the lake surface, they encountered a lot of sprites.

After a round of work, Old Brother Huo also contracted a water-element sprite — Small River Lobster.

The final evolved form of the Small River Lobster was the Giant Cannon Lobster, with a pair of thick and long mandibles looking like two giant cannons. It was known as the "walking artillery battery", and was also a sprite with good development potential.

However, Old Brother Huo was a little unlucky. He failed to contract the first sprite, so he could only settle for the next best option. He chose another river lobster with a slightly poorer physique before he finally succeeded in contracting it.

Now, he was just short of himself. Today… or rather, the trip to the primordial area would be complete.

"Which type of sprite should I contract…"

Su Hao was troubled.

It wasn't that he hadn't found a suitable candidate.

The variety of sprites in the primordial area of Changbai Mountains was much richer than the free-range centers in Yunhua City. There were so many choices for him to make his decision.

He felt that several of them met the criteria, but they seemed to be slightly inferior.

He temporarily locked his decision onto three types of sprites.

The first was a type of small flying lion. Its final evolved type was a dense forest griffin. It was a close-combat type sprite with a medium meat-level. The dense forest griffin's advantage was its feel… It was very comfortable to ride, and its flight was especially steady. It was recognized as an excellent mount.

The second type was the Little Lotus Leaf, its final evolved form was the Clear Jade Lotus.

Su Hao had seen the Clear Jade Lotus before. Although it couldn't resist, it could learn many protective unique skills. It looked like a lotus seat, sitting cross-legged on the surface… It was still very impressive.

The third was the Little Ground Wolf, its final evolved form was the Ground Wolf.

It could resist and run, and its speed was pretty good too. Apart from not knowing how to fly, Su Hao was pretty fond of it.

"What a difficult choice."

His eyes swept the surroundings.

He looked like he was looking for sprites, but in fact… he was indeed looking for sprites.

But on the interface.

Suddenly, dozens of overlapping icons made Su Hao's eyes light up.

"It's a Water Spirit Foal."

"This type of sprite will evolve into a Water Cloud Horse, and then evolve into a Cloud Water Dragon Horse…"

It had the word "dragon" on it. Even though it had nothing to do with dragons, just its name alone implied that its final form was extraordinary.

For example, the Lava Dragon Turtle, the Gargoyle Dragon, etc.

Strong sprites may not have domineering titles.

But a sprite with a domineering name would definitely be powerful.

"Most importantly, although Cloud Water Dragon Horse doesn't have the wind attribute, it can fly!"

Or it could be called stepping on air.

As the saying goes, as long as my horse runs fast enough, danger can't catch up to me.

Su Hao walked towards the direction of the Water Spirit Foal.

At the same time.

— He checked the data of those Water Spirit Foals one by one.

Not all the level-odd sprites in that group were Water Spirit Foals. There were three Water Cloud Horses, and one Cloud Water Dragon Horse…

"But it's alright, it's just elite level."

It wasn't like the Purple Lightning Wings, which was probably an extraordinary sprite.

With his two older brothers around, Su Hao was not the least bit afraid of an Elite.

Details of Water Spirit Foals flashed across his eyes.

"This one is too old, nope…"

"This one looks like it caught a cold, nope…"

"Why is this one like this? It's lame, nope…"

He was suddenly stunned.

His eyes swept to the bottom of the detailed information, where the evolution pathway was stated…

"Why does it seem like there's an additional line?"

Su Hao looked over.

[Water Spirit Foal - > Water Cloud Horse (unlock with 2 [4] Intelligence Points) - > Cloud Water Dragon Horse (unlock with 6 [18] Intelligence Points)]

(Bloodline Evolution) → "a dark silhouette" (unlock with 8 Intelligence Points) → "a dark silhouette" (unlock with 30 Intelligence Points)]

Su Hao was puzzled.

He felt like he was seeing things.

He turned and clicked on the Water Spirit Foal he had seen before. As expected, there was only one evolution pathway. There was no second one at all.

"What happened??"

"How can the genes of the same sprite evolve differently?"

He checked all the Water Spirit Horses in succession and finally confirmed that only that one sprite had two evolution pathways.

That was also the Water Spirit Foal with the highest individual value. It had already learned several unique skills.

He sank into contemplation.

He had never heard of such a situation.

What the heck was the bloodline evolution? Sprites birthed by nature could also have bloodlines… No, wait a minute.

He then checked on that Cloud Water Dragon Horse and discovered that this unique Water Spirit Foal was birthed by that Horse King.

But… how could the descendant of a Cloud Water Dragon Horse evolve into another pathway?

It's not like they were born with ♂ and ♀!

Su Hao watched as he unlocked it with his Intelligence Points.

He was ready for action.

8 points for the first stage was alright, but 30 points later was a bit much.

What if the evolution pathway wasn't the type he wanted? Wouldn't that be a loss?

He hesitated.

But leaving an unknown and seemingly very strong evolution pathway untouched, I can't help it, I can't help it!

How nice would it be if he could unlock only the appearance and name.

Suddenly…

He discovered that the interface in front of him had changed.

[Water Spirit Foal (Bloodline Evolution) - > "an unknown silhouette" (unlock with 1 / 3 / 8 Intelligence Points) - >…]

1 Intelligence Point could only unlock names, looks, and brief information.

3 Intelligence Points could unlock detailed information after evolution.

The last 5 Intelligence Points was the cost of the evolution plan.

"You can do that? The total cost remains the same, but it's equivalent to installments!"

Su Hao just needed to spend 1 point so he didn't need to hesitate to unlock it.

Bright colors gradually surfaced on the dark silhouette.

The two evolved forms lifted their veils at the same time.

"Water Qilin Beast? Water Qilin?"

He felt that there was no need to hesitate anymore.

Just as he was about to reach the crowd of horses, he heard a sharp sound coming from ahead.

A White-Winged Moth flying in mid-air was hit by a ball of water that looked like a cannonball. It flew out more than ten meters with a whimper, hit itself onto a large rock, and fainted straight away.