Beast Taming: My System is Bugged-Chapter 38 - 37: The Clash of Knowledge Between Two Eras

Chapter 38: Chapter 37: The Clash of Knowledge Between Two Eras

Elder Ling strolled through the repeater class, testing the students’ knowledge of One-star Evolution.

When she reached your seat, she was surprised to find Cyan Treasure brimming with Mana, already showing signs of a Quasi-One-star.

Unfortunately, Cyan Treasure’s body was old and its organs were failing. It looked like it could die tomorrow, and she couldn’t help but sigh.

"After cultivating Mana to its limit, you can continue cultivating to condense a Magic Power Inner Core and complete a Mana Evolution. This method doesn’t require a strong physical body; it follows the path of a Magic Pet."

"If your Cyan Treasure had another two months, it might have a shot at a Mana Evolution. As it is now, it’s just a pity. I estimate it will pass away in two or three weeks."

Mana Evolution?

Gu Ming sat in the classroom, listening to the various Evolution Methods being discussed, but the one mentioned in the system’s commentary was not among them.

He had never heard of Mana Evolution.

Gu Ming opened his textbook. It only described five types of Evolution.

Normal Evolution, Fusion Evolution, Variant Evolution, Atavistic Evolution, and Super Evolution.

Normal Evolution involved cultivating Mana to its peak, strengthening the body to a certain degree, and then condensing an Inner Core to smoothly step into the One-star Realm.

This type of Evolution involved no external factors, relying solely on a Pet Beast’s inherent evolutionary potential.

The second type, Fusion Evolution, required transplant surgery. Using Cyan Treasure as an example, after it evolved normally to Two-star, its original heart would be removed and replaced with the Heart of a Flood Dragon.

During this period, elixirs would be constantly administered to condition its body. Once its body adapted, the Pet Beast Inner Core would be slowly transplanted into the Heart of the Flood Dragon to continue its Cultivation, using the high-potential race’s power to break through to the Three-star path.

However, Fusion Evolution had extremely high requirements for the Pet Beast’s foundation. At the very least, the bloodlines of both parties had to be similar, and the Pet Beast needed a powerful self-healing ability. Otherwise, there would be no possibility of Evolution after the transplant.

The third type was based on genetic modification or congenital mutation. These Pet Beasts were inherently different from their conventional species, with unknown potential. This type of Evolution had a very wide range of possible outcomes, from very low to very high.

In the eyes of outsiders, Cyan Treasure was currently seen as a congenitally mutated specimen. If it could further mutate after Evolution and gradually shed its useless organs, it might have the potential to reach Three-star.

The fourth category was Atavistic Evolution, which involved awakening the Power of an ancient bloodline.

This was originally a type of Variant Evolution, but because Pet Beasts that underwent Atavistic Evolution could unearth ancient Daoist Skill potential, and there were many such cases, it was classified as its own evolutionary track.

The fifth type was Super Evolution, universally recognized as the most difficult evolutionary path.

This focused on developing a Pet Beast’s abilities beyond the limits of its Star Level, which would in turn affect its body and soul, allowing it to condense a new Inner Core and achieve Super Evolution.

For example, because the Little Cyan Snake was limited by its maximum lifespan, the highest Skill Level it could achieve in the Snake Swallowing Elephant Technique was only Master Level.

The Skill Level ranks for Cultivation Techniques and Techniques were: Uninitiated, Entry Level, Mastery, Master, Great Success, Perfection, Quasi-Path, and Dao Realm.

If most Skills and Cultivation Techniques could be cultivated to a height unattainable by predecessors, a quantitative change would lead to a qualitative one. The insights gained from the Dao would then nourish the body, which could also trigger an Evolution.

This type of Evolution was blessed by the Great Dao, producing unexpected results, and was thus called Super Evolution.

Of course, Super Evolution was not yet fully understood. The specific evolutionary mechanism was still under research.

After all, the difficulty of achieving it was incredibly high. Only monstrously talented individuals could walk this path; it couldn’t be achieved just by consuming Elixirs.

Gu Ming reviewed the types of Evolution in the textbook, then looked at the system’s story commentary.

The homeroom teacher had already been lecturing for half the class, and the commentary had updated with new information.

For the past few decades, we believed there were only five paths for Pet Beast Evolution.

However, after a new iteration of evolutionary theory, we’ve discovered there are so many more avenues of Evolution to research.

"Gu Ming, I’ve said so much. Have you been paying attention at all?"

Although you’re already fifty years old and your focus has declined, Elder Ling won’t lower her teaching standards just because you’re old.

Wang Teng, who was sitting next to him, nudged Gu Ming.

Gu Ming instantly snapped back to reality and looked up to see Ling Jun on the platform, staring at him.

She tilted her chin, gesturing for him to stand up and answer a question.

"What question did the teacher just ask?" Gu Ming whispered to his deskmate.

Wang Teng gave him a "serves you right" smile and shook his head without answering.

"Student Gu Ming, you answer this. After Cyan Treasure’s Mana is fully cultivated, what preparations are needed before its One-star Evolution?"

’A question about nurturing knowledge.’

Gu Ming slowly stood up, stalling for time while he recalled the knowledge from his textbook and answered point by point.

As the former top student of his year, Gu Ming not only had a solid foundation but also studied the textbook in advance. This time, his answer was flawless.

Evolution was the act of breaking through the current limits of life to elevate the body to a new level.

Having only Mana wasn’t enough if the body was too weak. If it couldn’t reach the point of breaking through its life limit, the phenomenon of Evolution would not occur.

’Wait a minute.’

Gu Ming suddenly thought of the characteristics of Mana Evolution mentioned by the system.

’Mana Evolution doesn’t require high physical Talent conditions. What’s going on? How could it negate the fundamental conditions for Evolution described in modern textbooks?’

After finishing his answer, Gu Ming closed his mouth, his mind racing.

The homeroom teacher on the platform was barely satisfied with Gu Ming’s answer. Seeing that he had come back to his senses, she waved her hand for him to sit down and continued:

"Correct. Just as Gu Ming said, a Pet Beast Inner Core allows for more efficient control over Mana. It is the control center within the Pet Beast’s body, equivalent to a second brain."

"To operate this external brain, you need to use the physical body as a furnace, constantly compressing Mana to form a Pill, much like in Alchemy."

"Mastering the ’heat’ is not something you can grasp just by reading about it in a book. Let me help you all experience it."

Ling Jun revealed her Four-star Pet Beast in class—an Illusory Spirit Butterfly, a Spiritual Pet Beast with a powerful Talent for Illusion Techniques.

"Everyone, don’t be nervous. Relax your minds so it doesn’t affect the quality of the lesson," she said.

As Gu Ming listened to her words, a flash of insight struck him.

’The center of Mana control!’

’That’s it. A Pet Beast’s brain isn’t as intelligent as a human’s, so the Inner Core becomes a second brain to help control Mana.’

’Mana Evolution must be about continuously stacking the Mana cap, breaking through the Pet Beast’s Mana limit, and condensing an Inner Core that surpasses the limits of a One-star.’

’This might be the key to Mana Evolution.’

At fifty years old, you are full of passion, like a sponge, constantly absorbing the Beast Taming knowledge of the new era.

You have grasped the core of Mana Evolution. Elder Ling is gratified.

Elder Ling is preparing to use an Illusion Technique on everyone to teach the new era’s Evolution Method. Will you open your mind to learn?

’Of course. I have to learn the evolutionary knowledge of the future.’

The next second, the Illusion Technique cast by the homeroom teacher’s Illusory Spirit Butterfly washed over them like a tide.

Gu Ming felt his mind caught in a strange loop. On one side was the real-world insight, teaching how to control the "heat" of "Alchemy" and comparing Evolution to Alchemy.

On the other side was a completely new theory, with a radically different analysis and understanding of Mana that shattered his cognition.

The knowledge of two eras clashed and collided in his mind. Gu Ming felt as if he were inside a "Pill Furnace," being roasted from both sides.