Li Qian couldn’t understand the meaning behind Jinfeng’s cries, but at this very moment, he could completely understand its feelings.
"I feel... my whole body is filled with power, stronger than ever before!" This was the meaning Jinfeng’s cries expressed, and Ah Hai was the only one present who could understand them.
"Congratulations. You have successfully transformed and are about to embark on the path of a true powerhouse!" Ah Hai looked at Jinfeng and offered his heartfelt congratulations.
After receiving confirmation, Sun Ruirui was just as excited, if not more so, than Jinfeng, the one who had actually evolved.
Li Qian had mastered the complete, flawless evolution method, which meant... her Apocalypse Seer: Ocean Calamity problem was about to be perfectly resolved.
Soon, she would be able to live like a normal Beast Master—forming contracts with Pet Beasts, practicing Meditation, and fighting alongside them. She would finally embark on a life path completely different from her current one.
"Brother Qian, really... thank you." Realizing her life was about to change dramatically, the young girl fixed her gaze on Li Qian, a peculiar light shimmering in her eyes.
Completely understanding Sun Ruirui’s excitement, Li Qian scratched his head, a little embarrassed, and smiled. "Ruirui, you don’t have to thank me. It was just a matter of good timing, and I’ve benefited greatly from it as well."
"Mastering the complete evolution method from Golden Pearl Bud to Tidal Sea Spirit was one of my main reasons for coming to Zhonghai City in the first place."
Li Qian was telling the truth. He had indeed come for the evolution method to help Elder Tie break through to the Emperor Level. As for coincidentally helping Sun Ruirui solve her Apocalypse Seer: Ocean Calamity problem, one could only call it fate.
"Also, I have you to thank for mastering the evolution from Golden Pearl Bud to Tidal Sea Spirit. You actually gave me a lot of inspiration for my research," Li Qian continued without pausing.
He said this openly, unworried that he might be leaking key information about the evolution.
Over the past few days, he and Sun Ruirui had exchanged hundreds, if not thousands, of messages. Trying to pinpoint the key information from all that would be just as difficult as Old Sun trying to figure it out himself.
After all, Old Sun didn’t have a cheat-like Golden Finger like his, which allowed him to accumulate Inspiration Value from key information.
After chatting with Sun Ruirui for a bit and sensing her excitement, Li Qian felt genuinely happy for her.
"Brother Qian, I..." The girl looked at Li Qian, hesitating. She wanted to express her feelings but, for a moment, didn’t know what to say.
Li Qian’s gaze softened as he looked at her. "You already call me ’brother,’" he said in a joking tone. "Isn’t it only natural for a brother to help his sister?"
Smiling, Li Qian continued, picturing a bright future for her. "Once the Apocalypse Seer: Ocean Calamity problem is solved, I’m sure you’ll soar to new heights and become a truly genius Beast Master."
"Brother Qian, you’re exaggerating. My Talent could never compare to yours," Sun Ruirui said, though the look of hopeful longing on her face grew more and more distinct.
Watching this unfold, Ah Hai couldn’t help but sigh to himself. ’Old friend, if you don’t come back soon, the flower you’ve raised for so many years is going to be carried off by this kid—pot, soil, and all.’
Meanwhile, not far away, standing by a large tree, Elder Liao had also witnessed the entire exchange. His expression was terrifyingly dark.
His gaze was like a knife, as if it could pierce right through Li Qian’s body, radiating intense hatred.
It was only because of the distance between them; otherwise, Li Qian would have certainly noticed the malicious stare.
They chatted for a while longer. Once Jinfeng had grown somewhat accustomed to its new body, Li Qian turned his gaze to Golden Rain, whose condition had improved considerably.
After a glance, he stated his request directly. "As payment for helping you evolve a Tidal Sea Spirit, I’d like to have this Golden Pearl Bud. That’s not too much to ask, is it?"
Li Qian said this with a smile, confident that Sun Ruirui would not refuse his proposal.
In truth, besides wanting to keep his promise to help Golden Rain evolve into a Tidal Sea Spirit in the future, he also made this request to prevent any leaks.
If Old Sun were to question Jinfeng and Golden Rain later, he might be able to deduce the flaws in the old evolution method. Therefore, Li Qian decided he might as well take Golden Rain. As for Jinfeng... it didn’t know much to begin with.
This way, if Old Sun wanted to master the complete evolution method, he would have to figure it out on his own.
Of course, if he could swallow his pride and ask for guidance, Li Qian wouldn’t be stingy with his advice, but that seemed highly unlikely.
Li Qian made his request, and just as he’d guessed, Sun Ruirui agreed immediately without the slightest hesitation.
"Of course! In fact, Brother Qian, if you hadn’t asked, we wouldn’t have known how to repay you!" Sun Ruirui said, then added, "When Third Uncle gets back, I’ll have him give you some more resources."
"You used a lot of your own evolution resources for Jinfeng’s evolution. You were helping our manor raise a Pet Beast; there’s no reason you should have to pay for it."
The young girl’s words were perfectly reasonable, but Ah Hai’s mouth twitched as he listened.
’They aren’t even dating yet, and she’s already taking an outsider’s side. If they actually get together, is she going to give away the entire manor?’
’Oh well. I’ll let my old friend deal with this headache himself.’
Besides, Ah Hai thought, Sun Ruirui did have a point. Compared to a Tidal Sea Spirit with Emperor Level Potential, compensating Li Qian for some evolution resources was indeed nothing.
After getting Sun Ruirui’s approval, Li Qian didn’t stand on ceremony. He took out a Beast Taming Ball and collected Golden Rain inside.
Golden Rain was quite happy about this turn of events. Li Qian had promised that if it willingly gave up its Golden Pearl this time, he would help it evolve once it formed a new one.
It had been worried that Li Qian was just making an empty promise, but now that he was actually taking it with him, its worries were finally put to rest.
Since Li Qian had chosen to take it, he would surely keep his promise and help it evolve.
Therefore, with almost no hesitation, it willingly entered the Beast Taming Ball.
After putting away the Beast Taming Ball and chatting for a little longer, Li Qian and Sun Ruirui left the small cove without further delay.
Now that Li Qian had fully mastered the evolution method from Golden Pearl Bud to Tidal Sea Spirit, the next step for Hongqiao Manor was naturally to begin solving Sun Ruirui’s Apocalypse Seer: Ocean Calamity problem.
Solving her problem wasn’t that simple. They first had to break the seal on her and prepare various Life Potions and Extraordinary Resources.
Therefore, they had to wait for Old Sun to return.
Moreover, selecting a new pair of candidates for the evolution couldn’t be done immediately and would take some time.
That night, after the evolution was complete, Li Qian did not leave, but instead stayed over at Hongqiao Manor.
In his guest room, Li Qian looked at his eleven Achievement Points, his heart filled with joy.
He was quite satisfied, having earned five Evolution Points for completing this evolution research.