98: Chapter 98's research findings caused a sensation across the entire internet!

The seventh day since the Blade-Tail Viper (Leader Level) was slain.

The School Team's exclusive training ground.

Morning sunlight spilled through the transparent dome, casting alternating patches of light and shadow across the training ground.

In one corner of the field, the Flame-Spine Tyrannosaur and the Radiant Moon Spirit Cat were locked in a fierce battle.

Accompanied by a low roar, the Flame-Spine Tyrannosaur's tail swept out, carrying a whistling wind as it tried to force back the overly agile little thing before it.

But the Radiant Moon Spirit Cat's figure flashed slightly, dodging it with ease.

Having missed, the Flame-Spine Tyrannosaur suddenly opened its massive jaws, violent fire-type energy gathering rapidly deep in its throat before a scorching pillar of fire erupted like a volcanic explosion!

Wherever the fire pillar passed, the ground was scorched to a dull red, the surging flames rushing toward the Radiant Moon Spirit Cat with an aura that threatened to consume everything.

The Radiant Moon Spirit Cat's slender body did not retreat but advanced instead, meeting the terrifying pillar of fire head-on. It grazed the edge of the scorching flames, transforming into a phantom and charging forward with astonishing speed!

The Flame-Spine Tyrannosaur reacted quickly, raising its giant claw and swiping fiercely at the Radiant Moon Spirit Cat.

But the Radiant Moon Spirit Cat leaped lightly, its small paws landing precisely on the back of the Flame-Spine Tyrannosaur's claw, using it as leverage to vault higher.

Like an agile dancer, it used the Flame-Spine Tyrannosaur's giant claw as a springboard, landing steadily on top of its head in a few bounds.

Then, sharp white light bloomed on the Radiant Moon Spirit Cat's claws, and it struck the Flame-Spine Tyrannosaur's head in rapid, lightning-fast succession.

Bang! Bang! Bang!

A series of dense, muffled thuds rang out; Cat Punch dealt considerable damage to the Flame-Spine Tyrannosaur.

"Roar!"

The Flame-Spine Tyrannosaur felt the pain, its head instinctively tilting back. Its massive body staggered half a step, leaving deep footprints on the ground.

The repeated strikes to the top of its head, while not fatal, clearly disrupted its balance and rhythm.

On the sidelines, Lin Chen watched this scene and quickly recorded: "Although the Flame-Spine Tyrannosaur has outstanding frontal charging and burst power, it lacks effective countermeasures against opponents like the Radiant Moon Spirit Cat, which have ultra-high agility and excel at close-quarters combat."

"It seems that a massive body size can sometimes be a burden; I need to strengthen its ability to restrict agile opponents."

The thought passed in an instant, and Lin Chen called out: "Alright, the warm-up ends here."

As his voice rang out, both pet beasts immediately stopped their movements.

Lin Chen praised and encouraged them as usual, then looked up, sweeping his gaze across other areas of the training ground.

Although it was early morning, the School Team's training enthusiasm was high, completely different from the slack atmosphere at the Qingyang Town Beast Control Bureau.

Many upperclassmen were already engaged in various specialized training, with shouts, the sound of skill collisions, and the roar of energy echoing endlessly.

Lin Chen, however, sighed: "No opponents."

Ever since he swept the School Team on the first day, the way these upperclassmen looked at him had become very complicated.

Whenever he issued a battle invitation, the upperclassmen would always politely decline with a smile, or even walk the other way when they saw him from afar.

Lin Chen was puzzled; was he some kind of monster?

So, Lin Chen turned his gaze to the freshmen of his own year, but their reactions were even more exaggerated than the upperclassmen's; he didn't even get a chance to issue a battle invitation.

In the end, Lin Chen could only set his sights on Ye Zhen, who had once tried to challenge him.

But after returning from the wasteland, Ye Zhen seemed like a different person; every time he saw him, he would silently walk away.

Lin Chen was even more confused.

What happened to the battle maniac he was supposed to be?

What happened to the refusal to admit defeat?

Buzz, buzz, buzz!

Just then, his phone vibrated.

Lin Chen took it out and saw an official text message from the Qiming City Beast Tamer Association.

"Dear Mr. Lin Chen, hello. Your application for confirmation of the new evolutionary forms of the Flame Claw Beast and Songsong Dog has passed the final review."

"Their basic information has been officially entered into the Federation's Pet Beast Illustrated Handbook database. Please log in to the handbook system to view it. Thank you for your contribution to the Federation's pet beast evolution research ———— "

Lin Chen's heart jolted; he immediately exited the message interface and quickly opened the Pet Beast Illustrated Handbook.

Soon, in the "Latest Additions" and "New Form Discoveries" sections scrolling on the homepage, he saw two eye-catching entries side by side.

Clicking in, first was the exclusive page for the Flame-Spine Tyrannosaur.

A high-definition 3D image rotated slowly, displaying its mighty and ferocious figure from every angle. Beside it was a detailed data column:

[Name]: Flame-Spine Tyrannosaur (New evolutionary form of the Flame Claw Beast)

[Attribute]: Fire/Dragon [Race Level]: High-Level Elite

[Basic Introduction]: A powerful sub-dragon species evolved from the Flame Claw Beast, possessing astonishing strength and fire control, with extremely strong frontal combat ability ————

At the very bottom of the page, the researcher column clearly stated Lin Chen's name.

Exiting, he clicked into the page for the Radiant Moon Spirit Cat.

A moon-white, elegant figure appeared, with cold purple eyes.

[Name]: Radiant Moon Spirit Cat (New evolutionary form of the Songsong Dog)

[Attribute]: Normal/Light [Race Level]: Mid-Level Elite

[Basic Introduction]: A spirit cat form evolved from the Songsong Dog, with movements as swift as lightning ————

The discoverer was also clearly marked: Lin Chen.

Looking at his name appearing prominently at the bottom, an indescribable sense of achievement and excitement surged in his heart.

But Lin Chen knew that these two new evolutionary forms would cause a stir in Donghuang.

Elite Level pet beasts are different from Transcendent ones; the vast majority of Beast Tamers can at most contract one Elite Level pet beast in their entire lives.

Whenever a new Elite Level pet beast appears, it causes a stir.

Not to mention that this time, two appeared at once.

That afternoon, a news report released by an authoritative media outlet quickly ignited attention on various online platforms.

The headline was particularly eye-catching: [Unprecedented! A freshman independently researches two brand-new evolutionary forms!]

The report detailed the basic information of the Flame-Spine Tyrannosaur and the Radiant Moon Spirit Cat, and emphasized the age and identity of the discoverer, Lin Chen ———— a 18-year-old freshman in the Battle Department of the Qiming Beast-Taming Academy!

This news not only quickly climbed to the hot searches on major portals and social platforms, but also caused a huge uproar in the academic world, the breeding world, and even among ordinary Beast Tamer enthusiasts.

"18 years old? Two new forms? Which deity is this descending to earth?!"

"I can understand the Flame Claw Beast evolving into the sub-dragon Flame-Spine Tyrannosaur, but why can a dog evolve into a cat? It crossed species directly?"

"Are there few cases of cross-species evolution in the pet beast world?"

"@Federation Beast Taming Research Association, what are your researchers doing? Not as good as an 18-year-old freshman?"

"Freshman year... When I was a freshman, I was still racking my brains to make up papers."

"A natural-born research prodigy!"

Immediately, various exclamations and exaggerations poured in like a tide, with various media and bloggers praising this freshman who had independently researched two brand-new evolutionary forms at the age of only 18.

But just an hour later, different voices followed: "Which young master came to get some gilded credentials?"

"Could it be any more ridiculous? Academic achievements can be faked, but knowledge accumulation doesn't lie."

"Obviously hype."

"Anyone with even a little knowledge of academic research knows how ridiculous it is, let alone independent research; why don't you say you have a cheat and can unlock various evolutionary forms with one click?"

"Too many doubts; first, he's 18; second, he's in the Battle Department; third, they are two completely unrelated pet beasts. I can't even be bothered to debunk it."

For a time, the internet was in an uproar, with all kinds of voices intertwined, instantly pushing Lin Chen to the forefront of the controversy.

Countless media outlets, organizations, and individuals tried every means to contact him to fish for information, offer olive branches, seek cooperation, or simply satisfy their curiosity.

Pressure gathered invisibly.

But just as the voices of doubt began to grow louder, and some even began to concoct conspiracy theories, Professor Li Jingming — a famous scholar in the field of evolution in the Donghuang Federation, a professor in the Research Department of Qiming Academy, and someone who possessed high prestige and credibility in the academic world — publicly posted a short statement on his personal account.

"Regarding the matter of our student Lin Chen independently discovering two brand-new evolutionary forms, it has sparked much attention and discussion."

"As Lin Chen's mentor, I hereby state: Student Lin Chen is gifted and intelligent, diligent and hardworking during his time at school, and indeed possesses unique talent and insights in the path of evolution."

"This achievement is a spark of inspiration that burst forth at the right time on a solid foundation... I hope all sectors of society will reduce unnecessary excessive attention on him and give young researchers more room for growth and patience."

Although the statement was short, it carried great weight, and the direction of public opinion on the internet changed instantly.

"Professor Li Jingming's student?! Then it's fine!"

"So he is Old Li's disciple, no wonder!"

"Congratulations to Professor Li for gaining another talented student! [Cupping hands]"

For a time, many academic bigwigs and well-known researchers who were familiar with Professor Li Jingming forwarded and commented, mostly with positive evaluations.

On the evening after the storm subsided, Lin Chen arrived at Professor Li Jingming's laboratory as promised.

In the laboratory, Professor Li was brewing a pot of green tea. Seeing Lin Chen enter, a warm smile appeared on his face, and he pointed to the chair opposite him: "You're here? Sit. Taste this, it's the freshly arrived Yunshan Wujian tea."

"Thank you, Professor." Lin Chen sat down and took the teacup.

The tea fragrance was elegant and refreshing.

"You saw the things on the internet, right?" Professor Li sipped his tea and smiled slightly. "This little storm is over. With an old man like me blocking the way in front, those idle gossip and baseless inquiries won't come to disturb you for a short time."

"Just continue to learn and explore at your own pace."

He put down the teacup and looked at Lin Chen's young but steady face, his tone gentle: "However, after this incident, you can be considered to have officially entered the field of vision of many people."

"The road ahead is still long; don't be complacent about this little achievement before your eyes, and don't be eager for quick success."

"For those of us who do research and scholarship, long-term accumulation, repeated failures, and not seeing results for a long time are the most common norms. Sometimes, it is not strange to have no breakthrough progress for a year or two, or even longer."

Lin Chen nodded seriously: "I understand, Professor."

A year or two is too long; he wants to let the two little ones evolve to the next stage within half a year.

It's just that Greymon evolving into MetalGreymon is still understandable; there are plenty of pet beasts in this world that are modified through machinery.

It's Gatomon evolving into Angewomon that has a large span, directly crossing from a cat form to a humanoid form.

It's not even just a humanoid form; except for the wings, Angewomon is almost indistinguishable from a human.

Fortunately, there are humanoid pet beasts in this world, so when the time comes, with the help of Professor Li Jingming's influence, it shouldn't cause too much of an impact.

Numerous thoughts flashed by; Lin Chen looked at Professor Li Jingming before him with many emotions.

A week ago, he became Professor Li Jingming's student. Zhao Honggang specially rushed back from the wilderness for this, fearing that Lin Chen would stray into the Research Department.

But Professor Li Jingming stated that there was no need to transfer departments, no need to participate in the tedious courses and experiments of the Research Department, and he could learn completely at his own pace.

In other words, Lin Chen was still a Battle Department student, just becoming Professor Li Jingming's student, which was a compromise.

And Professor Li Jingming's requirement for him was very simple: "Continuously explore and research in the field of evolution."

During the conversation, Professor Li Jingming's phone, which was placed aside, rang several times.

Professor Li Jingming did not avoid Lin Chen, smiled, picked it up, and spoke in a relaxed tone: "Hahaha, yes, yes, good luck, I accepted a good student."

"You're too kind, you're too kind, young people still need more tempering."

"Specific details? Hey, the child figured it out himself, and I shouldn't ask too much, lest I stifle his creativity."

"Two million a year? He is not very interested in money."

Lin Chen suddenly looked up.

"How much?"

Finally ending another call, Professor Li Jingming rubbed his eyebrows, looking tired, but with a smile in his eyes.

He looked at Lin Chen and brought up another important matter: "By the way, the rewards from the Association have been officially approved."

Lin Chen looked up, showing an inquiring look.

"First is the less important material reward. According to the Association's regulations, you researched two new Elite Level evolutionary forms, rewarding you a total of 200,000, which has already been transferred to your account; please check it."

200,000!

Lin Chen immediately sat up straight, his face showing joy.

He made a fortune!

Now he was completely free from the tight days and could splurge a bit.

"Secondly." Professor Li Jingming took out a dark blue hard certificate from the drawer and solemnly handed it to Lin Chen.

Lin Chen took it and opened it.

The cover of the certificate read [Federation Beast Tamer Association · Researcher Qualification Certification], and opening it, he saw:

[Holder: Lin Chen]

[Level: Junior Researcher]

[Issuing Agency: Federation Beast Tamer Association · Academic Committee]

[Date: ————]

"Junior Researcher?" Lin Chen looked at this title and was slightly stunned.

When he submitted his application before, he only thought about completing the task and getting the bonus, not expecting this kind of reward.

"That's right."

Professor Li Jingming nodded with a smile, his eyes filled with appreciation and encouragement: "This is a solid academic title. Although it is only Junior, it has high gold content."

"Possessing it, you are qualified to apply to participate in many academic projects released by the Association and major research institutes, can enter academic databases and libraries, and can enjoy corresponding benefits and discounts in many aspects."

He paused and said earnestly: "Although both are Junior, the gold content of a Junior Researcher is much higher than that of a Primary Beastmaster, and the gap in future potential and plasticity is even greater."

"Continue to deepen your work on the path of a researcher, as an academic rising star."