Chapter 14: Taotie's Secret and a New Crisis

After returning to the Imperial Beast Master Association, Lin Fan handed over the black crystal to Chen Tianming. After Chen Tianming carefully studied it, his face became grave.

"The energy contained in this crystal... Very unusual." Chen Tianming frowned and said, "It seems to be able to affect the minds of spirit beasts, causing them to fall into a berserk state."

Lin Fan recalled the spirit beasts that killed each other in the forest, and a chill ran through his heart, "Then... Where did this kind of crystals come from?"

Chen Tianming shook his head, "It's hard to say right now. However, Lin Fan, your performance this time was outstanding. The association has decided to give you the 'Gold Star Medal', which is one of the highest honors for outstanding Imperial Beast Masters."

Lin Fan was a little embarrassed, "Actually, it's all because of Taotie..."

Chen Tianming smiled, "No need to be modest. By the way, have you felt any improvement in your realm recently?"

Lin Fan nodded, "Indeed there is. I feel that my star power is much stronger than before, but I'm not quite sure what realm it is."

Chen Tianming took out an instrument, "Come, test it."

Lin Fan stood in front of the instrument, which began to emit a humming sound. A moment later, a line was displayed on the screen, "Mercury realm 3 stars."

"Not bad, it has reached 3 stars of the Mercury Realm." Chen Tianming said with satisfaction, "With your talent, it's only a matter of time before you break through to the Venus Realm."

Lin Fan was a little excited, "Then... How do I continue to raise my realm?"

Chen Tianming explained, "Realm advancement requires two conditions: first, the accumulation of star power, and second, tacit cooperation with spirit beasts. Your Taotie is powerful, but the tacit understanding between you still needs to be strengthened."

Lin Fan glanced at Taotie who was lying on the side, and was somewhat helpless in his heart. This "Grand Master" was lazily chewing on a bag of potato chips, completely not taking their conversation seriously.

"By the way, President Chen..." Lin Fan hesitated, "I have a question I've been wanting to ask you."

Chen Tianming: "What question?"

Lin Fan: "Why is Taotie so good at eating? It seems like it can never get enough to eat..."

Chen Tianming froze for a moment, then smiled, "That's a good question. In fact, Taotie's 'eating' is not to fill up its stomach, but to replenish its energy."

Lin Fan: "Replenish energy?"

Chen Tianming nodded: "As a Mythical Grade Spirit Beast, Taotie contains a huge amount of energy in its body. However, it has been sealed for too long and its energy is severely lacking. Therefore, it needs to quickly replenish its energy through 'eating'."

Lin Fan suddenly realized, "I see..."

Just then, the alarm suddenly sounded. Chen Tianming's face instantly became serious: "Not good, something's wrong!"

Lin Fan: "What's wrong?"

Chen Tianming: "We just received a report that a large number of Berserk Spirit Beasts have appeared in the eastern part of the city, the situation is very critical!"

Lin Fan's heart tightened, "Then... What should we do?"

Chen Tianming: "Lin Fan, you and Su Yuqing immediately head to the eastern part of the city to assist the local Imperial Beast Masters in controlling the situation!"

Lin Fan nodded: "Understood!"

He immediately contacted Su Yuqing and the two of them quickly rushed to the City East District. On the way, Lin Fan asked Taotie, "This mission might be dangerous, are you ready?"

Taotie yawned lazily, "Mortal, a mere Berserk Spirit Beast is worth this seat's personal effort?"

Lin Fan: "..."

After arriving at the eastern part of the city, the sight before him stunned Lin Fan. The streets were filled with Berserk Spirit Beasts, which were frantically attacking everything, and even the buildings had been destroyed quite a bit.

"The situation is worse than expected..." Su Yuqing frowned.

Lin Fan took a deep breath, "What should we do?"

Su Yuqing: "First find the source of the spirit beast riot and see if it's related to that black crystal."

They cautiously advanced, avoiding several waves of raging spirit beasts. Just then, a huge wolf-shaped spirit beast suddenly pounced out from the shadows.

"Watch out!" Su Yuqing shouted.

Taotie instantly grew larger and blocked in front of them. The wolf-shaped spirit beast crashed into the Taotie and let out a mournful scream.

Only then did Lin Fan see that it was a Shadow Wolf with bloodshot eyes and sharp fangs.

"It's a Shadow Wolf!" Su Yuqing exclaimed, "Be careful, it's invisible!"

Taotie said disdainfully, "A mere beast, how dare you act recklessly in front of this seat?"

It opened its mouth and let out a deafening roar, "Nine Devilish Flames!"

Black flames erupted from the Taotie's mouth, instantly engulfing the Shadow Wolf. However, the Shadow Wolf was not annihilated, instead it expanded in the flames, becoming as huge as the Taotie in the blink of an eye.

"Not good, it's absorbing dark energy!" Su Yuqing shouted, "We must finish it off as soon as possible!"

Taotie narrowed his eyes, "Mortals, stand back. Let this seat deal with it."

Lin Fan and Su Yuqing stepped back to the side. The Taotie and the Shadow Wolf engaged in a fierce battle. The two behemoths collided on the streets, each clash triggering huge tremors.

The battle lasted for ten minutes before the Taotie finally found an opportunity. It opened its bloody mouth and bit down on the Shadow Wolf's neck, "Devour Heaven and Earth!"

The Dark Shadow Wolf let out one last scream and dissipated into a ball of black gas.

Lin Fan sighed in relief, "Finally, it's settled..."

Just then, the ground suddenly began to shake. A low growl came from the distance, as if some huge creature was approaching.

"Not good, it's the 'Earth Dragon'!" Su Yuqing's face changed drastically, "This kind of spirit beast usually lives underground, how could it appear here?"

Lin Fan's heart tightened, "Earth Dragon? What is that?"

Su Yuqing: "It's a very powerful earth-attribute spirit beast with a strength of at least 5 stars of the Golden Star Realm!"

Taotie narrowed his eyes, "A mere Earth Dragon, how dare you act recklessly in front of this seat?"

It opened its mouth and let out a deafening roar, "Nine Septic Demon Flame!"

Black flames erupted from the Taotie's mouth, instantly engulfing the Earth Dragon. However, the Earth Dragon was not annihilated, instead it expanded in the flames, becoming as huge as the Taotie in the blink of an eye.

"Not good, it's absorbing the power of the earth!" Su Yuqing shouted, "We must finish it off as soon as possible!"

Taotie narrowed his eyes, "Mortals, stand back. Let this seat deal with it."

Lin Fan and Su Yuqing stepped back to the side. The Taotie and the Earth Dragon engaged in a fierce battle. The two behemoths collided in the streets, each clash triggering huge tremors.

The battle lasted for ten minutes before the Taotie finally found an opportunity. It opened its bloody mouth and bit down on the Earth Dragon's neck, "Devour Heaven and Earth!"

The Earth Dragon let out one last scream and dissipated into a cloud of black gas.

Lin Fan sighed in relief, "Finally, it's settled..."

Just then, Taotie suddenly collapsed to the ground and his body began to shrink.

"Taotie!" Lin Fan rushed over, "What's wrong with you?"

Taotie said weakly, "Mortal... This seat... I'm hungry..."

Lin Fan: "..."

Su Yuqing: "..."