Chapter 8: The Supreme Mother River, the Contracted Beast!

"Uncle Zhou, I choose the Dreamweaver Spider!"

Lu Yu is not one to dawdle; he made his decision quickly.

Zhou Cheng, seeing the intense look in Lu Yu's eyes, knew he would choose the Dreamweaver Spider and couldn't help but remind him:

"Are you sure?"

"Yes, I'll choose it. After my parents left, nightmares about the sun have been haunting me. I've seen many psychologists, but it hasn't helped. The Dreamweaver Spider can weave beautiful dreams for me and help me adjust my mental state. Once I reach the Silver Rank, I can choose some powerful combat-type pets."

Lu Yu's reasoning was sound. After all, many people see him as a madman, and choosing a dream-type pet to adjust his mental state is reasonable.

Zhou Cheng couldn't help but feel a bit guilty.

If not for that mission, his parents wouldn't have died, and Lu Yu wouldn't have suffered such a severe blow, leading to hallucinations.

The Divine Hundred Flowers Wine he brought was also specially prepared, just to take better care of the descendants of his former comrades-in-arms.

What made him even more distressed was that the mission had yet to be completed. If it failed, it would trigger a major crisis...

However, the situation had escalated, and he could only participate if he successfully advanced to the Morning Star Rank.

Thinking of this, a shadow of gloom flashed in Zhou Cheng's eyes but was quickly concealed. He comforted Lu Yu:

"That makes sense. This is the last relic of the thousand-year-old Dream Eater Sect before its destruction. Perhaps your Dreamweaver Spider is one of their sacred beasts. Just remember to carefully conceptualize the spirit puzzle for the dream-type pet."

Great, I'll take this reason!

Lu Yu scratched his head, a hint of shyness in his eyes, but in his heart, he was thinking that once he unlocked the secret food inheritance, any changes in the Dreamweaver Spider could be blamed on the Dream Eater Sect and the "Master of Eternal Dreamland."

This would lay a logical foundation for his future growth.

After all, no one could argue with him.

However, Lu Yu didn't rush to take the Dreamweaver Spider but instead asked:

"Uncle Zhou, what is the spirit puzzle?"

Zhou Cheng frequently mentioned this term with a hint of suggestion, indicating its importance.

Finally, he asked!

Zhou Cheng's face broke into a sly smile as he said with a righteous tone: "Normally, the spirit puzzle is a secret you would only learn when you become a Gold Beastmaster. However, since you are here to exchange for the Gold Medal, the Warden must answer your questions, which is within the rules."

This was all part of his deliberate guidance. By repeatedly emphasizing the spirit puzzle, he wanted to reveal some hidden knowledge to Lu Yu. However, as the acting Warden, he couldn't reveal it proactively but could answer passively.

Zhou Cheng asked Lu Yu: "Do you know why the Beastmaster Space can accelerate the growth of pets?"

"Because of the Supreme Mother River. The Beastmaster Space of humans is connected to the Mother River, allowing the absorption of primal spirit energy, which is then converted to nurture pets. The stronger one is, the faster the conversion efficiency. This is a unique talent of humans."

Lu Yu answered without hesitation, as this was basic content in Beastmaster courses.

"Exactly, it's because of the Supreme Mother River. Countless worlds and dimensions are merely grains of sand in the Mother River, differing only in size. She is the origin of all spirit energy, and the Beastmaster Space of humans is a miracle granted by the Mother River."

Zhou Cheng organized his thoughts and continued:

"If we compare the Mother River to an ocean, humans are like inhabitants of a small island of ignorance in the dark sea. This vast ocean is full of secrets but also fraught with dangers. If one dives directly into it, they will only drown. Therefore, a ship is needed to navigate."

"Ship?" Lu Yu seemed to have an idea and asked in surprise: "Can humans enter the Mother River?"

"Very clever!"

Zhou Cheng, looking at the unperturbed Chiyue Meng, continued in a teaching manner:

"I can tell you that to advance to the Morning Star Rank, one must enter the Mother River. The spirit puzzle is like a ship that helps you navigate. The quality of the puzzle determines how far you can travel, and most importantly, it helps you hide yourself to avoid being detected by unknown entities..."

Lu Yu murmured: "The Dark Forest Law..."

Zhou Cheng asked curiously: "Dark Forest? What does that mean?"

"It's something I read in a book..."

Lu Yu didn't hide it. After all, the sky above this world is also a starry sky, and although he didn't know if there was a universe, the term was the same, making it easy to understand. He gave a brief explanation.

Chiyue Meng's expression was calm, but the ripples in her eyes showed she wasn't as calm as she appeared.

Zhou Cheng, whose face usually showed no emotion, also showed a hint of surprise and couldn't help but praise:

"This author is no simple person. He compares the universe to a dark forest, where each civilization is a hunter with a gun, stealthily moving through the forest, carefully pushing aside branches and trying not to make a sound, even breathing cautiously.

It seems to be about hunting, but it's actually about the resource plundering and the chain of suspicion between civilizations. This person has a wild imagination and must have entered the Mother River. I can't wait to read this book. What's its title?"

"I've forgotten the name. I'll look it up and tell you next time."

Lu Yu casually replied. After all, in his previous life, he had only read some explanations and couldn't replicate Liu Cixin's book from fragmented passages.

Zhou Cheng didn't press further and continued:

"However, regarding the Mother River, you should consider it when you reach the Gold Spirit level. What I want to talk about is another ability of the spirit puzzle: balance.

You should know that humans absorbing spirit energy can cause mutations, which is due to being too close to the Mother River, absorbing too much incomprehensible knowledge. Using pets is like having a filter, but even filters have limits. Like a water purifier, it can filter clean water, but once the filter is completely polluted, even after filtering, it will still be dirty water.

Using pets is the same. Daily use and raising them is fine, like a lake that can self-purify. But if you engage in frequent battles, overusing spirit energy, it will eventually lead to the filter being polluted, causing the pet to become tainted. This can result in a change in personality or even a mutation that backfires on the human. However, pets can't be discarded like ordinary filters. What should be done?"

Lu Yu thought, and Chiyue Meng provided the answer:

"Upgrade it!"

Zhou Cheng nodded in satisfaction and continued: "Exactly, upgrade it. If the original filter is no longer durable, use a new pet to carry the load and create a new balance. This isn't a random choice; it needs to match the attributes of the first pet.

For example, if your girlfriend's first pet is of the Abyssal type, her other pets will also be Abyssal or other negative attributes like darkness or undead. If you force a choice of a Holy Light-type pet, it may conflict, leading to constant rejection and ultimately a burst pipe. Of course, some have succeeded in controlling multiple extreme attributes and became powerful, but they are exceptions.

The geniuses of major families have spirit puzzles passed down through countless years of experimentation, monopolizing related pets. This not only prevents mental issues from frequent battles but also greatly enhances combat power through perfect coordination. Some even develop laws early...

Anyway, if you choose a dream-type pet, your next pets should not conflict in attributes. Pay attention to maintaining a balance of spirit energy among your pets."

Chiyue Meng's pupils subtly formed hearts, revealing a sense of joy at the playful term "girlfriend."

Lu Yu, unaware of the girl's reaction, absorbed the precious knowledge like a sponge and couldn't help but marvel:

"A true word is worth a thousand volumes of false ones."

Just this conversation alone could save him countless detours.

Thinking of this, Lu Yu sincerely thanked him: "Uncle Zhou, thank you!"

"Get lost, don't be so sappy!" Zhou Cheng laughed and scolded, then manipulated the roots of the Warden's Demon Flower to fetch the Dreamweaver Spider's egg from the cave and handed it to Lu Yu.

It didn't feel sticky as expected but rather like touching the finest silk, incredibly smooth.

Faintly, he could sense the weak life movements inside.

Before leaving, Zhou Cheng said meaningfully:

"Don't think you're crazy. You'll know later that Beastmasters... are just a bunch of lunatics!"

With that, he left a note with his contact information and departed with a cool demeanor.

Lu Yu laughed, finding the old man's attempt to look cool amusing, but he didn't seem as optimistic as he appeared.

Since there was no turning back, he might as well crush the thorns and see the scenery at the mountain peak.

After registering the information for receiving the pet, Lu Yu, eager to unlock the new inheritance of the "Key of Truth," said he would take Chiyue Meng out for a meal in two days. She remained silent.

"Is that...?"

"Xiaolongbao!"

Lu Yu thought she was unimpressed by the meal, but then he heard her voice.

Looking down, though her expression was still calm, he sensed a hint of anticipation.

Though he didn't understand why a young lady like Chiyue Meng would like street food, if she enjoyed it, it would save him money, and why not?

"Okay!"

Lu Yu nodded in agreement. The bus arrived, and he swiped his monthly card to board, waving goodbye.

Chiyue Meng watched silently, her nearly perfect appearance drawing the attention of all the passengers on the bus.

Only when the bus disappeared from sight did she收回目光，拿出手机，是一个聊天记录的截屏。

【暮鸦：我家门口的小笼包还挺好吃的，有空请你尝尝】

赤月梦目光深邃，呢喃道：

“想吃……”

……………………………………

另一边，陆羽回到家，迅速锁好门窗，拉好窗帘，按照课本上教导的方法刻画出御兽法阵，将梦织蛛卵放在中心，并在茧上滴入了一滴鲜血。

嗡！

伴随着一声轻吟！

契约仪式启动，数十个节点接连亮起，如同星辰般的光点从法阵中升起，迅速填满了整个房间。

星光流转，在他和眼前的梦织蛛之间建立了无形的联系。

陆羽感到灵魂多了几分重量，一股孺慕的情绪传递而来，渴望着降生。

第一只御兽，

契约成功！

接下来创造秘食进化了，求支持！

(Note: The last part of the original text was not translated as it was a request for support, which is not part of the story content.)