Back home.
Xu Zhou opened the bedroom door, and a rush of beastly scent hit him in the face.
Inside the bedroom, a steel beast stood, 1.5 meters tall and 2 meters long, crouching on the floor.
Its feathers covered its body down to the tail, displaying a dark golden metallic sheen, with its wings spread out like an armored machine, exuding a powerful aura.
This is the Saber-toothed Dragon Beast now.
After a month of frenzied growth, its weight has soared to 358.5 kilograms!
Looking at the Saber-toothed Dragon Beast taking up half the room, Xu Zhou sighed softly.
"This guy is getting bigger and bigger. If it keeps growing, this room won't be able to fit it anymore," Xu Zhou lamented.
He had previously told his parents and sister not to enter his room.
So, for now, his family had not discovered the terrifying beast inside his room.
Fortunately, his avatar does not excrete; all the food is converted into nutrients, otherwise, the waste would also be a major problem.
At this moment, Xu Zhou became even more determined to send the avatar into the Thousand Demon Cave.
Otherwise, if it continued to stay in this room, it would undoubtedly cause problems sooner or later.
"How should I send it to the Thousand Demon Cave?" Xu Zhou was a bit troubled.
If others saw this mutant beast, they might get scared and immediately call the police.
By that time, he wouldn't even know how to explain it.
Should he say it's his pet?
After a while, Xu Zhou shook off these thoughts and began feeding the Saber-toothed Dragon Beast.
He poured the food he bought today into a large basin.
The Saber-toothed Dragon Beast opened its big mouth, picked up a piece of beef brisket from the basin, and its four 20 cm long saber teeth crushed the entire piece of brisket.
"Crunch crunch!"
It continued eating, and before long, all the food was gone.
"Ugh... Burp!" Finally, the Saber-toothed Dragon Beast let out a satisfied burp.
[Rank +16%]
[Qi-Blood +0.4 Cal]
——
The weight of the Saber-toothed Dragon Beast increased by another 10 kilograms.
Feeling the warmth rising within, Xu Zhou's lips curled into a smile.
Although the size of the avatar was troubling, the continual enhancements it brought were truly satisfying to him.
"Xu Zhou, come out for dinner." At this time, Li Ruoxi knocked on the door from outside.
"Coming."
Xu Zhou got up and went out.
...
Tonight, his parents didn't come home, so Li Ruoxi took up the role of the chef once again.
In the living room, the aroma of delicious food filled the air, with four dishes on the table: gold-foil pork chop, sweet and sour pork, cumin beef, and tomato egg soup, all exuding a delightful scent.
Watching this, Xu Zhou's appetite piqued, and he picked up a bowl of rice and started eating voraciously.
Sitting beside him, Li Ruoxi glanced at him, seeing him eat so engrossed, her rosy lips couldn't help but curl slightly.
After Xu Zhou had eaten halfway, Li Ruoxi suddenly asked, "Have you ever fought with virtual mutant beasts?"
"Virtual mutant beasts?" Xu Zhou was slightly stunned.
"You can enter the virtual pod at school to fight virtual mutant beasts," Li Ruoxi looked at him, "Didn't I mention it to you last time?"
"Oh," Xu Zhou realized, then shook his head, "I've been busy cultivating combat techniques this month, haven't gone there yet."
"Idiot," Li Ruoxi rolled her eyes at him, "Don't you know the fastest way to improve combat techniques is through actual combat?"
"Practicing in vain isn't useful; fighting with virtual mutant beasts is the most effective way to enhance your power."
Her voice was cold, "Though your power is at the bottom rank of the Dragon and Tiger list, it's far from enough to survive in the Thousand Demon Cave."
Xu Zhou felt helpless; his sister was starting again.
"Don't take it lightly," Li Ruoxi met his gaze with her beautiful eyes, "Right now, you're still far from the top ten of the Dragon and Tiger list."
Xu Zhou shook his head and laughed, "Sis, you're overestimating me, comparing me with the top ten of the Dragon and Tiger list."
He was only a high school freshman!
However, Li Ruoxi was right, the top ten of the Dragon and Tiger list not only had Qi-Blood exceeding 130 Cal but their combat techniques had generally surpassed the third tier.
Moreover, the top ten were mostly at the A-level talent, and their 130 Cal in Qi-Blood differed entirely from an average person's 130 Cal.
Xu Zhou's current Qi-Blood was at 91 Cal, equivalent to about 120 Cal of an A-level talent, and his combat style was only at the peak of the second tier.
Indeed, there was a considerable gap compared to them.
Take Li Ruoxi for instance, Xu Zhou still couldn't gauge her depths.
As his strength increased, he became increasingly aware of the astonishing combat power hidden beneath Li Ruoxi's cold exterior.
If they were to engage, he might be defeated by Li Ruoxi in just two moves.
"I don't expect you to reach the level of the top ten of the Dragon and Tiger list."
Li Ruoxi's almond eyes focused intently on Xu Zhou, "But at least...you can fight alongside me, right?"
"Don't end up getting weak at the knees the moment you see a mutant beast."
Xu Zhou remained silent; was she worried he might be a burden?
"Okay, I'll follow your advice," Xu Zhou promised, "I'll go check out the virtual pod tomorrow."
He was a bit curious too, could mutant beasts really be that fierce?
His Saber-toothed Dragon Beast was already over 300 kilograms, yet it was like a baby.
...
The next day, after reaching school, Xu Zhou unusually didn't head straight to Cao Yong's office.
After reviewing his lessons for two hours in the classroom, he stood up, planning to head to the virtual pod.
Just then, Cao Yong called from the doorway: "Xu Zhou, come here."
Xu Zhou was taken aback but walked over, saying, "Teacher, I won't be coming to your office today; I want to check out the virtual pod."
"To the virtual pod? Let's talk later," Cao Yong didn't ask much and continued, "Come with me, someone wants to see you."
Xu Zhou was slightly surprised; someone wants to see him?
Following Cao Yong's lead, Xu Zhou made his way to the principal's office.
Initially, Xu Zhou thought it was the principal who wanted to see him.
But upon entering the office, he found several strangers inside.
Among them, a middle-aged man in a black suit sat facing the principal, his expression stern and presence like a deep abyss, clearly a master.
Yet the focus of everyone's attention wasn't on him.
Instead, it was on a young girl beside him.
Clad in opulent clothes, her skin was fair, her face untouched by makeup yet as delicate as a porcelain doll, with long hair like a black waterfall cascading over her shoulders.
The side slit of her white dress revealed a pair of long legs, her feet adorned with intricately crafted high-end sandals, exposing ten jade-like toes.
Noticing someone entering, the girl turned to face Xu Zhou.
"You must be Xu Zhou?" the girl asked, sounding rather surprised.
Xu Zhou nodded, "And you are?"
"I am Jiang Lan," the girl replied.
Beside her, the principal chuckled, "She hails from the provincial capital of Jiangzhou, the Inner City Jiang City, and is a direct lineage of the Jiang Family."
"Inner City..." Xu Zhou nodded slightly, having not had the best impression of Inner City lately.
Looking at Xu Zhou, Jiang Lan smiled, "I heard your school has a unique S-level talent, even among S-levels, it's considered top-notch."
"Coincidentally, I'm headed to the Thousand Demon Cave, so I thought I'd stop by and have a look."
Xu Zhou was a little surprised, not by his talent being known in the Inner City, but rather... that she was also going to the Thousand Demon Cave?
Linjiang City was a small city, at least a thousand kilometers away from Jiang City.
Even the direct lineage of the Inner City traveled such a distance to come here, indicating that the Thousand Demon Cave zone was more complex than he imagined.
Beside him, the principal spoke in a solemn voice, "Miss Jiang officially came to see you; if you can satisfy her; it might be your opportunity."
"Opportunity?" Xu Zhou was puzzled.
Jiang Lan, looking at Xu Zhou, her voice clear and crisp, said, "I heard from your principal that within just a month, you've increased your Qi-Blood by more than ten Cal. Is it true?"
Xu Zhou nodded, "More or less."
Beside them, the middle-aged man in the black suit somberly suggested, "Young lady, should we take him for a test?"
"No need."
Jiang Lan extended her snow-white delicate hand toward Xu Zhou, "Hit me with all your might; I want to see how much Qi-Blood you have."
Upon hearing this, Xu Zhou hesitated slightly.
"Don't worry about injuring me," Jiang Lan said indifferently, her peach blossom eyes gazing at Xu Zhou, "I am in my third year of high school; your full strength won't hurt me."
Xu Zhou nodded, refraining from saying much.
He roused his Qi-Blood, then unleashed a palm strike onto Jiang Lan's hand.
"Boom!"
Jiang Lan's body shook, taking a step back.
"Miss!" The man in the black suit was startled, quickly standing up.
Jiang Lan motioned, "It's fine."
She raised her head, looking at Xu Zhou, her porcelain doll-like face showing a hint of surprise.
"I slightly underestimated you; your Qi-Blood has reached around 95 Cal..."
"95 Cal?"
Upon hearing these words, both Cao Yong and the principal displayed faces of utter astonishment.
Especially the principal, whose expression was visibly shaken.
His impression of Xu Zhou was still lingering on the victory over Huang Hao a month ago.
Back then, he believed Xu Zhou's Qi-Blood was only at 80 Cal, yet within a month's time, it had increased significantly?!
"This boy, obviously with a beast talent, how did his Qi-Blood increase so swiftly?" the principal was utterly taken aback.
Despite his extensive experience, this moment seemed hard to believe.
Yet Xu Zhou remained calm, as he hadn't shown his true strength just now.
Otherwise, with Jiang Lan's guard down and his full power in one palm strike, he had at least 130 Cal strength, enough to severely injure her.
Of course, Jiang Lan's strength was formidable; even without revealing any aura, Xu Zhou felt a significant pressure, unsure if he could win.
At this moment, Jiang Lan recovered, her face showing a trace of astonishment.
To reach 95 Cal Qi-Blood in his first year, even in the Inner City, it was considered genius.
She looked at Xu Zhou, her gaze filled with a slight admiration, and said, "Not bad, are you willing to join the Jiang Family in the Inner City?"
"The Inner City Jiang Family?" Xu Zhou was slightly stunned.
"To be precise, after you graduate from high school, you will become an external member of the Jiang Family," Jiang Lan smiled and said, "By then, you will, in name, be part of the Jiang Family in the Inner City, eligible for the full benefits and treatment of the Jiang Family."
Xu Zhou frowned mildly; how could he easily agree to join an unfamiliar faction?
Although the Inner City's status seemed quite elevated indeed.
"Xu Zhou," the principal interjected, "the Jiang Family is Jiangzhou's foremost family, with a substantial number of experts and considerable financial power."
"If you can become a member of the Jiang Family, every month you'll receive a massive amount of cultivation resources, and most importantly, you'll become a citizen of the Inner City, obtaining a status akin to a fish leaping through the dragon gate."
Xu Zhou's heart was slightly stirred.
He had no concrete conception of Jiangzhou's foremost family.
But joining the Jiang Family, having a massive amount of cultivation resources each month?
Even the principal called it massive, so the quantity must be significant.
For a moment, Xu Zhou felt somewhat tempted.
At this point, Cao Yong suddenly spoke, "Miss Jiang, from what I understand, the external members of the Jiang Family also have different tiers."
"If it's the lowest tier, the benefits and treatment are no different from being an employee in some minor companies."
Jiang Lan nodded slightly but didn't say anything.
Looking at her, Cao Yong continued seriously, "Miss Jiang, if Xu Zhou were to join the Jiang Family, what tier of treatment could he expect?"
As soon as the question was asked, Xu Zhou also looked at Jiang Lan.
The tier of treatment represented the importance of him in her eyes.
If the importance was minimal, there was no need to agree.
Soon, Jiang Lan spoke up.