Thunder Leopard had no choice but to agree to the pet contract with Chris.
Seeing Thunder Leopard agree, Chris’s face lit up with joy. Before long, the contract was signed, and Thunder Leopard became Chris’s spirit pet.
With Thunder Leopard now under Chris’s command, the trio left the cave. Chris looked at the beast and declared, “From today onward, your name is Stripes!”
“Roar!” Thunder Leopard let out a defiant growl, but it was clear resistance was futile. From that moment, a beast named Stripes accompanied Chris on his journey.
Suddenly, a furious roar echoed through the air.
Hearing the sound, Chris and the others turned pale. They looked in the direction of the noise and saw a Fifth Grade pinnacle beast-Jungle Python.
The Jungle Python was powerful, its strength on par with the pinnacle realm. However, it was clearly injured, with blood dripping from its abdomen. The beast glared at them, its crimson tongue flicking dangerously as its eyes burned with malice.
“What do we do now, Chris?” Jolin and Bob immediately turned to him, their faces filled with unease.
Unknowingly, Chris had become their anchor, the one they relied on in moments of crisis.
Chris measured the situation, his sharp eyes narrowing as he assessed the Jungle Python. If it weren’t injured, he would have chosen to flee. But seeing its weakened state, Chris gritted his teeth and asked, “Do you dare to take a big risk with me?”
The two were stunned, their expressions filled with disbelief. They hadn’t expected Chris to even consider confronting the Jungle Python.
Jolin took a deep breath and nodded. “Alright, we’ll follow your lead!”
Without hesitation, the three of them, along with Stripes, launched an attack on the Jungle Python.
The battle was fierce. Chris slashed down with his blade, drawing a pained roar from the massive beast. However, the Jungle Python’s defenses were formidable, and Chris’s strike only inflicted a minor wound.
“Roar!”
The Jungle Python roared again and again, its fury ignited by Chris’s audacity. It retaliated with a ferocity that forced Chris to retreat.
At the critical moment, Stripes launched an assault on the beast, giving the group an opening.
After an intense struggle, the team finally managed to slay the Jungle Python.
Once the beast was dead, Chris retrieved its Heartstone. For beasts, the higher their grade, the more valuable their Heartstone. There was no doubt that this Heartstone was the most precious one Chris had ever acquired, worth at least five thousand dollars.
For Chris, it was a significant windfall.
Jolin and Bob, however, showed little interest in the Heartstone. As the heir to the Tomczak family, Jolin wasn’t concerned about such a sum.
Chris turned to Stripes and praised it, “Stripes, you did well this time. This bottle of water is your reward.”
He tossed a small vial of milky white liquid to Stripes. Overjoyed, the beast eagerly drank it down.
For Chris, the Jungle Python wasn’t just about the Heartstone-its entire body was a treasure. He stored the beast’s corpse in his storage ring before the group resumed their journey the following day.
After traveling for more than ten days, they finally emerged from the Celestial Peaks and arrived at Stormwatch.
The city gates were bustling with people coming and going.
Jolin let out a sigh of relief. “Finally, we’re home.”
Together, they entered the vibrant city of Stormwatch.
Compared to Flameforge, Stormwatch was even more prosperous. As one of the renowned cities in Verdantia, it was also home to the influential Tomczak family.
Upon arriving at the Tomczak estate, the group was greeted by the sight of a sprawling property teeming with guards and servants, a testament to the family’s wealth.
At that moment, a man in his fifties stepped out.
“Father!” Jolin rushed forward, her voice filled with joy.
The man was Liam, the head of the Tomczak family and Jolin’s father.
Liam’s face lit up as he saw his daughter. “You’re finally back,” he said warmly.
Jolin’s eyes reddened as she replied, “Father, I almost didn’t make it back…”
She recounted the events of their journey, sparing no detail.
After hearing her story, Liam turned to Chris with gratitude. “Thank you, young man, for escorting my daughter home safely. If you don’t mind, please stay with us for a few days.”
Chris, having no ties in Stormwatch and in need of rest, nodded. “Thank you for the hospitality.”
Liam ordered a room to be prepared for Chris and hosted a banquet in his honor that evening.
“To the young man who saved my daughter-this toast is for you!” Liam raised his glass with a smile.
“Mr. Tomczak, you’re too kind,” Chris replied as they clinked glasses.
After the meal, Chris retired to his room to rest.
The next morning, Jolin found Chris.
“Mr. Shelby, here are five thousand dollars as payment for escorting me home.” She handed him a pouch filled with Essence Stones.
Chris accepted it, his face lighting up with delight. The journey had been dangerous, but the rewards were substantial.
Jolin suddenly said, “Mr. Shelby, there’s an auction in Stormwatch tomorrow. Would you be interested in attending?”
“An auction?” Chris hesitated before nodding. “Sure, I’d like to take a look.”
Meanwhile, elsewhere in the Tomczak estate, a meeting was taking place.
“Baldy, I spent so many Essence Stones on this operation, but you failed to kill Jolin and even allowed her to return home. You’ve disappointed me greatly.”
The speaker was a furious elderly man in his sixties-Lucas, Jolin’s uncle.
The bald man gritted his teeth. “I mobilized every bandit I had, but a young man ruined everything. He killed many of my men.”
Lucas sneered coldly. “That young man you mentioned is here in our home. His name is Chris, just a mere cultivator, and his strength is only at the mid-pinnacle stage. Yet, you couldn’t even deal with him? Useless!”