The Medallion

It was fortunate that few people would come deep into the thick bamboo forest. Otherwise, they would be shocked to see what had happened there.

After learning the Magical Evaluation Skill for about a month, Rocky was able to master the first grade of the skill, enough to help him know the quality and star level of most animals. But until now, he was still not able to tell the star level and quality of Uriah, whose power was much stronger.

He had learned a lot about the skill, telling apart the quality of spirit-manipulated beasts. But these royal spirit manipulators that he lived with would not lend any beasts to him as yet. Besides, Mia forbade him from going out of the dragon field. They denied him a chance to use what he had learned recently.

Besides the Magical Evaluation Skill, Rocky had also cultivated with the magical saliva for one month. His strength had reached the fourth grade of the Mortal Stage from the third grade, which was a significant improvement. Now, he didn't need to dilute the magical saliva. Instead, he could drink it directly because his body could absorb it more readily.

The magical saliva and daily exercise helped much in rebuilding his body. Just last month, he was very weak. Nobody would have expected him to make such big strides in a matter of weeks. At the beginning, he had been but a skinny boy, unlike the fine young man he now was.

Most importantly, Uriah spat four drops of the magical saliva daily, rather than three drops. Rocky used one drop every day and saved the other three in the bottle. Now, he had three bottles of the magical saliva. He had a plan. If he could meet Marcia again, he'd ask for an exchange of the spiritual crystals with the magical saliva.

"I need to go back for a while. You had better stay here quietly. Don't run all the time. I'll only be away for a short time," he told Uriah, who was sitting by, quietly enjoying his meal.

Uriah turned back and growled in reply, only for a moment before going on happily with his meal.

Shortly after, Rocky left the bamboo forest, heading straight to his room, where he met Flint. As Flint entered the room, he nodded to acknowledge Rocky politely. During the month, they hardly spoke to each other, since Rocky mostly stayed in the forest. They rarely met.

Meeting in the room today was by coincidence, as Flint too had come back to take his Cloud Tiger for a walk.

However, Rocky remembered Flint had agreed to lend him the Cloud Tiger last time when he helped treat it. He had almost forgotten. "Flint, wait a moment!" he called out.

"What's the matter?" Flint turned back.

"Err, I remember you have promised to lend me your Cloud Tiger?" Rocky asked with a bit of hesitation, hoping that Flint was not forgetful.

"Yes, I do. But I thought you were kidding at that moment." If Rocky didn't mention it, Flint had already forgotten it.

"Can I borrow it for a few days, please? Don't worry. I won't abuse it. I only need it one hour every night," Rocky added.

Flint thought for a moment before he agreed to lend out the Cloud Tiger to Rocky for three days.

"No problem!" Rocky gestured to show that he agreed with him.

So Flint left the room with Cloud Tiger.

After taking a short nap in his room, Rocky went to the kitchen, where he had helped the cooks before. During the month, whenever he came back, he would gladly help them with chores. So Jerry and the other cooks were so fond of him and enjoyed having him around. It also gave his opportunity to get some vegetables for Uriah, who had lately eaten so much raw meat that it got Rocky worried. Just before Rocky entered the kitchen, he heard people's excited chitchat, but he didn't pay much attention to what they were saying.

"Bear, your Lion Eagle has reached the first grade in such a short time. I am even envious of you."

"Me, too! My war beast hasn't made any progress so far and it only eats and sleeps all the day."

"But Bear is so excellent that we are unable to keep pace with him. He must be feeding the beast something else, besides what we all feed ours."

When Rocky understood what they were talking about, he looked around and saw a group of people walking toward the dragon field. Bear was at the front of the group, flanked by two young men that Rocky had once taught a lesson. Behind them, a few other young men followed.

Every one among them had brought their war beasts. All at one star, two stars or three stars. Bear's Lion Eagle was the only three-star war beast among them. It was the highest-ranking among them all — about thirty spirit manipulators in total.

The higher star level a beast had, the more potential it had. That meant a three-star beast here had such a promising future, especially among these newcomers.

As they walked around, Bear and his group didn't take notice of Rocky. Rocky had changed a lot during the month, so they didn't recognize him at once.

"In fact, I only give Lion Eagle a red spiritual crystal. The leader of the Ximen Clan knew that I had selected a three-star, so he gave me the crystal to encourage me," Bear boasting, when he heard them all flowing with praises.

"Red spiritual crystal? That's a priceless treasure! Boy, you're so lucky! The leader of the Ximen Clan gave it to you! It is such a rich and powerful clan, and it's a pity that I don't belong there." The young men envied Bear.

"That's just but a tip of the iceberg. The leader promised me another crystal if I go back with the best grade from the dragon field," Bear said with a proud expression.

As he expected, all the young men grew envious.

"It is just a red spiritual crystal. Not a big deal!" A disdainful voice cut in.

Surprised, Bear and his partners lifted their heads to size up the cynic - a young man, right in their eyes, looking at them with a cocky smile.

"You are..." Bear and his crew thought the party-pooper was familiar, but they couldn't quite put a name to the face.

"I am your grandfather!" Rocky crossed his arms.

"You are..." Bear gazed at Rocky carefully and shouted in surprise, "You... you are Basil Long?"

"That's right, my grandson!" Rocky smiled.0000