Beast Taming Patrol Chapter 1522: 427: Lin Su's Decision (Double-Length, Finale Countdown: 24)

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“Crack… crack…”

A sequence of sharp, snapping noises drew the attention of Lin Su and the five creatures standing outside the glowing cocoon. They were uncertain of exactly how much time had slipped by.

Expectation was written across their faces as they turned in unison toward the radiant shell.

The energy ripples within the light cocoon had completely settled by now, signaling that the process of Tata’s transformation had reached its conclusion.

None of them knew what Tata’s new appearance would be.

While everyone watched with bated breath, fractures began to spiderweb across the surface of the cocoon.

Then, following a distinct shattering sound, Tata’s updated form abruptly popped its head out from the shell.

It scanned its surroundings with a look of bewilderment, only showing joy upon spotting Lin Su and the five little companions as it scrambled out of the remnants of the cocoon.

Lin Su and the others were left speechless by Tata’s current state.

Previously small enough for Lin Su to cradle easily, Tata had grown to a size comparable to Lanlan and Youyou. Its fur now displayed distinct layers of varying lengths.

The fur on its limbs and torso—the primary areas for physical movement—had turned pure white and very short, while the rest of its body retained the original pink hue. Furthermore, new circular patterns decorated its arms.

Even more unusual was the magic wand Tata gripped, which was encircled by Five-colored Stars.

The sight of that familiar design immediately reminded Lin Su and the five creatures of the previous Electric Control Mage.

The unique "Y" shaped structure atop Tata's head, which housed the Five-colored Gem, was also quite striking; it was surrounded by pulsing, intermittent halos that bestowed a sense of mystery.

“Did you evolve?” Lin Su couldn't help but inquire. “This qualifies as an evolution, doesn't it?”

“Yes…” Tata looked over its own body for the first time, scratching its head after a brief pause. “Why wouldn't it count?”

“Power is what determines evolution, not just looks,” Ghost remarked with calm analysis. “Since Tata has acquired a combat class, it is definitely an evolution.”

Indeed, alongside the physical changes, Lin Su and the creatures noticed the most significant shift since Tata appeared.

The creature that once lacked attributes now possessed one.

Combat Type.

This served as proof for what the Desolate Venerate had once claimed: as long as life exists, there is always a path to evolve into a combat class.

“Since it has a combat class now, do you think its talent skills have shifted?” Youyou asked, tilting its head with curiosity. “What are the new skills?”

“Well…” Tata sensed its newfound strength, a peculiar expression crossing its face. “I didn't actually get more skills; in fact, I have fewer than before…”

“Every skill that was awakened by the Five-colored Gem has vanished…”

“What?!”

Lin Su and the five little creatures stared in surprise.

“However, I’ve gained five entirely new skills!” Tata quickly clarified. “And I can still utilize the old skills from the Five-colored Gem; they have simply been integrated into other abilities.”

“I understand.” Lin Su gave a thoughtful nod. “Does that mean Recovery Song is still your core skill?”

“No, not anymore.” Tata shook its head. “Recovery Song has transitioned into a talent skill, while the core skill has been replaced by something completely different.”

“It is called Retribution.”

A brief silence followed the announcement.

Lin Su and the five creatures exchanged looks.

Then, they all turned their attention back to Tata.

“Retribution?!”

The name of the skill was bizarre and sounded rather threatening.

“Should I let you test the effect on me?” Ghost asked, unable to hide its curiosity.

The name had immediately piqued its interest.

With a quick movement, Ghost positioned itself directly in front of Tata.

Tata, of course, had no objections.

Second Brother was incredibly powerful; a casual strike shouldn't cause any real harm, right?

Tata lifted the magic wand effortlessly and began a rhythmic rapping.

Ghost: “…”

Something felt strange; why did it sound like that?

Before Ghost could process it, Tata had already begun a rapid chant of the fifth chapter of the Divine Court Sacrificial Song—

Tribulation Ash!

Upon attaining the emperor rank, Tata was no longer restricted to the fourth chapter; it had unlocked the power to chant both the fifth and sixth chapters.

The Fifth Chapter—Tribulation Ash.

The Sixth Chapter—Unyielding.

The former was an offensive chapter far more terrifying than Holy Judgment, while the latter was a purely defensive chapter with equally incredible properties.

As the final note of the chant echoed, a crimson mist seemed to coat the void for miles, with turbulent waves of heat rolling in every direction.

Intense flames burst from the vacuum behind Tata. The heat was so extreme it seemed capable of liquefying space itself; even the briefest contact with these fires would reduce any living thing to dust.

This was the source of the fifth chapter's name.

At that moment, the terrifying flames transformed into a golden-red radiance upon surfacing. Accompanied by a violent sonic boom and a localized whirlwind, the heat consumed everything in its path as it crashed down toward Ghost!

Ghost: “!!!”

Weren't they supposed to be testing the core skill, Retribution?!

Faced with the incoming inferno, even the mask on Ghost's face began to flicker—a sign that it was taking the situation very seriously.

Its image blurred instantly as it attempted to phase into a different layer of space.

However, Ghost was forced to return to its original spatial layer almost immediately.

The Tribulation Ash released by Tata through the fifth chapter was simply too overwhelming.

These flames, carrying the weight of the heavens, truly had the power to dissolve space.

The distinct spatial layers Ghost had constructed using the Stacking Space Rule were showing signs of melting and fusing together.