Decided To Lie!
Eddie's venture into the perilous arena proved rewarding. He emerged not only with the Golden Bell, the Blindness Stone, and a cryptic treasure map, but he also achieved a significant upgrade in his Insight ability.
This enhancement brought him closer to his aspirational goal of maximizing this skill, harboring a secret desire for its potential X-ray vision.
However, the triumph was slightly marred by the hefty sum of fifteen gold coins he had to part with for the treasure map.
This expenditure weighed heavily on Eddie, who was accustomed to the comforts of affluence, leaving him feeling a pinch of near-bankruptcy.
Upon leaving the arena, he was greeted by the sight of his companion, the Grey Wolf, writhing in apparent distress.
Initially mistaking its discomfort as a consequence of gluttonous indulgence in the Chimera's tail, Eddie soon discovered the true cause — an evolutionary leap from a Bronze Level 3 to a Bronze Level 4 creature.
This transformation was not without its trials, evidenced by a sizable green crystal that had gotten lodged in the wolf's throat.
This magic crystal, stealthily extracted by the Grey Wolf from the Chimera's skull, was the source of its anguish. Eddie, irked by the wolf's audacious move to claim his rightful loot, gave it a firm kick.
The forceful act, though harsh, serendipitously dislodged the crystal, averting a fatal choking hazard. Chastened, Grey Wolf hurriedly returned the now-clean crystal to Eddie, its eyes shimmering with a mischievous innocence that seemed to say, "I was just giving it a taste."
Eddie couldn't help but feel a mix of amusement and irritation at Grey Wolf's capers.
He mused that if he had arrived even a moment later, Grey Wolf could have made history on the Dragon-Teng Continent as the first beast to choke to death on a magic crystal, before it could even revel in its newfound strength.
Eddie had narrowly escaped being trapped in the secret chamber due to his prolonged investigation in the right annex.
He felt a surge of relief as he exited the illuminated room housing two divine statues.
One held a radiant orb on a golden platter, while the other, blindfolded, balanced a golden scale with its hands.
Placing his crystal card on the scale, Eddie watched as a rainbow of light enveloped it. The orb above the scale illuminated powerfully, bestowing beams of white light upon both the Shadow Bull and Grey Wolf. The light was significantly more intense for the Shadow Bull, which basked in its glow, transforming the once-bright orb into a dim, energy-depleted crystal.
Eddie, ever the opportunist, attempted to claim the large crystal but found it immovable, bound by the laws of the realm. With time pressing and the secret door threatening to close, he swiftly retrieved his crystal card and made a hasty retreat.
Back at the teleportation circle, Eddie reflected on the harrowing yet exhilarating challenge of the Zodiac Chambers. Despite initial underestimation, he emerged with invaluable experience and a substantial boost in battle points, surpassing the cumulative efforts of his comrades, Yehken, Lyqeen, and Lyken.
However, the true reward lay in the mysterious white light and its effects on the Shadow Bull. Upon inspecting his summoning tome, Eddie discovered that the Shadow Bull had gained a trait previously thought unattainable for beasts: rudimentary intelligence.
This newfound attribute filled him with a mix of astonishment and delight, acknowledging the rarity and value of intellectual advancement in creatures.
This transformation from a mere brute force to a thinking ally marked a significant turning point, potentially elevating the Shadow Bull's status from a mere powerhouse to a creature of strategic significance.
Intelligence is a critical factor in evaluating a beast's evolutionary potential. The greater the intelligence, the higher the potential for evolution, leading to more advanced and varied skills.
This distinction between divine and ordinary beasts lies primarily in intelligence. In other words, it's akin to the difference between humans and monkeys.
The Shadow Bull initially lacked intelligence, knowing only to mindlessly clash with enemies. However, after passing through the White Ram Chamber, it was rewarded with increased intelligence, much to Eddie's delight.
With intelligence, the Shadow Bull could understand commands better, interpret intentions more accurately, and synergize with Eddie's strategies. This newfound intelligence opened the possibility of teaching the Shadow Bull basic combat techniques.
"Let's keep these treasures hidden. We wouldn't want others to see them," Eddie mused, mindful of the curious gaze of the Lavish Robe Lady, the master of Luohua City.
Her presence exuded a sense of danger, though not as intense as the buxom beauty he encountered earlier.
As a city lord, a role typically held by level-six masters in the fiercely competitive world of Longteng Continent, she was undoubtedly a formidable figure. Eddie, now in possession of precious items, was cautious not to reveal his true strength.
After teleporting out, Eddie was met with stares of awe and disbelief from Yehken and others. They seemed astonished to see him alive.
"You're alive?" Yehken asked incredulously.
"Of course!" Eddie replied, annoyed.
"How is it possible? No level-five warrior has ever survived two hours in there, and you, just a level-one apprentice, stayed for three hours! What did you do in there? Did you chat with the three-headed Chimera?" The Golden Armor Captain looked perplexed and incredulous, his own record being a mere half-hour escape.
"What exactly did you do inside?" Everyone's curiosity was piqued, and they surrounded Eddie, eager for details.
Seeing their expressions, Eddie decided to fabricate an extravagant lie.