**Sealed Stone Monkey**
This was the race name of the Pet Beast contracted through Shiayar's second Soul Pact.
Unlike other Pet Beasts that reproduce through traditional methods like oviparity or viviparity, the Sealed Stone Monkey race did not have any so-called bloodline inheritance.
The birth of the Sealed Stone Monkey race stemmed from natural laws, or as described in the cultivation novels from Shiayar's previous life: condensed from the spiritual essence of heaven and earth, and the quintessence of the sun and moon.
Because of this, their numbers were rather scarce, and it was only by a fortunate coincidence that Shiayar had encountered this rounded boulder.
The characteristics of the Sealed Stone Monkey race were, in fact, quite simple.
During its juvenile phase, the stone monkey was enveloped within a massive companion boulder. Apart from relying on this boulder's decent defensive capabilities, it could be said to be utterly worthless in combat.
Not only did it lack any means of attack, but its mobility was also limited to laboriously causing the boulder to roll about; any steel-toothed hound at the Awakening Rank could easily trample the stone and hammer away at it.
However, a Sealed Stone Monkey nestled within its companion stone possessed a racial skill called "Nurture" that was exceedingly rare even among Sovereign Rank or Tyrant Rank Pet Beasts.
In its sealed state, the Sealed Stone Monkey, as the name implies, could continuously absorb external elements and resources to build up its own reserves.
This accumulation would then enable the Sealed Stone Monkey to undergo a brand-new evolution upon breaking free from its companion stone.
According to the records Shiayar had accessed, if the Sealed Stone Monkey absorbed Fire-type Extraordinary materials during its juvenile phase—like the shell of a Volcano Tortoise, Fire Lizard powder, or scales of a Scarlet Flames Drake—then it would likely follow an evolutionary path towards becoming a Molten Fire Spirit Monkey or a Demonic Flames Gorilla.
If it absorbed Earth-type Extraordinary materials instead, perhaps its evolutionary trajectory would climax in the form of a Titan Giant Ape, a sovereign of the land.
Of course, since it had come into Shiayar's hands, it naturally couldn't just follow those well-established evolutionary paths.
Without the slightest hesitation, Shiayar immediately brought out the evolution material he had prepared in advance—a crystal ore radiating a silvery-white luster.
It was an item he had acquired the purchasing rights for from the Jurisdiction Bureau after spending a massive amount of merit points: a 4th Order Space-type evolution material, a Spatial Crystal.
Even according to the description provided by the Jurisdiction Bureau, it contained a faint trace of the Time Law.
"Get ready," Shiayar gave a soft reminder without hesitation.
Then he placed the Spatial Crystal directly upon the gently trembling boulder.
The Spatial Crystal shone brilliantly with silvery-white light.
Subsequently, as if melting, it transformed from a solid to a liquid state and gradually merged into the boulder.
Shiayar petted Silver's fluffy tail, which had somehow snuck over to him, as he silently watched the intermittent and uncertain flickering of the silvery-white light.
To acquire this 4th Order evolution material, Shiayar had not only wiped clean the merit points he had amassed from nearly half a year's work scouring almost the entirety of Resa City but had also spent his very last asset.
When he chose to exchange for this Spatial Crystal, the Jurisdiction Bureau officer who had previously viewed Shiayar rather favorably had spent a long time trying to persuade him earnestly.
After all, Space-type and even the more mysterious Time-type elements—although they sounded impressive, their profound complexity was not something that ordinary people could fully grasp.
While a fully developed Space-type Pet Beast is incredibly powerful, both its training cycle and training costs are much greater than those of other Pet Beasts of the same level.
Moreover, prior to their full formation, Space-type Pet Beasts generally only possess auxiliary abilities and are seriously lacking in direct combat capabilities.
The same time and resources, if invested in a Pet Beast that follows a traditional path, might have already translated into a substantial increase in combat power; but if poured into a Space-type Pet Beast, it might not even make a splash.
In the eyes of that Jurisdiction Bureau officer, Shiayar evidently lacked a strong backing to provide resources. Despite this, he still chose to develop a Space-type Pet Beast for his crucial second Soul Pact. The officer believed Shiayar was clearly letting the Space-type's illustrious reputation cloud his judgment, forsaking solid progress, making him a prime example of someone with eyes bigger than their abilities.
However, decisions made by Shiayar were naturally not swayed by the thoughts of others.
Time slipped away in silent waiting.
In but a moment, the Spatial Crystal, originally like a mineral, transformed into a pure silver-white liquid.
Then, little by little, it seeped into the colossal Sealing Stone, dyeing the originally grey-white boulder with streaks of silver-white lines.
Just at that moment, CRACK—
A crisp fracturing sound broke the deathly silence within the secret chamber.
Upon the boulder, the silver-white patterns shone brilliantly, and a tiny crack slowly appeared on the upper part of the stone.
Immediately after, under the tense gaze of Shiayar and Silver, the once imperceptible crack rapidly spread and, in an instant, covered the entire boulder.
Then, BOOM—
The boulder shattered, breaking into pieces both large and small.
And at the center of those fragments, amidst the fading silver-white light, a tiny figure revealed itself.
Its slender fur was like woven gold threads, casting a warm luster in the flickering light of the secret chamber, much like the snub-nosed monkeys from Shiayar's previous life.
Compared to its crude-looking, repulsive relatives from Mount Emei, the fluffy snub-nosed monkey seemed like a snow mountain elf from another world.
The little snub-nosed monkey looked around curiously with its pitch-black eyes.
Although it could get a rough idea of the outside world through the Soul Pact connection with Shiayar while inside the Sealing Stone, nothing could compare to the clarity and directness of seeing the world with its own eyes.
"SQUEAK SQUEAK SQUEAK! (Welcome aboard, rookie!)"
The little white ferret greeted the snub-nosed monkey with cheerful squeals, expressing its welcome as Shiayar's first Pet Beast for the rookie officially joining.
It had longed for a little pal for quite some time. After all, even practicing its skills routinely required an opponent.
Unfortunately, the Sealed Stone Monkey had previously remained a massive, inactive stone, unresponsive even to Illusion Techniques. This forced Silver to train its Moon Reading skill on unfortunate wild Pet Beasts it found in the wilderness.
Now that it finally had a sparring partner, Silver's welcome was sincere.
Of course, through their Soul Pact connection, Shiayar also sensed an additional layer to Silver's calls—it probably wanted to make sure the new rookie knew who was boss.
"CHEEP CHEEP! (Hey boss!)"
The little snub-nosed monkey seemed quite savvy.
Its black eyes darted around before it promptly leaped onto Shiayar's right shoulder.
It had envied Silver's exclusive perch on Shiayar's shoulder while it was still inside the stone.
Back then, its own weight was too great to get close to its master even if it wished.
Now that it had broken free from the stone, the little snub-nosed monkey quickly made up for its past longing, claiming the long-coveted territory on the right shoulder.
As for where future Pet Beasts would reside since both shoulders were now occupied, that was something it couldn't care less about.
Shiayar reached out to stroke the little snub-nosed monkey's fluffy head, making it comfortably squint its eyes.
Why do other people's Pet Beasts all look fierce and mighty, clearly indicating formidable fighting power at a glance?
While my Pet Beasts, one after another, seem more focused on being cute? An uninformed observer might mistake Silver and the little snub-nosed monkey for purely ornamental Pet Beasts with no combat capability.
"But now that you've successfully evolved, you should have a name like Silver," Shiayar said slowly, looking at the little snub-nosed monkey's fur, which shone with a brilliant golden hue in the sunlight.
"In that case—"
"Let's call you Shiny."