"I... help... gulp... I can't swim... gulp..."
Yu Zhan struggled and called for help in the water.
Lin Xiaomei and Zhao Jing looked troubled. They had no means to deal with the water monster, and instinctively looked at Qin Shou.
Qin Shou shook his head and sighed, *these little brats really were worrisome.*
"Roar!"
The next moment, the Space Gate opened wide, and the greedy snake shot out, diving fiercely into the lake.
"Splash..."
A moment later, the greedy snake leaped out of the water with a soaking wet Yu Zhan in its mouth, dropping him onto the ground.
"Cough, cough..."
Yu Zhan coughed with a pale face, *his heart still filled with fear.*
Zhao Jing and Lin Xiaomei quickly ran over to pat him on the back, helping Yu Zhan expel the lake water.
Looking at the greedy snake again, it was clutching a seaweed-like monster in its claws, about to toss it into its mouth.
"Wait a minute!"
Qin Shou stopped the greedy snake and grabbed the seaweed-like monster from it.
"This is a Water Algae Beast, rich in various vitamins, highly nutritious, and delicious, perfect for making seaweed egg drop soup."
Qin Shou muttered, taking out pots and pans from the System Space to start his first wilderness meal.
He started the fire, washed the pot, boiled water, and chopped vegetables...
"Ding, Dangerous Level 4 Water Algae Beast defeated..."
After a series of smooth and flowing actions, Qin Shou placed the lid on the pot, a face full of anticipation.
*Lion meat was too disgusting*; this Water Algae Beast seemed appetizing enough.
Meanwhile, Lin Xiaomei and the others exchanged confused glances, looking astonished.
*Was this guy here for a picnic?* they wondered, as a rich aroma wafted in, making the three involuntarily swallow.
"Oh no!"
Suddenly, Qin Shou shouted, taking out a barrier generator to release a barrier that covered a ten-meter radius.
The three saw this and thought, *"Unexpectedly vigilant."*
In the next second, Qin Shou appeared relieved, saying, "Now nothing should disturb us while we eat."
The three: "..."
"What are you standing around for, cut some of your saber-toothed tiger meat," Qin Shou called out as he turned his head.
"Oh, oh, coming," Lin Xiaomei snapped back to reality.
"That's right, it's not delicious without meat. Next, I'll show you the Qin family's secret seasoning..."
...
With the barrier blocking any scent, the four of them happily spent their dinner time.
The greedy snake swam freely in the lake, finding no threats underwater.
As night fell, the four each set up tents and discussed tomorrow's route, preparing to rest for the night.
In his simple tent, Qin Shou opened the system interface, and the model of the greedy snake came into view.
[Yimuki] + [Pangolin Beast]
With the Pangolin Beast's defense, the greedy snake could take more hits.
"Ding! This synthesis requires 160 Synthesis Points. Proceed with synthesis?"
"Synthesize!"
"Synthesis successful. The creature is a Danger Level 8 monster, similar to 'Dragon War's' Yimuki by thirty percent, and rewards 30 Synthesis Points plus 1 Level 1 Biological Invisibility Device."
Qin Shou's eyes lit up; the greedy snake had leveled up, and there was this Biological Invisibility Device...
Perfect for the next beast cultivation experiment.
On the interface, Qin Shou created a model of the Sang Lion King.
The Sang Lion King in model form didn't look as hideous as before, possibly because there were no terrifying scars.
[Sang Lion King] + [Level 1 Biological Invisibility Device]
The mane lengthened, taking on a gray hue.
Gave it a one-eyed look, but both eyes were fully functional.
The battle armor was decent enough, no weapons for now, but the claws were already sufficiently sharp.
The Sang Lion King was naturally upright, requiring no adjustment.
After some tweaks, Qin Shou smiled with satisfaction and began the synthesis.
"Ding! Consumed 100 Synthesis Points. Synthesis successful. The creature is a Dangerous Seven Stars monster. Please name this creature!"
Qin Shou said, "Rein Jia'er!"
"Ding! Naming successful, data search and comparison in progress..."
"Ding! This creature is fifty-one percent similar to 'League of Heroes' Rein Jia'er, earning 50 Synthesis Points and 1 Level 1 Molten Rock Cell."
"Ding! A similarity above fifty percent awards 1 Reynard Transformation Card."
"Roar..."
A low lion's roar came from the interface, and the appearance of Rein Jia'er fully satisfied Qin Shou.
This synthesis unexpectedly achieved fifty-one percent similarity, earning a transformation card.
*This was what delighted Qin Shou the most.*
The invisibility ability of Rein Jia'er significantly enhanced his self-protection skills!
[Qin Shou]
[Synthesis Points: 130]
[Currently available biological devices: Monster Battle Talent x1, Level 1 Molten Rock Cell x1]
[Level 1 Gene Warehouse: Black Forest Giant Python, Yimuki, Pangolin Beast, Sha Po Wolf, Warick, King Big Big Wolf, Mermaid, Merfolk, Lion, Rein Jia'er...]
The previously obtained Synthesis Points had been completely consumed, and even the original Synthesis Points were depleted a lot, causing Qin Shou a moment of heartache.
*But it didn't matter, he could earn more Synthesis Points; there were plenty of wild monsters to hunt.*
Closing the system interface, Qin Shou began to cultivate Star Power.
*No matter how formidable the beast cultivation, the practice of Star Power could not be neglected.*
*If his base power fell behind, even if he obtained a genuine Divine Dragon Transformation Card, he would only transform into a fledgling six-star Divine Dragon, not even enough to fill a monster's tooth gap.*
*Even those mechas required cultivators with substantial Star Power to operate proficiently.*
...
The next day.
Early in the morning, the four washed up and set off again.
Leaving the lake, they crossed several hills, hunting numerous low-level monsters along the way.
On a low hill, Lin Xiaomei glanced at the map and said, "Up ahead is the territory of the Sha Po Wolf Group. The Sha Po Wolf Group is several times larger in number than the Lion Group. We must take a detour."
The three nodded.
Suddenly, Yu Zhan pointed halfway up the mountain and exclaimed, "Look, what's that?"
Everyone turned to look, only to see a large, broken machine appearing amid the brush, black smoke rolling around it.
"That's..."
Lin Xiaomei was startled, "That's a mecha!"
"A mecha?"
Qin Shou raised an eyebrow, "Let's go take a look."
Lin Xiaomei hesitated momentarily, but she couldn't resist her curiosity and said, "Okay, but everyone be careful. This mecha seems to have been recently destroyed, so there might be danger nearby."
Qin Shou smiled at the corner of his mouth, "No problem."
Saying this, he was the first to charge forward.
Whatever monsters might be around, the hidden Rein Jia'er had already scouted them out.
However, this Lion Dog was a bit silly. When it went to look for monsters around, it didn't report back upon finding the mecha.
*Hmm, a mecha wasn't a monster, so it didn't mention it?*
Moments later, the four cautiously approached the hillside.
They looked up, staring at the massive, half-destroyed mecha, expressions filled with awe.
From childhood, they had only seen mechas on television. Never before had they been so close.
Qin Shou was no exception.
"Sizzle..."
At that moment, this damaged mecha was still emitting black smoke, with three dark red mechanical arms detached from the main body. The severed circuits at the waist occasionally sparked, and the steel body was covered with ferocious scars.
—
PS: Most monsters have prototypes. I'll post them in the chapter comments section. Readers can also post pictures of monsters they think are suitable.