After some thought, Qin Shou constructed a model of the Two-headed Dog.
Looking at the Two-headed Dog's model, he stroked his chin and decided against synthesizing monsters related to the Two-headed Dog.
Whether it was the Hell Two-headed Dog, the Hell Three-headed Dog, or legendary entities like the Heavenly Dog from Huaxia mythology.
If synthesized now, the similarity would be too low, and its strength wouldn't be high enough—it wouldn't be of much help to him at this moment.
As for smaller creatures like Kobolds, Qin Shou wasn't willing to waste synthesis points on them either.
At least, not in the short term.
After a moment of consideration, Qin Shou flicked his finger, dragging the damaged Storm Red and Dangerous Level 7 Killing Wolf into the synthesis interface.
[Storm Red] + [Killing Wolf] + [Mechanical Heart Level 1]
Mechanical and biological fusion—a Steel Wolf with a glowing red body appeared on the interface.
Following the image in his mind, Qin Shou continuously adjusted the Steel Wolf's model.
The red body was transformed primarily into a silver one.
The body combined the rigidity of mecha with the flexibility inherent to biological organisms, allowing for a power upgrade through complete steelification.
Using Storm Red's flight system, a pair of steel wings were added to the back of the Steel Wolf, equipped with energy jets to enable flight.
The steel wings were golden.
Beneath the wolf's claws, propellers from Storm Red were installed to assist in aerial jumps and flight.
The claws were red.
On its shoulders, energy cannons from Storm Red were installed, positioned beneath the steel wings.
Smaller energy cannons were concealed in its forelegs.
Additional energy cannons were installed on its abdomen and back.
The abdomen and neck were golden.
The tip of its nose was red, outfitted with Storm Red's precise laser targeting system to enhance the accuracy of the energy cannons.
Its eyes housed advanced technologies like Storm Red's infrared imaging system and X-ray sensors, enabling it to detect hidden or dark-enveloped enemies.
On its tail, a sharp blade was installed, golden in color.
The mecha technology of this era had undergone countless upgrades, with traditional ammunition replaced by energy-based weapon systems.
Various high-tech weapons that surpassed those of the Old Era were now abundant.
This spared Qin Shou the trouble of loading ammunition and, more importantly, saved him valuable Federation Coins.
Of course, Federation Coins were the key factor.
Finally, Storm Red's only freezing energy cannon was installed in the Steel Wolf's mouth.
The initial model of the Steel Wolf was complete!
"Ding! Model construction complete. Synthesis requires 200 synthesis points. Initiate synthesis?"
Qin Shou's face showed hesitation, but he gritted his teeth and said, "Synthesize!"
Instantly, the model on the interface began to gradually solidify, and a faint spark of life appeared in the eyes of the Steel Wolf.
A moment later.
"Ding! Synthesis successful. This creature is classified as a Dangerous Level 9 monster. Please name this creature!"
"Digital Monster, Steel Garuru!" Qin Shou declared.
"Ding! Naming successful. Data search and comparison underway…"
"Ding! This creature shares a 51% similarity with Steel Garuru. You are awarded 100 synthesis points and one Level 1 Giant Strength Cell!"
"Ding! Similarity exceeds 50%. You are awarded one Steel Garuru Transform Card."
A look of joy flashed across Qin Shou's face—his combination of a damaged Level 8 mecha with Dangerous Level 7 Killing Wolf had resulted in a Dangerous Level 9 monster!
The Mechanical Heart truly lived up to its reputation.
This time, the similarity had also exceeded 50%, but Qin Shou pondered deeply.
Steel Garuru was a digitized Digital Monster; otherwise, with its similarly steelified lifeform traits, the similarity wouldn't have been limited to just this!
After briefly reflecting, Qin Shou closed the system interface, realizing the sky was already lightening.
Dawn had arrived.
In just one night, he now possessed two Dangerous Level 9 monsters. So long as he didn't encounter monsters stronger than Horror Level, he could fully ensure his safety.
However, his own physical strength was falling behind significantly.
Qin Shou resolved to focus on cultivating Star Power in the coming days.
Otherwise, even with Horror Level beasts in his arsenal, he might fail to get into a high-ranked Beast Breeding School.
...
West City.
The now-bustling 580 residential district.
In the community garden, Hua Ping, enjoying a rare day off, was playing mahjong and chatting with Aunt Sun and others.
"Hey Hua Ping, your kid hasn't been home these past two days. Is he at school working on developing some high-level beast?" Aunt Sun asked curiously.
Distracted, Hua Ping discarded a tile. Aunt Zhang smirked and shouted loudly.
"Pung!"
"Yeah, Hua Ping, tell us what your kid is up to these days. My brat's been wanting to ask for advice on Black Forest Giant Python cultivation techniques!" Aunt Zhang grinned.
Hua Ping sighed and said, "Xiao Shou went outside the city; he's planning to hunt a Dangerous Level 8 Black Ape Beast."
"What?!"
The three women at the table were shocked.
"A Dangerous Level 8 Black Ape Beast, and outside the city? That place is too dangerous—how could you agree to let him go?"
"Yeah, your Qin Shou is just a student and has already cultivated a Dragon Beast. Getting into university is guaranteed—why does he need to risk going outside the city now?"
"Exactly! Why didn't you try to talk him out of it? If something happens, how will you and Lao Qin manage in the future?"
The three women grew increasingly agitated.
During their era, hardly anyone who ventured outside the city returned safely.
Those who did either lost limbs or disappeared forever.
Of course, back then, they were just kids and had only heard stories—they'd hardly met any professional Monster Hunters.
But those tales left lasting scars in their minds, and they swore they'd never let their own children take such risks—lest tragedy strike.
And now, what did they just hear?
Qin Shou, the prodigy from the Qin Family, a guaranteed future Beast Cultivation University student and the family's pillar of hope, had quietly ventured outside the city.
This wasn't courting death?
Outrageous, absolutely outrageous…
Hua Ping looked at their stern faces and shook her head.
"Although Xiao Shou only told us about his decision to go outside the city after he had already left.
From childhood to now, Xiao Shou has always been resolute and sensible.
Since he dared to hunt monsters outside the city, I trust he has full confidence in his ability to return safely.
As parents, Lao Qin and I can't shoulder the burden of his future life for him, nor can we provide him with a life of unearned comfort.
He wants to get into a better Beast Breeding School, to live a better life, to become a stronger cultivator.
We can't help him with any of that.
So, we also can't be the ones holding him back.
If he wants to explore and witness sights we've never seen, then let him!
Even if he ends up battered and bruised—even if he…"
As Hua Ping spoke, her eyes welled up with tears, and her voice quivered slightly.
"Even if he truly… never comes back, Lao Qin and I wouldn't want him to regret his choices.
Because… he's our child!"
The three fell silent, seemingly reminded of their own kids.
Their sons' expressions of admiration and longing as they watched heroic films.
Their faces of resentment and helplessness while discussing school grades.
The frustration of scratching their scalps over cultivation challenges…
Keeping them close forever—was that really what was best for them?