Aston hailed a cab and asked the driver to go to Ironwood Home Services. While in the backseat, Aston and Gray relaxed. With a lazy meow, Gray dozed off on Aston’s shoulders. Aston chuckled when he saw this.

  While in the cab, Aston could see spirit beasts in the street from time to time. And everytime he sees something, he sends a request for analysis to Nova.

  —

  [Spirit Beast: Sweet Song Sparrow]

  [Type: Avian]

  [Attribute: Sound]

  [Genus: Passer]

  [Rank: 1-star]

  [Potential: 2-star]

  [Description: A common spirit beast found around the Red Moon Empire. It uses its beautiful calls to attract mates.]

  —

  [Spirit Beast: Rock Tail Rat]

  [Type: Bestial]

  [Attribute: Earth]

  [Genus: Rattus]

  [Rank: 2-star]

  [Potential: 3-star]

  [Description: A rat that eats rocks and absorbs the minerals it ate to strengthen its tail.]

  -–

  [Spirit Beast: Thorny Wisteria]

  [Type: Plant]

  [Attribute: Wood]

  [Genus: Wisteria]

  [Rank: 4-star]

  [Potential: 7-star]

  [Description: A flowering tree that exudes a sweet scent within its flowers to attract insects and birds to assist pollination. When exposed to spiritual energy, its seeds can detonate, causing spiky rinds of its fruit to scatter.]

  —

  While reading all of this information, Aston remembered the status window presented to him when he inspected Gray.

  [Spirit Beast: Obsidian Claw Tiger]

  [Type: Bestial]

  [Attribute: Metal]

  [Genus: Panthera]

  [Rank: 1-star]

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  [Potential: Emerald Core]

  Emerald Core…

  After a few tries, Aston realized that he can silently send a request to Nova through his thoughts. This helps him much since it hides Nova’s existence from the public, as well as he can avoid being called crazy as he is essentially talking on his own.

  Nova, what is Emerald Core potential? I keep on seeing starred rank potential and have not found a core potential?

  [Query received.]

  [Spirit Beast Potential is the metric on which a spirit beast can grow in the wild or without the aid of a spirit professional. Spirit Beast Potential is divided into starred ranks from one-star up to 9-star. Upon reaching 9-star, a spirit beast can condense its spirit essence into a beast core. Beast cores can be divided into nine levels. Different core levels correspond to the color of the core: the first level is Obsidian, followed by Amethyst, Lapiz, Sapphire, Emerald, Topaz, Garnet, Ruby, and finally, the ninth level, Diamond.]

  [For the second query, the average strength of Shale City in terms of spirit beasts is only around 5-star to 6-star. Potential spirit beasts with cored potentials can be found in affluent families and government officials.]

  I see. So it is rare to find spirit beasts with cored potentials… But if a spirit beast’s rank reaches its potential, will that be the end of the spirit beast's growth?

  [When reaching its potential, spirit beasts can modify its bloodline with enough accumulation of spiritual essence. It taps a hidden bloodline potential from its genes and uses it as a base for evolution, transforming it into a new species. In theory, a spirit beast can evolve endlessly.]

  The implication struck him hard.

  So, for example, a Sweet Song Sparrow having a 2-star potential can evolve to something with a Diamond Core potential?

  [In theory, yes. But due to the requirement of spirit accumulation and bloodline potential, most spirit beasts in the wild, including the Sweet Song Sparrow, will have their lifespans expire first before meeting the required spirit essence to evolve into another species. This is where spirit practitioners and professionals come into the equation. They assist in supplying their spirit beasts to accumulate spirit essence in order to evolve.]

  Endless evolution…

  A sense of awe washed over him. He picked up Gray who was sleeping on his shoulders. The cat purred while it was placed on Aston’s lap.

  To think that even the weakest spirit beasts, given enough time and support, could eventually become something powerful… no, something legendary. The idea stirred something inside him. Hope. Or maybe, ambition.

  He rubbed Gray’s head gently. “We’ll get there too,” he muttered, Gray let out a pleased chirp in response.

  If there was even the slimmest chance for a creature like the Sweet Song Sparrow to evolve to Diamond Core potential, then what about Gray whose potential is already at Emerald Core?

  With those thoughts swirling in his mind, the cab eventually reached Ironwood Home Services. The building stood out with its polished stone facade and neatly pruned trees flanking the entrance.

  Aston paid for his fare and went inside the building. The inside was just as professional - clean, cool, and quiet, with the faint hum of the machines and soft chattering in the background.

  He approached the receptionist desk, where a young woman in a crisp uniform greeted him.

  “Welcome to Ironwood Home Services. How can we help you today?”

  “I’m here to pay for the renovation estimate. Here’s the invoice.”

  Aston handed out the invoice he received from Grant earlier this morning.

  “One moment, please.” She received the invoice and scanned it using a scanner. The screen displayed the details of the transaction. “So the total is fifty dragon gold. Minimum required downpayment is twenty dragon gold. Would you like to pay the downpayment?”

  “In full, please.”

  She blinked in surprise, but smiled politely. “Of course. Please tap your card in the screen below, or place your bills in the scale for cash payment.”

  Aston tapped his card. A soft chime followed, and fifty dragon gold vanished from his balance.

  “Payment received. As it is your first transaction with us, we would like to invite you to create an account on our customer portal. Daily progress reports will be posted on the customer portal. Here’s the account registration link. Kindly scan the code and it will direct you to our portal.”

  Aston expressed his thanks and scanned the code using his phone. He registered into the portal and waved goodbye to the receptionist.

  As he exited the building, he felt oddly light. He looked up at the sky, sunlight warm on his face.

  We’re finally building something, auntie… this time, it will last…