The Phoenix attribute stood alongside the Dragon attribute as a [High-Tier Attribute].
However, compared to the Dragon attribute—which had beco so widespread that even a slug or an insect might carry a trace of draconic blood—the Phoenix attribute was far rarer, and only appeared in avian Pet Beasts.
Therefore, as the evolutionary endpoint of avian Pet Beasts, Phoenix-type Pet Beasts held a status equivalent to True Dragon-type Pet Beasts. At minimum, they were of the Overlord Species Tier, and their varieties were even fewer.
Jiang Xing's expectation for the Ugly Waterfowl was for them to evolve into powerful and beautiful Phoenix-type Pet Beasts.
To achieve this, they needed to be fed Phoenix-type resources to supplent the Phoenix energy within their bodies.
The Phoenix was the king of all birds—so even if they ultimately failed to evolve the corresponding attribute, these Phoenix-type resources would still greatly enhance their potential.
However, due to their scarcity, Phoenix-type resources were even rarer and more expensive than Dragon-type resources.
Jiang Xing did the math. According to his breeding plan, raising a single Ugly Waterfowl to Mid Extraordinary Level would require Phoenix-type resources worth 2 million.
There were a total of 316 Ugly Waterfowl in the institute—that ant 632 million worth of Phoenix-type resources.
'Research really burns money…'
Even with the Berry Blender, which could reduce resource costs to one-tenth, it would still require resources worth 63.2 million.
Considering the premium caused by scarcity, he decided to use his authority to forcibly push this research project forward—
Without any results, claiming that Ugly Waterfowl could evolve into Phoenix-type Pet Beasts sounded sowhat like wishful thinking. The authorities might not approve it.
Even the previous "Carp Leaping the Dragon Gate" case had only been submitted after the Rainbow Dragon Hatchling had already appeared.
However, Jiang Xing had just submitted the research proposal for the Ugly Waterfowl's evolution form and hadn't even used his authority yet, when he received notice that the application had been approved.
Phoenix-type resources worth over 632 million arrived on schedule and were transported into the institute's warehouse.
At the sa ti, the institute's territory was expanded, with a large surrounding forest being designated as part of Jiang Xing's research domain.
'Even a project like this got approved?'
'If I said the Ugly Waterfowl could evolve into spaceti divine beasts, would the authorities believe that too?'
Jiang Xing was stunned.
Of course, the smooth approval of this project was likely closely tied to the recent publication of his Friendship theory, the Undead Guardian Hound research, and his influence within the police system.
It could be considered a sign of trust and investnt from the authorities.
If he continued to produce outstanding results, then even without special authority, he would be able to get various projects approved with ease.
Aside from the Phoenix-type resources, Jiang Xing had also "borrowed" a Phoenix-type move manual from Dr. Xu—
[Phoenix Grace]
This was a Phoenix-type move created in ancient tis by Beast Tars who observed the legendary Pet Beast "Phoenix," designed specifically for avian Pet Beasts.
By infusing power into their feathers and mimicking the bearing of a phoenix, the user could display a breathtaking beauty capable of captivating all living beings, greatly reducing the enemy's desire to attack.
It was an advanced substitute for Seduction-type moves.
It was extrely suitable for the Ugly Waterfowl, which the system had designated as having evolution potential tied to Beauty.
Its only problem was…
The difficulty was far too high.
It was already very difficult for ordinary Pet Beasts to learn Dragon- or Phoenix-type moves.
And the Ugly Waterfowl were not only low-level Pet Beasts—they were also "bald chickens."
Without feathers, how were they supposed to imitate the Phoenix Bearing and infuse power into their feathers?
Thus, Jiang Xing only treated the Phoenix Bearing move as a backup option.
For now, it was better to have the Ugly Waterfowl master Seduction first.
…
In truth, for the Ugly Waterfowl, even mastering Seduction was already extrely difficult.
It wasn't just the difficulty of the move itself—the most important factor was the psychological barrier.
To put it bluntly, the Ugly Waterfowl were fully aware of just how "ugly" they were, and because of that, they felt inferior, withdrawn, and repressed…
Asking them to strike poses and display themselves while using "Seduction"—they simply couldn't get past that ntal hurdle!
This was the greatest challenge in raising Ugly Waterfowl.
Fortunately, after this period of training, Jiang Xing could already ignore the effects of the Ugliness trait and view the Ugly Waterfowl objectively…
In Jiang Xing's eyes, the Ugly Waterfowl were not beyond saving.
Granted, they were withdrawn, antisocial, hostile toward their own kind, and even abandoned their offspring.
But deep down, they also wanted to change.
The logic was simple—
Ugly Waterfowl were oviparous Pet Beasts.
And eggs needed to be incubated.
So if Ugly Waterfowl truly hated their young, they could simply abandon their eggs outright, and no chicks would ever be born!
But if they didn't hate their young, then why did they abandon the chicks right after they hatched?
It was a contradiction!
After raising Friendship to the maximum and communicating with several Ugly Waterfowl, Jiang Xing finally understood the reason.
Their inferiority about their ugliness, and their hatred toward their own kind, mostly stemd from their "original family."
When a chick had just been born, only to be abandoned by its mother for being too ugly, and then driven away and attacked by various wild Pet Beasts…
It would naturally beco withdrawn, insecure, and even develop psychological trauma.
And yet, at the sa ti, they longed for warmth and closeness, carrying hope within their hearts.
When driven by reproductive instinct to lay eggs, after a period of inner struggle, maternal instinct would take over.
They would decide to correct their past mistakes and properly care for their young, unwilling to let them suffer the sa fate.
But then—when they saw the chicks hatch, and saw what they looked like…
Their long-standing trauma would be triggered by the Ugliness trait. Fear and disgust would completely take over, driving them to flee in panic…
In the end, they beca the very "original family" they once hated, forming a new cycle.
And yet—
The fact that Ugly Waterfowl had not gone extinct proved that deep within them still existed love, as well as a desire for change.
It was precisely this desire that drove them to co to the research institute, taking the first step toward transformation.
After understanding their deeper psychology, Jiang Xing gained greater confidence in raising them—
The Ugly Waterfowl already desired change.
He didn't need to implant many ideas. He only needed to fully draw out that desire, pave the path for them, make up for their deficiencies, give them confidence, and push them forward—
Whether it was achieving ntal Anchor, or reaching ntal Completion, either could trigger a transformation of their will, erupting into powerful evolutionary energy!
Under Jiang Xing's efforts, "Chickie," who had ford a contract with him, was the first to cross that threshold.
Through the contract link, it could feel Jiang Xing's thoughts and experience his trust—
The sincere bond between humans and Pet Beasts, sothing it had once envied from the shadows, had unknowingly co to exist within itself.
It was no longer that lonely, withdrawn little chick it used to be.
Now, it didn't just want to change for itself—
It wanted to change for Jiang Xing.
It wanted to complete its evolution, to transform into the most dazzling existence he had described!
It wanted to prove that his trust had not been misplaced!
Today, Chickie was going all in!
Move it—Chickie Dance!
Move: Seduction!!!!
Wait—hey, don't attack yet, let finish dancing first!!
Outside the research institute, Chickie was being chased by several squirrel-like creatures, letting out terrified cries.
"Cluck, cluck, cluck!!"
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