What does it mean when a pet evolves incorrectly?

The ridges beneath our feet were gradually replaced by weeds and exposed pebbles.

Passing through the last low bean trellis, the view suddenly opens up, only to be instantly filled with an even larger presence.

The Duanshan mountain range is now in sight.

No longer a distant, dark blue hue on the horizon, but a truly majestic presence standing on the earth, like a colossal beast that has lain here since ancient times, casting its immense shadow silently.

The continuous mountain ranges are rugged and steep, covered with layers of primeval forests ranging from dark green to deep brown, seemingly endless.

A few dozen meters ahead, a small but dense mixed forest served as the last buffer between the fields and the massive mountains.

The trees weren't particularly tall, but their branches were sprawling, vines were intertwined, and the ground was covered with a thick layer of fallen leaves, creating a dappled effect in the sunlight.

"Stop first."

Zhang Zhi raised his hand, signaling the Azure Hound to slow down, and then turned to look at Lin Chen and the Flame Claw Beast following closely behind.

Lin Chen showed no fear on his face, but calmly observed the forest in front of him and the mountain range that looked like a giant wall in the distance. The Flameclaw Beast lowered its body and made a soft gurgling sound in its throat.

"Once we cross this forest, we'll truly be in the outer region of the Broken Mountain Range."

He paused, and seeing that Lin Chen's expression remained focused and composed, without revealing any hesitation or blind excitement, he continued:

"Of course, our mission ends here."

He pointed ahead to a quiet grove of mixed trees. "Those two guys should be in there."

Lin Chen keenly caught the detail in his words: "Brother Zhi, are they two pet beasts?"

"Um."

Zhang Zhi nodded, his gaze returning to the woods, his eyes suddenly sharpening:

"Based on the distribution of footprints and signs of gnawing in the vegetable garden, as well as the residual energy in the air detected by the wind, it should be two pet beasts."

"One large and one small, one footprint deep and one shallow, their auras are of the same origin but different in strength. If I'm not mistaken, they should be velvet-toothed wild boars."

"A wild boar?"

Lin Chen quickly searched his memory for relevant information.

This is a wood-type pet that mainly inhabits low mountain and hilly areas, and its species level is low-level extraordinary.

It has a sturdy build, rough, grayish-green skin, and strong vitality and affinity for plants.

"These creatures typically roam the sparse forests and thickets surrounding the mountains, feeding on plant roots, tubers, tender leaves, and fruits, and occasionally rummaging for insects."

As Zhang Zhi spoke, he gestured for the Qinglan hunting dogs to conduct a more thorough search along the edge of the forest:

"They usually operate as family units, with parents taking care of their young children."

"However, according to their habits, even if food is scarce in the mountains, they will dig for food with their noses and rarely risk venturing far from their familiar territory into human towns..."

He frowned slightly, a thoughtful look on his face: "So this time it's a bit unusual."

"Did they simply get lost and wander in by accident, or did something in the mountains disturb them, forcing them to flee here?"

This question remains unanswered for the time being.

Zhang Zhi shook his head, temporarily setting aside his doubts, and turned his gaze to Lin Chen, asking the crucial question:

"Based on current indications, these two tusked boars should not be very aggressive."

"According to procedure, we need to drive them away, which is a good opportunity for real combat. Would you like to experience real-world combat?"

This is not a training match with referee protection; we are facing wild pets with wild instincts and unpredictable behavior. Although the danger level is not assessed as high, anything can happen.

Lin Chen answered without hesitation: "Of course."

The opportunity was right in front of him. He needed real combat experience, to test the results of his training, and to let the Flameclaw Beast accumulate real combat experience.

This is one of the advantages of working as a temporary employee at the detention center: you can bypass the fixed rules of combat and directly experience the most realistic outdoor battles.

"it is good."

Zhang Zhi nodded slightly:

"I'll decide when to let you make a move, depending on the situation."

"clear."

Lin Chen nodded and turned to look at the Flame Claw Beast.

"Gaku!"

The Flameclaw Beast waved its claws, its eyes blazing with fighting spirit.

Just then, the Qinglan hunting dog, which had been searching carefully, stopped. It did not bark, but leaned forward slightly, lowered its head and neck, and pointed its ears straight to a particularly dense thicket to the left, emitting an extremely low warning growl from its throat.

Zhang Zhi and Lin Chen immediately fell silent and stared intently in the direction indicated by the Azure Hound.

The afternoon sun shines through layers of branches and leaves, casting shimmering spots of light on the ground covered with fallen leaves.

In the darkest part of the shade, two sturdy figures could be vaguely seen nestled together under a large tree.

Their skin is very rough, and its color almost blends in with the surrounding lichen and moss. Only their pair of fluffy, green pom-pom-like curved fangs gleam with a barely noticeable matte sheen in the light filtering through the leaves.

The larger one, which is nearly three meters long, is lying on its side, its body rising and falling slowly with its breathing, as if it is taking a nap.

The smaller one, about half the size of the larger one, nestled close to its belly and was idly nudging the scattered vegetables on the ground with its nose.

Sunshine, shade, stolen food, and pets snuggling together for rest.

This scene, if we disregard their unauthorized intrusion into human fields and the potential damage they might cause, actually reveals a strange sense of comfort and tranquility.

Zhang Zhi watched this scene and smiled slightly: "Oh, you've got quite a big heart."

"Instead of rushing back to the mountains after stealing the goods, they actually took a nap right next to the crime scene. They really don't respect us at all."

He turned his head and winked at Lin Chen: "I'll leave the smaller one to you. Don't be impatient or nervous for your first battle."

"Remember, safety first."

Lin Chen nodded, then looked at the Flame Claw Beast.

Little did anyone know that the Flameclaw Beast, with its fierce expression, had already swaggered towards the Fluffy-Toothed Boar. A faint flame was brewing in its mouth, energy was surging around its body, and its eyes were burning hot, showing no tension or worry about the upcoming battle.

Lin Chen was taken aback.

That's right. In order to become stronger, this guy has bullied countless pets in the breeding house. He has no fear in his heart.

When it comes to pet battles, Lin Chen is a novice, but Flameclaw Beast is not.

"Don't rush."

But Lin Chen had a sudden thought and promptly called out to the Flame Claw Beast, his gaze calm: "Before the battle, we need to fully understand the basic information of our opponent."

"The Fluffy-tusked Boar is a wood-type pet, with thick skin and tough flesh, so you know what to do, right?"

The Flameclaw Beast sized up the Fluffy-Toothed Boar, recalling the fighting techniques passed down from its father, before finally fixing its gaze on the latter's neck: "Gagoo!"

It remembered that attacking this spot would kill it instantly.