The turmoil on the internet had no effect on Jiang Xing's daily life.
After waking up from a full night's sleep, he didn't rush to start a new research project. Instead, he took the little Qilin, the little dragon hatchling, and Little Red around to visit various attractions in Shanghai, thoroughly relaxing—
After the world line shifted, the city's attractions had undergone massive changes, incorporating many Beast Taming elements.
A certain legal department amusement park had turned into an Electric Mouse-themed park. Inside, not only were there all kinds of Pet Beast-style rides, but visitors could also see many ornamental Pet Beasts from other regions, making it extremely eye-catching.
At the Beast Taming Museum, ancient Beast Taming tools were on display, along with relics of otherworld civilizations excavated from secret realms.
Then there was the most iconic landmark—the China Pearl. It was said that when it was built, a mysterious light-attribute divine beast had descended and bestowed a blessing upon it, granting it indestructible defenses.
As a result, it had become a top-tier battle tower, frequently hosting all kinds of combat competitions. If one achieved enough victories and climbed to the top, they could even receive a blessing of light.
It was also said that if someone with ill intent approached, it would release beams of light, transforming into a prism tower to strike them down.
…After hearing the tour guide finish the story, Jiang Xing quickly put away his Snow King milk tea.
All in all, touring Shanghai's scenery was an eye-opening experience for him.
'Traveling often and experiencing the customs of different regions is actually quite interesting.'
Even so, Jiang Xing didn't stay long.
He still had several research projects waiting to be carried out, the Pet Beasts in the institute needed care, and Li Lingyin was about to start school—
The first year of middle school was the most critical period for a Beast Tamer.
Beast Tamer schools would begin early, conducting intensive training. Later, students would be sent to different cities to challenge peers from various regions and participate in all kinds of competitions. It would be a very packed schedule.
Jiang Xing was counting on Li Lingyin to win a championship—he couldn't let her studies be delayed.
So, after ending the trip, they set off back to Yuzhong City.
Before leaving, he made a special visit to Master Jian, expressing his desire to learn craftsmanship and proposing the idea of contracting a Little Craftsman Dog.
The former was no problem. Master Jian copied a set of Jian Guoguo's study materials and sent them to Jiang Xing, telling him to study them at his own pace. If he had time, he could also attend classes at the Jian Craft Workshop.
But the Little Craftsman Dog was not possible.
This type of Pet Beast came from the [Treasure Forging Valley Secret Realm], and its source was tightly controlled by the four great artisan families.
Even a direct disciple of Master Jian would have to enter the secret realm and form a contract with one before being allowed to take it out.
Moreover, this type of Pet Beast had a certain pride. It would only recognize Beast Tamers who possessed craftsmanship abilities and agree to become their assistants.
Jiang Xing had no experience in craftsmanship at all. Even if Master Jian found a way to get him into the secret realm, he wouldn't be able to complete a contract.
He could only temporarily give up on the idea and focus on learning craftsmanship first.
As tuition, Jiang Xing left Jian Guoguo some Water Dragon Cubes.
These were energy cubes he had developed through experimentation, specifically optimized for the growth of the Golden-Patterned Koi. They helped them accumulate power and evolve into dragons.
When Li Lingyin saw Jian Guoguo accept the cubes, she smiled and said, "Once school starts, I'll apply to participate in competitions here in Shanghai… Guoguo, next time, let's have a rematch!"
"…Mm!" Jian Guoguo nodded seriously.
Next time, she wouldn't lose!
Watching the two girls interact, Jiang Xing and Master Jian couldn't help but smile.
This was youth.
…
After leaving the Jian Craft Workshop, Jiang Xing took Li Lingyin to the airport and flew back to Yuzhong City. He then escorted her back to Shuntian Breeding Farm.
Standing at the entrance of the farm, Li Lingyin hesitated for a moment.
In a child's world, time always seemed to pass slowly.
Throughout the entire summer vacation, she had stayed by Jiang Xing's side, experiencing many things. Now that it was time to part, all her reluctance surged up at once.
She rushed forward, first hugging the little Qilin, then the little dragon hatchling.
Finally, she walked up to Jiang Xing, lowering the brim of her hat to hide her reddened eyes.
"Teacher, when I grow up, can I still stay by your side as your assistant?"
"You can't."
Jiang Xing raised his hand and lightly tapped the top of her hat—
Not because of any system task, but because after spending so much time together, he clearly understood that compared to sitting still and doing research, Li Lingyin preferred Beast Taming battles. A warrior's blood flowed in her veins.
What she was saying now was just her reluctance to part.
Keeping her by his side as an assistant would truly hold her back.
"Let me tell you a secret."
Li Lingyin looked up in confusion, her eyes still slightly red.
Jiang Xing spoke, "I can see a Beast Tamer's potential… You were born for battle. In the future, you will defeat countless powerful Beast Tamers and become a true legend."
"You have your own path. Of course, you can't be confined to a small research institute."
Hearing Jiang Xing's words, Li Lingyin burst into laughter.
She wiped the corner of her eyes and asked, "Teacher, since you can see a Beast Tamer's potential, what about my dad?"
"Your father is someone born to make money. In the future, he'll be extremely wealthy."
Jiang Xing said with a straight face.
"When you're raising Pet Beasts and run short of money, you can go to him and make him cough up some coins… just don't expose your teacher."
Li Lingyin couldn't help but laugh, and the sadness in the air completely disappeared.
She composed herself, said goodbye to Jiang Xing, and walked toward the breeding farm.
At the entrance, she stopped again, turned around, and shouted to her teacher, "Teacher, I will definitely become a Legendary Beast Tamer!"
Jiang Xing smiled and waved.
"Do your best."
…
After sending off his little assistant, Jiang Xing took a car back to the research institute.
As he approached the forest surrounding the institute, the little dragon hatchling and the little Qilin could no longer hold back and jumped straight out of the car, flying toward the institute.
"Ah-li!!" (We're home!)
"Moo~" (Little dragons, your king has returned!)
The little Qilin had been away for too long and missed the days at the institute where various flavors of energy cubes were available in unlimited supply.
As for the little dragon hatchling, it had completely claimed the area around the institute as its territory. Now that it had returned, it began patrolling its domain—
It was Jiang Xing's only contracted Pet Beast ≈ Jiang Xing was its exclusive Beast Tamer ≈ Jiang Xing's territory was its territory.
Yes, the logic checked out.
However, when they passed through the forest, what came into view was not a peaceful and harmonious research institute.
Instead, it was a group of featherless Ugly Waterfowl sprinting wildly, a pack of various Pet Beasts chasing them while unleashing all kinds of attacks, and clay puppets following behind, constantly suppressing the Pet Beasts and trying to regain control of the situation.
Boom! Boom! Boom!
Amid the flying dust, the Ugly Waterfowl leapt up in terror.
"…Moo?!"
"…Ah-li?!"
The little Qilin and the little dragon hatchling both froze in place.
What just happened?
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