The trip to the library was both fruitful and not.
Fruitful, of course, because I gained further understanding about the strawman character.
As for not being fruitful, it's because I didn't find the answers I was looking for.
Next, it's time to head to the Wind Listening Hall.
[Grass!]
As soon as he stepped out of the library, Li Pu was greeted by the strawman.
More accurately, this guy was eager to claim credit.
From far away, it had already raised a coin it had found high up.
Strawman: Summoner! Look at the money!
The coin was covered in mud, who knows from which flower bed or tree basin it had been dug out.
"..."
After thinking for a moment, Li Pu decided not to stop such behavior.
Because he had just finished checking the relevant information, this guy needed to engage in as much outdoor activity as possible to absorb the essence of the sun and moon.
However, just in case, he repeatedly instructed it to only pick up ownerless coins, not to rob or damage facilities.
Additionally, empty soda bottles must not be thrown around carelessly.
After repeated confirmations and making the strawman repeat the three rules several times, Li Pu then took it to the Wind Listening Hall.
The library wasn't very far from the Wind Listening Hall, a slow or rather limping walk took about 20+ minutes.
Upon entering, Li Pu noticed there were more people in the Wind Listening Hall than yesterday.
Many summoned beasts were engaged in practice battles under their summoners' commands, or exercising with the facilities in the hall.
Some of the summoned beasts seemed so out of place here.
For example, the blue hedgehog running around the venue, the long snake flying back and forth in the air, and the canine character with its tongue out and pointed ears, none matched the style of the Wind Listening Hall from the outside.
According to what he'd seen before, freshmen generally stayed in the venue assigned to their summoned beasts.
After all, each venue had the right equipment for their training.
Although he didn't know why this suddenly happened, Li Pu didn't care.
The purpose of coming here was just one.
To let the strawman experience the feeling of battle.
Roaming around the arena area, Li Pu casually watched the ongoing fights.
Probably because everyone's summoned beasts were still at a very low level, he felt their strength was mediocre.
Furthermore, since everyone was a novice and not familiar with commanding their summoned beasts, the battles didn't have much to see.
There was even a bit of dullness, like chicks pecking at each other.
But if these summoned beasts were chicks, then the strawman was genuinely weak.
The weak can't do much, but eating grass is something they can manage.
After all, the strawman race of summoned beasts already lost at the starting line.
According to Li Pu's observations, the summoned beasts in the arena generally had 2~3 skills each, with some having as many as 4 skills.
Due to him devouring the skill light cluster, the strawman now had only one pretty useless [Grass Fist].
Yesterday he took some time to test it, and it couldn't even break a glass window.
Instead, Li Pu felt that if he were to go up to the ring and brawl with these summoned beasts, his chances of winning would be pretty good.
[Awoo!]
At this moment, he heard a cry of pain from the nearest ring.
A large lizard with red Scale Armor was sent flying, losing a scale.
Clang!
The scale fell to the ground with a metallic sound, obviously very hard.
And by coincidence, it landed right in front of Li Pu.
But after just a second, the scale began to disintegrate into blue light particles and drift away like dust.
Though there are many similarities between summoned beasts and magical beasts, fundamentally, they are different.
After forming a contract with a summoner, the physique of a summoned beast changes.
They can revive with a revival talisman, and when they die, they don't leave behind a physical body, but rather disappear as drifting blue light.
Similarly, anything that falls from a summoned beast is the same.
Their physical form is generally hard to alter, which is why research on modifying summoned beasts' bodies has made little progress.
The ability to transition from a solid body to drifting blue light makes modifications difficult.
Even if they are forcibly modified, upon using a revival talisman after a death, they will revert to their original form.
Except for those naturally suited for modification, summoned beasts can only change their bodies through reincarnation evolution or mastering transformation-type skills.
In general, getting physical items from summoned beasts is impossible.
As for magical beasts without contracts, it's entirely different.
They don't transform into blue light, and their remains have value.
Used in scientific research, in crafting engraved equipment, or even as cultivation materials sourced from magical beasts.
This is why Li Pu's [Friend of Magical Beasts] only applies to magical beast-related items and not to those related to summoned beasts.
But the problem now is that inside Xidu University, there's no chance of encountering magical beasts.
So for the time being, Li Pu had no opportunity to use [Friend of Magical Beasts].
"Wait, hold on."
Suddenly, his eyes lit up.
The magical beast-related item doesn't specify if the magical beast needs to be dead or alive, right?
Thinking of this, Li Pu turned his gaze towards the giant empty shell in the center of the venue.
Isn't this an actual magical beast-related item?
"I can't believe I hadn't thought of this before, perhaps it's worth a try."
So he brought the strawman over to the shell.
The A-Rank Wind Magical Beast Taichi Snail's remains were said to be a trophy of the school's teacher team.
Now on display for anyone to see, it was largely symbolic.
Early on, when it was first brought back, the school's research department had conducted a thoroughly detailed analysis.
Parts that could be utilized or had significant research value were already removed.
The empty shell left was mostly for display and observation.
Knock knock.
Li Pu lightly tapped it with the back of his hand, discovering the shell was extremely hard.
Having fought many shell-covered wild beasts, his tactile sense was keen.
Among those beasts, none had a hardness comparable to this one, and the difference was vast.
"No wonder it's an A-Rank magical beast."
Circumnavigating the shell while examining it, he expressed his admiration.
After walking a circle, he found the shell was a bit incomplete, with many places gouged open and carved by special cutting tools.
The edges of the cuts were quite old, suggesting they were left from early research analysis.
[Caocao?]
The strawman didn't understand Li Pu's actions and quickly got bored while following him around, poking and prodding everywhere.
Looking at its summoner now, it showed a puzzled expression.
"Let's give it a try."
After completing his observation, Li Pu pressed his hand against the shell.
Many freshmen, upon first visiting the Wind Listening Hall, would show varying degrees of curiosity towards the Taichi Snail's remains.
So his actions didn't draw any attention.
With a thought, he activated [Friend of Magical Beasts].
"Here it comes, this is indeed a related item!"
The next moment, Li Pu's eyes were shining.
"But..."
But very quickly, he hesitated.
However, the skill contained inside seemed too incompatible with the strawman.
...
...