Su Ping's brow furrowed slightly as he looked at the chat group of his classmates. But he didn't mind it much.
Upon graduation, in the special Beastmaster Society of Blue Star, those high-level Beast Taming Academies weren't places just anyone could aspire to. Either one had a uniquely unparalleled awakening of Beast Taming Talent, incredibly strong, and was specially recruited immediately upon becoming a Beast Tamer and contracting a Pet Beast. Besides that, the main requirement was to pass a professional Beast Tamer assessment. Only by passing and registering as a genuine professional Beast Tamer with the Beast Master Association could one have the opportunity. Therefore, for the vast majority, graduation at this stage was tantamount to stepping into society.
That Director Zhang was Zhang Guowei, the Dean of Studies at Linzhou City's Sixth Advanced Middle School, where Su Ping had studied. Teachers in such schools usually had some connections in society. For students with good Talent who had the chance to become combat Beast Tamers, he would act as a broker, selecting a good path for them. He would also receive a handsome compensation for himself.
Take Zhou Shuchen, for example. With his natural affinity for the Fire Element, Zhou Shuchen possessed an outstanding elemental combat Talent. Consequently, Zhang Guowei found him a connection with the Fire King Company. This secured him a Crimson Fang Tiger Pet Beast with Commander Level Racial Potential—something uncommon for ordinary people. Beyond the huge down payment and future loans, he would also have to work as an employee at the Fire King Company.
Indeed, after graduation, Director Zhang had also approached Su Ping, but Su Ping had refused.
Su Ping's Talent seemed rather ordinary. What good is being able to carry a few more Pet Beasts? Wild Pet Beasts are very difficult to align with their master's intent! And the environment in the Beast Taming Space can easily incite rebellion among wild Pet Beasts. Even if you did carry dozens of wild Pet Beasts, what then? Aren't you afraid of being devoured upon their release? As such, this Talent is often used for logistical purposes. And precisely because it's for logistical use, this Talent becomes particularly applicable, necessary for transportation, storage, and many similar tasks. After all, transporting Pet Beasts is extremely dangerous, especially wild ones.
Nonetheless, although the Su family was by no means wealthy—especially since their Pet Beast Breeding Base's livelihood depended on rental income, a rather tenuous existence in the Beastmaster Society—Su Anyong would certainly not stoop to selling his son in exchange for a Commander Level first Pet Beast. Xiao Qing, a rare bloodline mutant who had gained the Poison Type Attribute, was proof of this. Bloodline Mutations are more valuable than Racial Potential at the Elite or Commander Level. Racial Potential can be enhanced through Evolution and breakthroughs with advanced resources. However, changing a Pet Beast's Attribute, though possible by consuming certain resources or Magic Potions, comes with great danger. A single misstep could lead to the Pet Beast becoming crippled or even dying. Most importantly, Pet Beasts with rare Attribute Mutations generally have an upper limit in Racial Talent that is simply incomparable.
It wasn't hard to guess why Zhou Shuchen was currently so sarcastic towards him. Director Zhang had likely told Zhou Shuchen—who was young, idolized Zhang Guowei as a mentor and guiding light, and was also the class president—about Su Ping's rejection and perceived ingratitude. Clearly, this guy was probably sharing a common resentment. He's still just so young.
Su Ping shook his head, not angry but feeling somewhat sad for Zhou Shuchen. A Commander Level initial Pet Beast with such Racial Potential was indeed precious to them. However, with his Talent, Zhou Shuchen could have easily applied for an official loan at Linzhou's Beast Master Association branch. There was no need to pay a hefty sum of Money and also sign a contract to work for someone. However, the constraints of his vision, mindset, and understanding meant that Zhou, having been metaphorically 'sold' by Director Zhang, was probably still happily counting the money for his 'benefactor.' And usually, such people, once they gain a bit of power, can't help but get carried away.
"Wow, a Scythe Giant Centipede? That's a rather advanced Pet Beast with Commander Level Racial Potential! If I had this opportunity, I would never refuse it."
"But maybe Su Ping's family isn't lacking in Commander Level Pet Beasts with Racial Potential, right? It's normal if he doesn't want to owe Zhang Guowei anything."
"Owe favors? What could Director Zhang expect from you?"
"That's true..."
"@Su Ping, Bro Ping, have you contracted a Pet Beast yet?"
The messages in the group flashed quickly, and soon, someone directly tagged him.
Su Ping thought for a moment and decided not to lurk any longer. He replied, "Contracted one. A Forest Wolf from our family's Pet Beast Breeding Base!"
Before Li Shu, who was on good terms with Su Ping and had asked the initial question, could reply, the Crimson Fang Tiger avatar—which Su Ping had found somewhat annoying from its first appearance—flashed again: "Forest Wolf? Isn't that species' Racial Potential capped at Elite Level!? Su Ping, so you're taking over the family business too, HAHA! Congratulations, congratulations!"
The three exclamation marks conveyed this person's mockery and dismissal of the previous commenter. Look at that, Young Master Su's family has such a substantial foundation, yet he only contracted a Forest Wolf.
Although, for ordinary students like them, a Forest Wolf with Racial Potential reaching Elite Peak was indeed a good choice. But in front of this Crimson Fang Tiger Beast Tamer, it was clearly a notch lower. During their school years, for reasons related to both family and personal Ability, Zhou, the class president, often couldn't compare to Su Ping. Even once, when romantic feelings first blossomed, the girl he pursued had rejected him because of Su Ping.
But Su Ping had no interest in wasting words on someone who got carried away with a little success; engaging in online arguments wasn't his style either.
However, suddenly, an avatar and name that had never appeared before sent a message: "@Su Ping, Su Ping, near your place, is there a Yuntian Pet Beast Battle Resort?"
"Yin Yin, the school beauty!!!"
"@Yin Yin, Yin's school belle, have you contracted a Pet Beast?"
"..."
As soon as this avatar, a cartoon fish, and the name appeared in the group, a flurry of replies instantly followed.
Yin Yin was the so-called school beauty of Sixth Middle School. Su Ping had always found it rather amusing and pointless that a group of physically immature young girls would be judged as school beauties. Besides, aesthetic judgment is subjective; 'school beauty' is just a title. However, this Yin Yin was indeed quite famous.
"@Yin Yin, that's right. It's right next door to my house."
"@Su Ping, I'm going to train in Pet Beast battling at the resort in a few days. When I do, I'd like to visit your place. I've never seen a Pet Beast Breeding Base before. Is that okay?"
Su Ping frowned slightly. However, before he could respond, the group had already erupted.
"Yin Yin, you're going to train in Pet Beast battling? Can we join you, please?"
"Yeah, our Xiao Hong recently advanced to Normal Second Rank and learned a Racial Skill! She's itching to try it out, HEE HEE!"
"Great idea, let's all go together!"
"Perfect! It's been over a month since graduation, and we haven't had a proper get-together yet..."
"..."
At this age, the allure of hormones was clearly boundless. And evidently, Su Ping's opinion didn't seem very important at that moment. After all, they were planning to visit the Yuntian Resort next door; his family's Pet Beast Breeding Base was just an incidental stop.
Shaking his head, Su Ping didn't bother to read or reply further. He even left the class group, tossed his phone aside, and checked on Xiao Qing, who was fast asleep. He could feel Xiao Qing's aura consolidating. Under his nourishment as a Beast Tamer, it seemed Xiao Qing would soon advance from Normal First Rank to Normal Second Rank.
Su Ping smiled with satisfaction and slowly closed his eyes. The earlier excitement subsided, and he drifted into a deep sleep.
「The next morning,」 Su Ping's eyes snapped open. He quickly dealt with breakfast and washing up, then glanced at the Myriad Spirit Beast Atlas.
Sure enough, under the Forest Wolf Catalog, an additional log entry had appeared: "[After spending a day in close contact with two Forest Wolves, your Forest Wolf Catalog experience has increased by +7 points.]"
But that wasn't the most important thing. The most important thing was that overnight, the cooled Heart of Woods Magic Potion had been completed.