In the early morning hours, the Pet Beast in the Cultivation House were all soundly asleep, but Big Gray suddenly opened its eyes and crawled up in one swift motion. Though its size was massive, its movements were incredibly nimble.
It picked up a rag and a bucket of water and meticulously cleaned the entire Cultivation House until it was spotless.
Big Gray also knew that it was sleeping more and more, often falling straight into a deep sleep while doing chores.
It could feel its body gradually growing weaker, things it used to lift with ease now required all its strength to barely move.
Big Gray looked at the Cultivation House with nostalgia; this was where it had lived for three years.
Here, it had spent many happy days.
It felt that its days were numbered, much like most gray chinchillas, who find a quiet place in their final days to await death.
Big Gray had already picked a place, and tonight would be its last here at Fang Yuan Cultivation House.
Big Gray brought in the Lightning Cat because it wanted to comfort Ye Bai in its absence and ease the pain of its departure.
The next day.
At the horizon, the rising sun gradually tore through the last remnants of the night sky; warm golden-red hues spread across, painting the eastern sky with a comforting gradient.
The sun's outline blurred behind the clouds, radiating soft, gentle warmth.
As it rose slowly, the light intensified, glazing the surrounding clouds with a layer of golden brilliance—a brand new day had begun.
Ye Bai stretched, yawning widely.
The Thousand-Change Silkworm hopped about on the ground. After a night of interaction, it had grown fond of the Cultivation House.
It indulged in beast food, drinking water infused with the nectar of sunflower. The honeyed water was pleasantly sweet with a faint floral scent, even better than typical sparkling water.
Currently, Ye Bai's primary focus was to treat the Thousand-Change Silkworm's malnutrition, ensuring it didn't affect its growth.
Ye Bai got dressed and left with the Thousand-Change Silkworm, riding his bicycle away, while Big Gray waved goodbye to him.
It then began saying farewell to each Pet Beast in the Cultivation House, all knowing the resolve of Big Gray's farewell, tearfully waving it goodbye.
Finally, Big Gray reached the backyard, intending to say farewell to the Sunflower but suddenly fell headfirst.
As it lapsed into slumber, a bitter smile crossed its face; ultimately, its departure wouldn't be graceful.
Big Gray felt this would be its last sleep—perhaps during it, it would quietly pass away. It regretted dirtying Ye Bai's territory, wondering if Ye Bai would be devastated upon his return.
Ye Bai checked Welfare Station No. 24785 on the way, discovering it was right next to his school; the scratch-off ended at 5:45 PM.
He found the welfare station closed when heading to school, choosing to visit it during lunch break.
Ye Bai arrived at his seat when He Qingyuan approached.
His face was sullen, holding a box containing the treasure he had found—a medium-grade Insect Stone.
After making a bet with Ye Bai yesterday, he deeply regretted it, yet couldn't muster the face to back out.
Thus his expression was dark as if he was owed two million.
"Looking at you, you don't seem willing; how about we call it off,"
Ye Bai said, 'pretending to be generous,' emphasizing the uncompelled act.
He Qingyuan immediately felt relieved, planning to take the out when Ye Bai leaned in close to whisper: "Yesterday, when Li Weiyang was attacked, you fled faster than anyone, even lost a shoe without realizing it."
"I saw it all clearly from where I stood. Would you like me to spread it around?"
These words pierced He Qingyuan's heart like a needle.
Li Weiyang awakened the Eye of Insight talent, news quickly reaching He Qingyuan's family, changing the elders' attitude instantaneously.
They praised his foresight in establishing connections with a future powerhouse.
They also proposed gifting him a beast with outstanding talent as a reward.
If this incident leaked, he'd instantly become the family's discard.
His classmates, out of courtesy (having similarly abandoned Li Weiyang), would certainly keep the secret tightly sealed.
But the guy in front of him wouldn't.
He Qingyuan's expression became quite unsightly.
His fists clenched tightly, emitting crackling sounds, veins standing out on his hands.
If looks could kill, Ye Bai would've died a thousand deaths.
When he laughed out of anger, He Qingyuan surprisingly calmed down.
His mind raced.
Yesterday, his family rewarded him with a Fighting Stone and Heavy Punch Skill Pearl.
After a night of cultivation, Boxing Rabbit was now Tier One Level Three.
It had trained the Heavy Punch skill, though still a beginner, each strike could pack over a hundred pounds of force.
Moreover, Ye Bai's contract with the Hundred-Change Silkworm had little attack power, giving He Qingyuan high chances of winning.
Being Li Weiyang's desk mate would gain him immense benefits.
It would reassure the family elders of his strong ties with her.
Then, He Qingyuan nodded: "Fine, I accept your bet."
Just then, Zhang Lingxue walked in: "Your challenges have to wait; we need to gather on the playground for resource distribution now."
"If our class is late, the principal might give me an earful."
"You wouldn't want to stand by while the principal scolds the teacher, would you?"
"Besides, the retired old principal is here today, personally hosting the resource allocation ceremony."
Zhang Lingxue gave a direct death glare, making the surrounding students shrink back.
The class teacher's aura was overpowering to these fledgling students—an undeniably effective suppression.
"Now, those whose talents have awakened, gather here; we'll head to the playground together. The rest stay in class; once resources are distributed, we'll rearrange the classes,"
The students exited in file, arriving at the playground. The ones present were the Pet Beast Masters whose talents awakened, while those who hadn't awakened would join Shen Mountain's regular classes, integrating into society.
Shen Mountain's former principal Zhang Dashan was once the president of Yandong Province's Pet Beast Union but retired due to injuries from a Beast Tide, voluntarily becoming Shen Mountain's principal.
Liu Hang was once his disciple and stood nearby, grinning.
He touched his chilly hair, unsure if his wig was properly in place. If the wind blew, he wondered if it would mess up his hairstyle.
Seeing Liu Hang's attention fixated on his head, Zhang Dashan lightly coughed a few times.
Liu Hang immediately stood straight, not daring to utter a sound.
Zhang Dashan found satisfaction.
His Pet Beast was a Titan Hellfire, towering like a mountain.
Floating in mid-air, Zhang Dashan appeared, encircling black-lit boxes hovered in the air.
Numbers made of black flames adorned the boxes.
Seeing everyone gathered, Zhang Dashan clapped his hands.
"Students, I am Shen Mountain's former principal, Zhang Dashan,"
"After so many years, today, on impulse, I'm hosting the resource allocation ceremony for you all."
"Haha, this time I've especially taken an incredibly precious treasure from my vault; let's see if anyone fated can receive it."
"First, please welcome last semester's top student, Ye Bai, to the stage to receive the Resource Box."
Ye Bai quietly walked out.
Everyone's eyes fell on Ye Bai.
"Ye Bai awakened an Unforgettable talent—what good does that do? He's finished, as I see it,"
"Indeed, a talent like that likely won't even make it to the battlefield, possibly relegated to a lifetime of logistics work."
"Sigh, once-cool idol, but awakening talent widened the gap between us like heaven and earth."
Voices buzzed as students whispered, but Ye Bai took no heed.
After all, the talent was a supreme blessing from another perspective, enhancing the mind overall.
Just because their scope was limited, they naturally didn't grasp how powerful this talent was.
Ye Bai went up and straightforwardly spoke: "Principal Zhang, I want Resource Box No. 38."