"I'm stuffed." Zhang Hao patted his round belly and slumped into the chair with a satisfied groan.
"If I could eat something this delicious every day, I'd even agree to live in a villa and drive a luxury car."
Chen Yuan glanced at him sideways, "Why do you want both?"
Zhang Hao chuckled, "Everyone needs to have some aspirations."
After pausing for a moment, Zhang Hao's eyes suddenly lit up, "Yuan, I remember you have a fish pond at home, right?"
"Yes, it's just sitting idle."
Zhang Hao slapped his thigh with excitement, "What do you think about raising the fish we catch in that pond?"
The more he spoke, the more promising his suggestion seemed, and he continued with enthusiasm, "If we catch a lot of fish, they might even breed!"
"This way, we'll never have to worry about running out of fish to eat!"
"Awooo!"
Chen Yuan hadn't even responded yet, but Cola was excitedly barking.
Fish!
So many fish!
"That's actually a good idea." Chen Yuan rubbed his chin, feeling a bit moved, "But this kind of fish should be quite rare, so we'll have to take it slow."
"I'm just making a suggestion. If it works out in the future, I'll be content just to get a bite or two of fish." Zhang Hao laughed.
Then, seeing Chen Yuan get up to clear the dishes, Zhang Hao quickly stopped him, "I'll do it. I just ate, so it's perfect for digestion."
Disregarding Chen Yuan and Chen Weiyi's protests, Zhang Hao swiftly carried the dishes to the kitchen and started humming a tune as he washed them.
As the old man said, after eating the fish and drinking the soup, a warm current surged through his body, flowing through his limbs, and even his spirit felt much better.
Chen Yuan even vaguely felt that his Spiritual Power had slightly increased.
What surprised Chen Yuan the most was that Cola's level had also risen to Level 3, and it had learned a new move—Wind Stepping.
Well, although there's a noticeable gap compared to Spark, it's still quite good.
Spark grew rapidly in the Beast Taming Space and had the benefit of two Blazing Fruits, which allowed it to reach Level 5 in a short time.
"It seems I need to work hard on my Meditation to contract Cola as soon as possible," Chen Yuan thought to himself.
"Kid, what do you plan to do with this guy?" Chen Weiyi pointed to the Gray Feathered Hunting Eagle, which had fallen back asleep after eating its fill.
"Hmm..." Chen Yuan looked at the wounds on the Gray Feathered Hunting Eagle and after some deliberation said, "Let it recuperate here first. Spark, keep an eye on it and make sure it doesn't cause any trouble."
"Chirp~"
Spark glanced nonchalantly at the battered Gray Feathered Hunting Eagle and nodded gently.
With Spark around, this defeated opponent wouldn't cause any mischief.
A moment later,
"I'll head out first. Once I've contracted a Pet Beast, let's go fishing together again." After witnessing the battle at Mingyu Lake, Zhang Hao was eager to contract a Pet Beast of his own.
Fishing is fun, but could it compare to the thrill of battling with Pet Beasts?
Zhang Hao waved to the two of them and was about to walk out of the farm gate when he suddenly noticed a familiar figure approaching.
When he saw who it was, he stopped in his tracks, his face breaking into a stiff smile, "Song."
Song Guohao glanced at Zhang Hao, smiling slightly, "What are you doing here?"
Zhang Hao replied sheepishly, "I came to hang out with Chen Yuan."
Song Guohao was their direct superior and was from a military background, known for his efficient and pragmatic work style, earning him great personal respect.
Fortunately, he was quite easygoing in private, and given the not-so-large age gap, everyone called him "Song".
Song Guohao didn't object, "During this period, make sure to focus on your meditation and strive to become a Beastmaster as soon as possible."
Hearing this, Zhang Hao's lips curled into a wide grin, "Song, I've succeeded in meditating."
"Not bad, keep it up." Song Guohao's reaction was rather calm, patting Zhang Hao's shoulder, "I have something to discuss with Chen Yuan."
"Understood, take your time." Zhang Hao promptly left.
Song Guohao walked into the farm, greeted Chen Weiyi, and then found Chen Yuan, "Shall we talk in the living room?"
"Oh, okay."
Song Guohao looked at Chen Yuan with a particularly complex expression, which puzzled Chen Yuan, though he still nodded.
"Song, have some tea." Chen Yuan brought over a cup of tea.
Song Guohao accepted the cup but held it in his hand without speaking, instead giving Chen Yuan an intense look.
"Song, if you have something to say, just say it." Chen Yuan was not used to Song Guohao's prolonged gaze.
"Chen, you've done a great job that put me in the spotlight too." Song Guohao's lips moved as he slowly spoke.
Chen Yuan looked puzzled, "What do you mean by that?"
"You uploaded the advancement conditions for the Flame Cloud Falcon yesterday, right?" Song Guohao asked.
Chen Yuan nodded.
"That's it." Song Guohao smiled broadly, his tone lightening, "It's because of you that our Baokun City Beastmaster Association ranked tenth in today's Contribution Value rankings, and the chairman is very pleased."
Afterward, Song Guohao briefly explained the Contribution Value system and its relation to the Beastmaster Association.
"I see," Chen Yuan nodded in realization, "I was just lucky."
In theory, one person's contribution shouldn't significantly impact the large Beastmaster Association, let alone determine its ranking.
But... this is a special time.
The Beastmaster Association had just been established, with very few Beastmasters and extremely scarce personnel, making the task hall virtually ineffective.
Back then, Chen Yuan searched the entire [task board] in Baokun City and couldn't find a single task.
Additionally, the positional reward for the first hundred Beastmasters to upload advancement conditions far exceeded the value of the conditions themselves.
After the top hundred, there were no more positional rewards, and the Contribution Value would be awarded based on the value of the advancement conditions.
"Whether it was luck or not, you gave our Baokun City Beastmaster Association a moment in the spotlight in front of higher-ups. This is a huge positive."
"It's good news for the leaders and for you," Song Guohao's tone was slow but sincere.
"I've checked for you, and our Association is currently very short on talent, and the leadership is eager for you to join the Association directly rather than as you are now."
"If you're willing, I can help transfer your organizational relationship directly to the Association."
"Joining at this time, your future prospects will be much broader than if you stayed in Xuanhe Village."
Chen Yuan fell into contemplation.
Though the Wildlife Rescue Station was under the jurisdiction of the Beastmaster Association, it was akin to a branch office compared to the headquarters, with vast differences in benefits and advancement opportunities.
"Song, if I join, will I have to work in Baokun City?" Chen Yuan asked the crucial question.
"Yes, that's a mandatory requirement."
"Then forget it, I'll stay here." Hearing this, Chen Yuan decisively shook his head.
He didn't even want to go to Donghuang Beast Taming Academy because he wanted to stay in Qinling, let alone work at the Baokun City Beastmaster Association.
Song Guohao wasn't surprised by this answer; he simply nodded, "No rush, decide by tomorrow and let me know."
"Thank you, Song."
"Alright, I'll head back to rest. Traveling all day has tired me out." Song Guohao waved goodbye as he turned to leave.
Outside in the courtyard, Song Guohao saw the resting Flame Cloud Falcon and the motionless Gray Feathered Hunting Eagle in the corner, as well as the Gale Hunting Dog playfully running around. His mouth opened, but he said nothing.
Most Quasi-Beastmasters were still racking their brains trying to contract their first Pet Beast, yet there were three right in this small courtyard?
As he turned,
he saw Chen Weiyi placing a bunch of vegetables on the ground. As he wondered about it, a massive figure emerged from the ground, even startling the well-traveled Song Guohao.
Then,
Song Guohao watched as the Steel-headed Ground Rat merrily ate the vegetables while Chen Weiyi looked on with a satisfied smile.
No, not three.
Four.