In the town of strange beasts, you can see that each strange beast has its own manager, and the human beings and the strange beasts seem to live in harmony, which feels a little unusual.
Seeing this scene, Ah Jun suddenly thought of his own little cat. If he had been here, Xiao Fei would have been freer and safer —— You see, there was a time when the kitten nearly got taken away by the Beast Control Bureau. Thanks to his familys desperate efforts to keep him, Ah Jun ended up staying with it, but at the cost of losing much freedom.
Just as the boy was daydreaming, he was suddenly pulled by someone. At this time, Xiao Xi and Xiao Tianmei were pulling their brother to look for dinner. Food was the source of Xiao Xis motivation, which of course could not be compared with the fun brought by games.
After being fed, Xiao Xi was quiet and full of energy. He followed Ah Jun and Xiao Tianmei to walk around and see the different town buildings and features, which is almost impossible to see in other places.
As Ah Jun had read in the book, this town and its characteristics had existed and formed long ago. Most of the people here were descendants of guardians, both local and outsiders.
The local residents, who have lived in this small town for generations, cherish mythical creatures and consider them companions. While outsiders initially came as like-minded individuals here and there, over the past decade, people from all corners of the globe have flocked to this picturesque yet peculiar town.
Some of them chose to settle down here and make a living, while others only lived here briefly and received training. Everyone had different dreams, but most of them were members of the Monster Management Bureau for one reason: to grab a golden rice bowl.
Just over a decade ago, the new directors exceptional abilities and contributions won royal favor, propelling the Beast Guardian Bureau into the limelight of the Guardian Alliance. Young talents flocked to secure positions—— The Beast Town, once impoverished and neglected, underwent a remarkable transformation under the bureaus leadership and policy reforms. Designated as the first training base, it quickly gained public recognition and sustained growing attention from all quarters.
This explains why Yishuzhen has maintained its enduring popularity in recent years, attracting a steady stream of visitors. Its unique historical context and cultural heritage have propelled this traditional town into a globally renowned internet-famous tourist destination——. However, these achievements now seem to be moving further away from the original vision behind Yishuzhens establishment, highlighting the dilemma of wanting both fish and bears paw—a classic case of irreconcilable contradictions.
While strolling along the newly paved asphalt thoroughfare, these three children unexpectedly drew significant attention from various exotic creatures. This was likely because Ah Jun—— not only... but also had some adorable companions who, defying their masters wishes, came over alone and actively sought friendship with him.
This put Ah Jun in a tricky spot. With so many olive branches extending their hands, he truly didnt know how to decline them. After all, these exotic beasts were all under the jurisdiction of specialized agencies under the Exotic Beast Administration Bureau. Every single one had owners – the beasts only had the right to be chosen, not to choose themselves. They could only be abandoned and couldnt seek new homes. Changing ownership would mean losing face.
It was obvious at a glance that the other spectators who had been left out of the crowd were showing strange expressions towards the children, and even some of them grabbed their pets and walked away grumbling.
But when it came to the other small animals, Ah Jun still felt a bit torn. Although most of the onlookers were friendly and didnt pick on the —— cute little ones, they all expressed warm welcome, leaving Ah Jun no choice but to stay put and keep greeting them politely...
—— Yes, okay, cut it out when you can, watch me!
Of course, Xiao Xi knew her brothers weakness. Seeing this, she immediately took the opportunity to escape with Xiao Tianmei, who was still struggling with the malicious onlookers, and her brother, who was at a loss, after a brief exchange with Ah Jun.
After running for a short while, the children hid in an alley. Xiao Xi knew her brother couldnt afford to be too tired. Considering Ah Juns special attraction to the mythical creatures, they decided to find a hotel immediately for shelter. As for finding delicious food, Xiao Xi thought it wasnt important at this moment.
Yue Lai Inn, a retro-style hotel and the only accommodation in the town, caters primarily to wellness retreats. With few visitors like Ah Jun and Xiao Xi, the establishment meticulously recreates ancient inn elements while offering refined comfort. Subtle tech enhancements blend seamlessly into the decor, ensuring guests relaxation. The property also maintains strict entry restrictions for exotic beasts.
After dinner, Ah Jun kept thinking about the route for the next morning, trying to make it as fast, safe and secure as possible. But Xiao Xi and Xiao Tianmei kept proposing to change their itinerary, because they wanted to set out after lunch, not only for the food, but also to watch a selection contest for the exotic beast keeper.
While Ah Jun could fend off his younger brothers persistent teasing, he couldnt resist the sweet girls coquettish charm and reluctantly agreed. The top performers in the selection contest would not only earn intern administrator positions but also access secret equipment from the Beast Control Bureau—specifically a weapon to restrain overstepping beasts, a tool for daily beast management, and a Rubiks Cube. Of course, these items served as entertaining distractions and mental exercises when idle. Eager to witness the grand finale firsthand, Ah Jun was determined to see it all.
The so-called Beast Sanctuary has now evolved into a training base for the Beast Administration Bureau, serving as a talent pipeline for institutional development. With todays beasts proving far more challenging to manage than before—marked by frequent abnormal mutations that both increase operational pressures and personnel demands—the bureaus standing within the alliance has significantly risen. The newly appointed director has become a favorite among the royal family, cementing his status as a key figure in the alliances leadership circle.
The next morning, after breakfast at the inn, Xiao Xi and Ah Jun grabbed their still-drowsy Xiao Tianmei and rushed out. They had disguised themselves to avoid drawing attention like yesterday, then stealthily approached the main venue—a large circular arena resembling a soccer field seen on TV.
However, this strategy proved futile. The strange beasts could easily detect Ah Juns presence through mere intuition or scent, forcing them to alter their approach and accelerate their journey. While the competition was open to all residents of Strange Beast Town, entry was strictly prohibited to the beasts themselves. The main arenas exterior stood in stark contrast to the town gates natural harmony, radiating an intense competitive vibe that demanded full attention.
The children settled into a secluded spot, eagerly awaiting the finals. The competition consisted of three rounds with three qualifying spots. The opening round featured nine contestants who had advanced from the preliminary stage, each commanding their tamed mythical beast in a one-on-one elimination match for the first slot—the "Young Scholar". This challenge tested their training results, with every participant rubbing their hands in anticipation. Though the most brutal, it was also the easiest segment to qualify for.
The players skillfully directed their animals to compete through voice and gesture, while the animals cooperated with each other to fight and make their owners proud. The cheers of the audience rose and fell, and soon the first place was born.
Next is the group competition, where two players work together to tame a wild monster. The judges will choose the best performer from the group with the least time and give them the second place. This test is about the cooperation and technical level of the players, which requires solid foundation and adaptability.
Ah Jun and Xiao Xi watched with great interest, while Xiao Tianmei was still holding Ah Jun to continue her dream. Unconsciously, the competition was nearing its end. The last big test, the only remaining chance, and of course, the most difficult and dangerous game, was starting.
Unsuccessful contestants can team up to battle the Beast Bureaus carefully bred test subjects: —— Special creatures born on Jurassic Island, genetically engineered by the new director, and rigorously trained from infancy. These advanced beings possess free evolution capabilities and self-repair abilities, specifically designed for the final showdown.
Jurassic Island, also known as Dinosaur Island, lies in the central ocean of the continent where the Five Provinces are situated. This landmass has nurtured a vast population of creatures that once dominated Earth during the Jurassic period—the dinosaurs. Originally an unremarkable island, it served as a natural museum housing dinosaur fossils and mysteries, along with some unique resources that remained untapped by humans