One, two, ten, fifty...
He was like a diligent beekeeper collecting honey.
He collected the cockroaches, flies, moths, and even a few bedbugs that had appeared from who-knows-where near the trash heap, pulling them one by one into his Space.
The Insect Race Space Level 2 was as potent as he'd hoped. He had absorbed over a hundred insects in one go without feeling the slightest bit of mental fatigue; he still had plenty of energy to spare.
'Unfortunately, this Skill can only be used for Taming insects. It doesn't work on arthropods like spiders and centipedes…' Chu Sheng felt a pang of regret after trying to capture a spider in the corner and getting no reaction.
Still, this army of over a hundred "ragtag troops" was more than enough for his needs!
'Time to test the execution capabilities of my troops!'
Chu Sheng flew into midair and issued a simple command to all the insects in his Space via his Spiritual Link.
'All units, emerge! Form a square in front of me!'
BUZZ—!
The next second, a massive, dark swarm of insects materialized out of thin air on the empty patch of ground before him!
These insects, which had been fending for themselves just moments ago, now moved in an orderly fashion as if they'd been installed with a unified program.
Flies and moths circled in the air while cockroaches and bedbugs scuttled on the ground. Soon, a lopsided but vaguely recognizable quadrilateral—an "Insect Race phalanx"—appeared before Chu Sheng.
'Holy shit...'
Chu Sheng stared at the scene, shocked by it himself.
This feeling was so fucking awesome!
It was like playing a real-time strategy game, and he was the master strategist in command!
A playful urge took over him, and he commanded the swarm to change into several other formations, from an "S" shape to a "B" shape, having the time of his life.
Though these insects had no real combat power, their sheer numbers and formation were more than enough to scare the daylights out of someone.
'Heh heh, Chen Hao, was it? Wind Blade Wolf, was it?'
Chu Sheng remembered the guy who had been showing off in front of his Empress during the day, and a bold idea popped into his head.
'When I go to school tomorrow, I'll make an example out of that winged husky of yours!'
'I'll show you what the true path of 'Beast Taming' is all about!'
「...」
The next day, Gu Yuexi woke up feeling refreshed and clear-headed.
Her First-Grade Middle Stage strength had elevated both her mental and physical stamina to a level far beyond what they were before.
She glanced at her desk. The mosquito was still there, its abdomen now deflated. It didn't look out of the ordinary.
She still didn't think much of it, merely scoffing inwardly and treating Chu Sheng as a burden that required regular "feeding."
She put Chu Sheng back into the plastic takeout container, slung her backpack on, and hurried to school.
The joint exam was imminent. She had to seize every moment to focus on her Cultivation, and... to look up some information in the library about the Ten Thousand Beasts Melting Furnace Technique and Vein-Protecting Pills.
Although her memories of her past life were profound, some details still needed to be reconfirmed.
Meanwhile, Chu Sheng, trapped inside the box, was anything but calm.
His Insect Race Space was now packed with over two hundred "little brothers," all lying in wait, ready to stir up some major trouble at school!
「...」
Arriving at school, the atmosphere in Beast Taming Class Eight was noticeably more tense than the day before.
With less than half a month until the third-year joint exam, everyone was using the last of their time to train and sync with their Contracted Beasts, hoping to achieve a good score on the big test.
Gu Yuexi's arrival still caused a small stir.
At Chen Hao's desk, the Wind Blade Wolf was lying on the floor, yawning out of boredom.
When Chen Hao saw Gu Yuexi walk into the classroom and sit in the back row, a complex look flashed in his eyes.
Yesterday, he had tried to strike up a conversation with good intentions, hoping to get closer to her. But she had shot him down with a "You're blocking the light," making him lose face in public. He'd been stewing about it ever since.
'Hmph, doesn't know what's good for her.'
Chen Hao muttered to himself and curled his lip. 'Does she really still think of herself as the high-and-mighty School Beauty she used to be?'
'Now she's just a piece of trash who contracted a mosquito, and her Martial Dao is garbage too! Her life is basically over! What's there to be so aloof about? Just wait until the joint exam, you'll be crying then!'
The more he thought about it, the more annoyed he became. He decided he had to get even today and show her what she was missing.
After lingering on Gu Yuexi for a moment, most of the other students also looked away.
After all, to these future Beast Tamers, a classmate who had contracted a mosquito was no longer in the same world as them. She really wasn't worth paying attention to.
Gu Yuexi was happy for the peace and quiet. She took out a book and started reading on her own.
But inside the plastic box, Chu Sheng had already begun his pre-battle mobilization.
'Brothers! Do you see that winged husky out there?'
'Today, that is our target!'
'Operation codename: All-You-Can-Eat Buffet!'
'Phase one of the plan: The first aerial squadron, composed of flies and moths, will be responsible for high-altitude harassment to attract the attention of the main enemy and its master!'
'Phase two: The ground assault team, composed of cockroaches and bedbugs, will be responsible for creating chaos, launching an indiscriminate charge across the floor and desks to further distract the enemy!'
'And I, as the commander-in-chief of this operation and the sole designated "diner," will strike during the chaos, go straight for the target, and complete this "dining" mission!'
'Is that understood?!'
In his mind, Chu Sheng clearly transmitted his battle plan via Spiritual Link to every member within his Insect Race Space.
Although his little brothers weren't very intelligent, they were more than capable of executing such a simple command.
He waited for the right moment.
Finally, the bell for the break rang.
The moment the teacher left, the classroom instantly became lively. Students gathered in small groups, discussing their Contracted Beasts' Skills and tactics for the joint exam.
Chen Hao's opportunity had arrived. He cleared his throat and deliberately said in a loud voice to the students around him, "Hey, my Wind Blade Wolf just learned a new Skill yesterday. Let me show you guys something cool!"
As he spoke, he purposely glanced at Gu Yuexi in the back row out of the corner of his eye. Seeing that she didn't seem to react, he couldn't help but snort inwardly.
'Keep pretending. Just you keep pretending!'
With a mere thought from him, the Wind Blade Wolf at his side let out a low growl and spat out a crescent-shaped blade. The blade, formed from pale green Wind Element, whistled through the air and precisely sliced off the tip of a distant piece of chalk.
"Whoa! Badass!"
"Holy shit! It's got better aim than I do!"
"A Demon Beast with an Intermediate Bloodline is no joke! Chen Hao, you're a shoo-in for the joint exam now! I think you'll get top twenty, at least!"