The research funding for Pet Beast scholars is applied for from the official authorities of various countries.
Chang Feng was a Champion Beast Tamer under the official authorities of China. Schools, public security, and local forces in Yuzhong City and its surrounding regions all fell under his jurisdiction.
Funding applications from these regions would first go through his preliminary review. He would provide his evaluation before forwarding them onward.
Therefore, the moment Jiang Xing submitted his application, Chang Feng immediately learned of the research topic and called him.
Hearing the undisguised eagerness in his voice, Jiang Xing still chose to speak honestly.
"It's not resurrection, but revival in an undead form."
"And for now, only one native Howl Hound from the Secret Realm has been successfully revived."
"Whether this transformation can be replicated, and whether it can be applied to Pet Beasts other than Howl Hounds, is still uncertain. Further testing is required…"
"Student Jiang Xing, you're an expert in Pet Beast research. I trust your judgment," Chang Feng said excitedly. "What do you think the probability of Pet Beast revival is?"
"...If we're only talking about Howl Hounds, under sufficient conditions, I think there's about a fifty percent chance of revival."
From Chang Feng's attitude, it was obvious he had once lost a Pet Beast companion—someone he longed to bring back.
But as the saying goes, the greater the hope, the greater the disappointment.
The research project hadn't even begun yet. Jiang Xing didn't want to appear overly confident and risk putting these Beast Tamers through the pain of shattered expectations again.
So he added, "As for other Pet Beasts, the probability is completely uncertain. Please don't place too much hope on it, Champion Chang."
"...I understand."
Chang Feng seemed somewhat disappointed. After a few seconds of silence, he regained his composure and spoke seriously.
"A Howl Hound is fine. Student Jiang Xing, could you let me visit the Death Secret Realm first and confirm the existence of that Undead Guardian Hound?"
"I have something important to discuss with you."
"Of course."
Jiang Xing agreed readily.
The Howl Hound's Death-Region Form was a research project entirely based on the Death Secret Realm.
As an official representative, Chang Feng's request to inspect and verify the authenticity of the Secret Realm was completely reasonable.
After hanging up, it didn't take long before a giant eagle descended from the horizon, riding a fierce gale.
Chang Feng—wearing black-rimmed glasses and looking refined and scholarly—leapt down lightly and extended his hand.
"Student Jiang Xing, we meet again."
Jiang Xing shook his hand, but his attention was drawn to the giant eagle beside him.
It stood nearly three meters tall, with blazing red feathers like flames, a pale cyan underbelly, and golden V-shaped plumes atop its head that streamed backward like sharp blades—exceedingly majestic.
Fire God Eagle, a dual Fire and Wind attribute Pet Beast, with a Species Tier of High Monarch.
Its base form was the High Extraordinary Ember Star Bird, on the same level as the Howl Hound. Thanks to its decent potential, it was a popular "starter bird" in the Yuzhong region.
However, Jiang Xing could tell that this Fire God Eagle had been trained to an exceptional degree. Its presence far exceeded the limits of a High Monarch Tier.
He couldn't help but ask, "Overlord Level?"
"That's right. It's already Low Overlord," Chang Feng replied proudly.
Jiang Xing showed a hint of surprise.
In this world, Species Tier does not represent a Pet Beast's lower bound—it represents its upper limit.
For example, a Mid Commander Rainbow Dragon Hatchling, once reaching Mid Commander Level, would find it extremely difficult to progress further. Only through evolution could it break that limitation.
Only those Pet Beasts with exceptional potential—those who have endured countless battles and completely surpassed themselves—can, under rare circumstances, break through their Species Tier limits and reach a higher Power Level.
For this Fire God Eagle to reach Overlord Level, Chang Feng had clearly poured immense effort into it.
Jiang Xing didn't even need to test them to know—their Friendship must be maxed out.
And not just one-way, but mutual.
He couldn't help but remark, "You two seem very close."
"Of course. It's one of my earliest partners. It's accompanied me through countless battles and helped me earn the title of Champion," Chang Feng said with a smile, though his tone gradually grew heavier.
"Actually, the Golden Armored Monkey was also one of my initial partners. But during one Secret Realm expedition, it took a fatal blow to protect me… and never woke up again."
"Shriek!"
The Fire God Eagle cried out, spreading its wings to cover Chang Feng and gently nudging him in comfort.
Watching this deeply emotional bond between man and Pet Beast, Jiang Xing scratched his head.
It was obvious that Chang Feng had brought this up deliberately as a hint.
So Jiang Xing said, "Once I complete the Undead Guardian Hound research and stabilize the special environment of the Death Secret Realm, I'll move on to revival research for other Pet Beasts as soon as possible…"
"I believe in you!" Chang Feng immediately brightened, smiling. "Let's go. Let me take a look at the Death Secret Realm first."
A few days earlier, after returning to the research institute, Jiang Xing had used the Secret Realm Core to set the entrance of the Death Secret Realm inside one of the institute's rooms.
Now, he led Chang Feng through the entrance and into the Death Secret Realm.
Once Chang Feng personally felt the omnipresent aura of death and saw the Undead Guardian Hound—so similar to the Howl Hound—he no longer had any doubts.
He then asked, "Student Jiang Xing, have you ever heard the story of Loyal Dog Goldie?"
"Goldie?" Jiang Xing shook his head.
He had heard of Hachikō, but that belonged to a different worldline.
"That happened in Hefeng City. Since your hometown is Jinqiu City, it's normal you haven't heard of it," Chang Feng explained.
"Twenty years ago, before poaching organizations were dismantled, poaching incidents were rampant. Some criminals not only hunted rare Pet Beasts but also attacked civilians, killing witnesses."
"At that time, in the countryside of Hefeng City, a group of low-level poachers was discovered by a child who was playing in the mountains. To prevent exposure and avoid attracting law enforcement, they chose to silence him."
"At the critical moment, the Howl Hound that the child had with him stepped forward. It blocked the attacks of the poachers' Pet Beasts, buying time for the child to escape. At the same time, with its loud howls, it attracted nearby Beast Tamers from the village."
"It's said that at the time, that Howl Hound, relying on its own strength, held off multiple Extraordinary Level Pet Beasts—and even one Commander Level Pet Beast—displaying power beyond its limits. Only after reinforcements arrived and the child was rescued did it collapse from exhaustion."
"In the end, the poachers were arrested… but that Howl Hound, named Goldie, remained in the mountains forever."
"Only its story of loyalty was passed down and known to the world."
Loyalty. Protection. Fearlessness.
The defining traits of the Howl Hound were perfectly embodied in Goldie.
Jiang Xing was deeply moved and suddenly understood.
"Champion Chang… you want to use the Death Secret Realm to revive Goldie?"
"That's right." Chang Feng nodded. "Goldie's owner—the child back then—was named Meng Yuan. He later joined the police force and made great contributions in the fight against poaching organizations."
"Now, he's already a Champion Beast Tamer, still fighting on the front lines against darkness."
"He's also a friend of mine. If there's a chance to bring back his old partner, he would be overjoyed."
Chang Feng paused, his expression turning serious.
"And it's not just Goldie."
"Howl Hounds, known for their loyalty and courage, are one of the most common police-use Pet Beasts, active on the front lines."
"And because of that, their casualty rate is extremely high. Many officers have lost their closest companions because of this."
"Student Jiang Xing, on behalf of these frontline officers, I hope you can uncover the secrets of the Death Secret Realm—wake them from their eternal rest, and return them to their masters."
After speaking, Chang Feng bowed deeply.
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