The next morning, the sun shone brightly.
Outside the window, the chirping of birds and the "yi-yi-ya-ya-ying-ying" sounds of Flower Leaf Leaves doing their morning exercises rose and fell.
Sparse morning light filtered through the sheer curtains and onto Lin Chuan's face, but it didn't wake him; his snoring continued.
Yesterday, first there was the Awakening Ceremony in the morning, then in the afternoon he was busy helping Guoguo Sakura with high-intensity Photosynthesis while constructing skills, and in the evening, he rushed to the Beastmaster Association to register information and purchase a Pet Space Device and skill materials.
His schedule was packed, and Lin Chuan was utterly exhausted, making it one of the most tiring days he had ever experienced.
Hmm? Is there anything more tiring than this?
Of course there is! Every year, more than a dozen new Flower Leaf Leaves are born, and taking care of newborn Flower Leaf Leaves is the most exhausting, not just physically, but mentally too.
But back to the main topic.
Due to excessive fatigue yesterday, Lin Chuan found it a bit hard to get out of bed today.
Lin Xuédòng didn't come to call him either, so Lin Chuan slept until just after 8 AM before waking up naturally.
8 AM? That's not late, is it?
Well, for ordinary people, it's not late, even early, but for a new Beast Master who just contracted a spirit beast and is rushing to train it for the entrance exam in three months, giving his all, this is as late as it gets.
Other new Beast Masters often wake up at 6 AM or even earlier, before dawn.
He groggily opened his eyes, groggily completed his morning routine, and then, driven by instinct, Lin Chuan groggily walked back to his bed, lay down again, and hugged his pillow.
"Hmm?"
Realizing something, Lin Chuan made a strange, questioning sound.
Gradually, Lin Chuan's consciousness cleared little by little.
Finally, with a whoosh, Lin Chuan suddenly sat up in bed and frantically looked at the wall clock.
After a moment of stunned silence, Lin Chuan hurriedly got dressed and out of bed.
Pulling open the window, Lin Chuan saw the scene in the distance and finally breathed a sigh of relief.
He saw that, led by Lin Lao Deng, all the Flower Leaf Leaves on the farm were lined up like elementary school students, from shortest to tallest, divided into five columns based on their names, all performing the third version of the Flower Leaf Leaf Calisthenics, self-composed by Lin Lao Deng.
Their "yi-yi-ya-ya-ying-ying" calls blended together, full of vitality and cuteness.
The third version of the Flower Leaf Leaf Calisthenics!
This was one of the results of Lin Xuédòng's nearly 30 years of dedicated research into Flower Leaf Leaves, a unique secret technique.
It is a set of exercises specifically for the Flower Leaf Leaf spirit beast, and as of now, it can perhaps be said to be the most suitable for the Flower Leaf Leaf's body structure in the entire Star Rock Federation, even the whole world, allowing the Flower Leaf Leaf to warm up fully and absorb morning light to accumulate natural energy with the highest efficiency.
It was also to allow Guoguo and Sakura to participate in this morning exercise under the morning light that Lin Chuan rushed back so late last night.
Fortunately, as soon as he returned last night, Lin Chuan immediately released his two little darlings from the Pet Space Device, letting them return to their companions.
If he had left them in the Pet Space Device, they might have missed it because he overslept.
At this moment, Guoguo and Sakura were at the very front of the line, on either side of Lin Xuédòng, leading the exercises with him.
Generally speaking, the Flower Leaf Leaves leading the exercises on Lin Xuédòng's left and right were the older Flower Leaf Leaves from the farm; those Flower Leaf Leaves were basically over ten years old, with some even older than Lin Chuan.
Their intelligence had reached the level of a normal 10-year-old human child or even higher, and their temperaments were more stable and gentle, allowing them to assist Lin Xuédòng in better managing the other young, lively, and active Flower Leaf Leaves.
And now, this was clearly Lin Xuédòng's special arrangement.
Leading the exercises at the front would naturally create pressure, and naturally, they would perform every detail of the third version of the Flower Leaf Leaf Calisthenics more seriously, strictly, and standardly.
Lin Chuan felt lucky; thankfully, his Lin Lao Deng had helped, otherwise Guoguo and Sakura would have missed today's calisthenics group training.
Without making a sound to disturb them, Lin Chuan simply stood on the balcony and watched.
Having already formed a contract, Guoguo and Sakura immediately sensed Lin Chuan's gaze, as well as his emotional fluctuations of relief, joy, and encouragement.
As a result, Guoguo and Sakura performed their exercises even more seriously, jumping with more vigor.
The two little darlings tried to make every movement as perfect as possible, stretching their bodies to the maximum extent they could stretch.
Half an hour later.
Lin Chuan handed the breakfast soymilk and two large steamed buns to Lin Xuédòng, then half-squatted down to tell Guoguo and Sakura a few words, letting them go plant themselves in yesterday's nutrient soil flower pot.
Breakfast was ordered by Lin Chuan from a delivery service.
During the time his mother, Su Xiaoxia, was away working as a tutor at the university, neither Lin Lao Deng nor the Lin Chuan siblings bothered to cook; all daily meals were taken care of by delivery.
What kind of delivery service is so diligent? Opening so early in the morning.
That would be the farm's canteen delivery service.
Although Lin's Farm belongs to the Lin family, its canteen and daily necessities convenience store are run by the family members and relatives of the old employees who first followed Lin Xuédòng to establish the farm.
Taking the breakfast Lin Chuan handed him, taking a bite of the bun and a sip of soymilk, Lin Xuédòng casually sat on the bluestone steps and said,
"Pay attention from now on; you can't rush everything.
You need to manage your time reasonably."
Slightly embarrassed, Lin Chuan nodded.
Originally, the plan was to go to the Beastmaster Association for registration and to purchase a Pet Space Device today, but he couldn't curb his impatience and rushed over after dinner yesterday, leading to excessive fatigue and a late return, which resulted in him not waking up on time today.
Thus, if you make a mistake, you must admit it, and if you're to be punished, you must stand at attention!
The father and son sat together, munching on breakfast and chatting casually.
"It looks like you've spent most of your money, haven't you?"
Seeing the watch on Lin Chuan's wrist, which was clearly a Pet Space Device, although he didn't know the exact price, he could guess roughly.
Combined with the nutrient soil and nutrient water Lin Chuan bought yesterday, Lin Xuédòng roughly guessed the situation.
Unlike his earlier advice to Lin Chuan to manage his time reasonably, which had a hint of admonition, this time Lin Xuédòng had no intention of blaming him.
He was merely stating a fact and didn't say that Lin Chuan was spending money like water, after all, Lin Chuan was spending money where it needed to be spent.
Raising battle pets was indeed a money-burning endeavor, and to get into the Eight Great Academies, this was far from enough.
Lin Chuan felt helpless, a bit of a headache.
"Yes, I only have 230,000 left, Lin Lao Deng, do you know any ways to make money?" Lin Chuan asked.
New Beast Masters who have completed registration and updated their information can receive tasks from the Beastmaster Association.
Every year at this time, the Beastmaster Association intentionally releases many low-difficulty tasks suitable for new Beast Masters, to facilitate them in earning money to get started.
However, the rewards for such new Beast Master tasks are ultimately a bit meager.
Perhaps for new Beast Masters from ordinary families, it's barely enough, and those good at budgeting might even have a fair amount left over.
But for Lin Chuan, who started with two initial spirit beasts, it was clearly not enough, even far from enough, after all, his goal was the Eight Great Academies, not an ordinary Imperial Beast University, like the one his mother was a tutor at.
Following such a popular trend, perhaps a few years later, Lin Chuan could still become a Professional Beastmaster, given his dual-beast talent, but getting into the Eight Great Academies would be a bit difficult.
"Ways to make money, let me think."
Lin Xuédòng stroked his chin.
Lin Chuan was already an adult and a Beast Master, so he wouldn't directly give Lin Chuan money anymore.
As a father, he had already given Lin Chuan far more starting capital than other new Beast Masters, but providing avenues and letting Lin Chuan earn money himself was still acceptable.
"Hmm?"
Lin Xuédòng pondered, then suddenly, his eyes lit up, as if he had thought of something.
Noticing the subtle change in Lin Xuédòng's expression, Lin Chuan also looked at his Lin Lao Deng with anticipation.
"Third son, you should know that there are various large and small new Beast Master competitions around this time every year, right?" Lin Xuédòng said.
Lin Chuan nodded; he was aware of this situation.
This was another path for new Beast Masters to earn money and develop, specially prepared by the Star Rock Federation official.
Every year at this time, during the three months before the entrance exams, the Star Rock Federation official cooperates with various private enterprises, factories, and even roadside convenience stores to hold new Beast Master competitions, commonly known as the Baby Cup, among the populace.
New Beast Masters with relatively ordinary strength would honestly grind new tasks, while those who contracted relatively powerful initial spirit beasts and were confident in their strength could quickly earn prize money to cultivate their spirit beasts by participating in the Baby Cup competitions.
Taking the Baby Cup path can quickly earn money and provide battle experience for spirit beasts, but spirit beasts are prone to injury.
If they suffer serious injuries like fractures, ordinary new Beast Masters may not have the money or connections to hire a spirit beast medical master for treatment, which would inevitably affect subsequent cultivation.
Compared to the stable path of diligently grinding new tasks, participating in the Baby Cup is a tightrope walk with high risks but equally high rewards.
In previous years, the commoner Beast Masters who stood out and got into the Eight Great Academies basically all took the Baby Cup path.
However, Lin Chuan didn't have this idea, not because he was afraid, but because it wasn't suitable.
The Baby Cup is a 1v1 rule-based open-restricted competition, and his initial spirit beasts are Flower Leaf Leaves.
Flower Leaf Leaves are typical logistical support-type spirit beasts.
Without a preliminary skill construction, Flower Leaf Leaves do not have the ability to contend with those animal-type spirit beasts that are naturally strong.
Even if they could win in the end, it would be a very difficult victory, and they would likely get injured, which would be a net loss.
Seeing Lin Chuan's silence, Lin Xuédòng chuckled and said,
"I know what you're thinking.
As a professional Flower Leaf Leaf researcher, do you think I wouldn't know that Flower Leaf Leaves aren't suitable for new Beast Master competitions?"
"What I mean is, I plan to apply to the Federal Government to host a Baby Cup, uh, a new Beast Master competition, in the name of Lin's Farm."
"And you, third son, as the representative host of my Lin's Farm, will be responsible for cooperating with the Federal staff and presiding over this competition."
"I will give you 30% of the farm's total income during the competition period.
If you do well and manage to boost Lin's Farm's reputation, I will consider giving you a larger share."
After Lin Xuédòng finished speaking, he looked at Lin Chuan, who did not immediately agree.
Because Lin Chuan knew how troublesome and complicated it was to host a new Beast Master competition, it was not as easy as participating in one.
There were too many things to consider.
Logistical arrangements, background checks on contestants, dispatch of farm supplies, and reasonable behind-the-scenes manipulation of the competition.
That's right! It's behind-the-scenes manipulation!
Reasonable behind-the-scenes manipulation can make the competition more exciting.
For example, letting two spirit beasts whose species are natural enemies meet would undoubtedly be a fierce battle; wouldn't that be a great highlight?
Another example, letting two new Beast Masters who are secretly in a relationship clash in a crucial elimination round, whether they break up on the spot or stage a 'spirit beast is about to fight to the death, why does the Beast Master surrender first' dog-licking drama, wouldn't that attract eyeballs?
Conversely, if there's no reasonable behind-the-scenes manipulation, and if by bad luck two strong seed players meet in the first round, then in the final, it's clearly a strong one against a weak one, that would be very uninteresting, and tickets wouldn't sell.
After much deliberation, Lin Chuan finally nodded and agreed.
As long as the competition could be successfully held, if he could attract news reporters or certain streamers to generate higher popularity, he would undoubtedly make a huge profit!
The money earned would be incomparable to grinding new tasks or even winning the championship prize.
Thinking of something, Lin Chuan looked at Lin Xuédòng again and asked,
"Lin Lao Deng, did you come up with this on the fly, or was it premeditated?"
"...What do you think?"
After a pause, Lin Lao Deng smiled and retorted.
Lin Chuan understood; this was definitely not something Lin Xuédòng thought of on the spur of the moment, but rather something he had planned long ago, or rather, very long ago, even considering it years before yesterday or even recent months.
Lin's Farm, although it is currently a farm, Lin Xuédòng had long wanted to further develop it into Lin's Flower Leaf Breeding Base, to become a private entity cooperating with the Star Rock Federation official, gaining the Star Rock Federation's recognition and designation, making it another breeding base in Tianshang Town for new Beast Masters to receive initial spirit pets, vigorously promoting Flower Leaf Leaves, making more people like Flower Leaf Leaves, and making the saying 'Flower Leaf Leaf is heaven, Flower Leaf Leaf is earth, Flower Leaf Leaf is number one in the world' recognized by more people.
Gaining official recognition from the Star Rock Federation is not that simple; many conditions must be met.
From the most basic environment to funding, then to the average aptitude of the spirit beasts, and the number of newborn spirit beasts suitable for contracting that can be provided each year—it can't just be one or two; who would choose from that?
At least 10 or more spirit beasts suitable for initial contracts by new Beast Masters are required each year, and usually, between 30 and 50 is considered stable.
And then, there's reputation, or rather, credibility and Popularity .
Even if the spirit beasts are excellent, there must be tangible evidence; otherwise, why would others believe it?
This is also the biggest difficulty in transforming Lin's Farm into Lin's Flower Leaf Breeding Base.
In other aspects, after nearly 30 years of hard work, Lin Xuédòng has basically met all the conditions.
Currently, in this regard, only Lin Xuédòng's identity as a low-level researcher is presentable; other aspects are just ordinary.
If Lin Chuan can truly get into the Eight Great Academies with Guoguo and Sakura, the credibility will be sufficient.
As for hosting a new Beast Master competition, it's also another way to increase credibility.
"A new Beast Master competition hosted by our Lin's Farm, hmm, the Little Lin Cup? Flower Leaf Leaf, ... how about we call it the Hua Ye Ye Cup!"
Lin Xuédòng deliberated for a long time, finally making a decision, then looked at Lin Chuan with expectant eyes and patted Lin Chuan's shoulder.
"Then, the Hua Ye Ye Cup will be entrusted to you, little third son."
"If you've decided, then go write a competition plan for the Hua Ye Ye Cup and show it to me.
If it doesn't pass, I'm afraid, even if you are my son, I cannot give you this task.
You will have to find other ways to earn money to cultivate your Guoguo and Sakura."