“So…” Lin Su’s expression became a bit odd, “is there a possibility, just a possibility, that I might want to apply for a combat specialization?”
“Huh?” Qin Nan’s expression also turned odd, “You? Combat specialization? Why the sudden interest?”
Lin Su: “…”
He felt somewhat underestimated.
“Why?”
“If it’s combat, I should be able to learn Guardian Beast Co-operation tactics, right?” Lin Su’s face was full of hope. “I want to learn that!”
“Is that all?” Qin Nan rolled her eyes, “You can learn that in research-focused specialties too, look at me, don’t I know how to do it?”
Ah, this…
Seems like it, doesn’t it?
Lin Su’s expression turned odd again.
Glancing at Lin Su, Qin Nan immediately guessed that this kid hadn’t really made up his mind.
“By entering a research specialty, you’ll be able to systematically study the relevant theoretical knowledge. Most of the questions you asked me earlier can be covered in university studies, Guardian Beast Co-operation is taught in all specialties that meet the criteria, but as for combat…”
Qin Nan smiled, “I think I understand what you mean, you want to improve your pet’s combat skills, right? As a Beast Tamer, that’s quite normal, but in university, you can attend courses from other specialties in your spare time. If you’re interested in combat, auditing should be enough.”
It works like that?
Lin Su blinked.
The teaching methods at Beast Tamer University were much freer than in high school, and he didn’t know much about it previously. Hearing Qin Nan’s explanation, he started to understand.
“If that’s the case, then I’ll apply for a research specialty.”
The various theoretical knowledge in research specialties could help him bring knowledge of Beast Taming from the Shenwu world, which had evolved over two thousand years and included techniques not found on Blue Star, back to Blue Star. This was clearly more beneficial.
“Mhm.” Qin Nan nodded, “Although you can enter on recommendation, I still suggest you take part in the entrance assessment. The top ten in the entrance assessment get special rewards.”
Special rewards?
Now you’ve got my interest!
Lin Su’s eyes lit up, “Nan, what exactly are these special rewards?”
Looking at Lin Su’s greedy expression, Qin Nan couldn’t help but roll her eyes, “Each batch’s rewards vary, but based on past situations, the first place usually gets about ten thousand contribution points, second and third place around five thousand, and the ones after that around one to two thousand.”
“That’s not too shabby,” Lin Su nodded, “I might as well give it a try.”
There was about a month left until the entrance assessment. Once Qiuqiu evolved, facing a group of contract pets from Beast Tamers who’d been training for only a few months would be like a walkover.
Just join in casually and then easily grab the first place.
Ten thousand contribution points, that’s nearly equivalent to a Level 6 resource. This is a huge gain.
Next, Lin Su asked Qin Nan for more details about the entrance assessment. However, Qin Nan was only a researcher at the research institute, not the teacher in charge of admissions and assessments. She wasn’t particularly clear about the specifics. They chatted sporadically while quickly making their way to the hotel.
“Kid, we’re heading back early tomorrow morning. Don’t oversleep,” Qin Nan casually reminded, then entered her own room.
“Got it.” Lin Su nodded with a smile and then went back to his room.
Sitting at the head of the bed, he browsed through the various responses on his social media, amused by the witty remarks of his online friends. After selectively replying to a few, he returned Qiuqiu to the Beast Taming Space and quickly fell into a deep sleep.
When he woke again, he was back in the Shenwu world.
Sitting up in bed, Lin Su summoned Qiuqiu once again, with a smile on his face, “Qiuqiu, your injuries are completely healed, so today we’re going to challenge the Beast Tower.”
“Meow! (ᓀωᓂ)” (Beat up Fire Cloud Dog!)
“Not bad.” Lin Su nodded, “Your Snow Trace has advanced to rank III, and combined with Snow Blow, you can now engage in high-altitude combat. The fire attribute terrain will have less impact on you, and your movements can also be more agile. Defeating the fifth-floor Fire Cloud Dog is hopeful.”
The fire attribute terrain on the fifth floor of the Beast Tower was somewhat akin to a volcanic area, which greatly hampered Qiuqiu’s mobility, making even standing still feel scalding hot.
Now that it could fly, its combat capability had been elevated by more than just a notch or two.
Changing into outdoor clothes, Lin Su carried Qiuqiu and headed to the Beast Taming Union.
It happened that he had many unanswered questions regarding the Nirvana Pool that he was going to visit in two days. He could inquire about it from Mu Yuxing in advance.
Previously he had only mentioned a few words, and Lin Su was still very curious about this miraculous place.
…
“Mu, you haven’t changed a bit,” Qi Yunhan said as he entered Mu Yuxing’s office and saw him idly slacking off, shaking his head helplessly.
“Well…” Caught slacking off by the president, Mu Yuxing coughed lightly, his expression slightly awkward, “Has the Union headquarters meeting ended? You got back quite fast.”
“It just ended not long ago,” Qi Yunhan nodded.
“What was this meeting about? Why was it so urgent?” Mu Yuxing asked curiously.
“The National Competition,” Qi Yunhan smiled helplessly, “At this critical juncture, other than the National Competition, what else could summon more than twenty Beast Taming Union presidents for a meeting?”
“The National Competition…” Mu Yuxing’s expression turned peculiar, “Us Beast Tamers are just dabbling in it. If we really want Da You to win the supreme award, it’s going to be up to the martial artists. What’s the use of calling you over?”
“The upcoming National Competition in Da You will see some changes,” Qi Yunhan glanced around, “and it mainly concerns the Beast Tamers’ preliminary rounds.”
“What do you mean?” Mu Yuxing’s expression became inquisitive, “Out of the twelve spots Da You has in the National Competition, Beast Tamers only get two. They aren’t cutting it further, are they?”
“They wouldn’t go that far,” Qi Yunhan shook his head, “That’s an established ratio based on the higher-ups’ decision and it generally doesn’t change. It’s just that His Majesty is dissatisfied with the Beast Tamers of Da You not scoring well in past competitions, so he wants to adjust the competition rules.”
“This time, the Beast Tamers’ preliminary round will involve no-rules combat instead of the previous beast combat.”
“Hmm?” Mu Yuxing couldn’t help but stand up. “You mean attacking Beast Tamers directly?”
“Yes,” Qi Yunhan nodded, “The preliminary rounds for martial artists and Beast Tamers will be held separately, but they will not be separated in the National Competition. Our Beast Tamers not scoring well may also be related to this. Therefore, His Majesty thought it prudent to adapt in advance. Beast Tamers cannot grow up in a greenhouse.”
“As harsh as it might seem, it’s better than being defeated by the champions from other countries in the future National Competition,” Qi Yunhan sighed softly, “So, more than eighty percent of the presidents of the Beast Taming Unions, including myself, have agreed to this proposal.”
“Alright,” Mu Yuxing slowly sat back down, “You make sense. There’s still two months to go before the preliminary round, enough time to prepare in advance.”
“Yeah.” After discussing this topic, Qi Yunhan suddenly remembered something, “Speaking of which, how’s that young Lin Family member I asked you to keep an eye on? Also, there was a Potion Master competition held in the southern region a couple of days ago, right? I heard our Union won the championship again. Which junior was it that performed so excellently?”
The day after Lin’s father had asked Qi Yunhan to look after Lin Su, Qi Yunhan was urgently summoned to attend a meeting at the Union headquarters in the capital of the Great Yan Empire.
Thinking that the young Lin Family member he had not yet met might come to the Beast Taming Union, he mentioned him to Mu Yuxing, asking him to help keep an eye on him, uncertain whether Mu Yuxing would remember.
“Is there a possibility,” Mu Yuxing’s expression turned odd, “I mean, just a possibility, that the answers to the few questions you asked are the same?”
“What do you mean?”
“The one who won the Potion Master competition is the very same Lin Family junior you asked me to look out for.”
Qi Yunhan was taken aback, “He’s only been a Beast Tamer for just over a month, right?!”
“Right, just over a month, and he concocted a perfect grade energy potion,” Mu Yuxing saw Qi Yunhan’s increasingly astonished expression and felt a surge of delight inside.
Finally, I’m not the only one shocked.
“Knock, knock, knock.”
Familiar knocks sounded from the door, and Mu Yuxing nudged Qi Yunhan, “Perfect timing, Lin Su is here. Why don’t you talk to him?”
“Come in!”