“...”
However, Ouyang Wei couldn’t possibly know what Lin Guang was thinking.
His brows furrowed slightly, as if he had misunderstood something, and he asked, “You’re not thinking of contracting… that, are you?”
Lin Guang didn’t understand: “Which one?”
Ouyang Wei stared at him for a full ten seconds, seemingly confirming his thoughts.
“What is ‘that’ you’re referring to?”
“Cough, cough… Never mind, forget about it.”
Ouyang Wei coughed twice, then casually signed a leave slip. After that, he reached into the inner pocket of his somewhat faded jacket and pulled out a simple black leather wallet. With two fingers, he took out a metallic silver card and handed it to Lin Guang.
“Take it. Remember to return it to me during class on Monday.”
Lin Guang smiled and reached out to take it. It had some weight to it, seemingly made of some special metal.
“Thank you, Teacher Ouyang. I’ll be off then. I’m afraid the place will close if I go too late.”
Only after Lin Guang closed the door did Ouyang Wei sigh.
He had actually thought of a certain “Spirit Beast” just now.
They wouldn’t appear in beast-rearing bases or legitimate Spirit Beast shops; they could only be found in underground black markets. Furthermore, contracting that kind of “Spirit Beast” required almost no compatibility, so even if Lin Guang’s talent was quite exclusive, he should still be able to successfully contract one.
But… that was the worst possible choice.
Because it was said that those who contracted such “Spirit Beasts” would, at best, find their future progress halted, and at worst, suffer mental problems and descend into madness.
Lin Guang was a student he thought very highly of. Not only did he have talent, but he was also a diligent student, always the last to leave the meditation room. Even if he couldn't contract a Spirit Beast, he could still become a researcher. Ouyang Wei had even mentioned Lin Guang several times to Doctor Kevin, planning to take Lin Guang to her to have a look sometime.
Therefore, even if the probability was minuscule, he didn't want Lin Guang to risk falling into such a predicament.
“I hope you don’t make the wrong choice.”
...
Zhen Sheng Experimental School is located on Tongfa Road in Xili. It’s not a bustling city center, but the sight before Lin Guang still filled him with excitement.
The street before him was divided into three parts: the widest was the Spirit Beast path, followed by the vehicle lane, and the narrowest was the pedestrian walkway.
Docile House Turtles, carrying a family of four in their shells, had the upper part of their thick carapaces transformable into glass-like Moonlight Crystals, which could absorb moonlight essence at night. Charging for an hour allowed them to travel a hundred kilometers, and their six massive feet gave them impressive mobility.
However, this speed paled in comparison to the Wind Speed Wolf. Its silver fur shimmered in the sunlight, and its broad back could seat two or three adult males. Had it not been for the House Turtle obstructing its path, causing a brief pause before it weaved through the middle, the average person's eyes would barely be able to catch sight of them. Their owners were typically city couriers, carrying packages of various sizes, dashing through the streets at lightning speed.
In the sky, Messenger Pelicans, with takeaways of various sizes in their mouths, flapped their wings leisurely, occasionally casting disdainful glances at the Wind Speed Wolf below—ever since the Messenger Pelican's evolution path was deciphered by a certain Spirit Beast Doctor, the Wind Speed Wolf’s business had been snatched away.
On the vehicle lane were various modern vehicles, forming a stark contrast to the ancient and fantastical Spirit Beast path. The vehicles were streamlined and full of technological flair, with occasional glimpses of hovercars gliding lightly in mid-air. But this wasn't entirely “technology”; it was also aided by the power of Mechanical Spirit Beasts.
On the pedestrian walkway beside it, a tall golden birch tree was planted every few meters. These were the most common trees in Zhen Sheng City and its surroundings, almost serving as a symbol and wonder of the city. Pedestrians strolled leisurely, accompanied by Spirit Beasts adorned with various accessories.
By the roadside, there were both peculiar shops, such as Martial Arts Monkey Bone Setting Shop, Eyeless Earthworm Massage Parlor, Milk Tea Pot Milk Tea, and Battle Top Experience Store, as well as very ordinary food stalls. A Mediterranean-looking boss carried a giant wok and kicked the Fire Flame Sloth’s backside, which was lying beneath, with his flip-flop. Thirty seconds later, the latter yawned deeply, and orange flames, reaching over a thousand degrees Celsius, burst from its orange-yellow fur.
Lin Guang stood by the roadside, gazing at the familiar yet strange streetscape, taking a deep breath. In his dark pupils, an excitement and emotion that no one could understand flickered.
This was the world of Spirit Beasts, the world of the extraordinary!
For the past sixteen years, the ordinary, unremarkable daily life that “Lin Guang” had lived was actually a miracle he had never dared to imagine!
Exhaling a mouthful of turbid air, Lin Guang composed himself and walked to a nearby bus stop to wait for the bus. Although he preferred to ride a Spirit Beast for transportation, he was still in the initial stages, and he had to be frugal with his money.
Hualong Spirit Beast Market is located in the northern part of Hualong District. Though called a market, its area is a full four to five square kilometers, with an abundance of shops and amusement facilities, making it more like a Spirit Beast-themed amusement park. It is quite popular, and buses to that area depart every five minutes.
An hour and a half later, the bus arrived at Hualong Spirit Beast Market. Not far away, there were three fork roads, corresponding to the Fresh Produce Area, the Spirit Beast Area, and the Amusement Area, respectively.
After scanning a code to pick up a shared electric scooter nearby, Lin Guang headed towards the Spirit Beast Area.
Zhen Sheng City is located at the mouth of the Pearl River, so naturally, various Water-type Spirit Beasts greeted him.
Gray-level fish-type Spirit Beasts were displayed in reinforced glass tanks of various sizes, each with different colors, even more beautiful and intelligent than the most colorful tropical fish of his previous life. Along the way, he saw many children rolling on the ground, while their experienced parents were busy swiping their phones nearby. Only a very few exceptionally doting parents would inquire about prices.
White and Green-level Spirit Beasts had already moved beyond the realm of mere appreciation, being quite good choices for most Spirit Masters aspiring to develop in combat. Although the shops along the road generally didn't have much good merchandise, Lin Guang did glimpse a well-bred Kaira Giant Crocodile. It was not only massive in size, but its six legs were also very thick. A crowd had gathered to watch, and it was bought by a Spirit Master for five hundred thousand great xia currencys in no time.
As he traveled, Lin Guang gradually gained a deeper understanding of this world. In terms of price alone, there was no significant difference from the game, and the types were all familiar to him.
Further on, Spirit Beasts unique to other states gradually appeared, such as the Myriad Poison Centipede (Green Excellent-level) from Linshen City, and there was even an Iron-Eating Beast from Shancheng performing the talent of urinating while doing a handstand. If Lin Guang hadn't tried the corresponding Spirit Beasts (Bear family + Earth attribute) at the beast-rearing base, he would definitely have stopped here.
After riding for about half an hour, the “admission ticket” in Lin Guang's chest pocket felt slightly warm. Following the directions, he stopped in front of a substantial seven-story building. The building bore the large engraved words “Afu Premium Spirit Beast Emporium,” but rather than an “emporium,” it was more like a giant department store, with a constant stream of customers entering and exiting.