Beast Taming: The Beginning of Hatching an Ancient Dragon

Chapter 11: Dominance Level

After two days of final exams, Li Chang’an spent his time peacefully weeding in the neighborhood and occasionally training Mao Mao’s skill, [Flame Spirit Entanglement], in the yard. He hadn’t yet obtained his见习御兽师 (Apprentice Beastmaster) qualification, so he didn’t even have access to the most basic training grounds and had to stay idle at home. Since it was summer vacation, Li Chang’an’s mindset was much more relaxed. Not only did he thoroughly weed the white-flower grass in his own neighborhood, but he also contributed to the neighboring community.

Finally, as the sun was about to set, the mark of the white-flower grass in the Thorn Collection Room lit up again. “As expected, breaking through to the Mastery level requires 32 identical skill stones,” Li Chang’an thought, his face filled with excitement. He was thrilled not only because he had confirmed the cost of breaking through the Mastery level but also because he had discovered that the skill’s upper limit was not the Mastery level.

From the breakthrough requirements of the [Hidden Ambush Technique], he knew that to advance a skill from the Beginner level to the Apprentice level, 2 identical skill stones were needed. Advancing from Apprentice to Skilled required 4 stones, from Skilled to Proficient required 8 stones, and from Proficient to Mastery required 16 stones. Now, he had confirmed that breaking through the Mastery level required 32 stones.

Li Chang’an and Mao Mao exchanged a glance and seamlessly entered a 10% Beastmaster Resonance state. With a mental command from Li Chang’an, the mark of the white-flower grass in the Thorn Collection Room quickly dimmed and turned gray. A small whirlwind began to swirl around Mao Mao.

“Meow! (Oh, this feels so good! Life energy is pouring in!)” Mao Mao’s excited voice made Li Chang’an a bit worried, fearing that the Hunting Notes might have corrupted Mao Mao. However, after the phenomenon ended, Mao Mao seemed fine and even asked Li Chang’an what was for dinner. Clearly, Mao Mao’s appetite was currently more important than the Hunting Notes.

Relieved, Li Chang’an immediately checked Mao Mao’s status through their soul contract.

[Name: Lion Discator (Mao Mao)

Race: Prison Flame Dragon

Attributes: ??

Level: Juvenile

Potential: ???

Talent Abilities: ????

Low-tier Skills: Prison Flame (Beginner), Flame Claw (Beginner), Hidden Ambush Technique (Dominance Level)

Mid-tier Skills: Flame Spirit Entanglement (Apprentice Level)

Status: A little hungry.].

Dominance Level!

Above the Mastery level was the Dominance Level!

Li Chang’an immediately asked Mao Mao, “What’s special about the Hidden Ambush Technique now?” Mao Mao paused for a moment to feel it out, then said, “Meow. (There is a big change.)” Immediately after, Mao Mao’s aura fluctuated three times between that of a pure-blood dragon, a half-blood dragon, and a mixed-blood dragon.

At that moment, Li Chang’an’s eyes lit up with understanding. Dominance—this was what it meant! The ability to freely control the intensity of a skill. For Li Chang’an and Mao Mao, this discovery was of great significance.

It was a simple principle. If you ask someone who is tone-deaf to sing, it’s easy to make them go from sounding terrible to just slightly less terrible. But if you ask a skilled singer or a singing champion to sing like they’re tone-deaf, it’s extremely difficult. Even if they manage to do it, the result will feel forced and lack the natural “charm” of someone who is genuinely tone-deaf.

The Dominance Level, however, allows a top-performing beast to become a “straight-A student” who can control their performance at will. Li Chang’an was very satisfied with this effect. In many battles, it’s necessary to adjust your strategy based on your opponent. Against ordinary beasts, the pressure of a mixed-blood dragon is enough to make them back off. But if you encounter a stronger beast, Mao Mao would normally only be able to release its full aura, and it would be difficult to release a slightly weaker aura. Adjusting this would take time, which is impractical in battle.

Now, Mao Mao could freely switch between different levels of pressure without needing any time to adjust. In battle, an enemy facing the pressure of a mixed-blood dragon might suddenly be hit with the pressure of a half-blood dragon at a critical moment. Li Chang’an could already imagine the constipated expressions on the faces of the opposing Beastmasters or magical beasts. This was a skill that could create a guaranteed winning opportunity.

Li Chang’an was very satisfied with today’s gains. On the way back, he pulled out a few more “leftover” weeds and was lucky enough to find another Hidden Ambush Technique skill stone. However, his relaxed steps suddenly paused as he looked up at the unpolluted night sky of the Blue Planet. It turned out that there were levels above the Dominance Level. The mark of the white-flower grass in the Thorn Collection Room was still glowing faintly, indicating that there was still room for improvement.

Li Chang’an clenched his fist. It seemed that he was destined to become the White-Flower Grass King of Red Rock City! Mao Mao looked puzzled. Why had Chang’an suddenly become so passionate? Oh, I know! This must be that symptom human cubs often have called “Chuunibyou” (Middle School Syndrome)!

Mao Mao suddenly understood, but then heard Li Chang’an say solemnly, “Mao Mao, I just felt that my pure personality was corrupted by the Hunting Notes. I need to use Beastmaster Resonance to calm down.” Mao Mao: “…Guess not.”

After a round of Beastmaster Resonance, Li Chang’an felt refreshed and canceled his plan to become the White-Flower Grass King. When he returned home, he found a young man in the living room. He was slightly less handsome than Li Chang’an but had a more mature aura. This was Li Chang’an’s father, Li Mingxuan, the deputy director of the Red Rock City Ecological Research Institute, a pillar of the Li family, a frequent user of the Thorn Crab-brand washboard, a loyal supporter of Hundred Birds instant coffee, and an angel investor in the Tianshan sleeping bag brand.

Li Mingxuan was drinking tea brewed by Mu Qingqing, and as soon as Li Chang’an entered, his gaze locked onto Mao Mao on Li Chang’an’s head. His intense gaze was unwavering, refusing to look away. Li Chang’an calmly put Mao Mao back into his Beast Space, not even glancing at Li Mingxuan, and went straight into the kitchen to help Mu Qingqing prepare dinner.

“Meow? (Chang’an, don’t you like your father?)” Mao Mao asked through their soul connection. Li Chang’an replied helplessly, “He’s probably thinking about how to study you, a rare species.” Mao Mao, curled up in the Beast Space, shrank its head and said softly, “Meow. (Well, I don’t like him either.)”

The atmosphere at the Li family dinner was quite tense. Due to Little Chang’an’s memories, Li Chang’an didn’t have much goodwill toward Li Mingxuan, far less than he had for Mu Qingqing. Mu Qingqing was happy to watch the drama unfold; she wouldn’t help her husband speak because he was indeed in the wrong.

Unable to bear the silence, Li Mingxuan spoke up, “I heard your initial beast is called Mao Mao?” Li Chang’an picked up some food and responded indifferently, “Yes.” “What skills does it have?” Li Chang’an slowly drank a bowl of soup, exhaled, and then calmly said, “Prison Flame, Flame Claw, Flame Spirit Entanglement, and a stealth skill.”

“That many?” Li Mingxuan’s eyebrows raised. Father and son had similar reactions at times. Aside from Prison Flame, the other skills weren’t particularly special. Flame Claw and Flame Spirit Entanglement could be found in the skill lists of other beast species. “Prison Flame! The records left in Red Rock City mention that this is a growth-type skill. It can advance to a top-tier skill as the beast’s strength grows. Make sure Mao Mao practices this skill well; it’s very important.”

Li Chang’an nodded slightly but didn’t respond further. Li Mingxuan opened his mouth, countless words stuck in his throat, and finally handed Li Chang’an a business card. “This is the phone number of the director of the Red Rock City Hunters’ Guild. I’ve already spoken to him. You can go directly to him when you’re ready.” Li Chang’an took the card and asked, “So, you agree?” Li Mingxuan smiled, “You’re willing to strive for better opportunities. I’m happy for you. Why wouldn’t I agree?”

Seeing the atmosphere ease a bit, Li Mingxuan asked, “A week from now, are you still willing to go to the Ecological Park to get your second beast?” “Of course.” “The second beast isn’t like the initial one. You can’t just ignore its species and attributes. I see you’ve chosen a wood-type beast. Do you have any specific one in mind?” Li Chang’an swallowed his food and said seriously, “Preferably a wood-type beast with healing skills.”

Li Mingxuan nodded in satisfaction, not because of Li Chang’an’s choice but because of his serious attitude. Many Beastmasters had gone astray, only pursuing high-potential, strong-bloodline beasts. They didn’t realize that the bond between humans and beasts was the strongest and most precious thing. Many geniuses only realized this when they were on the verge of breaking through to the King-level Beastmaster, and by then, it was too late. Li Chang’an’s attitude made him very happy.

“Recently, I heard from Xiao Wang that the casualties from beast fights in the Wood-type Zone C have decreased significantly.” After saying this, Li Mingxuan left the table. Li Chang’an smirked. Even at home, he’s still pulling this kind of act. Zone C, huh…