Beast Taming: The Beginning of Hatching an Ancient Dragon

Chapter 19: Yaoyao

Students who could obtain the Apprentice Beastmaster qualification from the school had to have a spiritual power exceeding 5 Fu. However, the world was never short of surprises. In the one hour Li Chang’an spent watching the spectacle, over a dozen students had already failed in their contract attempts. One unlucky individual even suffered a spiritual backlash during the contract process. Even with medical treatment, they would need a day or two of rest before attempting another contract.

During this time, Li Chang’an named the little rabbit Li Yao, affectionately called Yaoyao. Yaoyao remained very calm in his arms, only showing a hint of tension when the Thorny Bear and Bai Wenshan were forming their contract. Her small, emerald-green claws clung tightly to Li Chang’an’s arm. It wasn’t until the Thorny Bear was successfully contracted that she finally relaxed.

“Guji! (Will it be this risky when I form a contract with you in the future?)” After Mao Mao translated, Li Chang’an explained, “Only the first time is like this. I’ve already formed a contract with Mao Mao, so when it’s your turn, it will be much easier.”

Yaoyao let out a sigh of relief and quietly continued to watch the spectacle from Li Chang’an’s arm. After a while, Li Chang’an noticed that Yaoyao had unknowingly fallen asleep. Despite her mature demeanor, Yaoyao was still a young beast in the awakening stage. After all she had been through, she was utterly exhausted.

After informing a few of the leading teachers, Li Chang’an carried Yaoyao to the rest room in the research institute. At this hour, most researchers were already at work, so the rest room was naturally empty. This suited Li Chang’an just fine.

Not long after, another figure entered the rest room—Wen Miaohua.

“You’re sure enough here,” she said. As someone with connections to Li Chang’an, Wen Miaohua was very familiar with the ecological research institute and knew Li Chang’an’s usual haunts.

“What beast did you choose to contract?” Li Chang’an gestured to Yaoyao on the table. Wen Miaohua’s gaze lingered on Yaoyao’s snow-white fur for a moment before asking, “A mutant?”

Li Chang’an nodded. “I’m not sure. I’m more inclined to think it’s a hybrid.”

“A hybrid?” Wen Miaohua’s eyebrows raised, her eyes sparkling. If Li Chang’an had taken a liking to it, it must be a hybrid of a powerful rabbit-type magical beast.

“Any clues?” she asked.

Li Chang’an shrugged, spreading his hands. “Obviously not. Yaoyao’s abilities are quite complex. She has the Leaf Blade of the Double-Leaf Rabbit and the Grass Blessing of the Lucky Grass Rabbit. That talent of hers is also quite extraordinary. With just a few simple fruits, some grass, and a bit of spring water, she managed to create a rudimentary spirit food.”

Wen Miaohua was already amazed when she heard that Yaoyao could use Grass Blessing. But when she heard the last part, even she was at a loss for words. Yaoyao seemed tailor-made for the profession of a spirit food harmonizer. Even if she didn’t have healing abilities, she could still ensure the logistics of an entire team of beasts. She was a logistics-type beast that was truly rare and hard to come by.

As for Yaoyao’s current potential, which was only at the low-level extraordinary tier, it wasn’t much of an issue given Li Chang’an’s family background. Moreover, Li Chang’an’s father, Li Mingxuan, was a seasoned research expert. Customizing a suitable evolution ritual for Yaoyao wouldn’t be too difficult.

What mattered most were Yaoyao’s talents and skills. Many high-level beasts were just that—high-level. Without awakening key skills, their value was far inferior to low-tier beasts that had awakened core skills early on. Racial potential was something that humans believed could be changed, as long as you were willing to pay the price.

The research community had a saying: “The evolution of beasts is limitless; we just haven’t found the right method yet.”

“Congratulations on finding a beast with such extraordinary potential,” Wen Miaohua said, her voice tinged with envy. Li Chang’an countered, “What about you, Hua? What did you choose for your second beast?”

Wen Miaohua looked somewhat embarrassed. Compared to Yaoyao, her second beast was somewhat underwhelming. An ice-blue contract formation appeared at her feet, and a round figure materialized in her palm—a Snowball, an ice-type beast.

The color of a Beastmaster’s contract formation wasn’t related to their level but to the beasts they had contracted. It was usually a shimmering white. However, if one beast far surpassed the others, or if most of the beasts were of the same attribute, the contract formation would take on the color of that attribute. Clearly, Wen Miaohua’s mysterious initial beast was ice-type.

What caught Li Chang’an’s attention the most was that Wen Miaohua’s star-mark formation had extended into three star swords, indicating that this serene young girl was a Level 3 Beastmaster—just one step away from advancing to the mid-tier Beastmaster rank.

Good grief, so she was the hidden ace of Red Rock First High School! A 16-year-old Level 3 Beastmaster! If nothing went wrong, once this Snowball caught up, Wen Miaohua might be able to break through to the mid-tier Beastmaster realm through contract feedback, leaving the average populace far behind.

Wen Miaohua noticed Li Chang’an’s astonishment and nervously rubbed her knees, which were covered by white knee-high socks.

“I just started cultivating a few years earlier than you. It’s not fast at all. Look how long it took me to reach Level 3 Beastmaster,” she said, even downplaying herself at the end. Li Chang’an didn’t know what to say. Wen Miaohua’s parents would never let her start cultivating many years early—it would have a very negative impact on a child’s physical development.

At most, Wen Miaohua had started cultivating two years earlier, no more than that.

Could he say that the last sentence was unnecessary? No. The young girl would only become more anxious.

So, Li Chang’an decided to make Wen Miaohua even more uneasy. He suddenly moved closer to her, staring into her ethereal eyes for a long time, as if savoring their unique clarity.

Wen Miaohua felt Li Chang’an’s warm breath and instantly short-circuited. Before she could lower her head, she felt Li Chang’an’s fingers pinch her cheek.

“Sure enough, the feel of that bit of flesh on your face is quite nice.”

A pink steam seemed to rise from the girl’s head as she lowered it, refusing to look at Li Chang’an anymore. The Snowball in Wen Miaohua’s palm loudly protested at Li Chang’an, as if strongly condemning him for bullying its master.

As soon as Li Chang’an’s gaze fell on the Snowball, the intangible pressure emanating from him made the little white ball shrink back into Wen Miaohua’s palm, whimpering for comfort. The Snowball’s bully-the-weak, fear-the-strong personality reminded Li Chang’an of a past-life Teddy dog.

Just as the weird uncle was about to tease the young girl some more, he received a message. Li Chang’an frowned—Old Li was actually looking for him at this hour!

Reluctantly, Li Chang’an had to abandon his original plan. After saying goodbye to Wen Miaohua, he headed to Li Mingxuan’s office.

Wen Miaohua watched Li Chang’an’s retreating figure, her mind caught in a dilemma. Why had Chang’an become so proactive lately? Did the initial beast have such a big influence?

However, Wen Miaohua happily cupped her cheeks, giggling to herself as her black little leather shoes swung back and forth in the air.

Suddenly, there was a knock at the door.

“Is anyone in there?”

Wen Miaohua immediately calmed down, responding coldly, “What is it?”

The person outside was surprised. “Huh? That voice—is that the class monitor? Oh, never mind, I’ll just go.”

The unattainable flower of Red Rock First High School only showed other expressions to the person she fancied.

Li Chang’an turned left and right, arriving at an ordinary office door. The nameplate bore Li Mingxuan’s photo and job title.

“Li Mingxuan, it’s me!”

Li Mingxuan: “…”

“Call me Dad!”

Li Chang’an: “…”

Although you have a point, I feel like you’re subtly mocking me.

“Dad, open the door!”

“Come in.”

Li Chang’an opened the door and walked in, glancing around the room. “Is Sister Ling not here?”

Li Mingxuan tidied up his desk, pulling a small box from a drawer. “Xiao Ling is still busy with something.”

“I feel like you’re doing something shady with Sister Ling. Don’t deny it—you have a track record.”

Li Mingxuan looked at his rebellious son with a pained expression. His stomach hurt even more now. He really should have had another daughter with Qingqing back then. This rebellious son was going to be the death of him.

Li Mingxuan casually asked, “How big is your Beastmaster space, Xiao An?”

Li Chang’an gave a moderate answer. “500 cubic meters.”

Li Mingxuan’s hand, holding the small box, paused for a moment. Then, maintaining a cold expression, he handed the box to Li Chang’an.

“Not bad. This is for you. It will help with curse power cultivation.”

Li Chang’an was surprised. “Didn’t you say that low-tier Beastmasters shouldn’t use assistance potions for cultivation?”

“That’s correct for ordinary people who haven’t even opened up 100 cubic meters,” Li Mingxuan said, putting on his suit and straightening his attire. “But for those with over 300 cubic meters, the process of filling the curse power void is too torturous.”

“Besides, what’s inside this box isn’t a potion. The specific usage instructions are inside. Read them yourself. I have things to do, so I’ll be going now.”

Without giving Li Chang’an a chance to ask more questions, Li Mingxuan opened and closed the door in one swift motion.

Li Chang’an felt that Old Li didn’t seem like he had things to do—more like he was fleeing.

Li Mingxuan walked out of the office, found an empty corner, and excitedly punched the air.

“Yes! My son is a once-in-a-generation genius!”

……