Beast Taming: The Beginning of Hatching an Ancient Dragon

Chapter 7: Family

To verify the sustainability of this bug, Li Chang’an stayed up all night on this Saturday. Utilizing Mao Mao’s night vision ability, he uprooted most of the white flowers from the green belts and lawns in the neighborhood. Through a shallow beast resonance, he elevated Mao Mao’s newly learned Stealth Technique to perfection. With this perfected technique, Mao Mao now resembled a red-maned lion with awakened dragon blood, temporarily devoid of the awe-inspiring majesty of an ancient dragon. According to Mao Mao’s own perception, its aura now fell within the realm of a hybrid dragon species.

Despite pulling an all-nighter, Li Chang’an felt little fatigue. The life force he gained last night, though not substantial, expanded his physical stamina. By six in the morning, he was still full of energy. In preparation for the next day’s exam, while sorting through Xiao Chang’an’s memories, Li Chang’an also prepared a vegetable salad for Mao Mao. This salad was intended for the practical exam on pet food preparation. Under Li Chang’an’s expectant gaze, Mao Mao reluctantly swallowed this wood-attribute vegetable salad. Mao Mao thought, “Although I do consume plants like gunpowder grass and flame flowers, a full wood-attribute vegetable set is not my usual diet.” Fortunately, Li Chang’an later compensated Mao Mao with three servings of warm milk and high-quality volcanic rock, which finally allowed the little cat to curl up on the bed and fall into a deep sleep.

That day, Li Chang’an took a short nap but otherwise remained active. In the evening, just as he was about to prepare dinner, he heard the sound of the door unlocking. Tap, tap, tap. Li Chang’an recognized the familiar sound of high heels and the rustling of someone changing shoes at the entrance.

“Mom, you’re back?”

“Xiao An, have you eaten yet?”

A gentle voice came from the entrance.

“Not yet, I was just about to start cooking!”

“Let me see my son’s culinary skills.”

Mao Mao, perched on the dining table, curiously looked towards the entrance. Is this Chang’an’s mother? She seems impressive! As a ancient dragon species, Mao Mao keenly sensed the hidden power of this mysterious woman. Through their soul contract, Li Chang’an explained to Mao Mao, “Both of my parents are King-level Beast Masters, corresponding to monarch-level beasts.” Mao Mao suddenly understood. Although monarch-level was nothing significant in its view, it was quite impressive from a human perspective. From the knowledge Mao Mao gained from Li Chang’an, human Beast Masters are ranked from low to high as: Low-level Beast Master (Levels 1-3), Mid-level Beast Master (Levels 4-6), High-level Beast Master (Levels 7-9), and King-level/Legendary Beast Master. Li Chang’an didn’t know the ranks above that, but Mao Mao was aware of the beast levels beyond monarch-level.

“Wow, what a cute little cat,” said a woman in a red dress, attempting to pick up Mao Mao, who deftly dodged her. Mao Mao jumped onto the top of a nearby shelf, looking down at this elegant-faced woman. “Meow, meow. (Even if you are Chang’an’s mother, I won’t let you touch me. Only Chang’an can hold me.)” Li Chang’an put down the kitchen knife and walked out of the kitchen, saying helplessly, “Mom, stop playing around, come and help.” The elegant woman, slightly disappointed, tied on an apron and entered the kitchen.

This young and beautiful woman is Li Chang’an’s mother, Mu Qingqing. She runs a high-end tea house and a tea shop. Due to her identity as a King-level Beast Master and the convenience it brings, Mu Qingqing’s tea house has always been in a leading position in Hongyan City. Consequently, like Li’s father, Li Mingxuan, she is often busy with work and has little time to spend with Xiao Chang’an. Unlike his former self, Li Chang’an does not resent his parents. As someone who has experienced much, he deeply understands that many things in this world are difficult to balance.

Although Mu Qingqing was nearly forty, time had left no trace on her face. When facing her only son, Li Chang’an, she occasionally revealed a mischievous side reminiscent of her youth. “Oh, Xiao An, is that little cat outside something you brought home? I remember our family doesn’t allow strays,” Mu Qingqing said, her phoenix eyes narrowing like a thousand-year-old vixen eyeing something of interest. Li Chang’an remained calm, knowing that any sign of discomfort or timidity would only encourage her to tease him more. Ever since Xiao Chang’an could remember, Mu Qingqing had been like this. He replied indifferently, “Mao Mao’s birth was just an accident.” “From that dead egg you bought?” “Yes.” “A miracle!” Mu Qingqing smiled slightly while chopping vegetables, “And how did you manage to complete the contract and beast space?” Li Chang’an evenly placed the chopped cabbage and meat slices on a clay pot, adding small pieces of tofu, mushrooms, and several prepared fresh shrimps. He poured over the pre-prepared sauce, covered the pot, and let it simmer on high heat for half an hour. He explained, “I couldn’t just let a dragon species with ancient dragon blood roam around the house, could I?” This time, it was Mu Qingqing’s turn to be unsettled. Ancient dragon blood? Could other magical beasts inherit that? Wait, she seemed to recall her husband mentioning that a few lucky ones could inherit a trace of ancient dragon blood, but these were even rarer than the ancient dragons themselves. And her own son had encountered one. Controlling her surprise, Mu Qingqing casually asked, “Which ancient dragon’s bloodline is it?” “Which else? The Infernal Dragon.” Mu Qingqing drew out her response, “Oh~.” Li Chang’an, unable to stand the atmosphere, faced Mu Qingqing directly, “Ms. Mu, has Comrade Li Mingxuan ever told you that your acting skills are quite poor?” Mu Qingqing burst out laughing but then, holding back her laughter, pretended to recall, “Since I’ve known him, probably not.” Li Chang’an was speechless, “The husband’s discipline is lax!” “Isn’t it? Your father has learned his three obediences and four virtues well, I am quite pleased.” Li Chang’an: …

After some playful banter between mother and son, they served a pot of stewed cabbage with tofu and a pot of boiled meat slices. The boiled meat slices were prepared by Mu Qingqing, who, with a lifespan of up to five hundred years, wasn’t concerned about acne. Seeing the meal ready, Mao Mao jumped down from the top of the cabinet, scurried onto Li Chang’an’s lap, and eyed the spicy boiled meat slices eagerly. It pointed with its little paw, “Meow! (Chang’an, I want that!)” Ms. Mu Qingqing proudly placed her hands on her hips, “Mao Mao, you have good taste, recognizing at a glance that this is my dish.” She had already learned from the kitchen that Li Chang’an had named the little cat Mao Mao, and she was very curious about it. That’s why she made the second dish a boiled meat slice, adding flame chili, a spiritual plant supplement. It definitely wasn’t because she was craving something spicy. Li Chang’an chose to ignore his mischievous mother, picking out a few slices of meat and bean sprouts and placing them on a small plate prepared for Mao Mao. “Remember to eat the bean sprouts.” Mao Mao was somewhat reluctant, but as it ate the bean sprouts, a surge of heat emanated from them. The little creature couldn’t resist and began to devour the food heartily. Li Chang’an’s eyes showed a look of realization as he picked up some of his own stewed cabbage with tofu. Mu Qingqing also showed a hint of regret; her child had grown up and was no longer easily fooled. The young Xiao An would have eagerly run over to taste a bite from her chopsticks, only to cry from the spiciness. Li Chang’an caught the expression on Mu Qingqing’s face from the corner of his eye and twitched his mouth slightly. How old are you? So childish!

The pot of boiled meat slices was finished by both Mu Qingqing and Mao Mao. After washing the dishes, Mu Qingqing called Li Chang’an into her studio. The first thing Li Chang’an said was, “The pure fragrant milk and high-quality volcanic rock are for Mao Mao.” Mu Qingqing waved her hand, “I’m not here to argue about that.” She stared intently at Li Chang’an, as if suppressing something, and asked, “Xiao An, have you awakened your talent?”