Invitation from the Beast Tamer Association

"I'm stuffed." Zhang Hao rubbed his round belly, slumped in his chair, and let out a satisfied groan.

"If I could eat food this delicious every day, I'd be willing even if it meant living in a villa and driving luxury cars."

Chen Yuan shot him a sidelong glance. "How can you want everything at once?"

Zhang Hao chuckled. "A person has to have some aspirations."

After a pause, Zhang Hao's eyes suddenly lit up. "Oh, right, Brother Yuan. Doesn't your family have a fishpond?"

"Yeah, it's sitting unused."

Zhang Hao slapped his thigh and said excitedly, "What do you think about raising the fish we catch in the pond?"

The more he spoke, the more workable the idea seemed. His face lit up as he said, "If we catch enough fish, maybe they'll even reproduce."

"That way, we'll never have to worry about running out of fish to eat!"

"Awoo! Awoo! Awoo!"

Before Chen Yuan could respond, Cola was already barking excitedly.

Fish!

So many, many fish!

"That is a good idea." Chen Yuan stroked his chin, somewhat tempted. "But this kind of fish should be pretty rare. We'll have to take it slow."

"I'm just making a suggestion. If it really works out someday, I'll be completely satisfied if I can come over and mooch a few bites of fish." Zhang Hao grinned.

Then, seeing Chen Yuan get up to clear the dishes, Zhang Hao hurriedly stopped him. "I'll do it, I'll do it. I just ate my fill, so this'll help me digest."

Ignoring Chen Yuan and Chen Weiyi's attempts to stop him, Zhang Hao efficiently carried the dishes into the kitchen and began washing them while humming a tune.

Just as the old man had said, after eating the fish and drinking the soup, a warm current would rise in one's stomach and flow through every limb and bone, leaving even one's vitality and spirits much improved.

Chen Yuan even vaguely felt that his spiritual power had increased somewhat.

What delighted Chen Yuan most was that Cola's level had also risen to Level 3, and it had learned a new move—Wind Treading Step.

Well, although it was clearly still far behind Spark, it was already quite good.

Spark could grow faster inside the Beast Taming Space, and with the boost from two Flame Flame Fruits, it had been able to reach Level 5 in such a short time.

Looks like I need to work hard at meditating and try to contract Cola as soon as possible, Chen Yuan thought to himself.

"Kid, what are you planning to do with this fellow?" Chen Weiyi pointed at the Gray Feather Falcon, which had fallen asleep again after eating and drinking its fill.

"Mm." Chen Yuan glanced at the Gray Feather Falcon's wounds and weighed the matter carefully. "Let it recuperate here for now. Spark, keep an eye on it. Don't let it cause trouble."

"Chirp~"

Spark gave the battered Gray Feather Falcon a bland look and nodded lightly.

With it here, that defeated opponent would not be able to stir up any mischief.

A moment later,

"Then I'll head off first. Once I've contracted a pet beast, let's go fishing again." After witnessing the battle at Mingyu Lake, Zhang Hao desperately wanted to contract a pet beast of his own.

No matter how fun fishing was, could it compare to the thrill of pet beast battles?

Zhang Hao waved to the two of them and was about to leave the farm when he suddenly saw a familiar figure approaching from ahead.

Once he made out the man's face, he froze on the spot, a stiff smile appearing on his face. "Brother Song."

Song Guohao glanced at Zhang Hao and smiled faintly. "Why are you here?"

Zhang Hao gave an embarrassed laugh. "I came to hang out with Chen Yuan."

Song Guohao was their direct superior and had come from the military. He was capable and pragmatic at work, with considerable personal prestige.

Fortunately, he was fairly easygoing in private. Since the age gap was not particularly great, everyone called him "Brother Song."

Song Guohao neither confirmed nor denied it. "You should still make good use of your time to meditate and strive to become a Beast Tamer as soon as possible."

At those words, the corners of Zhang Hao's mouth rose high. "Brother Song, I succeeded in meditating."

"Not bad. Keep up the good work." Song Guohao's reaction was rather calm. He patted Zhang Hao on the shoulder. "I have something to discuss with Chen Yuan."

"Understood. Take your time." Zhang Hao immediately left.

Song Guohao entered the farm, greeted Chen Weiyi, then went to Chen Yuan. "Shall we talk in the living room?"

"Oh, okay."

Song Guohao's gaze toward Chen Yuan was unusually complicated. Though Chen Yuan did not understand why, he still nodded.

"Brother Song, have some tea." Chen Yuan brought over a cup of tea.

Song Guohao accepted the cup, yet kept holding it without speaking for a long while. Instead, he continued staring intently at Chen Yuan.

"Brother Song, if you have something to say, just say it." Chen Yuan was not used to being watched by Song Guohao for so long.

"Little Chen, you've done a truly great thing. You've also made me shine a little." Song Guohao's lips moved as he spoke slowly.

Chen Yuan looked puzzled. "What do you mean?"

"You uploaded the advancement requirements for the Flame Cloud Falcon yesterday, right?" Song Guohao asked.

Chen Yuan nodded.

"Then that's it." A smile bloomed across Song Guohao's face, and his tone became lighter. "Because of you, our Baokun City Beast Tamer Association ranked tenth on today's Contribution Points leaderboard. The president is extremely pleased."

Afterward, Song Guohao briefly explained the Contribution Points system and its connection to the Beast Tamer Association.

"So that's how it is." Chen Yuan nodded in realization. "Actually, I just got lucky."

Logically speaking, one person's contribution could not have much of an impact on such a massive Beast Tamer Association, much less directly determine its ranking.

But this was a special period.

The Beast Tamer Association had only just been established. There were very few Beast Tamers, staff were desperately scarce, and the mission hall was little more than an empty shell.

When Chen Yuan had searched through Baokun City's mission board, he had not found a single mission.

Moreover, for Beast Tamers among the first hundred to upload advancement requirements, the ranking rewards far exceeded the value of the advancement requirements themselves.

After the first hundred, there were no more ranking rewards. Contribution Points would only be awarded according to the value of the advancement requirements.

"Whether it was luck or not, you helped our Baokun City Beast Tamer Association make its mark before our superiors. That's a tremendous joy."

"It's the same for the leaders, and for you as well." Song Guohao spoke slowly, his words sincere.

"I asked around for you. Our association is severely lacking in talent right now, and the team leader hopes you can join the association directly instead of remaining as you are now."

"If you're willing, I can help transfer your organizational affiliation directly under the association."

"If you join during this period, your future prospects will be extremely broad—far better than staying in Xuanhe Village."

Chen Yuan fell into thought.

Although the wildlife rescue station was already under the Beast Tamer Association's jurisdiction, it was like the difference between a branch office and headquarters. The benefits, treatment, and room for advancement were worlds apart.

"Brother Song, if I join, do I have to work in Baokun City?" Chen Yuan asked the crucial question.

"Yes. That's a mandatory requirement."

"Then forget it. I'd rather stay here." Hearing that, Chen Yuan decisively shook his head.

He had not even been willing to go to Donghuang Beast Taming Academy because he wanted to remain in the Qinling Mountains. Why would he go to the Baokun City Beast Tamer Association?

Song Guohao was not particularly surprised by those words. He merely nodded. "There's no rush to decide. Give me a definite answer tomorrow."

"Thank you, Brother Song."

"Alright, I'll head back and rest first. I'm a little tired after riding in the car all day." Song Guohao waved and turned to take his leave.

When he reached the courtyard, Song Guohao saw the Flame Cloud Falcon resting with its eyes closed, the motionless Gray Feather Falcon in the corner, and the Condensing Wind Hound running around everywhere. His mouth opened, but no sound came out.

The other prospective Beast Tamers were still wracking their brains over how to contract their first pet beast, yet this tiny courtyard actually had three?

As he turned his head,

he saw Chen Weiyi carrying a pile of vegetables and placing them on the ground. Just as Song Guohao was wondering what was going on, he saw a massive figure burrow out of the ground. Even with his broad experience, he was startled.

Then,

Song Guohao watched helplessly as the Steel-headed Earth Rat happily munched on the vegetables, while Chen Weiyi looked at it with a beaming smile.

No, not three.

Four.