Call You Spark

The Flame Cloud Falcon knew its current condition very well. Its wing was injured, and that detestable four-legged beast beside it was eyeing it covetously, making it impossible to escape smoothly.

Staying here seemed to be its only option.

If it could recover first, it would not be too late to figure out a way to escape afterward.

Besides—

The Flame Cloud Falcon cautiously raised its head to glance at the gentle-eyed Chen Yuan, then abruptly shrank its neck back, an unusual gleam flickering in its eyes.

This human seemed to be pretty nice to it too?

The thought flashed through its mind, and the Flame Cloud Falcon immediately twisted its head away, forcing itself not to look at Chen Yuan.

No, no, no!

It was only—only because it was injured and could not escape that it had no choice but to stay here.

Mm-hmm!

That had to be it!

Seeing the Flame Cloud Falcon agree, Chen Yuan smiled. He crouched down and opened the iron cage.

Seeing that Chen Yuan made no further move, the Flame Cloud Falcon first glanced at Cola, who was glaring fiercely at it. Then it puffed out its chest, flapped its wings, and hopped out.

"Next, I'm going to form a contract with you. No matter what happens, don't be afraid." Chen Yuan was a little nervous as he attempted a contract for the first time. He took a deep breath and looked at the Flame Cloud Falcon.

"Basic Meditation Method 1.0" described the specific steps for contracting a pet beast, so Chen Yuan only needed to follow the instructions.

"Chirp." The Flame Cloud Falcon nodded.

Chen Yuan calmed his mind and focused, connecting with the Beast Taming Space in his mind. His spiritual power was like a bridge linking him to the Flame Cloud Falcon.

As spiritual power continued to flow in, a hazy white light enveloped the Flame Cloud Falcon's entire body. Its form gradually turned illusory, as though it were slipping into another dimension. Then it transformed into a brilliant glow and vanished completely.

Cola's eyes widened at the sight, his face full of envy.

"Phew."

Chen Yuan let out a long breath. The rapid depletion of his spiritual power left him mentally exhausted.

After resting against the chair for a moment, his hurried breathing gradually steadied. At last, a radiant smile appeared on Chen Yuan's face. "My first pet beast contract succeeded!"

"From now on, I'm a real Beast Tamer!"

After successfully contracting the Flame Cloud Falcon, Chen Yuan could clearly feel that his spiritual power had increased by around thirty percent. Even his physical condition seemed to have improved.

Chen Yuan's gaze flickered as he guessed, "Could this be feedback from a contracted pet beast to its Beast Tamer?"

The thought passed through his mind. As Chen Yuan sensed the Beast Taming Space in his mind, a thought from him caused a circular gray formation to appear on the ground before him, mysterious beyond compare.

Wrapped in white light, the Flame Cloud Falcon slowly emerged from the gray formation.

Upon seeing Chen Yuan again, the Flame Cloud Falcon no longer held the wariness it had before. Its gaze had softened.

Chen Yuan glanced at the data panel and discovered that the Flame Cloud Falcon's favorability toward him had become 20.

"What should I call you from now on?" Chen Yuan asked with a smile, looking at the Flame Cloud Falcon close at hand.

"Chirp chirp!"

The Flame Cloud Falcon tilted its head, looking slightly confused.

Chen Yuan propped up his chin and pondered for a moment. His gaze suddenly landed on the Flame Cloud Falcon's fiery red feathers, and his eyes lit up. "From now on, I'll call you Spark!"

"Chirp?"

The Flame Cloud Falcon could not tell whether the name was good or bad. It only saw Chen Yuan grin, and it felt happy too.

Chen Yuan was about to further deepen his bond with Spark when he heard a rumbling sound from its stomach.

Spark immediately turned its head away awkwardly.

"Come on, let's get something to eat."

Chen Yuan checked the time. It was already one in the afternoon, and having skipped lunch, he was getting hungry too.

After contacting another colleague and asking him to come in for work that afternoon, Chen Yuan locked the doors of the wildlife rescue station.

He raised his right hand to block the dazzling sunlight, narrowed his eyes, and gazed into the distance.

Thick, heavy clouds hung over the skies deep within the Qinling Mountains, like a terrifying ferocious beast lying prone as it overlooked the vast forests below, bringing a stifling sense of oppression.

Everywhere else was under clear blue skies; only the depths of Qinling Mountains were shrouded in dark clouds.

Chen Yuan frowned. He had the distinct feeling that some terrifying change was taking place deep within the Qinling Mountains.

"Chirp chirp."

Spark flapped its wings, trying to fly upward, but a faint pain came from its wound, leaving it only able to hop around on the ground.

Chen Yuan smiled and gently picked up the palm-sized Spark, placing it on his shoulder.

"Awwooo!"

Seeing Spark land on Chen Yuan's shoulder, Cola anxiously barked his head off. His brown eyes locked tightly onto Spark, his tail raised high, his face full of grief and indignation.

How could you stand on Master's shoulder!!!

"Chirp~"

Spark looked down at Cola from on high, then raised its proud head to gaze into the distance, no longer paying him any attention.

"Awwooo!"

Being ignored made Cola even angrier. He trotted circles around Chen Yuan, glaring fixedly at Spark as his barking grew increasingly fierce.

After barking for a while, Cola saw that Spark still would not acknowledge him. With his mouth and tongue dry, he could only droop his ears and hang his head in dejection.

Chen Yuan rubbed his forehead helplessly. It seemed that Beast Tamers did not merely have to command their pet beasts in battle; they also had to deal with how their pet beasts got along.

He crouched down, rubbed Cola's head, and said with a smile, "All right, let's go home together."

Cola immediately raised his head to stare at Chen Yuan, his eyes shining as he barked repeatedly. "Awwooo!"

Though it was noon, the men, women, old, and young of the village were still busy cutting the weeds around their homes. Chinese Rural Dogs the size of calves gathered together, darting back and forth like the wind.

Cola was on the smaller side among these Chinese Rural Dogs. He happily trailed behind them, sometimes weaving through waist-high weeds, sometimes leaping over stretches of puddles, scattered sunlight draping over his body.

On these Chinese Rural Dogs, Chen Yuan saw the enormous impact brought by the Spiritual Tide.

About ten minutes later, Chen Yuan arrived at the easternmost edge of Xuanhe Village and slowly walked into his family's farm.

Ever since Chen Yuan could remember, his grandfather had run this fairly large farm, providing for the family's daily needs.

Chen Yuan had spent his long childhood here.

The farm was divided into several sections. The farmland to the east was generally used to grow cash crops, which were sold every year.

Besides that, there was also a small plot of farmland in the southwest of the farm, where they mainly grew fresh vegetables for the family's daily meals. These were not sold outside.

At the center of the farm was a large fishpond, its water a clear jade green.

His grandfather had hired people to expand this fishpond last year. One reason was to raise and sell fish, while another was to turn it into a fishing spot.

In recent years, fishing enthusiasts had become increasingly active. They loved seeking out all sorts of fishing spots, and the more remote they were, the more appealing they became.

Unfortunately, due to various factors, his grandfather had yet to fully put the plan into action.

To the west of the farm were the chicken coop and sheep pen. Whenever holidays came around, they would offer up their bodies to bring joy to the whole family.

Before long, Chen Yuan spotted a slightly stooped figure, swinging a sickle to cut away weeds.

Sunlight fell fully upon him, sweat trickling down his forehead, and the old man's movements grew slower and slower.

Chen Yuan hurried over to his grandfather, took the sickle from him, and grinned. "Grandpa, I'll do it."

Chen Weiyi stopped, held his waist, and shot him a sidelong glance. "If you do it, we won't even make dinner."

Chen Yuan could not help but smile awkwardly.

When it came to farming or cutting weeds, even three of him could not compare to his old man.

Suddenly, Chen Yuan's eyes lit up. Pointing at Spark on his shoulder, he said, "I may not be good at it, but he is."

"Chirp?"

Spark looked utterly bewildered, his eyes clear.

Huh? Me?