Powerful (Physically) Beast Taming Doctor

There was only one Lucky Cloud Qilin, but three researchers.

So, after a round of dirty adult negotiation, Dr. Xu emerged victorious and became the Lucky Cloud Qilin's first observer—

Not only was Dr. Xu the other two's teacher, he was also a Beast Taming Doctor with many research projects on his hands and a huge research institute to manage. Though he said he would stay with Jiang Xing for a few days, he could really only remain for a day or two before returning to work.

Thinking of their teacher, Jiang Xing and Su Muli voluntarily yielded the opportunity to him.

Su Muli was second in line, for much the same reason.

As for Jiang Xing...

He had already won over the Lucky Cloud Qilin's stomach. Did he really need to fuss over something like this?

Once his teachers and senior left, he would have plenty of time to spend with the Little Qilin. Forget observation records—even sleeping beside it would not be a problem.

Mm, the Lucky Cloud Qilin was not only fluffy, but its fur was as soft as cotton. Like a walking cloud, it would definitely feel wonderful to hug.

Just imagining it made Jiang Xing let out a quiet, silly chuckle.

The Beast Taming World really was wonderful.

Just as Dr. Xu worked hard to approach the Lucky Cloud Qilin, which had fallen into a carb-induced stupor after eating and was lazily basking in the sun, preparing to deploy every trick he had to win it over—

Jiang Xing began handling serious business.

He brought Li Lingyin to the lakeshore and had the Rainbow Dragon Cub enter the water.

Although the Rainbow Dragon Cub had already transformed into a dragon, it retained its experience from its time as the Fish King. Furthermore, the Golden-Veined Koi in the lake had mostly come from Li Shun's fish pond and were accustomed to obeying its commands...

Very quickly, all the Golden-Veined Koi gathered together. Golden-scaled waves shimmered across the lake's surface, creating a spectacular sight.

Taking advantage of the opportunity, Jiang Xing had Li Lingyin feed them cubes while he used Marking Tags to assign numbers to the Golden-Veined Koi and record information such as each numbered Pet Beast's personality and condition.

This was the first task, as well as the most repetitive and exhausting one.

The process had to be repeated every day in order to fully document each Golden-Veined Koi's growth.

If Jiang Xing had been alone, this task would have taken nearly half a day.

With an assistant, it became much easier.

Li Lingyin learned quickly and worked earnestly. Her efficiency was not bad, greatly speeding up their progress.

Moreover, Su Muli had nothing else to do and came over to lend a hand. In less than two hours, they finished feeding every Golden-Veined Koi and recording its data.

With the first task complete, it was time to train moves like Water Leap, Dragon Sacrifice Dance, and Outrage, helping the Golden-Veined Koi digest their food and grow stronger.

Since the Move Tutor was likewise an absurdly powerful Spirit Device, putting it on the Golden-Veined Koi for training would allow them to learn the corresponding move in just an hour, albeit at the lowest proficiency...

Jiang Xing could not exactly explain where such a black-tech creation had come from in front of his teacher and senior.

He might as well keep it hidden for now and use it secretly late at night after they had gone back.

Thus, Jiang Xing temporarily postponed the training plan, letting Li Lingyin rest for a while before training the koi in Water Leap that afternoon.

However, he had clearly underestimated a child's energy.

After gaining free time, Li Lingyin did not rest. Instead, she latched onto Su Muli and challenged her to a duel—

A Novice Beast Tamer who had only just contracted a Pet Beast—and one that was merely an Awakening Rank Golden-Veined Koi at that—actually dared challenge a Heavenly King Rank Beast Tamer.

Sure enough, she had a Brave personality too.

Su Muli could understand the feelings of a Novice Beast Tamer who had just obtained a Pet Beast.

Faced with Li Lingyin's challenge, she gladly accepted, then thoroughly beat up the little girl.

Well, Su Muli was not a full-time Beast Tamer either. The Golden-Veined Koi she used in battle had only been captured recently, so the gap between their Pet Beasts was not particularly large.

But as the Xia Youth Cup Champion, she was clearly not simply a theorist. Her combat experience and command skills were far beyond anything Li Lingyin could compare to.

She defeated Li Lingyin head-on with barely any effort.

This battle seemed to have piqued Su Muli's interest as well.

She sent the defeated, soaked Li Lingyin to the research institute to take a bath, then returned and found Jiang Xing.

"Jiang Xing, your Rainbow Dragon Cub hasn't truly fought since evolving, right? Come on, fight me. We'll use the same rules as before: if the Beast Tamer falls into the water or the Pet Beast loses its ability to fight, it counts as defeat."

"Senior..."

"Don't be timid. Even if you don't plan on becoming a Beast Tamer, you can't completely avoid battle... You can't possibly stay out of Secret Realms forever, can you?"

Su Muli directly cut off Jiang Xing's retreat, leaving him unable to refuse—

She was right.

In this world, Beast Tamers were highly sought after, Beast Taming competitions flourished, and their rules closely resembled real combat...

All because of the influence of [Secret Realms].

These wondrous Secret Realms, the origin of Pet Beasts and places concealing ruins of otherworldly civilizations, were still continuously descending even now.

By exploring Secret Realms, Beast Tamers could discover all kinds of precious resources, such as new Pet Beasts and new items.

Therefore, Secret Realms were the focus of Beast Tamers and nations alike, objects people competed over.

Exploring Secret Realms, fighting over resources, and even dividing up the Secret Realms themselves had completely become the underlying logic of the Beast Taming World. Even researchers could not entirely avoid it.

If Jiang Xing never explored any Secret Realms, many resources produced by newly discovered Secret Realms would slip right past him.

Even if a Secret Realm was ultimately acquired by the state and he could apply for research access... many researchers, even Doctors, would be waiting ahead of him in line. It would put him at a severe disadvantage.

That was also why Su Muli worked part-time as a Beast Tamer and personally explored Secret Realms.

In fact, even Dr. Xu's Beast Taming strength was terrifying—his dozen or so Secret Realms of varying sizes had not been obtained through applications, but won through real battles.

To reason with someone was the proper way to treat intellectuals.

If the other side was too barbaric, he could reason with them physically instead.

"Although I can build a good relationship with the Lucky Cloud Qilin and become its Meal Provider, so it definitely won't stand by if I encounter danger. That would count as having some protection."

"But there is no harm in practicing combat once in a while."

"Even if I don't become a Beast Tamer or compete in matches, I can still become a powerful Beast Taming Doctor like my teacher."

Jiang Xing finally relented and nodded. "Alright! But Senior, this is my first time contracting a Pet Beast, and I've never learned how to battle. I'm very weak, so go easy on me..."

"Don't worry." Su Muli spoke with complete confidence.

Seeing that, Jiang Xing relaxed.

It was only a friendly match with no danger whatsoever. He could treat it as exercise.

He returned to the research institute, removed the Power Bracer, changed into Protective Gear that allowed easy movement while safeguarding his body, and headed out onto the lake's surface—

When Li Lingyin had challenged Su Muli earlier, Su Muli had already commanded her Pet Beast to create a massive Snow-Covered Ice Surface as the battlefield.

Now, Jiang Xing stood atop the snow layer while the Rainbow Dragon Cub flew to his side, its eyes full of fighting spirit.

"Battle begin!"