A Wild Rival Appeared

Jiang Xing took the clothes and hurried into the changing room.

By the time he pushed the door open again, he had completely changed—

Previously, aside from being rather good-looking, Jiang Xing's clothing choices had been fairly ordinary, without much personal style.

Now, dressed in pristine white, he gave off a thoroughly scholarly, youthful air, bright and sunlit, perfectly suited to his identity as a researcher without the slightest incongruity.

Outside the white outfit were pure black gloves and a pure black cloak. The stark clash between black and white added a touch of chilliness.

Jiang Xing looked himself over in the mirror and was extremely satisfied with the outfit.

Sure enough, whether he became a Beast Tamer or not, now that he was in the Beast Taming World, he had to get himself an exclusive outfit. That was the proper way to do things!

He couldn't become a researcher someday and still dress like some random passerby.

Even Master Jian could not help nodding.

The young man looked quite presentable. He had a bit of Old Xu's charm from his younger days.

Of course, appearance was actually the least significant thing about this outfit.

Master Jian explained, "Lucky Cloud Qilin fur is indeed a top-tier material of exceptional quality, but using it entirely to make a Beast Taming Suit would be somewhat wasteful."

"So I added some extra materials to compensate for its shortcomings."

"This Beast Taming Suit can now completely withstand attacks from anything below mid-level Commander rank, and it has a certain degree of resistance against attacks above mid-level Commander rank... The cloak has even stronger defensive effects and can withstand all attacks below Monarch-Level."

"Additionally, it provides the most basic physical enhancement... Since the materials contain Wind Element properties, the speed enhancement is the greatest."

"Finally, its most important effect is—"

"Since I used a large amount of Qilin Fur, I successfully awakened the power within it and replicated the Lucky Cloud Qilin's [Affinity] Talent."

"Although it only possesses a small portion of the original effect, it can still greatly reduce Pet Beasts' hostility and wariness, making it easier to earn their favor."

Without exaggeration, once Jiang Xing put on this Beast Taming Suit, he would possess strength comparable to a Commander-rank Pet Beast!

After all, even after training for some time, the Rainbow Dragon Cub was only High-Level Extraordinary. It was still some distance away from advancing to Commander rank.

Jiang Xing was stronger than it now!

If he entered certain novice battle competitions, the Rainbow Dragon Cub could even cosplay as the Beast Tamer and watch from the sidelines as Jiang Xing kicked one little kid after another...

Of course, Jiang Xing merely thought about it. He would never actually go bully children.

He had customized this Beast Taming Suit mainly to provide himself with protection, while also borrowing Little Qilin's Affinity Aura.

The favorability boost from the Beast Taming Suit combined with the food offensive of Energy Cubes...

Jiang Xing could not think of any Pet Beast that could withstand his two-pronged approach.

"Exquisite craftsmanship, as expected of a master craftsman!"

After inspecting the Beast Taming Suit, the little girl brought over another wooden chest. It contained various enhancement items for Pet Beasts, capable of increasing a Pet Beast's strength to a certain extent.

Since they were inconvenient to carry, Jiang Xing asked Master Jian to mail them back to his research institute.

Before the chest was shipped, Jiang Xing opened it and took out one item—

It was a red-and-white Baseball Cap. Aside from being sturdy enough, it could protect a Beast Tamer's mind and offered a certain degree of resistance against Psychic Type attacks.

Jiang Xing casually placed the cap on Li Lingyin's head.

She had been standing nearby the whole time, obediently serving as a background presence. Caught off guard by having a cap put on her, she looked up in surprise.

"Teacher?"

Jiang Xing smiled. "Thank you for helping out at the research institute. This is a gift for you. I hope you can become a powerful Beast Tamer in the future."

Although Li Lingyin had come to the research institute to help cultivate her initial Pet Beast... she had been an assistant for so long and had always fulfilled her duties conscientiously, leaving Jiang Xing very satisfied.

Jiang Xing had also taught her some cultivation knowledge, making him half her teacher. Now that she was about to begin her path as a Beast Tamer, giving her a small gift could be considered fulfilling their bond as teacher and student.

Besides, System Bro had said she was a Shiny Red. Wouldn't it be missing something if she did not have an iconic little red cap?

Helping her complete her character design could also be considered restoring some of System Bro's dignity.

System Bro, see how much I spoil you.

Li Lingyin pinched the brim of the cap between her fingers, deeply moved.

During this time, she had supposedly been an assistant, but really, she had only fed some fish and recorded some data... She often helped her parents feed fish at home anyway, so she was already used to it.

For such an ordinary task, Teacher Jiang had taught her knowledge about cultivating Rainbow Dragon Cubs and, despite being so busy, accompanied her in playing battle games...

Now that she was leaving the research institute, he had even given her such a precious gift—

This was the work of a master craftsman!

Thinking of her teacher's care, and of how she would be leaving the research institute in a few days—

Li Lingyin's nose stung slightly. She raised her head and said earnestly, "Teacher, I won't let you down. I'll definitely become a powerful Beast Tamer!"

Master Jian watched their interaction thoughtfully before asking.

"This little girl is...?"

"Her name is Li Lingyin. She's the daughter of my senior schoolmate and has recently been working here as my assistant. You could say she's also half my student," Jiang Xing introduced.

"Hello, Grandma Jian." Seeing Master Jian ask about her, Li Lingyin greeted her as well.

Master Jian examined Li Lingyin, and her gaze shifted slightly.

Jiang Xing was Old Xu's student, so his senior schoolmate was naturally Old Xu's student as well.

In other words, this little girl was both the daughter of Old Xu's student and the student of Old Xu's student—a genuine "Xu-family grand-disciple."

The passion that had lain dormant for so long suddenly began to boil.

Master Jian asked, "Are you a Novice Beast Tamer?"

"Yes, this is my initial Pet Beast." Li Lingyin nodded, and the Rainbow Dragon Cub beside her responded as well.

Master Jian's lips curled into a smile as she pulled the little girl beside her forward.

"Her name is Jian Guoguo. She's my younger sister's granddaughter and also my youngest apprentice. She has been studying item crafting at the Craftsman Workshop..."

"However, compared with crafting items, she prefers Beast Tamer battles."

"So not long ago, she contracted her initial Pet Beast and became a Novice Beast Tamer."

"Since you two are the same age and both Novice Beast Tamers, would you like to have a Beast Tamer battle to warm up?"

Jian Guoguo had long bangs covering her eyes. She had not spoken the entire time and seemed shy and introverted.

Yet at that moment, she suddenly lifted her head. Her gaze swept over the Rainbow Dragon Cub before settling on Li Lingyin's eyes, and her voice rang out, young and clear.

"Let's battle."

Li Lingyin had not expected anyone to challenge her and was somewhat surprised.

Once she recovered, however, she became excited as well.

A true Beast Tamer never refused a challenge.

She raised a hand and turned the cap's brim around to the back so it would not obstruct her vision, revealing a smile.

"I'd be delighted."

Dun dun dun dun...

At that moment, Jiang Xing's eyes widened, and it felt as though classic music had begun playing in his mind.

Was this cap really that magical?

She had only just put it on, and a wild rival had already appeared?!