"Doctor, the test results should be out, right? How is she?"

In a daze, 004 heard Fang Yuan’s voice.

Although she was enveloped in thick treatment fluid that distorted outside sounds, she would never mistake the voice of her Beast Tamer.

"Yes."

This time, the reply came from an older-sounding voice that 004 didn’t recognize. ’It must be the doctor,’ she thought.

"Don’t worry, the injury isn’t too severe. It’s not life-threatening, nor will it cause any permanent disability. She’ll definitely wake up by the end of the day at the latest."

"Okay, that’s good." Fang Yuan seemed to let out a sigh of relief.

’Okay, that’s good...’ 004 breathed a sigh of relief as well.

’Fang Yuan isn’t like those stricter Beast Tamers. He won’t abandon me just because I lost once.’

’As long as there are no lasting injuries, I can continue my high-intensity training and keep getting stronger.’

’As long as he thinks I can still get stronger, he’ll stay with me while I do!’

’It doesn’t matter that I lost to that little mutt this time. I can keep training when I get back! I’ll definitely crush Yu Bao in the future and settle the score!’

’As long as I can still train...’

"But it’s not entirely without problems," the doctor added slowly.

004’s relaxed nerves instantly tensed up.

Outside the treatment pod, the doctor frowned as he finished reading the examination report, his gaze complex as he looked at Fang Yuan.

"Young man, how do you normally train your Pet Beast? What I mean is, it would be best if you told me the specific training methods and volume."

Fang Yuan then described 004’s training schedule to the doctor.

grew nervous. ’Fang Yuan is underreporting my training volume by quite a lot.’

After listening, the doctor heaved a heavy sigh.

"People already cry foul over a 9-to-9, six-day-a-week schedule, but you’re practically putting her through a 24/7 grind. This kind of excessive, over-the-top training for your Pet Beast goes against the principles of sustainable Beast Taming."

"But I consulted a Master Level Beast Tamer before creating this training plan," Fang Yuan said in a low voice.

His voice was as calm as ever, but 004, who was extremely sensitive to emotions, detected a hint of urgency that wasn’t usually there.

"Master Level Beast Tamers have the corresponding resources, facilities, and medical teams. They can naturally afford the costs and risks associated with this kind of training method."

The doctor said earnestly, "May I ask, young man, do you have a professional team comparable to that of a Master Level Beast Tamer?"

Fang Yuan didn’t speak, just shook his head.

After a long moment, he slowly began, "Then my Pet Beast..."

"The preliminary diagnosis was that her Nether Flame Body was injured by Broken Waterfall Judgment in the semifinals.

"The Hao Waterfowl is a Strong Attack Type Pet Beast, and the White Flame Battle Spirit isn’t known for its defense. That blow was actually terrifying; your Pet Beast is lucky that only her Nether Flame Body was damaged.

"In reality, due to your unreasonable training methods, her Nether Flame Body had already accumulated many hidden injuries. Broken Waterfall Judgment just triggered their emergence ahead of schedule."

was frantic.

’I want to rush out right now, lock that doctor in an Extreme Sword Prison, and beat him up!’

’I’m fine!’

’I’m already better!’

’I can really keep training!’

"Then what... what should we do?"

For the first time ever, Fang Yuan’s words were jumbled.

"The training intensity must be lowered. Follow the standard exam training syllabus, but at 80% of the volume. If you’re lucky, there might be a chance of a full recovery. Of course, the chances aren’t high..."

The doctor droned on for a long time before he seemed to remember something and looked at Fang Yuan.

"If you still want to participate in the city league or more intense competitions in the future, then I suggest you replace your Pet Beast sooner rather than later. She may no longer be suited for battles of this intensity, at least not in the short term."

"Right... I understand. Thank you, Doctor."

...

From the sound of footsteps, the doctor had left the room.

quietly opened her eyes, wanting to see what Fang Yuan was doing, only to find him standing right in front of the treatment pod, staring at her.

"!" 004 trembled in fright, and the surrounding treatment fluid stirred for a moment.

"If you’re awake, come on out," Fang Yuan said calmly, pressing the off button.

The thick, viscous treatment fluid slowly drained away, and the feeling of being held in place vanished.

swayed involuntarily, then hurriedly stabilized her levitation, trying not to show even the slightest sign of strain.

She was terrified, terrified that Fang Yuan’s next words would be about breaking their contract.

Fang Yuan said nothing, simply bringing a plastic bag from the windowsill over to her.

saw him take out a Telekinesis Crisp.

"Su Zhi and his Pet Beast sent this for you."

Fang Yuan said calmly. Seeing that 004 didn’t move, he guessed she might not have an appetite for Telekinesis Element items at the moment, so he swapped it for a Red Oak Nut.

was a bit dazed, not knowing what Fang Yuan was doing.

’Is he trying to judge my condition by my appetite?’

At this thought, 004 panicked. She quickly snatched the Red Oak Nut, gobbled it down with a NOM NOM NOM, and looked up at Fang Yuan.

Her light pink eyes were filled with tension.

"Let’s go back to the room for now. It’s booked until tomorrow morning."

Fang Yuan picked up the plastic bag with the Telekinesis Crisps and Red Oak Nuts and turned to leave the room.

quickly floated after him, still trying her best to remain stable, not daring to show any sign of difficulty.

Secretly, she breathed a sigh of relief.

’As long as he doesn’t break the contract and abandon me, it’s fine.’

’I’m just a little unsteady because I just got out of the treatment pod...’

’I’ll be fine tomorrow!’

’Mhm...’

’I’ll definitely be recovered by tomorrow!’

·

No. 19, Nanshan Park Road, Ai Kun’s Flying Pancake Stall—next to the City Alliance Headquarters.

Accompanied by Shao Ya, Su Zhi followed Yang Shuyue’s lead into the Alliance Youth Team’s main hall.

The examiners who had presided over his entrance assessment were all in place, uniformly dressed in light gray Alliance Member uniforms and wearing dark gold Alliance Member medals.

In this attire, even the eldest among them, Yan Dingyi, exuded an air of steadfast reliability.

"Su Zhi, we are here to make one final confirmation:

"Are you fully aware of the responsibilities that come with being a member of the Common Defense Alliance’s Youth Vanguard?"

"I am."

"Do you still wish to become a member of the Common Defense Alliance’s Youth Vanguard?"

Without hesitation, Su Zhi replied, "I do."

"Good. We will now proceed to the oath-swearing ceremony."

The moment Yan Dingyi finished speaking, a purple light flickered in the hall, converging into the form of a colossal, violet-hued dragon—

[Pet Beast: Candle Venerable (Purple Nether Candle Dragon)

Attribute: ???

Race: High Level Monarch Race

Real-time Energy Value: ???]

Su Zhi sucked in a sharp breath, his body tensing.

Candle Venerable was the Main Pet of the first Grand Alliance Leader of the Common Defense Alliance. Even after the Grand Alliance Leader passed away, it continued to stand with the Common Defense Alliance, having witnessed the rise and development of Beast Taming civilization.

The upper detection limit for Real-time Energy Value on a Beast Tamer’s specialized device is 40,000, which is Five-star.

And according to popular rumor, Candle Venerable is the only living Double Five-star Pet Beast... meaning its Energy Value exceeds 80,000.

’Why is it here?’

"Don’t be nervous. Elder Zhuo’s true body isn’t here, of course. Elder Zhuo leaves a wisp of Divine Thought at each branch of the Alliance to witness the induction of new team members and Alliance Members."

Yang Shuyue walked to Su Zhi’s side and raised her right fist.

"Alliance Youth Team Member Su Zhi, raise your right fist and repeat the oath after me.

"I volunteer to join the Common Defense Alliance’s Youth Vanguard. I will resolutely uphold the Alliance’s leadership, abide by the Vanguard’s charter, carry out its resolutions, fulfill my duties as a member, and strictly observe its discipline.

"I will strive and struggle, charging to the front lines, fighting side-by-side with my Pet Beast to become a truly qualified Beast Tamer!

"Even if the night is long and the stars are forever veiled, I shall become a Starfire of hope, igniting the dawn with my own body!"

The voices of the oath-taker and the oath-leader gradually merged into one, resonant and powerful.

After the oath was complete, Su Zhi held his breath and stared intently at Candle Venerable.

Even though it was just a sliver of a soul, insignificant compared to its true body, he couldn’t shake the feeling that it had just glanced at him.

It wasn’t until Yang Shuyue lowered her fist and whispered, "You can relax now," that Su Zhi snapped out of it and quickly lowered his own fist.

"What are you so nervous for? You did great," Yang Shuyue said with a light laugh.

Su Zhi whispered honestly, "I felt like Elder Zhuo was just looking at me..."

"Impossible. Elder Zhuo is the cockiest being on Blue Star; he’s never given anyone a proper look. There’s no reason he’d single you out."

Yang Shuyue stood on her tiptoes and patted his shoulder. "Relax, it’s just your imagination."

Su Zhi nodded and didn’t dwell on it.

Yu Bao had been in the Beast Taming Space during the oath and reported that everything felt normal. ’Maybe it really was just my imagination.’

Once the oath was finished, Yang Shuyue led Su Zhi to the main platform, where he received his exclusive Alliance Youth Team card.

"Congratulations on officially becoming a member of the Alliance Youth Team."

Peng Kai let out a long breath, reached across the table, and threw his arm around Su Zhi.

"Alright, you can stop being so tense. It’s over!"

"Ah..."

Su Zhi’s mouth fell open as he looked around.

The elders, who had been tense and solemn just a second ago, were now discussing their mahjong game for the evening...

The inexperienced young man was profoundly shocked.

"HSSS."

Yu Bao eagerly popped out of the Beast Taming Space, just in time to see the purple Light Array on the opposite side flicker as Diya also appeared.

"SAH!"

Diya excitedly waved its claw at Yu Bao.

Then, spotting Xiaoyue at the entrance, Diya followed Yu Bao’s lead and greeted her as well.

"SAH! SAH!"

"Meoww." Xiaoyue, lounging lazily by Shao Ya’s leg, waved a paw.

’You guys go play. You can have the dumb little dog. No need to give him back.’

"Sah..."

Yu Bao wanted to give his old friend a hug, but Diya dodged, looking at Yu Bao with a peculiar expression while rubbing one of its claws back and forth, hinting furiously.

Yu Bao understood instantly and nodded, whipping out a pack of spicy gluten sticks with a FWOOSH.

"Saah~" Diya’s face lit up. It took the spicy sticks, threw an arm around Yu Bao, and gave him a pat.

’That’s my boy!’

The two little ones started eating the spicy sticks, one for you, one for me.

Peng Kai watched the two buddies, his hands in his pockets, and remained silent for a long moment before muttering:

"The last time Diya ate spicy sticks, I made him do a hundred sets of shuttle runs as punishment. When he heard you guys were coming today, he did a hundred sets on his own beforehand. I thought he was becoming more self-disciplined."

Su Zhi: "..."

’Paying for his punishment in advance just for a bite of spicy sticks. Now that’s true love.’

’So much for being a "noble Nether Flame Spirit who doesn’t partake in worldly food."’

"Congratulations, Fellow Daoist Su, for beating three seeds in a row to snatch the city league championship! You’re quite the celebrity now!"

"Not at all, not at all... It was all thanks to Fellow Daoist Peng’s help before..."

"Your Beast Taming philosophy gave me even more inspiration, Fellow Daoist Su. I tried to set up some Skills for Diya based on its natural aptitudes, but I feel my ideas aren’t fully fleshed out yet, and they haven’t been tested in a real battle...

"Since you’re here, have a sparring match with me before you go!"

Somehow, in the middle of their chat, Peng Kai had steered the conversation toward sparring and was suddenly fired up.

’Wait, how did it come to this again...’ Su Zhi, looking completely bewildered, was dragged out of the hall. He looked toward the girl waiting at the entrance.

The girl stuck out the tip of her tongue, tilted her head, and gave him a little wink.

’Good luck~!’

·

·