If you talk about normal sparring or formal battles, academy-style Beastmasters have a higher win rate; but in field combat, the Beastmasters from the Investigation Department are evenly matched with the former.

Within five minutes, the Beastmasters from the Investigation Department defeated the academy-style Beastmasters five times.

Thinking of this, the young guy looked at Su Quan, and flattered him a little: "It’s like Captain Su, you can’t find an opponent in the whole of Lishui City."

"Even looking at the outstanding Beastmasters throughout Donghuang, at most, you’ll find those who can match you, but absolutely no one can easily defeat you."

However, upon hearing this, Su Quan’s eyes narrowed, his expression changed slightly, and he coldly spat out, "Two hundred push-ups, start now."

"I..." The young guy’s face turned pale instantly; he tried to say something, his lips moved, but confronted with a pair of extremely calm eyes, he obediently lay on the ground.

These people belonged to the seventh division of the Investigation Department, with about a hundred members, subdivided into various roles. He and Li Junyue belonged to the combat role, and would follow Su Quan on missions facing danger in the future.

Everyone deeply revered the ordinary-looking man in front of them.

The young guy was different from Li Junyue; he was selected through the Beast Taming Academy and initially didn’t understand that unconditional obedience to orders was an ironclad rule.

But after being reprimanded by Su Quan a few times, the young guy no longer argued or spoke recklessly.

Obey, obey, and damn well obey.

Seeing Su Quan about to leave, Li Junyue suddenly asked: "Captain, when can we start missions?"

Su Quan stopped and looked at Li Junyue with a faint smile: "What? Can’t wait anymore?"

Li Junyue neither confirmed nor denied: "My child is still young. If I have to leave home for several days, I need to prepare in advance."

"Then once your training is qualified, we’ll start the mission." After saying this, Su Quan’s figure disappeared.

The young guy panted as he finished the two hundred push-ups, gasping for breath as he got up from the ground, his eyes still filled with confusion: "Did I say something to offend Captain Su?"

...

Xuanhe Village,

By the time the Cold-Biting Ox woke up, it had been two hours later.

Chen Yuan directly asked: "Can you still use Cold Breath like before?"

"Moo."

As the Cold-Biting Ox opened its mouth, Chen Yuan hurriedly dodged, but he waited for a long time and didn’t see snowflakes fluttering or feel the chill of Cold Breath.

"Moo....."

The Cold-Biting Ox lowered its head instantly, looking dejected.

Can’t it still do it?

After several more attempts confirmed that the Cold-Biting Ox couldn’t perform Cold Breath, Chen Yuan rested his chin in thought: "Could there be a cooldown time?"

On second thought, it seems reasonable that there would be a cooldown; being able to use such an outrageous skill continuously would be unreasonable.

You should know that when the Cold-Biting Ox performed Cold Breath earlier, its scope of influence was particularly large, almost covering half the farm and changing the weather in a short time.

If this skill were used at a critical moment, Chen Yuan believed it would play a crucial role.

"It seems there really are many special aspects within the Cold-Biting Ox."

"I’ll leave it to my brother to research thoroughly."

Unknowingly, the research content Chen Yuan left for Chen Wenhao increased more and more, keeping him busy for quite some time.

However, as a researcher, Chen Wenhao was not meant to have a lush head of hair.

Chen Yuan stared directly at the Cold-Biting Ox, with an unhidden aggressive gaze that scared the latter into retreating and hiding behind Chen Weiyi.

"Quack quack."

The Run Run Duck strutted over to the Cold-Biting Ox, then dragged it to the corner and whispered something.

Chen Yuan didn’t know what they were discussing, but seeing the excited look in the Run Run Duck’s eyes, he knew it definitely wasn’t anything good.

After temporarily resolving the issue of the Cold-Biting Ox not learning skills, Chen Yuan contacted Zhou Xu to help exchange Void Fruits for the resources needed for Run Run Duck and Iron Head to advance.

Seven Void Fruits were more than enough to exchange for these resources.

"Sure, I’ll handle it right away," Zhou Xu agreed readily, then added, "By the way, on the first of next month, Professor Song Ren from the Beast Taming Academy Headquarters will lead a team to Qinling to investigate the Mysterious Forest."

"If you have time, can you lead them into the mountains?"

After a pause, he added, "This research activity is led by the Beastmaster Association, and completing it can earn a substantial Contribution Value."

Chen Yuan’s face showed a bright smile: "I’m quite curious about that forest too, I’d be happy to help."

"And one more thing." Zhou Xu flipped through a small book of meeting notes and said, "Next month, Qin Province will host the first Beastmaster Tournament, similar in format to the Taibai Cup. Do you want to participate?"

Chen Yuan decisively shook his head: "I won’t participate."

"What about the exhibition match?" Zhou Xu continued to ask.

Chen Yuan thought for a while, then shook his head: "I won’t do the exhibition match either, next month should be quite busy."

Participating in the Taibai Cup exhibition match had already brought enough attention. After the exhibition match, strangers lingered around the farm daily, and if he were to participate in the Qin Province exhibition match, the farm might become a major attraction in Xuanhe Village.

Peaceful, quiet days would be over.

Zhou Xu said, "Participating in the Qin Province exhibition match also yields Contribution Value."

Chen Yuan squinted but still gritted his teeth and refused: "Forget it."

Zhou Xu didn’t persuade further, only saying: "If you change your mind, feel free to contact me."

After pausing, he added, "This tournament will be attended by advisers from various associations and outstanding Beastmasters."

"It should be lively then."

"Zhuang Jianbai has already posted on social media: Aiming for the championship."

Chen Yuan chuckled: "I wish him success."

After hanging up the phone, Chen Yuan saw the old man talking to the Cold-Biting Ox and walked over, asking directly: "Grandpa, do you want to contract this little guy?"

Chen Yuan’s direct question left Chen Weiyi momentarily stunned. He looked at the Cold-Biting Ox lying at his feet, his weathered eyes showing a hint of pondering.

He thought for a long time before asking uncertainly: "If I contract with it, will it burden you?"

He was already old, and although becoming a Beastmaster had somewhat restored his physical strength and energy, he wasn’t as vibrant as Chen Yuan, a young man filled with energy.

Carefully researching raising methods, diligently training Pet Beasts, and even growing together with Pet Beasts—all these were far from him.

Chen Weiyi just wanted to find a Pet Beast as old as himself, to bask in the sun and take leisurely strolls around the village.

The Cold-Biting Ox was just born, completely at the other end of life’s spectrum compared to his elderly self.

If the Cold-Biting Ox wanted to become stronger, wouldn’t it require his grandson’s attention?

Chen Weiyi didn’t want to make Chen Yuan more stressed.

Chen Yuan understood Chen Weiyi’s concerns and smiled: "Grandpa, you’re overthinking it."

"As long as this little guy wants to, and you want to, that’s enough."

After a pause, he continued with a laugh: "Besides, we already have so many Pet Beasts on our farm, having one or two more doesn’t matter."

Chen Yuan’s words finally alleviated Chen Weiyi’s concerns. He stopped hesitating and looked down at the Cold-Biting Ox: "What do you think?"

He had watched the Cold-Biting Ox grow, seen it isolated in the corner, watched it be ostracized by the herd, so he inevitably developed empathy.

"Moo."

The Cold-Biting Ox leaned closely against Chen Weiyi, showing its thoughts through its actions.

A moment later, Chen Weiyi successfully contracted with the Cold-Biting Ox, officially becoming a Beastmaster.

"Grandpa, now you just need to go to the Association for certification."

"But for something like this, I can just inform Zhou Xu."

Half an hour later, Chen Weiyi’s identity information was approved, and he became an officially certified aged Initial-tier Beastmaster of the Association.

From then on, Chen Yuan, Chen Wenhao, and Chen Weiyi all became Beastmasters, truly forming a family of three Beastmasters.

However, Chen Yuan was busy with patrolling and forestry protection, Chen Wenhao aimed to become an Extraordinary Biologist, and Chen Weiyi just wanted to spend leisurely days with the Cold-Biting Ox.

This family couldn’t produce a conventional Beastmaster.