This is a magical Guardian Beast world called "Blue Star."
More than two thousand years ago, when Blue Star had two moons, this world gave birth to Guardian Beastmasters and Star Martial Artists.
Awakening as a Guardian Beastmaster, one obtains the qualifications for the Beastmaster's Space and can sign contracts with awakened monsters with talents, fighting and growing with Guardian Beasts.
Those who cannot awaken as Guardian Beastmasters may have a chance to awaken as Star Martial Artists, absorbing Star Power and practicing Martial Arts.
However, Star Martial Artists are far inferior to Guardian Beastmasters.
This is the world of Guardian Beasts!
This is the era of Guardian Beasts!
Every year on this day, two hundred thousand young men and women are transported to this world by the "Mist."
These two hundred thousand people are chosen randomly and scattered throughout the world.
This is the Guidance Plaza outside East Sea City in Tang Country.
There are currently twenty thousand people in the square.
Next, these twenty thousand people will undergo "Awakening Guidance" in batches.
Through Awakening Guidance, they may awaken their talents to become Guardian Beastmasters or Star Martial Artists.
After the Awakening Guidance is over, regardless of whether they have awakened or not, everyone needs to pick up cold weapons such as swords and participate in a test. The test is...
To stay in the wilderness outside the square for three days and three nights!
If you can come back alive after three days, you pass the test!
Teams are allowed, but each team must not have more than four people.
Guardian Beastmasters and Star Martial Artists who pass the test can enter one of the three major academies in East Sea City to learn and train in Guardian Beasts and Martial Arts.
Those who have not awakened their talents but have passed the test can have a second chance to awaken.
Whether they are transported here or born in Blue Star, everyone has only two chances to awaken in their lifetime.
If, after the life-and-death test, one still does not awaken their talents during the second Awakening Guidance...
These people need to work as miners in the caves outside East Sea City for three years before they can qualify to live in the city.
This rule applies to every main city in various countries of Blue Star.
"What? Even if we awaken our talents, we still need to participate in this life-and-death test?"
"The wilderness outside is filled with trees over a hundred feet tall; who knows what kinds of monsters lurk inside? How could we possibly beat them with just cold weapons like swords?"
"What's the point of giving you a gun? Look at that giant ant; do you think an ordinary gun can kill it? And that King Kong... the King Kong in King Kong Skeleton Island destroyed several fighter aircraft!"
"Damn it, they even limit the team size to four! If we encounter these terrifying Demon Beasts, even if all four of us were armed with rocket launchers, we might not be able to beat them!"
In the square, the noise starts up again.
People are panicking and at a loss.
But a low roar from the huge Black Ape silences all the clamor instantly.
In this Different World, the rules are set by the strong!
Surviving in this world is not easy.
Without chips, value, or strength, you are ultimately just dust.
After the Black Ape's roar, many people begin to calm down.
"Alright!"
The woman on the Black Ape's shoulder speaks softly, raising her hand: "I believe you understand your situation and know that this is Tang Country, East Sea City."
"After the Awakening Guidance is over, each of you will receive a smart wristwatch to wear on your wrist. It's a combination of a mobile phone and a computer. You can connect to the internet through the device and access the information you want to know."
At this moment, a young man musters the courage to ask: "Can we not participate in this test after the Awakening Guidance?"
"After participating in the test, if we still cannot awaken as Guardian Beastmasters or Star Martial Artists, can we not work as miners?"
The woman on the Black Ape's shoulder laughs: "You cannot abstain from participating. Those who are unwilling to participate will be killed on the spot!"
"Killed on the spot…" The young man who had asked the question is terrified.
The woman continues: "Of course, after participating in the test, you can choose not to be a miner."
"If you don't want to be a miner, you won't be able to live in East Sea City. You'll have to live in the wilderness... Well, outside the main city, we call it the wilderness."
"The world is vast; you can go wherever you want if you have the strength."
"But I must remind you..."
"Out in the wilderness beyond the main city, there are countless extraordinary monsters and other dangers. Even for powerful Guardian Beastmasters and Star Martial Artists, it's a constant battle for survival."
"So you'll have to think carefully about whether or not to be a miner at that time."
"Alright, start lining up now."
"Prepare for Awakening Guidance!"
"Fifty people per group, forming three circles around a lighthouse."
"Each group has only five minutes for the awakening."
"Begin!"
The woman standing on the Black Ape's shoulder doesn't give anyone another chance to ask questions.
A group of armed soldiers walks over, guiding people to line up.
At the same time, in the eastern part of the square, a group of soldiers moves out a bunch of lighthouses.
There are exactly ten "lighthouses," each more than three meters tall and emitting a faint blue light.
A crowd surges forward, with many people trying to push their way to the front.
On the side, the bulky young man tugs Chen Fan's sleeve: "Little brother, since everyone has a chance to awaken, there's no need to hurry. Let's hang back a bit and observe?"
Chen Fan nods and stretches out his right hand: "Chen Fan."
The young man grins and shakes Chen Fan's hand: "Wang Teng."
Chen Fan: "…"
── My son Wang Teng possesses the Emperor's Aura! ──
This name…
Chen Fan looks puzzled: "Brother Wang, do you read novels?"
Wang Teng is taken aback: "What's the point of that?"
Chen Fan: "…"
Alright, maybe this guy doesn't read novels in his spare time, and because he's so big and muscular, most people probably wouldn't dare to joke around with him about his name, so he's never realized it.
"Little brother, after the Awakening Guidance, let's team up, alright?"
Wang Teng takes a look at Chen Fan and whispers: "Then we can find two more people and venture into the jungle together!"
"If we can awaken as Guardian Beastmasters or Star Martial Artists, let's help each other grow!"
Chen Fan nods slightly: "Alright."
Suddenly!
Chen Fan feels a current surging through his entire body.
"Beastmaster System activating, 10%, 40%, 70%…"
"Beastmaster System successfully activated!"
"Beastmaster's Space successfully opened!"
The next moment…
"Boom!"
An odd square space unfolds in Chen Fan's mind, approximately thirty square meters in size. The sky is full of white clouds, the ground covered in lush green grass, and there's even a pond of water… well, it's actually just a small puddle.
Around the square space, there is grey fog all around, a chaotic and hazy scene.
Strangest of all, towering on each side of the square space is a huge gate, leading to who knows where.
"Beastmaster System?!"
"Is this… the Beastmaster's Space?"
Just as Chen Fan is overjoyed, a system panel slowly rises outside the Beastmaster's Space in his mind.