It was difficult.
One could tell from the high Alliance Contribution Points awarded for discovering each new evolutionary path that exploring an evolutionary path wasn't easy. Considering Xue Henqing was a popular pet, naturally, there were many scholars researching its evolutionary type. Yet, to date, no results had emerged, which either indicated that Xue Henqing's evolutionary path was incredibly hard to discover or that it simply didn't exist.
But what did that matter?
The interactions Lin Su had had with Qiuqiu and what Xu Jiajia had told him about Qiuqiu's origins flashed through his mind. Although the man and pet had known each other for only a short time, Lin Su already had his answer—he wanted to take this adorable little fellow away with him.
He wanted to battle alongside this little one who had connected with him so quickly and shared a similar fate.
If he couldn't travel to another world, then Qiuqiu would be his contracted pet beast. With his excellent theoretical scores, he could just focus on researching Xue Henqing's evolution type in the future—something would surely come of it.
If he could travel to another world, to get into a better Beast Tamer University, Lin Su might not choose Qiuqiu as his first contracted pet beast, but he wouldn't give up on Qiuqiu either.
His Beast Taming Space had already leveled up to the second tier; once it reached the third tier, he could contract a second pet beast.
At that time, the second contracting slot could also be for Qiuqiu.
Moreover, who knows, perhaps someone in another world had discovered Xue Henqing's evolution type?
Lin Su slowly extended his hand toward Qiuqiu, his face tensed with a touch of nervousness, "Qiuqiu, would you like to come with me?"
"Pat~"
Qiuqiu extended a little paw, pressing it into Lin Su's palm, and a dazzling ice flower bloomed instantly.
"Meow! (﹡ˆωˆ﹡)ฅ" (Willing!)
...
"Qiuqiu, we're home," Lin Su said as he stood in front of the welfare home, petting Qiuqiu in his arms, "In a bit, I'll let you try the new Feed Block I just bought, see if it suits your taste."
Poking its head out of Lin Su's embrace, Qiuqiu curiously surveyed its surroundings.
"Meow! Meow! (｡✪ω✪｡)" (Home! Tasty!)
"I bought the catnip flavor. That salesperson said Xue Henqing loves this flavor of Feed Block, but I don't know if it's true."
"Meow! ฅ(´ω`)ฅ" (Catnip!)
"Looks like it's true."
Laughing together, the man and his pet headed towards the welfare home.
The process of paying the feed costs went smoothly, Xue Henqing's feeding cost was twelve thousand Alliance Coins; after paying, Lin Su also bought some Feed Blocks for Qiuqiu, spending half of his thirty thousand savings.
Pets could eat the same food as humans and were not overly picky, but Feed Blocks were specially made pet feed, providing nutrients necessary for a pet's growth, helping them grow better—the only downside was the price.
A single Feed Block was the equivalent of one meal for a pet, selling for fifty Alliance Coins each, and that was just for the plain flavor. Special flavors, like catnip, designed for specific types of pets cost even more, sixty Alliance Coins per block.
Above the Feed Blocks were even more advanced Energy Cubes, designed specifically to replenish a pet's energy after training, with even the lowest tier Energy Cube costing five hundred Alliance Coins.
Although poor, Lin Su couldn't bear to skimp on his pet, so he gritted his teeth and bought fifty Feed Blocks in one go as food for Qiuqiu moving forward.
The children at the welfare home had been informed that Lin Su would be distributing the initial pet beasts today. Upon his return, they crowded around excitedly, especially thrilled when they saw Qiuqiu.
Which child could resist such an adorable Xue Henqing?
Seeing this, Lin Su could only let Qiuqiu play and frolic with the children. Fortunately, Qiuqiu by nature was sociable with humans and unlikely to cause any displeasure.
Since it was only the first day bringing Qiuqiu home, training was naturally out of the question; they could only foster their bond for now.
After a day together, the man and his pet had become increasingly harmonious. Even without a contract, Lin Su could already understand the various things Qiuqiu tried to express.
Night fell.
It was the first time Lin Su felt incredibly nervous about going to sleep, so much so that it took him a long time to do so.
"Meow~ (ˊωˋ*)ฅ♡" (Goodnight~)
After Lin Su had fallen asleep, Qiuqiu gently hopped onto Lin Su's bed, its petite body nimbly snuggling into Lin Su's blanket, quickly finding a comfortable spot in his arms and closing its eyes.
Sleep, sleep!
Feeling the fluffy little creature in his arms, Lin Su's heart gradually settled.
A wave of drowsiness swept over him, his consciousness slowly blurred, and eventually, he drifted into deep sleep.