"I choose to let nature take its course!"
Feng Yuan looked at Qi Chen with some surprise, and Qi Chen, touching Ah Mu's leaves, said
"Even if I choose some form for it, that's just what I wish for. Maybe Ah Mu doesn't like that form...it's not certain."
"You're quite open-minded about this. Since that's the case, I'll get you a special potion for your Ah Mu another day."
As he spoke, Feng Yuan quickly wrote down a formula and handed it to Qi Chen, who looked at it with confusion and asked
"What's this potion for?"
"It's to enhance potential. The greater the potential, the higher the probability that it will evolve into a Good Level instead of just a Common Level. You wouldn't want Ah Mu to become just a Common Level Spirit Beast, would you?"
"But I don't know how to craft potions."
Seeing Qi Chen's helpless expression, Feng Yuan pinched his chin and said
"Then you gather the materials, and I'll help you craft it."
"Are you sure it really works?"
"Don't you believe it?"
"It's not that...it's just that this is for Ah Mu to use..."
Seeing Qi Chen hesitating, Feng Yuan said, annoyed
"Why would I lie to you? If you don't believe me, you can take a batch to Teacher Orlina for a check."
"Teacher Orlina from the infirmary? That might be a solution..."
"And you'll get to spend more quality time with the lovely Miss Orlina～"
"Get lost!"
Watching Qi Chen blush and get somewhat angry, Feng Yuan smiled as he cleaned the garbage on the table. Just as he threw the garbage into the hallway trashcan, Feng Yuan suddenly felt something flash by
"Who's there!"
A pitch-black sickle rapidly materialized behind Feng Yuan. He grabbed the sickle and looked around, then after a moment, Feng Yuan let go with a confused look on his face, as the sickle gradually disappeared.
"A figment of my imagination? Impossible! What strange thing has snuck in here?"
Feng Yuan returned to the dormitory with some unease and saw Qi Chen observing Xiao Ji on his bed as soon as he walked in.
"Qi Chen, what are you up to?"
"What did you do? Xiao Ji looks so exhausted."
"Just a little mishap, don't worry about it."
"By the way, you should be careful lately."
"What happened?"
Seeing Qi Chen's puzzled face, Feng Yuan said with a serious tone
"Something seems to have slipped into the school. Be vigilant."
"What thing? Is it dangerous?"
"Don't know. Whether it's dangerous or not, I can't be sure."
"Then how do you know about it?"
Seeing Qi Chen's disbelief, Feng Yuan shook his head and said
"I saw it when I was throwing out the trash just now. It was a fleeting shadow. I'm not sure what it was, but it's definitely not something harmless like a stray cat."
"How do you know?"
"Have you forgotten my strength?"
"Alright, alright. But should we tell the teachers?"
"Tomorrow. It's too late now."
Watching Feng Yuan carefully move the sleeping Xiao Ji to a spot by the wall at the edge of the bed, Qi Chen asked, puzzled
"Why don't you let it sleep in its own little house, or take it back into the Contract Space?"
Feng Yuan glanced over at Ah Mu's little house by Qi Chen's bed and said
"Then why don't you take your Ah Mu back into the Contract Space?"
Qi Chen picked up Ah Mu and straightened its somewhat messy leaves before placing it by the entrance of the little house. Watching Ah Mu enter, he said
"Ah Mu can sleep in the little house. The Contract Space might feel a bit oppressive for them, don't you think?"
"Yes, that's why I didn't put Xiao Ji back into the Contract Space. As for waking it up from the cabin, do you think it's appropriate to disturb it now when it's asleep?"
"Alright, as long as it's not a hassle for you."
"Ugh! Xiao Ji, stop it."
In a daze, Feng Yuan pushed Xiao Ji away from his face, rubbed his eyes, and found Xiao Ji enthusiastically staring at him.
"You better wash up fast. Class is about to start. Here's your breakfast."
Feng Yuan took the breakfast Qi Chen handed to him and said somewhat confusedly,
"I remember setting the alarm clock; how come it didn't ring?"
"It did go off and woke me up, but you turned it off and went back to sleep."
"Really?"
Feng Yuan looked at Qi Chen, still a bit puzzled, and Qi Chen said helplessly,
"You're going to be late if you don't hurry up."
"Oh! Okay!"
"That guy, really. Xiao Ji, next time wake him up earlier."
"Ji~"
By the time the two arrived at the playground, the class bell rang just in time. Qi Chen took a moment to catch his breath and then suddenly remembered something and said to Feng Yuan,
"Shouldn't you put Xiao Ji away first?"
"What's wrong?"
"This class is still Mr. Yan's, and today he'll be teaching about Spirit Beasts practice knowledge..."
Qi Chen said with a bit of concern as he looked at Xiao Ji on top of Feng Yuan's head, and Xiao Ji, puzzled, cocked its head to stare at Qi Chen.
"No worries; trust me, the current Xiao Ji will surely surprise you all~"
"You do what you think is best."
Seeing Feng Yuan so unconcerned, Qi Chen didn't know how to persuade him further.
"You all must understand that Beastmasters and Spirit Beast trainers are two different professions. We Beastmasters focus on cultivating Spirit Beasts to fight alongside them! Spirit Beast trainers focus on utilizing the power of Spirit Beasts to resolve various non-combat-related issues.
Us Beastmasters focus on nurturing Spirit Beasts that have signed a Beast Taming contract, whereas Spirit Beast trainers focus on signing numerous contracts with Spirit Beasts, seeking assistance from a variety of them.
Take note! Although Beastmasters can also sign Spirit Beast contracts, these contracts only ensure you have a Spirit Beast Space to conveniently carry a Spirit Beast with you; the sole advantage of a Spirit Beast contract is that it doesn't occupy one of your contract slots."
"Only the Spirit Beasts with whom you have signed a Beast Taming contract can lend you their power. You can use that power to protect yourself, but don't even think about using their power to fight in their stead! Your battle instincts inherently can't match those of a Spirit Beast, and moreover, the more power a Spirit Beast lends to you, the more its own power diminishes."
As Mr. Yan spoke, he glanced at Feng Yuan with some dissatisfaction, then looking at Xiao Ji on top of Feng Yuan's head, he said,
"Of course, if you have the strength to match a Spirit Beast, you can certainly fight your own battles, but that doesn't mean the power of Spirit Beasts isn't crucial, and those who possess strength equal to Spirit Beasts are, after all, extremely rare."
"Now, those who have signed a Beast Taming contract with me, come one by one and see how much power you can borrow from your Spirit Beast without significantly affecting its combat capability, and also ensuring the utmost safety for yourself."
Everyone followed Mr. Yan to the combat area, and Feng Yuan said to Xiao Ji on his head,
"Your moment to shine is coming up. Show them your strength~"
Hearing Feng Yuan's words, Xiao Ji let out a spirited cry.
Upon arriving at the combat area, Mr. Yan summoned his own Spirit Beast, the Meditation Child, and loudly said,
"Who will go first?"
"I will."
Feng Yuan stepped out of the crowd with Xiao Ji on his head. As soon as Feng Yuan entered the field, Xiao Ji jumped down,
Seeing Xiao Ji land firmly on the ground, full of fighting spirit and staring at him, Mr. Yan's lips slightly curled up as he said,
"Let your Eggshell Chicken lend you its strength. I know you have your own defense measures, but now it's time to test the strength of that Eggshell Chicken of yours, so don't use any of your abilities."
Feng Yuan was going to refuse the power that Xiao Ji was transferring to him, but seeing Xiao Ji turn around, its gemstone-blue eyes looking firmly at him, Feng Yuan said with a smile,
"Okay, it's all up to you now."
Xiao Ji's power transferred over, and without much planning, Feng Yuan waved his hand, and a gray semi-spherical shield protected him. Mr. Yan probed the semi-spherical shield and, not detecting Feng Yuan's presence on it, said somewhat perplexed,
"Xiao Tong, go! Use the Psychic Ball!"
"Xiao Ji, Whirlwind!"
In front of the Meditation Child, a sky-blue Energy Sphere quickly formed. The Meditation Child pushed its hands gently forward, and the sky-blue Energy Sphere flew out and collided with the gray Whirlwind coming towards it. The two moves had barely touched before a violent explosion occurred, and the blast of the explosion ruffled Xiao Ji's feathers and hit the gray semi-spherical shield around Feng Yuan without causing any ripples.
Mr. Yan looked surprised as the smoke cleared to reveal Xiao Ji still standing.