Part 1: Entering the Guild
The bustling Adventurer's Guild was alive with chatter and the clinking of mugs as Xiǎo Hǎiyáng stepped through its grand wooden doors. Inside, adventurers of all kinds—armored knights, robed mages, and rugged beast tamers—lounged around tables or stood examining the enormous quest board.
Their conversations faltered as the young tamer walked in, his presence immediately drawing attention. Whispers rippled through the room, some curious, others derisive.
"Isn't that the XF Tamer from Snow Water School?" someone muttered, loud enough for Hǎiyáng to hear.
"Ha! What's he doing here? Shouldn't he stick to cleaning stables?" another scoffed, sending ripples of laughter through a nearby table.
Hǎiyáng ignored the mocking tones, his resolve unwavering. Clad in a simple yet clean adventurer's tunic, his form carried an unyielding confidence that seemed almost out of place for someone of his supposed rank. He approached the Guild Master's desk, presenting a sealed letter.
The Guild Master, an imposing middle-aged man with scars lining his jaw, opened the letter with a raised eyebrow. His eyes scanned the contents, and his expression shifted from skepticism to intrigue. "A recognition letter from Xuě Jīn Mán? An SSS Beast Tamer?"
The room grew silent as the words escaped his lips. Every adventurer's gaze snapped to Hǎiyáng, disbelief etched across their faces.
"This must be a joke," muttered a burly adventurer near the bar.
"An XF labeled as SSS? Impossible!"
"Quiet!" the Guild Master barked, silencing the murmurs. He turned back to Hǎiyáng, narrowing his eyes. "If this letter is genuine, then you must prove yourself worthy. Are you prepared?"
Hǎiyáng nodded firmly. "Yes, Guild Master. Give me a quest, and I'll complete it."
The Guild Master studied him for a long moment before gesturing to one of the quest boards. "Your first job is here. A furious slime beast has been terrorizing the riverbank. Seal it, tame it, or eliminate it. If you succeed, I'll grant you the license."
Hǎiyáng found himself by the riverbank, Mǔmǔ bouncing beside him in her humanoid form. Her small frame shimmered faintly in the sunlight, but her demeanor was anything but fragile.
The furious slime beast soon revealed itself—a massive, gelatinous creature that shimmered with a dangerous iridescence. It roared, the sound echoing like a guttural wail, as it lunged toward them.
Mǔmǔ immediately darted forward, her tentacles extending to block the attack. Her voice was soft yet firm as she tried to reason with the beast. "Why do you resist, friend? We mean no harm."
But the slime beast roared again, its form quivering with defiance. "Humans have brought nothing but pain to my kind! I will never submit!"
Hǎiyáng's expression softened. He had heard this refrain too many times, but he respected the beast's will. With Mǔmǔ's help, he sealed the creature using a complex rune formation. Though the beast was subdued, it refused to be tamed.
As they explored its lair, Hǎiyáng discovered why the slime had been so protective—a small patch of 10-year-old Tagetes lucida herbs grew in the shaded area it guarded. He carefully harvested the precious plants, knowing their value as ingredients for anti-heat balm.
Back at the guild, his discovery earned him 10 gold coins and a few grudging nods of respect.
But he knew this was just the beginning.
Part 2: The Mole Family's Burrow
Hǎiyáng's second quest led him further downstream to deal with a mole family that had been disrupting irrigation systems. It sounded simple, but as he and Mǔmǔ approached the burrow, the air grew heavy. A strange sense of being watched prickled at Hǎiyáng's instincts.
Mǔmǔ was the first to notice movement in the shadows. "Master, we are not alone," she whispered, her tentacles tensing.
Hǎiyáng nodded, his gaze scanning the area as they prepared for the task. The mole family emerged, snarling and hissing, their sharp claws glinting in the dim light. Mǔmǔ handled them efficiently, her tentacles subduing the creatures without harming them.
But as they secured the moles, Hǎiyáng caught the glint of metal from the corner of his eye—a blade, aimed directly at him.
The attack was swift, but Mǔmǔ was swifter. Her tentacles lashed out, blocking the assassin's strike. Hǎiyáng spun to face their assailants—figures clad in dark armor with the emblem of the Hóngshí family on their shoulders.
The fight was brief but fierce. Mǔmǔ's defensive skills and Hǎiyáng's quick thinking subdued the attackers, but the commotion drew the attention of patrolling beast tamer police.
To Hǎiyáng's frustration, he and Mǔmǔ were brought to the station alongside the assailants to explain the situation.
Despite the ordeal, the mole quest was deemed a success, and Hǎiyáng's reputation in the guild began to grow.
Part 3: Prelude to the Duel
As the last rays of the sun dipped below the horizon, Hǎiyáng found himself at the riverbank. The evening breeze carried the faint scent of water and wildflowers, a rare moment of peace before the chaos of his third quest.
Mǔmǔ floated lazily beside him, her tentacles occasionally dipping into the water as though testing its currents.
"Hǎiyáng!"
The familiar voice turned his head. Xuě Fú Fèn was walking toward him, her Snow-White Manta trailing closely behind, its majestic wings glowing faintly in the dim light. Her presence was unexpected, and Hǎiyáng raised an eyebrow in question.
"What are you doing here?" he asked, his tone neutral but curious.
"I could ask you the same thing," Fú Fèn retorted, a teasing smile on her lips. "But since you're here, can you escort me back to the city? It's getting late, and the streets aren't exactly safe."
Hǎiyáng sighed but nodded. "Fine. Stay close, though. The river's been unpredictable lately."
As they walked along the riverbank, Mǔmǔ floated ahead, scouting the area. Fú Fèn observed the jellyfish humanoid with growing fascination. "Your little Mǔmǔ… She's more dangerous than she looks, isn't she?"
"You have no idea," Hǎiyáng replied, a small grin tugging at the corner of his mouth.
Their conversation was cut short when the water ahead began to churn violently. The surface broke as hundreds of piranhas leapt into the air, their sharp teeth glinting menacingly.
"Stay back!" Hǎiyáng commanded, stepping in front of Fú Fèn.
Mǔmǔ wasted no time. Her tentacles extended, crackling faintly with energy, as she launched herself into the fray. What followed was a scene Fú Fèn would never forget.
Mǔmǔ's smaller offspring swarmed the piranhas, their delicate-looking bodies emitting bursts of poison that paralyzed the aggressive fish on contact. The water turned murky with the piranhas' thrashing, but Mǔmǔ remained calm, her movements precise and lethal.
One by one, the piranhas fell, their once-ferocious attacks reduced to feeble struggles.
"She's… incredible," Fú Fèn whispered, her voice tinged with awe and a hint of fear.
Hǎiyáng nodded but didn't reply. He knew Mǔmǔ's power, but he also knew her limits.
Just as the water began to calm, a slow clap echoed through the air.
"Well, well, well. Quite the show you've put on here."
Hǎiyáng turned sharply, his eyes narrowing as Cì Hé Tún emerged from the shadows, his followers trailing behind him. The leader of the high-ranking guild smirked, his eyes flicking between Hǎiyáng and Fú Fèn.
"What do you want, Cì Hé Tún?" Hǎiyáng asked, his tone sharp.
Cì Hé Tún ignored the question, his gaze settling on Fú Fèn. "Lady Xuě Fú Fèn. What a pleasant surprise. I didn't know you'd be here. Allow me to escort you home."
Fú Fèn's expression hardened. "I don't need your help."
"Oh, but I insist," Cì Hé Tún said smoothly, his smirk widening. "It's dangerous out here, and I wouldn't want anything to happen to such a delicate flower."
"She said no," Hǎiyáng interjected, stepping forward.
Cì Hé Tún's smile faded, replaced by a sneer. "And who are you to speak for her? An XF tamer with a pet jellyfish?"
Hǎiyáng's fists clenched at the insult, but before he could respond, Fú Fèn stepped forward.
"You can mock him all you want," she said coldly. "But at least he doesn't rely on others to clean up his messes."
Cì Hé Tún's face darkened, his pride clearly wounded. "Is that so? Then perhaps your little friend would care to prove himself."
He gestured to his followers, who stepped aside to reveal Dú Lín, his massive poison water snake. The creature hissed, its fangs dripping with venom as it coiled in anticipation.
"Let's see if your jellyfish can handle a real beast," Cì Hé Tún sneered.
Hǎiyáng exchanged a glance with Mǔmǔ, who floated closer, her tentacles wriggling as though eager for the challenge.
Fú Fèn placed a hand on Hǎiyáng's arm. "You don't have to do this," she said softly.
"Yes, I do," Hǎiyáng replied firmly. He stepped forward, his resolve unshaken.
The duel was set. The riverbank became their battleground, the air thick with tension as the crowd of onlookers grew. This was no longer just a fight; it was a test of strength, a clash of pride and power.
The Duel: Hǎiyáng vs. Cì Hé Tún
The air crackled with anticipation as the crowd formed a loose circle around the riverbank. On one side stood Hǎiyáng, calm but determined, with Mǔmǔ floating beside him. On the other side, Cì Hé Tún exuded confidence, his poison water snake coiled menacingly at his feet.
"Rules?" Hǎiyáng asked, his voice steady.
Cì Hé Tún smirked. "Simple. Whoever incapacitates the opponent's beast first wins. And if I win…" He cast a sly glance at Fú Fèn, "she spends two days and two nights as my guest."
The crowd gasped, murmurs of shock rippling through the spectators. Fú Fèn's eyes blazed with fury. "I am not a prize to be won!" she snapped.
Hǎiyáng's jaw tightened. "And if I win?"
Cì Hé Tún chuckled. "Name your price, though it won't matter."
Hǎiyáng's lips curled into a faint smile. "If I win, you'll publicly apologize for every insult you've thrown at me and my beast."
The Duel: Hǎiyáng vs. Cì Hé Tún
Cì Hé Tún laughed mockingly. "Done." He gestured grandly. "Shall we begin?"
The poison water snake, Dú Lín, slithered forward, its body undulating with unnatural grace. The air around it grew thick and acrid, the faint smell of venom making some spectators cover their noses. Its scales shimmered with an eerie green hue, and its eyes glowed faintly as it hissed, its forked tongue flickering menacingly.
"Mǔmǔ," Hǎiyáng said softly. The little jellyfish humanoid floated forward, her small frame almost laughable compared to the massive snake.
"She's your champion?" Cì Hé Tún sneered, earning chuckles from his followers. "This will be over in seconds."
The duel began.
Dú Lín lunged, its jaws wide open, aiming to sink its venomous fangs into Mǔmǔ. But the little jellyfish moved with astonishing agility, twisting mid-air and evading the attack with ease. Her tentacles stretched, glowing faintly as she struck back.
The first hit was almost imperceptible—a light tap on the snake's side. But Dú Lín recoiled violently, its hiss turning into a pained screech.
"What—" Cì Hé Tún's smirk faltered.
Mǔmǔ's tentacles darted forward again, this time coiling around Dú Lín with surprising strength. The snake thrashed wildly, its body writhing as it tried to break free.
"Enough games!" Cì Hé Tún barked. "Poison Mist!"
Dú Lín opened its mouth wide, releasing a thick, noxious cloud that spread across the battlefield. The spectators recoiled, covering their mouths as the venomous haze enveloped Mǔmǔ.
"Too easy," Cì Hé Tún muttered.
But as the mist cleared, Mǔmǔ floated unharmed, her translucent body glowing faintly. She had absorbed the venom, her form pulsating with renewed energy.
"No… That's impossible!" Cì Hé Tún's confidence wavered, his eyes darting nervously between Mǔmǔ and Hǎiyáng.
"She's just getting started," Hǎiyáng said calmly.
Mǔmǔ's tentacles extended further, reaching Dú Lín's head. With a swift, precise motion, she tapped the snake's skull. The effect was immediate. Dú Lín collapsed, its body convulsing briefly before going limp.
The crowd erupted in shock.
"She won?"
"Impossible! That tiny thing defeated Dú Lín?"
Cì Hé Tún stared in disbelief as his prized beast lay motionless on the ground. "No… No!" He turned to Hǎiyáng, his face contorted with rage. "You cheated! This isn't over!"
Before Hǎiyáng could respond, Cì Hé Tún reached for his summoning medallion, calling forth his second beast—a massive puffer fish humanoid named Cì Jiǎo Hé. The creature's body was covered in sharp spikes, and it exuded an aura of raw aggression.
The crowd gasped again. Two beasts in a duel? This was against the rules.
"Cì Hé Tún, that's enough!" Xuě Fú Fèn stepped forward, her voice cutting through the chaos. "You've already lost!"
Cì Hé Tún ignored her, his eyes locked on Hǎiyáng. "Let's see how your little pet handles this!"
Mǔmǔ floated back to Hǎiyáng's side, her body glowing faintly as if sensing the danger.
"Do you want to keep going, Mǔmǔ?" Hǎiyáng asked.
The jellyfish tilted her head, her glowing eyes meeting his. Then, without hesitation, she floated forward again, her tentacles wriggling in anticipation.
Cì Jiǎo Hé charged, its spikes glinting dangerously as it moved with surprising speed. Mǔmǔ waited until the last possible moment before extending her tentacles, striking the puffer fish squarely in the chest.
The impact sent shockwaves through the ground, and Cì Jiǎo Hé stumbled back, its spikes retracting momentarily. It roared in anger, launching itself at Mǔmǔ again.
This time, Mǔmǔ didn't dodge. She extended all ten of her tentacles, wrapping them tightly around the beast. Her glow intensified, and the air around them seemed to crackle with energy.
Cì Jiǎo Hé thrashed wildly, but Mǔmǔ's grip was unyielding. Slowly, the puffer fish's movements became sluggish, its roars fading into weak groans. Finally, it collapsed, unconscious beside Dú Lín.
The crowd was silent, too stunned to speak.
Hǎiyáng stepped forward, his gaze steady as he looked at Cì Hé Tún. "You lost. Twice. Now honor your word."
Cì Hé Tún's fists clenched, his face a mask of humiliation and fury. "This isn't over," he spat before turning and storming away, his followers scrambling to carry the unconscious beasts.
Xuě Fú Fèn approached Hǎiyáng, her expression a mixture of relief and admiration. "You didn't have to do that."
"Yes, I did," Hǎiyáng replied, his voice quiet but firm. "No one treats you like that and gets away with it."
For the first time, Xuě Fú Fèn didn't have a retort. Instead, she smiled softly. "Thank you."
As the crowd began to disperse, murmurs of awe and disbelief filled the air. Hǎiyáng didn't care about their opinions. He only cared about the path ahead and proving that he was more than the XF tamer they thought him to be.
The story of Hǎiyáng's victory over Cì Hé Tún spread like wildfire through Snow Water City. Within hours, every tavern, tea house, and market square buzzed with the thrilling tale of how the "XF Tamer" with the tiny jellyfish had utterly humiliated the arrogant leader of the Shuǐ Dú Gōnghuì.
The details grew more colorful with every retelling. Some claimed Mǔmǔ had summoned a storm to knock out Cì Hé Tún's beasts, while others swore she transformed into a massive sea deity that struck fear into the hearts of everyone present. Whatever the embellishments, one thing remained consistent: Hǎiyáng, the so-called weakest tamer, had outclassed one of the most notorious young tamers in the city.
For Cì Hé Tún, the humiliation was unbearable. His family, the Shuǐ Dú Clan, was livid, not only because of his loss but because his defeat at the hands of Hǎiyáng tarnished their prestigious reputation. The poison guild leader confined himself to his estate, refusing to show his face in public. Even his closest followers distanced themselves, unwilling to endure the ridicule that came with his name.
The city's streets echoed with laughter and jeers every time his name was mentioned. Children reenacted the duel, pretending to be Mǔmǔ and imitating her tentacle attacks with ropes or sticks, much to the amusement of onlookers.
Cì Hé Tún stayed locked away for a month, his fiery arrogance reduced to smoldering embarrassment. He spent his days training furiously, plotting his comeback and revenge. But the more he planned, the more the whispers of his disgrace haunted him.
Meanwhile, Hǎiyáng carried on as if nothing had happened. Though he remained humble, he couldn't deny the small sense of satisfaction he felt knowing that the tides were slowly turning in his favor. The XF Tamer label still followed him, but now it carried an edge of respect and curiosity.
This was just the beginning. Hǎiyáng's gaze turned toward the future, a quiet determination burning within him. His victories would only grow, and those who doubted him would one day bow in acknowledgment of his strength.
----------------------------------End of Chapter 10---------------------------------