Part 1: A Name That Echoes Through Snow Water City
Xiǎo Hǎiyáng's name traveled faster than the morning breeze across the bustling Snow Water City. Every street corner buzzed with whispers, some claiming to have glimpsed the boy during the recent city exams, others swearing by the incredible beasts under his command. Yet, for all the fame his name had garnered, most would not recognize the unassuming young man whose quiet demeanor belied the fire within.
The cobbled streets leading to Běihǎi Shòuyì Guān were slick with morning dew. Xiǎo Hǎiyáng walked purposefully, his simple attire drawing no attention from passersby. BǎoBǎo, his humanoid Doberman beast, followed with an air of quiet authority, his tall figure casting a long shadow. Meanwhile, Xiǎolóng and Xiǎo Shuǐmǔ remained in their summoning space, conserving their energy for what lay ahead.
The towering gates of the Běihǎi Shòuyì Guān (North Sea Beastmaster Certification Guild) loomed before them. Inside, the grand hall gleamed with polished marble floors and intricate wood carvings depicting legendary beasts. Despite the grandeur, the staff's gaze barely lingered on Hǎiyáng.
"Another poor kid pretending to be a beastmaster," one servant whispered, smirking as Hǎiyáng passed.
Unbothered by their mockery, Hǎiyáng approached the receptionist's desk. Měilì, a middle-aged woman with sharp eyes and an even sharper tongue, barely glanced up from her writing.
"I'm here to register my beasts," Hǎiyáng stated.
Měilì huffed, shoving a form across the counter. "Fill it out. Names and elements of your beasts. Don't waste my time."
She didn't even ask for his ID card. Her tone, dripping with disdain, made it clear she expected little from him. Unfazed, Hǎiyáng filled the form meticulously, listing each of his beasts: BǎoBǎo, Xiǎolóng, and Xiǎo Shuǐmǔ, alongside their respective elements.
Once the paperwork was complete, Měilì sighed and beckoned him to follow. "This way," she said curtly.
Hǎiyáng nodded silently, his focus unshaken. He and BǎoBǎo trailed behind her through a long corridor. The air grew colder, the quiet hum of magic emanating from behind closed doors. Finally, they arrived at the Beast Evolution Room, its metallic doors glinting ominously under the flickering light of enchanted lanterns.
As the doors creaked open, the space beyond promised a test not just for his beasts, but for the reputation of Xiǎo Hǎiyáng himself.
Part 2: The Beast Test
Inside the Beast Evolution Room, the atmosphere was thick with latent power. Runes etched into the walls pulsated softly, casting flickering shadows that seemed alive. The scoring pillar stood tall at the center, a silent testament to the prowess of countless beasts that had been evaluated within the chamber.
Lǐ Shàn Qí, the examiner, regarded Xiǎo Hǎiyáng and his Doberman companion with veiled disdain. "Let's start with the Doberman," he said, his voice clipped and uninterested.
BǎoBǎo stepped forward, his humanoid figure radiating quiet strength. The air grew heavier with anticipation as his tall frame moved with precision toward the pillar. Every step he took was deliberate, exuding an aura of authority that commanded attention.
"Species: Doberman. Male. Level: SSS,"
the pillar's glowing runes displayed, their hum resonating through the room.
Lǐ Shàn Qí arched an eyebrow. "A supporting beast," he muttered dismissively. "Let's see what it can actually do. Punch the pillar."
The impact was earth-shaking. The runes flared so brightly that the room was momentarily bathed in searing light. A deep, resonant crack echoed as fissures raced across the pillar's surface.
Gasps erupted from the unseen observers behind the tinted glass, but Lǐ Shàn Qí remained stoic. "SSS level confirmed," he said flatly. "Still, it's only a supporting beast. Its utility is limited."
BǎoBǎo stepped back without a word, his expression calm and unbothered by the examiner's judgment.
"Next," Lǐ Shàn Qí ordered, already glancing toward the summoning circle.
Hǎiyáng extended his hand and summoned Xiǎolóng, his second beast.
The summoning circle glowed faintly, and the young dragon emerged. His sleek black-and-blue-scaled head rested atop a long, giraffe-like neck. His body, a unique blend of raw power and grace, shimmered faintly in the dim light.
Xiǎolóng yawned lazily, his long tail curling around him as he stretched. His demeanor was utterly indifferent, almost playful, as though he considered the entire test beneath him.
The reaction was immediate.
From the shadows near the pillar, a silver-white fox froze mid-step. Its crimson eyes widened, and its fur stood on end as an overwhelming chill coursed through its body. The fox's instincts screamed at it to flee, but its legs refused to obey.
This was no ordinary beast. The fox could feel an ancient, suppressed power emanating from the young dragon. Though Xiǎolóng appeared relaxed, the fox sensed the barely-contained fury of something far beyond its comprehension.
"Kick the pillar," Lǐ Shàn Qí commanded impatiently, his voice snapping the tense silence.
Xiǎolóng glanced at the pillar lazily, lifting a leg with exaggerated nonchalance. He gave the pillar a gentle nudge, barely enough to disturb the runes.
The score flickered faintly before settling on F level.
"Pathetic," Lǐ Shàn Qí muttered, shaking his head. "An overgrown pet."
But the fox knew better. Its legs trembled violently as it fought to remain standing. Every instinct urged it to run, but fear rooted it to the spot. Only when the summoning circle dimmed and Xiǎolóng disappeared did the suffocating aura lift.
The fox exhaled shakily, its breaths ragged. It didn't dare linger.
"Last one," Lǐ Shàn Qí said, clearly bored.
Hǎiyáng summoned Xiǎo Shuǐmǔ, his final beast.
The jellyfish beast appeared gracefully, her translucent body glowing with intricate patterns of gold and grey. She floated serenely, her tentacles rippling in mesmerizing waves.
The pillar lit up instantly, displaying her data before she even touched it: Species: Lion's Mane Jellyfish. Level: SSS. Fighting Beast No.1 in Water Zones.
Lǐ Shàn Qí blinked, his composure cracking slightly. "Prove it," he said, his voice quieter now.
Xiǎo Shuǐmǔ glided forward, her delicate movements almost hypnotic.
With a sudden burst of energy, she struck the pillar with one of her glowing tentacles.
The resulting impact was dazzling. Light exploded across the room as the pillar's runes flared violently. Cracks raced along its surface, accompanied by a sharp, resonating hum.
The fox, though still wary, noted that the jellyfish lacked the primal, bone-chilling menace that the dragon had exuded.
As Shuǐmǔ returned to her summoning space, the fox made its move. It turned and bolted toward the exit, its paws scrabbling against the smooth floor in its haste to escape.
Outside, the evening air was crisp and cold. The fox's breath misted as it sprinted across the courtyard, its mind racing. It needed to report back to its master—immediately.
But before it could leave the guild grounds, a shadow loomed in its path.
BǎoBǎo stood waiting, his tall, imposing frame silhouetted against the dim light of the courtyard lanterns. His amber eyes glowed faintly, exuding an aura of quiet menace.
"Where do you think you're going?" BǎoBǎo asked, his voice low and commanding.
The fox skidded to a halt, its fur bristling. It opened its mouth to reply, but the words caught in its throat.
BǎoBǎo stepped closer, his shadow enveloping the smaller beast. His form began to shift, growing larger and more intimidating. His fur darkened, and a powerful aura surrounded him, the unmistakable presence of a Land BǎoBǎo.
The fox whimpered, lowering itself to the ground in submission. "I—I saw nothing," it stammered, its voice trembling.
"See that you don't," BǎoBǎo growled. "Speak of this to no one, or the BǎoBǎos will hunt you and your tribe to extinction."
The fox nodded frantically, its body trembling as it bowed deeply. BǎoBǎo held its gaze for a moment longer before stepping aside.
The fox bolted into the shadows, its tail tucked between its legs.
BǎoBǎo watched it go, his expression unreadable. He waited until the courtyard was empty before returning to the guild's interior. His mission was clear: protect his master's secrets at all costs.
Part 3: Going Home with a Mysterious Voice
The ordeal had finally ended. Lǐ Shàn Qí, though visibly shaken, handed the completed documentation to Měilì in the guild's main hall. The receptionist barely spared him a glance, her attention divided between the stack of papers cluttering her desk and the magical device in her hand.
"Here," Lǐ Shàn Qí muttered, placing the ID Card on the counter.
Měilì tapped the card against her device, transferring the data before turning to Hǎiyáng. "Take this," she said curtly, handing him the updated ID Card.
Hǎiyáng accepted it with a polite nod, ignoring her dismissive tone. His focus was elsewhere, his mind replaying the events of the test chamber. With the card safely tucked into his pocket, he turned and walked toward the exit, the afternoon sun spilling through the grand doors of the guild.
"BǎoBǎo," Hǎiyáng said, his voice light with relief. "Let's head home."
The Doberman hesitated, his sharp eyes scanning the bustling streets outside. "Master, you go on ahead," he said after a moment. "I have some errands to run."
Hǎiyáng smiled and nodded. "Don't take too long!"
With that, the boy stepped out into the lively streets of Snow Water City, his footsteps blending into the symphony of the marketplace.
BǎoBǎo lingered for a moment, his gaze fixed on the distant rooftops. Then, with a powerful leap, he vaulted onto the highest building of the guild. Perched atop the structure, he raised his head and let out a low, haunting howl.
The sound was imperceptible to human ears, but its impact was immediate. Across the city, beasts of all shapes and sizes froze in their tracks. Summoned beasts paused their tasks, their ears twitching toward the source of the sound. Free-roaming creatures halted mid-step, their heads bowing in instinctive submission.
Inside the guild, the silver-white fox, Mò Xié, stopped dead in its tracks. Its fur bristled as the howl resonated deep within its being, commanding obedience.
The fox lowered its head, trembling, as if paying homage to a higher power.
Meanwhile, in a quiet study on the outskirts of the city, Lù Wěi sat hunched over a stack of ancient scrolls. His owl-like beast, perched by the window, suddenly froze. It turned its head toward the city, bowing deeply.
Lù Wěi's eyes narrowed. "What's wrong?" he asked, his voice tinged with curiosity.
The owl remained silent, its gaze fixed on the horizon. Lù Wěi leaned back in his chair, his expression pensive. Though he couldn't hear the sound, he understood its significance.
"BǎoBǎo," he whispered. "The BǎoBǎo has awakened."
Hǎiyáng, blissfully unaware of the chaos unfolding behind him, hummed a cheerful tune as he walked home.
Part 4: The Hungry and Angry Chief's Reaction
Back at the Běihǎi Shòuyì Guān, the head of the guild, Chief Huáng Láng, paced his lavish office, irritation evident in every heavy footstep. His patience, already stretched thin, had finally snapped.
"Měilì!" he bellowed into his magical communication device.
On the other end, the receptionist flinched but maintained her calm demeanor. "Yes, Chief?" she replied coolly.
"Did you see the boy I told you to keep an eye out for? A remarkable beastmaster, possibly a student!" Huáng Láng's voice was sharp, his tone demanding.
"No one like that came in today," Měilì answered, her voice dismissive.
Huáng Láng's face darkened. His hand, large and powerful, clenched the device. "No one? Are you sure?"
"Yes, Chief. Only a few ordinary tamers registered today," she replied.
At that moment, the door to Huáng Láng's office creaked open. Mò Xié entered, his silver-white fur shimmering faintly in the light. The fox padded forward hesitantly, his body language unusually submissive.
Huáng Láng raised an eyebrow. "What's wrong with you?" he demanded.
The fox made a series of gestures with his paw, his form of communication understood only by his master. Slowly, realization dawned on Huáng Láng's face.
"You're saying he was here? The boy with the beasts?"
Mò Xié nodded, his fur bristling slightly at the memory.
Huáng Láng's roar of frustration echoed through the room. With a single, furious motion, he brought his fist down on his ornate Chinese wood desk, splitting it cleanly in two.
"How could this happen?!" he fumed. His chest heaved as he struggled to regain control.
Mò Xié remained silent, his tail curled tightly around him. He dared not add to his master's fury.
"I need to know everything about this boy," Huáng Láng growled, pacing the shattered remnants of his desk. "Who he is, where he's from, and most importantly…"
He paused, his eyes narrowing dangerously. "…what kind of monsters he's hiding."
------------------------------------End of Chapter 1--------------------------------