That morning, Yán Shèngxīn's thoughts wandered as he sat in his room, a rare moment of peace enveloping him. Suddenly, the tranquility shattered.
"Young Master, hurry up!" exclaimed Gǔ Tiān Ān'nà, her voice urgent.
Shèngxīn blinked in confusion. "Quick for what, Ān'nà?"
Lowering her head slightly, Ān'nà pointed at Tí Lóng, who lay snoring on the bed. His shirt was drenched with sweat, an unusual sight given the cool morning air.
"I entered his dreamland," she explained, her voice hesitant but firm.
Shèngxīn raised his eyebrows in surprise. "You entered his dreamland?"
Ān'nà looked away shyly, fidgeting with her fingers as she swayed.
Before she could answer, Tú Yòu appeared out of nowhere, casually picking his nose. "Of course, Young Master! Sister Ān'nà wanted to teach Tí Lóng a lesson for monopolizing your time."
Ān'nà puffed her cheeks indignantly, placing her hands on her hips. "He always interrupts your sleep and hogs our time together! Not to mention dragging you into midnight card games. It's infuriating!"
"Enough," Shèngxīn interrupted. "Now, tell me—why should I be in a hurry?"
Ān'nà slapped her forehead dramatically. "Oh no, I almost forgot! Today is the day for second-grade students without beasts to visit Shòutián Lín with Teacher Fēi Hǔ."
Shèngxīn's eyes narrowed. "And?"
"In Shòutián Lín, Teacher Fēi helps students tame beasts. But only five students can succeed in today session because Teacher Fēi has to go back to school for urgent matter. Those who fail today must wait until the next full moon."
Realization dawned on Shèngxīn. "And last night was a full moon..."
"Exactly!" Ān'nà said. "By Yinshí time, the forest is still covered in thick fog. The window is short—if we miss Rì chū, you'll lose your chance!" Rì chū can be considered to coincide with the rooster crowing. And the rooster had been crowing many times!
"Damn it! Why didn't you say anything earlier?" Shèngxīn shot out of his chair. "We've almost no time left—no time for a bath. Let's go! And get that sweaty brat out of my room. It reeks!"
Ān'nà perked up, her enthusiasm reignited. With a mischievous grin, she rubbed her palms together and entered Tí Lóng's dream once more. Moments later, Tí Lóng bolted from Shèngxīn's room, his oversized clothes barely clinging to his frame.
The commotion didn't go unnoticed. Several girls screamed in alarm. "Pervert! Get out of here!"
Shèngxīn burst into laughter, his mood lifted as he sprinted toward the school's front gate. But his amusement quickly faded.
"If I don't get a beast today, I'll have to summon Hóng Sì, the Three-tailed Red Fox, whenever I have class activities. It will be troublesome." he muttered under his breath.
Hóng Sì was an SSS-level beast, recognized as one of the most powerful. Summoning her would draw too much attention, and Shèngxīn knew he wasn't ready for that level of scrutiny.
"It's too soon. I'm not strong enough yet, and too many Beast Masters would come after me. Worse, it would expose my identity as a Ghost Summoner, jeopardizing my mission to uncover the truth about my family's tragedy." He murmured again.
Determined, Shèngxīn clenched his fists and pushed himself to run faster. He couldn't afford to be late—not today.
When a Beast Tamer bonds with a beast, they often gain a skill related to the creature. Shèngxīn hoped his first beast would provide him with abilities that complemented his unique talents, just as the ghosts Ān'nà, Tú Yòu, and Gēn Dé Rú Wǎng had gifted him their spectral skills. However, four of them have to be hidden.
Finally, he arrived at the gathering point, his chest heaving as he tried to catch his breath. Teacher Fēi Hǔ was still reading the attendance list, giving Shèngxīn a moment to compose himself.
Excitement bubbled within him. This was his chance to tame a beast he could reveal to the world without reservation.
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This was the first time in six months that Shèngxīn had entered Shòutián Lín again. The last visit had been a turning point in his life, granting him not only the power to tame three ghosts but also the allegiance of an SSS-level beast, all of which he had carefully kept a secret.
Unlike before, the forest was not cloaked in its usual dense fog. Instead, sunlight filtered through the canopy, revealing Shòutián Lín as a serene and vibrant place. However, this beauty was confined to the outer and middle sections of the forest. The core remained untouched by light, shrouded in mist and mystery, a realm where General, King, and God-level beasts roamed. Those beasts were the apex predators, and even the bravest tamers feared venturing into their domain.
The school had strict rules about these excursions, permitting students to explore only up to the middle forest. It was more than enough for most, as the middle forest teemed with beasts of F to A levels, avoiding the perilous core. Only the wealthiest families dared to commission adventurers to retrieve S-level (General), SS-level (King), or SSS-level (God) beasts from the forest's core.
This morning, the middle forest buzzed with activity. About twenty second-grade students from Dà Tián Shòuyì School had gathered, eagerly anticipating the chance to tame their first beast. However, with only five beasts available to tame today, competition was fierce. Those who failed would face a month-long wait for the next full moon or resort to purchasing a beast—a costly option beyond the reach of most.
Shèngxīn, despite secretly possessing an SSS-level beast and three ghosts, had to maintain the facade of a weak and inexperienced student. His act was carefully crafted, mimicking the clumsy and inept persona of someone unprepared for the challenge ahead.
Barely stepping into the forest, he stumbled dramatically over an exposed tree root, sprawling onto the ground. A few steps later, he paused, feigning exhaustion, wiping his brow and inhaling deeply as though already overwhelmed.
"Is this the same person who always ranks first in our class?"
"Tsk, tsk... Look at him! Just a few minutes in, and he's already out of breath. Doesn't he eat properly?" one student mocked, shaking his head in disbelief.
"Let's move away from him. His noise will scare away the beasts," another grumbled, clearly annoyed.
"Yeah, let's go, babe," a girl said, tugging her boyfriend's arm as they veered off to the right, distancing from Shèngxīn.
One by one, the students distanced themselves from Shèngxīn, leaving him alone—except for one. A beautiful girl, his childhood friend, refused to leave his side. Her name was Méi Líng, the daughter of the Yán clan's old chef, Lǐ Dézhōng.
Méi Líng's loyalty to Shèngxīn was unwavering. Having grown up in the Yán household, she had always seen it as her duty to protect her Young Master, even though they were now equals as students. When her summoner talent had been discovered, Yán Shàorén, Shèngxīn's grandfather, had promised to support her education. Yet, this same support had never been extended to Shèngxīn himself.
Unlike Shèngxīn, his cousins, Yán Ruòzhēn and Yán Xīnhuá, had always been the center of the Yán family's attention. While Xīnhuá had never directly bullied him, she had also never intervened when Ruòzhēn did. Instead, she focused solely on her studies, aiming to secure her future as a healer at the prestigious Dà Tián Yī Zhōngxué (Great Rice Field Healer Middle School).
Méi Líng, however, was different. Despite her beast-taming skill appearing before his, Méi Líng did not underestimate Shèngxīn like his cousins. "My father always taught me," she often said, "to remember our roots as a poor family who was lucky to have a kind master like the Yán clan."
She stayed by his side, helping him whenever he stumbled or pretended to struggle. Each time he faltered, she rushed to support him, brushing the dirt off his clothes or offering words of encouragement.
Shèngxīn, sensing her genuine concern, finally spoke up, his tone firm. "Stop it, Méi Líng. Leave me alone and focus on finding your beast! You only have this one chance. If you don't succeed today, you'll have to wait for the next full moon. You know your family can't afford to buy a beast, not even from the used market."
Méi Líng hesitated, her hands clutching the strap of her satchel tightly. "But Young Master—"
"No," Shèngxīn interrupted, his expression serious. "You've helped me enough. I'll be fine. Go!"
Reluctantly, Méi Líng nodded, casting one last worried glance at Shèngxīn before turning to join the others deeper into the forest.
As she disappeared among the trees, Shèngxīn let out a small sigh of relief. Keeping up this charade was exhausting, but he knew it was necessary. For now, he had to play the role of the underdog. Only when the time was right would the world see the power of the Ghost Summoner.
Shèngxīn suddenly recalled the Little White Wolf who had once been with Hóng Sì, the three-tailed fox who was now his Beast.
He lowered his head and pretended to fix his shoes, using the moment to open communication with his Sea of Consciousness.
"SìSì, can you summon the Little White Wolf from back then without leaving the Summoning Space?" Shèngxīn asked, his gaze lighting up with the excitement of imagining a hidden treasure.
"I'm afraid not, Young Master," SìSì replied. "I need to leave the Summoning Space to establish a connection with the outside world."
"Alright, then come out," Shèngxīn instructed, his tone steady. "But disguise yourself as one of the school officers—not Teacher Fēi Hǔ. Once you're out, find the little Wolf in the heart of the forest. Ask him to help hunt an S or SS level Beast. Make the beast faint and bring it to me."
Obeying his orders, SìSì emerged from the Summoning Space. The moment she appeared, she transformed into the likeness of a school officer assisting with the hunt. As soon as suspicion was deflected, she slipped into the dark and foggy depths of the forest's core.
It wasn't long before SìSì returned, carrying an unconscious Beast over her shoulder.
"Where's the Little Wolf? Why didn't he follow you?" Shèngxīn's excitement faded, replaced by disappointment.
"The Wolf Prince's parents and the pack wouldn't allow it, Young Master," SìSì explained. "They were adamant that he not venture out, especially into the middle forest where beasts are hunted for taming. They fear that the Wolf Prince, inexperienced in the ways of Beast Tamers, might be tamed by one of your classmates."
Shèngxīn nodded, signaling his understanding.
"Now, guide the girl," he said, pointing toward Méi Líng. "Make sure she encounters this unconscious Beast by chance." He paused for a moment, his expression thoughtful. "What type of Beast is this, by the way?" A hint of concern laced his words—he wanted to ensure the Beast would be suitable for Méi Líng.
"I anticipated your intention as soon as I saw Méi Líng," SìSì replied confidently. "I conducted a brief evaluation of her while still in the Summoning Space. She's a talented girl—her potential even surpasses that of your cousin, who was running scared in the heart of the forest." SìSì's voice brimmed with pride, hoping for her Young Master's approval.
Shèngxīn smiled warmly and gently patted her head. "Good, good!"
"This Beast is a Unicorn Horse King," SìSì continued, speaking with restrained enthusiasm. "It has rainbow wings that can harden into sharp, metallic edges." In her heart, however, SìSì couldn't resist a flicker of self-admiration: But it's nowhere near as beautiful or powerful as I am. Of course, SìSì was a god-level Beast, unmatched at the SSS level.
"Excellent! Proceed at once!"
"As you command, Young Master!" SìSì responded, bowing slightly before turning. She walked gracefully toward Méi Líng, her movements deliberate and precise.
Through her intervention, Méi Líng and her nearby friends experienced a mass hallucination. In this illusion, Méi Líng battled the Unicorn King Beast—a formidable SSS-level creature—and emerged victorious, causing the Beast to faint. She then successfully tamed the King-level Unicorn, sealing her triumph.
When Teacher Fēi Hǔ arrived, the students eagerly reported the event, though their words were tinged with envy toward Méi Líng's achievement. The taming of an SSS-level Beast was no small feat.
Teacher Fēi Hǔ scanned the area, his brow furrowing as he observed the surroundings. There were no signs of the fierce battle the students described.
"Fighting? Where?" he asked, his tone puzzled.
A seasoned and compassionate instructor, Teacher Fēi Hǔ was known for treating all students fairly. He understood the heavy reliance these children from poor families placed on him, as their futures as Beast Tamers often hinged on this hunt. Their parents often tried to repay him with humble gifts from their fields, though he always politely declined.
Yet now, even with his vast experience, he was baffled. "Why is this place so calm? There's no damage—no fallen trees, no broken branches, no crushed stones, no smoke. Nothing."
Using his Beast's innate ability, he scanned the area more thoroughly. A true battle would have left clear traces—scorched earth, shattered trunks, or at least displaced foliage. But here, everything was pristine.
Suddenly, the hair on the back of his neck stood on end. His Beast, still within the Summoning Space, sent out a warning signal, trembling in fear and urging him to flee. Alarmed, Teacher Fēi Hǔ turned his gaze in the direction his Black Tiger indicated.
There, amidst the tall trees, stood a figure resembling a human female. She had long, flowing hair and wore a white gown that cascaded down to her heels. As soon as Teacher Fēi Hǔ laid eyes on her, an overwhelming fragrance of Plumeria flowers filled the air, making his heart race with unease.
The students, sensing something amiss, grew restless.
"Teacher Fēi... what's wrong?" one of them whispered.
"I'm scared, Teacher," another added, clutching their friend's arm.
"Teacher, let's leave this place!"
Fēi Hǔ instinctively stepped forward, his voice firm despite his unease. "Children, take cover behind me. Now!"
He summoned his Black Tiger Beast, a King-level creature renowned for its ferocity and dominance. Yet, when the Beast emerged, it immediately cowered, its tail tucked between its legs. Its usual terrifying aura was nowhere to be seen. Moments later, it retreated into the Summoning Space without any command—a behavior that left Teacher Fēi Hǔ stunned.
"My Black Tiger is a King level beast. Even against an SSS-level opponent, it would growl, bare its fangs, and charge forward. But now... what level is this creature?!" His thoughts raced, goosebumps prickling his skin.
Despite his instincts screaming at him to run, his legs felt rooted to the ground. He glanced at the students—second-grade middle schoolers with no Tamer abilities yet. They were as vulnerable as ordinary humans.
Fortunately, it seemed that only Fēi Hǔ could see the figure. The students, though visibly unsettled by the eerie atmosphere, appeared unaware of its presence. They only noticed the strange mist, the overpowering floral scent, and the unnatural stillness of the forest.
"Who are you? How can I assist you?" Fēi Hǔ asked, his voice trembling but respectful. "If we've done anything to disturb you or this forest, I humbly apologize. Please forgive us."
Understanding his helplessness, he bowed deeply toward the figure. Seeing their teacher bow, the confused students followed suit, though some hesitated until their peers pulled them down.
The figure was Ān'nà. She had teleported from Shèngxīn's dormitory after realizing that Hóng Sì—or SìSì—could no longer manage the situation. Normally, Ān'nà and her two ghostly companions were unable to appear during the day. However, the cloudy sky and dense forest provided just enough cover. Using her abilities, she slightly darkened the surroundings, allowing her to manifest and exert her power.
"I mean no harm," Ān'nà said softly, her voice resonating with an ethereal calm. "Do not worry. I only ask that you cease any unnecessary disputes regarding Méi Líng and her Beast Unicorn. That King-level Unicorn was a gift from my Young Master."
Fēi Hǔ immediately grasped the intentions of the Great Being before him. Bowing deeply, he said, "I understand. Please forgive my foolishness. As you command, I will ensure that no one questions Méi Líng or her Unicorn Beast. Kindly convey my respects to your Master. It would be an honor for this humble old man to meet him one day."
Moments later, the Shòutián Lín returned to its tranquil state, and the Plumeria fragrance dissipated. The children, sensing the change, quickly regained their cheerfulness. Their voices rose in relief and excitement, as though they had narrowly escaped an unseen danger.
"Master Fēi Hǔ is amazing!"
"His reputation is well-deserved!"
"No wonder my parents always send him potatoes from our fields. He truly lives up to the praise!"
Fēi Hǔ straightened, forcing a wry smile. He chose not to correct their assumptions. If he told them the truth—that they had just been in the presence of a being beyond comprehension, one that even his King-level Beast cowered before—they would be terrified. More importantly, the creature had made it clear that its existence was not to be revealed.
Clearing his throat, he said, "Ahem... children, let's take shelter. The rain is getting heavier." He led them to a nearby spot, carefully keeping them close to him, wary of the Great Being's presence.
As the children settled under the trees, Fēi Hǔ began counting heads. His heart sank. "Nineteen? There should be twenty. Who's missing?" He scanned their faces, tension rising.
"Check amongst yourselves. Who isn't here?" he instructed urgently, fearing the missing student might have encountered the creature.
"Teacher, it's Yán Shèngxīn!" one of the students called out.
"Yes, Shèngxīn isn't here!" another added.
A wave of unease washed over Fēi Hǔ. The idea of facing the Great Being again filled him with dread. What if Shèngxīn had encountered it? What if... something worse had happened? Should he send a distress signal to the school? Even then, who could possibly defeat that creature? Even the Principal, with his God-level Beast, might not stand a chance.
"Méi Líng," one student accused, "weren't you the last one with him?"
The others turned on Méi Líng, blaming her for leaving Shèngxīn behind. Before she could defend herself, Shèngxīn suddenly emerged from the forest. His clothes were torn and dirty, a trickle of blood staining his leg.
"Teacher, I'm here!" he called out breathlessly, his expression weary but calm.
Relief turned to alarm as Fēi Hǔ rushed to him, pulling him away from the spot where he'd appeared. The other students looked on in confusion, but Fēi Hǔ's reaction was instinctive. If Shèngxīn had indeed encountered the creature, it might still be nearby.
"Teacher, you're hurting me! I'm fine," Shèngxīn protested. "I just slipped and scraped my leg on a rock."
Fēi Hǔ examined him closely, his heart racing. "You didn't meet anyone just now?" he asked cautiously.
Feigning innocence, Shèngxīn shook his head. "No, Teacher. The last person I saw was Méi Líng. Why? Is someone else here?"
"No," Fēi Hǔ replied hastily, hiding his unease. "Never mind. Thank goodness you didn't get lost or encounter a dangerous Beast. Sit down and rest. We'll wait for the rain to pass."
The group settled again, though Fēi Hǔ's thoughts remained troubled. After a long silence, he made his decision. "Once the rain stops, we'll return to the school. Today's activities are over. I must hurry back to prepare for the visit of an Important Official from the Capital."
A chorus of protests erupted.
"But Teacher, we haven't caught a single beast!"
"This isn't fair!"
"After Méi Líng gets her beast, we're just leaving? Are we here just to watch her succeed?"
Fēi Hǔ silenced them with a stern look. "Enough! Tomorrow, we'll return at sunrise, right after the rooster crows. We'll begin earlier so we don't stay too late. Tomorrow, we'll aim to find nine beasts as compensation for today."
At this, the children's moods lifted. Nine beasts! The opportunity felt generous, and their disappointment quickly turned to excitement. Cheers erupted among the group, their spirits renewed.
Amid the lively chatter of the children, Yán Shèngxīn seized the moment to approach Teacher Fēi Hǔ. "Teacher, could we visit Dà Tián Yùshòu Yuán? We might find a suitable beast there as well."
Teacher Fēi Hǔ, still feeling guilty over the earlier mishaps, immediately nodded. Raising his voice to ensure all the excited students could hear, he announced, "Listen up, everyone! After this, you'll have the opportunity to visit the beast breeding ground behind the school. If you find a suitable beast, submit your selection to me before our second visit to the forest. I'll issue permits so the process remains orderly—no unnecessary noise, understood?"
The children's excitement surged, their cheers growing louder. For the twenty students, this news was a dream come true. Although only five chances were available today and five more tomorrow, the breeding ground offered them the chance to secure beasts for everyone. This was a rare blessing, and the students couldn't contain their gratitude.
"Teacher Fēi Hǔ, you're amazing!"
"Teacher, if I get my first beast, I'll bring you a sack of rice!"
"I'll bring potatoes!"
"Hah! I'll bring corn!"
"I'll even serve you as your assistant for a month, Teacher!"
Teacher Fēi Hǔ smiled warmly. "Thank you, children, but there's no need. This is my duty as your teacher. Now, calm down. Some of you should start building a campfire. We've been caught in the rain, and it'll get colder as night falls."
The children eagerly divided into groups, with Lǐ Wěi, the Class Representatives, leading the effort.
Meanwhile, inside Yán Shèngxīn's Summoning Space, the sharp sound of a slap echoed. SìSì, wincing in pain, looked up at the stern face of Ān'nà.
"You foolish fox! If only you had thought beyond creating hallucinations for Méi Líng and her friends, Young Master wouldn't have injured his leg. Worse, I had to wake up from my nap in the dormitory to fix your mess!"
SìSì bowed her head, her voice trembling with remorse. "Forgive me, Sister Ān'nà. Next time, I'll ensure the surroundings match my illusions so they won't be discovered."
"Hmph..." Ān'nà folded her arms, clearly unimpressed.
Shèngxīn listened silently. SìSì's carelessness had nearly jeopardized everything—not only risking Méi Líng's Unicorn beast selection but also exposing SìSì's true identity. If that happened, Shèngxīn's grand plan would be ruined.
He left the Summoning Space and joined the others at the campfire, offering Méi Líng a congratulatory smile. "Congratulations on getting your first beast. A King-level one at that."
Méi Líng blinked in surprise. "How did you know, Young Master?"
"Call me by my name at school," Shèngxīn reminded her, briefly rubbing his chilled hands near the fire. After a pause, he added, "Everyone is talking about it."
Méi Líng tilted her head, her sharp mind quickly piecing things together. "But no one knows the beast's level yet. A King-level beast should only be found in the forest's core. How did you know that, Shèngxīn?"
Realizing his slip, Shèngxīn forced a relaxed expression. "I overheard it from the others. Ask them if you're curious."
Méi Líng frowned, unconvinced. "That's strange. We haven't even tested the beast's level back at school. How could they know?" She glanced toward the others, visibly puzzled.
"Never mind," Shèngxīn said, changing the subject. "Focus on warming up."
Reluctantly, Méi Líng turned her attention back to the fire, chatting with her fellow female classmates from the second grade as she warmed herself.
The rain soon ceased, and Teacher Fēi Hǔ led the group out of the forest with cautious vigilance. While the students remained oblivious to their teacher's concern, Shèngxīn observed with a knowing smile. "This is just Ān'nà. What if Gēn Dé Rú Wǎng had made an appearance?"
Thus, the day's beast-hunting activity ended earlier than planned. Some students headed home to rest, while others made their way to Dà Tián Yùshòu Yuán, the beast breeding ground behind the school.
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