The city of Dà Tiánchéng carries a name that reflects its essence. "Dà" means grand, signifying its prominence as a hub of activity. "Tián" refers to fertile fields, symbolizing the city's lush, abundant land, while "Chéng" denotes a fortress, underscoring its well-guarded and structured nature.
Historically, the fortress wasn't only meant to fend off rival kingdoms but also to shield against the winter Demon invasions. Plant-eating Demons sought seeds and wood, while carnivorous ones hunted stockpiled meat. The most feared, however, were those that consumed human flesh, raiding cities for survival. Against such threats, the role of Beast Masters became indispensable, their tamed beasts the only effective defense.
As winter approached, Dà Tiánchéng's mayor, Zhào Ruìmín, worked with the Beast Council to ensure preparedness. Every year, they assessed the available beasts and their masters, detailing the available beasts and their masters—newcomers and veterans alike, from SSS-ranked elites to second-year students who had just bonded with their first beasts. This assessment ensured the city's readiness for the cold months ahead.
To bolster its defenses, the city launched initiatives: immigration offers for Beast Masters, tournaments showcasing the strongest beasts, and the national Junior Beast Master ranking exams. These events, held annually before winter, drew attention to the city's preparedness and attracted talent from across the region.
Large magic mirrors, towering at three meters by fifteen, dotted the city, broadcasting updates about beasts and Beast Masters. These mirrors not only informed residents but also reassured them of the city's strength. Currently, the mirrors were abuzz with news of the upcoming Junior Beast Master exams, featuring interviews with teachers and predictions about the next top-ranked tamers from Dà Tián Shòuyì, the city's premier Beast Master school.
Today, the city's attention turned to a different event. Principal Lán Huìyīng had initially assigned Teacher Lín Zhàoyáng to organize a modest Beast Market Bazaar at Dà Tián Shòuyì. The goal was simple: to provide students with the opportunity to purchase their first tamed beasts. However, the situation grew more complex due to unforeseen circumstances.
The nearby Shòutián Forest, a vital source of tamed beasts, had been sealed off by government and local authorities following a string of mysterious murders involving illegal hunters and the elusive four-eyed wolf pack. This closure left neighboring cities—Wàn Huā Chéng, Dà Huáng Shā Chéng, and Jiàn Yú Wáng Chéng —without access to their usual supply of beasts.
In response to protests from the three cities, Mayor Zhào Ruìmín expanded the bazaar into an intercity event. Second-year students from Wàn Huā Shòuyì, Dà Huáng Shā Shòuyì, and Jiàn Yú Shòuyì were invited to attend, alongside their teachers and local officials. What began as a simple school event now carried greater significance, promising a rare showcase of beasts and a chance for young tamers from across the region to strengthen their bonds with their future companions.
At present, the grand ballroom of Dà Tián Shòuyì buzzed with anticipation as delegations from three neighboring schools—Wàn Huā Shòuyì, Dà Huáng Shā Shòuyì, and Jiàn Yú Shòuyì—prepared to join the event. The first to arrive was Wàn Huā Shòuyì, their entrance as elegant as their reputation.
Carriages adorned with fragrant flowers rolled into the courtyard, reflecting Wàn Huā Chéng's splendor. Leading the delegation was Senior Teacher Hé Qióng, a poised and confident woman who carried herself with the same grace as her students. She was accompanied by two assistant teachers and thirteen students, among whom were the school's top three: Jiàn Ruòxī, a dual expert in beast taming and swordsmanship; Hán Xiǎoyún, a specialist in aerial beasts; and Chén Lìqiù, skilled in stealth and reconnaissance.
As the group entered, they were greeted by Teacher Lín Zhàoyáng, who was not only a teacher at Dà Tián Shòuyì but also acting as the event organizer for this occasion. Alongside him stood Teacher Fēi Hǔ, representing Dà Tián Shòuyì as the host school.
Teacher Lín's ever-flirtatious nature surfaced immediately as he stepped forward with an eager grin.
"Ah, Wàn Huā Shòuyì," Lín said, his tone dripping with charm. "Not only do you bring exceptional talent, but also unparalleled beauty. Senior Teacher Hé, you've truly outdone yourself."
Hé Lìhuá arched an eyebrow, her expression cool. "Teacher Lín, perhaps your focus should remain on the event rather than idle flattery."
Teacher Fēi Hǔ coughed lightly, trying to suppress his amusement, while Lín shrugged, clearly unbothered. "It's not flattery when it's the truth," he added, glancing at the delegation. "Your students are remarkable."
Hé Lìhuá introduced them briskly. "This is Jiàn Ruòxī, our school's top student, known for her dual talents. Hán Xiǎoyún excels in aerial taming, and Chén Lìqiù specializes in stealth and reconnaissance."
The students stood respectfully behind their teacher, their presence commanding attention without a word. Lín's grin widened. "Wàn Huā Shòuyì truly sets the standard."
Hé Lìhuá gave him a sharp look. "Let's hope Dà Tián Shòuyì's students can meet it."
With that, the delegation moved further into the ballroom, leaving Teacher Lín momentarily speechless, though his grin remained firmly in place.
Inside ballroom, the ushers guided the Wàn Huā Shòuyì delegation to their seats on the right side. Senior Teacher Hé Lìhuá , flanked by her two assistants, organized the students into a neat formation, their movements precise and disciplined.
From the river behind the school, the next delegation made a grand entrance. A majestic ship emerged, its polished wood gleaming under the sunlight, pulled by a colossal Blue Whale Beast. The sight, both imposing and elegant, marked the arrival of Jiàn Yú Shòuyì from the affluent port city of Jiàn Yú Gǎng. Known for its strategic importance and wealth, the city's influence was reflected in every aspect of the delegation's presentation.
The Blue Whale Beast halted near the dock, its immense form drawing gasps from the onlookers. Students from Dà Tián Shòuyì and Bǎi Wàn Shòuyì stared in stunned silence. Whispers spread among them. "Isn't this a bazaar for poor students? How can they afford such extravagance?" The stark contrast between their modest backgrounds and Jiàn Yú's opulence was undeniable. For the students of Bǎi Wàn Shòuyì, their own city's relative affluence helped them maintain composure, but even they couldn't hide their awe.
Teacher Xú Jiānghǎi, leading the Jiàn Yú delegation, disembarked with three assistants and fourteen students. Among them was Zhì Jiéyuán, the top student of Jiàn Yú Shòuyì, her confident demeanor as striking as the delegation's lavish display. Standing at the edge of the dock, she raised a delicate hand and summoned the colossal Blue Whale Beast back to its summoning space. The creature shimmered momentarily, then dissolved into a cascade of azure light, leaving behind an air of quiet authority.
"Let's proceed," Zhì Jiéyuán declared, turning to the rest of her group. Her tone was commanding, as if leading them was her birthright. The students of Jiàn Yú Shòuyì formed an orderly procession, heading toward the ballroom on the left.
As they approached the pathway leading to the ballroom, a bottleneck formed where students from Dà Tián Shòuyì and Bǎi Wàn Shòuyì were already gathered, their movements hesitant and uncoordinated. Zhì Jiéyuán, walking at the forefront, scowled. Her sharp gaze swept over the students blocking their way, her disdain palpable.
"Step aside, poor guy," she said coldly, her words cutting through the air like a blade. The student in front of her—a timid boy from Bǎi Wàn Shòuyì—flinched and scrambled to move out of her path. Zhì Jiéyuán strode forward without breaking her stride, her expression indifferent, as if acknowledging their presence was beneath her.
The other Jiàn Yú students followed her lead, their arrogance mirrored in their smirks and dismissive glances. Whenever they encountered hesitation or delay, Zhì Jiéyuán repeated her command. "Aside, poor guy." Her voice, though calm, carried an edge that left no room for defiance.
The atmosphere grew tense, the students from the other schools exchanging looks of frustration and shame. Yet none dared to openly challenge Jiàn Yú Shòuyì's delegation, especially not with Zhì Jiéyuán at its helm. By the time the Jiàn Yú group reached the ballroom, the pathway behind them was marked by bruised pride and silent resentment.
Teacher Lín Zhàoyáng, head of Dà Tián Yùshòu Yuán and chief organizer of the event, greeted the Jiàn Yú delegation with his characteristic enthusiasm. Standing beside him, Teacher Fēi Hǔ maintained his composed demeanor, his sharp eyes catching every detail of the unfolding dynamics.
As the Jiàn Yú students entered the ballroom, the river seemed to regain its stillness, yet the impact of their arrival lingered—a reminder of their dominance and the unspoken rivalry simmering between the schools. The tension in the air promised that this bazaar would be more than just a gathering to purchase beasts; it would be a stage for pride, power, and inevitable conflict.
Later,
The crowd waited, tense and expectant, for the arrival of the last delegation, which is from the desert city of Dà Huáng Shā. Representing Dà Huáng Shā Shòuyì, their principal, Lǚ Chéngkūn, was a figure of infamy. Among his peers—Jiāng Yànrán of Bǎi Wàn Shòuyì, Liú Hǎozhòng of Jiàn Yú Gǎng Shòuyì, and Lán Huìyīng of Dà Tián Shòuyì—he was both feared and respected.
At sixty, Lǚ Chéngkūn was not only the oldest but also the longest-serving principal. His reputation for harshness extended beyond his students and teachers; even fellow principals avoided crossing him. Expulsions, destruction of beasts, and permanent damage to tamers' abilities were not unheard of under his rule. His presence at this impromptu beast bazaar baffled many, yet the unease surrounding his arrival overshadowed any curiosity.
No one was more anxious than Teacher Lín Zhàoyáng, chairman of the event and head of Dà Tián Yùshòu Yuán. As the city's only beast-breeding facility, his reputation—and perhaps his career—hinged on the event's success.
A sudden cry from the heavens drew all eyes skyward. A colossal eagle beast descended, its piercing shriek echoing across the grounds. Students without inherited beast powers or newly bonded beasts clutched their ears in pain, their bodies doubling over. Even those like Méi Líng, Tí Lóng, and Zhào Fēng and those top rank students from Bǎi Wàn Shòuyì and Jiàn Yú Gǎng Shòuyì, who had bonded with beasts, found themselves struggling to withstand the sound.
Among the students, only Yán Shèngxīn stood unaffected for a few second, his posture straight and unyielding. His composure drew the attention of teachers and top students from all schools, including his own.
But it wasn't long. Just after that sound, from Yán Shèngxīn's summoning space, his beast, GǔGǔ, reacted to the eagle's cry. Caterpillars and worms like GǔGǔ were natural prey for birds, but this time the tables turned. GǔGǔ released a wave of magical mental energy that rippled through the air, striking the eagle beast. The massive bird faltered mid-flight, its scream turning to a fearful cry as it slowed, abandoning its usual dramatic descent.
The counter attack didn't end there. The mental energy affected every tamer present, their beasts recoiling in terror within their summoning spaces. Even seasoned teachers and principals had to summon their cultivation skills to calm their beasts. Students bent over, clutching their ears, while teachers exchanged alarmed glances.
"What beast is this? Who has this beast?" murmured Teacher Fēi Hǔ, astonished. He turned to Teacher Lín Zhàoyáng. "Why didn't you report that there is a student in our school had an SSS-level beast?"
Lín Zhàoyáng, already frazzled by the anticipation of Principal Lǚ Chéngkūn's arrival, snapped back. "How would I know? Shouldn't you, as his homeroom teacher, know better?"
Their heated exchange caught the attention of Principal Lán Huìyīng. A faint smile tugged at his lips as he lowered his gaze, a gleam of recognition in his eyes. He saw the first reaction of Yán Shèngxīn. "So, the Young Master of those mysterious figures is you," he mused, his amusement carefully hidden.
That subtle smile did not escape Hé Lìhuá, the representative teacher of Bǎi Wàn Shòuyì, or Xú Jiànghǎi from Jiàn Yú Gǎng Shòuyì. The latter, who had previously dismissed Dà Tián Shòuyì as insignificant, now watched with a newfound interest. However, they still cannot find whose beast is this or who this outstanding student is.
From atop the eagle beast, Zhào Wéiguāng , the strict and imperious representative of Dà Huáng Shā Shòuyì school, stroked the beast's feathers, his mind entangled in telepathic communication.
"Zhàoyīng," he addressed the SSS-level eagle, "does the mental wave threaten you? Can you defeat the beast responsible?"
Zhàoyīng's reply was sobering. "Master, I may match it now, as the Caterpillar Beast hasn't reached its final form. But should it transform fully, even its voice alone would gravely injure me."
Zhào Wéiguāng 's face hardened, his usual composure shaken. Zhàoyīng was among the kingdom's strongest beasts, yet it feared this mysterious opponent. "Even you may lose now?" he muttered.
Zhàoyīng nodded, wings trembling. "Shall we land, Master?"
Zhào Wéiguāng cast his gaze downward. From their altitude, the students below looked like scattered ants, some helping others to their feet after the beast's counterattack had shattered Zhàoyīng's roar. A few lay motionless, carried off to the clinic.
A twisted smile crept across Zhào Wéiguāng 's face. "This changes everything. We'll stay for the competition. If such a formidable student is here, he or she must join our school. If not..." His voice dipped to a menacing whisper. "We'll cripple him or her, or claim the beast... Zhàoyīng, land !"
On the ground, Yán Shèngxīn felt angry to GǔGǔ, his tamed Caterpillar Beast. Its reaction was unmistakable, its instincts screaming for action. Luckily, Yán Shèngxīn's voice snapped like a whip when he realized GǔGǔ's counterattack, "GǔGǔ, stop! I didn't give you permission to act. Return to your room and stay there. No food for a day as punishment!"
GǔGǔ recoiled, retreating to its private space, coiling into a guilty heap. Yán Shèngxīn feigned pain, clutching his ears and staggering like the others. Around him, chaos masked his cunning.
Teachers Hé Lìhuá and Xú Jiànghǎi exchanged uneasy glances, noting Principal Lan Huiying's subdued expression. None dared voice the truth: the mysterious counterattack had come from within their school.
When Zhàoyīng landed, it no longer radiated its usual majesty. The eagle's wary eyes scanned the surroundings, feathers ruffled as if braced for another attack. Zhào Wéiguāng dismounted, his expression unreadable.
"We're staying," he announced to his students.
Zhào Róngtiān frowned. "Uncle, didn't you say we'd only look around?"
Zhào Wéiguāng 's gaze burned. "A beast that can counter my eagle's attack deserves our attention."
Liáng Fēngzhàn chimed in eagerly, "Teacher, it was just a light attack. My wolf alone could've handled it. No need to worry, Young Master Zhao."
From the back, Hù Yàoyuán smirked. "Your wolf? My turtle shield wouldn't hold against that beast's power. Did you even see the eagle's reaction? Bootlicker."
Ignoring their bickering, Zhào Wéiguāng strode into the school's ballroom, dismissing the outstretched hand of Teacher Lín Zhàoyáng. His students followed, whispers of uncertainty trailing behind.
The once-confident Zhàoyīng stood sentinel, wings quivering. The shadow of the unseen beast hung heavy in the air, a silent promise of chaos yet to come.
--------------------------------End of Chapter 11-----------------------------------