The sun had set, and the night enveloped the land.
Inside a cave, an orange campfire flickered, surrounded by a group of intimidating beasts.
Bear Boss was devouring a freshly roasted chicken, grease smeared all over its face.
Beside Bear Boss sat its mate, a female bear, tending to two scruffy little cubs.
These cubs were known as "Bear Cubs," earth-type beasts whose evolved form was the Bear Boss.
One of the cubs drooled as it stared intently at the roasted chicken in Bear Boss's paws.
The other cub rolled around cutely in front of Luo He, as if hoping the chef would cook something again.
Ten minutes earlier.
After conquering Bear Boss with his "Wild Fruit Honey-Glazed Roast Chicken," Bear Boss had invited Luo He to its home.
This was demonstrated by Bear Boss climbing out of the river, pointing toward its den, and looking at Luo He with a pleading expression.
Luo He had initially wanted to refuse, as he preferred Bear Boss's original, unruly demeanor.
But Bear Boss's enthusiasm was hard to resist, so Luo He accepted the invitation and brought along another reed chicken.
Thus, the world where only the reed chicken suffered was complete·jpg.
The cave was cold. After instructing the red panda to start a fire, Luo He prepared another roast chicken and some roasted wild fruits.
The Bear Boss family was utterly amazed, their mouths watering uncontrollably.
As night fell and everyone was full, the black bear overlord was completely won over. It used its broad back to shield Luo He from the wind.
Luo He sat cross-legged in front of Bear Boss, the red panda nestled in his lap, warming its paws by the fire.
Looking up at the towering black bear, Luo He remarked, "You've got a pretty good life here."
"Roar~" (Just getting by.) Bear Boss crunched on chicken bones, waving its paw casually.
The female bear shot a fierce glare, and Bear Boss sheepishly lowered its head, shifting its large rear to block the wind more effectively.
It's fine if you're mad at me, but don't let this precious human catch a cold...
Luo He teased, "When are we going to talk about returning the cassock?"
"Roar?" Bear Boss tilted its head, blinking its shiny black eyes.
"Never mind," Luo He chuckled. "I should get going. The mountain paths will be hard to navigate if it gets any later."
Bear Boss thought for a moment, sucked the last bits of meat off the bones, and slowly stood up, its massive body shifting.
The mountain wind immediately rushed into the cave, and Luo He couldn't help but hug the red panda's fluffy tail.
The red panda, being a fire-type beast, had a tail that stayed warm year-round—more effective than a hot water bottle.
So, when it felt cold, the red panda would either hug its tail or use it to cushion its little feet.
But now that its tail was being hugged by Luo He, the red panda had to rely on the fire to warm its paws.
Luo He wasn't sure what Bear Boss was up to, but he watched as it left the cave and disappeared into the night.
Soon, the sound of trees being slapped echoed from outside.
"Roar!"
Bear Boss returned, carrying a large pile of red snake fruits. It dumped them unceremoniously in front of Luo He and gestured for him to take them.
Luo He's eyes lit up as he looked around for a sack, politely declining, "This is too much, really."
"Roar!"
Bear Boss insisted, Don't be polite, you're my brother now!
Luo He grinned.
I really like how straightforward and generous you beasts are.
"Do you have a bag? Or even just a piece of fur will do."
Soon, Bear Boss handed Luo He a piece of unidentified animal fur.
Luo He hoisted the sack full of red snake fruits onto his shoulder and prepared to leave.
Thanks to the selfless sacrifice of the reed chicken, a precious friendship had formed between Bear Boss and Luo He.
In these mountains, Luo He couldn't exactly walk sideways, but at least he was safe.
Under the night sky, the Bear Boss family stood at the cave entrance, watching Luo He depart.
Luo He glanced back, his smile radiant even in the darkness, "No need to see me off."
If you send me any more, I won't be able to carry it all.
The red panda followed behind Luo He, waving at Bear Boss, "Ying~"
We'll take care of ourselves~
Bear Boss nodded solemnly, its majestic demeanor returning as it led its family back into the cave.
The two bear cubs lay on the ground, dejected, as they followed their parents back into the den.
We really wanted some roast chicken too, wuwu~
The moonlight was bright.
It illuminated the path ahead for Luo He and the red panda, casting long shadows behind them.
In the silent night, the two moved in perfect harmony, their steps oddly synchronized.
Lost in thought, Luo He suddenly said, "Have you made up your mind?"
"Ying." The red panda nodded without hesitation.
You're the trainer I've chosen!
"Alright then."
Luo He adjusted the sack on his back and said seriously, "Just so you know, this sack of red snake fruits is a 70-30 split at most."
The red panda pretended to faint.
"I'm just kidding."
Under the bright moonlight, the young ranger extended his right hand to the red panda.
Luo He smiled, "Let's get along well from now on."
The red panda stared at Luo He, then squinted its eyes and grinned, "Ying~"
The moment the little creature placed its paw on Luo He's hand, he felt a new energy awaken within him, like a seed sprouting.
At the same time, a gentle white light appeared between their joined hands.
The light transformed into shimmering threads that swirled around them, like electric fireflies dancing in the dark forest.
"Ying!" The red panda looked around in amazement.
Luo He was momentarily stunned.
This feeling...
Have I awakened a "Beast Space" and become a trainer?
In this world, there was a legend about the "Seven-Colored Meteor."
In ancient times, the Seven-Colored Meteor fell, causing drastic changes to the world's environment.
Beasts began to awaken, stepping into the realm of the extraordinary, and subsequently suppressing human territories.
Some humans, through the power of the Seven-Colored Meteor, awakened spatial abilities, allowing them to create an independent space to tame and command beasts.
Later generations named this ability "Beast Space," and those who awakened it were recognized as true trainers.
Additionally, awakening a Beast Space came with the possibility of gaining a "Talent."
Talents were extremely rare and provided significant advantages to a trainer.
All the world-renowned trainers had awakened both a Beast Space and a Talent.
Luo He's previous self had not unlocked a Beast Space.
But after surviving in the wild, the transmigrated Luo He had unexpectedly awakened this ability.
Luo He closed his eyes, quietly sensing the changes within him.
It really is a Beast Space.
And I've already successfully contracted my first beast.
Through the Beast Space, a trainer could access information about their contracted beasts.
The contracted beasts could also enhance the trainer's physical abilities in return.
Luo He clearly felt an increase in his stamina. From now on, taking down a reed chicken would be even easier.
"Don't worry, let me test the functions of the Beast Space first."
Luo He set down the sack of red snake fruits and briefly explained to the red panda before activating the "Recall Beast" function of the Beast Space.
A red summoning circle, symbolizing the fire element, appeared beneath the red panda. The red panda transformed into a beam of light and entered the circle, which then gradually disappeared.
Within the Beast Space, the red panda's status panel appeared.
[Name: Nine-Section Wolf]
[Attribute: Fire]
[Growth Level: Awakened Level 6]
[Race Level: Low-Grade Extraordinary]
[Skills: Flame Spit, Slap, Instant Strike, Nine-Section Wolf's Fury (Exclusive Skill)]
The red panda was also known as the "Nine-Section Wolf" due to the nine ring-like patterns on its fluffy tail.
In the era of beasts, "Nine-Section Wolf" was the official name for the red panda species.
"Quite a majestic name."
Luo He rubbed his chin.
"But what do these growth levels and race levels mean? It all seems so complicated."
I'm not a trainer, after all.
Luo He shook his head.
Forget it, there's no need to overcomplicate things.
My main focus will still be on being a ranger and a chef.
After all, those are my specialties.
As the saying goes, stepping out of your comfort zone isn't always comfortable.
But staying in your comfort zone is always comfortable!
Luo He then activated the "Summon Beast" function.
Invisible ripples spread out as the summoning circle formed, and the Nine-Section Wolf was summoned once more.
The red panda stuck out its tongue, clearly fascinated.
The Beast Space was an ideal habitat for beasts, adapting to their natural instincts and providing a safe environment.
Rather than surviving in the dangerous wilderness, many beasts chose to form contracts with humans for the comfort of the Beast Space.
"I can't keep calling you 'Instant Noodles' or 'Red Panda.'"
Luo He looked at the red panda and said, "How about I give you a name?"
The red panda looked up at Luo He, using its tail to cushion its little feet, and nodded in agreement.
"Ying~"
"Since your official name is Nine-Section Wolf—"
Luo He pondered for a moment before deciding, "I'll call you Little Nine!"
He mused, "Luo Little Nine... what a great name. It clearly has the 'Luo' surname..."
"Ying~" The red panda sighed with a hint of exasperation.
Master's words are as good as saying nothing at all.
The name was settled.
Next came the part that piqued Luo He's curiosity.
Luo He pointed to an open area and commanded, "Little Nine, use Nine-Section Wolf's Fury!"
Little Nine stood up on its hind legs, raised its front paws, and made a fierce, clawing motion.
Luo He: "That's it?"
Little Nine stuck out its tongue cutely, "Ying."
That's it.
Luo He looked at the red panda, which was now in a "hands-up" pose, and fell silent for a moment.
Such a majestic-sounding exclusive skill, and all it does is raise its paws.
No big deal. A chef doesn't need combat skills anyway.
Luo He rubbed Little Nine's round face, feeling quite pleased, and said cheerfully, "Let's go, Little Nine. We've got more ground to cover."
"Ying..."
The red panda pawed at Luo He with its chubby little hands, but its resistance was futile.
It could only puff up its round cheeks and stick out its tongue.
The Nine-Section Wolf will never be enslaved!
Unless... there's food and shelter.
Not long after they left.
A倒霉 (unlucky) Awakened-Level "Pinecone Mouse" fell from a tree, foaming at the mouth and completely unconscious.
Despite holding on for so long, it couldn't withstand the pressure of this intimidating skill—
[Nine-Section Wolf's Fury: Exclusive skill of the Nine-Section Wolf. The Nine-Section Wolf stands up and raises its paws, intimidating enemies and causing a fear effect.
The stronger the Nine-Section Wolf, the wider the intimidation range and the more significant the fear effect.]
At this moment, Chef Luo didn't yet understand the value of exclusive skills.
But while browsing the Beast Space, Luo He discovered another pleasant surprise.
"Huh? I've awakened a Talent?"
...
(End of Chapter)