Beast Taming: My Intelligence System Chapter 3: Choosing a Pet Beast

Next, Zhang Lingxue displayed a new pet beast named the Hedgehog Pig.

This creature resembles a newborn piglet, boasting wide nostrils and vivid eyes. Two tusks as thick as thumbs jut from its protruding mouth, and gray bristles about one centimeter long cover its back.

Extremely timid by nature, the Hedgehog Pig curls into a ball when danger looms, hardening its bristles for defense.

Once angered, however, it charges ahead without hesitation.

Zhang Lingxue recommends these four pet beasts to the students primarily because they remain fairly docile.

Naturally, the Secret Realm houses plenty of other pet beasts, such as the petite Poison Fang from the Poison Element. This slender, snake-like creature stretches one meter long and as wide as a thumb, equipped with razor-sharp fangs both above and below.

Venom with paralyzing effects can be spat from its mouth to immobilize prey.

Yet this pet beast possesses a notoriously foul temper, frequently biting its own Pet Beast Master with venom.

Still, certain Pet Beast Masters gifted with Poison Element talent eagerly pursue this ferocious creature for cultivation.

The school bus soon halted right before the Secret Realm entrance.

Dominated by forest and lake landscapes, this Secret Realm stands out.

Shen Mountain Middle School pours massive funds into Space Stones each year to enlarge the Secret Realm and stabilize its spatial structure.

For easier access by students and teachers, the school has paved vast stretches of smooth asphalt roads inside the Secret Realm.

Having notified the guards ahead about the entrant count, Zhang Lingxue passed the inspection and guided Ye Bai and the rest into the Secret Realm.

Lakes sparkle across the Secret Realm, illuminated by a sun crafted from top-grade Sun Crystal, showcasing the school's lavish investment.

Such Sun Crystals as a light source bolster the growth of juvenile pet beasts.

Bathed in gentle sunlight, the lakes shimmered with golden hues reminiscent of fish scales.

A soft breeze carried the fresh scent of grass.

Staff had meticulously placed signage along the paths, marking zones for specific pet beasts and mimicking a zoo setup.

"Alright, everyone, head out and pick your pet beasts."

"Keep in mind that each pet beast has its own unique temperament, so work with the staff to initiate the contract ritual."

"Make sure your surroundings stay safe during the pet beast contracting process."

"Given the Secret Realm's harsh constraints on you fresh talent-awakened Pet Beast Masters, you've got just one hour to select a pet beast."

"Return to this spot after one hour, or face deadly risks."

"Feel free to disregard my warning and linger, but your wristwatch will blare the instant you collapse."

"Any lingering damage? Don't fault me for not cautioning you—the medical bills will be sky-high."

Zhang Lingxue pressed on.

"Fine, scatter now and start choosing your pet beasts."

The moment Zhang Lingxue wrapped up, nearly all the students swarmed Li Weiyang, bearer of the Eye of Insight.

"Class monitor, could you pick a strong pet beast for me?"

"Class monitor, please help out."

"Weiyang sis, I've never bothered you before. This is my first favor—surely you won't turn me down?"

.....

A crowd enveloped Li Weiyang, stranding Ye Bai by himself.

Ye Bai rolled his eyes inwardly, labeling them as shameless flatterers doomed to leave empty-handed.

Li Weiyang embodies pure self-interest; her rare Eye of Insight talent exhausts her stamina with every activation.

How could she waste energy aiding others?

She'd probably brush them off casually.

Ye Bai picked a random trail and strolled about, as if touring a zoo.

Around the Poison Fang enclosure, Ye Bai observed their fierce aggression, hissing fangs aimed his way.

These dark Poison Fangs lashed their red tongues while narrowing their ghostly blue eyes.

Slender and lengthy tails trailed behind, topped by a thin unicorn horn on their heads.

As Ye Bai drew near, they slammed headlong into the bulletproof glass.

Thud.

A few Poison Fangs bashed themselves senseless, as nearby staff scrolled their phones without a glance.

Just another day—nothing noteworthy.

He'd grown accustomed; without those thuds now and then, he'd wonder if the Poison Fangs were defective.

Truthfully, these collisions serve as training for Poison Fangs. After countless rams, their skulls toughen to steel-like hardness.

Ye Bai showed no interest in these pet beasts regardless; as small snake-like types, Poison Fangs rarely appeal beyond niche fans of cold-blooded beasts.

Afterward, Ye Bai checked the Hedgehog Pig and Boxing Rabbit habitats, yet failed to spot any pet beast to his liking.

Ye Bai roamed without purpose until massive snowflakes resembling goose feathers drifted down, marking his arrival at the Big Snowball breeding ground.

At that moment, Li Weiyang and her companions also showed up, as several classmates had already contracted pet beasts.

These consisted of Boxing Rabbits, Hedgehog Pigs, and Hundred-Change Silkworms.

Hundred-Change Silkworms outnumbered the rest, lazy critters that contracted effortlessly with a simple offered hand.

"Ye Bai hasn’t contracted a pet beast yet; time must be running out."

"It’s been forty minutes already, and it takes ten minutes to return to the square."

"Ye Bai, I advise you not to be too picky, or you might end up with none."

Classmates directed their sharp words at Ye Bai.

Ye Bai let the remarks flow in one ear and out the other, ignoring them completely.

"Look, it’s a Big Snowball!"

Abruptly, a classmate pointed into the distance.

Two Big Snowballs, akin to Ice and Snow Elves, bounced their way over.

A breathless staff member chased after them.

"Slow down, slow down, wait for me."

"Did you sense a Pet Beast Master to contract with?"

The staff member huffed, out of breath.

Big Snowballs morphed into swirling snowflakes that twirled around Ye Bai.

Next, the snowflakes condensed in Ye Bai’s hand, manifesting a Big Snowball avatar.

These two Big Snowballs—one plump, one slim—circled Ye Bai in delight.

Li Weiyang’s eyes flushed blood red as she unleashed the Eye of Insight skill.

[Pet Beast Name: Big Snowball (Plump)]

[Level: lv2 (Tier One, Level Two)]

[Attribute: Ice]

[Skills: Impact, Snow Melt]

[Evolutionary Path: Big Snowball, requires 3 Ice Cores, completing evolution in an Ice Element environment.]

...

[Pet Beast Name: Big Snowball (Slim)]

[Level: lv3 (Tier One, Level Three)]

[Attribute: Ice]

[Skills: Impact, Snow Melt, Snow Spray]

[Evolutionary Path: Ice and Snow Elf, requires 3 Ice Crystals, 3 Eternal Crystals, completing evolution in an Ice Element environment.]

There it was—the slimmer Big Snowball, the very pet beast Li Weiyang coveted for contracting.

Boasting three skills in total, including the superior Snow Spray, it promised massive power surges after evolving into an Ice and Snow Elf.

But right now, the pet beast clung to Ye Bai, obviously favoring him. She would have to scheme a method to seize it from Ye Bai’s grasp.