Beast Taming Patrol Chapter 8: Chapter 3 Xue Henqing (Seeking Investment and Followers)

At Green Eagle Senior High School, the most significant annual event is the initial beast allocation.

Once this process concludes and the seniors are officially certified as Beast Tamers, the school can reveal its certification rate. This metric, recognized by the Beast Taming Association, serves as the primary gauge of the institution's academic prestige, much like the college entrance exam results from the era before the catastrophe.

For the students participating, this event represents the moment their lifelong study of Beast Taming theory finally transitions into reality. By forming a contract with their first beast, they can register as official Beast Tamers and launch their professional careers.

Driven by these thoughts, the group of eighteen-year-olds followed their instructor toward the specialized breeding zone, their pulses racing with anticipation.

"Clap, clap!"

Zhao Qingsong struck his palms together, signaling for the students to focus. As he surveyed the familiar faces he had mentored for three years, a rare, gentle smile softened his usually stern features.

"Students, you are about to enter the Green Eagle Breeding Area. In addition to our school's signature lower-leading species, the Green Feathered Eagle, there are sixty-seven common elite species available for you to contract," Zhao Qingsong said, pausing for emphasis. "However, there is one critical point I must stress again!"

"When selecting a beast, do not look solely at its species; the emotional compatibility between the Tamer and the beast is vital!"

"I know you all desire the strongest creature possible, but you must remember that a beast is far more than a tool. Once contracted, that beast will be your partner for life, never to be parted until death. Do not rush your choice or focus only on raw power; the beast that truly resonates with you is the best choice!"

His voice grew solemn as he realized many students were barely listening. He let out a silent, weary sigh.

In his own youth, he had been obsessed with strength. He had ignored a high-ranking elite species that felt an instant connection to him, choosing instead a Green Feathered Eagle that clashed with his temperament.

That decision led to constant friction after the contract, making it impossible to coordinate during guardian beast operations. Ultimately, he was forced to retire from the frontlines of the exotic beast war to become a high school teacher.

Even if these youngsters couldn't fully grasp his regret, he hoped that if even one student took his advice, a similar tragedy might be avoided.

Shaking off his somber thoughts, Zhao Qingsong called out loudly, "Alright, everyone inside. You have the entire day to make your selection. Once you've chosen, simply pay the breeding fee to take your new beast cub home!"

The moment he finished speaking, the students bolted toward the park entrance, terrified that a slight delay might cost them their dream beast.

Zhao Qingsong’s face initially darkened at their haste, but he soon chuckled at himself.

Hadn't he been just as impatient during his own allocation?

Wait, is there someone still waiting?

He looked surprised as he spotted a single young man who hadn't joined the stampede into the park.

It was Lin Su.

Recognizing the boy, Zhao Qingsong’s expression turned into one of understanding.

As the homeroom teacher, he was well aware of Lin Su’s circumstances. The boy likely lacked the funds for a Green Feathered Eagle’s breeding fee and would have to settle for a common elite species.

Lin Su possessed brilliant theoretical knowledge, so this limitation was surely a heavy blow. It made sense that he lacked the enthusiasm shown by his peers.

Though he felt for the boy, Zhao Qingsong was unable to help. Despite his respectable income as a master-class Beast Tamer, the costs of maintaining his own beasts were astronomical, leaving him with no extra resources to offer.

Watching Lin Su walk slowly toward the gate with a deep frown, Zhao Qingsong stepped forward and placed a comforting hand on his shoulder. "Lin Su, is everything alright?"

"Oh?" Lin Su snapped out of his trance and shook his head. "I'm fine, teacher."

In truth, the beast allocation was the furthest thing from his mind. He was preoccupied with the vivid, impossible experiences he had endured the previous night in a realm called the Martial Spirit World.

Could something that felt so visceral and real truly have been a mere dream?

He had suspected otherwise, but it wasn't until he meditated on the bus to the park that he found proof: his beast space had evolved into a second-order space overnight.

This confirmed that his experiences were no hallucination; his crossing over had been entirely real.

Now, two major problems loomed over him.

First, what caused the crossing?

Second, would it happen again?

The first answer seemed clear enough.

Reflecting on both instances, he realized he had fallen asleep before waking up in a different world.

Therefore, the phenomenon was strictly tied to his sleep cycle.

He could test this theory the next time he closed his eyes.

As for the second question, Lin Su remained uncertain, and he knew he needed to prepare for how either outcome would change his life.