My Beast Is the 12-Winged Angel Chapter 3: Angel with Broken Wings
Previously on My Beast Is the 12-Winged Angel...
The Beast Taming Shop stands as the premier establishment in Lin Yuan City, serving as the central hub for managing the distribution of resources flowing from the Alternate Space.
Within its walls, customers can find not only various Guardian Beasts captured from that otherworldly realm but also rare crafting materials, specialized evolution potions, and even priceless treasures.
Gu Xing arrived at the imposing entrance of the Beast Taming Association, tilting his head back to take in the view.
The architecture was a massive pyramid divided into five distinct levels, with each floor representing a specific grade of quality—
Common, Elite, Excellent, Epic, and Legendary.
Naturally, the summit—the "Legendary Level" zone—remained vacant throughout the year, save for the occasional display of rare artifacts from the Alternate Space intended for public viewing.
The fourth floor's "Epic Level" section was similarly sparse, housing only a handful of epic-grade materials with price tags so astronomical they left onlookers speechless.
Choosing not to linger on the first floor, Gu Xing headed straight for the third level—
The wing dedicated to Excellent-level Guardian Beasts.
Inside the expansive hall, dozens of Guardian Beasts of various shapes and sizes were contained within specialized energy cages. Each enclosure featured a placard detailing the creature's statistics and cost.
As Gu Xing’s gaze swept across the room, attribute panels materialized automatically within his vision—
[Mystic Snake]
[Talent: Excellent Three Stars]
[Level: Tier Zero]
[Skills: Poisonous Fang Bite]
[Spirit Cat]
[Talent: Excellent One Star]
[Level: Tier Zero]
[Skills: Agile Evasion]
...
The market value for these Guardian Beasts typically fluctuated between 500,000 and 1,000,000, with those possessing superior talent fetchng much higher prices.
Eventually, Gu Xing came to a halt before a wolf-like Guardian Beast.
This creature boasted the highest potential on the entire third floor—
[Gray Wolf]
[Talent: Excellent Three Stars]
[Attributes: Wind Element]
[Level: Tier Zero]
[Skills: Gale Claw Strike]
[Cultivation Suggestion: Wind Spirit Grass, Hurricane Crystal...]
Observing these Guardian Beasts, each possessing only a solitary skill, Gu Xing felt a slight frown form on his face.
While an Excellent-level Guardian Beast was generally considered a respectable choice, the disparity between them and an Epic-level Enchanting Demon was simply massive.
Furthermore, with twenty million in funds at his disposal, he was fully equipped to aim for a much higher ceiling!
"Excuse me, does the Beast Taming Association have any other Guardian Beasts available?"
He flagged down a nearby employee, refusing to settle just yet.
"Greetings, customer. The specimens currently on display represent the entirety of the Guardian Beasts our shop has acquired this year."
Excellent Talent...
He looked back at the Gray Wolf. A three-star talent was already a rare find for a standard Beast Master.
However, having already witnessed the skill set of an Epic-level Enchanting Demon, this level of Guardian Beast failed to impress him.
Besides, attempting to cultivate such a beast to reach the heights of an Enchanting Demon might cost more than his twenty million could cover.
Just as he prepared to walk away, feeling a sense of letdown...
The employee suddenly called out to him.
"Wait! There is one other location..."
Gu Xing spun around so abruptly that the staff member instinctively recoiled half a step.
"Where is it?"
Startled by the young man's intensity, the employee clarified.
"It is like this—we only showcase the Guardian Beasts brought in during the current year."
"Those that went unselected in previous years are kept in the logistics department for unified management."
"It's just that... customer, please do not get your hopes up. Those Guardian Beasts are essentially the defective leftovers that others have passed over."
Upon hearing this, the spark of hope that had just flared up in Gu Xing's heart began to dim once more.
What were the odds of finding a beast with decent talent among a pile of rejected "defective" products?
Still, following the logic of "I might as well check since I'm already here," Gu Xing hesitated for a moment before deciding to visit the logistics department.
Even if he found nothing there, he could always return to the third floor to form a contract with the Gray Wolf.
"You should move quickly, though, as they are scheduled for disposal very soon."
...
Logistics Department.
The atmosphere here was dim and suffocating.
In a far corner, a silver-haired girl sat huddled, her knees pulled tight against her chest and her face buried deep in her arms.
Surrounding her were several other Guardian Beasts of varying forms, all quietly awaiting their final judgment.
A Shadow Leopard missing a limb, a Spirit Fox born without sight...
These were the unwanted "defects" that had remained unclaimed for a full year.
"Time is up."
The metal hinges gave a piercing screech as a young man in a uniform pushed the door open.
Today was the official Beast Summoning Day in Lin Yuan City, which also marked the end of the line for these creatures.
The association was not a charity; keeping them alive for a year was already an act of extreme benevolence.
By destroying them, the association could at least recover some raw materials, ensuring that nothing went to waste.
At the sound of footsteps, the Guardian Beasts rose with hollow expressions.
Yet, the most arresting figure remained the silver-haired girl.
As she lifted her head, her silver locks flowed down like a shimmering waterfall. Her delicate features were accented by a pair of amber eyes, making her look like an angel who had fallen to the earth.
No—
She actually was an angel!
The staff member let out a quiet sigh.
A year ago, the arrival of this Epic Talent angel in Lin Yuan City had caused a massive stir.
Regrettably, due to her congenital defects, she was considered inferior to even the most mundane Guardian Beasts, as she was unable to grow or level up through a contract.
Such "defective goods" possessed almost no value, even for material recovery.
"Let's move out!"
Just as he was about to lead them away, the sound of rushing footsteps echoed from the corridor.
"Wait a moment!"
Gu Xing burst into the room, gasping for air, his hair matted with sweat.
He had spent thirty minutes navigating the labyrinthine Beast Taming Shop before finally locating this isolated logistics area.
His eyes scanned the room and were immediately drawn to that silver silhouette.
The attribute interface flashed before him instantly:
[Angel (Liu Li)]
[Status: Uncontracted (Cannot Contract Due to Damaged Wings)]
[Talent: Epic Nine Stars]
[Level: Tier Zero]
[Skills: Holy Light Judgment, Wings of Heaven, Divine Lament]
[Special State: Congenital Flaw (Damaged Wings) (Negative State: Cannot Level Up)]
[Cultivation Suggestion: Use Angel’s Feather, Radiant Star Dust, Holy Spirit Stone (to heal injuries)]
Gu Xing’s pupils contracted sharply.
An Epic Nine Stars talent Guardian Beast?!
This was the highest potential he had encountered thus far...
She was only a single step away from the Legendary Level!
Furthermore, while Epic Level Guardian Beasts usually possessed only two skills, Liu Li...
Actually had three!
However...
His gaze drifted toward her back.
Where a pair of holy wings should have been, there was only a haunting void.
This was exactly why she had been discarded by everyone else!
But the system had provided a solution for repair:
Angel’s Feather x1, Radiant Star Dust x3, Holy Spirit Stone x1.
By some stroke of luck, all three of these materials were currently in stock at the Beast Taming Shop!
Gu Xing’s heart began to race with excitement.
It was her! This was the Guardian Beast he had been searching for!
If her injuries were mended, her talent would completely eclipse that of the Enchanting Demon!
Taking a deep breath, Gu Xing stepped toward the staff member.
"Hello. I wish to purchase that angel. What is her price?"
At those words...
Liu Li’s eyes widened in shock.
She slowly raised her head, her amber eyes reflecting the figure standing in the light.
Was he... actually talking about her?
For more than three hundred days and nights, she had remained huddled in this dark corner. She had held onto hope countless times, only to have it crushed again and again.
Eventually, she had become numb, no longer daring to believe that anyone would ever look at her twice.
But now—
This human stranger was pointing directly at her.
She felt as though an invisible hand was squeezing her heart, making it difficult to breathe.
Did he... truly understand what he was choosing?
Someone like her shouldn't even dare to hope...
And yet... why did her heart feel this sudden, sharp pang of emotion?