Unscientific Beast Taming Chapter 1957: Contracting the Universe (1)
Previously on Unscientific Beast Taming...
Shi Yu had no genuine intention of flattering the cat.
Rather, as the moment of contracting the universe drew nearer, a growing sense of unease gripped Shi Yu.
Even though he repeatedly claimed his desire for the universe's eternity and to share that eternity with his pets...
Shi Yu was convinced that attempting what many called the universe's greatest challenge would leave him anxious, no matter if he prepared for a billion more years.
Shi Yu recognized his occasional arrogance. Yet, this boldness only surfaced when victory seemed assured, or when defeat wouldn't cost him dearly—perhaps just a hit to his pride... Besides, with his thick skin, it hardly mattered.
Besides, the dangers of contracting the universe far outstripped mere embarrassment.
He truly sought a stroll. Beyond seeking out Teacher Cat, Shi Yu aimed to wander and reflect on past journeys before tackling the universe contract.
"Wuu."
Since Shi Yu craved relaxation, Eleven tagged along without hesitation. Shi Yu patted Eleven's head as they reached Ping Cheng, now utterly transformed from its former self.
The city's economy had soared to top-tier status. Yet, the real shock for Shi Yu came from Ping Cheng's Beast Tamer Association president.
Shi Yu and his companions approached the Beast Tamer Association building's base and gazed upward, lost in a haze of memories across time.
A refined, glasses-wearing youth toiled diligently. At his feet, a Quasi-Armored Beast God slumbered peacefully on the floor.
The room's standout feature was a massive framed picture on the wall, capturing a battle scene. Flanking the arena, two spirited youths released their pets with fervor.
Mid-level transcendent, Quasi-Armored Beast!
Mid-level transcendent, Iron-eating Beast!
The image appeared clipped from security footage, frozen precisely when the referee signaled the match's beginning.
"He must be Chen Kai," Shi Yu remarked. "To think our initial rival rose to Ping Cheng's president, with his pet grown so formidable... He must've stumbled upon some lucky break."
"Sob, sob!" Eleven shared the astonishment.
Indeed, they wondered about the elevated role of old President Feng, who once guided them to exploit the Evolution Holy Spring.
Even now, Bamboo Stone Dojo's owner had shifted.
During his explorations, Shi Yu learned that Senior Panda and her dad had ventured to World King Planet for competitive rankings.
He chuckled and shook his head. Despite reaching cosmic heights, nothing could halt the panda legion's advance.
In truth, interspecies ranking matches welcomed even minor breeds. Given Lin Xiuzhu's drive, she'd never rest without probing every bit of the iron-eating beast's evolved potential.
Shi Yu long suspected this duo cherished giant pandas far more than him, an Earth-born transmigrator.
Having toured Ping Cheng, Shi Yu made his way to the Ancient Capital.
He found that nearly all his acquaintances had migrated to World King Planet, leaving few behind. It wasn't due to Blue Planet lagging behind World King Planet anymore.
Rather, World King Planet's novelty beckoned!
After decades on Blue Planet, who wouldn't yearn to explore beyond and expand their views?
Naturally, Teacher Ying had lingered at Ancient Capital University lately. Maybe after ample adventures with Shi Yu, she longed for her roots.
Who could've imagined this modest school not only nurtured several super divines but also harbored a cosmic overlord?
Ancient Capital University's setup felt both recognizable and strange to Shi Yu. Take the association president, now held by Dragon Tamer Yu Shu.
Likewise, the university principal had changed too. Dean Hao from the Mechanical College—who aided Eleven's evolution and Shi Yu's mechanical life studies—had assumed the role. Principal Feng had retired ages ago.
"Wu." Buggy couldn't fathom Yu Shu's rise to Ancient Capital Association president.
Shi Yu laughed. "Because Yin Zhengfan and the rest outperform him. They've headed to World King Planet for fun."
Maybe Shi Yu's peers from the start harbored dreams of overtaking him in those early days.
However, as years rolled on...
With Shi Yu ascending to cosmic supreme master, even Blue Planet's prodigies on World King Planet could only offer wry smiles at his name's mention. Some boasted ties to him, while others shied from admitting they'd once challenged him fiercely.
"Principal Feng, back from World King Planet already?"
Ultimately, Shi Yu visited Principal Feng. The elder had always supported him and served as Senior Lu's mentor. Shi Yu arrived bearing gifts.
"Shi, Shi Yu??" Principal Feng, reclining in his rocking chair with music playing, jolted upright. "Damn, what wind blew you here?"
Shi Yu's expression soured. "You've gotten way more spirited, huh?"
"I'm idle, so I swung by for a visit."
"... Aren't you about to contract the universe?" Principal Feng blurted out.
"How'd you know??" Shi Yu blinked in shock. He'd never shared it with Principal Feng.
"Qingyi gave me a heads-up. She warned the risks were huge." Principal Feng paused thoughtfully. "Your eyes betray it—you're gearing up for something massive. The pressure weighing on you?"
Shi Yu fell quiet. "Age brings wisdom. Though I didn't mask it on purpose, spotting a cosmic supreme master's mind so easily? You could boast for 100 million years."
"Fool! I grasp little of it. You halted cultivation post-spiritual energy revival— is it truly that perilous?" Principal Feng asked.
"Not overly so," Shi Yu replied. "Relax. Hold on, that look in your eyes feels off."
"Ahem, just pondering—if it's truly risky, you're no kid anymore. Better secure a lineage before you go."
Shi Yu: "?"
Was Principal Feng jinxing him?
"It's you, alright." Despite Shi Yu's careful aura control, the gem cat—intimately acquainted with his normal guise—sensed him instantly.
The Ancient Capital University's gem cat warped beside Principal Feng and eyed Shi Yu. "Done tampering with stuff? Got time to wander now?"
"Yep, though gotta admit, this trip's a mere whim for you."
"Perfect timing." Shi Yu rubbed his head. "Teacher Ying, I'm set to contract the universe soon. No clue on the duration for success."
"I need your help with something."
"This rushed? What's up?" The gem cat's face hardened. Shi Yu seemed overly hasty.
Still, prior to this vital endeavor, Shi Yu sought its aid.
The gem cat speculated Shi Yu might be assigning caretaking duties.
"Could you step up your game? I bet the Empress that you'd hit cosmic level before my universe contract succeeds. She claims that cat stands no chance. Help me win, slim odds and all."
The gem cat: "?"
"Level up!!"
"…"
The gem cat erupted in fury.
Beside them, Principal Feng sighed. Such insolence—after all, Teacher Ying was his instructor!!!
…
Shi Yu commenced his wanderings through Ping Cheng, Ancient Capital, Dong Huang, and across all of Blue Planet.
For most known faces, Shi Yu merely observed from distance. With select ones, he'd bring presents and join for drinks.
Blue Planet's Will soon noted Shi Yu's odd behavior. During a quiet moment, it manifested and inquired,
"Ready to proceed?"
"Affirmative." Shi Yu nodded. "Sure, more time might let me raise cosmic pets and boost my power, but prolonged delays could spiral the scenario out of control."
"Current odds of success are decent. Time to attempt it."
"Best of luck," Blue Planet's Will offered.
With Blue Planet's Will's parting well-wishes, Shi Yu grinned and departed Blue Planet, bound for World King Planet to meet contacts. Naturally, some remained in the Milky Way building it up. Visiting them all wouldn't consume much of Shi Yu's time.
Senior Lu, Senior Panda, and the pursuing beast-eared girl...
Dong Huang's successive "Legends," Tyrannical Sea "Legends," Hua "Legends," plus Dong Huang's contemporary powerhouses...
Certain individuals just watched Shi Yu pass. Others engaged directly, yet any close talk let them infer his impending action.
…
One month passed.
Though eager to contract promptly, Shi Yu reflected and realized unfinished tasks lingered. He lingered, wrapping them up to extend farewells with friends and share extra meals.
Recall, from the God of Destruction's recollections, its master expended 330,000 years on the universe contract.
A lengthy span? Not particularly.
For Shi Yu, though? Absolutely, it was.
Shi Yu yearned for quicker completion, yet such matters proved unpredictable.
Maybe tens of thousands of years would flash by for him, but for companions and pets, it'd drag eternally.
Acquaintances could cope fine. Shi Yu's chief concern lay with his pets amid the contracting phase.
His Empress contract lasted mere days, yet they already sulked.
"This round serves as your training too."
"At times, you'll aid me, but mostly, you'll navigate the universe on your own."
"No assignments from me. Simply, prioritize your joy."
"Wrong," Ling countered. "Missions exist. During contracting, a pet's cosmic breakthrough still feeds you power."
"Thus, strive to reach cosmic level next—got it?" Ling instructed the pets.
"Roar!!!" Little Ji, Duckie, and company affirmed no issues.
"Wu." Shi Yu shrugged, eyeing Eleven and the rest. "Per the plan, I'll link with the universe solo."
"What?!" Chi Tong exclaimed from the group.
"Fine, Chi Tong, you're with me," Shi Yu assured. "Ease up now."
"Now we're talking." Chi Tong shifted to sword spirit mode, evidently anticipating this eagerly.
The pets fretted over Shi Yu deeply. Each longed to accompany him, yet realized it unlikely. Likely, only Chi Tong earned that privilege now.
Still, feedback assistance worked similarly for them.
"Empress, watch over them well," Shi Yu directed the Super Empress. Evidently, he prepared to launch the universe contract.
"Got it." The Empress remained composed.
"So, Eleven, Buggy, Baby Ginseng, Susu, Ling…"
"Little Ji, Duckie, Little Zi, Qi, Shorty, Little Quasi, Turtle, Bu Lu."
"The Milky Way's yours to safeguard next."
Shi Yu parted with each pet individually.
"Wuu!!" Eleven and others reciprocated the goodbyes, harboring varied emotions. Take Eleven—it parted reluctantly but steeled itself, declaring maturity beyond childhood, ready to await Shi Yu's return patiently.
The universe contracting's initial phase...
Shift one's full physique and spirit into the Beast Taming Space.
Align the Beast Taming Space with the universe's spacetime.
This phase demanded exceptional aptitude and might.
Following success, strive to merge the Beast Taming Space into the universe's spacetime and attempt the contract integration!
Upon triumph, the Beast Taming Space merges with universal spacetime, elevating the will's core to a fresh universe overlord.
Failure meant the Beast Taming Space's annihilation, dragging the Beast Tamer and space down too.
The procedure needn't be forceful, as aggression might provoke the universe's defensive response. Soft integration offered an option too. Hence, Eleven and crew's role in Shi Yu's contract involved channeling sustenance via their bonds, sustaining him through the ordeal.
Versus confining all within the Beast Taming Space, far wiser and enduring to station most externally, gathering resources and relaying boosts to Shi Yu across ages.