Beast Taming: I Can Add Points

’It’s only been a few days, and they’re already at the point of going out alone?’

Fang Yuan knew nothing about romance. He’d never been in a relationship and had no plans to be, but he’d heard that things were pretty much settled once you reached this stage.

Fang Yuan didn’t dare to imagine what stage they’d reach in a few more days.

’Look at them. They’re not even in the commander’s position. How are they supposed to observe their Pet Beasts’ condition? How can they give the most appropriate commands?’

While he didn’t oppose this union, he believed this was a prime time for a Beast Tamer’s growth and training, a time when they shouldn’t be distracted by other things.

In this respect, Fang Yuan felt he was doing a great job—focusing on Beast Taming, ignoring everything else, and especially avoiding romance.

On the other hand, Fang Yuan was also marveling at the power their Pet Beasts displayed.

The standard twenty-meter-diameter arena was dwarfed by the surging currents summoned by the Turbulent Duck and the Wave-Riding Duck. Both torrents were incredibly powerful, crashing and merging on the platform, frequently splashing high over the Energy Barrier.

The spray occasionally landed on the surrounding arenas, with some of it even reaching him.

This wasn’t the first time Bilang and Xue Li had clashed, and Fang Yuan knew the outcome of their battle was a foregone conclusion.

As a Wave-Riding Duck, Xue Li’s attacks were more ferocious, her control over Water more precise, and she possessed an endurance for sustained assaults and a prowess in close combat that ordinary Turbulent Ducks simply couldn’t match.

She could use what would be an ultimate move for others as a basic attack; she was ferocious at range and even deadlier up close. The thought alone was demoralizing.

He recalled how, back in the city league, Liu Yuhang had lost to him after a bitter fight. But now... how the tables have turned.

Despite this, Fang Yuan wasn’t particularly bothered. After all, he was no longer the person he once was.

Getting stronger was important, but it wasn’t everything.

He was content just having Lilith by his side, safe and sound. It didn’t matter if she wasn’t the strongest.

It was just as Su Zhi had said: life is a journey, not a race. You have to stop focusing on the so-called finish line to appreciate the scenery along the way and travel light.

”Whoa, they’re so amazing...”

A girl’s soft voice sounded from beside him.

Fang Yuan turned his head and saw a cute little cowlick. Below it was an equally small head with big, sparkling eyes full of admiration.

”That’s Liu Yuhang, right?! The one who brought the Wave-Riding Duck back to the world! I watched his match live!

”And that’s Katie! She has an Iron Birch Mantis! She’s the one who turned the tables in the fourth doubles match of the finals!

”I can’t believe I’m seeing two TV celebrities at once! This is so exciting!”

Xu Ruo bounced on her feet, as excited as a sheltered kid who’d never seen the world.

For a moment, Fang Yuan didn’t know whether to laugh or cry.

’So you’re only just noticing? They’ve been here for over an hour. What a ditz.’

”Oh, wait, no, three!” Xu Ruo said, nodding quickly as she looked at Fang Yuan, as if she’d just remembered something.

”They’re amazing, but you and Lilith are even more amazing!”

”Chirp~” Lilith nudged Fang Yuan with her elbow, her eyes curving into crescents.

Fang Yuan glanced down at Xu Ruo and said half-jokingly, ”Lilith and I aren’t as amazing as they are.”

”Hmm.” Xu Ruo lowered her head in thought for a moment before looking up again.

”That’s because Lilith hasn’t evolved yet! If she evolves into a White Flame Warrior, she’ll definitely be even more amazing than them!”

The White Flame Warrior is the Evolutionary Type of the White Flame Battle Spirit, a High Level Elite Race. Unlike other Races, the White Flame Battle Spirit’s evolution doesn’t require specific rituals or resources; it happens naturally through the crucible of countless battles.

The upside, of course, was that it saved resources. The downside... you never knew when the evolution would occur. It was even possible it might never reach that point and evolve at all.

But in Xu Ruo’s mind, Lilith’s evolution was a sure thing!

”Chirp!” Lilith pumped a fist in response.

’A cute White Flame Battle Spirit can do anything!’

Fang Yuan glanced at Lilith. ”Even if Lilith evolves, it’s hard to gain an advantage against a powerful Pet Beast with a counter Attribute.”

”Hmm...” Xu Ruo lowered her head in thought again, a troubled expression on her face.

She couldn’t think of any more ways to praise him...

Fang Yuan, however, blinked teasingly, curious to see what kind of praise she would come up with next.

”N-no, it’s fine! It’s not a big deal!”

After thinking for a good while, Xu Ruo came up with nothing. She finally just lifted her head and declared with more confidence than reason, ”Anyway, you’re just amazing!”

”Alright, alright.” Fang Yuan chuckled and nodded, then quickly composed his expression.

”Not like me... I can’t seem to improve much, no matter how hard I try...” Xu Ruo mumbled, her head hanging low.

Fang Yuan looked over at Bubble, pondering for a moment.

After a full morning of training, he had a good grasp of Bubble’s weaknesses.

On paper, Bubble’s stats were fine; it could gather plenty of potent Wind Energy. In practice, however, its Wind Blades were often unstable, dissipating into chaotic gusts of air before they could even hit their target.

It was like everyone else was firing a bullet, while she was just splashing a ladleful of water.

By any teacher’s standards, this was a textbook problem Pet Beast. An instructor would typically pull the student aside within the first three weeks of the contract and advise them to get a replacement as soon as possible.

Fang Yuan’s first three Pet Beasts had been similar cases.

But now...

”Like I said, it’s not necessarily a lack of talent, just an inability to properly harness it.”

Fang Yuan said softly, his gaze unconsciously sweeping over the surroundings as his mind raced.

This was the first time he’d put so much thought into strategizing for someone else’s Pet Beast. Lilith didn’t seem to mind, though; she even seemed to be cheering him on with her gaze...

As his gaze swept over Liu Yuhang and Katie on the adjacent arena, Fang Yuan paused.

The chaotic currents of wind released by Bubble superimposed themselves over the waves of water before his eyes.

’That’s right... Their essence is the same!’

Fang Yuan’s eyes lit up. ”Maybe Bubble could try to do it like a Hao Waterfowl.”

”Huh?” A small question mark seemed to pop up over Xu Ruo’s head.

”I mean, have Bubble try to organize her Wind Energy the same way a Hao Waterfowl releases its Water stream attacks. That might suit her better.”

Xu Ruo looked completely lost. ”S-so, how do we do that?”

Fang Yuan gave her a look that said, ’Let’s see what you think.’

So Xu Ruo turned to Bubble with a ”why-not-give-it-a-try” look.

”Squawk.” Bubble shook her head, looking aggrieved.

’She was a falcon, not a duck; she had no idea.’

Fang Yuan sighed. He instinctively wanted to ask Lilith to demonstrate, but that wasn’t her style; she couldn’t pull it off either...

’Those two are Su Zhi’s classmates, after all. Maybe I should ask them?’

With that thought, Fang Yuan called out, ”Liu Yuhang.”

”Huh?”

Across the way, Liu Yuhang stretched his neck from the bench and blinked curiously. ”Fang Yuan? When did you get here?”

Katie also wore the expression of someone who’d just discovered a new species.

Fang Yuan was momentarily speechless.

’So they didn’t notice me this whole time either? Why are these two as clueless as Xu Ruo?’

”Oh? And you’ve brought a girl. Your classmate?” Katie had already sidled over to size up Xu Ruo.

Fang Yuan: ”Yes.”

Xu Ruo pursed her lips nervously, her hands anxiously tugging at the hem of her shirt. ”H-hello, experts...”

”Mhm, not bad at all~” Katie nodded, a smile like an approving mother-in-law on her face.

Fang Yuan: ”...”

’What did she mean by that nod? I have a feeling it wasn’t an acknowledgment of her skills.’

Meanwhile, Liu Yuhang was giving him a look that clearly said, ’Where did you find her?’

”...She sits in front of me in class. Her name is Xu Ruo. We came to the Battle Hall to train together today.”

To prevent any further misunderstanding, Fang Yuan quickly introduced Xu Ruo.

Xu Ruo let out a small ”Oh!” and quickly bowed. ”N-nice to meet you!”

Noticing that both Liu Yuhang and Katie had knowing smirks, Xu Ruo blinked and glanced nervously at Fang Yuan, her eyes asking if she’d done something wrong.

Fang Yuan gave a slight shake of his head, then turned to the other two. ”So, here’s the thing. Xu Ruo’s Pet Beast...”

「One minute later.」

Liu Yuhang looked at Katie. ”I don’t really get it, to be honest.”

Katie looked back at Liu Yuhang. ”It sounds super impressive, though.”

”So, what’s the play?”

Katie’s eyes darted from her side to theirs, and a great idea struck her.

”Let’s have a doubles Pet Beast Battle! Maybe they’ll figure it out as they fight!”

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