Zheng Dong opened the door and paused.
"Sister Lan, what is this..."
"I don't want to cause unnecessary trouble. I've applied for all your benefits, and I've gathered all the pet skills for you."
Tu Qionglan walked into the house, sat on the sofa, and took out a pile of cultivation resources from her beast-taming space.
As long as the strength of the beast-taming space is sufficient, it can be used as storage.
Cultivation resources can be roughly divided into ten levels, with level ten being mythical resources, which are rare and hard to come by.
However, at Xiao Zi's current level, even mythical resources would be unusable and might even explode.
What Tu Qionglan took out were level one and two resources suitable for the Treasure Hunting Rat's cultivation, such as Profound Iron, Black Gold, Starfall Meteorite, Burning Earth, and Dark Night Crystal, all worth over a million.
Seeing these resources, Zheng Dong said happily,
"Sister Lan, thank you. With these resources, I can quickly help the Treasure Hunting Rat grow to the Extraordinary level."
"With your words, my efforts are not in vain.
However, to win the Rookie King of Rong City, being Extraordinary is not enough. You need to evolve the Treasure Hunting Rat into a Gold Devouring Rat and reach the Commander level as soon as possible," Tu Qionglan said.
Zheng Dong nodded. With Tu Qionglan's support and his own talent, as long as there were no accidents, there was still great hope.
"Sister Lan, do you have any news about the Spirit God Cult?" Zheng Dong asked.
The Spirit God Cult was currently a sword hanging over his head, and he needed to be constantly vigilant.
"Not yet. I think they will make a move against you within these two to three weeks, trying to seize your beast-taming talent.
You need to get your Treasure Hunting Rat to master these five skills as soon as possible!"
As Tu Qionglan spoke, she took out five skill inheritance pearls.
Skill inheritance pearls were used by beast-tamers with inheritance talent to seal pet skills within the pearls. As long as the pearls were used, the pet could learn the skills within.
Of course, using skill inheritance pearls did not guarantee 100% success.
It was best if the skill attribute matched the pet's, and if the skill was suitable for the pet to master, the success rate would be close to 100%.
"Don't worry, Sister Lan. For the sake of survival, I will also make the Treasure Hunting Rat master them as soon as possible."
What Zheng Dong meant by mastering was reaching the Proficient level.
Tu Qionglan, however, believed that it would be good enough if Zheng Dong could help the Treasure Hunting Rat learn these skills to the Beginner level within two weeks.
Then, Tu Qionglan took out a smart mechanical device that looked like an electronic watch.
"This is a smart pet encyclopedia exclusively for the Special Affairs Bureau. It contains the most detailed information on various extraordinary creatures.
Although it is not a mechanical life form, its intelligence has reached a basic level.
Once you become a formal member, you will have the opportunity to awaken it into a mechanical life form, and it can transform into dozens of forms, such as a mobile phone, glasses, mechanical gloves, belts, hats, and so on.
Its main function is to help you detect the growth level and energy value of unknown extraordinary creatures.
It also has functions like positioning and communication."
As she spoke, Tu Qionglan picked up the smart pet encyclopedia and looked at Xiao Zi, who was lying lazily on the sofa.
The smart pet encyclopedia quickly scanned Xiao Zi and then displayed information about it.
[Name] Mutated Treasure Hunting Rat
[Attribute] Metal, Earth, Dark
[Race Level] High Extraordinary
[Growth Level] Awakened Level 7
[Energy Value] 24
An energy value of 24 was not low for Xiao Zi. Most Treasure Hunting Rats at Awakened Level 10 would not have an energy value exceeding 24.
If compared to ordinary adults, an ordinary adult's energy value would be around 6 to 10.
Xiao Zi's energy value reaching 24 was closely related to its physical mutation and its consumption of the Origin Fruit.
Furthermore, energy value did not equal combat power; it only determined the power and number of uses for a single skill.
Secondly, energy value could be strengthened through self-exercise, skill improvement, and other means. It was not a fixed number and could even break racial limitations.
"Not bad. In just three days, you've leveled up your Treasure Hunting Rat by one level, which is faster than I expected!" Tu Qionglan praised.
This made her feel even more that she had not misjudged him.
Afterward, Tu Qionglan took out a black identification card.
Special Affairs Bureau Reserve Member Card.
With this card, Zheng Dong would not only receive a fixed salary each month but also have the authority to investigate certain important events and individuals, with authority even exceeding that of ordinary security bureau members.
"I have other matters to attend to. If you have any questions about cultivation, you can contact me by phone!"
Tu Qionglan was busy. After handing over the items, she got up to leave.
After seeing Tu Qionglan off, Zheng Dong continued to cultivate.
First, he had Xiao Zi accept the skill inheritance.
The entire process was simple: just place the skill inheritance pearl against Xiao Zi's head.
It was like the legendary "醍醐灌顶" (ti hu guan ding - a metaphor for imparting knowledge or skills).
In the beast-taming space, Xiao Zi, as per Zheng Dong's request, first accepted the inheritance of the high-level skill Shadow Clone.
After the skill inheritance pearl had been against Xiao Zi's head for five seconds, various information about Shadow Clone poured into Xiao Zi's mind like a stream.
This was the effect of the inheritance talent possessed by the beast-tamer who had sealed the Shadow Clone skill.
Next, it was up to Xiao Zi to comprehend and learn it.
This was not difficult.
Zheng Dong also activated his beast-taming talent skill domain to help Xiao Zi reach the beginner level quickly.
In just a day and a half, Xiao Zi mastered the Shadow Clone skill and advanced it to the Proficient level.
Zheng Dong also completed the imprinting of the Shadow Clone skill.
He could now use Shadow Clone to clean, wash dishes, and cook.
However, he could currently only summon nine clones, which was not enough.
Next, Zheng Dong spent another day and a half cultivating the high-level skill Shattering Gold Claws to the Proficient level.
He then spent seven days cultivating the intermediate-level skills Earth Spike, Shadow Control, and Clay to the Mastery level.
And he completed the skill imprinting.
With this, Zheng Dong could now use the skills Shadow Clone, Earth Spike, Shadow Control, Clay, Harden, Earth Evasion, and Shadow Transformation.
In his beast-taming space, seven stars appeared, of varying sizes, with three medium-sized ones shining the brightest.
As the number of imprinted skills increased, Zheng Dong also found that his beast-taming space became more stable.
Perhaps when his beast-taming space was filled with stars, it would be impregnable.
Xiao Zi, who was originally lazy and disliked cultivation, under the influence of Zheng Dong's beast-taming talent, became more eager to cultivate than before.
It was determined to become the strongest Treasure Hunting Rat.
In these ten days of cultivation, it broke through to Awakened Level 8.
And it was soon to reach the threshold of Awakened Level 9.
[Name] Mutated Treasure Hunting Rat
[Attribute] Metal, Earth, Dark
[Race Level] High Extraordinary
[Growth Level] Awakened Level 8
[Energy Value] 45
[Skills]:
Low-level: Harden (Proficient), Earth Evasion (Proficient), Shadow Transformation (Proficient)
Intermediate-level: Earth Spike (Mastery), Shadow Control (Mastery), Clay (Mastery)
High-level: Duplication (Proficient), Shattering Gold Claws (Proficient), Shadow Clone (Proficient)
Special Skill: Treasure Hunting (Mastery)
Moreover, it did not feel tired at all; instead, it became more energetic.
On the other hand, Zheng Dong felt as if he had been drained, needing to replenish his energy every so often.
"Master, keep going! Let me see what your limit is?"
In the beast-taming space, Xiao Zi wanted to continue cultivating and master all skills to the Mastery level.
Meanwhile, Zheng Dong, who had been cooped up for so many days, was getting restless.
He wanted to go out for a stroll and rest.
But the thought of the Spirit God Cult gave him the motivation to cultivate again.
After all, he couldn't let a Treasure Hunting Rat outdo him.
He decided to cultivate the three defensive skills, Harden, Earth Evasion, and Shadow Transformation, to the Grandmaster level before going out.
Only then would he feel safe.
Improving the proficiency of the three low-level skills was also quick.
In less than twelve days in total,
Harden, Earth Evasion, and Shadow Transformation all reached the Grandmaster level.
After reaching Grandmaster level, Harden could not only cover the entire body but also project hardened material outwards.
Zheng Dong picked up a pair of chopsticks, covered them with hardened material, and chopped them with a cleaver several times. They were completely unharmed, but the cleaver was damaged.
Earth Evasion allowed him to burrow into the ground at will, merging with the earth to quickly evade attacks.
Shadow Transformation was no longer as awkward as before. Zheng Dong's clothes and even close-fitting weapons like daggers could transform into a phantom image along with him.
Xiao Zi also entered Awakened Level 9 as a result, getting closer and closer to Awakened Level 10.
Zheng Dong gritted his teeth and decided to put in a bit more effort, using some level one and two resources for Xiao Zi.
After another three days of cultivation, Xiao Zi entered Awakened Level 10.
Its energy value reached 64.
However, to achieve the Extraordinary level, it still needed some time to cultivate.
Zheng Dong decided to go to school.
After all, he hadn't been there for almost a month.
The school Zheng Dong attended was Rong City Anhe District Second Beast-Taming High School.
Now, the graduation time was getting closer and closer.
The minimum requirement for graduation was to have opened a beast-taming space, awakened beast-taming talent, and become a novice beast-tamer.
Therefore, the cultural classes had ended more than a month ago. Students could choose to meditate at home or at school, which was relatively free.
If one had not awakened beast-taming talent, they could choose to repeat the year until they awakened.
However, they could not exceed the age of twenty at the latest.
This was because the age between eighteen and twenty was the best age to open a beast-taming space and awaken beast-taming talent.
Zheng Dong took Xiao Zi with him and walked towards the school.
His Lakeside Residential Area was only a fifteen-minute walk from the school.
As soon as he walked out the door, his phone rang.
Zheng Dong thought it was Tu Qionglan.
Unexpectedly, it was his best friend, Ning Wei.
Ning Wei was considered a second-generation rich kid. His family not only owned a company but also a beast-tamer club.
When Zheng Dong answered the phone, he heard Ning Wei's familiar voice.
"Brother Dong, how's it going? Have you awakened your beast-taming talent? I succeeded! I awakened the Mechanical Control beast-taming talent. My dad promised me that I could contract a Mechanical King Kong Wolf, a high-level Commander-grade Mechanical King Kong Wolf!" Ning Wei boasted.
Mechanical Control was a very good beast-taming talent.
It allowed the beast-tamer and mechanical life forms to achieve a state of human-machine unity.
It could also command large-scale mechanical combat groups.
Beast-tamers who contracted mechanical life forms called themselves Mechanists.
Ning Wei's dream was to become a Mechanist.
His family's club also focused mainly on Mechanists.
"Wow, you're really lucky!"
Zheng Dong was also happy for Ning Wei.
But he wasn't bad either, and there was nothing to envy.
"Heh heh, I awakened it a while ago. My Xiao Zi's growth level has reached Awakened Level 10, and it will soon grow to the Extraordinary level." Zheng Dong said with a smile.
"Holy crap, when did this happen? How come I didn't know?" Ning Wei asked, full of surprise and envy.
Even if he contracted the Mechanical King Kong Wolf, its growth level would not exceed Awakened Level 6.
This was because a too-high growth level not only affected the contract but also the stability of the beast-taming space.
Unless they obtained beast-taming space enhancement resources, most beast-tamers would not contract pets exceeding Awakened Level 6 for the first time.
Therefore, Ning Wei's Mechanical King Kong Wolf still needed him to cultivate it slowly.
"I awakened some time ago. I've been cultivating at home. Now I'm planning to go to school. Are you going?" Zheng Dong continued.
"Yes, the school is about to stop registration for awakening. If I don't register, I'll have to repeat the year and wait until next year," Ning Wei replied, nodding.
Zheng Dong had forgotten about this matter.
After awakening beast-taming talent at home, one needed to register at school. After the registration deadline, the school would reclassify the classes and prepare for the graduation examination.
Before the graduation examination, the school would also organize an inter-school ranking competition.
The top ten in the ranking competition could represent the school in the Rong City Rookie King Competition.
The Rong City Rookie King Competition was, in essence, for students who had just become novice beast-tamers.
Novice beast-tamers who placed in the top ten of the competition would receive invitations from major beast-taming universities in the Yanhuang Kingdom, with qualifications for direct admission and generous scholarships.