The sun and moon cycle endlessly.
Chu Yi, having grasped this profound truth, couldn’t help but feel a bit excited.
Pet Beasts can use the Sun and Moon Mark as a hub to employ Deceit Beast skills—isn’t that double the fun? The extent of usage depends on the bond with Bika; it relies on mental strength.
Bika wagged its tail excitedly. Its scorching tail flame, like a striking long dragon, scattered sparks, scaring some officers into backing away. They all looked at this Pet Beast in amazement.
"Alright, calm down." Chu Yi flicked Bika’s head lightly.
"Ouch, that hurts!" Bika whimpered, its eyes squeezed shut in mock pain. Its figure then burst into a blaze of Golden Flame. As the firelight dissipated, it transformed into a palm-sized fox cub.
It hopped up, looking just like a Fur Ball. Its fluffy, smooth fox tail hooked directly around Chu Yi’s neck. Perched on his shoulder like a delicate doll, it blinked its captivatingly large eyes, stirring feelings of affection in some of the female officers.
Meanwhile, Jiang Qiuyun clung to Chu Yi’s arm, timidly hiding beside him as if she feared strangers.
This scene suddenly left the familiar officers stupefied.
The Special Warfare Department’s flower atop the high mountain actually has this side? And who is this young man, possessing such charm that he has Jiang Qiuyun fawning all over him?
Envy, jealousy, shock, confusion... a whole spectrum of emotions washed over them.
Instantly, everyone’s minds raced, and a sense of admiration for Chu Yi began to grow.
At the same time, some also harbored schadenfreude, quite eager to watch the drama unfold.
Jiang Qiuyun wasn’t short of admirers. If her pursuers saw this, they’d be absolutely infuriated! The goddess they’d fawned over to no avail, suddenly in another’s arms—who could possibly accept that?
A few officers, their eyes glinting, quickly spread the news.
Just then, a massive explosion flashed in the distance.
The battle on the front line was also entering its final stages.
The frenzied Flesh and Blood Divine Tree, after its bout of madness, gradually calmed. Its limbs turned into a heap of grayish-white ash. Having lost the support of its Divinity, this source of contamination could no longer be controlled and began to self-destruct.
Thus, before the shocked eyes of the crowd, the Flesh and Blood Divine Tree stiffened, Petrification setting in from the base of its roots. It lowered its myriad branches, which were formed of countless interwoven tendons. They writhed madly, yet lacking Divinity, they had lost their original might.
Finally, it stood there in the desert, a spectacular sight, like a statue sculpted by a frenzied artist or a mural from an Ancient One’s ruin.
But the officers fighting on the front line dared not relax, fearing it was a trick.
"The Forbidden Items are no longer emanating contamination? What’s going on here?" Qin Shi was momentarily stunned when he arrived and stumbled upon this scene.
"Perhaps it’s bait from the Life Sect," one of the accompanying Knights speculated. "Just a shell, a diversion—the old golden cicada trick to slip away."
Among the accompanying Knights, the leader—a middle-aged man in a luxurious uniform—scanned the combatants with hawkish eyes. He stated coldly, "The radiation source is here, which means the real Forbidden Items aren’t far. Give the order: conduct a carpet search."
This commanding attitude made Qin Shi frown. The man was one of the primary individuals responsible for securing the Forbidden Items; until they were found, Qin Shi had no choice but to obey his orders.
Immediately, he glanced at the adjutant standing foolishly nearby and kicked him in frustration. "Did you hear me? Lord Ji wants to investigate the Forbidden Items, so get to it! And don’t you dare show any disrespect to Lord Ji."
Ji Manlou caught the subtle mockery in Qin Shi’s tone, glanced at him, and snorted coldly.
"Ah! Oh, right." Wang Xuan had initially intended to report about Chu Yi, but seeing that this newly arrived Lord Ji was clearly not someone to be trifled with, he promptly went to carry out the order.
It seemed that as soon as this Lord Ji arrived, Deputy Chief Qin started acting all sarcastic and strange, stirring up trouble. This looked like the prelude to a battle between titans! As a mere adjutant, he didn’t want to become a casualty in a clash between two big shots, so he’d better keep his distance.
Under Wang Xuan’s arrangements, Chu Yi entered the military camp, which was fully equipped with all sorts of service facilities. Due to the many Demons in the Bloody Wilderness and considerable resource development, the military camp had also evolved into a supply station. The Federation also encouraged Beast Tamers to explore the wilderness for treasures, hunt, train, and engage in a range of other activities. Rewards were distributed by the military, making it convenient for Beast Tamers to submit their completed tasks.
In the Task Hall, a beautiful woman with a chic, urban style was at the front desk, serving an endless stream of Beast Tamers.
"Well, now..." Hua Yao, her makeup exquisite, widened her beautiful eyes and stared blankly at the data a handsome young man was transmitting via his Star Bracelet.
Slaying the Nightmare Deer King? Nightmare Deer are ordinary Demons, mid-level elites, roughly around Tier 3, Stage 5. A solo Red Copper Beast Tamer could handle one. But the Nightmare Deer King is a War General-level Demon that commands the entire herd! And who knows how much its strength has been amplified by contamination from the Abyss? Even a Silver-rank team could be wiped out by one!
She pulled up the database and glanced at his record. Hmm, registered with Pet Beast Home for less than two days, and he’s only completed one mission—driving away Fireball Mice? Isn’t that a beginner-level Black Iron task? Wait a minute... Over a hundred Fireball Mice? Unanimous positive reviews from the villagers? A personal commendation from the village chief? What in the world is all this...?
Hua Yao felt a headache coming on from the confusion. She contacted her superiors, who then began to make inquiries among themselves.
"Hello, Director? I have a mission submission I need to verify..."
"Hello, Commissioner. Could you please look into this...?"
"What? Jiang Qiuyun’s new boyfriend? Oh, oh, I understand..."
After multiple confirmations from various parties, the matter was finally confirmed. The data feedback showed it clearly: Hua Yao stared in astonishment—the record of him slaying the Nightmare Deer King was genuine.
There were no restrictions on challenge missions, though they did note the Demon’s strength level. The Federation would be overjoyed if all the Demons in the Secret Realms were wiped out, as it would reduce radiation pollution and clear paths for resource extraction. Furthermore, unique Demons were registered in the database. The Federation possessed Spiritual Energy technology similar to radar that could confirm a Demon’s life status, and the data it showed matched what the young man had provided.
Could it be? Was he really some prodigy from a prominent Beast Taming Family, one who had been so engrossed in training and leveling up that he’d only recently emerged into the world?
"What’s the matter, is there a problem?" Chu Yi asked curiously.
He had previously seen the challenge missions listed at Pet Beast Home; the Nightmare Deer King was one of them, and it offered generous rewards. Eldest Master Chu had always been frugal and couldn’t stand to see anything go to waste. And so, the Nightmare Deer King’s final bit of value had been thoroughly squeezed out.
"Not at all, esteemed Beast Tamer," Hua Yao said. "Your achievements have been verified. You’ll receive a total of three million Federation Coins and 100 contribution points. They will be dispatched to your account within three days."
Hua Yao paused. Her beautiful eyes flashed, her uniform accentuating her graceful figure. Her tone softened as she said, "Young Mister, you’re so young. How about we add each other on WeChat?"
She had very prominent cleavage.
Chu Yi took Jiang Qiuyun’s small hand, turned, and walked away without a second glance, showing no interest whatsoever.
Compared to the Scumbag Female Knight—who was formidable, not least for the "Mid-Autumn full moons" she privately harbored—Chu Yi had already developed considerable immunity.